February 2023 – Walk Into the Future

2023 Bridge Busters 5k

Bridge Buster

“I wouldn’t say running solves problems, but it prevents me from causing them”.

(Funny Running Quotes)

My Walk into the Future allows me to find/adjust my adventures depending on what’s happening in my world.

I spent a lot of 2022 getting myself physically and mentally prepared to tackle a full marathon. One thing I discovered during this process was signing up and completing races was a more enjoyable way to log miles. Example: I used the 2022 OUC Half Marathon as my last long run prior to the full marathon. Not sure other folks do this, but it makes for a more exciting training format for me.

Decided to tackle the 2023 Bridge Busters 5k in Fort Pierce for the third time. My first attempt occurred in 2021 when we were coming out of the COVID-19 era when races were being postponed. I did not know much about this race prior, but it was enjoyable even though I had to make it up and over the Seaway Drive bridge twice to complete the 5k. This concept was daunting back in 2021 but does not generate doubts for me now—guess my running program has matured. LOL.

This is a smaller race and attracts around 150 local runners. The host organization uses the registration fees to donate to local education programs. The money goes to a good cause, and I get a chance to test my endurance—everyone wins in this scenario.

Selected this as my first post full marathon run because it is a hometown race, and most of the course is on Seaway Drive which I train on quite a bit—minus the bridges.

The weather was cool at the start, so this was an ideal way to launch into the 5k.

I did not have a set finish time in mind when the race started but wanted to run a better time than last year if possible. The double bridge crossing makes this a bit daunting considering the inclines we face going up and over. The downhill portion is always easier, but you must maintain a controlled pace on the first pass to ensure there’s something left in the tank for the last mile of the race.

Fast forward and I ran the following splits:

Mile 1: 8:51 / Mile 2: 9:09 / Mile 3: 9:02 / Mile .1: :53

Clock time: 27:52 (8:57 per mile)

This was an improvement of 45 seconds over my 2022 race time. Not bad considering I completed the full marathon less than 4 weeks prior. Happy with my recovery from the marathon and excited to get back out running again.

Not sure how fast 2023 will be for my racing times but happy with my first race of the year. Looking forward to getting more miles and races in this year.

What are you looking forward to in 2023?

Irie!

“Runner’s logic: I’m tired. I think I’ll got for a run”.

(Funny Running Quotes)

2022 Fitbit Stats

bright close up color colorful — Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

“If you are on the treadmill next to me, the answer is yes…we are racing”.

(Unknown)

My Walk into the Future allows me to experiment with multiple forms of exercise with running being my focus for the past 4 years. Weightlifting was my primary form of exercise prior to starting my Walk into the Future. Decided to adjust and make running the focal point and mix in other forms of exercise to supplement.

I went from lifting weights 5 days and running 2 days to a complete flip. I currently run 4 days a week (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday) and lift weights around my running schedule. I recently joined Planet Fitness to ensure I had a good mix of weightlifting options. Invested in an exercise bike back in 2021 so I could continue to get cardio in even when the weather is bad.

Fun fact: I got a free 3-day pass to LA Fitness in September of 2020 that never expired. My paper pass finally got so worn downed that it stopped working two years later. Hence, my joining Planet Fitness because it’s only $9.99 a month—I love a deal! 😊

2022 saw me increase my exercise volume and my total steps for the year. The following stats come directly from my Fitbit 2022 Year in Review:

Total Exercise Days: 257

Top Exercise: Run

Total Steps: 5,101,022

Total Miles: 2,551

Best Step Month: November

Best Step Day: December 11, 2022

56,995 Steps

Average Hours of Sleep: 8.2 hours

I increased my total steps by 400,000+ for the year and total mileage by 350+. Again, these numbers account for every time I exercised: bike, run, treadmill, walk.

I’m concentrating on ensuring I get the proper amount of sleep and plan to continue to positive progress in 2023.

I’m on pace for 125+ training miles in January and will continue to log miles as I prepare for additional half marathons this year.

2023 will be busy with training, racing and Walking into the Future!

Irie!

“If only opening a Vitamin Water could be classified as working out”.

(Jim Gaffigan)

1,300 in 2022

Sunrise

“If you don’t know where you’re going, you will probably end up somewhere else”.

(Lawrence J. Peter)

I start each year by creating a set of goals for myself to ensure I continue to Walk into the Future.

Past years I created a goal to run a set number of miles during the year (example: 1,000 miles) but decided to eliminate this practice and concentrate on run quality instead of quantity.

My 2022 run goals centered around 3 quality runs weekly without the shadow of a set number of miles as the goal. I always found myself singularly focused on the end number instead of the impact each run had towards my goal and fitness level. Mentally I was always chasing a number I made up in January and that was not always a fun activity.

Fast forward and the 1,312 training miles I completed in 2022 is the most yearly mileage I have ever completed. Launching my full marathon training program in July helped me clock miles but I was well on my way toward a mileage personal record (PR). The marathon training process highlighted I needed to add training sessions and mileage to fully embrace the run challenge of a full marathon.

I routinely ran 3 days a week prior to my marathon training program and needed a 4^th day to continue to build my mileage base. I also needed to create a true run plan to identify the targeted mileage for each session.

Prior to 2022 I would just go out for a run and then determine how far I wanted to go during that session. Running in 2022 forced me to lay out a detailed weekly training program to identify how far I would run during each session. I know this sounds simple and I’m sure most folks do this, but my running program had structure but needed more focus to get me to the start line for the Palm Beaches marathon. I discovered putting a number on the training session (3 miles on Tuesday, 5 miles on Wednesday, 8 miles on Thursday, 10 miles on Saturday) made me hit my mile markers each session. Anything less than what I projected left me looking for ways to get my miles in. Weekly mileage numbers were critical to my running success in 2022.

Mile by mile, day by day allowed me to top 1,300 miles in 2022. I’m sure I could have surpassed that number if I put more focus on the mileage for each session prior to July 2022.

My 2023 run goal is to run 4 days weekly (25 – 30 miles total) with one day dedicated to speed work. I am registered for 10 races for 2023 with a combination of 5ks, 10ks and half marathons. I don’t know if I will tackle another full marathon in 2023 or ever but never say never. I will let my weekly running sessions determine how many total miles I run in 2023. Excited to track my progress and growth as I expand my running base and test myself with road work.

What goals do you have for 2023?

FYI: Clocked 127 miles in January 2023! 😊

Irie!

“If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time”.

(Zig Ziglar)

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: