What are you training for?

"I'm always training... that doesn't have anything to do with whether or not I'm registered for a race"

I'm a planner. I've always been a planner, but as I got older the need to have a plan became more and more important. I'm not just a normal "let me try and give my day/week/month some structure" type of planner though. I'm a "this is my training plan for the next 18 months therefore that family vacation we want to take has to have a running route because I'm scheduled to do 12 miles that Sunday" type of planner.

I know what you're thinking (probably out loud) but the silver lining is that I'm somewhat flexible with my training. So if I need to do the "12 mile run" the weekend before then I'll adjust my training plan accordingly. At least I didn't cancel the trip right? 

A few months ago I was talking to one of my running friends about training. We would occasionally train together although she and I have very different race goals. She likes the obstacle course races, while I very much prefer not to crawl through mud. Ever.
Anyway, she asked me (something to the effect of) "When does your training (for Chicago) start?" To which I replied "I'm always training"

source

Life is a series of expectations. We approach our day with (usually rational) expectations about what's going to happen, and we structure our activities accordingly. We either do things to try to ensure those expectations become our reality, or we do things to prevent those expectations from actualizing. 

Training is the same way. We have "expectations" for the goals we hope to accomplish. For the newbie runner it might be to run for 30 minutes and not die. For the recreational runner it might be running 3 times a week for at least 30 minutes (hoping to go faster and farther over time). For the avid runner it might be a new race distance PR. The fact is as human beings we are wired to have a goal. {Well most of us are at least...we all have that one friend/family member... }. 

Anyway I digress, the point is that most of us have a training goal, so what's yours? What are YOU training for?

This year I have a pretty full race calendar and the easy answer is "I'm training for Chicago".  But the truth is, my training goes far beyond Chicago. Far beyond my sub-10min/mile pace goal. Far beyond my very ambitious Bucket List. I'm training for life. Running has brought significant happiness to my life so I hope I'm never ready. I hope I will always have another goal to train for. Another expectation to run to. Another opportunity to embrace my deepest fear...

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?           

~ Marianne Williamson

Today (as part of my current training plan) I did weights at the gym sandwiched between a warm-up and cool-down cardio session on the upright bike...

I also did my push-up challenge in the morning (7 push-ups), and then tried to do a few more after work. I'm still working on getting the right form and bending my elbows more...

Thursday's tangent thought...

I saw this on Facebook a few days ago for Cinco de Mayo and had to share it (I wish I could remember which page I saved it from but I can't)...

#FoodFight

Do you feel like you are always training? Or do you have a clear start and stop date for your training plan?

Do you have a running Bucket List? What's your #1 race?

Have you ever taken a family "racecation"?