Three Things Thursday

1. While I have not had that many GOOD runs lately, I have been sticking to my plan of rebuilding my base. I think it is helping, as I have run longer (and a bit faster) than I have in months. Not to mention, I was NOT that sore after running (WITH ZERO WALK BREAKS) the hilly Little Rock marathon on Sunday. I'd say that is some great progress!! I did speed work (AGAIN!!) for a total of 7.5 miles on Wednesday morning... before work!! I plan on another 7 or so tonight (or tomorrow morning). And a long run of some kind on Sunday. Hopefully outside if we don't end up having a blizzard on Saturday.

2. I finally went to yoga at my gym last night. For the past 18 months or so, I only have been going to yoga at Lululemon. And I LOVE going to yoga there. Different instructors every time means I have yet to be bored at a class. Anyway, going to yoga at my gym reminds me that I do not especially LIKE yoga there. The flow of the class is awkward and the first half always seems crazy easy with the second half filled with random and complicated balance moves that most people are afraid to even try. However, my body felt GREAT after taking the time to do some stretching. I really need to be better about it, I know it makes a huge difference.

3. Planning our race schedule this summer. WOW are there a lot of races in Colorado! I actually had to make a spreadsheet so I could track registration fees and when the price increases are. Average entry fee for a half right now is $54, with five costing less than $40! We have a lot of interesting races coming up that I can't wait to share with you all!

DON'T FORGET TO CHECK OUT MY RAFFLE!! 
(I have added a NEW prize - which will hopefully sweeten the deal!)

What's Next (Goals?)

Needless to say, when you are out on a course for 8+ hours with no iPod and nothing to occupy your brain, you spend a lot of time thinking and planning. So. Here's what I have come up with.

• Running a 100 miler is insane.
• Training is very time consuming
• Training is lonely because no one else is as crazy as you are
• A LOT of training for one day, which may or may not go your way
• To be successful, you have to rely A LOT on other people
• With all the above said, I'm nixing (for now) the idea of running another 100
• Running a 50 miler is insane
• See above
• I may or may not ever run another 50 miler, and if I do, I will NOT pick a race where 50 is the furthest distance. After this weekend, I am even MORE convinced that "racing the clock" is the freaking worst. So unless I all of a sudden become MUCH faster, a 50 isn't in the cards.
• Running 50k is insane, but do-able.
• Training really isn't much different than marathon/half marathon training (FOR ME)
• Most 50k's are on trails, and I really like trails
• I can probably talk at least SOMEONE into joining me for a 50k
• Same rule applies as my 50 mile rule - I will not race the clock, so I really don't want to run a 50k if that is the longest distance
• Running marathons
• I think I still would like to run these. They are challenging, and for the most part, fun.
• When they are no longer "fun," I will no longer run.
• See above - I don't want to "race the clock" - this will also apply to traveling and my crazy flights.
• Related: I plan on traveling a lot less
• Related: I think I will set a (very long term) goal to run a full (or longer) in every state. I will be a LOT more picky about the races I run. So if you have a race in your state that you think I would love, please send info my way.
• Running half marathons
• I think I would like to go back to running more of these.
• Colorado has over 70 half marathons. (Long term) goal is to run every one in the state (or the marathon if there is one). This will take ages as there are a few weekends where there are 4-5 different races on the same day.
• Related: I've only run a dozen or so to date. This will take a while.
• Wyoming has over a dozen half marathons. Will have the same goal as Colorado, since Wyoming is close.
• Running the continents
• Obviously a goal, I have run 4 of the 7 already.
• This will take a jillion years since Australia and Antarctica are ridiculously expensive.

So... what does this all mean? Well, I am not really registered for that many (FOR ME) races. I'm likely going to be filling my schedule with more local runs. And as for training, well, I think I need to get into a groove again, and just find out whatever works. All while making sure I don't jack up any more body parts and keep the knee/ankles in check.

With that said. I have race fever and I am dying to register for SOMETHING but I actually plan on waiting to see how Marine Corps goes this weekend.