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Saturday, July 19, 2008

Sporadic

That's the best way to describe the running in the past two weeks.

I don't know if I can blame the summer heat, a busy schedule at work, or a demanding social schedule (it's hard to be popular and to have so many extra-curricular activities). Sure, I could also wedge some personal responsibility in there, but I'd prefer not to. Ultimately, I think what's to blame is the fact that I have no running schedule because I'm not training for anything; therefore, my motivation is nil. The Army 10 Miler isn't until October, so my training for that will officially begin in August, and every other race I have under consideration -- Either Disney's Race for the Taste 10K or Disney's Tower of Terror 13K in October, a Half Marathon in Boca in early November, the Turkey Trot at Thanksgiving, and the West Palm Half in December -- isn't until late fall/early winter anyway.

I wish the FL race schedule could be a little more spread out; instead of cramming everything into six months (from October to March, there's a smorgasbord of races to choose from, but from April to September, there's just a handful of 5Ks), I wish races would be held throughout the year. Yeah, I know weather is the reason that the FL schedule is the way it is, but other regions have equally hot/humid weather and they hold races through those months. Plus, there are runners here. Runners who need some motivation, and while most train in the summer for a fall marathon like MCM or NYC or Chicago, some of us would like to train for something regional as well!

So, on my list of factors to blame for my lack of running? I blame the FL race directors. Yup. One more party who should shoulder the blame instead of me.

20 comments:

Christine said...

hey jess! you should do the inaugural half marathon in Fort Lauderdale in November. Its only a half marathon...and its the beginning of a series. I think me and a few friends are going to come down and do it. It would be fun!

Unknown said...

I also find it difficult to stay motivated without a race on my calendar. Definately blame it on the race directors; it's not your fault there aren't any local races to put on your calendar!

RunnerGirl said...

Those damn race directors, don't they know they are messing up your runs?

Marci said...

This is why I always have a race on the horizon!! LOL

Running Jen said...

I agree. I'd like to having an upcoming race to focus on right now, but there's just nothing. I too, plan to do the 13K at Disney in October, and possibly the Race for the Taste 10K as well. Hopefully fall will be here before we know it

Running Jen said...

oops- "having" should be "have". Typed too fast there.

Anonymous said...

hey where in Boca and when? my husband will definitely want to run that one- not me 'cause i just suck that way :)

Anonymous said...

I was just thinking the other day that I need a race to break up the marathon training, but not much going on here right now either. Some stuff out in the burbs and some evening races, but nothing that excites me.

BTW, did I see you are running the Army 10 miler? You'll be in my neck of the woods that weekend. I ran it last year. It was a good race, but tons of people.

keith said...

I wouldn't want to race when the FL heat is at its peak. Just enjoy your cross training and the downtime!

E said...

I totally understand what you are saying. It's the same here with not many races during the summer, but too many to count from October through April.

I need a race on my calendar to keep me on track.

Christie said...

I haven't raced yet. Not sure if I will. But I try to stick to some running plan. Because if I don't, I wouldn't make it out the door.

Neese said...

races are slim in the summer here too, lets toss South Carolina on the blame pile

Kevin said...

Thats one good thing here in GA. There are plenty of 5K and 10K. You can find at least one race every weekend.


Have you still been swimming?

L*I*S*A said...

Yeah, that's a bitch, I agree. I always tend to run better when I have my eye on the prize.

I hope you can find something to shoot for the next couple of weeks. There's GOT to be something?

MN Mom said...

I am impressed you can even consider running in this heat.

Mendy said...

I agree with Neese. We have the same problems here. I'm the same way, Jess. If I don't have something coming up on my calendar, I'm like a lost puppy when it comes to training.

Jarrett said...

I'll join you on the sporadic running front. I've been less than reliable on remembering to get in a run workout for the past few weeks.

Stuart said...

Looks like you and I have the sam eproblem with the Summer, nad zip zilch from June through late August except 7/4 runs and they don't count! Still hang in the Summer will be over soon, thank you yesiree!

sRod said...

I think race schedules across the board get pretty empty during the summer. Around here you'll be hard-pressed to find anything longer than a 10K from June to August.

Viv said...

I think it is totally the race directors fault. Hey that should be a tee shirt.