As I sit here on my first day of my long weekend and reflect on June, I am realizing… wow. It was a busy month! Besides my own training and racing, I cheered on friends at a few races, worked at a trail race and a triathlon, helped my friend get her house ready to sell, and hit up Cedar Point twice! I also went to my first concert of the summer and am preparing to go to two more this week.
Summertime is always busy for me. My husband works crazy hours this time of year so I tend to keep my self occupied with trips, running, races, concerts, etc. to keep my mind off missing him and the loneliness. It can sometimes make my training schedule difficult to keep up with since I am always going somewhere it seems, and lack of sleep especially makes it tough. This month was no exception as summer has rolled out just as it has any other year… full speed ahead!
Total June Miles: 100.07
I just barely made it to 100 miles this month. In fact, on Sunday June 30th I had every intention to let the streak go… but then I drank an energy drink and did not realize just how much caffeine was in it. I ended up “banging” out 6.5 miles to get just over the 100 mile mark that evening! Here’s what my mileage for 2019 looks like so far:
- January 2018: 66.50 miles / January 2019: 100.03 miles
- February 2018: 74.53 miles / February 2019: 100.12 miles
- March 2018: 89.00 miles / March 2019: 116.26 miles
- April 2018: 70.75 miles / April 2019: 104.41 miles
- May 2018: 100.19 miles / May 2019: 111.69 miles
- June 2018: 78.57 miles / June 2019: 100.07 miles
- July 2018: 79.76 miles /
- August 2018: 136.95 miles /
- September 2018: 137.30 miles /
- October 2018: 80.11 miles /
- November 2018: 63.0 miles /
- December 2018: 103.33 miles /
- TOTAL 2018: 1080 miles / TOTAL 2019: 638.8 miles
What was I training for? After my 10k at the beginning of the month, I started the Hal Higdon Advanced 5k plan. This is my first time every trying one of Hal’s advanced plans. I have always looked at them and thought that I could not do them. This year I have proved to myself that I am capable of far more than I ever imagined! The 5k plan is to get me ready for the Running to Honor 5k coming up at the end of July, where I hope to get a sub 30 5k – maybe even a PR.
What races did I run? Greater Midland Dow RunWalk 10k, Prediction 5k
Best performances: I rocked out a PR at the Greater Midland Dow RunWalk 10k at the beginning of the month. Something that I have not really given myself credit for is how consistently I have run my recent races. For example, at the 10k my mile paces were all within less than 10 seconds of each other, with most of them falling within 2 seconds of each other. I also ran the Prediction 5k, which is a very unique race – you predict what your time will be before the race, and then you race without watches, music, or anything else that could indicate your time. Awards are given out based on how close your predicted time was to your actual time. Mine was close enough for a 5th place award! It was cool to run a race without any idea of my time or pace. I ended up running one of the best 5ks I have run in a while.
Opportunities for improvement: Every month I put the same dang thing. Nutrition. Hydration. Cross-training. I think the reason I struggle so much with these is that I get very focused on the mileage goals I have set for myself, and I just enjoy running so much more. I also busy myself so much like I said at the beginning of this blog that I have a hard time squeezing in anything else. This month I have to make it a priority to work on these… that’s why they are called “opportunities for improvement”. Time to work on improving!!
What’s ahead: This week is going to be a crazy but fun time. I’m planning to go see my favorite band 311 tonight then will be racing in the morning at Volkslaufe – running the 10k for the first time! Because I’m nuts! Friday evening I will be seeing 311 again and then Saturday morning I’ll head over to my parents for the Canadian Lakes 5k fun run. After that I resume my advanced 5k training plan in preparation for the Running to Honor 5k on July 27th. In August I will be doing the Lake Lansing Relay which I am really looking forward to. In September I will be doing the 10k at Run For Your Heart (I hate 10ks, but I’m doing a few this summer because I hate them and I know they will make me stronger), I will be on a relay team again for Capital City River Run, and I will be a part of my first Ragnar Relay! October will be Bruckelaufe (since I’m doing Volkslaufe I might as well do Bruckelaufe and get the dang medal) and the Detroit International Half Marathon.
Looking into the further future, I gotta say you guys… I’m anxious to do another marathon. My running endurance has improved so much this year and I really want to see what I can do in the 26.2. Stay tuned… I just might be crazy enough to sign up for one this year. Otherwise, my sights are set on Grand Rapids 2020!
RD on the Run 