Goals for the New Year
steph2strong
Posts: 426 Member
Hi everyone. I previously was a competitive runner, but gave that up once finishing university and starting my profession. I recently got back into running seriously about 2 years ago. Last winter I was really making some gains and was considering competing again (at a rec level) in 10 kms mostly, but possibly a half marathon too. Then I went and got pregnant in April (actually had been trying for 2 years so I was beyond thrilled) so plans for competing got put on hold. I continued to run for the first and second trimester but the third trimester has been difficult. I am trying to get in 1 or 2 5 mile (8 km) runs a week just to keep the motion going, but it's pretty slow. I cross train a lot now. Anyway, I have about 5 weeks left until I'm due and then once I get the all clear I plan on trying to build up my running again (perfect time eh, dead of friggin winter). So for now i hope to maintain at least 1 run a week until I deliver. Then I will assess where I'm at post-delivery and create a running schedule. My pre-pregnancy 10 km time was 46 minutes, with tons of hills included, I would love to be back at that by April. I have no clue if that's doable or realistic (this is my first kid) but I plan to keep posting about it and see what happens.
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Hi everyone. I previously was a competitive runner, but gave that up once finishing university and starting my profession. I recently got back into running seriously about 2 years ago. Last winter I was really making some gains and was considering competing again (at a rec level) in 10 kms mostly, but possibly a half marathon too. Then I went and got pregnant in April (actually had been trying for 2 years so I was beyond thrilled) so plans for competing got put on hold. I continued to run for the first and second trimester but the third trimester has been difficult. I am trying to get in 1 or 2 5 mile (8 km) runs a week just to keep the motion going, but it's pretty slow. I cross train a lot now. Anyway, I have about 5 weeks left until I'm due and then once I get the all clear I plan on trying to build up my running again (perfect time eh, dead of friggin winter). So for now i hope to maintain at least 1 run a week until I deliver. Then I will assess where I'm at post-delivery and create a running schedule. My pre-pregnancy 10 km time was 46 minutes, with tons of hills included, I would love to be back at that by April. I have no clue if that's doable or realistic (this is my first kid) but I plan to keep posting about it and see what happens.
It is very exciting to have a new addition to the family. I remember when my wife was pregnant with our first, which happened after running her first marathon (funny things happen). She went through a similar process to what you are going through now, and couldn't wait to get back out running again. From what I remember, the doctor will suggest that you wait approx. 5 weeks before running again. You need to let things heal properly first, especially if you end up having a section. Once you are given the green light, you will have time to waste (outside of napping when the baby sleeps), so this would be a good time to lace up the runners again. Get a Chariot or another running stroller, and take the little guy along for the ride. My wife also joined a "Stroller-cise" group, of similar Moms who want to go for a run once or twice a week. It was good in the social sense as well. If you're lucky enough to have the help of the Grandparents, take advantage of that time too. You may feel likes sleeping, but if the energy is there, go for a run "sans enfant".
Wishing you the best on your new adventures!0 -
Good for you to continue to run (even if slower) while pregnant. I've had 3 kids (within 3 years), but wasn't much of a runner then. I am more of a jogger, but still love the thrill after the dreaded first 10-15 minutes, ha.
My goal is to continue jogging, increase my distance and speed and complete a 10k charity race in the Spring. Right now I'm doing monthly charity 5ks.0 -
Good for you to continue to run (even if slower) while pregnant. I've had 3 kids (within 3 years), but wasn't much of a runner then. I am more of a jogger, but still love the thrill after the dreaded first 10-15 minutes, ha.
My goal is to continue jogging, increase my distance and speed and complete a 10k charity race in the Spring. Right now I'm doing monthly charity 5ks.
I don't "run" in the traditional sense either, usually averaging around 5mph. But I also have Corgi legs, so I blame them. And I just call myself a slunner (slow runner) and remain proud of the progress I've made.
Just recently, I was able to push myself to run for 35 minutes with no breaks. That's the longest I've ever run, so I'm pretty excited! I'm still quite a bit overweight, so I'm guessing running will become easier when I don't have to carry around nearly as much weight
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While I can't recall seeing any late-term pregnant runners in action, I do recall a pair of runners showing up at our club's speed workout with their newborn. They didn't run that day, and I don't know how long a reasonable recovery to running form should take. (Of course, *his* only excuse would be supporting her. Pretty good excuse, if you ask me.)
My top priority running goal for 2016 is to remain uninjured. If I blow that one, all the other goals fail. Lets keep this in perspective.
Goal #1 is to remain uninjured, as measured by the ability to run at least 20 minutes, at least 3 times a week.
Goal #2 is to run the Boston Marathon. Re-qualifying should be a given, if I remain uninjured. I hope to run under 3:15. My only marathon to date, which punched my ticket for Boston, was Buffalo 2015 in 3:21. BQ target for my age (male 60-64) is 3:55.
Goal #3 (which could slip lower in priority) is the Four Seasons Challenge, a local series of 4 half marathons or 3 halfs and one full marathon. I signed up for the 3 + 1 option. First race is the Winter Warrior Half on January 9; last January we got single digit temperatures and winds in the 20-35 mph range. Maybe this January we'll get snow. My Boston training plan calls for 13-16 miles that day; 13 at half marathon race should fit right in.
