This was a weird running week! My in-laws and friends were coming to visit and I was on call for work but I was still going to try to run a 10k in the morning on Saturday and a 5k at night. When real life happened, however, I realized that staying up til 2 the night before and planning a full day of fun with them on Saturday, it was just not a good idea for me to tire myself out and try to run those races and just be tired and miserable! I need to just be content being with people and not try to make it a "who can do the most stuff ever in life?!" competition (which is my baseline and how I've always been). I was still on the fence about it until Friday night when we were going to bed and Brad just said "Make it a donation. You just paid that race entry money to support those two causes and just call it a day. Spend time with us tomorrow." and I was sold. He knows how badly I wanted to race but how miserable I would've been had I gotten 4 hours of sleep and exhausted my body and then interrupted our dinner by running another! And I appreciate that.
Anyway I had a decent week of training anyway. Right now is all about maintaining and just HAVING FUNNNNN running (a lost concept!) I signed up for a Friday night 5k on June 10th (should be fun.. it's an inaugural event and supports a local park and I'd like to experience a post-work race just because it'll be different) and possibly a trail 5k on that following Sunday, but we will see!There is also a trail half marathon on June 19th that I may attempt--I should probably get in a couple of 12-milers if I'm going to do it for sure. Bachelorette parties, concerts, weddings, and baby showers are where my mind will be for the next couple of months, as well as some "welcome home parties" and general trips to visit friends, so running "fun" will be a priority for sure, and just a way for me to keep my sanity.
Anyway,
Monday & Tuesday: Rest--due to just general exhaustion!
Wednesday: 2 Miles in 19:58 and then 30 min upper body lift
Thurs: 2.75 AM in 26:00, 5 mi PM (crazy humidity!! was so excited it started pouring down halfway through. I did 12x200m with active recoveries--47:35 total time)
Fri: 3 mi... took a RUNch... it was the most perfect day and I literally just pulled over and changed. Sunny, 70 degree days don't happen every day and I had to take advantage! Ended up being an awesome "steady-state" run with 8:29 pace! I went out too fast for someone who was going to run the next day but I just went with it!! Days like these are why I run!
Sat: 1 mi hike + eating like a pig all day AKA quality time with people I love!
Sun: 3 mi in 26:23 (8:48 pace--felt awesome! my speed is def coming back) and then 30 min upper body and 20 min lower body!
Only 15 miles running this week but they were quality and I had 3 weight sessions that also rocked! Loving this definition in my upper body esp :D
Thursday, May 19, 2016
Friday, May 13, 2016
Last Week's Training!
Training week of 5/2-5/8
*Coming back from the Pittsburgh half and getting ready for two races next weekend*
Monday: Rest *Always a good idea to rest the day after a marathon :)*
Tuesday: 3.42 solid trail miles on my favorite trail in 29:38! 8:40 Pace!! Don't know where that came from but I'll take it. Also lifted upper body for 30 mins
Wednesday: 30 min AM lower body lift then 3.57 mile recovery (in 38') in the PM
Thursday: Hiking for 20 mins followed by 30 mins of upper body. I love cross training! I SOOOO need to get a bike!
Friday: 30 min lower body lift
Saturday: 4 miles on a local trail in 36:43 (9:11 pace). Nothing special about this run
Sunday: Intentionally set out to just go slowly and run for 1 hour. Ended up being a really solid run and I got in 6.25 miles. We will see how my 10k and 5k go next Saturday!
*Coming back from the Pittsburgh half and getting ready for two races next weekend*
Monday: Rest *Always a good idea to rest the day after a marathon :)*
Tuesday: 3.42 solid trail miles on my favorite trail in 29:38! 8:40 Pace!! Don't know where that came from but I'll take it. Also lifted upper body for 30 mins
Wednesday: 30 min AM lower body lift then 3.57 mile recovery (in 38') in the PM
Thursday: Hiking for 20 mins followed by 30 mins of upper body. I love cross training! I SOOOO need to get a bike!
Friday: 30 min lower body lift
Saturday: 4 miles on a local trail in 36:43 (9:11 pace). Nothing special about this run
Sunday: Intentionally set out to just go slowly and run for 1 hour. Ended up being a really solid run and I got in 6.25 miles. We will see how my 10k and 5k go next Saturday!
Thursday, May 5, 2016
Training 4/18-5/1
I skipped blogging for my last two weeks of workouts so I wanted to put them here to remember them!
