Hanson’s/NYC Marathon Training: Week 8

Still truckin’ …

Marathon Goal– 3:50
Marathon Pace/Tempo Runs– 8:45
Easy Runs–9:40-10:40
Long Runs–9:29

Monday, August 22nd–4.4 Easy miles @ 10:18 avg/pace

The plan said 6 but my route said 4.4 so that’s what happened. This became a theme this week in that my runs were shortened due to time, life, excuses.

Tuesday, August 23rd– .5 WU, 3×1600 @ 7:30 (w/400R), .5 CD

The warm-up was supposed to be longer and I really had all the intentions of doing it as I woke up at 4:30 a.m. to get this workout done. But, it was raining cats and dog, thundering, and lightening. I still drove to my group run though, thinking maybe the storm would pass. We all waited in our cars but after 10 minutes, I chose my bed.

I ended up doing this workout in the evening (99 degrees–at least it wasn’t triple digits) and shortening the warm up and cool down.

So 1600s are not in the beginner plan but like I had mentioned last week, I really wanted to do this workout just to see. My goal someday is to better my 5k and if I was to do these miles consecutively at this pace, I would get a PR. So that was a big reason I wanted to do it.

And I nailed it.

14141688_1164547876942845_3482388600493796101_n

and negative splits, too!! 😀

Wednesday, August 24th –Rest Day

What wasn’t resting was my fundraising. This was a monumental day as donations came in like whoa and I’m now LESS THAN $100 AWAY from my goal!! (So if you want to donate and get me even closer, you can do that here 😉 )

Thursday, August 25th 1 mile WU, 6 Tempo miles, 1 mile CD

14191597_10106663404550761_1498335236_o

This was such an amazing run. The goal pace was 8:45 and I nailed it feeling good the entire way. It was another confidence builder for sure. BUT, I somehow still doubt I can do this for 26.2 miles, lol. Ugh, I hate you doubt.

Friday, August 26th–4.5 Easy Miles @ 10:50 avg/pace

The plan said 5 but my route said 4.5. Plus, my husband and I both squeezed in early morning runs because right after….we were beach bound!!! 😀

Screen Shot 2016-08-29 at 9.22.36 AM

14055153_10106653242345901_1560663305297773578_n

Bathing suits ready but mom wants one more pic!

Saturday, August 27th–5 Easy Miles @ 9:40 avg/pace

The plan said 6 but our route said 5. We ran this outside the condo we were staying at where on one side was this

14183697_10106657575048131_8058083660601704724_n

and on the other, a road on which we ran our workout. It was cool to see the elevation map say that for a little while, we were below sea level lol!!

14163571_10106663457399851_1579475547_o

14124148_10106663453717231_2074627282_o.png

The rest of the day was spend having fun with family ❤

14141648_10106653242460671_3550963569982274967_n

Sunday, August 28th–12 Long Run miles @9:30 goal pace (actual–9:22)

There was no way I was missing morning beach time so I told myself I’d do my long run when we got home. A four plus hour car drive later, the realization hit me that I really did have to do it. I also was NOT going to shorten this one as last week I shortened the 10 miler to 8. I needed to do a double digit run so begrudgingly, I went out the door.

And surprisingly, it ended up being a great run!! I felt good the entire way and never felt like I was working for the pace–despite it being 100 degrees out.

14124230_10106663471102391_2035990962_o

So despite shortening a few runs, it was an amazing week of running. 38.68 total miles and thankfully, everything is feeling good 🙂

–How was your running week?

–Are you a beach bum? I’m definitely more of a mountainous gal, but I love the beach with my kids 🙂

 

Hanson’s/NYC Marathon Training: Week 7

Whoof, Hanson’s fatigue has officially set it in. Plus, I think my husband’s travels have had a good part in me feeling like I’m dragging sand bags…

Marathon Goal– 3:50
Marathon Pace/Tempo Runs– 8:45
Easy Runs–9:40-10:40
Long Runs–9:29

Monday, August 15th– Easy 5 miles, 10:13 avg

I’ve been working really hard on making my easy runs even easier. I’ve usually been closer to the 10 minute range and I really want them more in the 10:20-30 range. I’m getting there.

Tuesday, August 16th–1 mile WU, Ladder: 400, 800, 1200, 800, 400 @7:30 pace (w/400R), 1 mile CD

I met up with my run club and luckily, I had my buddy (the amazing pacer from last time) and another friend agree to do this workout with me.

We nailed it.

Goal pace for each was 7:30 and here’s how it went:

4007:15
8007:24
12007:30
8007:30
4007:32

I wore new these new super cute shorts I had been coveting, and I think they had a lot to do with it 😀

My "I swear I'm not posing" pose. Shorts: Senita Athletics

My “I swear I’m not posing” pose. Shorts: Senita Athletics

I did modify this workout. The Ladder is not in the Beginner Program; for Week 7 it had 8×600 and I had already done that a couple of weeks ago. I really wanted to to do this workout but was worried about over-doing it so I eliminated the 1600 after the 1200–there would’ve been another 1200 after the mile too. But it’s all good. I thought it was still a good, productive run. I’m keeping the speed work for the Advanced for the next three weeks as I don’t want to repeat and I kinda really want to do the 3x1600s it has (who says that, right?).

Oh, and that night, we went to see Adele!! She was amazing.

13939345_10106612855391681_630338022402997967_n

All cleaned up!

