It strikes me that I have so many goals to talk about that I will probably have to interweave other things into these posts, or it will get monotonous and/or I won’t finish before 1/1/25.
(Which would be perfectly acceptable, but it’s a preference of mine that I finish before then!)
First, an update on yesterday’s post: thankfully it did not get deleted, and your comments were super helpful! I have done a lot of Peloton strength before but appreciate the reminders of various programs (splits, Hardcore on the Floor, etc). I ended up asking our physician group wellness thread and got a great rec for local semi-private training so will be checking that out! It’s out of the house and apparently they will tailor it to your goals so it sounds very promising.
Fitness Part 2: RUNNING + Creating a Strategic Running Calendar
Strength aside, I still want to continue on my running journey in 2025. I love running. I do not have to convince myself to do it, unless there are hill repeats or if a treadmill is involved. I honestly would take zero days off if I didn’t think it was an injury risk.
Unsurprisingly, my main goal is a solid/bulletproof BQ. I ran a 3:35:01 in May of 2024; if I can come even close to that this year, I will be set! I believe I can do it, and I hope to do it in the next ~5 months. Here’s how I see periodizing my training this year:
End of Dec to January 19: Finish recovery/base-building, with mainly easy running to get back to 50 mpw
January 20 – May 24: Train for Bayshore Marathon! As of now, I think I am going to use a modified version of the Hansons plan (will go slightly higher on mileage and increase some of the long runs). I truly believe that training in reasonable weather will make this cycle much smoother than the last.
Along the way, I hope to run a half marathon (305 half?) to gauge my fitness and maybe a 5K.
June – October: Lower mileage, more strength training, explore other fitness experiences (yoga, barre, etc). May throw in a 5K or two.
November – December: Start ramping mileage back up with some HILL training hopefully to prepare for Boston 2026 (I’ll know by September 2025 whether I made it in or not!).
I’m excited! I know it will be challenging to fit in both running and strength but I honestly think it’s doable (barring major unforeseen life stressor or crisis, which could absolutely happen, but I will hope for the best for now!). My runs are an early morning activity, and slotting strength 2x/week at an alternate time should, in theory, be achievable.
Note: From January 2023 to December 2024 I worked with a fantastic running coach — Drew Conner from Microcosm! He helped me go from close to a 2 hour half to 2 x BQ last year and was incredibly supportive and helpful. I’ve decided I’ve learned enough to do things on my own for a while, but if you’re interested, know I had a great experience!
This is vague, but I also feel like nutrition deserves a mention here. I just feel like I didn’t nail it this year. My weight has been relatively stable, though I definitely felt super puffy post carb-load/marathon. But I felt better in the months where I prioritized getting adequate protein, focused on eating fewer processed foods, and didn’t eat snacks for meals. I feel like I can do better in this realm with a few routines changes (particular around go-to breakfast/lunch options). Starbucks pumpkin bread is delicious, but it does not qualify as a vegetable. I want my nutrition choices to SUPPORT my running rather than feeling like my running helps me get away with subpar choices, if that makes sense.
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Your plan sounds great! I plan to do another 10 mile race and want to finish the CG Fuel series in the early months of the year. I am hopeful that I will finally kick this flare (my rheum thinks I will need surgery to remove the synovial fluid which I am in favor of). I want to get off these stupid steroids that I have been on for almost 9 months, but that is going to be a process. And those steroids have likely contributed to weight gain so overall, I am really hoping for a lot of positive change in 2025!
Re: nutrition, I really love Elyse Kopecky and Shalane Flanagan’s Run Fast Eat Slow cookbooks—I have all three. I think you have the first one? The other two are also worth getting—your library might have them if you want to try out some recipes first. In particular there are some amazing soups with lots of protein and veggies that come together pretty quickly and are pretty much a complete meal. These are usually my work lunches.
They also have some great recipes for fairly healthy treats, which is awesome.
I subscribe to Elyse’s newsletter and she also does some Zoom meal prep classes, which I have found to be super helpful.
Solid running plan. I hope I find out mine soon.
This sounds like a great plan! Congratulations on an amazing performance last weekend. Your consistency and patience have led to some great results. 2 BQs in a year!! I look forward to following along on your journey in 2025.
I get injured every time I make a goal for myself, and “not getting injured” as a goal is super depressing. So I will not be doing this. Ah to have optimism and positivity.
For quick go-to breakfast: I have my everything but the bagel salad for breakfast every weekday. Prep on Sun and lasts all week. I get produce in the morning, and my daughter loves to prep them for me (I do her assigned chore that day in exchange and I think it’s a great trade). I’m less great about lunch planning, but I’ve got breakfast down.
Late to the party and this sounds like kind of the opposite of what most people recommended – but I have gone from trying to do 1-2 intense strength sessions a week to short 5-10 minute ones after most runs or at least several times a week. I just don’t get the same endorphins/joy/fun from strength training as I do running/yoga/rock climbing even in good classes. So instead of trying to convince myself to do a full committed workout I’ve been doing way more regular short ones in the Nike Training App – mostly because even I can’t convince myself I don’t have 5 minutes! And they’re usually enough to feel the burn! Am I going to become a weight lifting champion? Or course not. But for my goal of not getting injured and staying strong enough it definitely seems to be working.
Good luck with the personal trainer or whatever you choose!
Sounds great, and I can’t wait to hear about your strength training. I seriously have to get a more solid strength program going, and I’ve been saying that for a long time. Prioritizing strength in the summer is a good idea (in Florida at least.) Anyway, I’m excited for your 2025 running and fitness goals!
Oof, I felt that last line.