getting speedy...

Now that I have every length of race that I have wanted to do under my shoes, I have a new mission. Getting speedy. I realized I never really, truly buckled down and focused on getting fast. I have never trained as hard as I could have in regard to speed, and I get extremely frustrated at my lack of speed. However I've realized that I can't be frustrated at my lack of speed when I don't fully concentrate on getting speedy. That is going to change this summer. Oh yes, they will call me speedy pants by summers end... I hope. I am focusing all my running energy on getting a 10K PR.

Since I am determined to work on speed this summer, I figured why not team up with Runners Lounge and make it official. I have started a 10K group over on runners lounge and am going to be writing about my journey to get faster at 10Ks at least every other week. Nothing like a little accountability to keep a runner honest, right? Documenting my amateur attempts to get fast, because I am no pro, I'm hoping will help me stay motivated, and maybe inspire some others to join me in this quest. Having others in the same boat always helps right?

The good thing is I'm a huge research nerd, so when it comes to something like figuring out how to get speedy on my own, I research the poo out of it. I'm also pretty systematic, I like lists, I like research, I like to figure out a plan before I ever get started. So in my quest to get faster, I have been doing research and calculating the speeds at which I need to train for my goal 10K pace. My goal by the end of the summer is to run a 48 minute 10K, I know that isn't super speedy for most people, but for me, it is. I have goals beyond that (my ultimate goal is to run a 46 minute 10K... in due time), but I feel like it's a good starting point, not to lofty to make me frustrated if I totally miss it. I think it's a very realistic goal.

In my research I found a few websites that helped me decide my paces and training plan for the summer. I used the McMillan Pace Calculator and the Runners World Pace Calculator (both offer differing paces) and I compiled the two to come up with my goal paces for the long and tempo runs, 400's, 800's and 1600's that are in my summer training plan. I'll be doing speed work anywhere from 7:00 - 8:00 miles. I think these pace calculators are a perfect starting point for deciding a training pace.

To get my goal pace I just typed in my goal 10K time (it usually tells you to enter your best recent race time) and went from there. I think it's a great starting point. So I hope you all will dig my summer speedy training, and if you are in Runner's Lounge already feel free to go and join my 10K group where you can share your training tips and ideas, many minds are far better than one!

Cheers to a great summer of speediness my friends!

best part of my day...

Running 10 miles in the sun, then hitting up the farmers market. I heart summer!

I wasn't sure I would make it 10 this morning, some of the girls were only going three, and after a night out with Meggers (who is back in town this weekend from LA) and Mojitos, I was doubtful I would go further than three. But I decided to duke it out and just get the 10 done. Lauren stuck with me, we are both running a trail half marathon in two weeks and decided better to get the 10 done today since we were already there. It was darn hot and humid, but sunny and glorious all the same, even still the heat and humidity were challenging. I'm sporting some pretty hot runners tan lines right now too, that will look lovely with my strapless dress I wear to a party tonight.

As an aside, I don't usually post my running stats because I keep them in my sidebar, I changed tracking systems too, now I'm using Map My Run because Ed uses Map My Ride and I wanna be like Ed. So if you want to check how painfully slow I've been since the marathon, have at it!

Now it's time for a delightful afternoon nap!

best part of my day...

Waking up for an early morning 4 mile run with my all time, hands down favorite running buddy, Milo! It's already humid here in Kansas, but the cool air made for a decent run this morning, despite being soaking wet by a half mile in. Humidity kills me, but after about 2.5 miles I hit my stride and it wasn't so bad. I just have to get re-conditioned to the humidity. Plus I started my new weight training program and my legs may as well be dead weight. How is it I can feel so out of shape when I ran a marathon just four weeks ago?!

I am amazed that I pulled myself out of bed, I'm not a huge morning person, but I can manage. I was inspired by my friend Mike to get up and get out there this morning. He is a fellow media nerd, we went to undergrad together. He is on a mission, a "less of me" mission. We talked yesterday and I shared I'm struggling big time to get up and run in the mornings. Even though running in the morning during summer is one of my favorite things in the WORLD to do. He pointed out that if his 40 year old butt can get up and get out there, then my 30 year old butt can too.

I don't have anyone to get up and meet in the morning right now, and honestly I get tired of trying to get anyone to run in the morning, so I'm on my own in this mission... until now. Mike and I agreed to sort of keep each other accountable, even if we don't meet each other for a run or walk, doesn't mean we can't give each other shit for not doing it! Plus it's comforting, as Mike pointed out, knowing that someone else is out there, dragging themselves out of cool comfortable sheets in the mornings. So we may not run together, but we know the other is out there... and there will be either hell or congrats to doll out! Plus I hate letting people down.

So Mike, although I was literally cursing your name this morning when my alarm went off at 5:50a, and I considered saying screw it, I thought, nope, I'm gonna have to tell Mike if I didn't get up and do it. So I got up, and I ran my four miles.... with Milo. Who oddly is always ridiculously excited to get up for an early run... oh to be a dog.

best part of my day...

I may be Milton. But I fought for some rights and got them!



Welcome to my new office. Please note window in close proximity to me! YAY! Please note stapler and cool, solid wood old school desk... no gross old 90s cube style for me, no facing taupe wall (you can't see it in photo). I'm satisfied. New office mate starts tomorrow (yes it's a complicated situation, but this person used to work here and is now coming back).

I have stood my ground. I even claimed a bookshelf you can't see in the picture, off to the immediate right of my desk. It is an official nerd factory on my side of the office. I still have some wall filling to do, but in due time. I'm a minimalist at work, what you see is actually my desk looking a bit messy. Yeah, I'm not a pack rat. I like a tidy camp. But I think I'm settled.... Pandora playing Andrew Bird station, check, runner and dog photos up, CHECK! Eco friendly water bottles and coffee mugs, pretty file holders, check, check.

Rock it out Nerd Corps! 1000011100001101 0 010111010 100 1010101010110 100011! All proper nerds communicate in binary code.