Marathon Training Recap Week 13

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Goal, Long Runs, Marathon, Marathon Training, Pace, Taper February 10, 2014

I’ve been waiting a long time to say this…..

IT’S TAPER TIME!!!

And from what I hear, this is inevitable:

So this is what the past week looked like:

Sunday, February 2nd-Rest Day. I foam rolled and rested from the previous day’s long run.

Monday, February 3rd-Cross Train. Typically, I get on the bike but I decided to switch things up and spent some time on the elliptical. 5 miles. I also did a Blogilates abs video.

Tuesday, February 4th-I’ve dubbed this day 10k Tuesdays as I’ve been doing 6.2 on these days the past few weeks. This run particularly felt AWESOME. I don’t know what it was; I felt good the entire way. Last week when I did these 6.2 miles, I felt the same and had a great time. I have no idea how I did better today but I did!

Top: 1/28
Bottom: 2/4

Wednesday, February 5th-Speed Work. Wednesdays are track days so that’s where I was. My husband left out of town for work earlier but I was fortunate that my brother was visiting and he baby sat while I ran. It was extra motivation to go faster to relieve him lol!

Thursday, February 6th-Blogilates Abs video. I typically cross train but couldn’t make it to the gym since the hubs was away. I did a different video than usual, a more difficult one, and boy did I feel it the next day.

Friday, February 7th-Rest Day.

Saturday, February 8th-TWENTY MILES. Yes, today was that 20 miler in training plans. I was actually pretty pumped to do this. I had everything ready to go in the morning so I wouldn’t be rushed. There were quite a few in my run club who were also doing 20 miles and some had gone at 5 to get a head start. I knew I’d need that extra hour of sleep so I began at the usual 6 a.m. and planned to run on my own.

We run along a canal and we started south which is what I prefer. I decided that I’d split the twenty so that it wouldn’t get boring–6 miles south out and back for 12, and 4 miles north out and back for 8.

The first 6 went pretty smoothly. I absolutely love love love my Ultimate Direction hydration pack. I’m able to carry my phone, car keys, and my fuel with ease and with no discomfort. At mile five, I sent my husband an update and at six is when I broke open the Gu and had a bit.

Six miles was the first turn around point so it was nice to have reached a target. I felt breaking up the 20 miles really helped me mentally. Realizing this, I made mini check points that would continuously help me have something to look forward to. I’d fuel every 4 miles after the first 6, I’d send an update to my husband every 5 miles, and I’d have the turn around points.

So at mile 10, I had a little more Gu and I updated my husband. At mile 12, I reached the beginning of the 4 mile out and back point. At mile 14, more Gu. At mile 15, updated my husband. Mile 16, turn around point. Mile 18, more Gu. Mile 20, DONE!!

yay!

I was shocked at how good I felt and wished the marathon would’ve been today. I hope hope hope I feel this good on March 1st.

My goal was to stay around 30-45 seconds over my marathon pace of 10:00/mile and not stop. I met both goals 🙂 I do think that my marathon pace is pretty lofty. I mean, I felt good the entire way of this 20 miler but thinking of having to average 30 seconds faster makes me pretty nervous. At the end of the day though, all I’m looking forward to is finishing. I don’t have a goal that I’d be devastated not meeting. I think that’s important for first marathons (or first races in general).

–How was your running week?

–Do you make a goal for every race? (I try not to but I alway do lol!)

–Are you a good taperer? What tapering advice would you give me?

5 Things My Daughter is Teaching Me

Posted by hellyontherun in Family, Giveaway, Running and tagged with Daughter, Family, Giveaway, Learning, Lessons, Marathon Training, Running, Toddlers February 4, 2014

My daughter is almost 2 and in her short lifetime has already taught me so much and continues to do so. Sometimes, when I get stressed out from training, house chores, or simply life, she does something that reminds me that I need to take a step and relax.

Here are a few things I’m learning from her:

1. Be Fearless: Lauren is an adventurer. The lengths she goes through to accomplish something she wants is truly admirable. Currently she’s really into electricity and seeing how things turn on and off. Of course, she sees us turn light switches on and off and wants to be able to do it too. My husband and I like to think we’ve done a pretty good job of child-proofing but our Lauren is a smart one. Here’s a pic of how she managed to get to a light switch.

I have always viewed the marathon as scary and something unattainable. For some reason, it wasn’t until after having both of my kids did I start think it was something I could do. Becoming a mother makes you think/feel like you’re superwoman lol!

I want to show my daughter that mommy set aside her fear and did something pretty awesome. I’m going to tell her that her fearlessness was contagious.

2. Say No: Lauren’s favorite word besides “food” is “no”. She says it so emphatically and with zero doubt. I love it. But, in my own life, I find it difficult to say no. I often take on more than I can handle thinking that I like having a lot to do. In reality, I end up stressing myself out trying to find a way to accomplish everything on my to-do list.

