I'm Back

After 9 months, I have finally figured out how to post again.  Actually my daughter figured it out after I tried for 3 hours.

So, let me catch you up quickly on aiming for Boston.  I ran The Dallas Marathon in December 2012.  It was not a good race.  It was 70 degrees, I did not eat properly before the race, and I truly was not trained to run a 9:30 pace mile for 26 miles. I ran slower than I had 12 years ago, but less than 5 hours. 4:51:55 was what the clock said as I passed under it.  I started about 10 later than the clock, so let's just say 4:41.

I recovered from that marathon and disappointment, and started 2013 with a new strategy: I would work to get faster.  I joined the running group at my local Luke's Running store this time not for distance, but for speed.  We did hills and track work outs.  I was one of the slower ones in my group - and oldest I might add. But I was pretty diligent.  However, at 54, which I am now, you have to be careful to be diligent for my age and not for those young things that train with me.  Suffice to say, I got a little faster, but at the cost of an injury.

So, I now have another strategy: nutrition.  I met with a sports nutritionist in May and we made a plan.  I figure if I lose 10 pounds, that will make me faster.  It is a good eating  plan, and I am not hungry.  Since I gained weight training for my last marathon, I figured out rewarding myself with chocolate and whatever I could find was not the right strategy.  Now I eat lots of protein, and not much sugar.  The most fun thing on my menu is peanut butter granola bars, and I have coffee for dessert every night.  But I have lost 5 pounds, and I am not mad and cranky all the time. I do miss fun foods though.  I will be on this strict menu through August.  Then I get to add more as I prepare for Chicago 2013.  I'll tell you all about that tomorrow.

Running even when I don't want to,
TVW