Category Archives: Running

The Bright Side

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon Training, Running and tagged with , ,

In the lowest moments of this training cycle, I wondered how I’d find the motivation to toe the start line, to even get myself there. But as I’ve come out of the darkness, I’ve been illuminated with amazing training cycles, not my own, but of friends who are also running this race.

My husband travels A TON and for this cycle, he’s been home for the longest stretch for a training cycle ever. Because of consistent training, he’s been nailing his tempos and long runs and I’m super, super excited for what St. George will bring for him.

My friend Jenna, who I met through my coach, is also running St. George to Boston Qualify. Man has it been inspiring to see her run. I have zero doubts she’s going to ring that BQ bell.

And my training buddy, Ashley, has just been throwing down her runs. Every time I see her updates on her Insta, I get super pumped. She’s also training to BQ, and I really feel like she’s got a shot.

BQ training buddy ❤ #makeithappen

I’ve known Ashley for quite some time; in fact, she was one of the first runners I met from my run club. It was at track a few years ago that I saw her making the rounds and she just cruised by me. Her form was amazing and she made it look so easy. I thought to myself then, “I want to run with her.”

Since then, I’ve been able to run with her quite often and when I decided to go for a Boston Qualifier, I convinced her to go for it too. We decided on a race and said we’d train as much as we could together. A few of our run club members thought for sure we’d get tired of hanging out or let our competitiveness drive us apart, but nope, six months later we are going strong–still rooting for each other.

I’ve been lucky to have such supportive friends to train with. Last year for NYC Marathon, my friend Jen was often at my side cheering me on. This year Ashley has lent her shoulder quite a few times when I struggled with a workout (or two or three).

I’m reminded often that running is not a solo sport. It can be, but if your running friends are your family, much like mine are, you become a part of their journey. You become a supporter of their goal. You want to celebrate their success.

And I want a front row ticket for that ❤

–Do you have running friends that are like family?
–Do you find joy in other people’s success?

The Little 20 Miler That Could…

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon Training, Running and tagged with , ,

You guys (and girls), I had the freaking best 20 miler of my life this past Saturday! Do you remember my shitty attempt at a long run from the week before? No? I don’t either because this 20 miler trumps it from my memory bank!

I had plans to meet my St. George Marathon training buddy Ashley at 4 a.m. to start this 20 miler of ours. I set my alarm for 3:15 and I did actually wake up at 3:15 –ONLY TO TURN IT RIGHT BACK OFF!!

At 3:50 I woke up in panic realizing that I’d overslept. I didn’t even have enough time to brush my teeth so off I went with gorilla breath making it to our meeting spot at 4:05. Luckily, like the true training buddy she is, Ashley was there waiting for me.

We paced ourselves perfectly. Our fueling game was on point.

And the only thing negative about this run were the last 5 miles. 😀

Booyah!

Seriously. When we were at the 13 mile mark, we said that we’d try to pick it up for maybe miles 19 and 20. But we found ourselves picking up speed at mile 15 and we just rolled with it.

It was amazing.

I’m not sure I can BQ at St. George. I’m not sure I can PR at St. George. But this run gives the confidence boost I needed to give both a shot.

Trust the process
I can do all things

Viva la taper!

–Do 20 milers (or long runs) scare you? I hadn’t done a 20 miler in over a year! (Remember, I’m a Hanson’s gal.) And I wasn’t so much scared about this run more than just scared about long running in general. Since the last few have been horrible.

–Are you an alarm runner or do you wake up naturally?

 

 

Frankenstein-ing It

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with

Well, less than a month away and I’m piecing together what’s left of my training. I hope to salvage what I’ve done up to this point and finish strong so that I can give it all I have October 7th.

Last week was finally a week of running more than two times, lol.

Monday I took advantage of the Labor Day holiday and met up with a BTB teammate (who is now running St. George, too!!) early in the morning and got some good miles in. I had 2 miles WU, 2 @ 7:45, and 2 CD and I was very happy to hit the fast paces at 7:34 and 7:43.

Tuesday after work I met up with my local running group for 4 miles. I tried to make it a progressive run and was successful despite it being disrespectful outside.

Wednesday was a rest day.

Thursday sucked. I went out in hopes of another 4, this time easy. But even easy was too much for me and I stopped at 2.5 and walked home. I’d never done that. I’d always finish a run even if I slogged my way. But, I just felt like crap. A foreshadowing of what was to come.

Me text to my husband

Friday rest.

Saturday I planned for 15. I met up with my OG St. George training buddy Ashley at 4 a.m. to get a head start before meeting up with the rest of our group. But about 3 miles in, my stomach did not feel good. At all. I knew we’d passed the gas station where I could’ve stopped and the only option left was to make it back to the start. But at mile 4 I knew I was done. I told Ash to go on and I started walking hoping to appease my stomach. I felt shitty, literally and figuratively.

And I ended up with 5 miles before going home.

Later that evening, I willed myself to go for at the least another 5–which I was able to do feeling better the whole way. So 10 total. Not 15, but something. Which at this point, is better than nothing.

Note the shitty last mile.

Much better…

 

And that was my week!! I’ve never been so happy for 22.5 miles 😀

–How was your running week?

–Have you had shitty runs? 😉 (Suzy, make me feel better here)

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