Another Boston Blog Post–Happy Patriot’s Day!!

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon, Running and tagged with Boston Marathon, Dreams, Fundraising, Marathon, NYC Marathon, Running April 17, 2016

I’m sure Boston will be the theme in many blogs today ❤

Like many, I too, dream of Boston. I need over an hour marathon PR to qualify but a girl can dream, lol!

I’ve actually come across quite a few Instagrammers who’ve posted their transformation/journeys to Boston and there have been a few who said that for them, getting a 1:45 half marathon time allowed for thoughts of trying to qualify become more of a reality. I’m at 1:48:04 which is not horribly off 1:45 and I still think Boston is still in the dream category for me. I know everyone says to “Dream Big!!” and “If your dreams don’t care you, they’re not big enough!!” but maybe I’m too much of a realist. Or a pessimist. Or something. Lol! Either way, right now, all I want is to run a marathon feeling like I ran it they way I know I can. I know I have a marathon in me better than a 4:44 (my current PR). I think that’s why I’m so antsy to start New York City Marathon training. Let’s get this show on the road!! Lol!!

Speaking of New York, this weekend I had my second fundraiser–the burrito sale I mentioned last week–and it was a huge success!!

It was a burrito party in the parking lot!

So lucky to have an amazing running family

With the money made from burritos, and with additional donations after posting pictures reminding people 😀 , I’m happy to report that I’M HALFWAY THERE!! This is so exciting for me because the charity amount is so daunting and to be halfway, it’s definitely making me feel less anxious about fundraising. (I super stress out about it, ja!)

In running news, last week I was tired. Just flat out tired. I didn’t get in a whole lot–

Tuesday : I got in a double run, first in the early morning with my MRTT co-leader brf. It was a great negative split 4 mile run and the miles flew

My second run was another 4 miler in the evening with my husband and it was our run club’s run for Boston.

I ran this one with a little more consistent pacing–8:35, 8:43, 8:38, 8:47.

Friday : I didn’t run again til two days later and it was a slower trail run with my Moms Run This Town family. It was 4.5 miles of awesomeness.

Saturday : This was burrito day and it was an early wake-up to get them cookin’. I left the running to my daughter and son.

❤

Sunday : I was supposed to hit the trails again for more Grand Canyon R2R2R training but after Friday’s early morning run and Saturday’s early morning burrito sale (and kids’ race immediately after), I couldn’t do another 4 a.m. wake up call. My body just flat out said no.

So instead, I met up with my MRTT crew at 6:30 for a flat 10 miler. I ran the first 2 miles with friends doing shorter runs and then I did the last 8 on my own. This was an amazing run for me as I’ve never run a training run in these paces. I’ve only seen a double digit run at this pace during a race!

I felt good the entire way and it really added to my excitement for marathon training. I only hope I can continue this momentum and stay injury free.

And that was my week!! 22.5 miles of running fun 🙂

–How was your running week? Do you like burritos? What’s your favorite kind? (I sold chorizo burritos) 😀

–Do you have Boston Marathon dreams?

If you’d like to contribute to my NYC Marathon Fundraising (and help me sleep at night), you can do so here. ❤

Not A Whole Lot…

Posted by hellyontherun in Family, Running and tagged with Birthdays, Running April 11, 2016

was planned last week after Sunday’s trail run/hike because my quads were massively paying the price. Yet, in true Helly fashion, I still managed to get in quite a few workouts.

Monday –I got on the stationary bike for an easy 30 minutes recovery (5 miles) and even did core work, but even planking hurt.

Tuesday –It was my very good friend and fellow Moms Run This Town chapter co-leader’s birthday so we did 4.3 very early miles. You can guess her age but I’m not telling.

Then I somehow thought it would be a good idea to run again later that evening and got in 4 miles with Runner Jenny. We kept a good steady pace, thank goodness, because I couldn’t muster any speed.

Wednesday –I went to my run club’s track to spectate only. I’m holding my first fundraiser for Team V–Run NYC (yay!!) and went to give out details–it’ll be another burrito sale 😀

I was coerced into running because that’s what running friends do, but I only did a lap around the track before I said no more. My legs were super tired.

