Amara in Training

Happy Dopey Season for all who celebrate! I’ve sadly done practically zero running or training since Dopey. I’ve been on a sabbatical to recover from a very challenging year. I thought that I’d have more time for running (or rather, that I would make more time for it). Instead, I have been prioritizing rest, seeing family and friends in person, enjoying occasional trips with my Frontier pass, Colorado state parks pass, and Denver botanic gardens pass. I’ve regularly checked out books from my local public library. I’ve gotten plenty of use out of my Disneyland and Disney World passes too. My sleep has improved. I’ve spent a fair amount of time designing, which has been very nice. This sabbatical has been a net positive overall.

Now that we are in the last week of June / first week of July, Dopey training has officially started. I’ve taken a few strength training classes here and there, tried to get some walking and movement in, but I didn’t establish much of a routine. This year, I’m coming to this training season a bit more cold than usual, so I know I’ve got a lot of work ahead. For now I’m going to focus on getting time on feet and building my training habit again. I want to rebuild my base before I think about performance.

Some goals I have for this training season include:

• One strength training class per week
• One yoga/stretch class per week
• Complete the Dopey running schedule
• Get some movement everyday, especially if/when I’m not beholden to a 9-to-5
• Maintain my training while traveling
• Write and reflect on my training at least once a week

I am registered again for the 24 Hours of Palmer Lake. Depending on my schedule, I may consider doing more than the usual 15.5 mile training run that weekend. I’ve been noodling on going the marathon distance, maybe a 50K, or 50M. 50K might be kind of cool. I’ve done one before, but that was under a time crunch (9 hours 30 minutes). Finishing one 50K is a fluke. Finishing two is intentional! Seeing as though I have a full 24 hours, I can be much more relaxed and just enjoy the distance, rather than being overly worried about getting swept. In the last few years I’ve done the race, I’ve thought about getting a day-tent and a cot. A proper setup would be nice, especially if I’m going to continue after dark. However, it will likely cost an extra couple hundred dollars for the setup, and it seems like a lot to spend for a “maybe”.

Aside from that, I don’t have any other racing plans until Dopey in January. I used to prefer tune-up races (especially during the simulation weekends) but in recent years the costs have really added up. Flights, hotels, car rentals, cat sitter, race registration, food, time off of work. I’m trying to stick to either local races and/or Dopey.

I took a strength training class yesterday and took it easy on the legs. They felt minimally heavy today when I got onto the treadmill. I took it very easy today too. I ran by feel, switching between walking and running whenever I felt like it. I wasn’t in a rush today either, so it felt really nice to take things easy. Going to the gym mid-day on a weekday is a true luxury!

For me, one of the best things about running is the optimism I feel in the early miles…not about anything in particular, but my mind wanders to random ideas and goals I have. For instance, I think about races I’d like to register for, places I want to see, things I want to accomplish, etc. Today, I noodled on the idea of going to physical therapy school or getting a personal training certification. Just daydreaming, nothing serious!