Sub-4

It’s been almost a year since I started this blog. At the time, I set out to achieve middle-of-the-pack glory and Crazy-Haruki “serious” runner status.

Oh, and I also wanted to become Kenyan.

For me, that meant two things: running a 4:20 marathon in Ottawa and covering 58km a week while doing so. In the end, I fell more than 100KM short of Crazy-Haruki’s training guidelines and ran eight minutes slower than my marathon finishing goal.

But all was not lost.  While I may never get Haruki’s stamp of approval, in Ottawa, I was about 50 women shy of finishing smack in the middle of the pack and while I didn’t become Kenyan — I saw a lot of them in my hotel. That was awesome.

I also kept going. I joined a group of running bad-asses and  smashed a 1:55:00 half-marathon goal this fall.

And now it’s time for me to think about what’s next.

Some of the bad-asses are trying to get me to go for a Boston qualifier in the spring. I thought about it. I also thought about running as Sarah Palin’s Vice-Presidential candidate in the U.S. 2012 elections. But sadly, neither work for me – right now.

So here’s what I’m going to do: I’m going to shoot for a sub-four hour marathon at the Goodlife Toronto International Marathon this Spring and I’ll PVR “Sarah Palin’s Alaska” every Sunday night.

No that’s not a typo – I want to sub-four hours. I know, I couldn’t sub 4:20 last Spring, but this time it’s going to be different.  Firstly, this winter I won’t be training alone. While most of the bad-asses in my group will be running Boston in April, I’ll be running in their dust — and that will be inspiring, no?

Also I’ve been studying. How can I be more Kenyan? According to this article the fastest Kenyan runners have low BMIs, low body weight and skinny legs. What can I take from this?  Clearly, I need new running pants. My old ones are starting to sag and lose their elastic. It’s very distracting.

I admit, it’s going to be tough. But if I shelve the Doritos and stick to my running coach Dr.Stevil’s cunning plan, I think I might be able to pull it out.

Please come along for the ride.

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