From Flippers To Finish Line............: 2013 ...trying for faster

After a few inconsistent months of training- I've slowly been back to routine. The end of the 2012 season finished with Wisconsin Ironman and was followed by drinking and eating. And not much training. 10extra pounds and three months later it's officially the 2013 season.
Earlier in December I ran the 5K Santa Hustle because, why not? I was late, didn't have music, didn't have my watch- and ran a PR- at first I thought to have a fun jog but then got going at ran in under 25min- 24:57:88.
This described the tone for wanting to do races that are 1. Fun. 2. Shorter. 3. Faster.
Communicating with my coach, I asked for less volume, but workouts to help with speed.
The plans have been great, but my ability to stick to them have been inconsistent.
I don't want to deviate, because then I won't know if they are working or not.
Motivated now to stick to plans as much as possible, and throwing in occasional yoga and functional training when I can.
I feel like a normal person again, accepting invitations out and having a beer when I feel like it.

First race of the season started off with another PR. Yay. I haven't done too many just 1/2 marathons, so really didn't know what to expect. The week started with a stomach flu that had me feeling worse than I did post Ironman. It wasn't long, but it drained me and I skipped workouts Mon-Wed- only a light jog on Thursday and I felt tired from the lack of nutrients. Felt almost 100% on Friday and Saturday just thought I would see how the morning went.
We had a few little logistical issues that had us starting the race a few minutes late (a trend I already need to stop) We spent the first 5K at a good clip- probably too fast, catching up and passing people so that we could settle into a pace. Again, forgot my watch, so was running only on perceived effort which was actually pretty good.
My coach said to treat the first 11miles at 80%-85% and then go with whatever I have left to the end. We started to catch up with the 2:45 sign the 2:30 sign, the 2:10 sign...
When we first started we didn't think breaking 2:00 would be doable. Once we got going- we decided to try to beat the 2:00 clock, even with the late start.
At 11miles was able to pick it up, Saw the 2:00 balloons, caught them, then passed them. (This was right about the time Kelly Clarkson came on the set list with Stronger. Bonus. One of the better playlists yet. Have been reducing the music when I can, so fun to have it this morning. Everything from Tool's Aenema to Britney's Toxic kept me partying for this run) Trying to go all out from mile 11 to the end, but not able to go much faster then the pace I was at after I passed the balloons. Not having the watch at this point too just hurt the motivation. I was trying to pick it up and go on perceived effort. Saw the clock at the last stretch and was happy when I saw it read 1:59:30. Broke, two hours, even with the late start. Happy day. I am slowly getting to be faster. In the next years or so, Boston will be in reach! (Another focus for a different year) but happy to get chip time of 1:57:22- about a 9:01 pace.
The last few weeks, I've been doing my runs in the arboretum with more hills and Randy was right when he said that after a few weeks of hill intervals, run a flat course and you'll feel like you have little rockets in your ass! Not quite turbo speed but could feel faster. Going to hit the hills again next week. Swanny's girlfriend lives in LA and is running a marathon out in hilly Oakland and St. George is no flat run course, so as many hills as I can get, plus it's more fun.
I'm finally learning how to "work hard" - getting to know my perceived efforts and focus within the difficult efforts and intervals to go faster for longer.
Countdown to May 4, 2013- St. George 70.3 has started.