TGIF! Another week has come and gone and I am SO ready for the weekend. Aren’t you?

In honor of this weekend’s big event – the Cleveland marathon – and the fact that I haven’t posted a running update in a while, here are some running-related randomness for this Friday Five.

Annual Mileage Total: Approx. 512 miles

I know, I know, I’m at waay less mileage than I was at this time last year. But I’m okay with it for a few reason. One, when B and I went  to Costa Rica last month, I only ran twice – we kept active with walks, hikes, swims, etc. So that’s two full weeks of at least 20 fewer miles to add to my log.  Two, I feel like I’ve been running smarter. When my shin started seriously hurting a few weeks ago (yes, again), I took a few days off. I’ve been trying to take at least one day off from running a week (sometimes 2! like this week) to make sure my body recovers from pounding the pavement. I will acknowledge that it may not seem like a big deal to say “Oh, I’m running only 5 days a week,” but I can assure you (just ask B) that for me, it is. And I know a few other runners out there are nodding their heads reading this and get it.

2014 Races Completed: 4 thus far (plus 1 this weekend!)

I can’t believe it’s May already and we’re right in the middle of running season and our total races completed is 4. B and I started the year with the Chili Bowl 5K in February (we used the 3.1 race as the end to an 11 mile training run). Then in March (exactly one month later), we completed the Chicago Get Lucky Half Marathon. In April, B and I did two races in one weekend – the Hermes 10 miler and a 5K for autism awareness in Columbus. At the 5K, I somehow took home first overall female … guess I should do small community races more often!

2014 Goals: A Work In Progress

This year some of my running goals have included to get to a sub-2 hour half marathon, as well as run 3 half marathons in the year. I’m getting there! I’ve done 1 half marathon (and have 1 this weekend) and met my sub-2 hour goal at the Chicago Get Lucky Half Marathon this year. Hmm, maybe it’s time to set another goal. Sub-25 min 5k? Do I see some interval/speed training in my future (blech)?

Getting More Social in my Running

I’ve definitely been being a more social runner, something that I really like. Flash back to a year ago, doing a long run and asking B to come with me and he admitting he wished I had more “runner friends.” Because about a year ago, I had only really run with B and Mary. Later in the year I started doing some runs with my coworker Cari … and this year I’ve been running somewhat regularly (at least a few times a month) with Nicole and Erica. Running with people used to intimidate me. What if I ran too slow? I get really sweaty .. what if they were grossed out? Yes, I thought about this things. But for some reason, I just stopped caring. I run with people who run my pace and if I’m sweaty, coughing, etc. well, does it really matter?

Best example – got over myself and did the Running of the Bridges with a group of at least 50 other runners last week. It was warm, sunny, and yes, I was super sweaty – but it was fun!

 

What’s Next?

The Cleveland Half Marathon Race is this weekend! I’m pretty ready and excited to be taking it easy, running it for fun and not competitively, and just enjoy the sights of this city, the new route, the cheering crowds (hopefully) and the cool weather that just came in today. After that – where should I plan half marathon #3?

Good luck to all those running this weekend!  Some questions for you:

• What’s the next race you have planned? Are you training for something?
• What are your running goals?
• Are there any half marathons coming up you like? Which should be my next one?
• Are you a solo runner/biker/worker-outer or do you prefer in a group?