Category: Monthly Review

August 2013 in Review

Whew I cannot believe September is here!  I feel like my summer break just flew by.  My first day of school was last Monday and my first day with my kiddos was on Wednesday.  As of now I have 25 students.  They’re all really cute and I like them a lot.  It took me about 2 days to organize my classroom but I still have to organize it a bit more.

August in Review

This month I ran 66.05 miles compared to 96.66 in July.  I ran one race: Fort2Base on the 25th.

I have four races in September.  All except one are RnR races.  However, with the cancellations going on right now I hope none of my upcoming races get cancelled.  And if they are then I’ll just find another one.  I purchased a TourPass for my races this year and so far I’ve gotten my money’s worth because I’ve ran 8 races.

I ran on Sunday in Virginia Beach and it was a hot one.  Despite the weather I still had a good time.  The course took us through some shaded areas and there were many supporters.  What’s not to like about that?

Lately I have not been to yoga.  I do miss it.  My plan is to go on Thursdays because I don’t plan to run that day since I have a race on Sunday for the next couple of weeks.  I promise to take it easy and enjoy myself at each race.  If for some reason my body tells me not to run a race then I won’t.  I know I will need to stretch and form roll a lot more.

I am a big fan of ZICO Coconut Water and signed up for the Subscribe and Save program through Amazon.  I opted to receive two boxes (12 bottles in each box) every month.  Delicious!

August in Review

Last week I received two samples of Jimmy Bar!  They were delicious and my favorite was the Super Hip Chocolate Chip.  I need to get more but when I tried to order them online I was shocked with the shipping and handling charge.  I found a store that supposedly sells them so I am going to check it out tomorrow and buy all of them.

August was a good month and here’ to hoping that September is even better!

July 2013 in Review

This month I ran 96.66 compared to 80.43 in June.

I ran two races: 4 on the 4th and Strike Out ALS 5K.  My favorite was the 4 on the 4th not only because I set a PR but the weather was just perfect for running.  As for the 5K, the race was in the evening and it was BRUTAL HOT.  I am waiting for the weather to cool down to run another 5K and set another PR.

This month I have one race: Fort2Base.  I am looking forward to this race.  It is a new race and a new distance (11.5 miles) for me.

Summer break is coming to an end.  I’ve had a good time relaxing and spending time with my nephews.  They wear me out!  I am excited about new things happening once I am back at school.  But I know that once I start, I will be counting down for winter break, spring break, and the last day of school.

I’ve worn my Brooks PureFlow 2 during my runs/races and they’re amazing!  I just love them so much. Recently, I received a pair of Pro Compression Trainer Low socks and let me just say that they’re great socks.  I am a big fan of their Marathon socks but will soon become a fan of the trainer socks too.  Be on the lookout for another giveaway

I applied to be a coach for Girls on the Run-Chicago.  I have CPR training on the 15th and then a training workshop on the 24th.  I’ve never done anything like this but I will be combining two things that I love:  running and working with kids. A few years ago I was a Wish Granter for the Make-A-Wish Illinois and I decided to do it again. I am really excited about these opportunities!  For sure I will have a busy schedule with these two organizations, work, and training for my multiple races.  But that is just OK with me.

Just Keep Running!

Weekly Workouts, June 24-30, 2013 and June in Review

Workouts this week:

Monday – Cardio
Rode my bike along the lakefront.  I forgot my Garmin but I think it was about 9 miles.

Tuesday – 4 x 1200 (2 min RI)
Done.  It was tough and I struggled to get them done.

Wednesday – Cardio
Skipped the bike and instead went for a massage.  My legs were sore.  🙁

Thursday – 2 miles easy, 3 miles @ short tempo, 1 mile easy
It was rough but I only did 2.41 miles.  I was very tired.  I did not want to get up in the morning and told myself that I would feel better once I started running.  Nope, did not happen.

Saturday – 8 miles at HMP, 10 minutes walking
I ran with my college friend, PA, who is running the Chicago Marathon in October.  I have not seen him since last year in October.  We had a great time!  For the most part I was able to keep up with him but struggled towards the end.  With a half mile to go, I told me to “go” and he did.  That was OK with me because I did not want to hold him back and I told him that various times.  He was cool with staying with me for most of the run.

I cannot believe that we’re already halfway through the year.  This month I ran 80.43 miles compared to 73.89 last month.  This year I’ve ran 467.83 miles and I’m a bit behind if I want to meet my goal of running 1,000 miles this year.

I ran two half marathons:  Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego and Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle.  My best time was in San Diego (2:22:06) but then did not so good in Seattle (2:30:39).  Oh well.  I should not be so hard on myself and expect a good race every single time. Actually, it can be a good race if I just change my attitude.  Is it all about the finish time or the experience?  If it’s the former than I’m in trouble because I have many more races this year and I don’t expect a PR at each one.  It can be a fun race if I don’t focus so much on the finish time but instead pay more attention to the course, the volunteers, the runners, and anything else associated with the race.  So my plan for the rest of the year is to enjoy my races.

I’m thinking of doing the 4 on the 4th race on Thursday.  My 4 mile PR is 44:28 from November 2008.  Yes, it’s been that long.  I think it’s time to find out if I can set one this year.

May 2013 in Review

This month I ran 73.89 miles compared to 71.64 last month.

I ran two half marathons: Rock ‘n’ Roll Portland and Boston’s Run to Remember.  I LOVED both races!!  I encourage you to run both of them.

My upcoming races in June are Rock ‘n’ Roll San Diego on June 2nd and Rock ‘n’ Roll Seattle on June 22nd.  Definitely taking advantage of the TourPass.

I’ve been to bikram yoga twice and do like it.  I wish I could go more often.  I guess I can do that once I am done with school which is next Friday.  Yay!!

My Mizuno Wave Elixir have not given me any problem.  Well, the only problem is I get blisters from the orthotics.  I read that Brooks is coming out with their new Ghost 6 and they’re supposed to be amazing.  I love the ad featuring that they’re made of real float dust.  I’ve ran in the Ghost 5 but they hurt my feet.  I am hoping the new version are pain free.

May in Review
Source: http://www.brooksrunning.com

I love buying new running gear and have purchased two pairs of socks, a skort/skirt, and a couple of T-shirts. I am addicted.

April 2013 in Review

This month I ran 71.64  miles compared to 85.68 last month.

I ran two half marathons:   Run Raleigh and Rock ‘n’ Roll Country Music Half Marathon.  Raleigh was warm and sunny and Nashville was cold and it rained all throughout the race.  Very different!

My races in May are the Rock ‘n’ Roll Portland Half Marathon on May 19th and Boston’s Run to Remember on May 26th.  Both races should be fun and I am looking forward to both of them!

Today was my last run with my Brooks PureConnect.  I bought these in the beginning of January but began running in them either mid January or beginning of February.  Regardless, I think I’ve put in about 200 or so miles. On Sunday I went to Fleet Feet Chicago and bought the Mizuno Wave Elixir. Love the colors!

April in Review

I have not taken a bikram yoga class yet.  I am very disappointed in myself but plan to start soon. To date I’ve ran four Rock ‘n’ Roll races so these medals should be in my possession soon.
Source: http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/heavy-medals

 

April in Review
Source: http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/heavy-medals