Bosco Fitness: December 2019

So much to be grateful for over the last few months, and so much more work left to be done. Also so many photos and videos to share below!

RUNNING:

My 10k training plan proved to be successful in getting me through the Boston race, though it didn't go as expected. I didn't hit my goal which was 60 minutes. But I knew that wasn't going to happen because during the last week of training, I was still running around 11 minute miles. Even with the adrenaline of a race, it was unlikely I'd hit 10 minute miles. My final time was 1:02:57 (about 10 minutes slower than last year). It was a difficult race to benchmark myself against because last year, it was my fastest race and personal best ever. I ran with a buddy again which was an awesome experience, but I also learned a valuable lesson around pushing the pace. Having extra energy during a race is great to shave time off, but not at the expense of burning out too fast and having your last mile be really painful and slow. In hindsight, I should have stuck to my plan and the pace I trained for. My total race time might have been better if I was steadier throughout the whole thing.

Next was the Abbott Dash 5k in NYC in early November (the pre-race to the NYC Marathon). Again, a frustrating race to benchmark against postpartum because last year I was coming off the high of Half marathon training from the summer and still in great shape. My time was 00:30:38 (vs. last year 00:29:37). I was so close to matching it! Major shout out to my husband Rob for running with me (side by side) and carrying my breastfeeding pumps in a fanny pack so I could pump immediately before and after the race. I physically wouldn't have been able to participate if he didn't do this for me. Regardless of race times, we enjoyed "racing" (and drinking) around Brooklyn and Manhattan chasing Fred and Kara during the actual marathon. They did an awesome job and we had a blast. In usual Jackie style, I was super inspired. More to come on that later.

Lastly, I just completed a post Thanksgiving, Conquer the Hills 5k race on Long Island. Not your standard 5k road race. Super hilly, all trails, in the woods. Had to wear special shoes for it! I'm happy to report that I finally beat myself from last year with a time of 00:34:35 (vs. last year 00:35:40). Ok, so I barely beat it. And the conditions were not even the same. Temperature was 36°F this year compared to last year's 13°F. And I was already a few weeks pregnant last year, so technically not a pre-pregnancy benchmark! Still a victory in my book.

CROSSFIT:

Also some major CrossFit accomplishments to report on. Once I got back to work from maternity leave, I participated in three Open workouts which I have never done before (competition style). One of them, 20.5, required a strategy in how you split up the movements (20 minute time cap: 40 muscle-ups, 80-cal. row 120 wall-balls). I ended up doing this WOD twice to try and beat my score with a new strategy. It was nearly the same the second time around! I think it was a good "report card" of my current fitness level and no matter how I sliced it, the outcome was going to be the same. Also a good learning moment for me! Also it was more fun the second time around!

I also had an unexpected PR on a push jerk. With some one-on-one coaching, I was able to go heavier than ever before with weight at 85lbs, which is a lot for me personally to get overhead.

NEW GOALS & THE MIX:

As for goals, I need to continue working on my weight loss. Slow and steady, in no particular rush. I'm at 156, pre-pregnancy is 150, goal is 140. So I'd like to lose another 16 total by the 12 month mark. I have quite a series of events coming up in the new year to help me with that.

I'm planning to run another Half Marathon in either May or June, in Gloucester MA again. Training for that will start in March. I'm planning to participate in Tough Mudder on Long Island in July for the 4th time. I was a little busy giving birth this past summer to participate (like literally the same week).

And...drum roll please. I'm committing to running the NYC Marathon 2021. Yes, the full 26.2 miles. Not this coming year, but the next year. So 2 years from now. Which means I need to use 2020 to qualify. Oh boy.

The next few months will be about resisting the urge to hibernate and become stagnant this winter. Getting outside to run or making it to the CF box when it's cold and dark is difficult. My ideal activity mix from now through the end of February is 4x weekly, split between CrossFit and Running. Not every week will be perfect, and when I can do more because time permits, I definitely will!