I’ve been a bit quiet here lately. Well, at least here on the blog. The MRG Facebook page, meanwhile, has been a hoppin’ — if you aren’t yet following, please head over to the page and check out the lively conversations about Michigan races, running clothing, and, well, all sorts of other fun stuff.
December is a busy month for all of us, for sure. Holiday parties, school breaks, family gatherings…and maybe like my crew you have a few birthdays thrown into the schedule, too. It’s been a whirlwind of a month, with usual Christmas happenings AND my best friend from college, who lives with her family in Connecticut, surprising me by coming to Michigan for my 40th birthday party. How amazing is that?!
Oh, and Boston marathon training also began — smack dab in the middle of all of this. Hmmm….
It’s been an interesting few weeks.
I haven’t exactly followed my training plan to a T so far…in fact, I’ve missed 3-4 workouts in the advanced Hansons marathon training plan I am following. It’s not that I lack motivation so much as I’ve felt pulled in too many directions. I’ve gotten off track, then gotten back on…then fallen off course yet again before righting things and maintaining a just-keep-looking-forward attitude.
I am proud of having nailed a few tough workouts, like my very first speed workout of this training plan: 12X400, in cold rain on a dreary (yet snow-free) winter afternoon. I headed to the nearest track, at my son’s middle school, and pushed myself to finish this speed work feeling strong. It was such a sense of accomplishment to complete this workout that proved challenging both physically and mentally.
Still, I missed my regular workout today, another speed workout I had hoped to squeeze in after my normal Tuesday morning Pilates class. It just wasn’t going to happen. Not if I wanted to get some work done and avoid having my three kids go stir crazy from too much time in the house. Cabin fever has hit its peak here in the Durocher household (I blame this weird December weather we’re having: no snow for snowshoeing or sledding, lots of rain, and more recently, frigid temps). So, I opted for an afternoon with my kids, wandering through downtown, spending time perusing books together at a bookstore, enjoying the post-Christmas, not-so-crowded feel of Front Street. I figure I’ll adjust my training and tackle the speed work tomorrow.
And….Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve! Already. And though I am not a huge resolutions person, I can’t help but feel a fresh start is before me. I am all about it. Fresh starts are good. Like the feeling of a new school year, New Year’s presents itself like a blank page. A clean slate. A new beginning.
So my first few weeks of marathon training didn’t go off as planned. It’s OK. I am grateful for the runs I’ve logged, and I know I’ve got weeks — months — ahead of me when I can — and will — Get It Done. (You’re all with me, right?!)
And since we’re talking about the New Year ahead…I’m looking forward to lots of fun and exciting things ahead for Michigan Runner Girl. Most importantly, I am eager to share these things with all of you. More inspiration from fellow Michigan runners like us, more Michigan race news, an MRG retreat (It’s coming together!) … and plenty more I’ll be sharing in the coming weeks.
What better way to kick things off for a fabulous 2015 than to demonstrate your love of all things Michigan and running? For the next two days — New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day — you can save 30% off all MRG store items. Been wanting to order that MRG beanie? Have you coveted your friend’s MRG hoodie or pullover and wanted to buy one for yourself? Do you love the new Michigan designs on lifestyle tees and zip-up hoodies? Now’s the time to treat yourself and declare to the world that you love Michigan and you love running. Use code MRG2015 at checkout to receive 30% off your order. Shop here »
Happiest of New Year’s wishes to you all — let’s make 2015 fantastic!
What are you most excited about in the coming year? Any big races planned? How have you dealt with feeling like your training plan has been derailed?
