Getting Ready for Fall Training

If you caught up with me on Saturday over coffee, you'll know that I am ready for fall! Bring on the cooler temps, all things pumpkin and apple, sweaters and boots.

Don't get me wrong. I love summer. I love the heat and the cold brew. Tank tops & shorts. This summer was all about turning 40 which I loved as well. But I'm ready to move on to the next thing.

Even though I'm not quite sure what that is yet.

What I do know...

1. My weight is slowly climbing back up.
2. My pace is slowing down.
3. My trail runs have all but disappeared.

Despite having finished RW Run Streak and the #ClarindaTurns40 fitness challenge, I've felt like my training lately has been floundering a bit. What am I training for? LIFE! :-)

Time to set some goals for Fall!

I set goals at the beginning of the year, which I'm still working on, but I haven't been setting any monthly or seasonal goals. That doesn't mean I can't start now, right?

Weekly Meal Plan
Knowing what to eat each week is so important to prevent ordering food or stopping on the way home. I've been terrible about it this summer! And maybe the spring, too. I actually can't remember when I last did this regularly. I probably won't do a day-by-day plan, but choose a few recipes to make for breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout the week. I think I'll include my choices at the end of my Week in Review posts on Sundays. This will probably be the hardest goal for me!

Incorporate More Speed Work
Last week, I randomly threw in some speed work on one of my runs. It felt amazing! 99% of my runs this year have been easy-paced. On a very rare occasion, I'll mix it up with some intervals, but I'd like to do this more regularly once the temps start to drop a bit. I'm thinking at least one speed or hills/stairs workout each week. And let's throw in 2 tempos runs a month as well.

Speed work is always a bit easier (??) with good pump-you-up tunes. My all-time favorite is Break My Stride by Matthew Wilder. Some of the lyrics are ridiculous, but the beat is good and the chorus really puts that pep in my step.

I know I have lots more go-to pump up jams, but I'm drawing a complete blank right now! Please help me out by leaving a comment with your favorite pump up jam(s). I'll also be checking out the Tuesday Tunes link-up with Janelle for more ideas.

Help @EnjoytheCourse run faster! What's your go-to pump up jam to really get your feet moving?

Monthly Trail Run
At the beginning of the year, I was out hitting a trail nearly every weekend. While I'd like to get back to that, I also want to be realistic, so I'll shoot for a solo trail run at least once a month. Hopefully, I'll get in more trail time on at least a few groups run this fall as well, but there is something very satisfying about being out on the trails all alone. It used to kind of scare me, but now I really love it.

Yoga & Strength Training
To be my best self, I know that I need more than just running in my life. **gasp** It's true. Runners need things like yoga and strength training to really take their running to the next level. I'm actually not too terrible with these, but there is always room for improvement! I plan to check out the Tone It Up Daily Workout or do a yoga video on YouTube on my non-run days.

I plan on sticking to a 3x per week running schedule, so it should be easy(ish) to fit in strength training and yoga, right?!
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I'm also challenging myself to meet my daily step goal, which will require more walks with Sallie in the evenings. I'm sure she won't mind. :-)

What are you most looking forward to this fall, training-wise?
What's your go-to song to get those feet really moving?

I'm linking up today with Erika, Marcia and Patty for Tuesday's on the Run as well as Janelle, Kim, and Steff for Tunes Tuesday.