September, already! Where is this year going? Fall is on us (some may say that the official first day of autumn is September 22, but we all know it’s when the Pumpkin Spice Latte returns to Starbucks).
This week’s numbers don’t look great, but that’s because I gave Mr PugRunner Saturday morning and I took Sunday morning for my long run instead. He’s got a 3.5 mile race on Monday morning and wanted to rest on Sunday. It’s going to throw a wrench into this week, but I’ll figure something out.
Monday: 3.15 mile run
Tuesday: rest day, light weights
Wednesday: 3.24 mile run
Thursday: rest day, light weights
Friday: 3.5 mile run
Now, let’s look at my August goals.
1. Get on track with the training for my 10 miler. I feel much better about where I am in training this month.
2. Commit to an interval training or get off the proverbial pot. I made the switch to intervals. My new system has me running 10 minutes (so about a mile) and then switching to 2:30-1 intervals. I’ve felt really good about it. Sometimes I get bummed that I’m not going faster, but my body feels good and I am noticing my speed picking up on the running portions of my training, so that’s positive. I have plenty of room for improvement, but all in good time.
3. Run 50 miles. I did 55! It should have been 62, but with the change of long run day, I lost out. Blah. That’s ok, 55 is still more than 50, so check!
4. Enjoy the journey. I am. Really, I am.
5. Work in more cross-training. Eh. I was supposed to start boot camp, but with the start of school and getting used to the new morning routine… it hasn’t really happened. I’ve tried to better about my yoga and doing some light weights at home, so that will have to do for now.
6. Stop being hard on myself. I think I’ve been keeping this in check. Even when my runs have been dismal, I just try to brush them off, log the miles, and look forward to the next training session.
I’m in a good place, but there’s always room for improvement, so here’s what I’m working on for September:
1. Log 65 miles. Go big, or go home.
2. Pick up the pace. I’ve let speed work go by the wayside as I’ve been making my comeback. I’m feeling comfortable enough where, once a week, I think I can start pushing my limits a little bit more and speed up. Can’t hurt to try.
3. Work out an in-run fueling routine. Now that my runs are getting longer, I’ve stocked up on some different fuels to carry in the pouch of my handheld water bottle. I am looking something with a tolerable texture (sorry, Gu), good flavor, and most importantly, that won’t send me sprinting for the restroom. Hoping that my selection works out positively for me.
4. Figure out how to handle pre-race anxiety. This is a doozy. Tower of Terror is right around the corner, and I am already feeling flutters of nerves. I need to get a handle on it, because sitting around all day on race day is going to drain me before the 10:00 PM gun time. And drained is no way to go into 10 miles. I’m not the best at being patient, or waiting calmly, so this is going to be a huge challenge for me. Not entirely sure how I’m going to get it under control, but I’m working on it.
So there it is. The September gauntlet is thrown. Let’s see what I can do with it.
Are you ready for fall? What’s your favorite part of the season.
What are your big plans and goals for September?
I can’t believe its already September too! This whole summer flew on by! Seems like you did great with your goals– kick some major butt this month too! (:
That’s my plan!
It’s crazy that the year will be over in just 4 months! How did that even happen???
55 miles is great! =) Good luck with training for the 10 miler. I did one earlier this year and loved it.
Diana recently posted…Running Naked
Thank you! It feels so achievable right now and I am so excited. My nerves are going to be what do me in, and I really have to figure out how to settle down.
I really liked Island Boost when I tried it. It’s flavored coconut water! It’s not bad tasting, either. I’m excited for cooler mornings so I don’t have to get up at 530 and run and can get a little bit of sleep in 😉
Rachel @ Undercover Diva: A Sitcom recently posted…Coconut Sweet Potato Fries
I haven’t tried that one, yet. I am funny with drinks and I have a hard time finding stuff I like. The honey stingers were really good and didn’t seem to upset my stomach, so I think those are keepers.
