Just Rolling Along

November 14, 2021 by 13 Comments

These November days seem to be just rolling along – hard to believe we’re halfway through the month already. It was a fairly uneventful week as far as the workouts went…and sometimes, uneventful is a good thing. Here’s how the week played out:

Weekly Run Down – Week 45

Monday — 1-mile walk, Lower body strength, Core & Stretch

Tuesday — 3.1-mile run, Core & Stretch. When I saw the forecast for the day, I opted to push my run to later in the day. 72 degrees and a midday 5K – yes, please!

Wednesday — Rest day. I woke up feeling a little off and it just didn’t get better as the day went on. Add in an extra busy workday and a rest day it was.

Thursday — 3.1-mile run & PT Exercises. While I was up before the sun, a quick peek at my weather app showed another beautiful afternoon on tap, and with my schedule light on Zoom calls, I knew I could make another midday run happen. The weather was perfection and so was the view!

Friday — 30 min Peloton ride, Core & Stretch. Crazy wind and rain had me take my workout indoors, so I stacked a couple of Peloton’s new scenic rides for a change of pace and enjoyed rides through Tuscany & Tempe.

Saturday — 3.5-mile run and PT exercises. The weather app said it was mid-30s, but it felt much warmer.

Sunday — Presently lingering over coffee, but will head out soon for a 4-mile walk and then most likely a Peloton ride later.

Reconnecting with Coach Marc

Running continues to feel good and I’m enjoying this slow and easy base-building. I recently reconnected with Coach Marc as I start to mull over possible race plans for 2022. I really enjoy working with Marc and remain hopeful that road races will continue to trend towards “normal” next year.

And, speaking of Coach Marc, I want to give a big shoutout to him for his upcoming 100-mile fundraising run on November 26! He’ll be attempting to run 100 miles in 24 hours to raise funds for WholeSchool Mindfulness, a nonprofit he co-founded a couple of years ago that is focused on mindfulness in schools to positively impact the mental health of all members of a school community. Such a great mission – I encourage you to check out the work they’re doing.

In case you missed it:

Five Lessons from My Sugar Detox

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

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Filed Under: running coach, Weekly Run Down, WholeSchool Mindfullness

Shaking Things Up

November 12, 2018 by 22 Comments

Happy Monday!

I missed last week’s Weekly Wrap because I was just coming off a week of dealing with a stomach bug, so needless to say there wasn’t much to recap. Thankfully, by Sunday, I was finally back to running and this past week was a decent mix of running, some yoga, and cross training in the form of leaf raking.

Time to Shake Things Up

While being sick is never fun, laying low did give me some time to step back and start to think about goals for the upcoming year.  One thing I know for sure is that it’s time to get out of the cycle of injury; pseudo-recovery; pushing too hard; then back to injury – it’s been a frustrating cycle which has impeded the way I have wanted to train and race, along with impacting my joy of running. Time to shake things up…

So I think the first big step in the right direction is that I’ve hired a new coach.  I first met Coach Marc when I attended his ChiRunning workshop last year. I really enjoyed the clinic and his style and have been thinking for a while that he would be someone I’d be interested in working with. I’ve occasionally been in touch with Marc since the clinic, but when I got an email from him a couple of weeks ago, it came at just the right time. We had a great conversation and by the end of our call, I knew this was a great step in the right direction.

I’ll be sharing more about my work with Coach Marc in future posts as we work together to build a year-long plan to get me to a fall marathon, with some fun races along the way!

I’m joining Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

And, with Erika, Marcia, and Patty for Tuesdays on the Run.

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Filed Under: running coach, Tuesdays on the Run, Weekly Wrap

Friday Five: Working with a Running Coach

September 19, 2014 by 16 Comments

It’s Friday and time for another fun link up with Courtney, Mar & Cynthia. Our theme this week? “Five things I love about…”

Lots of things came to mind for this theme, but then I started thinking about a conversation I’d had recently with my youngest son about why I was working with Coach Bennett. His exact words were – “Why don’t you just get out there and run?” Hmm…fair question. So I thought I’d share what I love about working with a running coach.

Coaching roadsign
Customized training plan — A running coach will develop a personalized plan for you taking into account your current fitness level, running history and current goals. It takes all the guess work out of picking a training plan.