Every time Lauren gives me her assertive “no”, I’m reminded that sometimes you just gotta say it and mean it and without hesitation.

3. Don’t Give Up: Lauren loves figuring how things work. Often, she gets frustrated when she doesn’t get it right on the first try. But instead of heaving it across the room in anger, she’ll let out a grunt and keep at it until she gets it. I love seeing her in action. There are so many range of emotions with her trying something new: Curiosity, Puzzlement, Intense Thinking, Frustration, Persistence, Discovery, Elation. Lauren will not give up until she does it and does it right.

There have been many a days where I just wanted to stay home and rest. Sometimes I have. But most of the time, I think of how far I’ve come in my training and how disappointed I’d be if I just threw in the towel. During RnR Arizona, around mile 10, boy did I want to stop and walk. But I didn’t and I’m so glad. I accomplished something that was difficult by not giving up.

4. It’s Okay To Show Emotion: Going along with number 3 and Lauren’s range of emotions, I’ve loved seeing her express herself. Even if it’s anger she’s showing.

I often try and be strong and not show how I truly feel about things, one of them being staying at home. It’s been a difficult adjustment and I sometimes feel guilty about not liking it so I try and hide it. I finally confessed my emotions to my husband one day and he told me that it’s perfectly okay to feel that way and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to work and be a working mom. It feels so good talking about how I feel and sometimes having a good cry session to release some built up emotions. And I love that my husband makes me feel comfortable enough to do it in front of him.

5. Have An Opinion: Maybe it’s a toddler thing but my Lauren sure is opinionated. She’ll definitely tell me how she feels about things. Sometimes I just stare at her in wonder. I think, “This is my daughter. This is really my daughter.” From deciding what to wear to where her toys should be put away, she’s got her own opinion about it. In fact, I love making everything a question so I can see how she answers.

I like to think she gets this from me as I’m pretty opinionated and always seem to have something to say about everything. I’ve learned throughout the years to keep some things to myself or know the right time/place to say things. Lauren reminds me when she blurts things out that sometimes you’ve gotta think about those things.

—What are some unique ways you’ve learned something?

—How are you still learning?

Don’t forget, the Road ID giveaway is still happening! Who doesn’t want FREE $35 bucks to spend?? Click here to enter! Giveaway ends Friday.

Marathon Training Recap Week 12

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Giveaway, Goals, Marathon Training, Running February 2, 2014

Here are the details of last week : )

Sunday, January 26th–Rest Day. I was basically in recovery mode from the previous day’s long run (my 18 miler!)

Monday, January 27th–Cross Train. 10 miles on the bike and some core work. This was tough as I was still feeling the effects from Saturday but I mustered through it.

Tuesday, January 28th–6.2 miles. I wanted to challenge myself with this one. My legs were still tired so I wanted to see how I’d do running on tired legs. Also, I’m trying to see how I can start increasing my distance going a little faster. The results:

It was hard. Very hard. But I’m glad I did it as I wanted to really push myself.

Wednesday, January 29th–Track Day/Speed Work. We did 200m surges drill which I discussed in this post. I love doing speed work. This is a surprise to me as I consider myself more of a long distance/endurance runner but I’ve been having so much fun challenging myself on track days.

Thursday, January 30th–Unintentional Rest Day. Aaaaand then fatigue set it in. This was supposed to be another cross training day but by the time my husband got home, I was just absolutely exhausted. I handed the kids over to him and called it a night at 7 p.m. Much needed rest.

Friday, January 31st–Rest Day but not really. I did a Blogilates video and some planking. Plus, I got these in the mail

and was SO pumped to use them as soon as I could! I had a virtual half marathon scheduled the next day so it was perfect to break out my new Ultimate Direction Hydrapack. Absolutely love it. Love, love, love it.

Saturday, February 1st–12.75 miles. Yeah, I said I had a virtual half scheduled. That didn’t quite come out the way I’d hope. I started the first 6 miles with a buddy who was recovering from a cold but also had the same mileage on her plan. She clearly was not feeling well and had to stop often to catch her breath. I decided to nix the virtual and run/walk with her to make sure she was okay. I was a little bummed I couldn’t complete the run the way I’d have liked, but I knew that there’d be other days where circumstances would be better.

Totals for the month of January…drumroll… 93.75 miles.

Yes, the .25 kinda bothers me (and really, being so close to 100) but I didn’t realize this until Saturday when January was already over lol. Oh well : )

Overall this was a very productive, exciting month! New 1/2 marathon PR, longest distance run to date (18 miles), and most cumulative monthly total miles. I think it’s safe to say I’ve started 2014 on the right foot 😀

***Don’t forget we’re celebrating my upcoming marathon with an awesome giveaway! Click here to enter for $35 towards a Road ID purchase!!! Giveaway ends Friday at midnight.