So it begins…

Aug 1, 2013 | Polar Lunacy, Running, Team Challenge

It’s August 1. And I went for a run. Sort of. I ran 1 minute and walked 1  minute, for three miles or so. It was okay.

  • Weight: 148.8
  • Pace: 14:20
  • Pain: Minimal
  • Days to Polar Night 1/2: 154
  • Days to next Race: 8

It can only get better.

Over the last few weeks, I have not been totally idle. I started fundraising for Team Challenge to run in Vegas. I have already raised 1/4 of my $10,000 goal. I’d love if you’d donate. http://active.com/donate/vegasNWS13/kristie

I also got all my costumes in line for the runDisney races. I’m keeping them under wraps for now, but one requires that I actually sew a running skirt. I know it won’t be as amazing as a SparkleSkirt, but I will still have my sparkle shorts on underneath.

And then I started reading blogs from people who have actually ran the Polar Night. I was hoping that I could get back down to about a 2:30 1/2 marathon time and be pretty safe in time and coldness. Seems that most people finish about 30 minutes slower than their best time. That means I need to be pushing for a 2 hour mark. That’s under 10 minute per pile pace, so that’s not going to happen. I am just going to work on getting as quick as possible and then hope for the best.

It also turns out that once we leave Tromso, the daily ferry from Oslo to Copenhagen is only running every other day the week we’re there. That means an extra day in Tromso, Oslo, or Copenhagen, or perhaps a flight somewhere random in Europe for a night. Just my luck that the one day we need to get from Oslo to Copenhagen, the ferry isn’t running. Oh the best laid plans…

So it begins…

Apr 30, 2013 | Running

I declared May 1 the official start of my training season, but I’m going to do a core workout and a couple mile run today to get ready for tomorrow. I would have started early but I caught a pesty cold in Coachella. Let me tell you that it sucks to be sick in 100 degree heat while sleeping in a tent. Even a fancy tent like ours.

Sick at Coachella

Sick at Coachella

My first run is a 10k on May 18 and then a 1/2 on June 1. What?!? Train for a 1/2 in 4 weeks? Yup, I’m just that crazy. I’m treating the 1/2 as just another long run and not pushing myself. The race is flat and has a 3 hour time limit and I plan to take it easy. The following day is a 10k that basically goes straight up hill! That will be a nightmare of an amazingly fun proportion.

What’s the plan? I’m doing a low mileage runyourBQ plan mixed with a little Dumbo training. Really what matters is kicking up those long runs again. I have 6-7 miles this week, then 8, then 9, then 11-12, and then the 1/2.  I haven’t been running much but I’ve been keeping at a 3-6 mile outseason runs with some Insanity workouts thrown in, and lots of intervals. I really like intervals on the treadmill, although just running on the treadmill is dreadful!

So I’m off. Wish me luck!