The only thing I will say now that I'm a few days out from my half is that I overdid it on the weekend prior to my marathon. I thought it would be a good way of getting miles in but it ended up being more emotionally and mentally draining than anything. It's a good reminder as I'm contemplating running a 5k this weekend but I know that the 10k/5k double I have planned next Saturday should take precedence! I didn't feel it in my legs but getting up early both Sat and Sun (the only days I have to sleep in) and draining myself mentally by racing both of those definitely did not help me when it came to my A race.
Anyway here were my workouts for the 2 weeks leading up to Pittsburgh:
Mon 4/18 30 min circuit, 10 min upper body *awesome circuit! I need to do that again*
Tues 4/19 REST
Wed 4/20 3 mi AM run (26:47), 100 pushups (started 4/20--have been doing them each day since! my sister and I challenged each other. We added 100 squats a couple days later), 3 mi PM run (27:49)
Thurs 4/21 2.25 mi AM (22:00), 4 mi PM (39:06)
Fri 4/22 REST
Sat 4/23 6.2 mi race (55:48), 1.8 cool down (17:50)
Sun 4/24 7.25 total miles for the day in 1:18. I ran up a mountain for a race and then back down again :)
Total Miles: 27.5
Mon 4/25 REST
Tues 4/26 REST
Wed 4/27 3.35 mi in 30:50
Thurs 4/28 3 in 26:55
Fri 4/29 Needed a workout... didnt want to run. I hiked for an hour up a pretty rugged trail and back down! 2.67 mi total.
Sat 4/30 2.3 mi shakeout
Sun 5/1 13.21 mi (Pittsburgh Half)
Total Miles: 28.67
The only thing I will say now that I'm a few days out from my half is that I overdid it on the weekend prior to my marathon. I thought it would be a good way of getting miles in but it ended up being more emotionally and mentally draining than anything. It's a good reminder as I'm contemplating running a 5k this weekend but I know that the 10k/5k double I have planned next Saturday should take precedence! I didn't feel it in my legs but getting up early both Sat and Sun (the only days I have to sleep in) and draining myself mentally by racing both of those definitely did not help me when it came to my A race.
Anyway here were my workouts for the 2 weeks leading up to Pittsburgh:
Mon 4/18 30 min circuit, 10 min upper body *awesome circuit! I need to do that again*
Tues 4/19 REST
Wed 4/20 3 mi AM run (26:47), 100 pushups (started 4/20--have been doing them each day since! my sister and I challenged each other. We added 100 squats a couple days later), 3 mi PM run (27:49)
Thurs 4/21 2.25 mi AM (22:00), 4 mi PM (39:06)
Fri 4/22 REST
Sat 4/23 6.2 mi race (55:48), 1.8 cool down (17:50)
Sun 4/24 7.25 total miles for the day in 1:18. I ran up a mountain for a race and then back down again :)
Total Miles: 27.5
Mon 4/25 REST
Tues 4/26 REST
Wed 4/27 3.35 mi in 30:50
Thurs 4/28 3 in 26:55
Fri 4/29 Needed a workout... didnt want to run. I hiked for an hour up a pretty rugged trail and back down! 2.67 mi total.
Sat 4/30 2.3 mi shakeout
Sun 5/1 13.21 mi (Pittsburgh Half)
Total Miles: 28.67
Tuesday, May 3, 2016
Pittsburgh Half Marathon Race Report!
Sunday was NOT my day. I'm going to choose to focus on the positive parts of the weekend, and not the race. I have gone back and forth with how I feel about this race for a couple of days. On one hand, it was my 3rd worst time and I was mentally defeated BEFORE I even started the race. I didn't put in the miles that I needed to while training and DEF didn't get enough sleep or proper fuel the week of. I felt slow and fat and wet and sluggish for the entirety of the race AND the worst part is I barely had fun.
On the other hand, I finished. I spent a somewhat-restful and productive weekend with my in-laws, hubby, and even visited with my sister and our family friend because they were in town. I got some quilting done for some baby quilts I'm making and I got in a wonderful 60 minute hike after work on Friday. I made it through our state inspection and I had two awesome dinner dates the week leading up to it. We had a friend over to watch the draft. I had a week full of family and friends and fun (I couldn't not alliterate there!) and despite no sleep and throwing up my breakfast the morning of the race, I still ran it, got my medal, overcame terrible weather and negative self-talk.
Mi 1-4
9:00, 9:08, 9:00, 8:59 I was feeling good! My A goal was to run a post-college PR (I ran a 1:51 in college but since then I have run a 2:04 and wanted to beat that. That meant I needed to do Yes I went out too fast but I'm always afraid if I don't I never will go "fast" at all throughout the race. It rained mi 1-3 and then i was still able to pick it up for one more mile then...
