Monday Motivation – Rain edition

May 16, 2011 by 5 Comments
“Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how they can go.”
— T. S. Elliot
A crazy rain system settled over our area yesterday and according to the local weather man, it’s going to camp out all week. So I’m trying to psyche myself up for a lot of running in the rain this week. Yes, I could go to the gym and hit the ‘mill, but as my Hyannis snow race taught me, I need to be prepared for any kind of weather come race day. 
I hit 24 miles last week – my biggest training week to date – and I’m happy to say my legs feel pretty good.
On the plan this week:
Monday — Yoga
Tuesday — Tempo run (6)
Wednesday — Easy run (4) and strength training
Thursday — Rest
Friday — LSD (10)
Saturday — weekly Pilates reformer session
Sunday — Easy run (3 or 4)
What do you planned for this week? Make it a good one!

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Filed Under: Monday Motivation, Quotes, race, training, weather

A little Friday randomness

May 13, 2011 by 5 Comments

Thanks to Blogger’s little meltdown yesterday, my Thursday post vanished into cyberspace and by last night I was googling how to transfer from Blogger to WordPress!

This was one of those weeks that flew by in a blink – there were lots of meetings, school events and sports for the boys, along with all the usual stuff that makes up life. I did manage to hold to my training plan too, though I could have done with more yoga and yamuna body rolling – my hamstrings and calves are ridiculously tight!

And speaking of calves, I have discovered relief in the form of Zensah compression sleeves. After using them post-run a few times, I’m wondering what took me so long to buy a pair!

Another first today – first 11 mile run. I’d be lying if I said it was a pretty run. I haven’t been sleeping great this week and it definitely caught up with me in today’s run. But I got the distance and that’s what counts. Every run teaches you something, and this one taught me most that I can push through when I really feel the tank’s on E.

I have only one more long run before my half. One more “test” run to figure out fueling, clothes options, socks and play list. I’m close on the play list, but if you have any suggestions, especially for those last few miles, please pass them along. I think on the fueling front, I’m going to stick with a couple of Chomps around mile 5 and then depending on how I feel, a couple more around 9. Still working on my chewing and running at the same time 🙂

“It costs nothing to dream…And everything not to.” — this was in my inbox this morning and I love it and just had to share.

Have a Great Weekend!
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Filed Under: fave things, firsts, general musings, Quotes, tough runs, training, Yamuna Body Rolling

Feeling inspired

April 19, 2011 by 2 Comments
  • My hubs J and I took the boys to watch part of the Boston Marathon yesterday. While I try to catch the marathon every year on TV, I haven’t been to see it live in a few years. There is nothing like being there as the runners give it their all. 
  • As I stood out there cheering them on, I thought of all the hours of training, the dreams being realized, the causes being supported, the individual stories being played out. How could you not walk away feeling inspired?!
  • It’s April vacation week for my kiddos, which means getting up extra early to get my runs in before J leaves for work. During the winter I had let my runs slip to late morning to ensure running in daylight — and truthfully because the thought of running in both the dark and bitter cold was really unappealing! But since the clocks turned back I have been meaning to get back to early morning runs…and now with this week I have no excuses.
  • So an easy 3 miles was done before 7 and on deck for tomorrow is a 5 mile tempo run and then another long run of 10 on Friday. I’m hoping to get back on the yoga bandwagon that I fell off of last week and some much needed ab work and strength training. Hopefully the kids will cooperate 🙂

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Filed Under: Boston Marathon, kids, motivation, training

8 weeks and counting

April 4, 2011 by 8 Comments

So forgive the randomness this morning….I’m trying to cut back on how much coffee I’ve been drinking lately. But Monday morning plus lack of caffeine = bullet points

  • It was great to have a step-back week last week – my body really needed the rest!
  •  the pair of Saucony Mirage I ordered showed up on my doorstep and I took them out for the first test run yesterday.  

I only went 3 miles in them but so far I’m in love! I had to resist the urge to go farther. There is definitely a different feel with the lower heel so I know my calves will need to adjust. I’m going to run in them at least once, maybe twice, a week to ease the transition. A full review to come!

    • Only 8 weeks to go until race day! The next few weeks of my training plan are really going to be critical for me both physically and psychologically cause I’ll be crossing into double digit long runs for the first time.
    •  This week I continue my quest to find my inner yogi, while the plan calls for intervals at the track, a couple of shorter runs and a 9 mile LSD. I’d like to get in 2 days of strength training and, as I mentioned last week, more core work.
    Happy Monday!

