August 09, 2016

Future running plans

I can't tell you how different my mood is from just a couple of weeks ago. I feel like I'm back to the "normal me with mild depression" instead of the "me with a bad depressive episode". I don't think I've cried in several days--unless you count yesterday, when I cried from laughing so hard! (There was a post on Facebook that contained several pictures of kids and the funny things they did--I was wheezing from laughing so hard.)

Looking back at July, it almost feels like I was a totally different person for the entire month. I felt terrible (I even toned it down for the blog just how bad I felt, because nobody wants to read that kind of negativity). I felt like I would never get back to the normal me, and now here I am. I feel so relieved.

Yes, I picked up several pounds during the month of July, but I've been doing really well being back on track with calorie counting, so I don't feel too terrible about it. I wish I knew how to handle depression without using food, but that's always been my go-to for comfort. Hopefully, my new therapist can help me figure out better ways to deal, and if I go through another episode next summer, I'll be prepared!

I saw this running shirt by BrainStorm Gear a couple of days ago, and I just had to buy it:


It's like it was made just for me! They have some really awesome cycling jerseys, and it almost made me want to take up cycling just so I could get a Cookie Monster one--but not quite ;)

I've been thinking a lot about what to do as far as running goals go. I think this fall, I'm going to keep it very casual. I'll probably run a few races just for fun, and I'll follow some sort of training schedule to keep up with running; but I'm going to wait until spring to set another goal. And I've already been thinking about what it's going to be...

I'm going to run the Indy Mini again!

It's been five years since the last time I ran it--can you believe it? I walked that race in 2008, 2009, and 2010. The first half-marathon that I actually ran was the Indy Mini in 2011. And plans fell through in 2012, so I didn't get to go. I went to Indy with my Sole Mates last year, but I didn't get to do the race due to my stress fracture.

It has now been almost two years since I last ran a half-marathon, and I am ready to make the Indy Mini 2017 my comeback race :) I'm not sure yet what I plan to do as far as a time goal, but I'm thinking I might as well go big or go home--maybe I'll shoot for my sub-1:50! In 2013, sub-1:50 was a far off goal of mine. Based on my recent 10K race, I think with training, I can get back into shape for a 1:49 half-marathon.

BUT. May is still a long way off. Right now, running in the miserable humidity, I can't fathom doing speed work for a half-marathon. It's hard to get excited about a lofty time goal! We'll see how I feel about it in October or November, and then I'll decide for sure. The one thing I AM sure about, however, is that I'm going to run the Indy Mini in May.

I was kind of thinking it might be fun to have some sort of reader meet-up weekend... would that interest anyone? Anyone who wants to go could come hang out for a few days, and do the race on Saturday. We could do dinner at Buca di Beppo on Friday night (a tradition).

Anyway, if that would interest any of you, it's the weekend of May 5-7. The race itself is PERFECT for a first half-marathon--there are 35,000 runners/walkers. I walked it for three years, and there are SO many other walkers that I never felt embarrassed to be "just" walking (by the way, walking it made me so much more sore than running! It's HARD to walk 13.1 miles.) If you think you'd like to join me that weekend, send me an email so we can work out the details. If there is enough interest, we could even make a Facebook group to plan details, and maybe buddy up for hotels or something.

I've been running lately, but it's been too humid to really enjoy it! I ran three miles with Nathan on Friday. My plan was to run at his easy pace of about 8:45, but once we started running, the air was so thick that we both agreed to slow down. We ended up with a 9:12 pace, and even that felt kind of hard.

For the past few days, I've taken the kids to the State Park to fish while I run. There is a short loop (1.5 miles) where I can see the kids the whole way around, so it works out well. I just run two loops, which gives them enough time to fish for a little bit.

It's interesting how the heat and humidity affects my running pace. I still keep my heart rate under 146, and some days, that means a 10:15 pace (when it's rather cool and not humid); but other days, that means an 11:30 pace. Or, like last week, when we had a the air quality alert, my pace wound up being 12:18! In the winter, it'll probably be a 9:30-10:00 pace... all at the same heart rate.

Today, I ran at around noon, and that was a big mistake--I even wondered if I'd make all the way around the second loop. It was rough! When I was done, I sat down while the kids fished, and just tried to stop sweating.


When I got home, I looked up the weather to see what the humidity was, because that run had felt SO difficult. Turns out we had another air quality alert! I wish I'd thought to look that up beforehand, because I would have postponed my run. It's amazing just how much of a difference that makes in my running.

I took Joey to Lucky Puppy (his doggy daycare) today. It had been several months since the last time he went, but he was SO EXCITED when he realized where we were going. He never whines, but once we pulled into the driveway, he started whining in excitement. I'm sure he's having a blast today! ;)

30 comments:

  1. Super excited about you planning to run Indy. I'd be interested in it and definitely would want to do a meet-up!

    Have a great week. Hope it cools off a bit for easier running.

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    1. Awesome, Margaret! If you send me an email, I'll send you a link to the Facebook group :)

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  2. Hi Katie! I'm so happy you're feeling better. <3 I'm excited to see how your training progresses.

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    1. Thanks Sara! It's been a long time since I trained for a half. I'm actually kind of looking forward to it!

