Unlucky Week #7 of Marathon Training

Posted by hellyontherun in Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Marathon Training, Running, Staying Positive, Struggling August 12, 2014

Welp, you’re gonna have one of them weeks….

Last Monday, I was still recovering from my 15 trail miles the day before so I skipped my scheduled tempo run.

Tuesday, I typically run with my running group but my kids were sick, again, and I had to rush home to pick them up from school. The bummer part is that they have to stay at least 24 hours and the next day was the first day of school/work! My husband stayed home so that I could be there on that ever important first day and when we saw the kids needed more time to recover, he stayed the following day as well. 😦 The poor kids can’t seem to catch a break.

Thursday I needed to run to unload some of the stress and got in a very late 4 miles:

Friday was a rest day but I don’t recall getting any rest.

I had 10 miles on the agenda for Saturday and I somehow got out of bed at crazy o’clock to get it done. And that’s pretty much all I did. Get it done.

It was the hardest long run so far in my training.

I had to stop and walk multiple times. I just don’t know what it was. The adjusting back to work. The sick kids at home. A case of the bad runs. Or just a combination of all three.

I was not feeling it at all.

But, like I said, I got it done and that made me feel a little better.

I know that we’ll have weeks like these in training. And I knew with going back to work things would get a little harder. I just need to stay positive and focused.

Everything is going to be all right.

——–

Weekly total mileage: 14 miles

How has your running been going? Give me a high since I’ve given you a low.

How do you shake out the negatives?

Friday Five: Fave Race Memories

Posted by hellyontherun in Race, Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Favorites, Marathon, Memories, R2R2R, Race, Running, Top 5 August 8, 2014

Hooking up again today with the DC Trifecta girls Mar on the Run, You Signed Up For What!?, and Eat Pray Run DC for this week’s topic of “Favorite Races”.

This is a tough one.

But, if I had to narrow things down, here are my top 5 so far:

1. Bisbee 1000

My husband and I did the Bisbee 1000 Ultimate Stairclimb race a couple of Octobers ago. Bisbee is 25 minutes away from where we grew up and we actually had never heard of the race til a few months prior! Once we did, we knew we had to do it. It was actually my husbands first race ever!! What a way to start–with a 1000 stairs to climb lol! The steps weren’t consecutive, but they totaled 1000 once all was said and done. The course ended up being a little over 4 miles and it was definitely a challenge but sooo much fun.

2. Rock n Roll Arizona 2014

This was my first big race post baby #2 and I had the ambitious goal of getting a 1/2 marathon sub 2 hour finish.

And I did it!!!

I trained so hard for this race and knew that I was putting maybe too much pressure on myself considering I had given birth to my second child 6 months prior. But I really wanted to challenge myself and I really wanted to work towards something. My husband also ran this race and the feeling I had when I finished and fell into his arms is something I’ll never forget. 1:58:11!!!

3. Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon–Madrid, Spain

It’s Spain, need I say more? 🙂 This was another fun race my husband and I did. Actually, I’m noticing a trend. All my faves so far I’ve run with my husband 🙂

It was a hilly couse and definitley different in a lot of ways compared to American races but I was extremely pleased with my 2:08 finish.

4. Grand Canyon Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim

Doing R2R2R is something I will NEVER forget. By far the most challenging and most exciting thing I’ve ever done.

Over 45 miles in two days. 100+ degree temps. Insane elevation changes.

It was simply amazing.

at the finish line of the Canyon 🙂

5. Phoenix Marathon

My first. You’ll never forget your first.

Again, I was ambitous attempting this 7 months after having my son, but I wanted to do it. I didn’t have any “real” goals. I had a time I was shooting for but wouldn’t be devastated not getting (I didn’t get it)–I just wanted to cross that finish line.

And I did in 4:44:12 🙂

My husband didn’t officially run the race but he might as well have as he carried my the last 6.2 miles. When I hit the wall, I thought I was done and I was frustrated I couldn’t keep going. He kept pushing me though and ran/walked with me those last miles. And I’ll never forget his words when we saw the “final mile” sign: “This is the last mile of the first marathon of your life. Finish strong.” I ran that entire last mile.

Crossing that finish line=best feeling ever (my husband took this pick 🙂 )

Yep, I’m a finisher!

–What would say is your favorite race or race memory?

Have a great weekend amigos!!

Marathon Training Week 6 Done!

Posted by hellyontherun in Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Hike, Marathon Training, pemberton trail, Running, Speed Work, Trail Running August 4, 2014

It was a pretty good running week last week 🙂

On Monday, I was on the treadmill with 6 on the schedule. I was rolling but saw that I was pushing for time (I was meeting my husband for lunch) so I cut it back a mile and stopped at 5.

I was really happy with the run and felt like I pushed myself a little. I wanted to, considering all the cake that was consumed the previous weekend and little man’s birthday party 🙂

Tuesday I was back out in the heat with my run club. I pulled off a nice 4 miler and treated myself to some horchata after. Have you had horchata ? It’s rice milk and bomb diggity.

When I posted the pic on Insta and Facebook many commented having had it with rum. I haven’t tried it that way lol!

On Wednesday, I met with the eye of the tiger at track. We had an AWESOME date run.

Even though it was sweltering, I somehow managed to pull those times off. Our assignment was 6x800s and I nailed each one at my goal time 🙂

Thursday was supposed to be a cross training day but I rested. I did do an ab videoo though.

Friday was a full and complete rest day.

Saturday I planned to do an 8 miler but my son had other plans. He was up all night and while he’s always been a champion sleeper, this recent sick spell has thrown him off 😦 I was awake when my run alarm went off but only because I hadn’t slept. I ended up skipping the run.

Sunday I was on a mission to get my long run in. Even though I hadn’t slept well the past few days, I didn’t want to miss Sunday. A few of my run club buddies were heading to a trail I’ve been wanting to try for quite a while. I knew I wouldn’t get many more opportunities to head out there, so sleep deprived be damned, I was up at 3:30 to meet up at 4:30.

The trail is a loop of a little over 15 miles. It starts off with rolling hills and then finishes with a nice mostly downhill.

I could feel the fatigue and the heat and the humidity, but I didn’t worry too much about my pace. I never do out on the trail. It’s so much more peaceful.

I did a lot of walk running and 3 hours and 4 minutes later I was done!

I was so glad I was able to finally run that trail. Now I know why so many rave about it. It’s not crazy with hills, not very technical, and it’s really just an overall great place for a run.

Total mileage for the week: 27.25

How was your running week?

Did you long run this weekend? or race?