Sometimes time can move so slowly.

I’m a deadline-oriented (some would say deadline-obsessed) kind of girl. While I’d love to say that I have all the motivation in the world, the truth is that I need something to work towards. Something like a race, maybe.

The Plan

• Monday: Weights and stretching
• Tuesday: Pilates
• Wednesday: Elliptical
• Thursday: Off
• Friday: Loads of housework
• Saturday: The Raising-a-Preschooler Workout
• Sunday: Off; on my feet all day, cooking

My brain knows that January 1 — the earliest date that I’m cleared to run — is less than three weeks away. My body, however, only knows hindsight, and it’s grumbling that it’s been nearly three months since we’ve been out for a run. My body knows that I packed away my running shoes to avoid temptation. But it want a goal. It needs a goal. So I signed up for the See Jane Run 5K in Alameda next June. No, it’s not a major race that takes six months to train for, but it’s one that I wanted to run in 2010 but couldn’t because of a business trip. Now that I have something tangible on my calendar, I feel a lot better. Sure, with a six-month lead time it’s a purely psychological target, but it’s what I need right now.

I need to take my two weeks of vacation and get back into running shape. Sure, I’ve been using the bike and elliptical at the gym, but I need to reacquaint my foot with impact by walking more. Case in point: the weekend. On Friday, I did a lot of housework, so I spent a good amount of time on my feet. Saturday, similar situation; being mom to a preschooler doesn’t involve much sitting. Sunday was spent cooking, so I was on my feet all day long. Tonight? I’m achy. And until I can get past that feeling, I’m not going to be able to start logging running mileage.

This week will be a strange one in terms of workouts. Monday is a wash because of jury duty. Tuesday will be pilates. The rest of the week will be a strange combination of mad-dash-to-deadline and vacation prep. I have no idea what I’ll be able to fit in.

Tags: 5k, goal, race, see jane run, training, vacation

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