New Year, New Goals

In 2009, I ran 3 marathons, one 10k, and two 5ks. Not too shabby. This year, my goals are about to get geared up a bit. Not only do I plan to update this thing a lot more, but I really really want to beat my PR for the marathon. But I don't just want to beat it, I want to crush it! By 10 minutes! thats right, 10 minutes! Today starts day one of my training for the Kentucky Marathon in April. But I plan on adding hill repeats and speed work to my training, hopefully propelling me to succeed in this endeavor.

Hopefully I can shed this holiday weight that I may have collected and get going with this right away. One thing that was most helpful was that a lot of my gifts were running and fitness inspired. I have run holes into all my ankle socks and finally had the chance to throw them away when christmas came around. Thanks to my sock suppliers!

My biggest complaint of 2009 was moving to Wentzville and losing my close access to Forest Park for training for my long runs. Sure the Katy trail is closer to me, but I would find myself driving the extra distance for the simple fact of water fountains. My lovely companion completely solved this problem with the Camelbak fanny pack (rhyme delightfully unintended).

The gift to myself, however, was the shape up walking shoes. I'm sure you've seen the advertisements. The Sketcher version was $100 big-ones! But I found these lovlies at Payless. They are Champion and only $30. I noticed a difference right away. With the addition to ankle weights, they make a pretty good resistance that will be sure to give me an edge on my goals. I wore ankle weights everyday under my pants to work while training for Denver (my current PR) and I saw that when I took them off to train after work, I felt lighter and faster. Hopefully this will help me towards my 10 min summit.

Hope everyone set some pretty steep fitness goals this year. I know some marathon virgins that are tackling the big one this year so here are some goals from active.com and GOOD LUCK!

If anyone needs a beginning marathon training guide just let me know!
And Run, damnit, RUN!

UPDATE: Day one of training - finally went and checked out the YMCA by my house. Everytime I pass it, I think "I really need to go check that place out." Did 30 minutes of XT. Marathon Training 2010 has commenced...