Running, 2016 Goals, and #RunLoveChallenge

Time to talk about running. Or rather, write about running. :)

Even with all the craziness of the last several months of 2015, one thing that remained fairly constant for me was running. I did a few races in the early part of the fall-- a 10K in August, 5K On The Farm in September, and then another 5K in October. I actually got new PRs in both distances at the August and October races. My 10K PR is now 52.59, and my 5K is 26.10. Since both of those races, I've just been working on trying to maintain consistency in running, mainly in terms of frequency. With everything going on, simply getting out for a run of 2-3 miles a few times a week was enough and I feel like I have maintained a fairly good fitness level.

Now that it's 2016, it's time to focus on new goals and challenges for the new year. My main running goals for this year are as follows:
- Sub 25.00 in 5K (So, a drop of over one minute)
- New 10K PR

Other goals I'm contemplating include:
- Beginner-level sprint Triathlon
- Possibly a late summer/early fall Half-Marathon

Thanks to my spots on two running teams, Team Beef Montana and Oiselle Volee, and of course with the tremendous support of my husband, family, and friends, I'm confident I'll have plenty of support in whatever my goals may be. I may not be the fastest person in the race, but I do keep plugging away and dropping little bits of time here and there.

The first challenge and inspiration of 2015 is coming from Oiselle-- the #runlovechallenge! 


For this challenge, participants are to partner up and pick a mutual goal with their partner. I was so thrilled when a fellow Oiselle Montana teammate, Wendie, asked me to be her partner! Our goal is pretty straightforward-- simply increase mileage until we are able to complete a 10K (6.2 mile) run, by February 14. Wendie is just picking up her running again after having her second child, and, well, my mileage could use a boost, so this is a perfect goal for both of us. All we have to do is keep each other accountable and cheer each other on!

I created a calendar to track my mileage and break down each week with a mini-goal of achieving more distance on each week's "long run." It doesn't need to be done on any certain day, just to reach that mileage goal sometime during that week. I find that if I make too rigid of a schedule for myself and then I falter off of that schedule, I'm more likely to get discouraged and give up. For me, simple weekly goals that allow for flexibility work best.

Here's the calendar I made to keep track of my progress. Primitive, but effective. Something about using real paper and a pen or pencil to record things... magic. :)

I'll sprinkle in more runs each week, too, working in hills and speedwork. And let's not forget cross-training! I'm loving yoga lately, and of course, PLENTY of skiing! We've had such a great start to winter for cross-country skiing on the farm! I hope the snow never goes away!!! Right now, it almost feels like my running is cross training for my skiing hobby... I love it!

This past Sunday, Jeff and I spent almost three hours skiing on (or next to) Sage Creek, which runs through our pastures. Here, we're paused next to a spring in the creek. 

Another goal I have this year is to be more organized about blogging about my fitness. I'm going to try to do a weekly recap of my mileage and training each week. I know that some runners find it helpful to read what others are doing (I know I learn a lot by reading other runners' blogs) but mostly it'll just be to help me process what I'm doing each week and what's working, or not. Stay tuned for the first weekly recap coming up this weekend!

And with that, I'm off for a run! Wish me and Wendie luck with our #RunLoveChallenge! I'll be sure to keep you all updated on our progress! :)

All dressed for tonight's run out on the chilly arctic tundra just a few miles south of Canada. 

One last thing, just for fun, I present you with this image-- because deep down, I really do enjoy a good taco!