If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably noticed I’ve been doing a lot more running recently. After running the marathon, I took some time off, got back into a routine with weights, did a little yoga, and while I was still doing some running, it was refreshing to not have a plan to follow and not feel like I “had” to do anything.
What was the over/under on that lasting? Who had a month? 😉 Yup, in December I started a new training plan…for a half marathon in June. Hear me out, it’s not crazy, I promise.
If you remember, I recently had a guest post by an awesome running coach, Scott Fishman. In speaking to him before getting the guest post organized, I mentioned that my next running goal was to crush – not ‘beat‘, not ‘better‘, not ‘improve upon‘ – but to CRUSH my half marathon PR. In fact, I want to take 8 minutes off my PR. Specifically, I want to run 1:45 at the Covered Bridges Half Marathon in Vermont in June. Long story short, Scott wanted to train me, I wanted to be trained, so I signed up to his program and I’m currently in the middle of a training plan to meet my ‘Crush a PR’ goal! For now, the emphasis is on slowly increasing the time of my long run, as well as incorporate some speed work, to set a good, solid base.
I mentioned yesterday that the training is based on time, rather than mileage. That was a bit of a mental adjustment for me, since I’ve never trained by time before, but I’m actually really appreciating it now. I was also missing having speed workouts to follow, or paces to hit, like I had when training for the NYC Marathon. For right now, I’m using the long runs as my “just for the fun of it” running. The pace is easy and steady, so I can enjoy the environment and let my thoughts wander.
And if you’re feeling in a charitable mood, you can check out the amazing charity I’m running for in the CBHM Half! Here’s the link for donations: Carly Pizzani’s Fundraising Page for David’s House
David’s House is wonderful, it was a charity started by the family of a boy named David Cyr, who passed away at the age of 5. While he was being treated for Leukemia at the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, his family lived just a 20 minute drive away. During his 3 and a half year battle with cancer, David and his family met lots of kids whose families slept on the floor of their treatment room, unable to afford somewhere to stay while their children were being treated. David always wanted to bring them home with him. When David died, his family began the David’s House foundation with David’s own money he had saved from gifts and allowances. They built a house where they invite people to stay who have children being treated at the nearby hospital, free of charge. They offer accommodation and facilities like kitchen space and hot showers, for people who desperately need one less thing to worry and stress over.
I feel honored to be running for them and psyched to be raising money for such a wonderful cause!
Have you ever run a race for a charity? (This is my first time!)
Do you have any PR goals for 2014 (in any area)?
I have yet to run a race for charity, although I would love to!
I want to crush my half marathon PR! I really, really, really want to see 1:40 or less. I have to shave 4 minutes off, but that would be amazing if I could reach <1:40
Heidi @ Idlehide recently posted…Cori’s Running Survey
I’m Sure you can get to 1:40! This is my first time running for charity as well. 🙂
I have no doubt you are going to CRUSH your half marathon goal! So excited for you. I need to start look at race calendars and pick out some goal races. I’d love to go after a 1:30 half this year and try to break the 20-minute mark in the 5K. I’m also toying with the idea of a trail marathon later in the year. I’ve never trained specifically for a half-marathon, but after such a great training cycle for the marathon last fall, I’d love to see what I can do with a focused training plan. But first, I need it to warm up a bit! Running in below zero temps is just not happening!
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That’s kind of why I chose it – I’ve never trained properly for a half, so I want to see what I can do with a real plan! You could definitely do 1:30, you’re super speedy!!
So excited about your half and the big plans to crush your PR!!!
Years ago I trained for and did all of the fundraising for a marathon with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A month and a half out I ended up with a stress fracture in my hip that nixed the race but all of the money still went to the L&L society so that was good!
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That sucks that you got sidelined so close to the race! That is the great thing about running for charity is that they get the money no matter what. 🙂
Wow what a touching story about David. You are doing an amazing thing by running this race. I know you are totally gonna crush that PR to dust!! I have done a few 5ks for charity, most for breast cancer.
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Nellie, I was tearing up reading about him, especially about his allowance money. It’s so heartbreaking! They really are an amazing charity.
Such a great story about the charity you’re raising money for! I’ll definitely be donating, and I can’t wait to see you crush that PR! <3
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It’s such a wonderful charity! Thanks for your support, lady! <3
Great story! Thanks for sharing! 🙂 That’s one of the things I normally look for when I join races. I make sure the money I pay goes to a good cause. 🙂
Goodluck on your goals and of course I love getting PRs. Here’s to more PRs this 2014! 🙂
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Who doesn’t love a PR, right?? 😉 It is a good feeling to be running for a cause, definitely.
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