12 Days of Fitmas-Day 4 and Marathon Training Recap Week 5

Posted by hellyontherun in Fitness, Race, Running and tagged with Rest, Running, Training December 16, 2013

On the 4 ^th Day of Fitmas….

REST

One of the things I’ve learned in my training is the importance of rest. I’ve been the most motivated I’ve ever been in my life these past few months that anyone suggesting I stop running (to help heal my leg) are met with raised eyebrows from me.

But, I’ve realized that resting will let me run. Not resting will mean no running. I have one complete rest day in my week when I do absolutely nothing but hang out, which is Friday, and Sunday and Tuesdays are cross training days. I try and make Sunday a chill cross train day and Tuesday a more challenging one. (I have to add that with the Runner’s World Streak I’ve been running every day. However, on “off days” I take it more slowly)

Another factor in resting is making sure I’m doing all I can to re-energize. After each run, I try and make sure to foam roll and ice. This doesn’t always happen but definitely more often than not. If you haven’t invested in a foam roller, I highly suggest it. You can find one in your sports store but also in places like Target, Ross, and TJ Maxx for around $15.

Making sure I take it easy some days allows me to look forward to the days I know will be challenging. If everyday were difficult, I think I’d eventually become frustrated, bored, and burnt out. And, it also helps my family because I’m definitely in a better mood if I’m decently rested : )

—Are you good about allowing time for rest?

—What are your rest days like?

Marathon Training Week 5

This was a really busy week.

On Sunday, I ran the Hot Chocolate 15k which was awesome!!

On Monday, I ran a recovery mile and took it easy.

On Tuesday, I was back at the gym but I switched things up and instead of doing my usual hill intervals I ran my one streak mile and biked 10 miles.

Wednesday was track day—speed work. You know I love track days and this day was just…wow. I won a BOB jogging stroller valued at $380!!! A runner in my run club owns a baby store and raffled the stroller to only members. At the start of practice, he drew names and mine was picked!!! You have no idea the look of shock on my face. My husband too, could not believe we had won when I called him!

Thursday was a 6 mile treadmill run and Friday was a chill one mile streak run.

Saturday I rested and ran a one mile streak one as I had my last race of the year the next day—I will recap it tomorrow!! : )

This week’s total mileage: 21.65 miles and 10 bike miles. Overall a good week and now that my last race of the year is in the books, I’m preparing for a ½ marathon mid January. Very excited for 2014!! : )

We’re Streaking!! {Link Party}

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Mile, Runner's World, Running, Running Friends, Streak December 12, 2013

My buddy Salt and I would like to welcome you to our first Streaking Party!!

I was intrigued by the Runner’s World Streak Challenge because, well, I like challenges. I’ve been training for my full marathon and already running 4 times a week, I figured what’s 3 days of 1 mile? Sign me up!

Two weeks in and I’m going strong. I’ve been having a lot of fun doing this and on the three days I run only 1 mile, they serve as a cool break from the other “purpose” runs. There is no specific goal with these one milers—just do them. Here’s a recap of the past week : )

December 5: Thursdays are my tempo runs and also treadmill runs. My plan had me running 5 miles so that’s what I did. I love having a plan to tell me what to do (and that I can still control if need be). I’ve also never minded running on the treadmill; I know some runners abhor it but it’s never been a big deal to me. However, lately, I’ve been feeling my shins a lot more on the ‘mill than on the road.

December 6: Fridays are typically rest days so I did a pace mile around my neigborhood to continue the streak.

December 7: Saturdays are my long runs but I had my 15k the next day so I left it to a mile to continue the streak.

December 8: Hot Chocolate 15k! You guys read about my recap in a previous post but I could talk about this day over and over. I won’t though and spare you : )

December 9: Recovery mile to continue the streak. This was a slooooow mile!

December 10: Tuesday is cross train day so I did a streak mile followed by 10 miles on the bike.

December 11: Wednesday is speed day so out to the track I went: 3.16 miles with an 8:34 pace. Also, a member of my run club owns a baby store and was doing a raffle for a BOB Sport Utility jogging stroller………..and I won!!!!! I never win anything, really I don’t, but lately I’ve been on a roll. The stroller is so beautiful.

I also had my MRI last night. I’m hoping to meet with my doctor soon to discuss the results.

Overall, it’s been a great streak. One of, if not the best, reason I like streaking is that I’m doing it with my “sole” sister, Salt. Talk about motivation. I always look forward to her check-ins on our accountability board to see how her mile went. And, even though her miles are faster than my miles, I know she runs them with the same enjoyment I run mine.

Click here to enter your link and join our Streaking Party!

Hot Chocolate 15K Re-Cap

Posted by hellyontherun in 15k, Race, Running and tagged with Chocolate, Cold Weather, Hot Chocolate, Pace, Personal Record, Race, Running December 9, 2013

First off, we’re in need of another YAAAY!!!!

I knew it was going to be a cold one (I have to add the “for Arizona” disclaimer) and it certainly was. I expected it and went prepared with the works: long running pants, long sleeved shirt, running jacket, those ear cover thingys, and gloves. You’d think I was running in Antarctica but I didn’t care—I hate being cold.

Pre-Race: Do I look cold?

I had a feeling I’d start stripping during the race and I did; the gloves came off at mile 3 and the jacket at mile 4.

After my watch beeped away the first mile, I saw I had done a good warm up at 9:27. I decided then and there that I was going to shoot for sub 9:30 the entire way. And…..I did it!!

Here are my splits (I love them!):

1-9:27
2-9:02
3-9:11
4-9:16
5-9:16
6-9:17
7-9:05
8-9:18
9-9:07

As I was running and seeing that I actually was completing each mile under 9:30 I couldn’t help but think of how far I’ve come. I felt like I was seeing all of the hard work from the past couple of months right in front of me. Sometimes it’s hard to think that it will pay off but it does, it truly does. I had been a 10 minute miler for such a long time you couldn’t convince me that I’d be running a race with sub 9:30 miles.

When I crossed the finish line and saw that I had finished at 1hr 25 min tears welled up in my eyes I was so ecstatic. My goal had been to finish under 1:30 and to have done it with time to spare made me so happy. You couldn’t erase the smile from my face crossing that finish line. It never went away all day.

To top it off, well, you know what else was waiting for me at the finish line…..chocolate!!! After I collected myself as best I could, I walked over to redeem my mug of hot and melted chocolate. I’m a bit particular when it comes to chocolate but I definitely give this race’s two thumbs up! Perfect Sunday!

Have you seen your training pay off?

Are you a chocolate lover?

P.S. It was another no music race and I must say, I’m digging the silence.