As a Run This Year run guru I have goals of my own for the year and have been trying to balance them with pregnancy. Now that it is the beginning of September, the summer is coming to a close and fall races are in full swing.
There’s only 4 months left in the year, so it’s a good time to assess how your Run This Year goals are coming and where you’re sitting for mileage. Since my fall won’t be as full with races as many of yours will be, my goals are more geared towards balancing my running and my pregnancy.
I had 2014 miles in mind for my Run This Year goal, but shortly after the year began I was prego, and months later I learned of the news. My 200+ mile months slowly became less than 200, and now my monthly miles are anywhere from 150-170 some miles. I am sure my miles will drop even more in October, as my due date creeps closer (the 24th of October). Currently I am sitting at just under 1600 miles for the year.
4 months to run 400 + miles, lets see how it goes.
Fall races can be great for keeping your mileage up, especially if you have marathons in your race schedule. Training for a marathon can help you increase you mileage, as you’ll be doing longer training runs. But it may be tricky at times balancing your running goals for the year with your fall races.
It’s important to keep in mind that goals can change, especially when other factors come into play. For me I have learned to listen more to my body, than to my goals. I am growing another human being, so running doesn’t always take precedent.
Even though most of you probably aren’t pregnant, I find that it’s still important the same rule applies. Your goal for the year may have to change. There’s possible injuries, new races you may want to do, and a variety of other personal factors that can come into play (winter weather is around the corner).
It’s hard to know where the balance is. Staying motivated is key, but there’s also knowing when your body has had enough and may need a break.
With fall races in view, you may have to take a few extra rest days. After races sometimes it’s good to have a couple days to rest and recover. Our body needs it. You’ll balance out the no running days, with the higher mileage from race day. For the shorter races, you can probably get by with shorter rest periods and may just incorporate them into your goal for Run This Year, without additional rest days.
Just like some races are used as training runs for other goal races like marathons of half marathons, your races may just be stepping stones toward your Run This Year goal (whatever it may be).
I wouldn’t steer clear of fall racing. Instead, add in some fall races. This will keep you motivated and on track for your bigger Run This Year goal. You’ll be keeping your mileage up, because you’ll have another race to stay trained and prepared for. So races can help us achieve that bigger goal.
I am 32 plus weeks pregnant, with 3 more races before my due date. We have a 10 miler this weekend, then a half in a couple weeks and a 10K two weeks before my due date. These races are getting me out the door in the morning. They have kept me more motivated. But I also tell myself if I can’t finish them or even start them, it’s not the end of the world.
Just remember, as I have to tell myself all the time now, that races aren’t more important than your health and body. Sometimes we might have to skip a race or take it easy on race day, because our body is telling us too slow down or because it’s injured. You risk a bigger injury, thus risking your bigger goal, if you don’t listen.
So proper balance comes by listening to you body, knowing when to rest, and knowing which goals are most important. If you have a goal race in mind for the fall, and feel overwhelmed with all the other little races in between, skip them. Your goal race is more important.
It’s the same for your Run This Year goal. Stay focused on your main goal, realizing that you just might not be able to hit every race as planned. Life throws some curve balls at times. How we handle those curve balls can make or break us. (Ok maybe it’s not that dramatic).
Happy Fall Racing!! And happy running…..
Oh and don’t forget to submit your mileage for August at Run This Year. Click this link to do so.
Until Next Time Be Whole and Be Fit
What are your fall races? How are your Run This Year goals coming along?
Ehhh, I didn’t make too many running goals for myself this year because this was the year I got married. Throughout the year, I’ve been running, more to maintain my fitness rather than train for anything, but now that I’m married, I am setting some good goals for the rest of the year 🙂
I hear you Cheri. I feel alot of my running goals shifted once I found out I was pregnant. It wasn’t about pace and time anymore. It’s funny how there’s so many factors to consider when it comes to running.
You are so inspiring and you are doing a fantastic job of sticking with running while pregnant! I agree that races are a big motivator to get out the door for a run every morning. My next big race is the Chicago Marathon and I’m running another half in a couple weeks. I also think I want to run a half in November, I just need to find one that works out. My Run This Year goal was to run 2,014 km and so far I’m at 1,520 km. Basically I only have to run 300 more miles by the end of the year to meet my goal!
Angie that’s so awesome! You have the goal in the bag. I have always wanted to do the Chicago marathon. Wish you the best on your races. Happy running