Screen Shot 2016-08-22 at 9.53.02 AM

Clever sign on our way to the concert, lol

Mom, Adele's face, and Me :D

Mom, Adele’s face, and Me 😀

Wednesday, August 17th– Glorious Rest Day

So much rest.

Thursday, August 18th–1 mile WU, 5 Tempo miles, .5 miles CD

My route shortchanged me a little on the cool down but the important thing was getting in the tempo miles. The goal pace was 8:45 and I’m still trying to get closer to that range but it was close enough.

  1. 8:30
  2. 8:34
  3. 8:43
  4. 8:32
  5. 8:34

Friday, August 19th–5 Easy Hill Miles, 9:57 avg

I didn’t do so well on getting to my easy range with these miles but it was a good run nonetheless.

5 smiles :D

5 smiles 😀

Saturday, August 20th–6 Easy Miles, 10:23 avg

Much better getting these in my easier range. I did 3 with my Moms Run This Town group and 3 solo.

Sunday, August 21st–8 Long Run Miles, 9:30 avg

This was supposed to be a 10 miler but I couldn’t muster up the desire since I was on the treadmill and it was late in the evening. And I wanted to make it back home for kids’ bedtime. #excuses

8 miles, didn't die.

8 miles, didn’t die.

It was a good 36.14 mile week. I feel a lot better about the lesser mileage (plus, this is still a lot to me). I did start to feel the niggle on my shin a bit towards the end of the week but it wasn’t constant like it’d been before. I’ll be keeping an eye on it and making changes throughout the week if need be.

On to Week 8!

–How was your running week?

–Do cute shorts make you run faster? Some guys chimed in on my Instagram how unfair it is that girls have such cute running clothes, lol!

–Are you an Adele fan?

–When was your last treadmill run? Is it death for you to run on the ‘mill? I don’t mind it but draw the line at 10 miles.

 

Hanson’s/NYC Marathon Training: Week 6

Week 6 sucked.

It happens and it’s over and I’m moving on–but I’ll give a quick recap in case you’re wondering what the hell happened.

Marathon Goal– 3:50
Marathon Pace/Tempo Runs– 8:45
Easy Runs–9:40-10:20
Long Runs–9:29

Monday, August 8th–Rest Day

You read that right. I didn’t run. So after the previous day’s 12 miler, I started feeling a little niggle in my right shin. I iced it and continued my usual rolling and stretching but in the evening, I could still feel it. My husband was leaving Monday morning for an out-of-the-country work trip (for the whole week!) but I’d planned on running before he left for the airport. I couldn’t though. I could still feel a little throb when I woke up and even though it was insignificant, it was significant enough for me to say rest. So I did.

I iced throughout the day and felt a little better. But that night, I hardly slept. I’ve always been a horrible sleeper but it intensifies when my husband’s not home (Michelle, you are my hero). I must have gotten maaaaybe 3 hours of not continuous sleep.

Tuesday, August 9th– 1 mile WU, 2×1200 w/400 R, 1 mile CD

I modified the day’s workout from 4 x1200 to 2 x12oo for a few reasons. One, my shin. Two, I was completely exhausted from not having slept the night before. Three, I had to do this workout in the evening in 100+ degree weather. Not an ideal time to do speed work. Nonetheless, I was able to nail it.

13987634_1153372471393719_4115664252516885597_o

I was really proud of this run. I did it solo and felt good despite everything and really wanted to do the full workout but I reeled myself in. I definitely needed this confidence booster though.

Wednesday, August 10th Rest Day

This is Hanson’s regularly scheduled rest day. I wrote a post on how I decided to modify the plan (and more on why) to ensure I make it the whole way through.

Thursday, August 11th– Rest Day

The lack of sleep was catching up to me and I just couldn’t. Tempo run, not done.

Friday, August 12th–3.75 Easy miles

The modified plan said 4 miles (four!) and I almost got all of it in. I took my son for a run around the block and we chatted the whole way. It was a fun run as I hadn’t done a run with him in a looong time. I’m excited for cooler weather to do it more often.

13892236_10106594145167121_7939784783694800588_n

Saturday, August 13th–6 Easy miles

One of the things I plan on making sure I do better this time around is running my easy runs easy . My easy range is 9:40-10:40 and my easy runs have been around the 10:00 minute range. I want them more at the 10:20-10:30 range from now on. I think this will help my situation. Sunday’s run: 10:16 average pace. Getting there.

(And my husband came home this day ❤ )

I channeled my inner Olympian for this run :D

I channeled my inner Olympian for this run 😀

Sunday, August 14th–5.8 Easy miles

This was my Moms Run This Town Summer Sparkler 5k . I had been planning and organizing for months for this race and was excited the day had finally come. My chapter co-leader and #brf Foxy Jen (she’s running Chicago for Team Fox) and I ran 4 miles before the race, then we ran 1.5 miles mapping the 5k course.

13920185_10106602003479001_1298934059000146128_o

We had such a great turnout!

13923656_10106602003778401_2229296513085683902_o

At the start line!

13975400_10106602003628701_5547943159244521038_o

Foxy Jen and I ❤

Screen Shot 2016-08-15 at 1.26.20 PM

Medal and swag (a “sparkle” towel)

I ended this week with ~20 miles. Quite a down week in mileage compared to previous weeks but I needed it. My leg is feeling SO much better and I’ve been catching up on sleep. I’m def ready to take on the rest of the training plan 🙂

–Have you ever organized a 5k (or any race)?

–Have you changed/modified your training plan mid way through?

–Do you fall asleep quickly? I wish I did. My husband does and I ask him all time, “Don’t you have thoughts?!?”