A "Lazy" Summer?

In terms of training...yes, it's been a lazy summer, but in terms of racing it has been quite ambitious.  I suppose, yet again, I have fallen into the pattern of running without training and the results of that are starting to catch up with me...no injuries, but I did notice major changes in my abilities during the VA Beach race this past weekend.  So...where have I been?  I've spent a little time at the beach, I've been in the process of changing jobs after nearly 10 years in my current position (and thus transitioning everything and tying up lose ends), I've been getting my daughter off to college & preparing my sons to return to Elementary and High School, I've been spending time with family....I've been doing about anything besides training.  Not the best idea.  In July I did do 1 leg workout, 1 back workout and 2 runs (neither that great, both in crazy heat, 1 pushing my nephew in a stroller that wasn't made for running).  Other than that, I've taken time to rethink my goals and set new ones and start piecing together training plans for my upcoming races, I've registered for a few more races, I've ran 3 Rock N Roll events, and I've made some GREAT running friends! 

Races I will include posts on shortly:
Providence Rock N Roll Half Marathon
Chicago Rock N Roll Half Marathon
VA Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon (my 18 year old daughter ran this one with me...her 1st!)

My current race schedule as it stands:
9/18 - Rock N Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon
10/16 - Detroit Free Press Half Marathon
10/22 - Myrtle Beach 5K (my 7 year old intends to run this one with me..his first race over 1 mile long!)
10/23 - Myrtle Beach Mini Half Marathon
11/5 - Rock N Roll Savannah Half Marathon
12/11 - Rock N Roll Miami Half Marathon
1/22 - Maui Oceanfront Half Marathon
1/29 - Tinkerbell Half Marathon
3/17 - Rock N Roll USA Half Marathon
5/20 - Portland Rock N Roll Half Marathon
8/19 - Minneapolis 13.1

My next goal race for time is going to be Miami and I'm thinking my goal is sub 2...stay tuned for progress!!  I also have some weight loss goals attached to that race, so I need to see how my nutrition plan and my workout plans compliment each other and make adjustments along the way to ensure I reach both goals...gonna be a tough balancing act.

I had already developed a friendship with a wonderful fellow runner, George Melichar, through the Rock N Roll series and we had both met an amazing friend in Shannon Williams.  Over the last few races we have begun to met an amazing group of people involved with Team Future and I look forward to seeing them at more races in the upcoming months.  As George, Team Future, and I work towards our Rock Idol status we have begun to meet more Rock N Roll personnel as well....what an AMAZING group of people!  The events speak for themselves but the people behind the scenes pulling off these events are absolutely incredible!  If you ever get the chance to run a Rock N Roll, give it a try!  It's not your average little race, it is truly an event!