Change Is In The Air

As the new season approaches, there's gonna be some changes taking place.

Changes not only in how I usually train, but a major change from the (running) lifestyle I've grown to know.

Ever since I've been a serious runner, I have been in a constant cycle of training and rest/recovery, and then repeating. It's always worked great...I've had plenty of races, lots of fun with running friends, seen some new cities, and always respected the necessary recovery before starting all over again.


Fall has always been a busy season. In 2013, 2014, and 2016 I had marathons on my fall roster (Quad Cities Marathon, IMT Des Moines Marathon, Route 66). Not to be left out, there have been numerous other races as well (half marathons, 10-milers, 10K's, 5-milers, and 5K's to keep me busy.

This year, there are only two races (thus far) on my calendar (though there are a couple other events I'm considering, pending my surgeon's stamp of approval next week). Not only do I have much fewer races, I have a much different reality....my recovery from that unexpected surgery in late June that has kept me out of my running shoes.

My first race is a 5K (Kickoff to Kinnick 5K) at the end of the month. I'm not at all worried about the distance, but I do not know how quickly I'll be able to actually run that distance after this almost 3-month sabbatical. After all, I have never had a delicate 6-inch suture scar right across my knee before. Although I still cannot bend my knee in a full range of motion, I can bend it enough without compromising my stride or form for running. That said, my training will probably have to start off with walk/run intervals, though, so I can continue to gradually build up the strength in the knee as I (carefully) increase its mobility.

Speed will (obviously) not be a priority (not that I ever was super competitive anyways). That's actually a bit of a relief....it's been a long time since I've run a 5K without that nagging sense of "what if I can't run it as fast as last time" mentality. I don't expect to even come close to a fast (for me) finish and have no desire to try for one.

I have never trained with intervals before. Sure, I take walk breaks, but those are usually due to fatigue and are only as needed. Interval training (for walk/run) is a whole new arena for me. It's gonna be a challenge to not want to run the entire distance (at least at first), but I know it's not in my best interest to run that far right outta the (recovery) gate. I need to take things slower than usual because I have a different set of circumstances this fall, even if I didn't ask for them.

If all goes well with this 5K on September 30, I'll be adding a 5-miler/5K combo in mid-October (Des Moines Marathon weekend). And, it's my goal to continue the momentum to run the Rock'n'Roll 13.1 in Las Vegas on November 12th. The Vegas race will be all about fun, friends, and finish lines (I'll be meeting up with some fellow blogging friends for that adventure...and why would anyone want to run fast through the sights and sounds of the Vegas strip anyways?).

I think this fall season will not only be a different ball game than in years past, but also an improvement from what I've been doing since my surgery. I've been able to keep positive despite the curve ball I was thrown, and that has kept me active and eager for more.

Here's what's on tap:

I - Integrity

M - Motion

P - Persistence

R - Rest days

O - Optimism

V - Victory

E  - Eagerness

M - Miles

E - Excitement

N - New adventures

T - Time

This isn't gonna be easy, but I'm ready. Wish me luck!

What's your fall schedule look like? Any new races? Any new training strategies for you this year?

**I'm linking up with Marcia and Patty and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run... Join the party!

...and with Deb for the Wednesday Word (consequently, this month's word is improvement)

 ...and with Susie and Debbie and Rachel and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner.