The Power of a Plan

This past week was the first week since I started running that I didn't have a plan. And I floundered and lacked motivation. I ran/walked 1.5 miles on a treadmill on Wednesday and ran for 5 miles on Sunday. My legs felt like tree trucks. I've also gained 10-11 pounds in the past 5 weeks. Ouch! I can feel it and see it. It is amazing that now I'm slender, I can notice a few pounds visually and physically. When I was 305, a few extra pounds went unnoticed; that's now no longer the case.

I know it is OK to take some time off. I have intensely trained for months now and I need to give my legs and body a rest. Yet, if I don't have some plan, I'm afraid I'll squander my off-season away and not be ready for the 2008 season to pick up in late January.

During Nov, Dec and Jan I'm going to run 3-5 miles two or three days mid-week and 5-10 miles on the weekend and spend the other days working on my core and upper body strength. I'm still going to run the same intensity: 1 tempo, 1 easy, 1 long, etc., but just not as many miles.

I'm also going to try to make the next 3 months fun so I'd like to run a fun race once a month and try to add some variety in my routes and running. Hopefully this will be what can carry me through the upcoming holiday season and keep me motivated. But I need to make that plan!