Getting back on track

I am a training slacker.

This isn't a recent development, but for the last year or so, slowed by injuries of one sort or another, my training has really gotten off track. In fact, I don't think I've really been truly ready for a race since last April's La Jolla 1/2 Marathon.

My latest foray into slackerhood is duly recorded on my Daily Mile log which shows that I logged a pathetic 49 miles in February...that's total miles BTW and includes "elliptical" miles. In total, I ran 33 miles last month and I haven't been on my bike since January 6.

My ass is one victim of this slackerness. My evidence? I did a four sets of lunge matrices at the gym on Saturday and today, I could barely sit (FYI - a lunge matrix consists of six lunges, one going forward, one to the side, and one back at a 90 degree angle, then one back, one cross over to the side, another cross over to the front at a 90 degree angle - One set is 5 rounds of these and actually consists of 30 lunges, per leg. I usually do these with hand weights, on Sunday I used 10 lb weights).

At one time, I was the QUEEN of the LM, but that wouldn't be the case now.

This has got to change. I've got to get back into training shape...I know I can't run more than three days a week, but I've been doing only two days for the last couple of weeks. I must continue to do strength training, not only because it makes me look more toned than running alone ever will, but because consistent strength training leads to fewer injuries.

I really need a plan and a focus since I do have some events coming up:

• This Saturday - Sue Kren 15K. I'm not expecting much. I haven't run farther than 6 miles since the Surf City 1/2, but I'd still like a respectable finish. I ran 6 miles at a very respectable (for me) 10:46 pace. That'd be a PR if I could do 9 more miles.
• Sunday - The Gran Fondo 32 mile ride. It's not a race, but 32 miles is still 32 miles.
• April 11 - Carlsbad 5000
• June 6 - Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon - There's a new course this year and (thankfully) it doesn't involve the San Diego Riverbed. It's a pretty flat course with a lovely downhill ending. I'd really love a nice PR there...something around 2:15 would be nice.

Amazingly, that's all I have planned for the year so far. I wonder if the lack of a larger plan is the reason why it's been so difficult to keep to a training schedule. If I'm going to PR in June, I really need to stay healthy, which again, leads me back to the need for a consistent training plan.

So, there you have it. Alice is in search of some serious training mojo. I know it's out there somewhere, I just need to re-locate it.