Progressing smartly — Closely tied with reason #1, is working with a coach will help you to progress at a pace that will hopefully minimize the risk of injury. Life happens and training runs are missed – I’ve found it very helpful to have someone to help figure out when and how to get the miles in (or, equally importantly, when to let them go!)

Move beyond comfort zone — While progressing smartly, I have also found it very beneficial to have someone to push nudge me out of my comfort zone. (Hill repeats and some of my more aggressive speedwork would never have happened without Coach Bennett!)

Sounding board — A good running coach is definitely part therapist. A coach can help you with the mental side of running – helping to keep you both motivated and focused.

Race strategy — Having someone who can help you objectively review your training, set realistic race goals and map out a strategy for getting there is a huge bonus!

Have you ever worked with a running coach? If not, would you want to?

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Filed Under: Friday Five, running coach

Let the base-building begin

January 13, 2014 by 9 Comments

Happy Monday!

It never ceases to amaze me how a few miles out on the pavement can be such a mood-booster! After bemoaning the affects of the Polar Vortex last week, Mother Nature decided to show some mercy this weekend in the form of temps in the high 40s and low 50s. While Saturday’s run was not without some rain and wind, you couldn’t wipe the smile off my face. And if I’m to believe our local weather people, this January thaw should continue throughout the week.

The Start

Perfect timing as it’s time for me to get focused and start re-building my base for my spring races. I’m looking forward teaming up with Coach Bennett again and getting back to following a training plan! Goals for this week: log 16 miles, 2 strength workouts, at least one day of yoga , in addition to my daily planks.

Did you get to enjoy a break in the temps? What are you planning for this week?

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Filed Under: attitude adjustment, running coach, training

Friday Ramblings

August 9, 2013 by 3 Comments

Sitting here in a quiet house with the dog at my feet and coffee cup in hand…

There has been at least one, if not both, boys home sick since Tuesday! I was happy to see both smiling faces heading off to camp this morning – I swear there’s nothing worst than seeing your children not feel well 🙁

Between the sick kids and my cranky left hip, running has been a bit challenging this week. I am trying very hard to not get hung up in the miles I’ve missed, knowing that the cross-training will help and getting this hip happy is priority one!

Changes in family plans means I’ve needed to change up my fall racing schedule – I won’t be running ZOOMA in September so I’ve been on the hunt for another race to use as a “tune up” before I get to the B.A.A. Half in October. Though I think I’ve now found the source of my recent GI issues, Coach Bennett thinks it will be helpful to put my body through “race conditions” and see how I respond. So I think I’ll be adding this to my schedule:

countdown_wickedHalf It’s run on a beautiful course through Salem & Marblehead – Can. Not. Wait!

Seriously, how is it Friday again already? I feel like I just finished coming down from last weekend’s birthday fun and here we are again. Don’t get me wrong – I love seeing Friday arrive, but this summer is flying by way too fast! We still have a number of things left on our family summer bucket list!

We’ll get one more item checked off tomorrow as we’ll be catching a Boston Cannons’ game! My hubs J was elected to his lacrosse league’s all-star game (so proud of him!)  and they’ll be playing their game before the Cannons. So the boys and I are going to go cheer on our All-Star and then we’re all hanging out for the Cannons’ game afterwards!

How are you doing with your Summer Bucket list?

Do you run tune-up races?

 

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Filed Under: #13in2013, BAA, crazy week, fall racing, Friday Five, kids, Lacrosse, race calendar, running coach, Wicked Half Marathon

Week 15 – Race Week

May 20, 2013 by 3 Comments

It’s week 15 of my half marathon training plan and it’s finally race week! Finish-Line

Yes I know I’ve already run four races this year, but when I started this year with the goal of running 13 races I had circled a couple on the calendar that are in my mind “goal races”…and this weekend’s half marathon is one of them.

So the wonderful Coach Bennett went about designing a 15-week plan for me that would allow me to fit in the other races while keeping my eye on this goal race. Not an easy task I’m sure and I know there have been moments as he’s looked the race schedule where he’s been shaking his head – but to his credit he’s not discouraged me and I’ve appreciated his support!

This week is all about some light running, yoga, getting enough sleep, prepping a playlist, setting race goals and carefully watching what I eat (no repeats of the Newport 10 miler drama!). In general I think race week is really all about the mental prep – the training’s done so the trick now is not to psyche yourself out before you get to the starting line.

