Baby steps

With roughly 30 days to go to the start of The Glass Slipper a Challenge I'm starting to get anxious.  Training is going well, but my goals are so big, that I'm concerned I won't be able to achieve them.  The weekend before Glass Slipper I am running the A1A Half Marathon in Lauderdale, where I am going for a half PR on a relatively fast course.  I've run several long runs in the 1:42 range, which would be a two minute PR, so that seems within my grasp.

The Enchanted 10k is going to be my focus during Princess Half Weekend.  I REALLY want to go sub 45 for my 10 k, and if I can do that I have a chance of placing top three in my age group, which has been my dream for awhile.  So I'm putting pressure on myself just a little bit.

So I've been really aggressive with my training, running paces that many probably wouldn't encourage.  I always feel better if I'm running runs, especially the faster ones, closer to goal paces.  I have gone into races training the traditional way- with slowwwwww easy runs dominating my mileage and have felt flat at the start line.  I trained aggressively for last year 's Enchanted 10k, got a 2:00 PR, and came in fifth in my age group.  So I figured I would try that again this year.

I jumped on my treadmill last night after teaching, ready to go for a fast progressive tempo run.  I like to do pace/quicker runs on the treadmill so I can maintain my pace through out, especially when it's icy and snowy.  I honestly don't mind the treadmill.  I turned my DVR to this week's Biggest Loser and off I went.  

I was pretty happy when I hit 6.3 and saw 44:33!  That's the second time I've gone under 45:00, beating my last time by :26.  Totally where I want to be right now!  Fingers crossed my runs continue to go well so I can build the confidence I need to nail my upcoming races!

Tempo run on the treadmill