Those are some great goals! I am really having a hard time getting motivated to run hard lately. Maybe Sept. will be my month??
jan recently posted…Baked by Liz’s One-Year Anniversary Party
I hope you can make September your month! Good luck finding that motivation. Let us know if we can help! The online running community is so supportive and you know you’ve got fans rooting for you!
Congrats!!! I hit 50 this month too…. I’m still training for my tri so upping my miles on my runs… I did manage a 5 miler!!!! That made me so happy :))) my close goal is to not walk during my tri… That’s next week.. Sept 8th… I will be getting more miles in after the tri… It goes too cold up here for outdoor biking but I will keep spinning. So well done and maybe I will meet you next year for the tower race..
Way to go! Five miles is awesome! I want to hear all about your tri after you do it! I hope you make it down for a runDisney event! It will be great to meet you and I know the races are going to be incredible!
I cannot do gels because of the texture either. I found honey stingers fruit chews work for me. I like orange and pink lemonade best. Check them out.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero recently posted…Endless Summer Wrap
55 miles is awesome!
I’ll have to try honey stingers… Not so fond of Gu but I do like the Clif shotblock chews. Almost like candy. So many choices and like you, I have trouble with some things and would rather not be running to the nearest port-o-potty during a race.
Brienna Nesting recently posted…We did it!
I love to hear how much you are enjoying the journey! I am going through a love phase with running right now. I always find that reading running books always helps 🙂
Love your goal to not be too hard on yourself for this coming month as well. At the end of the day, as long as were getting our booties out there, we should be happy about that!
Anne @ CandyCrazedrun.wordpress.com recently posted…A Racing Realization
I really, really am loving it. Even when I have a bad run, it’s still great. You’re right – at the end of the day, we’re doing it!
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap & september goals
Congrats on 55 miles, thats wonderful! I love your goals for September. I could work on all of those things together.
I am in a bit of a similar situation as you are with the TOT starting at night, the Wine and Dine Half starts the same. I am thinking of having a light breakfast, bigger lunch, lighter dinner and definitely taking a nap in the afternoon. I know the schedule is odd but I think adrenaline will pull us through!
I can handle the GU if necessary…I’ve also tried Honey Stinger Waffles, Sport Beans, Cliff Shots and even a little candy (Skittles) which I think also does the trick 🙂
You can definitely hit 60 miles…September STRONG! (that’s my goal)
Karen @karenlovestorun
Karen @karenlovestorun recently posted…September Goals
Those night races are hard. I get myself so worked up during the day and I am so bad at just relaxing and diverting my thoughts. I have the Waffles, Sport Beans and Blox to try, as well. Just to mix it up.
September STRONG is a great goal! Let’s get after it!
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap & september goals
You’ve done great! I could also use help on not beating myself up after not reaching a goal. I have a terrible tendency to be extremely hard on myself after a bad run.
I also need to work on my cross training. That has completely fallen off my radar 🙁
Keep going girl! You are an inspiration!
Suzan recently posted…I’m in the Spotlight
<3 Thank you! I am getting really good at brushing off the bad runs. I hate them, but it gives me something to push for next time and once I have another good run, my memory lets go of the bad one. I think that I'm just so excited to be running and hitting my distance goals, that I'm just not worried about pace or any of the other technicalities. Don't get me wrong, I am working on getting faster, but it's not the main focus right now. Good luck this month - hope you can get that cross training in!
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap & september goals
This year seems to be going by so fast!
I just posted my August running stats. September i’m not too sure how is going to go for me. I’d like to get 100km | 60mi in, but we’ll see (as I’m also going to be on holidays).
Would love to get a new pb for 10km, so I’ll work on that.
Matilda recently posted…August Running Stats
Even with vacation, I know you’re going to hit your goals! Good luck and get after that PB!
runswithpugs recently posted…weekly recap & september goals
You did really well with your goals! September just creeped up on me!! I love the leaves of change in the fall, that is always fun 🙂
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama recently posted…FFCI: Jamie Eason Live fit Phase 2 Week 2: The Rebound!
Thank you! We don’t get the color changes here. We’ll go directly from summer to winter, and then back again.
runswithpugs recently posted…sunday’s long run