Monthly Recap & Goals - January

I'm a little late in doing this, but it's a good exercise to review and plan on a regular basis.

January highlights:

• Total miles run: 184 miles
• Total number of workouts: 22
• Longest training run: 20 miles in 3:17:21 (9:53 pace) on Jan. 22
• Fastest training run: 6 miles in 48:12 (8:02 pace) on Jan.15
• Ran PT Solutions Resolution Run 10K in 51:59 (8:24 pace) on Jan. 1
• Ran Tartan Trot 10K in 49:05 (7:54 pace) on Jan. 28 - set new 10K PR!!!!

(Being the techie nerd that I am, I can see a chart or graph coming up in the future as I accumulate these stats. - ha ha)

January was truly a great month of running!  I finally got over my Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (AKA Runners' Knee) that started last November with some help of a great physical therapist.  I did all sorts of awkward and challenging exercises and stretches, but it was all worth it.  Now I am extremely thankful for every day that I run with virtually no pain.  Interestingly, even those guys at PT looked at me like I had grown a third eye when I told them I was training for a marathon.  Truly, other runners are the only ones who understand.  Thank goodness for each and every one of you who "gets me" and my running obsession!

I also enjoyed doing a few group runs with Adventure Runners and with friends Elise, Chris, and Ken.  Although I generally prefer to run by myself on weekdays, I really look forward to doing weekend runs (especially long ones) with a partner or group.

My time on the Tartan Trot really built up my confidence and helped me get over my fear of hills.  It also earned me a spot on Corral B for the Peachtree Road Race 10K on July 4.  My husband has been in A for several years now, and I wish to one day be up there too.

Looking into February, I have the following short and long term goals:

1. Run the Berry Half Marathon on Feb. 18 in under 2 hours.  If I am lucky, I hope to break 1:52, but I don't want to push too hard because my first marathon is coming up on March 3.
2. Plan to run a race every month in 2012.  I'm pretty much set for this except for the month of June.  Ideas, anyone?
3. Complete my first marathon.  I actually would love to run it in under 4 hours, but I'm sure I'll cut myself a lot of slack if I don't reach that goal.
4. Get a 10K time of 47:59 some time in 2012 so I can be up with the big boys in Corral A for the 2013 Peachtree.
5. Stay healthy and injury-free.  I must really not let ego get in the way of this goal!  I still remember how down I felt when I could barely walk, much less run, when my knee began to hurt.

Today is a day off because yesterday I did my third-ever 20-mile training run.  This is going to be the last one before the marathon.  Whew!  I'm thankful to feel pretty good today even though I was a bit hobbled yesterday afternoon.  :-)

More to come after the Berry on Saturday!