About Me

Thursday, June 18, 2020

So.....Now WHAT?


So...anyone else looking at a big question mark for the Summer of 2020?

You probably heard that my marathon has been cancelled. Yes, I'm bummed, but I'm not heart-broken. Don't worry, I will not be hanging up the running shoes or giving up on my fitness. Things are going to be different from what I've come to know for the past 12 years, though.

Honestly, this is going to be way out of my comfort zone. I'm not afraid of all the unknowns or lack of schedule. But with no big Fall race on the calendar, I feel like I'm embarking on a journey into the great unknown.

It's both exciting and a bit eerie, but it is what it is.

Fortunately, I'm pretty well-rounded with fitness options. Since I do the bulk of my workouts at home (other than running/walking/biking), I won't have to go searching for things to do. Plus, I have a few scheduled events to look forward to...should they stay intact.

Here's a peak into what I have on tap thus far:

First and foremost, I'll be maintaining with a side of training. I have a pretty consistent routine of workouts I do year-round, but I am going to tweak it a bit for the next few months:

Monday: easy run, 3-4 miles
Tuesday: rest/recovery...walk/biking (or elliptical if it's raining), abs/core/balance
Wednesday: #5at5 and outdoor stairs (after work) if the weather is nice
Thursday: intensity day (HIIT/speed work/strength), abs/core/balance
Friday: active recovery (biking/elliptical)
Saturday: long run
Sunday: optional recovery run (2-3 miles, easy) or biking
**daily:1-2 mile walk (outdoors), push-ups (10-20), leg lifts
***Some days may get rotated or swapped, depending on the weather
****long run distance will vary (usually around 10 miles, with a scale-back every few weeks)


There will be a lot of biking. Last year, I really came to appreciate bike riding as an excellent recovery vice. I have a lot of rolling hills to choose from (which are nice for the day following a long run). There's the hilly bike path (about a 15-mile out-and-back route). And, I have numerous 5-8 mile options if I just want 30-40 minutes of low-impact movement. Just this week, I got a new toy for Gustavas...a bike computer! It has a few bells and whistles that don't really interest me (calorie burn and speed, for example), but the most important feature is the odometer. My Garmin had sufficed, but it "thinks" my fastest 10K is 35 minutes (which is about 18 minutes off LOL). I could have used an app on my phone, but I didn't want to suck the battery life out of it...so this CatEye VELO 9 is what we went with.

  

I do have a Plan B for the cancelled marathon. I will be registering for the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon (October 18th) because the race officials are confident the race will be able to happen as scheduled. Of course, no one knows how (or if) the COVID situation will change by then. Thus, I can maintain my 13.1 fitness...or, if things are looking and feeling especially good in a couple of months (ahem, when the 26.2 training would need to commence), I have the option of upgrading my registration to the full marathon. For right now, though, that is a big IF. My gut is telling me the Air Force Marathon cancellation was a blessing, and an opportunity to have a summer without any 26.2 training...something my body has not known since 2012 (well, except for the summer of 2017, but by then I had already run my marathon). Stay tuned...the jury is still out on that final verdict.

2019 with Ramona and Barb

There will be some new things to try. There are a couple of different running clubs (somewhat) nearby; both are about an hour's drive (Des Moines and Iowa City/Cedar Rapids). With the lack of races happening, all of my weekend runs have been in town. Let's just say, I'm eager for a change of scenery. Barb and I have been meaning to try some of their group runs, but we've always had weekend races or other obligations that didn't fit well with the extra time and travel of needed to make any of the group runs feasible. Well, that won't be an issue this summer. We're heading to Des Moines on Saturday, to "test run" one of the running clubs. It'll be nice to meet some fellow Insta friends in person, as well have a different locale for running.


I'm virtually working my way across the state of Iowa. Yes, I fell victim to the "run across-your-state" craze and registered for the Great Run Across Iowa. I'm bib #1564, and I have until August 10th to complete my 249-mile journey. As of Thursday (June 18th), I've completed 96 total miles (45 walking, 51 running). I plan to run all 249 miles, but am also tracking my walking miles, as well, with the goal of surpassing the 315-mile mark (which was the longest option of race distances). 

And, last but not least, I do have a real race happening on the 4th of July! I've run the Sully Freedom Fun Run several times, and the race director recently announced the 2020 race is still a go. They are limiting the registrations to 500 total (includes both the kids' 1-mile run and the general 5K). There will be no race day registrations allowed, and no after-party. But, ladies and gentlemen, it's a live race!!! 
from 2018 (with Barb)

I still have a half marathon (postponed in April) that has not yet been rescheduled, and a 20K that is  rescheduled for September 5th (now with an altered 10K "looped" course). Even with these limited races, it will be a summer like none other. Truly, I'm alright with everything. It's our reality for now. With not many races happening anywhere, there's no FOMO, right? 

Anyways, that's how things are looking for my 2020 summer. Have you had to rethink your summer training, due to rescheduling or cancellations? Are you stepping back from your usual summer mileage, or keeping things similar to years past? Do you have any summer races still happening?

