Weekly Run Down – Getting back to double digits

May 19, 2019 by 30 Comments

Was it just me, or did this week feel l-o-n-g!? Perhaps it was the combination of a stressful week of work, taking on a new client in my side gig, driving back and forth across the state attending lacrosse games, all while feeling less than 100%…yeah a long week!

Along the way, I managed to keep my early morning runs going and made it back to double digits. Here’s how the workout week went down…

Run to Remember Training Week 8

Monday – Caught up with Coach Marc for 3.5 miles to work on speed drills and form.

Tuesday – A short yoga session and acupuncture.

Wednesday – PT exercises and core work

Thursday – 3-mile run

Friday – Rest

Saturday – 4-mile run

Sunday – 10.3-mile run

Total miles for the week – 20.8

I’m not gonna lie – today’s ten miler was hard. I was so ready to be done around mile 7 but psychologically I knew I needed to see at one double-digit run before next week’s half marathon. It’s been a long time since I’ve run that far.

It was great to spend time with Coach Marc on Monday. While we worked on Chi Running forms for speedwork, he was quick to remind me that this upcoming race was not about time but about enjoying the race and celebrating returning to the half marathon distance. We agreed – this will be a training run with benefits. There will be a time to focus on pace and “racing” later. And, speaking of races, I was kinda thrown for a loop when Marc pointed out that we’re just a few weeks away from the start of marathon training – Wait, what?!?

So how was your week?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link-up.

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Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, half marathon training, Weekly Run Down

RtR Week 7 – Here Comes the Sun

May 12, 2019 by 14 Comments

Well, after wondering aloud last week if it was time to build an ark, Mother Nature took pity on us and finally dragged the sun out of it’s hiding place! Not having to dodge raindrops did make running more enjoyable!

Run to Remember Training Week 7

Monday – Rest.

Tuesday – 4 miles and the first glimpse of the glowing orb!

Wednesday – Strength work focusing on PT exercises and core work.

Thursday – 5 miles, plus a massage!

Friday – A short yoga session.

Saturday – 9 miles.

The highlight of this week was definitely the running. I logged 18 miles and best of all, in the sunshine! This was also the first week in a long time with early morning runs – this is one of my May goals so it was nice to start to make the shift.

On the whole, the runs felt pretty good, though to be honest the last of 2 miles of Saturday’s run included more walk breaks then I would have liked. I am clearly out of practice with my fueling for both pre-run and during for a longer distance and it showed in those final miles. I’ve got a double-digit run next weekend which will give me a chance to practice before race day.

On another note, I cannot let today go by without wishing my wonderful mom and all of my fellow mother runners a very Happy Mother’s Day!

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link-up.

 

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Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, half marathon training, weather, Weekly Run Down

RtR Training Week 6 – Time to build an ark?

May 5, 2019 by 20 Comments

The story of the past week around here was the weather – honestly, it rained or was overcast every day! It’s been more than a week since we’ve had a nice sunny day and I’m starting to think if this keeps up, building an ark would not be out of the question!

As far as training weeks go this one was pretty uneventful…

Monday – Rest

Tuesday – Strength training – upper body

Wednesday – Started May off with 3 miles

Thursday – Rest

Friday – Strength training – leg day

Saturday – 5 Miles

Despite all the rain, the trees are pretty!

Sunday – 4 miles – derailed by a bad stomach!

Sunday’s run was supposed to be 8 miles but for some crazy reason when my alarm went off this morning my stomach was churning big time. I kept pushing off the run hoping things would improve, but eventually, I knew I needed to get out if I was going to attempt the distance and get back in time before heading out to see Avengers Endgame with my family (The movie was excellent, by the way!). My husband J offered to pick me up if I needed so off I went. In the first half mile, it was pretty clear that I wasn’t going to make it to 8 so the goal was to just keep going until I couldn’t…and did I mention it was raining … again?! So as they say, some miles are better than no miles, and 4 miles was it.

We might actually see the sun on Tuesday otherwise it looks like another washout of a week. While I’ve been trying to avoid stormy conditions, I’m trying to stick with outdoor runs – one, I’m no fan of treadmill running, and two, you never know what race day will bring!

Tell me, are you seeing the sun where you are? Rain runner yay or nay?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

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Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, half marathon training, weather, Weekly Run Down

May Coffee with a side of April Runfessions

May 3, 2019 by 20 Comments

Happy Friday!

This week went by in a blink but with a fun weekend to look forward to, I’m not complaining! So how about we get this Friday started with a little catch up over coffee.

I’m joining Coco and Deborah for the Ultimate Coffee Date. And, for an added bonus, Marcia’s opened the Runfessional and I’ve got a few things to share.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’ve really been looking forward to this weekend – we’re going to see Alvin Ailey on Saturday and the Avengers Endgame on Sunday!

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that around here we can see the finish line of another school year, as both of my boys will finish classes by the end of the month. I runfess that as I look the calendar filled to the brim with all of the end-of-school-year events, in addition to the lacrosse games, the boys’ exam schedules…and oh yeah I’ve got a half marathon coming up, I seriously wonder how it’s all going to get done. But that’s typical May Madness around here and somehow we always find a way to make it happen.

