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