The year that was two thousand unFOURgettable teen

Posted by hellyontherun in About Me, Race, Running and tagged with 2014, BRF, Family, Half Marathon, Marathon, Marine Corps Marathon, Personal Record, Phoenix Marathon, R2R2R, Running, Trail Running, Year in Review December 31, 2014

And it’s here!!! The last day of 2014!!

This has been an incredible year for me personally and in my running life. I honestly don’t think I’ll ever have such an amazing year as this and I don’t even want to try. This year will be its own very special year in which I accomplished so much and did so much…

Here’s a look back at the year that was 😀

1. January My first sub 2 hour half marathon 1:58:11

This was such a special race because my husband and I trained so hard for this. It was also 6 months post partum and to have met my goal so soon after giving birth made me feel like a total badass

yay!

2. March: My FIRST marathon

Oh. Em. Gee. This was such an epic day. It was so hard and so amazing at the same time. Crossing that finish line was one of the proudest moments of my life–it made me a marathoner!

Crossing that finish line=best feeling ever

Yep, I’m a finisher!

Seriously, how beautiful is this medal??

3. March: I froze my butt off and got a 5k PR in Ohio

This was a special race because it was the first race my brother, sister, and I ran ever ran together. My 6’2, 300lb brother crossed the finished line at a veerrry respectable 33 something! And I placed second in my age group with my shiny new PR of 24:18 🙂

My brother on the run

Our after pic 🙂

My Shwings and AG award 🙂

4. April: I have a 2 year old!

My favorite girl in the world growing up so fast ❤

Party time!

5. April: Um, I ran a race in MADRID, SPAIN!!!

Okay, first, I never thought I’d ever visit Europe. Second, I neeever thought I’d run a race in Europe! But, the opportunity presented itself this year and my husband and I found ourselves running a 1/2 marathon through the streets of Spain

It was absolutely incredible and something I will never, ever forget.

6. May: I crossed the Grand Canyon…TWICE

Okay, so I never thought I’d go to Europe and I did. But if someone told me I’d hike the Grand Canyon twice I woulda told them they were crazy. Yet, I was the crazy one who actually did it!

Day 1: South Kaibab to North Kaibab. Day 2: North Kaibab to Bright Angel.

Looking back at the miles

and at the finish line of the Canyon 🙂

7. June: My first trail race (and first at night!)

The newb trail runner in me came out this race as I had NO idea what I had signed up for lol! This was hella hard!!!

Started with the 10 mile loop followed by the 10k loop (see mountain).

Started with the 10 mile loop (bottom pic) followed by the 10k loop (top pic).

Pre-race pic at Adrenaline 27k–still smiling having no clue….lol

Soooo happy to be done!

8. July: My little guy turned ONE!!!!

12 months=1 year in case you didn’t know 😀

9. August: I went back to work

This was a hard decision for me but one I am very glad I made. I felt like I wasn’t ready to let go of teaching after taking a year off and I really missed it.

My bib board makes my classroom complete 🙂
(don’t mind my soda collection lol!)

10. September: I completed 100 Days of NO Soda!!!

Those who know me know what a big deal this was. It hard, it was tough, but I honestly think it has made a lasting impression on me as I definitely have seen a change in my drinking habits.

11: October: My dream race!!!

Holy cow, I ran the Marine Corps Marathon!!! I still can’t believe I was able to do it. It was everything I’d hoped it’d be and MORE–because I also got to meet my BRF and Sole Sister, Salt!

❤

Cheesin’ real hard at packet pick up

Best. Medal. Ever.

12. November: A humbling race

I ran the Gilbert 1/2 Marathon at 2:00:16 baaareely missing what would’ve been my second sub 2 of the year. It was a poorly run race on my part but a HUGE learning experience.

Oh man, that’s always tough to look at.

13. December: To then run the race of my life!!

The Fiesta Bowl 1/2 Marathon proved to me that I can do hard things. It was seriously a tale of two races as the first half of the half, I struggled and was about to throw in the towel on trying to get my second sub 2 race of the year. But then a light switched on at mile 7 and I ran the rest of the race a different person finishing with a brand new, incredible, half marathon PR

Best!

14. Last, but not least…1000 miles!

On the dot!

Such an incredible year for me. I’ve been having a blast blogging and while sometimes life gets busy and I can’t do it as much as I’d like, I appreciate all of you who have shared this journey with me. So looking forward to 2015!!!

P.S. I turned 30 this year! 😀

–How would you describe your 2014 in ONE word? (me? Un-Four-gettable)

–What are you looking forward to in 2015?

HAPPY NEW YEAR! Be safe out there

❤ helly

Marathon Training Recap Continued (Week 7)

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Cold Weather, Holidays, Long Run, Marathon Training, Phoenix Marathon, Running December 29, 2014

Hello, hello!!! It’s been a while–the holidays are always a crazy time and it’s been even more crazy because my family from Ohio came to visit me! 😀 It’s been so much fun having them here since I rarely get to see them.

