I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

Chicago Marathon training is here!  I am excited (and nervous) to be training using the Hansons Marathon 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. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day. 

Week #12, August 22-28

Monday:

• PLAN – 6 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – Total 6.02 miles @10:44 average pace

First day back at work.  To say that I was tired is an understatement…no kids yet just a day full of fun meetings.  Obviously I wanted to skip this run but made myself go (after a short nap).  I had so much energy and ran faster than I should have. 

Tuesday:

• PLAN – 4×1.5 miles @10:08 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d and 400 recovery) 
• ACTUAL – Total 10 @10:55 average pace

Another day full of meetings.  Gosh, those are more tiring than a run!  W/up and c/d @11:07.  Recovery @13.02.  I alternated a different song with paces of 10:10 and 10:00.  Tired afterwards but felt great throughout my run.  Legs were sore from TRX in the morning.

Wednesday:

• PLAN – OFF
• ACTUAL – OFF

Thursday:

• PLAN – 9 tempo @10:18 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d)
• ACTUAL – Did not run.

First day with the kids.  It was HECTIC and I was not prepared.  I did the best I could and saw many happy faces.  Some told me already that I was their favorite teacher.  I have a good group of kids. They’re well behaved and excited to come to school and learn.

Friday: 

• PLAN – 6 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – 6 miles @12:00 average pace

I was still sore and tired from Thursday.  I went to the gym in the morning because I did not want to run after school.  I alternated a different song with paces of 12:15, 12:00, and 11:46.  

I saw this gorgeous sunrise after I picked up coffee from Dunkin’ Donuts.

Saturday:

• PLAN – 10 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – 10.02 miles @12:58 average pace

I decided not to run with CES because they were running 16 miles.  Instead, I ran with my friend, Claudia.  She runs with a different group and they were meeting at 5am and that meant a 4am wake up call.  Oh well.  It had to be done.  I did not know it was raining and was NOT looking forward to running in the rain.  However, it did not rain as bad as last week and it was actually run.  We took our time and we enjoyed it.  I was hoping to see the sunrise but it was very foggy and cloudy.  

After our run we went to The Original Pancake House for a well deserved breakfast.

Sunday:

• PLAN – 10 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – 9.02 miles @12:34 average pace

Another 4am wake up call to run this morning.  Luckily it did not rain but it was humid.  It was close to 80 degrees and 85% humidity.  I took it slow and felt great throughout my run.  I was pleased to see the sunrise and it was gorgeous.  However, I ran 9 miles instead of 10.  Next week we have 16 miles on our schedule and I might start earlier.  But it all depends on how warm it will be that day.

Week 12 went well.  I was very tired and missed two runs.  I am very pleased with my strength run on Tuesday.  Next week I have 3×2 mile repeats and a 9 tempo run.

Total mileage for the week: 41.06 miles

Total mileage for this training cycle: 475.40 miles

Total mileage for the year: 958.46 miles

Here’s how training has gone so far:

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Week 11

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

Chicago Marathon training is here!  I am excited (and nervous) to be training using the Hansons Marathon 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. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day. 

Week #11, August 15-21

Monday:

• PLAN – 8 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – Total 8 miles @11:31 average pace

I did this run on the treadmill and alternated a different song with paces of 12:00, 11:32, and 11:07.

That evening I went to an event sponsored by Fleet Feet Chicago and Generation UCAN to meet Dathan Ritzenhein.  We got to hear a bit about the product he uses to fuel his runs, how he become a runner, and his accomplishments.  There was a fun run prior to the Q&A session (I did not run) so I got a chance to talk to him and ask him specifically how he fuels.  Also, there were samples of their new snack bars (Peach Passion and Coffee Bean) and they were both delicious!  I ended up buying a box of the Peach Passion bars and the Berry UCAN Hydrate.  Overall, it was worth the trip to the store.

