2014…Whatcha Got For Me?

I'm not really one to make new years resolutions but I do usually take the beginning of a new year to at least think about what I have to look forward to in the coming year.  Of course a lot of those thoughts center around fitness as staying fit and healthy is a major part of my life all year round.

I haven't talked about it too much but I've been getting into weight lifting a LOT lately.  In fact after running a marathon in 2011 I started to focus more and more on it, falling off the wagon quite a few times, but always coming back to it.  I find I MUST follow some sort of program to actually stay with it and in the past I've completed Jamie Eason's 12 Week Trainer on bodybuilding.com and most recently completed the James Wilson 12 Week Program.  As a side note, I highly recommend both. Jamie's is free and focuses on body parts and sets where you do your typical 3 sets of a certain exercise and move on. James' programs is $50 (and COMPLETELY worth it) and it does circuit style training exclusively which I really loved.

I think my body has changed a bit since I've started lifting and running, not ONLY running…I tried to find some racing photos to depict that…you can kind of see a difference below.  But mostly you can just see that I have the weirdest hands while running, why I can't just put them in a fist and look normal is beyond me!

2011 Chicago Marathon - ONLY running         and    2013 Seahawks 12K - Weights and running

I think I look a little leaner…I would like to get even more lean!  Mostly I just FEEL better so that is really all that matters right?

One of my biggest goals in 2014 is to remain active lifting weights for the whole year with no big breaks to focus soley on running…like I did last summer with all the relays.  Anyways, back to my semi-plan for 2014 for staying in shape and enjoying running with friends!

January - March - Lee Labrada 12 Week Trainer

I CRAVE variety in my workouts so I knew I couldn't just go repeat one of the 12 week plans I've done before and I found my latest one again on bodybuilding.com.  I picked this one because it does 2 days of weights with one day off for the whole 12 weeks.  On the days off you can do cardio…hence where running fits perfectly into!  As far as running goes right now I'm just getting out there and getting some mileage in and enjoying time with friends.  I usually get 1-2 requests a week to go for a run so I'll just continue to let my friends motivate me to get the miles in while not focusing on how fast or how long I go…sticking to my number 1 goal of getting lean and strong!

• March 2, 2014 - Hot Chocolate 15K - Leslie practically begged me to run this race ;) so I'm going for it!  It is a fun distance and the race shirt (or rather really nice fleece) is super awesome so I'm not going to pass it up.  

How can you say no to this face?

April - June

I don't know what weight training program I'll be doing but I'm on the hunt for a more advanced one to take me past the initial 12 weeks I complete above.  I really really want to hire a personal trainer but I'm not sure it's in my budget…we shall see.

• May 3, 2014 - Mini Indy Half Marathon - I'm MOST excited about this race.  Both of my cousins have never ran a half marathon before and I finally brainwashed them into thinking it would be a piece of cake ;).  My cousin, Janel, lives in Indianapolis and has asked me to come run this every year since she has lived there to which I always reply "I'll run it when you run it". Well the time has come and I have to make do on my promise…it's going to be so fun crossing the finish line with them!  

Training will probably be minimal for the half other then fitting in running when I can and focusing on getting in a couple of longer runs in before race day.  BUT, in May-June I do need to start ramping up the running a bit for Ragnar Ultra business again!

Janel is on the far left and Kristin is in the middle - those other two young ladies are our mothers!

July - September

July is to far in the future for me to plan but I do hope to be still into the weights and staying in shape. My biggest focus for July will be planning and executing another ultra relay team! 

• July 18-19, 2014 - Ragnar Relay Northwest Passage - Team Six Pack with Racks is back again, with a couple roster changes, but overall we are excited to get out there and conquer the 200 miles as a 6 pack again.  Prices increase February 1 so if you are running REGISTER NOW!  I believe you can still get $50 off using code NWP15ACTIVE.

I pulled off 30+ miles last year without too much training but I was hurting and super exhausted so I'm hoping for a bit more mileage and back to back long runs to try and enjoy the experience a tad more.  And maybe even pick up the pace a bit :).  I may actually make a plan for this and try to stick to it…maybe! Funny how I can stick to a weight training plan no problem but pretty much have never used a running plan before.

October- December

Not a freakin clue…I'll figure it out along the way!

Phew, thinking about a whole year was tiring!  In reality my only goal for 2014 is to remain fit and healthy and have fun with friends while doing it.  This of course includes getting to be an ambassador for Nuun and Ragnar relay as well and I hope to meet even more awesome running/fitness buddies in 2014!

QUESTION: Do you plan out your entire year race/fitness wise?