RtR Week 3 recap

March 28, 2016 by 18 Comments

RtR Update

Happy Monday!

How was your weekend? For those who celebrate, a belated Happy Easter!

Week 3 of Run to Remember training is in the books and I’m joining Holly and Tricia for their #WeeklyWrap. Be sure to stop by and check in on how last week treated everyone.

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Monday 3/21:  Strength workout – legs and abs.
Tuesday 3/22:  44 minutes on the Arc Trainer.
Wednesday 3/23:  3 hilly miles on some very tired legs.
Thursday 3/24:  Rest Day!

Family run
Friday 3/25:  Family run – while I didn’t run as far as I’d planned, nothing beats the whole family running together!
Saturday 3/26:  The plague hit…seriously I felt horrible – there was no running, just couch time and movies with the kids.
Sunday 3/27:  Still not feeling fabulous by a long shot, but that little voice in my head kept nagging me that I was going to be more unhappy if I skipped it vs going – 3.5 miles done.

Thankfully after a very quite weekend, I’m feeling more or less plague-free today. As I run-fessed I’ve been feeling a little uninspired by my runs, but I’m focusing on an attitude adjustment for this week!

How was your week?

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Filed Under: training, Weekly Wrap

RtR Training Week 2

March 20, 2016 by 22 Comments

 

RtR Update

Wrapping up another week of training. So let’s take a look at how things went, shall we?

Monday 3/14:  Strength workout – legs and abs.
Tuesday 3/15:  3 mile run – I just couldn’t bring myself to run in the cold rain so headed to the gym to face the treadmill. I admit that I went into this run with the wrong attitude and it showed. 
Wednesday 3/16:  Rest day! Sports massage – 90 minutes of unknotting muscles.
Thursday 3/17:  T25 Beta – Core Cardio.
Friday 3/18:  Strength work – legs and abs.
Saturday 3/19:  4 miles – This was a hard run. Legs felt heavy and I just had no energy – the heavy winds probably didn’t help. 
Sunday 3/20:  3 miles more.

While I did hit all of my workouts I felt like I was all over the place this week and completely out of rhythm. I’m really not sure how missing one extra hour could have such a big impact but I swear Daylight Saving threw me for a loop at the beginning of the week and I never really caught up! It was one of those weeks that between work and home life, I felt like I was always trying to squeeze a workout in.

This week should be quieter, and hopefully I can settle into more of a groove.

I’m linking up again for the #WeeklyWrap with Holly at HoHo Runs and Tricia at Miss Sippi Piddlin rp_WeeklyWrap-1-300x300.jpg

Ever have a week where you just feel out of sorts? How was your week?

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Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, training, Weekly Wrap

RtR Training Week 1

March 13, 2016 by 34 Comments

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Training for Boston’s Run to Remember is officially under way. As I mentioned over coffee, this will be my first half in two years – so my goals for this training cycle are simple:

  1. Hit all of my workouts
  2. Build my mileage slowly
  3. Reach the start line injury-free

I want to use RtR to get back up to the half distance and lay the foundation for more rigorous training this summer. So how’d the first week go?

Monday 3/7 — Given how crazy my Mondays have been because of work lately, I’ve decided to make Mondays a strength day. I broke out the resistance bands and did a lower body workout I use to do when I was working with a trainer. My legs felt like jello when I was done!

Tuesday 3/8  — Woke up with a really upset stomach that stayed with me all day. So I decided to push my run to Wednesday and opted for some yoga.

Wednesday 3/9 — An absolutely gorgeous day  – temps in the 70’s! I still didn’t feel great and actually dressed too warm in a long sleeve shirt, but just didn’t care. 3 miles done.

Thursday 3/10 — Still feeling really off – decided to listen to my body and took an unplanned rest day.

Friday 3/11 — 3 miles more.

Saturday 3/12 — As the weeks go on, Saturdays will be my long run day. For today, just 4 miles…with too many hills!

Sunday 3/13 —  More yoga.

