Here We Go Again!!! Phoenix Marathon Training Recap Week 1– Will Third Time Be The Charm?

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon Training, Phoenix Marathon, Running and tagged with Goals, Phoenix Marathon, Run Club, Runner of the Month, Running November 15, 2015

Welp!! I’m going for it!!

This will be my third time training for Phoenix Marathon–it was my first marathon a mere year and half ago (and my current PR), it was my first DNF this past February, and I’m hoping it will be my first sub 4:30 this go around.

That’s my goal and by golly, I’m gonna get it!

I’ve trained for two marathons with this being the target and both times I felt ready, feeling confident that 4:30 was in my reach. One ended with me getting halfway and in tears (my DNF), and the other ended with me not being able to run strong enough and finishing with frustration and anger (Chicago).

But both have left me stronger.

Having come off a Ragnar weekend, my first official week of Phoenix Marathon training had only 3 runs, two of which were very strong.

Tuesday, I met up with my run club for a 4 miler. It was my first run post Ragnar and I surprisingly felt strong. The first two miles were great but the last two were a little tougher as we had the wind against us–I still managed sub 9s for all 4 miles and that made me really happy 🙂

Wednesdays are track nights at my run club and I definitely felt tired from the previous day’s hard run. I wanted to go though because I was going to be officially crowned Runner of the Month!!

My Runner of the Month Question & Answer 🙂

I love my run club and there are sooo many awesome, amazing, deserving people that to have been selected made me feel super special. Our coach said I had trained really hard for Chicago and “killed it” and I couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness (mixed with anger) that I didn’t share that sentiment. But, I quickly hid those emotions and accepted my crown with pride.

And then I ran two easy miles with Runner Jenny. We opted for 4x800s instead of the 3 mile repeats coach had assigned.

I rested Thursday and Friday but met up with my run club buddies Saturday morning for our long run. All of us are running the inaugural USA Half Marathon in San Diego next weekend and wanted to get in 10.

The first 5 we stayed steady

and then we negative split the last 5 miles..

well, almost negative split..damn .3 seconds in mile 9!

It was a great run that was a perfect hard. We were able to chat most of the way which let me know I was working at it but not killing myself at those paces.

Which ended me with 16 total miles for the week! I’m not sure yet what plan I’m going with for Phoenix but it’ll be something. I like having a schedule telling me what to do, lol!

–How was your running week?

–Do you have a go-to training plan or one that you like more than others?

–How many races did you have to go through to reach a goal time? (Crossing my fingers third time is the charm! 🙂 )

Happy Love Day!! {link up}

Posted by hellyontherun in About Me, Link Party and tagged with Erin Condren, I Run 4, Love, Run Club, RunEatTweetAZ, Snacks, Valentine's Day February 14, 2015

Linking up again with the DC Trifecta girls, Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney!

This week’s theme? LOVE, duh!! ❤ Here ya go!

Things I Love, Part Deux (Part One is here)

1. I love my run clubs.

I have no idea what I’d do without them. I joined one on a whim last last October and have had a blast ever since. Stuff I never thought I’d ever do I’ve done with them. There are people who are super hella fast and people who walk and just meet up for the camaraderie of it all. It’s awesome.

My AZTNT crew

I also joined a new one this past year that was started by a blogger I “met” on Instagram. He’s local and asked if I was interested in being a part of a local running group of social media runners. I blog, I insta, why not? It’s been a lot of fun so far and Jeremy has really done amazing things with the group since he’s started.

#RunEatTweetAZ

2. I’m kinda sorta obsessed with David’s BBQ Sunflower seeds.

Like, it’s not normal.

This made the ultimate top 5 list because recently, David has decided to “upgrade” the flavor and let me tell you, TWO BIG THUMBS DOWN. The taste is so incredibly different and not good different that I’m going through a mini depression. I can tell by the packaging which is the old flavor and which is the new so whenever I come across the original bbq, I stock up. I have a bad feeling I won’t be finding the old bags anymore.

I bought 5 bags yesterday. That was all the store had.

Old is better.

3. I’m on the Erin Condren bandwagon.

I was forced to try something new this school year as far as where I’d organize my lesson plans and school calendar. My old planner had stopped printing 😦 and I was left with no idea what to do. Then, one of my AZTNT girls mentioned EC Planners and as soon as I checked out the website I was hooked. They’re a little pricier than what I was used to, but it’s been worth every penny so far.

Personalized with all the things I love 😀

4. I Run 4 Graisyn

I joined the I Run 4 community last year and have been so moved by the love people have for one another. This community pairs you with a person with a disability and you dedicate your miles to them. My little boy’s name is Graisyn ❤

I Run 4 Graisyn

Sometimes it’s tough to see stories so heartbreaking. You wish you could do something for each and every person. It’s tough to see. But, it’s real, it’s happening, and they need our support. So I joined and have been so grateful to be a part of something so special like that. I wrote about the process here if you’re interested in becoming a part of the I Run 4 community.

5. My Valentines

My loves.

Daddy’s taking the picture ❤

I hope everyone has a good weekend!! I actually have a race tomorrow, a 10k, that I’m pumped about running. It’s a local race called The Lost Dutchman and it’s super fun with amazing views. Recap soon!

❤ , helly

–What are some things you’re loving right now?

–What’s your go-to snack?

–Have you heard of the I Run 4 community?

Whoa lateness! Week 10 marathon training recap

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon, Running and tagged with Long Run, Marathon Training, Run Club, Running September 3, 2014

The day off this past Monday through me for a loop! Anywhoo, here’s last week’s numbers:

I took off last Monday since I had done my re-scheduled long (short) run the day before.

But I was back at it with my run club on Tuesday going for 5. This run felt so good! I started off at a good warm up pace, not going out too fast. I kept it easy the whole way through and at the end, felt like I could’ve kept going or gone faster. It’s funny because this pace seemed like such a struggle in previous runs and today felt so comfortable.

I skipped the track on Wednesday and caught up on grading. This English teacher business is no joke.

Thursday, I headed out for a run in the ‘hood and got in a ~~great~~ amazing 6. I wanted to push myself and whoa nelly! My splits: 9:41, 9:34, 9:18, 9:21, 9:19, 8:07

Yes, that last mile was AWESOME. I wanted to channel my inner Kristina and finish with a fast mile. It did wonders for my confidence 🙂

Friday=REST.

Saturday, I woke up even earlier than usual (4 a.m. anyone?) since I knew I was going long. I had 14 on my agenda.

Several of my run club friends were going at this earlier start time and I joined up with them. Like a newb, I forgot my head lamp so I stayed with two that had lamps to help me not fall over myself.

We kept a nice and steady pace and before I knew it, we were 5 miles in.

At this point, we had gone back to the start to meet up with those who running at the usual start time.

After a quick pit stop, we were back at it and this time I joined some other friends for the next 9. Again, a steady pace that felt oh-so-good. I have no idea what was becoming of me but again, I felt like I could’ve kept going or done the run faster (I’m glad I didn’t do the latter though as I didn’t want to ruin what had been an awsome run).

Isn’t it funny how running plays with us emotionally?? It reduces me to tears, anger, and frustration one week to complete euphoria the next. Oh running, how I love thee.

And Sunday was a rest day 🙂

Total miles Mon-Sun: 25

How was your past running week?

Ever been on the emotional running train?