Training Update and Fall 2018 Racing Plans
It happens every year: the speed at which summer flies by increases. The vacations are done, we're staring a new school year in the face and everyones' about to go all pumpkin-spice-crazy. It's good (all except the pumpkin spice nonsense). There's an ebb and flow to everything, but maybe that ebb and flow could ease back on the gas.
Training
With a two-week, mid-season break after the Loon Mountain Race in the books, I'm back to regular training and have been for the past three weeks. I hit 46 miles last week for mileage, which is a good sign that I'm building.
In the past, I've detailed my training here on the blog, transferring data over from my handwritten Believe I Am training journal. But lately I've simply been using Strava to log all my runs. I haven't yet logged any of my strength training or any cross training, mostly because the runs automatically transfer from my watch and I have to manually enter any additional work. All my training gets logged on the platform my coach uses, so it seems a little silly to log it twice. I haven't decided yet how much energy to put into Strava...for right now the verdict is: very little.
If you want a detailed glimpse of the runs and workouts I've been doing, you can follow me on Strava.
Fall Racing
I've got a good lineup of fall races: a mix of trail and road, with one major goal race.
August 25 Under Armour Mountain Series at Killington Mountain
I'll just be running the 5K at this event, but I'm looking forward to meeting a lot of people and having a great time out there on race day! The goal for this one is FUN! If you want to join the fun you can get 20% off your registration with code RISERUN20. Register HERE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=dQTAsCtL894
August 26 Race to the Top of Vermont
I'm really looking forward to this uphill only race. The idea of just finding a rhythm and grinding out a steady up hill climb sounds really appealing to me right now.
September 2 Mt. Greylock
This is one of the final races in the USATF Mountain Series. I like this race, I really do. I just don't like the drive. It takes three hours to get there. Ugh.
September 30 Bretton Woods Fell Race
I ran this last year for the first time and really tried hard to embrace the whole Fell Racing Thing. I over-thought it, then spent a good majority of the race second guessing myself while still trying to run hard. This year I'd love to really enjoy the race and spend less time looking at a map and second guessing my decisions.
October 14 CHaD Hero Half Marathon
This is my goal race for the fall. I shared last year that my goal is to someday win this race. That possibility is becoming more and more likely the harder I train and the faster I get. Last year's winning time was 1:30, which is well within my wheelhouse. However, this year will CHaD HERO is part of the New Hampshire Run Club Grand Prix, which may attract some stiffer competition as runners try to earn points for their teams. I'll train for a sub 1:30 and race for place. I think I may go watch-free again as a way to hone in on effort and run to my truest ability. I feel like this worked really well for me at Mt. Washington and I'd like to give it a try during a road race.
This race holds a special place in my heart since our son, Jack received care there for his giant melanocytic nevus (you can read about his story HERE). I'll be raising money again for the Children's Hospital at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and my fundraising goal this year is $1000. It's a far cry from the amounts that I've raised in the past (thanks to your help I've raised at total of over $21,000 in the past five years). If you'd like to donate please head over to my donation page. From past experience I've realized that it's the $5 and $10 donations that really make the difference; every little bit helps.
I'll be running this race as part of the Rise.Run.Retreat Race Meet-Up Weekend! I'm excited for a fun-filled weekend with Lindsey Hein as we host an amazing live podcast recording of her "I'll Have Another" Podcast at Garrison City Beerworks. I have no goals for this race, just to have fun!
If you're planning on joining us for that weekend you should register soon for the race! It often sells out and is currently 40% full. Click HERE to register. If you want updates on the latest regarding tickets for our live podcast recording, be sure to join the Rise.Run.Retreat mailing list on the contact page of our website.
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Do you use Strava? Do you log all your workouts including strength training?
What are your fall racing plans and goals?
-Sarah
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