Hanson’s/NYC Marathon Training: Week 4

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon Training, Running and tagged with As Seen On My Run, Marathon Training, Monthly Mileage, NYC Marathon, PR, Recap, Running August 1, 2016

How many weeks is this thing again?

This was a tough week. My daughter started Pre-K this week and we all had to adjust to our new schedules (plus, tmi, I had my monthly lady visitor 😦 ). But, in true Helly fashion, I was able to make it work and get all my runs in. In fact, I didn’t miss a single training day the month of July!!

Monthly mileage PR

I have to admit, I’m pretty darn proud of myself and it motivates me to keep it going as long as I can. I know that life will happen, and I might have to miss a run, but to see me being as disciplined as I’ve been lets me know that I CAN DO HARD THINGS.

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

Monday, July 25th — 3 easy miles, 10:10 avg

This was my daughter’s first day of Pre-K and she handled it like a boss.

I cried, she didn’t.

Afterward, my son and I headed to the gym as I had 6 miles on the schedule. But little guy did not handle it like a boss; he missed his big sister 😦 When I dropped him off at the gym daycare, he was fine and went off to play. I got on the treadmill and started running but was. not. feeling. it. It felt like I was running through mud the entire way–and I usually don’t mind treadmill running at all. Something was not right. So at mile 3 I called it a day and went to pick up my son. When I got there, he looked up at me with tear-filled eyes; he had been crying on and off for sister. It’s funny how mother’s intuition works. ❤

Tuesday, July 26th–1 mile WU, 6×800 @3:50/7:38 pace (w/400R), 1 mile CD=6.5 miles; 3 easy afternoon miles, 9:18 avg

It was an early wake time for this run and I just didn’t wanna. But I did. In my mile warm up, my watched buzzed that I had received a message–it was from my sister. I was surprised because my sister doesn’t usually send me messages so I was compelled to stop and check it. This was what she sent:

With the message: “This made me think of you.”

It was just what I needed to get going–sometimes even in training you need tell your body to shut up and get things done, lol.

My sister and I are not very close (a long post for another day, perhaps) so anytime I get a message from her, I’m overjoyed. Overjoyed that she thought of me to send me something.

I nailed the workout.

3:50/7:38
3:48/7:35
3:42/7:23
3:43/7:25
3:46/7:33
3:44/7:29

Then, in the evening, I made up my 3 miles from the day before with my husband and my running group. It was a hot run, but we survived.

Somehow managed a 9:18 avg. Too fast for an easy run.

Wednesday, July 27th–REST DAY

Oh, happy day.

Thursday, July 28th–1 mile WU, 6 Tempo miles, 1 mile CD

Despite what the average pace says, this was not a good run.

That “WU” mile should’ve been a warning sign

I ran with a super speedy friend and knew that I would have to stay disciplined and totally wasn’t. I was mad myself because I know better. I HATE positive splitting runs–I’m usually so good at pacing and making sure I negative split. There’s just NO room for a 7:50 mile in a tempo run. Not when my speed work is practically that pace. Ugh, Helly!!! I let my friend go at mile 5 and got it together…

Plus, it was effing ridiculous outside at 5 in the morning.

Friday, July 29th–6 easy hill miles, 9:57 avg

Another Friday of hills and me waking up at 4 and driving 30 minutes to them, lol. It was 90 degrees at 5 in the morning. NINETY DEGREES!!

But, it was not a boring run because……

#doggoals

Saturday, July 30th– 7.33 easy miles, 10:07 avg

I missed running with friends in the morning because I had a hair appointment (and I also have a husband who is marathon training–I forget about that sometimes, ja! ) so I did this run in the evening. When I looked at the temperature, it was under 100 so I figured it was *totally* okay for me to run…

Sunday, July 31st–8 easy miles, 10:10 avg

I had plans to meet a friend in the morning for these miles but when my alarm went off at 4:20 it was accompanied by the sound of rain. I was getting out of bed when my husband said, “You have got to be crazy. No, you’re not going.” I sent my buddy a message that I was out and while I felt bad, I knew it was the right thing. That could’ve been one slip and fall away from getting injured (remember my little trip last week?)

So I did the 8 miles on the treadmill.

Woodway treadmills are amazing.

—-42.07 miles—-This was a tough week and a test to my commitment in training, but I got it done. I can feel myself getting stronger and there’s really no better motivation than seeing progress. Here’s to a new month of training!! 😀

I’m also still fundraising and am getting closer and closer to my goal. If you’re in the giving mood, please donate–ANY amount is extremely appreciated, really. ❤

–Have you seen a sunglasses wearing dog before?