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that I’m turning into a bit of a paranoid runner. I mentioned in my last weekly run down that I seem to be finding my running legs. In fact, April was a great month of pain-free running which I’m celebrating but I runfess, given my recent history, part of me is holding my breath waiting to see if the other shoe will drop.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that after fully indulging during our vacation that I quietly returned to counting my macros during April. While I dropped a few pounds and, better still, a couple of inches off my waist, I runfess that I find the whole process of tracking just too annoying to continue.

So what would you tell me over coffee? Any runfessions to share?

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Filed Under: Runfessions, Ultimate coffee date

May Goals

April 30, 2019 by 18 Comments

It’s the usual custom around here to make monthly goals – I find it helps me to stay on track and keeps me accountable. But somehow, I let April slip by without setting some. So now that we’re knocking on May’s door, it’s the perfect time to make some plans for the month.

May Goals

Run, run & run some more! — With my first race of 2019 coming up on Memorial Day weekend, this month will be all about mileage. Coach Marc is always tweaking my training plan, but I’m thinking 75 miles for the month is totally doable.

Prioritize rest & sleep — Quite simply I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off for most of April…actually ever since I got home from vacation. My sleep has been poor. Not a good path to continue down….

Return to early morning runs — Lately, I’ve been really been all over the place with when I run, but I prefer to get out and get my runs done early. This is especially a must once the weather turns hot so I might as well get back in the habit now, right?

Reach the starting line healthy — So in addition to prioritizing sleep, this means regular trips to the acupuncturist, take my supplements, and keep up with the glute/hip prehab no matter how mind-numbing it is!

And, that’s it! I’m keeping it simple and focused.

What are your goals for May?

I’m linking up with Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics.

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Filed Under: goals

RtR Training Week 5 – Finding My Legs

April 28, 2019 by 24 Comments

Despite feeing way T-I-R-E-D this week, my runs felt pretty good and I’m starting to feel like I’m finally finding my running legs again!

Here’s how the week went down….

Run to Remember Training Week 5

Monday — Rest Day

Tuesday — Strength training – upper body

Wednesday — 3-mile run

Sunshine & 60+ degrees for the win!

Thursday — A quick yoga session

Friday — 5-mile run

Caught a break between downpours!

Saturday — Rest – This was supposed to be a cross-training day, but we had a long list of house project items and it just didn’t happen.

Sunday — 7-mile run – my longest run in many months!

Thankfully no coyotes were spotted, but I definitely picked up the pace!

15 miles for the week and best of all these miles felt good! In fact, since last Friday’s 5-miler, I have to say I’ve kind of surprised myself – despite continuing to struggle with getting a solid night’s sleep (damn insomnia!), once I hit the road, my legs are just going. Now let’s hope I haven’t just jinxed myself!

It’s crazy to think the Run to Remember is just 4 weeks away – the weeks are just flying by. Coach Marc seems to think I’m on track so far, and I’m hoping to get at least one double-digit run in before hitting the starting line.

Can you believe we’re almost done with April? Tell me something about your week.

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

 

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Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, half marathon training, Weekly Run Down

Run to Remember Training Week 4

April 21, 2019 by 30 Comments

Another week in the books and my juggling act continues.  Here’s how the week went down…

Monday – I was lucky enough to once again be one of the 9,700 volunteers at the Boston Marathon. This year I was assigned to runner screening at the bus loading from Boston out to Hopkinton. Despite the crazy weather conditions, it was great being out there.

Tuesday – With taking Monday off, my work day was really hectic, but I managed to get some time on my mat.

Wednesday – A late afternoon 5K.

Thursday –  Unplanned rest day. I hadn’t been sleeping very well all week and it definitely caught up with me. I kept putting my workout off until “later” hoping I’d feel better but by the time I actually did it was too late in the day and I had to get ready for my youngest son’s concert.

Friday – These lovelies arrived in Thursday’s mail and I couldn’t wait to take them out for a spin. 5 miles right out of the box was a good start!

ASICS Gel-DS Trainer 24s

Saturday – Strength work.

Sunday – 5 more miles before heading out to enjoy Easter festivities with family.

I’m hoping that during this upcoming week I can get back to consistently running early in the morning. Overall, I find I do better if I can run earlier in the day – of course, that means I’ve got to get more sleep the night before!

How was your week? Early morning running yay or nay?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

 

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Filed Under: Boston Marathon, Boston's Run to Remember, half marathon training, Weekly Run Down

Run to Remember Week 3 & Enjoying the Boston Vibe

April 14, 2019 by 27 Comments

These weeks continue to fly by and Mother Nature continues to play hide and seek with the spring weather. It was a bit of an up and down week for me running wise. And, then there’s that little hometown race called the Boston Marathon happening! Here’s how my workout-week went down…

Run to Remember Training Week 3

Monday:  Rest day

Tuesday:  C-r-a-z-y day but did manage to squeeze in a HIIT workout before my son’s spring concert.

