Bibbity Bobbity Back Pain...a Midlife Crisis Journal

[jmasgat]

Good luck!

 

[choirbird]

Ta-Da!

I went out too fast, but I’m very proud of how that went, generally. I took a couple of very short breaks but mostly ran continuously. I sort of listened to my Garmin pace reminders but not really. Woohoo! Now it’s time to attempt a 10K training plan despite traveling for 3 weeks and starting the school year…but I’m excited about it.

 

[choirbird]

Training Journal: August 10, 2025

Today I completed my first “long run”, which is hilarious because rereading it now, it was supposed to be 3.25mi, but I thought it was 3.75mi. I’m very proud of myself for sticking with the target of 13:55/mi or slower, which feels correct in terms of “easy” pace for me. It was nice and cool outside and I ran continuously the whole time (other than waiting to cross the road a couple times). Very proud of myself!!!

I’ve moved things around on my plan a bit because I’ll be traveling, and have a 2mi easy run planned for both Monday and Tuesday. If I need a rest day, I’ll take it though. I have clothes packed so I can run in Maine but there’s a good chance that I’ll be distracted by other things and not do it, and I want that to be OK for me mentally. I will also pack clothes to run on our WDW trip but I’m mentally prepared to just get tons of walking and not want to run in the heat (even at 6am!), and that’s ok too.

 

[choirbird]

Training Journal: September 27, 2025

Long time, no post! I had a lovely rest of August traveling in Maine and visiting WDW, with TONS of walking in both places, but not much running. I messed up my knee a bit walking on the cobblestone streets in Portland and only got halfway through a long run at camp before deciding it wasn't a good idea. I returned from Maine, spent one day doing laundry and recovering, and immediately flew to Florida...after which I spent one day recovering and immediately started the school year. I did, however, get back to running!

Over the past few weeks, I've run 44.02 miles, with my average pace ranging from 11:59/mi (5K race) to 14:51/mi (not including two "off days" where I averaged 17-18 min/mi but I was just getting the miles done, allowing myself to walk as much as I wanted). I had a very successful 5K race on September 7, in which I successfully followed the pacing plan I created on my Garmin! Not only did I set a PR, but I felt great for the first 4K and didn't start too fast, which was my goal! I am hoping to improve my time even more next weekend at another 5K.

While in WDW I definitely got the "runDisney fever" and signed up for the WDW Half Marathon in January! I will be raising money for the Boys & Girls Club. I feel pretty good about my ability to follow the training plan, although starting next week my long runs start to be 10K or longer and that's a little intimidating! I look forward to the growth and character development this new phase will bring me.

Upcoming Races:
(most of which are "incentives to do training runs with other people around and/or music", not attempts to be fast)
Oct 5: 5K race (goal time: faster than 37:14, my previous PR - I'm going to set my Garmin for 34:59 if I feel good and 36:36 if not
Oct 18: first ever 10K (goal: finish)
Oct 25: 10K (goal: finish strong)
Nov 23: 10K (goal: improve upon previous time, but I may need to travel that weekend and miss it)
Dec 13: 10K (goal: improve upon previous time)
Jan 1: 5K (run "for fun" - not allowed to push too hard!)
Jan 10: first ever Half Marathon at WDW!
Feb 14: 5K (goal: improve upon previous time)
Mar 29: 10K (goal: improve upon previous time)
Apr 19: runDisney 10 Miler




Race Time Predictions (just for fun - I don't expect this to be accurate, but I like data):

• 5K: 36:25 (Runna), 36:44 (Strava), with Runna predicting I will hit 31:25 in 16 weeks
• 10K: 1:17:30 (Runna), 1:18:30 (Strava), with Runna predicting I will hit 1:06:40 in 16 weeks
• HM: 2:48:10 (Strava), 2:54:47 (Runna), with Runna predicting I will hit 2:30:10 in 16 weeks

 

[choirbird]

I'm clearly not great at keeping this updated, but happy new year everybody! I just got back from my first ever runDisney weekend, and I'm really glad I did it. I ran the half marathon, and had a great time. I did walk 27K steps on Friday at Animal Kingdom, the Expo, and Epcot, so I was even more sore/tight in the HM than expected, but I never had to worry about the balloon ladies and I'm proud of completing the race, however much walking there was. I am definitely addicted and can't wait to sign up for Wine & Dine!

In 2025 I returned to running, and ran 253 miles (July through December). I completed my first 10K, my first half marathon, and four 5K races. I improved my 5K time from 38:05 (August 9) to 34:10 (December 13)! My 10K race time was 1:20:23. My half marathon time was 3:25:32, although that was at Disney and I was taking my time and enjoying the experience rather than running hard.

Upcoming Races:
Feb 14: 5K (goal: follow PacePro for 33:33)
Mar 15: United Airlines Half Marathon in NYC! (goal: run faster than at Disney, don't die on hills - sub 3 hours is just fine)
Mar 29: 10K (goal: join my friend for his first 10K)
Apr 19: runDisney 10 Miler (goal: go into it better rested than for my half in January, but enjoy it!)

I have a busy season at work in late April through early June, so probably I won't do any other big races until after the school year ends. After Springtime Surprise, I am hoping to focus on improving my 5K/10K times (ideally <30 mins for 5K, sub 1:08 10K).

Race Time Predictions (just for fun - I don't expect this to be accurate, but I like data):

• 5K: Runna: 34:09 (32:25 in 9 weeks); Strava: 33:50; Garmin: 33:49
• 10K: Strava: 1:13:35; Runna: 1:12:40 (1:08:50 in 9 weeks), Garmin: 1:11:17
• 13.1: Strava: 2:50:06; Runna: 2:43:55 (2:35:05 in 9 weeks), Garmin: 2:46:55

 

[choirbird]

I'm going to call the time period between WDW Marathon Weekend and the United Airlines Half "Training Block I". I only have 8ish weeks, but hopefully that will be enough time to go from completing the mileage to running the majority of the race.

My first easy run back (2.75mi) yesterday was slower and more sore than I expected, but I am proud for completing it. On Saturday, I have my first long run back (6 miles, with progressive paces).