Road to BQ Week #16

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ.  I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles.  I purchased a new Hansons Method Marathon Plan and now will be running 5 days (instead of 6) a week. 

Week #16, July 10-16

M Ran 5.02 Miles
T Ran 3.89 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 6.02 Miles
F OFF
S Ran 4.31 Miles
S Ran 13.42 Miles

Another great week of running!  Took it nice and slow on Monday and rocked my speed workout on Tuesday and tempo run on Thursday.  On Friday I went to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon expo and then ran the race on Sunday.  The weather was great but I bonked at the last half of the race.  I plan to have a recap on Tuesday.  

RoadtoBQ103

I was disappointed with the expo.  I’ve been to quite a few of them and they’re filled with lots of vendors.  This one?  Not so much.  I was done in about 45 minutes.  I kept walking thinking that maybe I might have missed a few vendors but kept seeing the same ones.  

RoadtoBQ104

Surprised RnR still uses D-TAG for timing purposes.  My fear is removing it from my bib and forgetting to place it on my shoe.

RoadtoBQ105

Medals from RnR races in other countries.  My favorite is the one with the skulls which I think is from Merida (Mexico).

I got taped up.  This brand lasts longer than KT tape.

RoadtoBQ108

Got a FREE Brooks hat because I am #BrooksEndorsed.  🙂

RoadtoBQ109

I bought 3 things: running belt from Fusion Belts  (love that it is waterproof), RockTape, and BottleBand.  As always, the race shirts are ugly.  I’ve run so many of their races and have never liked their shirts.  

My favorite race photo <FREE from Charlyn.  The medal is cute in the shape of Cloud Gate or “The Bean.

I was supposed to run 16 miles today and was hoping to run 3 more after the race.  My feet and legs were hurting and there was no way I was going to run more miles.

Total mileage for the week: 32.66 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  409.27 miles
Total mileage for the year: 457.46 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Janelle at Run With No Regrets.  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!   I am also linking up with Courtney for her Training Recap Link Up!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

47 comments on Road to BQ Week #16

47 responses to “Road to BQ Week #16”

  1. kookyrunner Avatar

    Another great week of training for you!

    I love all the items that you purchased from the Expo! I’m surprised that it didn’t have more vendors – I usually love the RnR expos. Congrats on completing another half marathon 🙂

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thanks Kim! I am surprised too because I usually see more vendors there.

  2. Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC Avatar

    I saw so many friends running that race – sorry you had a rough back half but kudos for finishing!!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thanks Courtney.

  3. Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner Avatar

    You had a really solid week of running! Nice job

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thank you.

  4. Michelle @ Running with Attitude Avatar

    Another great week for you! Definitely surprising about the RnR expo – they’re usually pretty good.

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thank you. I agree. I was surprised too.

  5. Wendy Avatar

    I”ve been using Bottle Bands for years! I love mine. I’ve tried so many drink systems, but I guess I’m old school–I just want to carry a bottle. Sorry I missed you today!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      I thought of you when I saw them at the expo. There will be other races and hopefully we’ll see each other.

  6. Sara Runs This Town Avatar

    Great job this week! lol I also hate the D-tags. I haven’t run a RnR race in a couple years but our local marathon uses them for the marathon relay.

    Great job with the race! I’ll be back to catch your recap 🙂

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thank you.

  7. Happy Fit Mama (@happyfitmama) Avatar

    A great week of running! Can you believe that I’ve never used a D-tag in a race? I didn’t even know that’s what they were called. Lol!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thank you. That is funny that you’ve never used the D-tag. I started running when races used the chip (?? I think that is what it’s called) that you had to tie to your laces with zipl ties and then remove it and turn it in or else you would get charged for it.

  8. Meranda S (@fairytalesnfit) Avatar

    Funny story about those Dtags RNR uses. One year at RNR VA Beach my sister had someone else’s tag connected to her bib. We didn’t notice it until later on that evening (when the expo had already closed), when we were laying out our race clothes. That was a stressful morning before the race for sure!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      What! That is so weird! It sounds like that whole situation was resolved? Yeah, that would have been stressful for me too.

  9. Janelle @ Run With No Regrets Avatar
    Janelle @ Run With No Regrets

    Great job! Sorry to hear about the half marathon not going as well as you hoped. I’m not too happy with the finisher shirts for RNR this year either…the medals are usually great but the T-shirts so uninspired!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      I have a love/hate relationship with RnR races. They need to fire their shirt designer.

