Happy Monday! Last night, I shared an intimate post where my children were trying to get a message across to me. I needed to shift my focus. Just like shifting my focus away from something (healthy or unhealthy) … I am shifting my training focus on something else. I am learning to run fast.
My next big adventure and road race is just a few four weeks away. I will be running with six other bloggers and we will be part of a team running in the Ragnar Relay So. Cal Race Series.
I want to run faster… so I am going to have to learn to run faster. To learn to run faster… I am going to have to run faster. Run faster Mommy! Do you see the cycle of events that I am having to do!?
I love this image that Saucony shared on Pinterest. You don’t get better at running hills, by walking them! This is so true! You have to DO the thing you are wanting to improve upon… to improve! I must run faster to run fast!
I am super proud of my personal best that I accomplished (while running sick) two weeks ago at the ShamROCK’n halfmarathon in Sacramento. I learned that I am stronger than my brain said I was. I am able to do more than I can now. I need to challenge that limit. I also want to succeed and reach my fitness goals… and I need to increase my speed in order for those goals to be reached.
I am tackling my speed goal by running my regular training runs faster. I am still running at a comfortable pace (about a 6-8 on the difficulty level). I call them comfortably challenging. Challenging enough to finish the distance set out for me… but not too easy to sing and dance while running.
This past Saturday, I set out to meet my husband and the boys at the gym. I laced up my Saucony 0mm drop minimalist Virrata running shoes… and ran fast. I ran the 3.5 miles to the gym at a comfortably challenging pace. I could have run faster… but I tried to run consistent with a negative split. I succeeded. I was super proud of myself!
I really do not have any training plan set for this week… besides RUN, MOVE, LIFT and be ACTIVE. When I do run, I want to run fast. When I do lift, I want to lift heavy. I want to be active and on the move WITH my children. Feel free to follow my training on daily mile to see what I end up doing (and my pace improvements over time) this week.
I’m just trying to enjoy running. I’m currently in the 4th week of C25K and each day I want to give up. The whole time I’m running I’m fighting an internal battle.
Have you always enjoyed running or is it something you learned to love?
I’m right there with you! Just getting into the “run fast” game, vs. the “complete this distance” one. I just set some mile, 5K, and 10K goals for myself, and hope to work on hitting them one by one. One little perk about speed training, vs. distance training, is that it takes much less time!
Love the shoes and good luck with your training. I’m with Crystal I’ve done the running thing but never can get to a point where I enjoy it.
I admire you! I hate running. Just do. I am running in my first run on April 6th. The Color Me Rad 5k. I have had so many things keep me from training, even exercising so I’ll be doing more walking than running. My goal is to just do it (finish it). The last time I ran, almost 3 weeks ago, now the best I can do is 1.5 miles without stopping. The weather has been rainy and cold, and snowing here, right now. So no running for me outside. I do believe with adrenalin, I can push running 2 miles straight, so at least I can run/walk/run most of it. I truly don’t think I’ll ever enjoy running, though (especially at my age). 🙂
I don’t know if I’ll ever be a runner – honestly I’m not a fan of working out at all. My goal every week is just to get off my butt and do something! I really need to invest in a FitBit, I think that might get me up and at em!
I wish I could run but my hips just won’t let me.
Great job!! When I map out a plan for fitness success I consider the goal – usually for me it’s to run a particular distance faster. I then embark upon a training plan that has phases: Phase 1 helps me to develop the endurance to run that distance, phase 2 maintains that endurance while building the strength (weights, hill repeats) I need to next work on my power (speed), the final phase focuses on speed (plyometrics, bounding exercises and speed repeats), again while maintaining my endurance, then I spend the week before the race allowing my body to recover from the past 12 weeks of training, so that I can run my race on fresh, strong, fast legs. I’m sure you are only just beginning to realize your full running potential.
What I’m trying to say is that you’re awesome and far stronger and faster than you think you are – you can do anything!
I’m just so impressed with you! I used to run but an Achilles injury stopped me for good. It hurt so badly that I never wanted to fight back.
You go girl! I just need to get off the couch. 🙂
I’m starting Couch to 5K this spring. Don’t think I could run fast though unless was being chased. ha!
Wow, you rock! 😀
I wish I liked running more!
Well, I’m at zero w/ my fitness goals but it’s true that you just have to DO it. Sitting and thinking about it does nothing but cause frustration when goals are met, nor are they getting any closer to being reached.
This sounds great!
I love to run! I hope when the weather permits that i get to run with my boys!
How awesome! Feeling that progress is such a good feeling. I can’t wait to work on speed again!
such a great inspiration. And I love your shoes! <3
that is very true, I need to push myself more too.
You rock, this is awesome!
I have to lose weight before I can start running. I hurt fine minute into it!
Best of luck to you and your team on your run!
My fitness goal for this week is to workout 3 times and walk with family 3 times this week!
Yay! Great goal! 🙂
Once the weather warms up I plan to start running more.
I wish I could run as a form of exercise, but I get side stitches way too easily. 🙁
I’m trying to get back into running!
I love the shoes!!
I would love to become a runner. Once I pop out baby #3, I plan to sign up for a 5K and work my way up to a half-marathon. It’ll be difficult, but I know if I put my mind to it, anything is possible.
I don’t run but wish I could!
What “speed” is fast? I’m still learning in this whole running game … but I do know that I am REALLY slow. Really.
I need to learn to run, period…I am horrible at running, I never learned how to do it properly!
This past week was spent on vacation, so although we were on foot and walked 10-15 miles a day, I ate very naughty each day. This week I’m looking forward to getting back to clean eating and into the gym.
The concept of running faster seems so simple, yet I find myself trotting along at a normal easy pace all the time. Love this post. Good luck with your speed training! Hopefully you will inspire this slow one to take it up a notch.
I wish I could get some motivation to get out and run.
Right now my goals are simple – one day at a time- minimum 4 days in the gym. Once I get some of this weight off I’m going to start making more defined goals. I just love your blog!
Love those quotes.
I need to get more active.. My running is pathetic.