Wednesday: 3-mile run – there was just nothing pretty about this run. I was just happy that it was short and done!

Thursday: 3 miles and redemption! I went back to the same route as the day before and this time felt strong pushing through the hills. Ended up with negative splits which was a nice added bonus!

Friday:  Spent the day at the Boston Marathon expo!

Saturday: After hours of standing at the expo my legs didn’t feel much like running so I pushed the run to Sunday and stuck with getting a walk in.

Sunday: 5-mile run. The legs felt like led for the first 2 miles, but somewhere in mile 3 they kicked into gear and the rest of the run felt pretty good. And the return to 60-degree weather didn’t hurt either!

Working at the Boston Marathon Expo

The highlight of the week was the opportunity to hang out at the Tailwind Nutrition booth at the expo! I absolutely love being in Boston in the days leading up to the Marathon – the vibe is absolutely electric! While I’ve been to my fair share of race expos I’ve never worked a booth at one so I was pretty psyched when Tailwind put out a call to the Trailblazers to see if any of us were interested in helping out.

I could probably write a whole blog post about my time at the expo. First of all the Tailwind team was awesome! I also had the chance to meet so many runners – people from all over the world and with so many great stories. From charity runners and multi-marathoners to those looking to capture their 6th star and others who will be toeing the line of their first marathon.

No surprise, I could have stood there and talked about all things running all day! Their enthusiasm was infectious and I especially appreciated the runners, that upon hearing that I would be volunteering on Monday, thanked me for being out there. I also really appreciated the words of encouragement I received from others who learned that I’d be running Chicago as my first this fall.

Runners are really a special group!

Me with fellow Trailblazer Denise. Photo courtesy of Tailwind Nutrition.

I can’t wait for Marathon Monday! Good luck to all the Boston runners!

I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down. If you do a weekly recap, be sure to join us!

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Filed Under: #TailwindTrailblazer, Boston Marathon, Weekly Run Down

Run to Remember Training Week 2

April 7, 2019 by 32 Comments

Juggling was once again the theme for this week as I navigated work commitments and my youngest son being home sick all week – I definitely took a do what you can, when you can approach!

 The Weekly Run Down

Monday — While my legs did not feel like running, I did get a nice mile power walk with the pup! There’s no such thing as a leisurely stroll with this fella!

Tuesday — With my son at home I wasn’t able to get out for a run until late in the afternoon, but I was greeted with mild temps and lots of sunshine! 3 miles done.

Wednesday — I was really feeling pressed for time so HIIT workout to the rescue!

Thursday — Try as I might, I just couldn’t fit in a workout so this was an unplanned rest day.

Friday — I felt good from start to finish on this run – 3 more miles in the books.

Saturday — A day filled with house projects and errands, but I did set aside some time for my yoga mat.

Sunday — A glorious afternoon in the upper 60s – Hello Spring! 4.5 miles done.

The workouts were a little all over the place, but I got them done…and best of all, my runs felt pretty good this week – maybe it was all that sunshine 😉

#SpringIntoNOW Challenge

If you’ve been following me on Instagram then you know that I’m participating in the #SpringIntoNOW Challenge in partnership with SweatPink. I’ve been having a lot of fun trying out the range of products NOW Foods provided and am pretty sure that many of them will become permanent fixtures for me well past the campaign.

There’s still time to get in on the fun – just post a photo ties to the daily theme, tag @nowfoodsofficial and use the hashtag #SpringIntoNOW for a chance to win a $200 gift card to NOW foods. The challenge ends on April 10th.

I’m joining Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down link-up.

Have you ever tried NOW Foods products?

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Filed Under: #SpringIntoNOW, Boston's Run to Remember, half marathon training, Weekly Run Down

April Coffee Talk

April 5, 2019 by 22 Comments

Happy Friday!

Who’s ready for the weekend?! I know that I am. So how about we start things off by catching up over coffee. Grab a mug and let’s join  Coco and Deborah for this month’s coffee date.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that with our spring break now in the rearview mirror, I’m already trying to figure out the next family vacation! I don’t think I realized just how fried I was until I hit the cruise ship. While there probably won’t be another big trip this summer, I’m looking forward to some day trips, long weekends, and some quiet “staycation” days hanging on the patio.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that April means lacrosse season is in full swing in my house! My mudroom once again looks like an equipment supply closet and I’m looking forward to traveling around New England to watch both of my boys play.

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that, while I do love lacrosse season, it wreaks havoc with my ability to schedule a spring race as there always seems to be a conflict. Case in point, it looks like I’m going to have to take a pass on the Portland 10 Miler at the end of this month thanks to a combination of a lax tournament and J traveling for work. Thankfully, the race offers bib transfers! (Why don’t more races provide this option?!)

If we were having coffee, I would tell you that the other thing I love about April is getting back into my gardens! I love how creative gardening can be and it just gives me another reason to spend time outdoors. I’ve been perusing gardening catalogs for ideas and am looking forward to my first trip to the local nurseries.

Source: Getty Images

What would you tell me over coffee? What are you looking to this month?

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Filed Under: gardening, Lacrosse, Ultimate coffee date