So tell me — How do you handle race week?

 

 

 

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Filed Under: #13in2013, Boston's Run to Remember, half marathon training, Newport 10 Miler, race week, running coach

Quick Wednesday Shout-out

April 3, 2013 by 2 Comments

If you’ve been around here for a while then you’ve heard me sing the praises of my running coach Bennett Cohen. With Bennett’s guidance I have gotten “comfortable with being uncomfortable,” become a better runner, and hit some PRs, all while keeping my sometimes cranky ITB from becoming downright uncooperative.

When Bennett told me that he was putting together an eBook titled “Injury-free Running for Women over 40” (did I mention that he specializes in coaching “boomers”) I was happy to sign on as an affiliate and spread the word. I knew the advice – it has worked for me.

So I wanted to give him a quick shout-out and mention that the introductory price special he’s been running ends on Thursday, April 4th. You can check it out HERE or click on the book image on my sidebar.

 

 

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Filed Under: ITB, running coach

Embracing the Challenge

March 18, 2013 by 3 Comments

Today begins week 6 of half marathon training.

Recently Coach Bennett sent me the next two phases of my training plan. Since I was struggling with my runs due to my cranky ITB, I’d held off reviewing the rest of the plan – until yesterday.  I got a good look at the target paces, hill work, weekly mileage – and took a deep breath.  Time to get out of my comfort zone again 🙂

But I’m looking forward to moving into this next phase of training.  I did the things I needed to do to calm my ITB and am back to pain-free miles. So I’ll continue to do the strength work and exercises necessary to hopefully avoid any hiccups moving forward. And it is time to move forward – I’m ready to embrace the challenge.

“Embrace the challenge”  has really become my mantra for this training cycle – I’m going after each workout with enthusiasm and confidence…maybe it’s time to create a new comfort zone!

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Filed Under: comfort zone, half marathon training, mantras, no excuses, running coach Tagged With: ,

Good stuff happening

February 11, 2013 by 11 Comments

First off — Welcome to the new and improved Running with Attitude! After announcing on more than one occasion that I wanted to move from Blogger to a self-hosted site I’ve finally made it happen — Thanks hugely to Rita at Blog Genie, who I swear has the patience of a saint for answering all of my many questions 🙂

As for the Blizzard of 2013, I’m happy to say the RWA household had a good time. Despite the incredible winds and 24 inches of snow, we didn’t lose power and all around us seems pretty intact. There were lots of movies, games, snow fort building, snowball fights, cooking, laughing and, yes shoveling. The only downside is school is closed again today which means at this rate my boys won’t finish the school year until June 26th! (But that’s a bridge I guess we’ll cross later)

I’m also thrilled to say to I’m teaming up with running coach Bennett Cohen again! Bennett specializes in coaching women boomers (yes those of us 40 and older), and if you’ve been around here for a bit then you know he helped guide me to three PRs last fall. Bennett’s going to help me get ready for my spring goal race, Boston’s Run to Remember. We’ve got 15 weeks and it starts today!

How was your weekend?

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Filed Under: Boston's Run to Remember, running coach, weather

3 Things: Almond milk, gym and PRs

January 17, 2013 by 5 Comments

1.

Silk Dark Chocolate Almond Milk is my new guilty pleasure. If you are a fan of chocolate milk post-run, this is a must try! Just the thought of having a glass of this dark chocolately goodness got me through a trip to the gym… and you all know how much I love my gym (insert sarcasm here!)

2.
Yes thanks to a lovely combination of snow that switched over to icy rain, I made my first appearance this year at my gym for a lunch date with the ‘mill. While I whined the whole way over there … and even briefly considered skipping my run altogether, I’m really glad I went. The gym was basically empty so there were no gym crazies to contend with – win! Training plan called for intervals, and if I have any hope of keeping my sanity on a treadmill, speed work is the way to go – so double win!

3.
I want to give a shout out to my running coach Bennett Cohen who will be hosting a great teleclass tonight called “Nail Your Personal Best Regardless of the Candles on Your Cake.” Bennett helped me shave over 5 minutes off my half marathon PR on hilly courses so I encourage you to check out this call. You can find the call details HERE

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Filed Under: gym crazies, PR, running coach, Silk Almond Milk