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  3. I'm interested in the meet up at Indie 500

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    1. Great Tracy! If you send me an email, I will send you a link for the Facebook group :)

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  4. I would love to meet up for that race! Is lodging expensive around there? I'm on a minute college budget and the flight + registration would be a hefty paycheck.

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    1. It really depends on where you stay. I like to stay right at the starting line area, and the hotel is pretty pricey--but I've always shared the expense with others, so it's actually not too bad. One reader even mentioned the possibility of hosting people, so that would be great! The flight would probably be your biggest expense. If you want to be kept in the loop, feel free to send me an email and I'll add you to the Facebook group. I hope you can make it!

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  5. I can't remember which Garmin you have, but wanted to give you the heads up on this in case it's the Forerunner 610!! https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/339816-garmin-forerunner-sport-watch-class-action-settlement/

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    1. Thankfully, I have the 620 :) Thank you for sharing, though!

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  6. I can recommend the 80/20 half marathon training programme. I'm working through it right now and loving it, plus smashing every race time I do along the way! I'll let you know my results when I run the half in September but I'm hopeful it'll be pretty good! The plan is a joy to do - thanks for introducing the 80/20 method!

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    1. Thanks Katie! Which of the half-plans are you following? (If I remember correctly, there is a level 1, 2, and 3...). Do you find it hard to run 7+ times per week? It's hard to fathom running that much, but I'll be ready to kick up my training when I prepare for Indy, so I may try it :)

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  7. Yay for your decision to run the half! Sounds like a blast...I'd love to run it one day! I just have to say that I'm relieved to hear that I'm not the only one struggling trying to run in the humidity this summer! Lol! It's makes running feel like a chore for me and I've been having a hard time staying on track. Cannot wait for the Fall!!!!

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    1. Yes! It does make running feel like a chore, and I hate that. I keep reminding myself that the running I'm doing now is going to make fall running so much easier!

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  8. I'm definitely interested in a meet up weekend!

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    1. Fantastic! Send me an email and I will send you the link to the Facebook group I created :)

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  9. I totally feel you when it comes to heat and humidity -- I can't take it! My body just starts to fight back against it, so I can't push my pace to hard.

    Monday, for example, I tried to push my run just a bit at the last quarter mile or so... and I nearly passed out from heat exhaustion. It was scary! It was around 9 am and the temp was over 80 with 95% humidity (or something else crazy high) --

    With such high humidity, I should start calling it a swim instead of a run!!!

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    1. I was actually a little worried I might pass out yesterday--I couldn't believe just how exhausted I felt during an easy three-miler. I felt better about it when I saw that the air quality was bad yesterday, which is probably why it felt like that!

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  10. I'm very interested in the Indy race. I've never been. I'm in California and always fly to Fargo in May to see family and run the Fargo marathon (half). That's two weeks after Indy. Mmmm..... I'll check it out.

    Another thing - I totally miss your recipes you used to post on here. Do you think you'll be doing that again? Glad you're feeling better.

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  11. Oh Man! I would have loved to come and I need to get Indiana of my list...I have heard nothing but good things. I will be super close to it that weekend too buuuuut alas I am already registered for the Flying Pig 3way that same weekend in Cincinati.

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  12. I would love to do this one! And it would be so great to meet you! I would have to think of the logistics though and talk it out with my husband. It's still far enough away that we could maybe plan a little weekend getaway. I'm definitely interested though!

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  13. So, so glad you are feeling better!! And I will send you an email-this might be exactly the goal I need! :)

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  14. I'm really glad that you're feeling better! It is strange how that can work. Summer is a tough time for me, mentally. It is strange because I used to be the opposite - felt best in summer and worst in the winter. Wanted to tell you -- if you're going to run a few races for fun, they have already set up a 5k in honor of Sierah Joughin, the cyclist who was kidnapped/killed. It's called Joggin' for Joughin (hope I'm spelling her name right) and it's Oct. 2 in Metamora, OH. It has a Facebook page.

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  15. So glad you're doing better! AND super excited to read-through your half training when you get there. I love your detailed descriptions of your workouts and it totally motivates me.

    Also, I have a feeling the kids post you cried about is the same one I saw yesterday! My eye makeup was totally ruined for the day I was laughing/crying so hard!

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  16. This is so tempting!! I'll have to give this some good thought as I would have to fly in from Montreal and our Canadian dollar just plain sucks right now...

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  17. I'm glad you're beating your depression. I'm in my second month of "not feeling terrible" though I can't account for why. I'll take it nonetheless.

    I would LOVE to run a 1:50 half. I'm continually impressed with your performance, your drive, your commitment to your goals.

    Thank you!

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  18. Oh my gosh, I went for a run at noon here in Chicago on Tuesday and it was ROUGH! My pace was 10:15 and usually it's sub 10, but I could barely do 2.4 miles! I told my husband "I can't wait to run in December in fleece!" I feel you!

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  19. I'm glad you're feeling better Katie! I wanted to tell you that I just watched your movie and I found it so inspiring! I've been reading your blogs for years and always found you so relatable; it was great getting to hear your voice to go along with the pictures you post. I enjoyed getting the chance to "meet" people you have talked about and to also learn their motivating stories. Thank you so much!

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  20. Hi Katie! What size did you order? I want to order this for a Christmas gift and think my sister would be same size as you

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    1. I ordered a small, and it's pretty roomy! So they definitely run big. I think they are mens sizes.

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