–What’s your craziest #AsSeenOnMyRun?

–How was your running month? What’s your monthly mileage PR?

Hanson’s/NYC Marathon Training: Week 3

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon Training, Running and tagged with Hanson's Marathon Method, Marathon Training, NYC Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap July 26, 2016

Holy Helly mileage!!! I’ve seriously never run so much in my life.

The plan:

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

Monday, July 18th– Easy 6 miles, 9:37 avg

I met up with a buddy for these easy miles and we insanely did them in the evening amidst an oncoming monsoon storm.

It wasn’t even 100 degrees …

Tuesday, July 19th– 1 mile WU, 8×600 (w/400R), 1 mile CD=7 miles total (+3 easy miles in the evening)=10 miles

The goal for the 600s (what an awkward distance btw) was 2:51 and even though I had programmed the workout on my watch, I forgot to set the target pace so I had no idea where I was supposed to be. I had a vague idea (I thought it was 2:55) and stuck with that but even then, I struggled getting these done.

600 Splits

2:54
2:43
2:55
2:48
2:53
2:56
2:55
2:58

I was definitely disappointed when I got home and saw that I missed the mark. I don’t know if it was travel fatigue (and training fatigue) but the run was hard. Plus, it was one of those where I ran in the evening the night before and then ran in the morning the next day. #excuses

And then, maybe to punish myself, I ran again in the evening with a friend. It was an easy (yet hard b/c omg, heat) run and I did it pushing my 4 year-old daughter in the stroller.

Wednesday, July 19th–GLORIOUS REST DAY

I milked it.

Thursday, July 20th– 1 mile WU, 6 Tempo @8:45 pace, 1 mile CD

I was determined to do this tempo run well but it took a while for me to warm up, jaja! It was effing ridiculous at 5 in the morning (86 degrees with 46% humidity).

This run definitely made me feel better after Tuesday’s not so stellar workout.

Friday, July 21st–Easy/Hilly 6 miles 9:51 avg

pretty much…..

This was seriously crazy. There’s been a few moments already in this training where I’ve questioned my sanity. But yeah, I woke up at 4 to drive 30 minutes to run 6 miles of hills. Luckily, I met up with some friends and we had pretty amazing views that made it worth it.

90 degrees, 36% humidity but still beautiful <3

90 degrees at 5 a.m., 36% humidity but still beautiful ❤

Saturday, July 23rd–6 easy miles, 10:16 avg

I made sure to take these reeeeally easy considering I had two days of tough running. Four out of the 6 miles were in the 10 minute range.

And I made it home in time for a little Birthday Breakfast celebration ❤

I have a 3 year old ❤

Birthday pizza tradition–birthday year in pepperonis

Sunday, July 24th–10 miles Long Run @9:29 goal pace

I had to wake up early again for this one since we had my son’s actual birthday part in the morning. I started at 4:45 a.m. and did 4 miles by myself before meeting up with my MRTT friends at 5:30 and doing the last 6 with them.

It was hot, it was windy. Same ‘ol, same ‘ol.

First 4–10:04, 8:58, 9:12, 9:13

Last 6–9:48, 9:14, 9:30, 9:40, 9:31, 10:00

I did not mind one bit slowing down to run with my friends for the last 6. I was tired and the company was way better than hitting the paces solo. I ended up with a 9:31 average anyway=WIN.

In fact, I was so tired, that on the last mile I tripped over a piece of raised sidewalk, flew, and fell hard. This was actually the first time I’ve ever fallen! Crazy, since I often run on the trails but til Sunday, I’ve lucked out. Luckily, I was able to adjust mid-air and prepare for the fall; I only had a small scratch on my hip and spared the rest of my body.

I showered and went straight to party mode as my son’s superhero birthday party was at 9:30 a.m.!!

My lil Batman

Batgirl, so serious ❤

WonderWoman and Robin ❤

To say I was exhausted after this week is an understatement. I ran 46 miles this week–the most I’ve ever ran in my life, including the week I’ve run a marathon. Here’s hoping it’s all worth it and Hanson’s gets me the PR I’ve been coveting!! 😀

–Have you fallen during a run?

–Do you have a favorite superhero?

