RunFasterSarah (my running adventures)

I’m starting to get antsy. You know, like, actually wanting to run those hard and long workouts again.

Which is perfect. That is exactly what this off-season was for. To get back that desire and drive to train hard and long again. I’m ready.

But I’ve got a few more weeks to go of these short, easy and less frequent runs, before jumping back in full speed ahead. On a side note, I miss throwing on just shorts and a tank – all this winter running gear is no fun. Yes, I’m complaining and I live in Vancouver, haha. Is that even allowed?!! 😉 I might be a California girl at heart. Oh wait – born in Texas… A Texas girl at heart? I digress…

So my jump date is December 30th, post-holiday relaxation time at the cottage.

How fitting – to begin and end this off-season at the cottage.

Anyway… The reason I’m here today (blogging, that is), is because I’m laying down my plans for the next 7 months. You know my goal (sub 3:21 marathon end of July) – but every goal must have a solid plan behind it. I’ve got an excel spreadsheet. It’s daunting… And very exciting.

Pre-run selfies. Not the last one – that’s just me showing off the coat and boots I love so much. Ha.

I’ll keep it short and sweet (it’s the off-season after all) – but I’ll say this… It’s the last time I’m going to run high mileage. I know I thrive off of running lots and lots and lots and lots of kilometres per week – I’ve done enough experimenting over the last 2 years to clearly understand and accept this fact.

I also know that 105 to 150 km per week is not sustainable long-term. Frankly, it’s exhausting. There’s a reason the elites put in that many miles (they win races and get sponsors, they’re talented – got gifted kick-butt running genes and they’re making the most of them). I am not genetically gifted, will never win a race or get sponsored and therefore there is no good reason for me to put in this many miles, other than to see how good my best can be.

Well… I’m going there – 2014 is the year of finding out how good my best can be.

After that? I’ll still run and even run marathons – but with utmost appreciation for the fact I’ve hit my peak performance and it’s okay to run for fun now. In a way, this thought is very liberating.

So that’s me. How ’bout you? Is 2014 going to be your year of finding out how good your best can be?

For anyone vaguely interested… I’ve briefly outlined my sub-3:21 plan  below (that is, without the detail of the actual workouts I’ve got planned… so essentially it’s just how many kilometres I plan to run each week).

Adiós until the New Year… (and happy holidays all ’round)!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Weekly Mileage:

1. Dec 30 to Jan 5 – 50km
2. Jan 6 to 12 – 60km
3. Jan 13 to 19 – 60km
4. Jan 20 to 26 – 75km
5. Jan 27 to Feb 2 – 105km
6. Feb 3 to 9 – 90km
7. Feb 10 to 16 – 75km
8. Feb 17 to 24 – 105km
9. Feb 25 to Mar 2 – 135km
10. Mar 3 to 9 – 120km
11. Mar 10 to 16 – 135km
12. Mar 17 to 23 – 150km
13. Mar 24 to 30 – 120km
14. Mar 31 to Apr 6 – 120km
15. Apr 7 to 13 – 105km
16. Apr 14 to 20 – 135km
17. Apr 21 to 27 – 135km
18. Apr 28 to May 4 – 105km
19. May 5 to 11 – 150km
20. May 12 to 18 – 135km
21. May 19 to 25 – 120km
22. May 26 to June 1 – 150km
23. June 2 to 8 – 135km
24. June 9 to 15 – 105km
25. June 16 to 22 – 150km
26. June 23 to 29 – 120km
27. June 30 to July 6 – 105km
28. July 7 to 13 – 105km
29. July 14 to 20 – 90km
30. July 21 to 27 – final taper week

And click here if you are wondering what races I plan to run January through to July next year.