      1. Renee Avatar

        I think it’s someone at Brooks, isn’t it? or do RnR design their own?

        I love the RnR shirts, only a couple I haven’t liked but it was the shirt itself and not the design.

        1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
          Zenaida Arroyo

          I think it is someone from RnR but not sure. I agree that since it is a Brooks shirt it is great quality but the design ruins it.

  10. Melissa Avatar

    So cool you ‘re Brooks endorsed!! Love the hat. Hope you have a good training week!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thanks. You can get Brooks endorsed too. Go here to do so: https://registration.brooksathlete.com/

  11. Coco Avatar

    Sorry the race didn’t go as planned, but it’s no surprise given the weather in Chicago in July — too tough for me! Is 2017 the year for boring grey race shirts? I think ALL of my races went grey this year. :-/

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thanks! Actually I thought the weather was so much better this year. It wasn’t too hot and it was mostly shaded. But I know that not all races will be great ones.

      Ugh, gray is such an ugly color.

  12. Elizabeth C. Avatar

    That knee taping situation almost looks like zebra stripes! It is very surprising that they use the D-Tag for being such a huge company. Get with the times! (pun intended). Great week!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thanks Elizabeth! Haha, it does look like zebra stripes. I was surprised too about the D-tags. They need to stop charging so much money for the races (it was $100 to register a week before the race) and get on with technology.

  13. findingfabulousatfifty Avatar

    cool medal! Congratulations lady! Any finish line you cross is a victory! Looking forward to the recap 🙂

    I like rock tape as well…it stays on much longer for me.

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thanks! I’ve had my share of good and bad races. Not all of them will go as I expect, right? 🙂

      1. findingfabulousatfifty Avatar

        Right. But you’re focused on 26.2 right now, you finished RnR Chicago uninjured and had fun …that’s a win!💪🏃‍♀️👍

        1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
          Zenaida Arroyo

          That is true! Thanks beautiful! 🙂

  14. Ana L Avatar

    Those RnR tags are annoying! but I still feel like I need to keep it!

    Congratulations on another half marathon! that medal is pretty cool! I’m doing Philly RnR and I’m not thrilled with their medal.

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thanks! RnR needs to get on with technology and get rid of the tags.

      I like the medal but found out it is similar to the one from 2014. Yep, I just checked. They both have “The Bean”.

  15. jessicam1407 Avatar

    Love the RnR t-shirt!! I did RnR Vegas a few years ago and the race shirt is one of my very favorites.

    P.S. Saw your email come through and I’ll get back to you ASAP! 🙂

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Glad you like the shirt. I did run Vegas in 2013 and I think that shirt had cards or something having to do with casinos.

  16. Karen Bayne Avatar

    I love your cute kitty! Congrats on the race, even if you did not run more miles, I am sure it was great for your training!
    The brooks hat is cute 🙂

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thank you! Lola is my beautiful cat!

      I think it was the shoes. They’re not for long runs and I made the mistake of wearing them on Sunday. I am sending them back to Brooks.

      I like the hat too. Not a big fan of trucker hats but that one I do like.

  17. katiesfootprintsoffaith Avatar

    Great job on your mileage! I’ve heard of the Hansons Method and how tough the training is! I hope you do meet your BQ goal!!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thank you. It is tough but somewhat manageable. I hope I meet my BQ goal too.

  18. Jennifer @ Dashing in Style Avatar
    Jennifer @ Dashing in Style

    I’ve done the same think with planning to run a few more miles after a half marathon. Sometimes when you’re done, you’re done!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      So true. My feet were like “stop, just stop running”.

  19. Rachel Avatar

    Looking forward to following your Hansons training. I’ve heard mixed reviews! I would worry I wouldn’t be able to hang but the more I run, the more I realize I could probably handle it.

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thank you.

  20. […] expo was not fun at all.  You can read about it HERE or just skip it. […]

  21. Renée Avatar

    we don’t use D-tags here in Europe. I was surprised as well to see them at RnR races in the States!

    I totally get not doing an additional 3 miles after the Half… sometimes it’s just enough!

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      RnR is behind on technology and they need to catch up.

  22. Clarinda Avatar

    Your little cat is so cute! 🙂 The race shirt does look a little plain. I don’t mind the one I got in Vegas a few years ago. I’ll have to look up the fusion belt. I love my flipbelt but wouldn’t mind a waterproof option.

    1. Zenaida Arroyo Avatar
      Zenaida Arroyo

      Thank you. I love my Lola. I like the belt and plan to use it more than the Flipbelt.

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