Mi 5-9
10:26, 9:36, 10:29, 10:23, 10:00 At this point I was "hanging on" and could've potentially made my B goal which was to beat my 10 mi time from March and run faster than a 1:39 (I would run a 1:38:29 so beat it by 31 seconds. That's something I guess!). The hills and being soaked all over were really starting to get on my nerves!
Mi 10-finish
At this point I was at my C goal which was just to finish. I was so depleted after puking up my breakfast that I just had nothing to keep me going. Even the gel I finally took at mile 10 didn't help. My last few miles were: 11:28, 11:17, 12:09, 9:56,1:40--last .2. As you can see I finally got a little bit of motivation to finish strong at mile 13 but not as much as I needed! I finished with a time just in the middle of all 4 of my other half finishing times. Totaly miles/time was 13.21 mi in 2:13:30.
13.1...(NOT pittsburgh!)... I'll be back for you. And this time, I'll be ready!
On the other hand, I finished. I spent a somewhat-restful and productive weekend with my in-laws, hubby, and even visited with my sister and our family friend because they were in town. I got some quilting done for some baby quilts I'm making and I got in a wonderful 60 minute hike after work on Friday. I made it through our state inspection and I had two awesome dinner dates the week leading up to it. We had a friend over to watch the draft. I had a week full of family and friends and fun (I couldn't not alliterate there!) and despite no sleep and throwing up my breakfast the morning of the race, I still ran it, got my medal, overcame terrible weather and negative self-talk.
hanging with my sister saturday afternoon! always a blast to see her :)
Mi 1-4
9:00, 9:08, 9:00, 8:59 I was feeling good! My A goal was to run a post-college PR (I ran a 1:51 in college but since then I have run a 2:04 and wanted to beat that. That meant I needed to do Yes I went out too fast but I'm always afraid if I don't I never will go "fast" at all throughout the race. It rained mi 1-3 and then i was still able to pick it up for one more mile then...
Mi 5-9
10:26, 9:36, 10:29, 10:23, 10:00 At this point I was "hanging on" and could've potentially made my B goal which was to beat my 10 mi time from March and run faster than a 1:39 (I would run a 1:38:29 so beat it by 31 seconds. That's something I guess!). The hills and being soaked all over were really starting to get on my nerves!
Mi 10-finish
At this point I was at my C goal which was just to finish. I was so depleted after puking up my breakfast that I just had nothing to keep me going. Even the gel I finally took at mile 10 didn't help. My last few miles were: 11:28, 11:17, 12:09, 9:56,1:40--last .2. As you can see I finally got a little bit of motivation to finish strong at mile 13 but not as much as I needed! I finished with a time just in the middle of all 4 of my other half finishing times. Totaly miles/time was 13.21 mi in 2:13:30.
13.1...(NOT pittsburgh!)... I'll be back for you. And this time, I'll be ready!
yes i wore my shirt and medal to work yesterday! trying to convince myself to be proud of my accomplishment :)
Wednesday, April 27, 2016
Two Races in 24 hours!
This weekend I officially lost my mind and ran 2 races in one weekend! The even crazier part is that I run the Pittsburgh half on Sunday!
At this point in my training cycle I knew I wasn't motivated to get in quality runs (just burned out, tired, ready for race day) and so I figured I might as well get a good tempo run in and then a nice hill/speed workout the next day.
Saturday morning I got up reasonably early and got a nice breakfast and a shower to help wake myself up. The race was only 25 mins away (probably the closest I'll run all year since I don't live in a great place for running!) and it was a memorial run for a State Trooper killed by a drunk driver. It was at a local Catholic College and was such a great event put on for an awesome cause and I LOVED that they prayed before the race! They had children's races (a 100m and a half mile--it was so cute!) because the trooper who died LOVED kids. His family put on an awesome event to honor their son! All along the course they had signs with different stats about drunk driving and all the proceeds from the race bought breathalyzers for the troopers.
Anyway, on to the race! It was a 5k and 10k and I ran the 10, so I did the loop twice. It was really hilly but my goal was just to treat it as a nice HMP tempo and I ended up getting a race PR of 55:48 (I have run a 53 workout)
Mi 1: 8:16 Felt good-stayed with the crowd and I figured I'd do two miles hard, back off for 2, and finish strong--then I saw the hills and figured I'd cruise downhill but stay consistent uphill
Mi 2: 9:28 Bit of an uphill here but I stayed strong. Was sad when I saw how slow this was but I had to back off in order to race 4 more miles
Mi 3: 8:43 Finished up the first loop with a solid mile, passing people on the downhills.
