Shirking Schedules ... and Speed Work

Some of you know me in the "real world" (outside the blogosphere) and some of you don't.  Those of you that do, know that I'm all about schedules (actually, some of you longtime readers may have picked up on this too).  I love to have a schedule, especially if I'm in training for a race.  I look at my training plan, I look at my calendar, and I set up a schedule for running, cross training, strength training, yoga, etc.  They're usually color-coded.  I rock at planning out and setting up a schedule.  What I'm not so great at most of the time... is sticking with it! *embarassed*

I've had a training schedule for my next race hanging on the exercise room door since mid-February..  Let's just say it's probably the least-followed schedule I've ever made.  Before this month, actually, it's was a miracle if I got more than one of those scheduled workouts in per week.  Sigh.  Fortunately, with the ramp up in mileage to get ready for MCM training with my Galloway Group, I have at least been getting in my weekend long runs recently.  Yay!  Next week's races are gonna be UGLY - but they have very generous time cutoffs and I'm running with friends - so we're more just in it for the experience and the bling!

Speaking of MCM training, some of the girls in my pace group are also running MCM, and, like me, are worried about finishing within the time limit.  So we've incorporated speedwork into our weekly regimen - Tuesday nights we meet at the nearby school track and push ourselves.  It's hard work, but it feels great when we're done!

Next week is also the official kickoff meeting for this season's Galloway Group training!  That means I will be back on another schedule - one that I'll stick with because I HAVE TO if I'm going to keep up with the group and get in the training I need to have for MCM.

This week I was almost back on schedule - I ended up skipping Thursday's run because I had to work late and couldn't motivate myself when I got home.  Thanks to a late spring cool front moving through on Friday, Saturday morning's long run was quite pleasant - although it was humid and sprinkled a bit.

Weekly recap:

• Monday - XT & strength
• Tuesday - speedwork & abs
• Wednesday - XT & strength
• Thursday - skipped short run
• Friday - rest
• Saturday - 7 mi; 1:37:59; 14:06 min/mi avg pace