Thursday, January 19, 2012

Marathon Amnesia

Yesterday I had fully planned on doing the circuit workout during my lunch break... Until I looked at the clock and it was after 4pm. Things were so crazy busy that I only got up to use the bathroom. Depressing? Yes. But it is only going to get worse as out busy time is not yet underway (I work in investment consulting).

Kilax had a post yesterday talking about coaches. I also spoke with Maggie over the weekend and she had mentioned one of her friends using a coach also. I've been thinking a lot about this lately, although we don't really have the money for it right this second/month. I thought it would be fun to do some research and see if a coach could help me reach some of my 2012 goals. Have any of you used a coach before? What are some pros and cons? How has it worked out for you?


In other news, I finally started reading Hal Higdon's book: Marathon, The Ultimate Training Guide. Maybe it would have made more sense for me to read this before I ran my first marathon last year? Either way, I am totally getting marathon fever. I have too much on my plate in 2012 (cousin's wedding, CFA exam in December) but I def want to run one in 2013... (If I'm not pregnant.) My friend Kate and I have talked about also doing one the year we turn 30, just because it will be a giant milestone of a year. Is it too ambitious to be thinking about 2013 and 2014 goals when I have barely started some of my 2012 goals? One of these marathons, I'm going to try and get into the NYC Marathon lottery. If I don't make it, I'm signing up for Chicago. I might even try to qualify for Boston. It is such a prestigious race, I think I'm going to regret not giving it a try. BUT first marathon goal would be to cross the finish line without puking first. Maybe after that I can think about improving my time. :) Have you already started thinking about goals for 2013 or 2014?

Obligatory marathon finisher photo

21 comments:

  1. 2012 just started! how would you have time to finish any goals?? :) Plan i way. I am on the 5 year boston marathon plan. (because i think it will take me that long to qualify! ) 2017, yeah!

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  2. Haha, true story! I think I might be on the 5 year plan too, but I def would like to give qualification a try. God willing I don't encounter any injuries (crosses fingers and toes). And it is comforting to know I'm not the only crazy out there with goals set for years into the future.

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  3. runningforthekitchenJanuary 19, 2012 at 12:08 PM

    no way is it too early to stat thinking about 2013 or 2014! there are so many marathons that i want to do that i have a small mental gameplan already....i already have a 3013 goal pending my BQ time is fast enough to register. you can totally do it!!

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  4. But at about Mile 25 at Grand Rapids you looked over at me with the most serious look on your face and told me flat out, "If you ever hear of me wanting to do another marathon again, you remind me of this moment right now!" And I said "No Kelly, I won't do it!!" lol. I knew you would want to do another one!

    Never to late to start thinking of goals!! And hopefully I will have 2 more under my belt by next year!!

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  5. Oh Amanda... Thinking of that time, I can now reflect and smile. I talked with my husband about running last night. I said I had marathon fever and was contemplating signing up for Chicago again this year. He looked at me like I was insane--because I am. However, I think I'm just going to stick with my plan and take this year to build a strong base of long slow miles so that when 2013 comes around, I'll be prepared for a puke-free marathon! (I like this goal better than a specific time.)

    I'm thinking about maybe getting a coach to help with my next marathon? Or maybe just go off of Jeanne/RFK's speed workouts? TBD, plenty of time to decide!

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  6. Haha... nice! I'm hoping that a BQ is in my future... SOME DAY... (hey, a girl can dream, right?) Maybe I can just channel the power of Shalane and Kara

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  7. runningforthekitchenJanuary 19, 2012 at 3:44 PM

    it was only Shalane's SECOND marathon. that just says that you can dream anything!

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  8. I think creating a good base this year in preparation for a 2013 marathon is a great idea. Who knows, maybe you can do a spring and fall marathon in 2013. Spring can be your "finish puke-free" goal and then in the fall you can set a time goal.

    Also I started reading that book around Christmas. It takes me forever to finish a book these days (something that makes me miss my days of taking the Metra) so I maybe I'll actually finish it before my first marathon.

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  9. Thanks! And best of luck in achieving your BQ time!! :)

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  10. Haha good idea! It would be a lot to do 2 marathons in 1 year, but we'll see how it goes! I know I've told you a bunch, but I think I set way too ambitious of a goal for myself for my marathon in 2011. I needed to take a step back and re-evaluate. Now, in retrospect, that is a lot easier and I know what I can and need to do for next time.

    I think going from a 5:28 marathon and then trying to run a 3:35 BQ marathon is too much to push your body through. However, putting some time and extra efforts in between, it could work out over the course of a few years... unless babies come into the picture and mess all that up. Haha!

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  11. Babies mess up everything! =P

    My first half marathon was 2:48, and that was in May 2010. My next half will be sometime this spring, so that's two years, and I'm wondering if I can get under 2 hours (and if so by how much) which would mean I've shaved an hour off my half marathon time in two years. So I think shaving two hours off your marathon time in 2 years might be doable. But I'm no professional! And you have years to BQ, and the older you get, the higher your BQ time. So there's that.

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  12. That is a good point. I think the first marathon was so much for me to get through mentally as well. I'm hoping the 2nd time around it won't be as tough mentally, because I've done it before! :)

    My first half was 2:18 in 2008. I feel I've come a long way since then and I'm hoping to finish some time under 2:00 (and possibly even 1:45ish??) If the training is done and the weather is right... why not!? I wish you were running Palos, we could help push each other!

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  13. Me too, but Amanda and Susan are running it, I think they'll push you! And we're both doing RnR Chicago, so we can push each other there. Plenty of opportunities for us both to set awesome half marathon PRs this year!

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  14. Very true! I've talked to Amanda about running RNR with her this year as a fun run for me and a PR attempt for her. I think her half PR is somewhere around 2:13. But I also want to do another half marathon in the fall and also was thinking of doing one with Kate S. too. So many races!! Hopefully I win the lottery soon so I can pay for all of this. HAHA

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  15. RUN ALL THE RACES! That seems to be my motto.

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  16. Just come and do NJ with me in May. Sure there is a lot going on but who cares. You can make it happen. haha. Anyway my PT is my coach and I love having him. I could not do it without him. i highly recommend it :)

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  17. It is never too early to start thinking ahead! Especially for the marathon. Think about how those elites plan ahead - years ahead! And you and Maggie are like Kara and Shalane, right? :)

    You know I love my coach! I urge you to chat with Britt and see if you guys can work something out :) She's really fun and friendly :)

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  18. P.S. Thanks for the shout out! :)

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  19. Ahh! My friend and I have been talking about a destination half marathon some time in the fall. We are currently scouting locations so I will keep you posted!

    I've gone back and forth about testing a few personal training sessions. Its just not in the budget right now and things are about to get crazy busy with work. I'm thinking about it for the Spring though! Just in time for my May half marathon! :)

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  20. I am totally going to check out her blog and contact Britt. It sounds like she is a great fit for you!

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