Tuesday:

• PLAN – 6×1600 @10:08 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d and 400 recovery) 
• ACTUAL – Total 9.50 @10:48 average pace

W/up and c/d @11:07.  Recovery @13.02.  I was not looking forward to this run.  It is a very intimidating run.  Surprisingly I felt great and it was a confidence booster.  I did get a little tired at the last mile but managed to power through. The first 3 repeats were done at 10:10 and the last 3 I alternated a different song with paces of 10:10 and 10:00.

Prior to my run I ate a UCAN snack bar and drank coffee.  Maybe that’s why I felt great?

Wednesday:

• PLAN – OFF
• ACTUAL – OFF

I finally got a haircut!  It has been two years since I’ve had one.  I cut off 8 inches and will be donating it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.

Short but not too short to put it up in a ponytail for when I run.

Thursday:

• PLAN – 8 tempo @10:18 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d)
• ACTUAL – 10 miles @10:10 average pace

I had a doctor appointment in the morning for a yearly physical.  Then I hung out at Panera for coffee and a bagel before heading to the gym.  W/up and c/d @11:07.  Alternated a different song with paces of 10:21, 10:10, 10:00, and 9:50.  Yikes, this was a little bit faster than I was supposed to run but I felt great so I just kept running.  Prior to my run I had a Generation UCAN snack bar and coffee.

Friday: 

• PLAN – 7 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – 7 miles @11:34 average pace

In the morning I got a massage which felt great.  Then went to Target and also had lunch with a friend. I did not want to go right away to the gym so I waited a bit and hung out with Lola.  

I alternated a different song with paces of 12:00, 11:32, and 11:07.  I was on a roll and was surprised when the treadmill stopped.  Bummer.  I did not know that was going to happen.  Oh well.  I started the machine again and finished my run.  I was tired.  TIRED.  Sigh, I think I need to do these a bit slower.  

Saturday:

• PLAN – 16 long @10:29-11:05 pace
• ACTUAL – 13.02 miles @12:27 average pace

I was looking forward to this run.  I checked the weather and it was ideal (or so I thought) and that is always something to look forward to in a long run.  Well, about 6 miles into the run it began to POUR. Literally it rained cats and dogs.  Then it cleared up for a little bit.  However, I was not feeling it.  I was tired.  I could not get my legs to run fast enough.  For the rest of the way I ran and walked.  And it rained again TWICE.   I was over the rain and just wanted to be done.  I also chafed in my arms and near my lady parts.  Not fun.

I will admit that this run left me questioning why I was even training for the marathon.  I think that if it wasn’t for the fact that it has a sentimental meaning, I would have stopped my training on Saturday.  Yes, that is how much it affected me.  But I also know there will always be bad runs during marathon training and it is part of the experience.  

Sunday:

• PLAN – 8 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – Did not run.

Just one of those days.  No energy and no desire.

Week 11 went well.  I was very tired and missed one run.  I am very pleased with my strength and tempo runs and how they went better than I expected.  Next week I have 4×1.5 mile repeats and a 9 tempo run.

Summer break is over and I go back to work tomorrow.  I am excited and looking forward to the new school year.

Total mileage for the week: 47.52 miles

Total mileage for this training cycle: 434.34 miles

Total mileage for the year: 917.40 miles <<Yikes!!

Here’s how training has gone so far:

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

Chicago Marathon training is here!  I am excited (and nervous) to be training using the Hansons Marathon 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. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day. 

Week #10, August 8-14

Monday:

• PLAN – 6 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – 6 miles @11:35 average pace

I did not feel well in the morning.  My body ached (not like after a workout ache) and my mother told me I had a fever. Well, that made sense.  I took a Tylenol and a nap and felt much better afterwards. I did this run on the treadmill and alternated a different song with paces of 12:00, 11:32, and 11:07.

I received 3 more Oiselle shirts.  Aren’t they cute?  I wore the black one on my run today.

Thanks to Timehop I was reminded of my long run and ice bath last year.  Lola as always was curious and wanted to know what I was doing.

Tuesday:

• PLAN – 3×1600 @9:04-9:27 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d) 
• ACTUAL – Total 6.11 @10:33 average pace

W/up and c/d @11:07.  Recovery @13.02.  I did not want to do this run.  I had spent about 5 hours setting up my classroom.  By the time I drove into the gym parking lot, I already had 10,000 steps for the day.  However, it definitely went better than I expected.  I alternated 3/4 minutes with the interval timer with paces of 9:23, 9:14, 9:05.