Thursday –I took my kids to the gym daycare and got in another easy 4 miles on the stationary bike. More core work after.

I had all the intentions of resting the rest of the day but the opportunity to run with my husband came up (which is rare) and I couldn’t pass it. We got in a good 3.1 miler at a great pace (for me).

Friday –Rest Day

Saturday –Rest Day

Sunday –This was a big day, my daughter’s birthday party!! It was in the morning but I managed to crawl out of bed at the crack of dawn for a quick 5 miler. Afterward though, party time.

my little family ❤

Despite feeling super sore early in the week, I was surprised I was able to get in as much as I did. By Sunday though, I was super tired and after all the birthday party fun, I crashed like whoa. Ja!!

Bike: 9 miles; Run: 18.3 miles

How was your week??

Do you remember birthdays from your younger years?? I do. My brother and I are were born in the same year (Him, January; Me, December) and our birthdays are three weeks apart, so naturally (arg) we’d share birthday parties. Our cake was literally split in half, one side princess, one side batman. I know I have a picture somewhere, lol!!

It’s All About The Climb…

Posted by hellyontherun in Hiking, Running, Trail Running and tagged with Arizona Trails, Dixie Mine Trail, Hiking, The Climb, Thompson's Peak, Trail Running April 4, 2016

I actually like that Miley song…..

Anyway, last week was a pseudo recovery week from my very first Triathlon–I didn’t do a whole lot of running (two days) but I got in a tough trail run/hike at the end of the week.

Monday I headed to the gym and worked out with a buddy. She had me doing some crazy stuff that left me quite sore, lol! It was fun though, because they were workout drills I normally would never do–squats with weights and other fun things.

Tuesday had me running an easy 5 miler (8:53/m) with a friend and her pooch.

Wednesday I picked up the pace on a solo run, 4 miles at 8:04/m. I was really happy with this run because my splits were good–8:16, 8:04, 8:05, 7:51. 😀

Thursday consisted of a 20 minute stationary bike ride and core work and I took a complete rest day Friday .

Saturday was a big day.

I have a 4 year old ❤

It’s crazy how time flies. When she was born, people would tell me that before I knew it, she’d grow up. Now it’s really happening.

We had a fun family day together and in the evening we had a few of her friends over for play. Her big party is this next weekend so there’ll be more pictures then 🙂

Sunday I met up with my run club for a new trail run. I always jump at the chance to run on a new trail because I love exploring where we live.

This particular hike was exactly that, a hike. It was about a 40 minute drive from where I live, but we were told it would be worth it.

Oh, boy.

The trail was labeled “expert” but I wasn’t sure what that meant. I’ve done some pretty tough climbs but this had been talked up as being a really, really tough one.

See those towers way up there? Let’s climb up to them just for fun!

Yep, that was my Garmin read of that hike.

It was a 9+ miler that was basically UP. At the start, you had a few rolling hills, so you thought you’d be okay. But then around mile 2 and a halfish, the ridiculousness started. I was f bombing left and right at how not fun it was. At this point, the trail turned into concrete and there was no running; it was literally a climb.

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Pit stop to decide if we *really* want to go all the way to the top, lol!

The trail website describes it:

“The climb provides a serene feeling of ridge-line hiking, offering amazing views along the way as you quickly climb 2000 feet to the peak.”

I somehow missed the serenity feeling, lol!

Anway, I huffed and puffed (and swore) my way up all the way to the very top 🙂

Almost to the top. This was after quite a few Holy Fuckballs

Amazing view of Phoenix

And when we got there, we saw a helipad!! I of course had to take a picture on it! 😀

Helly on a helipad 😀

The way back down had to be done carefully. It was so steep there was no way you could run down that without falling. Once it leveled out a bit though, it was easier to pick up speed. Which I did because I wanted to get the hell out of there, lol!!

Shoefie!

Protruding cactus at the start/end. I wanted to high five it

I was glad I did the hike though. As with most things in life, it’s good to try everything once (most things anyway 😉 )

–Have you hiked a rough trail before? What about it made it tough?

–Do you swear when you run? Or during your regular day?