Let the Race Planning Begin

I have not been great the rest of this week.

Wednesday night I skipped my group ride, I was wicked tired! This morning I could barely drag my but out of bed at 6:30am, never mind the initial 4:45am setting I had it on for my morning run. I dragged through the day, hoping I would have enough energy for a run after work, but no way. I am beat. This bootcamp thing sure wears me out. Wears me out so much that I can't seem to get my key workout #2 in at all. No good!

I am working hard at picking my fall Half Marathon lineup. In fact, I signed up for my first of the 4 last night...

The Diva Half Marathon on Long Island on Oct 2!

Shelley and I are going to have a girls race weekend together.

My other definite is the Hartford Half Marathon on Oct 15 (only 30 min from home!)

Other possibilities?

Seacoast Half in NH Nov 13

Cape Cod Half Oct 29

Monson, MA Half Marathon Nov 13 (literally 15 min from my house, but hard & hilly)

Manchester, NH Half Nov 6

RaceVermont.com Half in Shelburne, VT Nov 6 (Near Kevin's hometown)

I need to pick 2 more from last list. As of right now, I am leaning toward Monson & Shelburne. 

Any input?

I've also been thinking that 9 half in 365 days in 9 states = 4 moon status. After these 4, I'd be at 7... do I dare?

My other dilemma is next weekend's triathlon.

I have not been open water swimming since the triathlon on June 26. 

Actually, I have not been swimming at all. 

The swim is .5 miles

I have never swam .5 miles

I want to make use of my USAT license

I would also like to save money for all the race fees listed above

I can race either for $85 at the Danskin in Webster, MA or for $95 at the Amica 19.7 in New London, CT

Next weekend is my last long run with Shelley before taper for Providence RnR

I have 2 more triathlon opportunities for the season on Sept 10 & 26

What would you do?

In marathon news, I found the FIRST Marathon training program online HERE, and am excited about training for Disney. The 16 week program, has us starting September 26! It looks like all the fall Half Marathons fall nicely in the plan and would actually add on some extra miles to the training. I really feel like after our 16 miler last weekend, I can accomplish anything. NEVER in a MILLION years when I started running did I think I could run that far. With the longest training run on our schedule at 20 miles, I feel like it is totally doable. I cannot WAIT to run Disney!

My weekend will be quiet, and I'm hoping to be able to rest and get some of that energy back to really focus on my runs in the final weeks leading to Providence. Tonight Kevin and I are having a low key night, and then he will be away on mancation until tuesday. I have to work tomorrow, but I plan on spending the rest of my weekend biking, running, shopping and relaxing by the pool.

Enjoy your weekend!

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Three Things Thursday!

1. I got in an awesome run today. I skipped my run in the morning, but after a great day at work (so unusual to say), and getting home a little early, I decided to give it a whirl before dinner. I was scheduled for a 5 mile tempo run, so I mapped out a loop that was almost 5, and headed out for a nice rainy run. Normally, I hate running in less than ideal running conditions, but for some reason I couldn't wait to get out in the rain to run. My planned mid-tempo pace is 10:45 on my training schedule, and I kept it pretty close...

I started a little fast, then settled in. I remembered that this route was the one I did for my first post surgery outdoor run, and thought of how far I've come since then.

2. I did it! I joined the Half Fanatics!

I am now Fanatic #1184 at a Neptune (1 moon) level. I am hoping to upgrade to Saturn (3 moon) status in the fall with 4 half marathons in 4 states in 51 days.

3. With my vacation now booked, I have continued to stay focused on my eating and exercising. I had an intense bootcamp session last night with a heavy focus on TRX, which I loove. My 2x/week bootcamp starts on tuesday morning, which means I need to adapt my training schedule since tues/thurs are typically running days. Krystal also gave us some great nutritional advice (separate post about it later), which I think is a great focus to help me with my weightloss. Overall I am feeling so much healthier and starting to notice little changes in how my clothes fit, hooray!

Don't forget to enter my Kushy Foot giveaway HERE, it ends 6/25!

Soooo Happy its friday tomorrow, even if I am working saturday. 

Next triathlon is Sunday at the Wilbraham YMCA!

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Three Things Thursday!

1. I'm putting together a new order from Amazon. I just got a couple new of my favorite bras (Fiona Bra By Moving Comfort), and now I'm putting together a new shopping list. So far....

Nuun Active Hydration Tri-berry

and

Honey Stinger Organic Energy Chews, Pomegranate Passion Fruit,

What are your favorite running/triathlon staples?

2. I signed up for my next race! A week from sunday, I will be doing my next sprint triathlon at the Wilbraham YMCA. Last night, my friend Debbie and I wanted to get in an open water swim. I got my wetsuit ready, and after some research decided to head to the pond in Ludlow, since Spec pond in Wilbraham was listed as closed until next weekend. After driving over, we were stopped by locked gates! Closed here as well, how will we get a practice swim in before race day?

3.  I have been debating over joining the Half Fanatics. Right now, I would qualify as a Neptune (1 moon) for my RnR New Orleans and Disney Princess halfs. I have also been thinking, "how can I qualify for more moons?" Here is my plan.....

I am already planning on the Hartford Half in October

I am pretty sure there is a Half in Monson, MA in November (although who knows after the tornados)

To earn 3 moon Saturn status, I would have to complete 4 half marathons in 4 different states in 51 days. I would have MA & CT, so I would like to find halfs in either RI, VT, NH, ME, NY in October or November. Could be a fun challenge!

Are you a Half Fanatics member?

Do you have a October or November race suggestion?

In bad news.... my brother is thinking of dropping out of his first full marathon since he's suffered a few injuries and his training has not been up to par. I am nervous for him, since I know it will make Goofy that much harder for him in January.

Hoping to get a run in tomorrow!

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