Race Season is Starting this Week! An Update on my 50K & Cleveland Marathon Training

It's hard to believe that my first race of the season is this weekend already! I guess it's more of a fun run than an actual race but it's the first thing on my schedule this season so still pretty exciting to get it started! I'll be running the Run for Regis trail half marathon this weekend in Peninsula. Originally we had planned to do the 50K distance but I just didn't feel ready. We'll be running the Green Jewel 50K in early March instead! 

I also just signed my husband Steve and I up for another trail half marathon at Holloway Park in Lakeland, FL next Saturday! We'll be going from one extreme to another...from snow, ice and cold to green grass, rocks and sunshine/warmth! I think it will be fun and coach agreed running back to back trail half races would be good training for the 50K and upcoming marathon season. 

So far the long runs to train for the Cleveland Marathon are going well also. I plan to run Toledo first and toughen up for Cleveland! I've been doing longer runs back to back most weeks with this past weekend being 18 miles on the road including some hills and a trail 10k run Sunday at North Chagrin Reservation. The legs are feeling pretty strong so far!

This week my training is a little lighter than the last couple of months to freshen up the legs a bit. I look forward to starting the season out strong and continuing to work on developing my endurance for later in the season!

My plans for the 2015 Running & Triathlon Season

I am excited about the 2015 racing season and being part of the new Challenge Family Triathlon Team (formerly Rev3 Triathlon), Powerbar Team Elite as well as being an Official Ambassador of the Cleveland Marathon!

I plan to continue to focus on endurance running and triathlon with some shorter stuff thrown in as tune ups and for fun.

My main goals for 2015 are as follows:

• Complete my first 50K running race at the Green Jewel in March
• Try again for the elusive BQ (Boston Qualifying time) and at minimum PR the marathon
• Set a new PR in the 70.3 triathlon distance
• Complete my second 140.6 and set a new PR

You can check out my tentative race calendar below. The races that are bolded are key races for the season that much of my training will be focused on.

• Jan 31  - Run for Regis Trail 1/2 Marathon - Peninsula, OH
• Feb 7 - Holloway XC Half Marathon - Lakeland, FL
• Mar 7 - Green Jewel 50K - Rocky River, OH
• Mar 14 - St Malachi 5 Miler - Cleveland, OH
• Mar 29 - Fools 25K - Peninsula, OH
• April 12 - 10 Mile Drop - Concord Township, OH
• April 26 - Toledo Marathon - Toledo, OH
• May 9 - Nordonia Duathlon - Nordonia, OH
• May 17 - Cleveland Marathon - Cleveland, OH
• May 25 - Blossomtime Run - Chagrin Falls, OH
• May 31 - Twinsburg Duathlon - Twinsburg, OH
• June 14 - Challenge Williamsburg 70.3 Triathlon - Williamsburg, VA
• June 28 - Milton Man Olympic Triathlon - Lake Milton, OH
• July 4 - Bay Days 5 Miler - Bay Village, OH
• July 12 - Johnnycake Jog 5 Miler - Mentor, OH
• Aug 2 - Greater Cleveland Triathlon Olympic - Mentor, OH
• Aug 15 - Challenge Poconos Olympic or 70.3 Triathlon - Poconos, PA
• Sept 13 - Challenge Cedar Point 70.3 Triathlon - Sandusky, OH
• Oct 4 - Lakeland Clocktower 5K - Kirtland, OH
• Oct 17 Beach 2 Battleship 140.6 - Wilmington, NC
• TBD

So far the training for Regis and Green Jewel are going well thanks to a strong base from 2014 and a little guidance from my coach Chris Martino of New Level Coaching. I look forward to giving it my best this year!