I'm linking this with Meranda and Lacey for the Friday with Fairytales and Fitness link-up. 



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23 comments:

  1. I had no races planned but I had wanted to do the Canal Canter marathon option in August. I have been maintaining and running before breakfast 4x a week has been keeping the extra eating from lingering with me. I really want to get my long run up to 10 miles comfortably, but apart from that just ticking along, keeping over 20 miles a week to keep my immune system topped up, and running with one other friend. You can do this!

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    1. Yeah, I know I can do this LOL AS much as I would love a fall marathon, I'm kind of ready to have a more laid-back "cycle" of running. I know when I had those three months off (2017, recovering from that surgery), I came back so much stronger.

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  2. Many of my spring races were postponed to October so this fall could be very interesting. I figure the best case scenario is that races happen, the worst case scenario is we all keep running, so no matter what we win;-) It's exciting that you will be running a real race on the 4th! The timing is perfect since you're coming off 12 weeks of 5ks.

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    1. You're right! We WILL keep running, races or not. I am curious how that 4th of July race will go...it could be a total success or I could crash & burn because I'm not as "fast" as I'd thought LOL

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  3. I hope the IMT Des Moines half will be happening! That's so nice!
    We have no races happening here so far, so I'm thinking about signing up for a virtual half in Cape Town. It will be a week after yours in October. So enough time to get ready 😊

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    1. You could join us for the Bix-7 virtual race in July... there's like, eight of us (I think?) who are running virtually together ;-) And, about October...we can train virtually together for our races!!

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  4. It is weird not knowing what the fall will bring. I think you and Barb need to start your own MRTT!!! Anxious to hear how your group runs go!

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    1. Barb and I have thought about the MRTT thing...just a bit awkward since both of us have grown kids now LOL But, we do love running with others and encouraging/supporting fellow runner gals ;-)

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  5. I have no summer races that I had scheduled so I'm just running for fun! Running alot of miles just because I can. I do have a fall marathon that I plan to run but I have a feeling that will be canceled. You are dedicated with your weekly workout routine. I have no schedule!

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    1. Running for fun is a good thing! We all should have fun as we run ;-)

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  6. You are so lucky to have a race that is not cancelled.

    I am sick of virtuals and have stopped doing them unless there is no refund or deferral.

    I still am holding out hope for a half or two. We'll see.

    Until then, just run a little, walk a lot and run 10 on the weekend as a base (for whatever).

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    1. I honestly cannot imagine NOT doing a long run on the weekend (even if it's not super long). It's what my mind and body know...

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  7. That's so true about not having FOMO since events are all (or mostly) cancelled anyway--I basically had all my potential travel plans cancelled this year, so I'm keeping my fingers crossed for next year! Will just be continuing with home workouts and saving money til then, haha.

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    1. I think a lot of people saved money these past few months by staying home ;-)

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  8. I love that Iowa shirt. Much cooler than the PA one. I hope you find a running club that you enjoy. I love ours, although our group runs are still on COVID hiatus for now, except the trail runs, which draw a smaller number of people. No groups bigger than 25 in our county right now. My running fitness plan is similar to yours. I am going to maintain a half-marathon base so I can sign up for any small half that may happen this fall. I am thinking about registering for Big Sur, which is in late April. Lottery opens in July.

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    1. Yes, the shirt is cute, but I don't know if I'll ever wear it. I'm just not a t-shirt gal. I'm looking forward to the running group...it will be nice to mix things up a little, and this summer is the perfect opportunity to do so.

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  9. I think you are SO smart to take it "easy" (as if you ever do anything easy, LOL) this Summer. It truly is the perfect opportunity to give our bodies a break, without stopping altogether, of course.

    It looks like this will be the year of zero races for me -- real races,I mean -- which is weird, for sure. I have lots of other things I want to do, though, so in general, as long as I'm healthy and have a home & love ones are healthy, in general, it's all good.

    Good luck with the few races you have, Kim!

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    1. Yes, you are spot-on...as long we are healthy (and our loved ones, too) all is good ;-) Although running is almost always available to us, races really are a luxury. They're fun, but definitely not a necessary requirement.

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  10. Summer is 100% different for me. I'm doing a "run across Nova Scotia" that's keeping me motivated!
    I have a similar bike computer thing but I'm not in love with it. Someday I want to upgrade to the Garmin version.
    Also, love your weekly plan, its solid!

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    1. Thanks, Anna ;-) I just wanted a simple GPS gadget for the bike...I honestly do not care about speed/calories/etc. (but someday that may change). This "computer" was $35, which seemed very reasonable to me, so it was a no-brainer necessity LOL

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  11. Seems like you have a really solid plan in place for your summer workouts. I am also doing a virtual "run across Connecticut"..I feel like every state must have this type of challenge lol.

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    1. I agree, I think every state has something comparable. All of these virtuals are the reality for the time-being, so we gotta embrace them, right?

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  12. Sounds like a great plan! I'll be interested to hear how the group runs go. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you get to run your half in October.

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