Mi 4: 8:54
Mi 5: 9:49 Same hill--this time I allowed myself to walk a bit
Mi 6: 9:05 Kept looking at my pace for my goal of 9' miles--I JUST made it!
.2 Mi: 1:33 Finished strong!
1.8 cool down miles for 8 total and I did some serious stretching followed by using a massage chair at babysitting that night! haha
Sun I woke up a bit earlier as this race was 40 mins away. This was the Mt. Summit 3.5 Mi challenge and was, quite simply, running up a mountain! At the top there was an after party and most people had rides down but I chose to run downhill (I earned it after that 1700ft climb and enjoyed the fast running!) for 7.25 miles total.
Mi 1: The first .6 were barely uphill and was just about getting into a groove. I had decided I was going to run the first mile straight no matter what and then would alternate walking and running as needed. 9:55 first mile after the last .4 started getting really tough!
Mi 2: 13:46. Ran 5 minutes, trudged 1 minute, etc.
Mi 3: 15:37.. At this point I was trying to run for 2 cones and walked the rest of the way...7:11 for the last .53. I got a little inspired to run more when I got closer to the finish!
Run down: 3.72 miles in 31:14 (8:24/mi pace) 8:30, 8:13, 7:56, 6:35 for the last .72. It was kind of scary to run all-out downhill so I gradually got more fearless with it. I also didn't want to destroy my knees!
At this point in my training cycle I knew I wasn't motivated to get in quality runs (just burned out, tired, ready for race day) and so I figured I might as well get a good tempo run in and then a nice hill/speed workout the next day.
Saturday morning I got up reasonably early and got a nice breakfast and a shower to help wake myself up. The race was only 25 mins away (probably the closest I'll run all year since I don't live in a great place for running!) and it was a memorial run for a State Trooper killed by a drunk driver. It was at a local Catholic College and was such a great event put on for an awesome cause and I LOVED that they prayed before the race! They had children's races (a 100m and a half mile--it was so cute!) because the trooper who died LOVED kids. His family put on an awesome event to honor their son! All along the course they had signs with different stats about drunk driving and all the proceeds from the race bought breathalyzers for the troopers.
Anyway, on to the race! It was a 5k and 10k and I ran the 10, so I did the loop twice. It was really hilly but my goal was just to treat it as a nice HMP tempo and I ended up getting a race PR of 55:48 (I have run a 53 workout)
Mi 1: 8:16 Felt good-stayed with the crowd and I figured I'd do two miles hard, back off for 2, and finish strong--then I saw the hills and figured I'd cruise downhill but stay consistent uphill
Mi 2: 9:28 Bit of an uphill here but I stayed strong. Was sad when I saw how slow this was but I had to back off in order to race 4 more miles
Mi 3: 8:43 Finished up the first loop with a solid mile, passing people on the downhills.
Mi 4: 8:54
Mi 5: 9:49 Same hill--this time I allowed myself to walk a bit
Mi 6: 9:05 Kept looking at my pace for my goal of 9' miles--I JUST made it!
.2 Mi: 1:33 Finished strong!
1.8 cool down miles for 8 total and I did some serious stretching followed by using a massage chair at babysitting that night! haha
Sun I woke up a bit earlier as this race was 40 mins away. This was the Mt. Summit 3.5 Mi challenge and was, quite simply, running up a mountain! At the top there was an after party and most people had rides down but I chose to run downhill (I earned it after that 1700ft climb and enjoyed the fast running!) for 7.25 miles total.
Mi 1: The first .6 were barely uphill and was just about getting into a groove. I had decided I was going to run the first mile straight no matter what and then would alternate walking and running as needed. 9:55 first mile after the last .4 started getting really tough!
Mi 2: 13:46. Ran 5 minutes, trudged 1 minute, etc.
Mi 3: 15:37.. At this point I was trying to run for 2 cones and walked the rest of the way...7:11 for the last .53. I got a little inspired to run more when I got closer to the finish!
Run down: 3.72 miles in 31:14 (8:24/mi pace) 8:30, 8:13, 7:56, 6:35 for the last .72. It was kind of scary to run all-out downhill so I gradually got more fearless with it. I also didn't want to destroy my knees!
Friday, April 22, 2016
Training Week of 4/11-17
Mon: Off (Phillies opening day!/Travel)
Tues: 5 miles (47:07) and 20 min lower body lift
Wed: 25 min upper body lift
Thurs: 2 am miles, 4.25 pm miles SOLID TRAINING DAY!
Fri: Off (never needed to run more--no alone time in 2 weeks and we had friends coming for the weekend when I got home from work but work calls! I need to become a morning runner so I can "run the day before the day runs me!")
