Rethinking my training plan

I know I've said ad nauseam that my training plan is going great and I'm super proud that I've stuck with it for the last 3 weeks. And I am!

However, there was a fantastic article in the latest issue of Runner's World discussing the importance of building a good running base (especially for new runners) and it got me thinking. I'm still more than 4 months out from my 10k, and the earliest I'll be racing a 5k is April. The article recommends that newbie runners get a base of 10 miles a week, with a long run of at least 3 miles (or 30-40% of total weekly mileage), 2 medium runs (20%), and one or two short runs (10%) each week. That is basically what the last 2 weeks have been and it's felt like a really manageable amount of running while still challenging me. I think that for the next month or so I'm going to stick to these numbers; keeping my long runs in the 3 to 4 mile range, moderate runs around 2-2.5 miles, short runs 1-1.5 (aiming for 4-5 runs a week). Then in March I'll ramp up the training so I can properly race a 5k in April and prepare for June's 10k.

I'm honestly thrilled with the fact that I'm in a place where I can even run 10 miles a week! Back in August-September, I was severely missing running and anytime I thought about it, I would promptly burst into tears.

picture a pink cast on his leg and you've got August-September Julie

I have a follow-up appointment with my surgeon tomorrow, and I'm super excited to finally circle a 10 on the "how happy are you with your surgery" survey (note: do not ask patients that question when they are less than a week post-op, you won't like the answer). I'm also looking forward to (hopefully) getting reassurance that my raging ibuprofen addiction won't result in multiple stomach ulcers.

Happy Monday!

Current Running Goals + Training Plan

I have many fitness goals, some small (adding strength training 2x/week), some huge (run a half marathon next year, hike to the bottom of the Grand Canyon sometime in the next few years). 

I have big dreams.

My big goal for the first half of 2015 is to train for and run a 10k in my home state of Wisconsin in June. We've been planning a trip back for a few months, and I found out that the Bellin Run is planned for the weekend we're in town! I've heard that it's a great race, well-organized, and it's pretty cheap ($20).

And the shirt design is cute, which we all know is most important.

I realize this is a lofty goal considering I've never run longer than 2.5 miles. I've had the "Run Longer" plan (from the Runner's World website) for a while, and I started it this week! I'm notorious for starting training plans and quickly veering off course, or switching to another plan (#ADHDproblems), so I'm pretty determined to stick to this one.

Anyone ever use Runner's World Starting Line plans? I don't like paying for them (I'm kinda cheap) but I like how straightforward and easy to follow they are. The plan from the book "Run Your Butt Off" is what transformed me into a full-fledged runner, so I'm a believer.

NOT Belieber