All-in-all not a bad first week, especially since I didn’t feel fabulous for most of it. I rolled like it was my job every night – and while that lacrosse ball is a little slice of torture, I do think it’s helping. The good news is whatever bug I was dealing with didn’t take hold and I’m feeling pretty and looking forward to week 2!

Linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap.rp_WeeklyWrap-1-300x300.jpg

 

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Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, training, Weekly Wrap

Training Check-in and a Detox Update

April 14, 2015 by 20 Comments

Training Check In

Last week’s goal was to get 3 runs, 2 strength and at least 1 yoga session, in addition to keeping up with the April Plank Challenge. Reality was a bit of a mixed bag, as I missed both a run and a strength session – I am rocking the planks. I’m not happy about missing the run, but sometimes juggling everything else in life just gets in the way.

It’s a good thing I’m planning on just running the BAA 5K with my husband and son for fun ’cause a respectable time is just not in the cards.  I’m even thinking of just leaving the Garmin at home – Have you ever “raced” sans watch?

In other news…when I posted recently that I was doing the Naked Me 14-day tea detox, many of you expressed interest in hearing how things turned out.  Well, in a word, I’m underwhelmed. After reading much about this detox across the interwebs, I was really looking forward to trying it.  I figured it was a good fit since I’m already a big tea drinker and I liked the fact that there was no extreme diet attached to it.

The detox consists of two teas – the Boost Me morning tea, which is suppose to boost your metabolism, increase energy and regulate your blood sugar levels; and the Cleanse Me evening tea, which is suppose to promote digestion and detoxification.  I have to say I just felt no special benefits from drinking these tea blends vs. the green teas I usually drink. I continued to eat healthy and exercise as I normally do and after two weeks I saw no significant changes…and no weight-loss. So there you have it. The only benefit of this two week experiment? I have returned to my evening tea habit, which is always a nice way to wind down at the end of the day.

What are your thoughts on doing a detox?

Tuesdays-on-the-run

How’s your spring training going? I’m joining Erika, Patty and April again for Tuesdays on the Run. 

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Filed Under: training, Tuesdays on the Run

Training Check-in — Accountability

April 7, 2015 by 21 Comments

 

Training Check In

As much as I love my training journal, I’m feeling the need for more accountability. Accountability was one of the main reasons I started this blog in the first place….and so I’m returning to my training check-ins.

A couple of weeks ago, I announced I’d mapped out a training plan to get myself to the start line of the Newport 10 miler. I have been aiming for two days of yoga, two days of strength work and three days of running a week. So how’d it go last week? Thanks to a crazy work schedule and feeling under the weather, my runs were jammed into the later half of the week – but I did get 3 shorts runs done…including some family time at the track (where my oldest snapped the pic above). Since I wasn’t feeling so hot, there was only one strength and one yoga session — I opted instead for much needed rest. But, I did sign-on for Boston Road Runners’ April Plank Challenge, so a daily plank series has been happening.

Given how I was feeling, I’d say it was a decent week. And, after a quiet weekend, I’m feeling rested and ready to go this week! I’ll let you know how it goes….

How’s your training going? Do you find it helpful to post training updates?

I’m linking up again with Erika, Patty and April for Tuesdays on the Run Tuesdays-on-the-run

 

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Filed Under: Newport 10 Miler, training, Tuesdays on the Run

12-week reality check

March 18, 2015 by 20 Comments

A quick glance at the calendar the other day revealed that I have just 12 weeks (ok a little less than 12) until the Newport 10 miler….hmmm hello reality check!

Calvin & Hobbs reality

Yes there’s enough time to get my act together, but I need to get my butt in gear. My willy-nilly approach to running is not going to cut it. I’ve pretty much been winging it when I hit the gym – if I feel like dealing with the mill then I run but sometimes the lure of the Arc Trainer or TRX or other strength work is stronger.

So I’ve mapped out a 12-week plan – a mix of 2 days of strength work, 2 days of yoga and 3 days of running – time to get going!

Do you usually train with a plan or do you wing it?

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Filed Under: Newport 10 Miler, training

AlterG – Treadmill Love!

September 17, 2014 by 17 Comments

I have finally found a treadmill I could love!