Hanson’s/NYC Marathon Training: Week 2

Posted by hellyontherun in Marathon Training, Running and tagged with Hanson's Marathon Method, Marathon Training, NYC Marathon, NYC Marathon Training, Recap, Running July 18, 2016

Welp, Week 2 is in the books! I feel like after week two of any training, things start to get real. The honeymoon is over, so to speak, and it becomes harder to stick with it. In Hanson’s, the mileage spikes significantly in Week 3 so I think they agree with my theory that the fun is over after the second week.

The plan:

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

And here are last week’s deets:

Monday, July 11th– Easy 5 miles, 9:46 avg

The plan said 6 and I hated to break the plan so soon in the training but I was pushed for time as I was meeting my husband for lunch. I did these miles at my gym which is a bit of a hike from where he works. At the end though, I figured it was better I take miles off the easy runs than the important SOS (Something of Substance) runs–and it was only 1 mile, lol.

Tuesday, July 12th– 1 mile WU, 12×400 @7:45 pace with 400R, 1 mile CD=8 miles

I was really looking forward to this run for some reason. I was excited to run fast (for me) as I’d been doing a lot of “easy” miles up to this point. I know that Tuesdays will become harder as the weeks go on, but for right now, I’m thinking they’re fun 🙂

It was tough to get in a groove though because I kept having to slow down to get to my prescribed pace. I seemed to be more comfortable at the 7-7:15 pace. I wish I’d just done them all at a consistent effort–whether that was at 7:15 or 7:45. I ended up texting Allison and having a long conversation about this–I know I’m barely in week 2, but 7:45 just felt too easy for speed work.

This was also the first time I programmed a “workout” on my watch. I felt like a total badass 😀

#yolo

Wednesday, July 13th — Glorious Rest Day

Yet I still got in two miles of walking according to my steps count, lol.

Thursday, July 14th— 1 mile WU, 4 miles Tempo @8:45, 1 mile CD=6 miles

Hanson’s said 6 easy but next week, when Tempo runs begin, they have me starting with 6 Tempo miles and I thought going from 0 to 6 was a bit much. So I figured making a mini tempo out this runs would be a good transition.

But again, I went too fast. I couldn’t get myself in the groove for 8:45 and as each mile beeped, I would see I was going faster. I ended up negative splitting.

I’m shocked at how good these miles felt.

I think it’s just marathon training excitement and once fatigue sets in and the mileage increases, I’ll settle into my paces easier.

Friday, July 15th– 5 Easy miles, 9:55 avg

I stuck to my easy pace for this one but in my half asleep stupor, I took a wrong turn in my route and was short a mile. I was bummed to have “lost” another mile this week but I figured again, it was on my easy run day. Plus, we were going out of town later that morning and that was making me feel a little rushed #excuses

Road trip essential

Saturday, July 16th–7 Easy (turned into Long Run) miles, 9:05 avg

Totally didn’t stick to the pace on this one. We went down to our hometown to visit and woke up at dawn to run. I think it was excitement at being home and running through the streets I grew up on that made me run faster (and longer, I added a mile since I “lost” one the day before). I figured I’d make this my Long Run since it was closer to that pace and I’d make Sunday’s run my Easy run +2 miles.

ZERO cars.

Sunday, July 17th– 8 Easy miles, 9:35 avg

I had an absolute blast on this run. First, it was like 75 degrees when we started. I’d even go out as far to say I was cold! Second, my husband and I decided to make the run a little mini tour of our hometown so we ran to various places. My little hometown is a small border town right next to Mexico. We did a mini circle of the city and it was only 8 miles, lol!

13680897_10106487506337191_658132023137354936_n

Morning sunrise start

At the Mexico/U.S. Port of Entry

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The shorter fence is on the U.S. side and the taller fence is on the Mexico side.

Street art

At my old high school

Back at the start 🙂

It was such a great week of running and my highest mileage week ever (be prepared for me to say that each week)–I even managed to meet the miles I was supposed to by adding a few at the end of the week. A total confidence booster and I hope that I can just continue with this momentum. The high mileage coming up scares me a bit– I’m terrified of getting injured, but I’ve been foam rolling and stretching like a mad woman. I slacked off on my core work and MYRTLEs while on vacay but I’m def back to normal now that I’m home. Overall, two thumbs up for Week 2!!! 😀

Total miles: 39.17

–How was your running week?

–Do you take running tours of your town?

–Do you know how to set workouts to your watch? I’m really proud of myself that I learned, lol!