     

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    Filed Under: Half marathon, Saucony, training

    March Rewind

    April 1, 2011 by 3 Comments
    Good things for the month:
    • Logged 69 miles and for the most part my left leg cooperated.
    • Started my training plan for my first half marathon!
    • Participated in Detroit Runner’s “I Just Felt Like Running” virtual 5k
    • ChiRunning one-on-one workshop — so many good things, (if you missed it, you can check out my post about it here)
    • Continued to add more yoga to my plan.
    • 81 of you now follow this little journey of mine — welcome to the new followers — and to all, thanks for the support!
    Things I could do without:
    • Quite simply…this weather! Seriously…where is Spring? Snow is falling as I type this. If I ever track down that groundhog, he should be very afraid!
    On the decks for April:
    • Continue to build on my ChiRunning practice
    • Start rotating a minimalist shoe into my runs — starting with my shorter runs and then build from there.
    • More strength training and core work.
    • My first double-digit runs!

    What have you got planned for April?

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    Filed Under: ChiRunning, month in review, training, weather

    Enjoying a step-back week

    March 30, 2011 by 4 Comments

    This week is a step back week for me and I’m feeling like it’s come at a good time.

    After logging 22 miles last week (the most for me in a long time), plus cross-training, I was feeling a little beat by the end of the weekend. The good news is that the left leg continues to cooperate, and so short easy runs this week are a welcome change of pace. It’s also giving me a chance to really focus and put into practice some of things I learned in Sunday’s workshop.

    Another Aha for me from Sunday, is that I need to put more effort into strengthening my core. So in addition to my weekly Pilates class I’ve been trying to add more core work with planks, side lateral raises and the “hundreds.”

    What do you do to work your core?

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    Filed Under: core work, Pilates, step-back, training

    Commitment

    March 21, 2011 by 10 Comments
    There’s a difference between interest and commitment. 
    When you’re interested in something, you do it only when it’s convenient. 
    When you’re committed to something, you except no excuses, only results.
    — Kenneth Blanchard
    Just a little something to think about on a Monday morning….

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    On the plan for this week:
    Today:  Yoga
    Tuesday:  Tempo Run (5)
    Wednesday:  Easy Run (3) and Strength Training
    Thursday:  Rest
    Friday:  Long Run (8)
    Saturday:  Pilates and Strength Training
    Sunday:  Easy Run (3) and Chi Running Workshop (much more on that to come!)
    Have a Great Week!
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    Filed Under: ChiRunning, Monday Motivation, Quotes, training

    Lessons from Today’s Run

    March 18, 2011 by 6 Comments

    Today I learned:

    • I must pay more attention to what I eat the night before a long run. Note to self, no more Italian subs with hot peppers…’nuff said!
    • Seeing some friendly faces about half way through a long run gives me a great lift!
    • When negative thoughts start to creep in, I need to remind myself how far I’ve come in just a year of running.
    • Still trying to figure out mid-foot strike on hills – I think I’m up on my toes a lot, which makes my calves tire quickly.

    It was beautiful weather for a run this morning, and with a busy weekend ahead it was great to get my 7 miles done. Just Pilates and strength training tomorrow and a short run on Sunday left on the plan for this week.

    Happy Friday & 
    Shout Outs to anyone racing this weekend!
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    Filed Under: observations, Shout-outs, training

    Hello Week 2

    March 15, 2011 by 10 Comments

    Week 2 Training (Had meant to post this yesterday, but my to do list seriously got in the way!):

     Monday — Yoga (hmm yeah….see note above)

    Tuesday — Tempo Run

    Wednesday — Easy Run (3) & Strength Training

    Thursday — Rest

    Friday — Long Run (7 or 8)

    Saturday — Pilates Reformer

    Sunday — Easy Run (4)

    Today’s run felt really good! The plan called for 3 miles at 11:00/mi plus warm-up and cool down. I had hoped to do five total but was a little pressed for time – 4 was going to be more realistic. So I ran Mile 1 at a comfortable pace and then just picked it up for the next three for a 10:37 ave. pace. I’m still trying to embrace my inner yogi – missed yesterday so hopefully I can squeeze a  little in as the week goes on.

    Overall, I think I’m going to enjoy having my long runs on Fridays. With the kids crazy spring sports schedules about to kick in, not to mention my hubs J’s lacrosse league, fitting in long runs on the weekends (especially once the runs hit double-digits) was just not looking practical.

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    When do you do your long runs?

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    Filed Under: long runs, tempo runs, training

    Thursday Thoughts – Week 1 Training

    March 10, 2011 by 6 Comments
    • I’m half way through Week 1 of my half marathon training plan. After looking at a bunch of different half plans, I decided to stick with Smart Coach – I figured it’s worked for me for my last two 10ks, so if it ain’t broke…..

    • I don’t want to jinx myself but I’m showing signs of getting faster! On the plan for Tuesday was 1600 intervals and I actually saw times in the low and mid 9’s – definitely speedy for me! And I ran the last interval faster than the first. All-in-all a nice return to the track.

    • I’m back to studying the ChiRunning DVD. I’m trying to break it down and concentrate on one “focus” per week so this week has been all about posture. When I get tired I start to slouch a bit, but I’ve noticed that if I concentrate on my posture it takes any pressure out of my lower back/hips. Next week I’ll work to incorporate the next “focus” – the lean.

     How’s your week going?

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      Filed Under: ChiRunning, Smart Coach, track work, training