A mini breakthrough

Posted by hellyontherun in Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Marathon Training, Running, Speed Work, Track August 14, 2014

First, I want to thank you guys so much for the support and words of encouragement from my last post when I lamented on my recent struggles with running. I forget sometimes that there’s a lot of newness going on my life and with that there’s going to be adjusting and getting used to new routines. And my runs may suffer as a result.

A lot of you said that “bad” runs are usually followed by a good one and that’s exactly what happened yesterday.

I wasn’t even sure if I’d be able to do my usual Wednesday speed work session as my husband had been out of town the days prior and I wasn’t sure he’d be up to kid duty after a very long stressful couple of days of work and travel. But when he got home from work, he saw me still in myown work clothes and asked, “Aren’t you going to the track tonight?”

I love him.

I did a sprint upstairs to change and as I headed out the door he said, “Run fast!”

And I did! I have no idea how or what gave me the energy but I did. Maybe it was taking a couple of days off, maybe it was being so excited to get back out, I don’t know, but what happened was truly amazing.

Your eyes are not deceiving you–that is a 6!

The workout consisted of 1×1600, 2×800, and 4×400. During the first set, I was running with a run club buddy and trying to keep up. When we finished the first mile and moved to our quick recover, we high-fived and I decided I’d try and stay with him the rest of the workout.

It was tough but with his encouragement I was able to stay with him til the end.

I was pretty euphoric on the drive home and when I walked in and saw my husband I said, “You told me to run fast,” and showed him my time. 🙂

Happy Friday Eve friends!!

–Do you like speed work?

Unlucky Week #7 of Marathon Training

Posted by hellyontherun in Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Marathon Training, Running, Staying Positive, Struggling August 12, 2014

Welp, you’re gonna have one of them weeks….

Last Monday, I was still recovering from my 15 trail miles the day before so I skipped my scheduled tempo run.

Tuesday, I typically run with my running group but my kids were sick, again, and I had to rush home to pick them up from school. The bummer part is that they have to stay at least 24 hours and the next day was the first day of school/work! My husband stayed home so that I could be there on that ever important first day and when we saw the kids needed more time to recover, he stayed the following day as well. 😦 The poor kids can’t seem to catch a break.

Thursday I needed to run to unload some of the stress and got in a very late 4 miles:

Friday was a rest day but I don’t recall getting any rest.

I had 10 miles on the agenda for Saturday and I somehow got out of bed at crazy o’clock to get it done. And that’s pretty much all I did. Get it done.

It was the hardest long run so far in my training.

I had to stop and walk multiple times. I just don’t know what it was. The adjusting back to work. The sick kids at home. A case of the bad runs. Or just a combination of all three.

I was not feeling it at all.

But, like I said, I got it done and that made me feel a little better.

I know that we’ll have weeks like these in training. And I knew with going back to work things would get a little harder. I just need to stay positive and focused.

Everything is going to be all right.

——–

Weekly total mileage: 14 miles

How has your running been going? Give me a high since I’ve given you a low.

How do you shake out the negatives?

Friday Five: Fave Race Memories

Posted by hellyontherun in Race, Running, Uncategorized and tagged with Favorites, Marathon, Memories, R2R2R, Race, Running, Top 5 August 8, 2014

Hooking up again today with the DC Trifecta girls Mar on the Run, You Signed Up For What!?, and Eat Pray Run DC for this week’s topic of “Favorite Races”.

This is a tough one.

But, if I had to narrow things down, here are my top 5 so far:

1. Bisbee 1000

My husband and I did the Bisbee 1000 Ultimate Stairclimb race a couple of Octobers ago. Bisbee is 25 minutes away from where we grew up and we actually had never heard of the race til a few months prior! Once we did, we knew we had to do it. It was actually my husbands first race ever!! What a way to start–with a 1000 stairs to climb lol! The steps weren’t consecutive, but they totaled 1000 once all was said and done. The course ended up being a little over 4 miles and it was definitely a challenge but sooo much fun.

2. Rock n Roll Arizona 2014

This was my first big race post baby #2 and I had the ambitious goal of getting a 1/2 marathon sub 2 hour finish.

And I did it!!!

I trained so hard for this race and knew that I was putting maybe too much pressure on myself considering I had given birth to my second child 6 months prior. But I really wanted to challenge myself and I really wanted to work towards something. My husband also ran this race and the feeling I had when I finished and fell into his arms is something I’ll never forget. 1:58:11!!!

3. Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon–Madrid, Spain

It’s Spain, need I say more? 🙂 This was another fun race my husband and I did. Actually, I’m noticing a trend. All my faves so far I’ve run with my husband 🙂

It was a hilly couse and definitley different in a lot of ways compared to American races but I was extremely pleased with my 2:08 finish.

4. Grand Canyon Rim 2 Rim 2 Rim

Doing R2R2R is something I will NEVER forget. By far the most challenging and most exciting thing I’ve ever done.

Over 45 miles in two days. 100+ degree temps. Insane elevation changes.

It was simply amazing.

at the finish line of the Canyon 🙂

5. Phoenix Marathon

My first. You’ll never forget your first.

Again, I was ambitous attempting this 7 months after having my son, but I wanted to do it. I didn’t have any “real” goals. I had a time I was shooting for but wouldn’t be devastated not getting (I didn’t get it)–I just wanted to cross that finish line.

And I did in 4:44:12 🙂

My husband didn’t officially run the race but he might as well have as he carried my the last 6.2 miles. When I hit the wall, I thought I was done and I was frustrated I couldn’t keep going. He kept pushing me though and ran/walked with me those last miles. And I’ll never forget his words when we saw the “final mile” sign: “This is the last mile of the first marathon of your life. Finish strong.” I ran that entire last mile.

Crossing that finish line=best feeling ever (my husband took this pick 🙂 )

Yep, I’m a finisher!

–What would say is your favorite race or race memory?

Have a great weekend amigos!!