The start of my 2013 is here

I’m looking out my window and fresh snow is falling on the exissting three feet high snowbanks along the driveway and I’m questioning the sanity of starting my season in February while living in the Northeast. In past years, I’ve eased into the season with 5Ks in March, typically around St. Patty’s Day, and typically with a race that featured a pint at the end. This year, perhaps to keep me motivated to up the annual mileage or just to avoid using my paternity leave as a crutch to slack off, I chose the Old Fashioned Ten Miler in Foxboro tomorrow as my first race of the 2013 season. One part of me (the type A part) is looking at it as a challenge. Snow, wind, black ice, sub-zero temps? Bring it on. The other part of me is itching to scrap it and log a few miles on the treadmill in the basement next to the percolating warmth of the boiler room.

A Quick Recap of 2012

First, a quick look back. The further I get away from 2012, the more mellow I become about the results. After the last 5k in December, I felt pretty down on the season despite setting two PRs and finishing another half marathon. My big goal for the first part of 2012 was strength and speed work with the benchmark being breaking 20:00 for a 5k. Believe it or not, of the 6 5k’s I ran in 2012, I ran each between 20:00 and 20:12. If you’re feeling generous, you might give me that one. I hit 20:00 on the nose, but never dipped under it. A new PR, but not a gold star for my goal.

The second PR was in the Finish at the 50 10k at Gillette stadium on a pretty hot July 3rd. I finished 16th in my age group and posted a 42:39. Not too shabby, but I put a mental asterisk next to this one as the first kilometer or so is on a serious downhill, so a steep hill-aided PR.

The big goal for the second half of ’12 was completing my second half marathon and improving on my first time at Rock N Roll Providence (1:40:52). I did finish the race (the flat Smuttynose Rockfest in Hampton), but failed to top my Providence time as both IT bands tightened painfully around mile 10 (up to that point, I was very pleased with my nutrition and pacing) and the last three miles were finished at a hobbling limp. Net result? Two minutes slower than Providence (1:42:50). Errr.

Goal Setting for 2013

2013 includes my first tri

Time to put the 2013 goals in writing to ensure a little accountability.

1.  First Tri
   The big goal for ’13 is my first triathlon. I chose a sprint one, USAT certified, but with a capped field that I hope will provide both a gentle introduction to the sport and a fun experience. This is local and in mid-July. Ramping up cycling and re-learning to swim should be interesting learning experiences.
2. Full marathon or Multiple half marathons
   Haven’t completely made up my mind about this one. Given that we have a new baby and being cognizant of how much time it would take to train the way I’d like for a full marathon, it makes me leery of stepping up to the full this year. If I chose a full, I’d aim for one in mid-October. Maybe the Bay State. If I go multiple halves, the Ocean State Triple Crown series looks fun.
3. Continue focus on flexibility
   I am not flexible. Never have been, but as I work to take on more endurance races and get older, I’m increasingly aware of how better flexibility can aid training, recovering and prevent nagging injuries (see the IT band issues above). Last year, I did yoga fairly regularly, I’d like to continue that and be better about consistent foam rolling on a weekly basis.
4. Stay on a plant-based diet
   I plan to write about this more soon, but since December I’ve been eating a largely plant-based diet and really feeling the benefits in all aspects of my life: sleep, work, energy for playing with the kids, training. The plan is to keep this up for the rest of 2013.

That seems like a solid, challenging, yet achievable list.

Potential 2013 Events

Here are the events I’m eying for early in 2013.

• February – Old Fashioned 10 Miler
• April – James Joyce Ramble 10k
• May – Boston’s Run to Remember 5 Miler
• July – Foxboro Invsys Triathalon

Here are the events I’m considering now for the latter part of the 2013

• United Health Care Triple Crown – 3 half marathons in Rhode Island in May, July, Oct
• October – Bay State Marathon
• Various 5ks will be mixed in during training

Conclusion

So after a so-so 2012, I’m ready to push harder into 2013. It all starts tomorrow in the snow, sleet and wind.

flickr cc photo attributions: shawn allen, ella baker center, through my eyes only