The Year Without (aka EPIC FAIL)

So, it's been almost a year without running.  I posted back in January about all the races I wanted to run and I even signed up for the Soldier Field 10 Miler.  Well, none of those things happened.  I haven't run a race since the Chicago Marathon last year.  In fact, the longest distance I've run since said marathon is 3 whopping miles.

And, honestly, there is no good reason why I simply stopped running.  I did get a new job in May after working at my previous firm for just over 4 years.  I lost my flexible schedule, and now have to leave at 5.  I've also stayed late (left at 10 one night and 8 another) a few times, and my building no longer has a gym.  Though, I'm closer to the lake, which does make a lakefront run more possible.

Perhaps I burnt out after running two marathons in two years.  Perhaps my body simply said "Enough is enough.  Time to take a break."  I didn't get injured after last year's race.  That's probably because I went to PT and caught what could have been a big ITB issue early on.

The scariest part is this: I don't really miss it.

Sums up my exercise this year

In all honestly, I've enjoyed being able to have my summer back.  It's not that I didn't enjoy my long runs with my pace group around the forest preserve.  Those were a lot of fun and essential to my training.  But, I've enjoyed being able to sleep in Saturdays, eat what I want and do what I want Friday evenings and not have to worry about injuring myself (since I'm doing nothing).

But now, as I sit on my ass on my couch in my spot (yes, I'm like Sheldon from BBT and I have a spot) watching coverage of CM14, I feel guilty more so than anything.  It's like I *know* that I should be out there with the runners sweating it out through a journey through Chicago, but instead, I'm at home sitting on my @$$.

I feel guilty that I let my brother down since we were supposed to run it together, and we both had to defer.  I'd like to believe that his training wasn't going well due to his jobs, but I'm really only saying that to feel better about my lazy @$$ self.  My parents are even volunteering at the race today.  They're somewhere around Lakeview.  How awesome would that have been to pass by them and grab some hydration??

My mother even noticed how lazy I've become.  She told me that maybe my body told me that I'm thin enough.  *shrugs*  Weight loss never was a goal on mine during marathon training.  I just wanted to break 4:30.  Anyway, my family and I would run a few races a year together.  This year we haven't run any.  My dad (who is in his upper 60s) is on a regular running regime - 3 miles a day (outdoors right now)/ 3 days a week.  There's no reason why my relatively healthy 29-year old self shouldn't be on one too.

The thing is this:  it's so hard to get on the boat once you've fallen off.

And, I fell off...  *HARD*

I did see a trainer when I worked at my old firm, but I stopped seeing her after I left since she's city based and I live in the 'burbs.  Oh, and I did complete the Hustle up the Hancock.  I was the last one out of my group and basically walked up the stairs.  Meh.  My attitude was, "Eh.  At least I got it done."

Ideally, I'd like to get back in shape so I can complete next year's race.  That goal seems so daunting right now.  But, I think it may be possible so long as I start getting in shape now.  My goal would be to finish it with my little brother.  A PR would be nice, but isn't the goal.  I've run under 4:30 so I'm satisfied.  I'd have to work hard to PR, but I'm not sure if that's possibly after a year long break.

*sigh*

I've just got to put my mind into it and get back in shape.  I've got a year, and I can do this if I focus on it again.  The guilt is really beginning to consume me.  Also, this sedentary lifestyle isn't healthy.  It really isn't.

In closing, stay tuned.  Hopefully I can have a comeback year and be at next year's race with my baby bro beside me.

How do you get back into it after a long break?  How do you mentally motivate yourself to get active when you've become used to being sedentary?  Is it even possible for me to run a full again after a year off?  Or, am I biting off more than I can chew?

I'm FAMOUS & signs

Hello all!

Forgive me, but I have been such a slacker post-marathon and have not been posting.  That would be because I haven't really done much since October and therefore, have little to blog about.  I kept trying to write a longer recap of the marathon, but have decided to forgo it.  I'm not going to give you the mile-by-mile.  First, it's so far in the past and second, the only thing I really have to say is that I'm happy that I set a huge PR and accomplished my goal of breaking 4:30.

In other news, I have started to work out again.  Granted, I'm not running yet, but am starting to do cardio work at the gym in my office building.  It's better than nothing.  Anyway, I swear, there are signs that are telling me that I have to get off my butt and get my rear in gear.

First, I had a dream that I weighed over 20 pounds than the most I have ever weighed in my life.  I FREAKED out when I woke up and immediately got on the scale (bad idea).  Thankfully, the number was not the number from my dream.  It's still more than I want, which is a given saying I've done nothing for three months.

Second, my work is participating in the Hustle Up the Hancock this year.  My office always participates and this year, I decided to join the team.  Now, I have to start working out so I don't make a fool out of myself and finish last out of my teammates.

Third, my picture is on the registration page for the Soldier Field 10 Miler.  If that's not a sign, then I don't know what is.  So needless to say, I signed up for that race.

I am the runner in the pink shirt & white cap

I'm thinking about doing the Shamrock Shuffle, but don't know if I can justify A) $45 for an 8K and B) having to trek down to the city.  Also, the weather can be bit of a doozy in March.  Have you participated in the Shamrock Shuffle?  If so, do you like it and is it worth doing?

My proposed race agenda is as follows:

• March 16: St. Paddy's Day 5K (if I am ready by then, which I kind of doubt)
• March 30: Shamrock Shuffle
• April 19: CARA 10 Miler
• April 26: Loop the Lakes 5K (this is in my hometown so I most likely will do this and this will be my first race of the season if I can't get ready earlier)
• May 24: Soldier Field 10 Miler
• June 1: North Shore Half Marathon
• July: TBD - maybe a 4th of July race and/or the Run from the Cops 5K which is held in my town
• August 31: Buffalo Grove Stampede 10K or 5K
• September 21: CARA Ready to Run 20 Miler or the 20 Miler in Schaumburg (if I get into the marathon)
• October 12: Chicago Marathon (if I get in)

I want to run Chicago again.  I really don't want to run any other marathon than Chicago either.  I'm sure there are great marathons out there, but I like the city atmosphere, the big crowds and lots of runners.  My bro wants to run it as well since he could not run it last year due to a knee injury.  So, if we both get in, I can always run with him to make sure he finishes.  I've hit my time goal anyway.  The next goal will be to run a 4:22:00 (10 minute) miles or better.  Diddy's 4:14:54 looks tempting, but may be a stretch.

Anyway, hope that you all are doing well & are staying warm!  To all of you runners who brave these conditions, you are super brace & awesome!  More power to you!