I need to remember to always believe in myself.

On a sad note, I lost my Ipod Nano.  I remember I had it with me in the locker room and then somehow I could not find it when I was ready to start running.  I went back to look for it and also checked around the treadmill but nothing.  I was hoping that someone would find it and turn it in.  

Before I went to set up my room, I stopped at IHOP for breakfast.  

This was when I walked in my room.

Again, thanks to Timehop, I was reminded of my first post and photo on Facebook from 8 years ago.  It was my coworker who convinced me to open an account.  I remember telling her that I was afraid no one would want to be my friend.  

Wednesday:

• PLAN – OFF
• ACTUAL – OFF

I went to school to finish setting it up.  And I am pleased to say that it is almost ready for my kids.

Thursday:

• PLAN – 8 tempo @10:18 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d)
• ACTUAL – Did not run.

It was one of those days where my body told me to stay home and rest.  That is what I did.  Well, I did go to Target with my mother for a few things and spent over $100!  I bought an Ipod Nano and look how small it is.  I called the gym that night to find out if someone turned in my other one.  Nope.

Friday: 

• PLAN – 6 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – 6.02 miles @11:55 average pace

I wanted to run outside instead of the treadmill but knew it would be hot.  I woke up early to do this run. It was hot but it felt great being outside.  And yes I did see those two chickens on my runs.

Saturday:

• PLAN – 10 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – 9.02 miles @11:09 average pace

Before my run I took Generation UCAN.  I was a little nervous because I am so used to taking gels, chews, or blocks during my run.  With UCAN I mix it with water and then drink it 30 minutes before my run.  The way it works is that it slowly delivers steady energy for the brain and body.  Also, it is a natural and slow releasing carbohydrate that keeps blood sugar stable.  I am experimenting with this product so I only drank plain water throughout my run.

I checked the weather in the morning and saw 75 degrees.  Perfect!  Wrong, it was humid and gross today.  For the most part I felt OK but I did get a headache after mile 6.  Someone asked me if I was hydrating properly and I thought I was but once I was done I drank a lot of water because I was indeed very thirsty.  Overall, I am very pleased with this run.

Sunday:

• PLAN – 10 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL –10.02 miles @12:12 average pace

I went to the trail for this run and it was great!  It was 70 degrees with lots of shade.  I ran with a friend and while we did take some walk breaks, I am pleased with my overall pace because it isn’t an easy course.  I was soaking wet at the end of my run. Gross. 

Week 10 went well.  I missed my tempo run on Thursday and that is OK.  Beginning next week is when I will start with the strength running portion of my plan.  They’re 10 seconds faster than tempo pace and longer than my speed workouts.  Next week I have 6×1 mile runs on my calendar.  The last time I did this workout was on April 5th and this is what I wrote in Google Calendar for that run “Total 8 miles @11:05 average pace.  I cannot remember the paces I did for the mile repeats but I only managed to do 4.  Legs felt tired and I could not keep going.  I did warm up and cool down plus 800 recovery after each mile repeat. ”  Let’s hope this time I do run all 6 mile repeats. 

Total mileage for the week: 37.17 miles

Total mileage for this training cycle: 386.82 miles

Total mileage for the year: 869.88 miles

Here’s how training has gone so far:

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

Chicago Marathon training is here!  I am excited (and nervous) to be training using the Hansons Marathon 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. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day. 

Week #9, August 1-7

Monday:

• PLAN – 8 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – 8 miles @11:34 average pace

I cannot believe I am halfway through my training!!!  Time is definitely going by fast.  Did this run on the treadmill.  Alternated a different song with paces of 12:00, 11:32, and 11:07.

The arch in my left foot was bothering me.  Once I got home and showered, I iced it for a couple of minutes.  It felt better but not great.

