Let’s Do This!! …Again!!

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon Training, Running and tagged with Goals, Marathon Training, Running October 25, 2017

I took a mini break after Phoenix last February before I started St. George Marathon training, but that mini break seems like it was so long ago, lol! After two weeks of laying low, here I am, again, starting a new a training cycle #iamnotnormal

In my last post I had decided not to use a coach as with the holidays approaching, I wanted to budget and prepare. But, when Elle asked me ~~again~~ to write a post comparing Hanson’s training and training with a coach, I felt that I hadn’t really gotten the full coach experience. I told Elle it wouldn’t be fair for me to make a comparison given that I only really followed the plan for two months before I threw in the white flag.

This made me think about what could have been different had I been able to get a full cycle with her. The two months I ran under her guidance, I felt strong, and I was hitting paces I never thought I could. My confidence was up, I felt good.

So, after talking with my husband and with my coach, I decided to give it another go with her. I’ve seen firsthand athletes thrive under her coaching and I’m truly curious to see what I can do if I commit to her training.

Coach Susan Loken and me 😀

It’s scary, because I have the added accountability factor, but that also motivates me.

Today, I had my first timed mile. I was nervous because these always make me nervous. The plan was to go to my coach’s track workout but with my husband away for work, I was resigned to my neighborhood streets after kid drop off.

The goal was a 6:30 and with my previous timed mile being 6:52 this was a bit ambitious, but, for some reason, I felt like I could do it.

I didn’t. Not even close.

6:42

I’m happy I bettered my time by 10 seconds, and I’m super happy that I felt something in me that said I could do it.

The splits of my 5k PR are 7:03, 7:19, 6:57 <—- that last mile of my fastest 5k of my life, makes me feel like I’ve got a faster single mile than a 6:42.

I’ve never been a naturally fast runner. I’ve worked hard and have come a long way to get where I’m at now as a runner. I’m super excited that I’m finally feeling confident and LESS scared to do hard things (because there has to be a little element of fear in there, right? 😀 )

Alright, let’s do this!!

–Do you like being a little scared of your goals?

Sweet ’16

Posted by hellyontherun in 10k, 5k, Half Marathon, Marathon, Marathon Training, Race, Running and tagged with 2016 Recap, Goals, Reflecting, Running, Year Recap December 27, 2016

What a year.

I remember writing a recap for 2014 thinking there’s absolutely no way it could get any better. And while ’14 was unforgettable in its own special way, two thousand sixteen was pretty darn amazing.

Last year, 2015, was pretty difficult for me in terms of running. I don’t even think I wrote a recap for it, lol! I had my first DNF in Phoenix and trained hard for Chicago but had an abysmal race. I ended the year injured and frustrated.

But I was determined to make 2016 a good year and even though I started it still recovering from my stress fractures (and missing what would’ve been my first race of the year), I was ready to go at the end of January .

Me in the middle holding a sign at RnR AZ–Had a blast cheering and spectating 🙂

He let me wear his medal ❤

After cheering on my friends and husband at RnR Arizona, I slowly got back into the game and preparing myself for Phoenix Half–(I had dropped from the full).

My first race was FroYo 10k in February and I shocked the heck out of myself with a new PR–the first of many in the year ❤

12734287_1032403476823953_6670521520260780739_n

49:30

A week later, I ran the Nick’s Run Double Challenge–a 10k followed by a 5k. I ran the 10k with my friend Nadia and then raced the 5k finishing with an at the time, new PR!!

23:55

And a week after that, I ran Phoenix Half Marathon and finished with a new PR there too!!! I swear, if February had had another weekend, I would’ve signed up for a marathon LOL #forreals

1:48:04

I took a much needed break and picked up swimming and biking again because it was this year in March that I completed my first ever triathlon!!! I seriously can’t believe that I did one–did I mention I was THE last one out of the pool?? Lol!!

After Tri 4 The Cure, I rested for a long while taking it easy in April and then concentrating on trail running as we prepared for the Grand Canyon Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim which was in late May .

June marked the beginning of pre-season marathon training and I did not race at all starting here until New York City in November. I ran ALL the miles though…

101 miles, 176, miles, 152 miles

198 miles, 184 miles

And then you guys know what happened in November 😀

3:58:40 ❤

I ran my hometown’s last Thanksgiving Turkey Trot 5k later that month and finished first female overall and with a new 5k PR!

22:30

Finally, December was absolutely amazing as I was able to finish off the year with a new, incredible half marathon PR.

1:42:45

Just an absolutely insane year of running for me. It excites me to see what hard work brings and it really motivates me going in to the new year. I have a few goal ideas that I’ll share later, but right now I’m spending the last few days of twenty sixteen relishing the year’s accomplishments 🙂

–How was your running year?

–After you reach a goal, do you automatically go to work on the next goal or relish in your glory for a while like I do? LOL

–This is likely my last post for 2016 and I just want to thank you all again for your support!! I hope you join me in my 2017 adventures ❤ HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hello. It’s Me.

Posted by hellyontherun in Family, Running and tagged with 2016, Brother, Family, Goals, Husband, New Year, Running, Team RMHC January 4, 2016

Hi 2016 and blogging world!!! I feel like I’ve been off the blogging radar when really, it’s been a week since I posted…right? A week? Lemme check…

Anyway, I’ve also haven’t been able to catch up on reading others and/or commenting–the holidays are so time consuming!

I hope everyone has been doing well. We’re in a new year and everyone has recapped their 2015 and discussed their 2016 goals and well, I’m not sure I have a whole lot to say about either just yet, lol!

2015 was a tough year for me running wise. I had my first DNF and zero PRs or AG placements. I started the year with a half marathon where I was less than 15 seconds from a PR, had two half marathons where I was less than 2 minutes from sub 2 hours, one marathon where I was again, seconds from a PR. Yeah, it was that kinda year. Don’t really have much else to say about that, lol!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR: Running for charity ❤

Looking back at last year, 2015 wasn’t about me at all. It was all about these two guys.

brother, husband

My brother had an absolutely amazing 2015 losing more that 75 pounds and finishing two half marathons and snagging a sub 2 hour one at that! There is no way that I won’t think of 2015 and not think about him and everything he accomplished. It means way more than anything I could’ve done.

My husband is on a rampage. He was never a long distance runner but has grown to love a sport I’ve loved for a long time. I’m so happy we can now share this amazing part of our lives. He completed his first full marathon in Chicago in October and improved his half marathon time so much this year, finishing with a 1:36:31 last month. He’s currently training for Phoenix full in February and I can’t wait to cheer him on ❤

I won’t look back at 2015 and be sad. Not one bit.

2016 is exciting. I have so much unknown as I don’t have a lot of races planned. I think this is good. With that lies so much promise. It’s nice to not have any idea of what to expect. The only thing we have planned is crossing the Grand Canyon (R2R2R) in May.

I’m home now, and I think that will help with my running–not having the stress of work and just being able to focus on family. I know that will be something positive for 2016 in many ways.

Like I said, I haven’t really thought about the future so I don’t have any “goals”. I think maybe this year I’ll just take it day by day and not put so many expectations on events/races/things.

That sounds like a pretty good goal actually 🙂

–2015 highlight?

–What are you looking forward to in 2016?

–Do you have any goals/resolutions?