Yes people…for those of you who’ve been around here for a while and know how I feel about treadmills this may come as a shock…but I’ve found just such a treadmill! The AlterG Anti-Gravity Treadmill.

AlterG

I got to meet my new love last Friday at Functional Fitness and Physical Therapy in N. Easton, MA. There I met co-owner Sarah Anestam, a licensed physical therapist, who walked me through getting set up on the AlterG. I slipped on a pair of neoprene shorts so I could be zipped into the AlterG’s pressurized air chamber. Sarah started the machine and I could feel the air chamber begin to fill with air. The machine then calculates your weight – (I love that they don’t rely on you to tell the truth!) – and once it calibrates you’re ready to run. Sarah first reduced my body weight to 80% – I instantly felt light and quick. She then took me down to 50% explaining that this closely mimicked running in a pool – but without any risk of slipping or getting stitches wet if recovering from a leg/hip surgery. Sarah soon left me to my own devices, encouraging me to play with the weight, speed and inclines.

On the AlterGRunning on the AlterG felt smooth and effortless. I easily pushed the pace, at one point hitting the 8 min range, while still chatting with Sarah (only in my dreams people!). I could focus on form and turnover without any undue stress on my legs – my cranky ITB was silent!

alterG backThe AlterG allows you to walk and run from 20 – 100% of your body weight making it an ideal tool for rehabbing from surgery or coming back from injury. Sarah also pointed out that time on the AlterG was also very beneficial for runners looking to train longer and faster  – building both endurance and leg strength without undue stress. Yeah sign me up!

In fact, at Functional Fitness, runners can buy time on the AlterG, $25 for 30 minutes or a 10-pack for $200. Sarah noted she sees a lot of runners come in during peak Boston Marathon training! I am thrilled to have discovered this great training resource and, with Functional Fitness a short drive away, I will be putting this to use in the future.

A huge thanks to Outside PR for arranging this demo for me and to Sarah at Functional Fitness and Physical Therapy for being so generous with her time!

 

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Filed Under: AlterG, product reviews, training, treadmill run

A friendly reminder…

July 15, 2014 by 3 Comments

 

Fall PRs

Just a little reminder for myself and everyone else training this summer!

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Filed Under: motivation, Summer running, training

Transitioning to Training

July 7, 2014 by 20 Comments

Happy Monday!

I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend! Mine was spent eating a lot of great food, lazing on the deck and enjoying some great family time – even got some family runs in 🙂

change ahead

But now it’s Monday…and time for me to start to make the transition towards training.

Time to start being more mindful of my eating…to building up my cardio…to getting more sleep…to wrapping my head around being on a training plan again.

I ran a mile trial this weekend to benchmark where I am…and oh my, let’s just say there’s work to be done! But that’s OK. There’s still a couple of weeks before Coach Bennett sends me my Philly training plan and I know I will be ready to take on whatever he sends my way (someone please reminds in a few weeks that I said that, ok!)

Let the transition begin!

Have you started your fall training yet?

 

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Filed Under: training, Uncategorized

Training Check-in Week 11

May 19, 2014 by 8 Comments

It’s Monday again and time for my final training check-in before Boston’s Run to Remember 5-miler this Sunday.

check in

 

So here’s how last week went (Actual in blue)

Monday: Cross training — Took an extra rest day

Tuesday: 6 miles with negative split on 2nd 3 — Done

Wednesday: Rest day —  Pilates Barre class

Thursday: 6 miles with 10 x 300m repeats — 4.6 miles with 10 x 300m repeats

Friday: Rest day — Done (and so needed after those repeats!)

Saturday: 6 mile LSD — 6 miles

Daily: rolling — Done!

A week ago I got a little ambitious in my Pilates class doing “Swan” and tweaked my back, so I decided to put T25 on the shelf last week and was diligent about my yamuna rolling.  It paid off as I had no linger affects and could get my runs done. With the race on Sunday, I’ll be logging less miles this week so T25 will be back on the plan. Still haven’t figured out my goals for Sunday – I’ve got some RP miles on the plan for tomorrow so I’ll see how that goes.

How was last week for you?

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Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, training