Other goals for 2016 are still in flux. There are some things I might want to do, but which ones will make the cut and where they will be prioritized is still uncertain.
Anything that puts Goal #1 in doubt will be ruthlessly cut from the priority list.
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Thanks for the advice @andywilson6, I will be looking for a baby jogger in the new year. I'm nervous to see how the sleep deprivation and fact that I'm in charge of a whole other little person 24/7 is going to affect my training!
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Great goals @busyPK. I hope to run a 10 km race in the spring too! I have no clue if I will be able to, but I'd like too. I'm going to look into what races are occurring in my area in the April/May months and see if any look good. Not going to commit to anything until after the baby is born though.0
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@Forty6and2 running definitely does get easier the longer you are at it and if you are consistent. Back in my racing years I got really burnt out after a few heavy seasons and gave up running for a year. I went a little overboard with the eating and really didn't do any exercise and gained 30 lbs. Well, I then decided this wasn't the life for me and wanted to go back to racing (although with different mindset and goals, doing it for me rather than for others). Oh my lord that first month was brutal! Although it was over a decade ago I still remember some of those first runs. I was huffing and puffing and felt like I was wearing a lead bodysuit, I could barely run 20 minutes.... and just a year before I was competing at a national level. It's amazing how quickly one can become deconditioned. Well within 6-8 months I had lost the weight (no more eating a bag of cookies for lunch, yes a whole bag, and pound of chocolate at night..... really went off the deep end there after years of competing and restricting) and was back on track to my pre-morbid level of running.
Be very proud of your accomplishments, running 35 minutes straight is awesome!0 -
@MobyCarp those are amazing goals! I particularly like your first one. A few years ago I upped my training too quickly (increased speed, distance, hill work...essentially everything, all at once) and signed up for a Dri-Tri (race with running 5 km, rowing 2000 m, doing 300 body weight strength exercises). Well I developed some pretty bad foot pain but ignored it as usual hoping it would go away. Although it persisted and worsened I didn't want to back out of the race (because I knew I could win... oh so foolish), so I did the race in agony and although I won I couldn't walk or put weight on the foot for a whole 2 weeks after (fabulous going to work on crutches) and it was 3 months before I could run again. Completely not worth it. I should have backed off the training, had 1-2 weeks of rest and opted out of the race and I likely would have been fine, but instead I missed 3 months of running. Of course, I didn't learn my lesson and once my foot was better and I was able to run again I went back at it hard. I felt so good and really pushed my sprinting until I developed some groin pain. Well I again ignored it and then one day I pushed my sprinting way too hard and oh tore my adductor muscle at it's insertion, horrible pain. It was 4 months until I could run agin after that one, and 7 months before I was back in top form. Well I have learned the hard way too many times and now I completely listen to my body and back off right away.0
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@MobyCarp those are amazing goals! I particularly like your first one. A few years ago I upped my training too quickly (increased speed, distance, hill work...essentially everything, all at once) and signed up for a Dri-Tri (race with running 5 km, rowing 2000 m, doing 300 body weight strength exercises). Well I developed some pretty bad foot pain but ignored it as usual hoping it would go away. Although it persisted and worsened I didn't want to back out of the race (because I knew I could win... oh so foolish), so I did the race in agony and although I won I couldn't walk or put weight on the foot for a whole 2 weeks after (fabulous going to work on crutches) and it was 3 months before I could run again. Completely not worth it. I should have backed off the training, had 1-2 weeks of rest and opted out of the race and I likely would have been fine, but instead I missed 3 months of running. Of course, I didn't learn my lesson and once my foot was better and I was able to run again I went back at it hard. I felt so good and really pushed my sprinting until I developed some groin pain. Well I again ignored it and then one day I pushed my sprinting way too hard and oh tore my adductor muscle at it's insertion, horrible pain. It was 4 months until I could run agin after that one, and 7 months before I was back in top form. Well I have learned the hard way too many times and now I completely listen to my body and back off right away.
The details differ, but the theme is familiar. I had to learn the hard way, too. I became a runner in late 2011, and learned to love winter running . . . but sat out most of the summers of 2012, 2013, and 2014 with injuries. I made it through the summer of 2015 without having to do couch time, and I'd like to keep things that way.0 -
Hey @busyPK! Fancy meeting you here, my friend.
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@fernt21 I commend you for wanting to continue your passion for running. I think your OB would be able to give you sound advice as far as how much and how often you can train. Congratulations, btw!0
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@Nathan_PK Hi and thank you. Yes my Ob essentially told me I could do anything i had previously been doing but try to keep the intensity down a bit (she knows how hard my workouts were). Anyway, I am almost done my pregnancy now (only 5 weeks left), and I kept up my running and workouts at pretty much the same level until the third trimester when things started to get hard. In these last few weeks I've really had to give up the running because the belly just doesn't allow it, essentially all the weight I have gained is baby and carrying that load in my abdomen/pelvis just causes some bad biomechanical alterations that my body can't take. Hopefully, after the baby is born I can get back at it!0
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@fernt21 5 weeks!? Oh, you must be so excited for little boy to arrive! And I look forward to hearing all about your running endeavors after he's born...no doubt you'll stick with it!0
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