Sat: 3.1 am miles (solid) then we went for an awesome hike with 1200+ ft elevation! 3.2 miles but it took us over an hour. I could drop a lot of weight doing that hike every day ;)
Sun: Off. It's so unlike me to take 3 days off a week but after our friends left I just had no energy--physically or emotionally. I spent the day relaxing with hubby and doing meal prep for my week. My reasoning is that 7 solid days of eating well in this case is better than a single workout. Pittsburgh marathon is coming up quickly so we will see how that goes! I am vowing to myself to never do another marathon or half without a proper training cycle. I owe it to myself to get myself together and work for what I want or else I will never improve! I know I can run sub 1:50 but I just need to put in the miles/work.
Overall a decent week--14 miles of running, 2 lifting sessions, and 3 miles of hiking/cross-training.
Tues: 5 miles (47:07) and 20 min lower body lift
Wed: 25 min upper body lift
Thurs: 2 am miles, 4.25 pm miles SOLID TRAINING DAY!
Fri: Off (never needed to run more--no alone time in 2 weeks and we had friends coming for the weekend when I got home from work but work calls! I need to become a morning runner so I can "run the day before the day runs me!")
Sat: 3.1 am miles (solid) then we went for an awesome hike with 1200+ ft elevation! 3.2 miles but it took us over an hour. I could drop a lot of weight doing that hike every day ;)
Sun: Off. It's so unlike me to take 3 days off a week but after our friends left I just had no energy--physically or emotionally. I spent the day relaxing with hubby and doing meal prep for my week. My reasoning is that 7 solid days of eating well in this case is better than a single workout. Pittsburgh marathon is coming up quickly so we will see how that goes! I am vowing to myself to never do another marathon or half without a proper training cycle. I owe it to myself to get myself together and work for what I want or else I will never improve! I know I can run sub 1:50 but I just need to put in the miles/work.
Overall a decent week--14 miles of running, 2 lifting sessions, and 3 miles of hiking/cross-training.
Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Three weeks to go!
This training week was a step in the right direction! I am finally feeling strong and BALANCED which is my #1 goal in all of life besides running for the glory of God :)
Monday: 5 solid miles after work! I almost ran a 5k PR (25:40 and mine is 25:16) and got 5 miles in 42:10 (8:26/mi). My sinuses are no longer an excuse! I got a good 20 min lower body lift in when I got home.
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: 20 min upper body in the morning. Still having sinus issues/cold and I just wanted to nip it in the bud. Upper body felt good though!
Thursday: 2.08 AM miles (9:12 pace) and 3.25 PM miles (9:05 pace) for a solid 5.3 mile day.
Friday: Couldn't sneak out of work early enough to run before leaving for an awesome friends/family weekend! Friday I ate a bit more than usual and enjoyed a bonfire and drinks with friends :) #noregrets
Saturday: 3.5 miles in 30:36 (treadmill miles on a busy, exhausting day!)
Sunday: 5 treadmill AM miles in 45:12 (9:02 pace) and then an awesome outdoor/trail 7.02 miles in 1:05:32 (9:20 pace) for a solid 12 miles! I felt awesome that I was able to get my long run in and could still make family a priority. I'm not worried that it was split up because I'll have time for a long run next weekend and also I still ran on tired legs and was less sore the next day since it was split up.
Solid 25+ miles this week and next week I'm hoping for 30 before I taper :D
Monday: 5 solid miles after work! I almost ran a 5k PR (25:40 and mine is 25:16) and got 5 miles in 42:10 (8:26/mi). My sinuses are no longer an excuse! I got a good 20 min lower body lift in when I got home.
Tuesday: Off
Wednesday: 20 min upper body in the morning. Still having sinus issues/cold and I just wanted to nip it in the bud. Upper body felt good though!
Thursday: 2.08 AM miles (9:12 pace) and 3.25 PM miles (9:05 pace) for a solid 5.3 mile day.
Friday: Couldn't sneak out of work early enough to run before leaving for an awesome friends/family weekend! Friday I ate a bit more than usual and enjoyed a bonfire and drinks with friends :) #noregrets
Saturday: 3.5 miles in 30:36 (treadmill miles on a busy, exhausting day!)
Sunday: 5 treadmill AM miles in 45:12 (9:02 pace) and then an awesome outdoor/trail 7.02 miles in 1:05:32 (9:20 pace) for a solid 12 miles! I felt awesome that I was able to get my long run in and could still make family a priority. I'm not worried that it was split up because I'll have time for a long run next weekend and also I still ran on tired legs and was less sore the next day since it was split up.
Solid 25+ miles this week and next week I'm hoping for 30 before I taper :D
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