Catching up…. I haven’t been to active on this blog over the summer. I did keep moving and posted lots of running adventure photos to Facebook and Instagram (long_run_calybeal). Summer was busy trying to find balance between my job as a nursing educator and my new position as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Not to mention, two kids heading into their senior year of high school who have been busy being “seniors” and busy getting geared up for college applications. Summer was also a bit busy with my toddler whose daycare closed due to staffing issues (sigh). Even though life is busy (I think it always will be so no excuses), I am still here for the “long run” and have some exciting updates….and I mean REALLY exciting updates.
Whistlestop update... We are one week out from Whistlestop. To be honest, training has been minimal at best. I am ok with that. This half marathon isn’t about time or performance – it is about connecting with our dear friend Wendy and helping her daughter Emma become a half marathon finisher. We have created can Facebook event so folks can follow our progress during the race. We aren’t sure how long this will take us so we will post some progress photos along the way – fans can also post photos so folks can gauge when to be at the finish line. Follow the event here: Emma's Whistlestop Fan Club
And now for the REALLY exciting news…… I have been selected as a Grambassador for Grandma’s Marathon weekend in Duluth, MN. If you know me, you know I LOVE this race. My two favorite weekends are always Whistlestop and Grandmas and now I get the chance to promote Grandmas weekend and to share my journey from Registration Day to Race Day (October 1 - June 18). I think this will be the best “job” I have ever had.
Why Grandmas? Growing up south of Duluth and now living in Ashland, Lake Superior is home to me. Finishing in beautiful Canal Park just feels like a piece of home. The DECC, the Ship, the Lift Bridge…. it’s home. The Lake along the first stretch of the race…. it’s home. The best part of this race… the fans. They are the BEST. There is tranquility the first five miles where it is the road and the lake (there are fans along this route too and they are great). Once you leave Scenic Highway 61 and approach east Duluth, the fan support along the way is awesome. Downtown Duluth is such a cool route. And then of course you cross the bridge and head towards the Decc on the best last stretch ever. Note to new runners: you can see the finish line in the background near the ship…. Keep going and kick it into gear… but not a full out sprint yet, you are a good way away yet! After rounding a few corners, the finish line comes into view and it is stunning.
This year’s plan…. As of this post, we are 37 weeks out from race day. Yes, I counted. As of now, I am planning on the half marathon. I ran the full last year and said “one and done” and of course… I don’t mean that. I really want another 26.2 but my twins are seniors in high school and graduate in June of 2022. I am mindful that spring will be busy and I don’t want to commit to the full training plan. If things go right I will run 13.1 at Grandma’s and 26.2 at Whistlestop in the fall. The typical half marathon training program is 12 weeks…. which is 25 weeks from now (yes, I am fanatical about numbers). My plan for now is to train harder than I ever have before. If you read through past posts I talk a lot about diet, nutrition, and running. I have made a major shift from thinking about “diet” and thinking about “fuel”. My goal in the next 25 weeks is to finally hit that elusive weight loss goal. I plan to run three days a week, cross train/strength train three days per week, have one rest day, and use my nutrition to fuel my body/workouts. Not diet, train. Be consistent, yet flexible. I want to start the 12-week training program stronger than I ever have. My mindset has changed from “weight loss” to “stronger”. With this mindset, I will hit my weight loss goal and my running goals. Here.... We.... Go......
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