still running for numbers at 45

This week,  I turned 45 !     

EEEEKKKKKK ! 

No worries, no fears!  I still have big goals.   

Five years ago, when I turned the BIG 40, I made it my 40th year goal to run PRs (personal records) in all of my race distances.  I like to race, so my goal included the 2 mile, 5k, 10k, half marathon, and marathon.  I was able to achieve that goal at 40 (2008) and since,  have continued to run PRs after my 40th year was long gone.  I'm blessed ! 

Being the "realist" that I am, I know running PRs at 50 will be unrealistic.  I've been training "hard" on this passion since 2005 (& running for many years prior to that).  I've read that "most people" have an 8-10 year window to max-out on your best running performance.   This assumes your training fairly hard during this window.  Well, train hard,  I HAVE.   I believe this estimate will hold true for me, give or take.  

WAIT !  I'm not finished yet !    While I know realistically, I will come to the end of my PR capability, I also KNOW, I'm not "there" yet.   So,  my 45th year goal ,  is to run PRs in all of the race distances again.  I'm in GREAT shape currently.  I have a motivated training partner who also has a big goal this year.  She is on her way to a BQ this year (at 32 or 33).  We both have BIG goals for 2013-2014 and we ARE GOING AFTER THEM WITH PASSION. 

TRAIN, we will !  Goals -  we will achieve!

I haven't updated in a while - so here's the bullet point update.

** Boston training is in HIGH gear.  I have an 11 mile run today and will end the wk with 72 miles, 1 yoga class, and 2 (maybe 3) days in the gym

**Dec. - Feb - I've been in the gym consistently 3-4 times per wk working on running specific weight workouts.  March & April will be more like 2-3 times per wk as my run mileage increases.

**I've continued with yoga - 1 x per wk, most wks.

**I've continued this winter/spring with a custom McMillan running plan.  2nd time to "pay" for a running plan - it's working for me.  I've been doing similar training for years (track, hills, tempo,  long, and step-back weeks), but the phases,  and the way the program is designed has proven to be an asset for me personally.  Well worth the $$s invested.  

**In Feb.,  3 friends and I rode the train from Hattiesburg to Birmingham for the Mercedes half marathon.  All four of us had GREAT races.  The weather was "race perfect" for me (29-ish at the start).  The course is a rolling hills course, but the downhills are sweet.  I ran a PR half - 1:43.   My previous half PR was 1:46, which was at the Stennis half,  in Nov. 2012.   However, Stennis is a FLAT, FLAT race,  and Mercedes has some hills.  (McMillan is working)

**this week I had a 21 mile long run on hills - ♥ (most of my running is on hills, with a few, flat run, recovery days)

**next week is a step-back week,  in mileage

** the following week (March 18th),  I will run 80 miles.  this will be a new high for me (previous high - 75 miles a couple of years ago).  this will be "peak week" before Boston.  I also have Yasso's this week.  ♥ Yasso's too ! 

That's it !  

I hope your spring is nice,  and all of your goals in running & life are achieved.