Taper Time and PRO Compression Socks Winner!

Posted by hellyontherun in Giveaway, Half Marathon, Running and tagged with Giveaway, Half Marathon, PRO Compression, Rock and Roll Marathon, Running, Spain, Taper April 22, 2014

I’m officially in taper mode as my European half marathon approaches. I can’t believe that on Friday we’ll be getting on a plane to Spain!

eeek! 🙂

Last week was 37 mile week! It seemed to accumulate without me even realizing it but oh do I feel it now. I took Sunday and Monday off to rest mi legs but will do my 6.2sday today and keep it chill.

Yesterday was such an emotional day. If you didn’t catch the Boston Marathon, youtube or find video highlights. It was absolutely amazing. I was able to watch it from the very beginning and even my daughter knew something special was happening as she took a break from playing to catch a glimpse of Rita Jeptoo making her way to the finish line.

I know you all are ready for the Pro Compression giveaway winner! Thank you all so much for entering–this was my biggest giveaway to date!

Okay, here we go…..Congratulations…..JOY CHAMBERS!! You are the winner of a FREE pair of marathon Pro Compression socks. Check your e-mail for details from me.

Remember that everyone here is a winner. Use the code BLG14 fora 40% discount. Pretty sweet! Sign up for the Sock of the Month to get even more deals.

I hope everyone has a good day!

~helly

–Were you able to watch the Boston Marathon yesterday? What was most exciting for you?

Marathon Training Week 14 Recap

Posted by hellyontherun in 10k, Giveaway, Marathon, Race, Running and tagged with 10K, Marathon Training, Race, Recap, Running, Taper February 16, 2014

Wow. I am TWO weeks away from my FIRST marathon!!! I can’t believe it!!

It’s getting closer and closer and closer!!!

This was a pretty chill week as far as mileage:

Sunday, February 9th: Rest/Recovery day. I was still feeling the 20 miler from the day before for sure!!

Monday, February 10th: Blogilates Abs video, foam rolling, and stretching

Tuesday, February 11th: 10k Tuesday : ) Ran a relaxed 6.2 miles, 8:46/mile

Wednesday, February 12th: This is typically a speed/track day but my husband was out of town and my mother-in-law was able to baby sit while I ran. Relaxed 4 miles, 9:14/mile and a Blogilates abs video

Thursday, February 13th: 30 minutes on the elliptical and some hip and glute exercises. This was a big day because it was the first time I used the gym daycare with my kids. I was such a nervous wreck! You’d think I’d be excited to get some me time but I had no idea how they’d do in a day care setting. Of course they did well and I fretted for nothing but I’m not going to lie, I teared when I dropped them off and walked away…

Friday, February 14th: Rest Day 🙂 My husband came home from his work trip and it was nice to have a couple of Valentine’s Day hours with him

Saturday, February 15th: This would typically be a long run but with my 10k race tomorrow, I took it easy and ran 4 miles, 9:46/mile

And that’s the week in a nutshell! I’m very excited about my race tomorrow. It’s supposed to a gorgeous weather day, in the 80s! (don’t hate me), and the course is really pretty. I’m not sure what my goal is; I’ve been doing quite a few 6.2s in preparation so we’ll see what happens : ) Looking forward to sharing a recap with you!

Don’t forget the runningluv giveaway is still happening!! Click here to enter to win a FREE runningluv towel! Browse their website to see which you’d choose!!

Marathon Training Recap Week 13

Posted by hellyontherun in Running and tagged with Goal, Long Runs, Marathon, Marathon Training, Pace, Taper February 10, 2014

I’ve been waiting a long time to say this…..

IT’S TAPER TIME!!!

And from what I hear, this is inevitable:

So this is what the past week looked like:

Sunday, February 2nd-Rest Day. I foam rolled and rested from the previous day’s long run.

Monday, February 3rd-Cross Train. Typically, I get on the bike but I decided to switch things up and spent some time on the elliptical. 5 miles. I also did a Blogilates abs video.

Tuesday, February 4th-I’ve dubbed this day 10k Tuesdays as I’ve been doing 6.2 on these days the past few weeks. This run particularly felt AWESOME. I don’t know what it was; I felt good the entire way. Last week when I did these 6.2 miles, I felt the same and had a great time. I have no idea how I did better today but I did!

Top: 1/28
Bottom: 2/4

Wednesday, February 5th-Speed Work. Wednesdays are track days so that’s where I was. My husband left out of town for work earlier but I was fortunate that my brother was visiting and he baby sat while I ran. It was extra motivation to go faster to relieve him lol!

Thursday, February 6th-Blogilates Abs video. I typically cross train but couldn’t make it to the gym since the hubs was away. I did a different video than usual, a more difficult one, and boy did I feel it the next day.

Friday, February 7th-Rest Day.

Saturday, February 8th-TWENTY MILES. Yes, today was that 20 miler in training plans. I was actually pretty pumped to do this. I had everything ready to go in the morning so I wouldn’t be rushed. There were quite a few in my run club who were also doing 20 miles and some had gone at 5 to get a head start. I knew I’d need that extra hour of sleep so I began at the usual 6 a.m. and planned to run on my own.

We run along a canal and we started south which is what I prefer. I decided that I’d split the twenty so that it wouldn’t get boring–6 miles south out and back for 12, and 4 miles north out and back for 8.

The first 6 went pretty smoothly. I absolutely love love love my Ultimate Direction hydration pack. I’m able to carry my phone, car keys, and my fuel with ease and with no discomfort. At mile five, I sent my husband an update and at six is when I broke open the Gu and had a bit.

Six miles was the first turn around point so it was nice to have reached a target. I felt breaking up the 20 miles really helped me mentally. Realizing this, I made mini check points that would continuously help me have something to look forward to. I’d fuel every 4 miles after the first 6, I’d send an update to my husband every 5 miles, and I’d have the turn around points.

So at mile 10, I had a little more Gu and I updated my husband. At mile 12, I reached the beginning of the 4 mile out and back point. At mile 14, more Gu. At mile 15, updated my husband. Mile 16, turn around point. Mile 18, more Gu. Mile 20, DONE!!

yay!

I was shocked at how good I felt and wished the marathon would’ve been today. I hope hope hope I feel this good on March 1st.

My goal was to stay around 30-45 seconds over my marathon pace of 10:00/mile and not stop. I met both goals 🙂 I do think that my marathon pace is pretty lofty. I mean, I felt good the entire way of this 20 miler but thinking of having to average 30 seconds faster makes me pretty nervous. At the end of the day though, all I’m looking forward to is finishing. I don’t have a goal that I’d be devastated not meeting. I think that’s important for first marathons (or first races in general).

–How was your running week?

–Do you make a goal for every race? (I try not to but I alway do lol!)

–Are you a good taperer? What tapering advice would you give me?