I have been dragging lately. I’ve let sick kids, rainy days, and busy schedules interfere with my training schedule for my next race, a 10K. Consequently, I decided it was time to put my words into action, again.

I just registered for my first 10K race – EVER- and it is in one of my favorite places in the world, Moab, Utah. The Winter Sun 10K has been occurring for years and I am so excited to partake in the fun this year. Most importantly, now that I am officially registered, I hope it will motivate me to stick with my 10K training schedule.

Although I had strategically planned-out my schedule weeks ago, I have fallen behind. I missed a short weekday run here or there, skipped a longer weekend run, and before long, the whole thing fell apart. Now, it is time to make a few tweaks and make it work for me.

For my 10K training schedule, I plan on running at least 30-40 minutes two days every week. I have found that anything more than that just doesn’t happen. I will also do some form of cross-training two days each week. I’d love to start yoga or Pilates and my indoor spinning class again at the local “rec” center. Then, on the weekends, comes the long run.

Since I usually run three miles without a problem during the week, I will increase my mileage on the weekend. This weekend I’ll start with four miles. I’ll do four miles again next weekend. Then, there will be a week where I’ll run five miles. Then, six miles. The weekend before the race, I’ll taper.

Although in an ideal world, I would run five miles for several weeks, and then, have several weeks where I’d run six miles. I’d even love to have time in my 10K training schedule to run seven miles before I begin to taper for two weeks or so. But, who said running had to be set in an ideal world. I’m going to make it work for me.

The bottom line is that I’ve wanted to run the Winter Sun 10K race in Moab for AGES. Now that I’ve officially signed up…let the real training begin! I’ll let you know how it goes!