As the half marathon got closer I was a little worried that I would complete it and then return to my old ways of eating and intermittently exercising. So a couple of weeks before the half I began thinking what I would like to do next.  Since winter is coming I decided to register for the Northampton Hot Chocolate 5K.  I heard about it last year and it sounds like a lot of fun besides being in one of my favorite towns.  Since it is only a short race I have decided to focus on improving my 5K finish time.  My goal is to finish in 30 minutes or less.  So far my best time for a 5K was 31:09 and that was my first 5K race. I finished my second 5K in 32:07.  I was disappointed by this race.  I felt like I should have done better.

The two races were more than six months apart.  I thought I had improved. The first 5K was run on a cold rainy day on a flat course.  The second was run on a 95 degree summer day on a slightly hilly course with no water stations at all.  I worked the night before and stood in the heat waiting to start as they pushed back the starting time by almost 30 minutes.  I learned a lot from both experiences and I am hoping to use what I have learned while I prepare for my next endeavor.

The rest of October has flown by in the blink of an eye and included a 4 day trip with my little guy last week to visit my Dad in Florida.  I have maintained a long run once a week since the half marathon.  I plan to start with the speed training tomorrow.

Since I still have my sights on future half marathons I will also continue to adhere to my once a week long run which usually falls on Saturday or Sunday.  I hope to include at least one double digit run per month.  Today I completed a 10 mile run.  It was not one of my best as I worked overnight and didn’t get great rest or nutrition yesterday due to a full schedule of Halloween parties for the little guy.  I felt great for the first 6.5 miles and then my legs got really achy. I stopped for a walk and stretch.  It did help some and I was able to complete the run in about 2 hours.

This is a tentative schedule of races that I am hoping to do over the next year:

–  Northampton Hot Chocolate 5K on December 5, 2010

–  Memorial Day Half Marathon or 10K in the Berkshires on May 29, 2011

–  If I don’t do the Half in the Berkshires then I will likely do the Lake Placid Half Marathon on June 12, 2011.

–  The Providence, RI Rock and Roll Half Marathon on August 7, 2011

I said that I would never run a marathon.  Well never say never.  I shall eat my words in January 2012 when I make my way to Orlando, FL to run the Disney Marathon!!!