But I’ve still been running.

In fact, this past week was my first full week of vacay from work and you better believe I took full advantage 🙂

On Monday I got in 6 miles on the treadmill. I actually don’t mind treadmill running but for some reason, this was a tough run. I think it was because it had been a loooong time since I done miles on the ‘mill.

On Tuesday I was back outside and ran 5 much better, easier miles. It was one of those feel good runs that leave you feeling happy. I love those runs ❤

Cuz I’m happy!!! (now you’ll have that song in your head all day) 🙂

Christmas Eve I felt the need to run so while I should have maybe rested, I went out and met up with Santa

Santa is my homeboy

I took Christmas Day off and hung out with my kids. We grilled outside (LOVE my Arizona weather) and just had a very relaxing day.

The next day ,Friday, is my usual rest day so I chilled out with my family again. In the evening, I foam rolled and stretched in anticipation of the next day’s 14 miles scheduled long run. It was to be a veerrry cold morning according to the reports.

And it was…..

I met up with my run club in full layers at 5 in the morning. A half dozen brave souls wanted to start out early and then come back and meet up with the 6 o’clock crew. The plan was to do 6 miles the first hours, and then do 8 with the rest of the group.

The first six were great, uneventful, just how I like it. After we picked up the second team, Harry, a buddy of mine, kept me company as my other mates had shorter runs that morning. Harry came super prepared for the cold as evident by his fashion gear lol!

Harry and me

It was just a little chilly (yeah…..)

I was very happy with my average pace and my splits were really consistent. It was, despite the cold, freezing temperature, a very, very good long run. The previous Saturday I had also run 14 miles and my times were almost identical. Love it!

14 miler: Part I

For a grand weekly total of: 29 miles! This has been one of my highest mileage weeks in a while–I’ve definitely been utilizing my vacation 🙂 I can’t believe I’m already at the halfway point of training! Less than 8 weeks til Phoenix Marathon!

How was your holiday running week?

Anyone doing a New Year’s run? (I am!)

Wishing all of you a Happy New Year! I’ll be back in 2015 ❤

Phoenix Marathon Training Week 1 Recap

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon, Running and tagged with Goals, Marathon Training, Phoenix Marathon, PR, Running November 18, 2014

Here we go again!

So pretty much my blog is about training recaps. LOL! I hope I don’t bore you!!!

I mentioned in my previous post that I’m on a mission. I really, really want that PR. Typically, I’m not crazy overly goal driven. Like, I have a goal in mind but I’m never super bummed or upset if I don’t get it. But for some reason, this goal of getting a marathon PR is something I’m very serous about….as evident in my Week 1 Training Recap 🙂

Sunday was Bunday. Yes, you read that right. I did a series of videos focusing on hips and glutes and worked my ass off. Literally. I feel like this is an area (ahem) that I need to work on to help improve my running/fitness so I’m making it a priority in my training.

Actually, strength training is something I feel like I’ve lacked and need so I’m def making sure to include it this time around. I’m not much of a free weights/machines person but prefer body weight strength training like pilates-esque stuff.

Monday I met up with some teacher co-workers for a post work workout (<—try saying that ten times). We met at the football field and did some stadium drills, track lunges, and core work. While I had a blast with them, having just had Bunday the day before, I was hurting.

Upness

I met up with my run club Tuesday evening, got in a nice 4 miler, and worked the core after.

Negative splits? Yes, please!

Wednesday was speed work at the track but it was SO cold out (I know, I know, here’s Helly starting her complaining it’s cold when it’s barely 60 degrees out) and I was so sore that I made it a mile (8:30) before I called it quits. I didn’t want to push it so I went home, foam rolled, and stretched instead.

I’ve decided to try running after work on Thursdays before I head home to pick up the kids. I figure I can get in a decent 4-5 miler in the time I have. So as soon as the bell rang, I changed in the faculty bathroom and headed out for an easy, breezy 4

From work to play 🙂

Friday was rest day and it felt oh, so good! Even my kids partook in resting with mama and wore their pajamas to school (I kinda wish I could’ve too!)

Pajama Day @ school! 😀

Normally, I run long with my run club Saturday mornings but it’s been a tough bedtime/morning with my kids lately so I knew it was unlikely I’d be able to make it. I took advantage of grandma and one toddler’s nap and went later in the morning. I had 8 miles on the schedule and was able to check it off–and be happy with the results! I even managed to squeeze in a couple of core vids later that evening 🙂

^^ Along the lines of my thoughts during my run

Overall, I am digging the start of this training and hope it continues this way throughout. I’m going into it very motivated and inspired and with positive thinking that I can accomplish my goal. We shall see! 🙂

Total miles: 17 miles
Soda update: I am doing pretty good with this–averaging one a day!

How was your running week?
Do goals motivate you to train harder/better?
Do you strength train? What do you do?