Tuesday:

• PLAN – 6×800 @9:04-9:27 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d) 
• ACTUAL – Total 6.50 @10:16 average pace

W/up and c/d @11:07.  Recovery @13.02.  I was actually excited about this run.  Each interval was done alternating at 9:14 and 9:05. <<A bit faster than last week.  The 9:14 pace felt comfortable and the 9:05 a bit hard but yet manageable.  Overall I am very pleased with this run.

Can you tell I like purple?

Wednesday:

• PLAN – OFF
• ACTUAL – OFF

I had an 80 minutes massage.  I felt so much better after this one.  I mentioned to the masseuse the pain in my foot arch and she told me that it was tight.  The right side was also tight but not as much as the left side.  The chiropractor told me I need to strengthen my feet and suggested a few things to do (walk barefoot around the house and to do toe grip/towel scrunches exercises).  He also told me to make sure I stretch my calves.

After my massage I met a friend for lunch.  I had not seen her for about 15 years.  Wow, we were at the restaurant for 5 hours!!  Obviously we had so much to talk about and catch up.  I am more of a listener than a talker but I think in this case it was 50/50 listening and talking.

Afterwards I took a walk with my nephew to the library to return the movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2”.  I loved that movie.  On the way home we stopped to get an “elote en vaso” and “raspado”.  I like my corn with everything, butter, mayonnaise, lemon juice, chile, and cheese.  I know the combination sounds gross but is is so good.

Thursday:

• PLAN – 8 tempo @10:18 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d)
• ACTUAL – Total 10 miles @10:23 average pace

W/up and c/d @11:07.  Alternated a different song with paces of 10:21, 10:10, and 10:00.  I was a bit nervous because it was 1 more tempo mile than last week.  But overall felt great and managed to finish the 10 miles at the same average pace as last week.  

As you can see from the photo below I was sweating a lot but not soaking wet.  Still gross.

Friday: 

• PLAN – 7 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL – 7.02 miles @12:40 average pace

I did not want to do this run on the treadmill.  I needed a break from it.  I began my run a little after 12. It was cloudy and not too hot but a little humid.  I did good for the first 3 miles and then it went downhill.  I was tired.  I was too hot.  I had no motivation.  It is weird how I could do this run better on the treadmill.  I ran 8 miles on Monday at an 11:34 average pace. Positive splits galore!  Mile splits are:
Mile 1-11:39
Mile 2-11:36
Mile 3-11:49
Mile 4-12:23
Mile 5-12:45
Mile 6-13:40
MIle 7-14:57

Saturday:

• PLAN – 15 long @10:29-11:05 pace
• ACTUAL – 12.03 miles @11:06 average pace

Today was one of those runs in which I questioned how in the world I would run 26.2 miles.  It was 70s in the morning which is great running weather.  The first 6 miles went well.  However, it was the next 6 that felt tough.  I did ask my running group to stop once for a quick break before continuing.  Then I stopped again in the last mile because seriously I did not want to continue.  It was hot but not to a point in which it was that tough.  I was happy once I was done with my run. 

Sunday:

• PLAN – 8 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
• ACTUAL –8.02 miles @12:30 average pace

I surprised myself by being able to wake up at 5 for this run.  Lately I’ve been sleeping in till 8 leaving me to do this run on the treadmill.

I did this run at Waterfall Glen.  It was nice and cool in the morning.  I love the smell.  I took it very slow. I could not go faster even if I wanted to.  I ran 3 miles when I realized I had dropped my phone.  I ran back and asked various people along the way if they had seen a phone on the trail.  No one had seen it. I was already thinking of how after my run I had to go to the Sprint store to get a new one.  Another mile or so later I saw it.  I then remembered that it was at that spot that I had taken my last picture when I thought I had put in the pocket of my CamelBak Marathoner Pak.  I was so happy to have found it and continued with my run. 

Week 9 went well.  My tempo run went well (again) and I’m glad I did not miss a workout.  In week 10 I have 3×1600 (which I am excited about) and another 8 mile tempo run on Thursday.

Total mileage for the week: 51.57 miles

Total mileage for this training cycle: 349.65 miles

Total mileage for the year: 832.71 miles

Here’s how training has gone so far:

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8