And so it begins… the next training cycle.  There are only 91 days until the Maui Oceanfront Marathon (half-marathon for me), with a lot of work to be done.  I plan on knocking 15 minutes off my time from FitOne Boise and, as always, not finishing DFL.  🙂

We returned from The Motivator’s big win in Chicago (both of us fat full and happy, I might add), and training for me began the next day.  No time to lose.  As I said, my primary goal for this cycle is to knock 15 minutes off my time.  The Motivator has devised a plan for me to follow in which I can make this a reality.  I will incorporate intervals and hill training and strength training into this next cycle.  We have a killer hill across the way from us that defeats even the fittest athlete, with a grade percentage from 10 to 35.  It (and I quote) “sucks the living life force out of you.”  Yes, that’s the hill I’m going to train on…. besides, pain is only temporary… (may the Good Lord have mercy on my soul).

As well, another goal of mine is to lose yet another 10 pounds.  Losing another 10 pounds is bound to make me 15 minutes faster, don’t you think?  Well, regardless, that’s my goal, but I have a feeling the first 4 to 5 pounds are going to be as hard to tackle as that MoFo Hill I’m going to attempt.  I have come to yet another plateau where I’ve been at the same weight for the past, ummmm, 3 or 4 weeks?  I’m not worried.  Again… I look at this as a way for my body to reset itself and begin anew.  I don’t starve, I don’t deprive myself, and (other than some Chicago splurges) I don’t eat crap.  Bring it!  I’m ready!

That being said, I started off my first week by nailing my runs, bringing my pace down, and feeling really good about everything.  There is something about attending a MAJOR running event that kicks the motivation into high gear!!  One day, some day…

However, all running talk aside, the highlight of my week came from my (almost) 11-year-old son.  I came home from work one day this week and informed him I had been kissed by a turkey vulture.  Without missing a beat and not looking up from his game pad, he nonchalantly said, “And was that pleasureable?”

And on that note, I bid you adieu!  Happy running!!

Visit 50 in 50 Marathon Quest to see the full race report from Chicago!