I might be just a little bit Type A. I’ve already started crafting my training plan for the Wine and Dine Half Marathon in November. I won’t actually start “training” until August, but I’m trying to be more proactive and consistent where running and training are concerned. So far, I’ve done OK with running 2-3 times per week, cross-training when I can, and just “winging it” the rest of the time. But I feel like I could be achieving so much more with just a little bit of extra effort and planning. So my new goal is to run shorter distances more often, and try to actually follow a plan.
Also as you know, my schedule can get a bit crazy. I’ve really been enjoying all the free time I’ve had since Legally Blonde wrapped up, but I’m about to head into rehearsals for Chess, and while it hopefully won’t be as taxing, it will still require large chunks of my time, and severely limit my flexibility. I’m trying to come up with some pre-training schedules to effectively use my time for the rest of the summer and fall. Here’s what things look like.
May – Maintenance
Right now, I’m just trying to keep running while enjoying the flexibility that will be going away come June. I’m running 3-4 times per week, not really worrying about distance or pace. Just aiming for consistency. I’m trying to hit Body Pump once a week, in addition to Pilates and/or CXWORX, but I’m not down on myself if I don’t make it. I’m just trying to soak up as much freedom and sunshine as possible while I can. Oh, and we’re moving in two weeks, so packing needs to be a priority.
June Through Mid-August – Pre-Training
As of June 1st, we’ll be in our new apartment in town, which brings with it a set of pros and cons as far as training is concerned. On the plus side, running will be one million times easier, because we’ll live right on the bike path. On the minus side, the gym is no longer on my way to and from work, so making it to classes like Body Pump and CXWORX will be more challenging–I’ll actually have to go out of my way to get there.
I’ll also be driving to Stowe at least two times a week (45 minutes each way) for Chess rehearsals, and I’ll have three total rehearsals each week, which means that my schedule becomes much more rigid. I REALLY don’t want to have to go to Body Pump at 5:40 am before work, but that means I’d have to start going at 10:30 on Saturday mornings. Will I do that? Maybe, maybe not. But here’s the tentative summer schedule:
- Monday: 3 miles
- Tuesday: 2 miles
- Wednesday: 3 miles
- Thursday: 2 miles; CXWORX
- Friday: Rest
- Saturday: Body Pump
- Sunday: Long run (6 miles max)
Still striving for consistency here–running shorter distances more often, so that it just gets into my body and my brain. I’m planning to just get up and run before work most mornings, so that my evenings are free (aside from nights I have rehearsal). I know myself enough to know that in the summertime, when it’s nice and warm after work, I’m not going to want to run. I’m going to want to be swimming and BBQing and hanging out with friends.
Mid-August Through November – Half Marathon Training
I haven’t finished putting together my schedule yet, mostly because I haven’t decided what I want to do. On the one hand, I know I will be running Wine and Dine strictly for fun and character photo stops, not time, which logically dictates that my training schedule need not be intense. On the other hand, I feel like I’ve done a couple of half-assed half marathon training sessions, and I’d love to see what I’m really capable of, which would dictate a more aggressive training schedule. I could always run W&D for fun, and then find another fall half marathon to race, but I don’t know if I will a) have the energy or b) have the funds. Racing unfortunately ain’t cheap.
The super tentative schedule for Wine and Dine training looks something like this:
- Monday: Rest
- Tuesday: Short, easy run
- Wednesday: Speed work (alternate tempo runs and intervals, throw in hills once in a while)
- Thursday: Short, easy run plus CXWORX (core-focused, 30 minute class)
- Friday: Rest
- Saturday: Body Pump
- Sunday: Long run
Once Chess wraps up in early September, I may change things up again so that I’m not doing Body Pump on Saturdays–I’ll be able to go back to Monday or Wednesday classes (or both).
So there it is. My plan to get me through the summer in decent shape without going insane. I have some additional thoughts related to all of this, which may or may not evolve into a post. We’ll see.
Do you have a “plan” when you’re not training for a race?
How do you stay motivated when you’re not officially “training” for anything?