Last Week’s Workouts

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Building a Marathon Base, Running, Trail Running March 14, 2016

Last week was biz-ay!!

The rest post-half marathon was more than made up for, lol.

Monday–this was the day after my run club’s Shamrock Shuffle 5k where I ran my fastest 3.1 to date, 23:47, so it was a rest day from running. Instead, I got on the stationary bike for 32 minutes (7.15 miles). Core and glutes afterward.

Tuesday–was NYC Marathon Lottery Day! I ran with my run club at 5 a.m. and helped a friend training for a marathon with intervals. On her schedule were 4x800s at 7:50-55 w/a 200 RI jog, plus a WU and CD. Total miles, 7. We nailed it and it was actually a really fun workout.

I spent most of it thinking/wishing/hoping I’d get in to NYC.

When I found out I hadn’t, I ran again in the evening contemplating my next course of action. 5 extra miles with my husband.

Running for Charity

Wednesday–after the previous day’s surprise double run, I got on the stationary bike for 5 recovery miles. Core and glutes afterward.

Thursday–a much needed rest day.

Friday–an injured runner friend invited me to the pool reminding me that I have my first tri in 2 weeks (eek!). The big lanes were full so we used the 25 yarders instead. I practiced as much as I could and got to test my watch out in the water.

Saturday–met up with my run club friends undecided between 6-8 miles. Deep in thought, I finally checked my watch thinking maybe I’d just go to three and then turn around, only to see I was already at 3.5! Welp, 8 it was! Gotta love those runs where you feel so good and are so deep in thought, you don’t even know how far you’ve gone.

Right after my run (and after I showered, lol), we took our kids to our local Ostrich Festival–which is pretty big deal here, lol–and I think my husband and I had as much fun as the kids!

I got in a few good jabs before he brought me down 😀

Sunday–I was very excited about this run. My run club organized a trail run on a trail I’d never been to. It ended up being 8 miles of awesomeness ❤

Oh you know, caves along the way…

Friends + Trails= ❤

It was a busy, but amazing, week with 28 running miles, 12.15 bike miles, and 400 yds swimming. I’m beginning to think about NYC and what my plan of action will be. What I’m wondering about is: How do I build up a good base? What do you guys think? What do you recommend as far as building up a good base leading up to marathon training?

–How was your workout week?

–Do you like trail running? Are you trails woody, desert-y??

TCS NYC Marathon Lottery Results

Posted by hellyontherun in Basketball, Marathon, Race, Running and tagged with Charity Runner, Jim Valvano, Jimmy V Foundation, Marathon, Never Give Up, New York, Running For Charity, TCS NYC Marathon, Team V March 9, 2016

I didn’t win, but I’m still going.

What do I mean, you ask?

Well, as luck would have it, my husband got in on his first try–just like in Chicago–and I didn’t. If you remember, I ran Chicago through charity raising money for the Ronald McDonald House. I was nervous, scared, and intimidated by having to raise money (and a lot of it) but I had such an amazing experience that it helped me decide to run for charity again, this time for NYC.

I won’t be running for Team RMHC though as I’ve elected to run for the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. Sadly, we do have a connection with cancer, as a close family member is currently fighting; yet, Coach V’s fighting words of “Don’t give up, don’t ever give up!” is a motto that so many of us can relate to, whether we have an affiliation with cancer or not.

Source

If you’re not familiar with who Coach Valvano is, he was a NCAA basketball coach for NC State in the 80’s and led his team to a surprising championship win in 1983. They were the underdogs that season and game after game proved their championship worthiness to the very end. They never gave up.

Then in 1992, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. In the short time he had left to live, unbeknownst at the time, he did so much to help with cancer research creating the Foundation knowing it probably wouldn’t benefit him, but that didn’t make him lose hope. His hope was that foundation would help others and it has, many, many years after his death. He never gave up.

A couple of years ago, my husband and I saw an ESPN 30 for 30 special on Coach V and his NC State team. It was incredibly moving and my husband and I still watch from time to time. In the documentary is his Arthur Ashe acceptance speech at the first ever ESPY’s. If you have a few extra minutes, please take the time to view it. It really captures Coach V’s spirit.

Running for charity is scary in many ways. First, the New York City Marathon itself is kinda scary–it’s the biggest marathon. It’s huge! I’ve run some big races–Chicago, Marine Corps–but NYC is bigger than both!

Second, the charity amount I have to raise is twice that of Chicago. But I feel like Coach V’s words ring through in so many ways besides fighting a terrible disease like cancer. In so many aspects of life, we have to overcome obstacles or challenge ourselves and never, ever give up. That’s what I plan to do–in training for New York, in raising money to run New York, and in crossing that finish line in New York.

I hope you consider helping me with this important cause. Your donation, of any amount, will help me run a dream marathon, and most importantly, help keep dreams alive for others.

You can donate here:

Helly Runs For Team V

–Have you ever run a race through charity?

–Do you know who Jimmy V is or heard his speech before?

–Have you been to New York? I went when I was 10 and don’t remember a thing, lol! It will be my husband’s first time though 😀

Last Week’s Running/Workouts And A Little On What’s Next

Posted by hellyontherun in 5k, Running and tagged with Running March 7, 2016

This was the day after Phoenix 1/2 but turned into the rest of the week, lol!!

BRF Runner Jenny, who happens to be my sport’s doctor’s assistant, advised me to rest the week following my race so like a good patient, I did.

So I ate instead. A lot. I think I seriously gained a good 5 pounds this last week. The Monday after the race I went home and visited my mom–which meant tamales, tortillas, and all the Mexican food I could handle. It was amazing.

We were home by Wednesday evening, and by Friday I was getting antsy so I took the kids to the gym and got on the bike for 20 minutes. My first form of exercise all week. It felt good to get some sweat on.

Saturday morning I met up with some run club friends and got in a good 6 miler. We almost got negative splits too!

Sunday my run club held their annual Shamrock Shuffle 5k. We have a huge group with people at varying running abilities. My faster friends were either out of town, resting from last week’s marathon, racing somewhere, injured and out for the count, or doing a longer training run solo so it allowed me to FINISH FIRST and get a snazzy new unofficial PR.

My daughter was so excited that mommy was the “line leader” lol!!

It was fun morning and on the way home, we made a pit stop to visit some of my son’s friends

These are in front of someone’s house. Like, in their yard.

Overall, a great, relaxing week: 9.15 miles running miles, a little over 3 bike miles

And as far as what’s next:

March—Tri For The Cure (it’s a baby tri, lol! 400m swim, 8 mile bike, 2.4 mile run)
April—Sinister Night Trail Race 27k
May—Run Like A Mother 5k (I’m an ambassador for this race!! Local friends, use PHXHELLY5 for $5 off!)
May–Grand Canyon R2R2R with my husband!

I’m really trying to not race as much this year and focus on my main goal of getting a marathon PR. Last month was super motivating and I’m ready to devote my energy into building up a good base, working on cross/strength training, and be as ready as I can be when it’s marathon time. Tomorrow is the big day where I’ll find out if I’m in for NYC Marathon and if I’m not, I’m thinking of Tucson Marathon in December.

And that’s all I got! Hope everyone has a great week! Happy Monday 🙂

–Any big races this year for you?

–Do you have something cool in your yard? Like dinosaurs?