Miles Ran/Last Month:  98.83/75.34.  Another great month of training with Coach Sara.  Almost 100 miles and I would have reached it if I’d complete all of my runs.  I try to get them all done but I have good days and bad days.

Highest Mileage Week:  23.  I managed this despite completing only 12.5 miles instead of 14 on a long run.  

Races Planned/Completed:  3/3.  I ran the Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th, Chinatown 5k, and the Strike Out ALS 5k.  

Current Ache/Pain:  I ran in my Newton shoes but experienced an unusual amount of pain in my calves.  It was to the point that I had to stop (more than usual) during my runs.  The only thing I can think of that made this happen is that I did not transition properly into the shoes.  Well, I was told that since I already run in minimalist shoes, then I did not have to transition.  So now I am back to my Mizuno.  So far so good.  I have a half marathon tomorrow so hopefully I’ll have no problems.

Current Challenge:  A running challenge among friends using the Nike+ app.  The goal is to be the first one to run 50 miles.  Yes, my goal is to be that person.

Current Book:  I’ve read The Silkworm by Robert Galbraith.  I want to read The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson.  I just remembered that I need to pick up my copy (that is on hold at the library) of The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Díaz.  I am glad I’ve been reading so many books this summer and hopefully will continue to do once I go back to work.

Current Song:  Amor Mio No Te Vayas by Gilberto Santa Rosa.  Makes me want to dance!

Current Treat:  My coffee every morning.  

Next Race(s):  ZOOMA Half Marathon tomorrow,  Fort2Base on August 24, Disneyland Half Marathon on August 31.

Current Excitement:  For now I am soaking everything in and continuing to enjoy my summer break.  I’ve made plans to run a couple half marathons after the Chicago Marathon to continue on my quest to run in the 50 states.  So if all goes well then I will be at state #33 by December.

Miles Ran/Last Month:  75.34/65.18.  Another great month of training with Coach Sara.  Yeah, I still don’t like tempo runs but I am enjoying 400s.  On Monday I ran 200s and I like those even more.

Highest Mileage Week:  21.  I did all of my workouts that week (speed, easy, tempo, and long).  

Races Planned/Completed:  1/0.  I won an entry to the Michelob Chicago 13.1 but ended up not finishing the race.  I did not even write anything about it because I was sad and disappointed about it. I know I made the right decision but I can’t help but feel that way.  Anyway, I did not finish the race because I got too hot as I was running.  I took a lot of walking breaks to cool down and would feel better but then would warm up once I began running again.

Current Ache/Pain:  My knees are better.  Last month I ran in my new shoes, the Mizuno Sayonara. They’re OK but I like the Brooks PureFlow 2 more than these.  On Tuesday I went to Fleet Feet and got a pair of Newton Kismet.  Wow, I did 5 miles today and they felt really good.

I’ve been foam rolling as much as possible.  I’ve set up my little gym area in the living room by the TV so I can stretch and foam roll.

Current Challenge:  None.  Thought about doing the planks challenge but I need to be realistic.  🙂

Current Book:  Where’s You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.  So far it is a really good book.  I finished Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and Bossypants by Tina Fey.  I did like Mockingjay but am disappointed with the ending.  Yesterday I saw a preview for Part 1 of the movie and can’t wait till November to see it.

Current Song:  Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order.  This song takes me back to my high school days.

Current Treat:  Going back to the chocolates.   They’re delicious.

Next Race:  Elmhurst 4 on the 4th tomorrow.

Current Excitement:  Love summer break.  I’ve done a lot of reading and finished 2 seasons of House of Cards.  Holy frijoles!  Great show and I love Kevin Spacey.  Also, I’ve been able to watch many of the games of the World Cup.  Mexico’s loss on Sunday was disappointing but the game between Costa Rica and Greece was INTENSE.  Oh, and let’s not forget the game between USA and Belgium.  Tim Howard is HOT and I think he looks better without the beard.

Miles Ran/Last Month: 65.18/61.64.  May was my first month working with Coach Sara.  Every Sunday she enters my workouts for that week.  I do various types of runs such as easy, tempo, and long.  I did my first ever speed workout on a track and loved it!  I’ve always done them on the treadmill so this was something new to me.

Highest Mileage Week: 19.

Races Planned/Completed: 3/0.  Sigh.  I had planned to run 2 half marathons and 1 5K this month. And I backed out of all of them.  Boo me.  Luckily, I had registered for only one race (and paid $19.72) so it wasn’t that much of a loss.  The reason I did not run it is because I went to the ZOOMA Training Kickoff.  It was another gorgeous day for a run!

Current Ache/Pain: My knees.  Just a slight pain when I walk.  Might be the shoes?

Current Challenge: None.  Last month was the 30-Day Plank Challenge and did not complete it. Need to think again how badly I want to do these challenges.

Current Book: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins.  I finished Catching Fire and loved it.  I finished the book on Monday and went to Redbox to get the movie.

I also read Me Before You by Jojo Moyes for my book club.  It is a great book and can’t wait to meet with the girls to talk about it.  And drink too.  🙂

Current Song: Feel this Moment by Pitbull and Christina Aguilera.  I love the beat and makes me want to run faster.  Sometimes I find myself listening to it towards the end of a run to keep on going.

Current Treat: All-in-Almond by Picky Bars.

Next Race: Michelob ULTRA 13.1 Chicago on Saturday, June 7.  I am looking forward to this race. So far weather is looking good.

Current Excitement: Less than two weeks to go.

Miles Ran/Last Month: 61.64/140.56.  I took it easy in April while I recovered from my ultramarathon.  However, I did run the Nike Women’s Half Marathon.  The race was so much fun!  I highly recommend you run this race.  I do hope the event comes to Chicago.

Highest Mileage Week: 31.21.  Ultra marathon week.

Half Marathons Planned/Completed: 2/1.  I had planned to run the Salt Lake City Half Marathon but last minute decided not to go.  I was feeling bleh and was not in the mood to travel nor run a race.

Current Ache/Pain: My right hip.  It does not hurt when I run so maybe that is a good thing.  I’ve been slacking on my stretching and need to make it a point to do it more often.

Current Challenge: 30-Day Plank Challenge.  I am up to 90 seconds.  Tomorrow it is 120 seconds!

Current Book: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins.  Yes, I know I am behind so I am slowly catching up. I’ve had the chance to see the movie twice and each time I’ve refused to see it because I want to read the book first.

I also read What I Know Now: Letters to My Younger Self for my book club.  I will admit it is a good book but I expected it to be better.  There were some good and interesting letters but I guess I was waiting for an aha moment.

Current Song: Happy by Pharrell Williams.  My kids LOVE that song.  It makes them happy and that makes me happy.

Current Treat: Milk Chocolate Salted Caramel by Godiva.  The Staples by my house is going out of business so all of the food is 50% off.

You bet I stocked up on my coffee and chocolate.

Current Excitement: I have 6 weeks to go till summer break.  Enough said.