Monday, June 18, 2018

Summer 2018 - What's on tap


Although the temps have shown (and felt) otherwise, summer has not officially begun...yet.

I have been looking forward to Summer 2018 for almost a year, believe it or not. Since my summer last year was a bit jacked (full details HERE), I plan to take full advantage of every available opportunity to be outside (preferably in my running shoes) this year.


Here's what I have on tap thus far:

Last weekend (June 16th), I ran a local 5K. The Grinnell Games happen every year in my home town, and I make it a priority to participate. With the exception of last year (when I was actually in Duluth, MN for Grandma's Marathon), I have participated every year the Games have been happening (since 2012).
Grinnell Games 2018...it was hot and humid!
My next race will be the Sully Freedom Fun Run 5K on July 4th. I have run this race every year since 2013 (except for last year, when I was in the hospital recovering from surgery). This event is a lot of fun! It's a small-town endeavor, but there's always a lot of runners toeing the start line (including area high school cross country standouts).
From 2015....yes, I'm in a tutu, but I did snag a 2nd place AG finish LOL
June and July will be geared towards maintaining my running base and daily walking. Since I couldn't run last summer, I made it a priority to get outside almost every morning for power walking. I'm an early-morning gal, and those pre-sunrise walks helped me cope with the absence of running. All of that walking also strengthened my legs (in a way that running hadn't) and allowed me to maintain my cardio endurance until I was granted clearance to return to running (in Sept. 2017).
There will be plenty of power walking happening
My big event of the summer will be the Rock'n'Roll Chicago Remix (July 21st-22nd). I was registered for the half marathon last year, but had to DNS due to my surgery. This year, not only will I be there to run the 5K and the half marathon, there's a slew of blogging pals I'm looking forward to seeing in the Windy City, many of which I have not met in person but have know for awhile via blogging and social media.
aren't the R'n'R Chicago medals pretty?
After Chicago, I'll be shifting my focus to training for the Cannonball Marathon (Oct. 13th in Greensboro, NC). Every week, I do a #nevermissaMonday run to kick start my week. Those runs are typically only 1-2 miles, but they will be eventually increasing to five miles in distance as my 26.2 training progresses. There will be weekly speedwork and moderate strength-training as well. And, long runs on most of the weekends.

I'm still looking for an August race, so stay tuned. I do have a half marathon happening on Labor Day weekend, the New Bo Half Marathon (Sept. 2nd). This is a relatively new event, and it will be my first time running it. And, a few weeks after that, it will already be time for the tapering to commence for the Cannonball. I am considering R'n'R Philly (Sept. 15th-16th), and do have the Kickoff to Kinnick 5K on my roster for September 29th.

So, that's what's happening in the next few months. It may seem like a lot of races (especially in the midst of marathon training), but I'm not planning on racing any of these events aggressively. I'm more of a runner (who races) than a racer (who runs).

Do you have your summer schedule set? Are you prepping for any fall races? Running for fun?

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

**I'm also linking this with Debbie and Rachel and Marc and Lora for the Running Coaches' Corner
Running Coaches Corner Logo





33 comments:

  1. Looks like a busy summer for you! I'd expect nothing less.

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    1. It's gonna be great having a "real" summer this year ;-)

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  2. Sounds like you have a fun summer planned! Wonder if I can convince my husband to let me head up to RNR Chicago... So good to see you running this summer.

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  3. You're more than making up for your "down time" last summer. Cheers to a fabulous summer!

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    1. Thanks, Marcia ;-) I'm looking forward to having a normal summer this year!

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  4. I love that you have filled up your running calendar for the summer!

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    1. Well, considering my calendar last summer was null and void...LOL

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  5. I like to run for fun too. It takes the pressure off. I'm doing a smaller race in October since I get slowed down during the big races. I'm hoping a smaller field means my training times can translate to a good race time.

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    1. I do try to run faster than usual, but I certainly do not have that "racer" mentality.

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  6. Looks like you have some fun summer races on the schedule!

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  7. I wish I was a morning runner. I pick sleep over my run and then I regret mid afternoon when the sun is at it's worst. I hope to see you in Chicago. Just working on the logistics now.

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    1. I sometimes do afternoon runs, but I definitely prefer the early mornings ;-)

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  8. I hope you have the best possible summer ever to make up for last years bust. I sure wish I could spring the trip to Chicago next month but just don't see it happening. :(

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    1. It would be so fun to have you join us in Chicago ;-) I totally understand the stress of the travel and the expense, though...Chi-town is not a cheap endeavor LOL

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  9. That is a lot of summer racing, but you enjoy it!

    I have my half coming up, but a 4 mile race on the fourth before that. Then my 18.12 mile race. And that's a wrap for summer racing (not my favorite time to race!).

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    1. I'll be eager to hear how the 18.12 goes! That's a unique distance ;-)

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  10. Wow! That looks like quite the fun, and busy, summer! I've always been hesitant to put that many races on my calendar but maybe next year, if I haven't obliterated the ultra bug with my race in October (LOL), I'll just do a bunch of short ones. It actually sounds like a lot of fun!

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    1. I'm not really a fan of 5K's...but somehow they keep creeping onto my calendar...

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  11. You have a fun race schedule lined up so far! I am going to add the Philly half in November instead of the RnR bc it is often still hot in Sept. there. I am getting excited for Chicago!

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  12. Looks like some fun races coming up! I have a 4th of July trail race, but nothing else officially until September.

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    1. Are you gonna dress in red, white, and blue for the 4th of July? ;-)

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  13. Wow, you sure have a busy schedule coming up! You amaze me with hour disciplined you are about keeping up with your running year-round!

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    1. The discipline just happens...I love running, and it's my #1 form of cardio. Plus, it keeps me race-day ready ;-)

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  14. Ooooh! You do have a busy summer. Good luck with the races. I have a marathon coming up in August in Washington state and another one in Oct. (MCM), so the long runs have begun. Not a big fan! I am looking forward to reading about your Chicago trip. I would love to meet some of the other bloggers I interact with regularly. I did the half years ago and loved it!

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    1. I'm really looking forward to meeting more of the blogging tribe ;-)

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  15. How about RnR Montreal in Sept???

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  16. Your Americana outfit is adorable. I really, really hope I get to Chi-town. I just don't know if it's gonna happen!

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  17. you've got some fun stuff on tap! looking for an August race? How about RnR Dublin ;-) (am registered just not 100% sure I'm going yet...)

    my plans are shaping up a bit but I think I'm going to be a bit more spontaneous with races. Warsaw is the big race/goal so anything I do kind of needs to fit into that schedule.

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  18. That is quite the schedule! Glad the heat finally broke for you (I saw your Facebook this morning).

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  19. You have a busy summer of running! My summer race plan is basically to sign up for things at the last minute if I feel like it...

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