It’s amazing how quickly one can become complacent. As little as two weeks ago, I was doing yoga every single day. Since then? I’ve worked out maybe 3 times. I know I can blame a hectic life right now (the book deadline is LOOMING. I probably shouldn’t be writing anything that isn’t about Revenge right now! But, here I am), but the one thing the yoga challenge taught me was that excuses are lame. Do it or don’t do it. If it matters, you’ll make time for it.

So with that in mind — and after a lot of thought about where I want to take my fitness routine generally — this week I decided to get specific.

And by specific, I mean pick races.

Lately, I’ve been watching a lot of American Ninja Warrior. It is one of the best summer shows I’ve seen in a while (at least when it comes to empty entertainment featuring feats of strength) but I’ve always been a sucker for ridiculous competition shows. American Gladiator? Check. Global Guts? Uh, can you say best show ever? Mike O’Malley had hair! Canada was considered international! It was the most epic obstacle course I had seen in a long time. Proof:

 

 

American Ninja Warrior is the grown-up version of Global Guts. Proof:

 

 

I, of course, want to do it.

This need, combined with my wish to go faster, has defined my fall race schedule. I chose 4 races, cumulating in the Scotiabank Half-Marathon. Jill is going to do three of them with me.

Midsummer’s Night Run, August 18, 2012

I ran this race last year. It went poorly. I learned a lot from it: bout how much to train, about the importance of stretching and about how fun nighttime races are. I want to crush last year’s time. Jill is running with with me, and our record of running side-bye-side so far is pretty good. (I know, it’s only one race, but I’ll take it!) If I fill my July with speedwork, I’m confident my goal time is within reach.

Goal: sub 1:30

Urban Warrior Race, September 8, 2012

This is the closest thing in the city to American Ninja Warrior that doesn’t have mud! (I am not getting dirty on purpose. Or driving in a car to a race that’s designed to cloak me in mud. I’m crazy, but I’m not that crazy.) I’m going to need to improve my upper body strength a TON if I’m going to make it through this race. I’m hoping it can be another side-by-side help-each-other-out race with Jill. RIGHT, JILL?

Goal: to finish without crying

Island Girl Half-Marathon relay, September 23, 2012

I really wanted to do the Island 10k race, but this year it’s the day after the Urban Warrior race. So that was a no-go. But this HM relay is the next best thing! It’s on the island! Jill will run it will me (Jill will do anything I say!). It’s a different way to run a race together. It will also be a unique challenge: how much faster will Jill be than me? We’ll find out!

Team goal: sub 2:00

Personal goal: not let Jill totally kick my ass

Scotiabank Half Marathon, October 14, 2012

This is the goal race for the year. I need to do a lot of speed work and get mentally tough to make this goal a reality. I know I can do it. I just need to run faster. How hard can that be?

Goal: sub 2:00