Category: Motivation


Sep
2017

Ready for Fall, running a 5k, and meeting two olympians and an ultra-ultra marathoner!

categories: Motivation, Running, Weekly Recap

Friday was the first day of fall.  But it did not feel like it at all.  We’ve been having some HOT weather which is normal for July/August but NOT September.  We have a few more warm days and then it is supposed to cool down.  It looks like it will be cooler for the Chicago Marathon.

Weather Chicago

I am actually looking forward to fall.   For sure the weather.  I am excited to wear shorts/capris with a long sleeve shirt or thin jacket.  To me fall is the best season for running!Ready for fall since last fall

This week I ran 4 days for a total of 11.18 miles which includes a 5k today.  Tuesday’s 2 miles felt tough.  I had Open House at my school on Thursday and I knew I would not want to run afterwards so I ran early in the morning.  It was weird being out there so early.

I got a late start to my run on Saturday and paid for it later.  That afternoon I went to Soldier Field to pick up my bib for the Chicago 5k.  It was a good expo and I was tempted to buy a new pair of Saucony Kinvara 8.  They were only $95 and are very comfortable. But I have too many shoes and definitely do not need another pair.

running 9

Saucony Kinvara 8

Today I ran the Chicago 5k.  I had signed up for the half marathon but changed it yesterday to the 5k.  Although the medal for the half is much nicer, I am glad I ran the 5k. I didn’t get a PR (wasn’t planning due to the weather) but still pleased with my time.  

Then in the afternoon I attended the “Breaking Through The Wall: Marathon Preparation Seminar”.  Although I am not training for a marathon, I enjoy going to it and hear inspiring stories from various runners.  Last year I met Meb Keflezighi, Desi Linden, and Amy Cragg. This year it was Scott Jurek, Ryan Hall, and Amy Cragg.  It was cool holding Amy’s bronze medal from 2017 World Marathon Championships in London.  When it was my turn to take a picture with her, I asked her if she could hold her medal.  Instead, she asked ME if I wanted to hold her medal.  Yes!!

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

Hoping everyone had a good week!

WeeklyWrap


Feb
2015

Weekly Recap #6

categories: Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running, Weekly Recap

weeklyrecap
*February 9-15, 2015

Monday:

  • PLAN- 3 miles @easy, conversational pace with 5 strides at the end of the run plus 30 minutes of cross training
  • ACTUAL- 3 miles @10:55

Great workout with 3 miles followed by 5 strides at the end for total 3.44 miles @average pace of 10:41.  Then 30 minutes on the bike.

Tuesday:

  • PLAN-5 miles @easy, conversational pace with 6 X 2 minutes fartleks with 2 minutes recovery
  • ACTUAL-2.5 miles@10:55, 6 fartleks, 2.5 miles @various paces

Another great workout today.  2.5 miles @10:55.  3 x 2 minutes fartleks @8:32 but that pace was still hard to keep up so I did 2 more @8:39.  The last fartlek I was determined to do @8:32 but only managed 1 minute and 30 seconds.  I walked the last 30 seconds.  I did not want to run the last 2.5 miles but after going back and forth with my coach, she actually convinced me to complete my run.  I set a timer for 2 minutes followed by 1 minute and then alternated with paces of 11:44, 11:18, and 10:55.  Finally finished 6.92 miles @average pace of 11:25.  Below is the text conversation I had with my coach.

Coach1

Coach2

Wednesday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

Thursday:

  • PLAN- 1/2 mile warm up, 1/2 mile @10:30, 1/2 mile @10:00, 1/2 mile cool down.  
  • ACTUAL- 2 miles done @various paces

Loved this workout!  1/2 mile @10:55, 1/2 mile @10:32, 1/2 mile @9:52, 1/2 mile @10:55.  Total 2 miles @average 10:45.

Friday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

Saturday:

  • PLAN- 8 miles @11:30  +/- 10-15 seconds with 8 strides at the end of the run
  • ACTUAL- Did not run.

Sunday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Ran 8 miles.

I did not run on Saturday but instead did so on Sunday.  I slept in till 8:30 yesterday and it felt really good.  I then got really lazy and came up with every excuse not to make it to the gym. Obviously I was not proud of my decision but I was not motivated.

gotothegym

Fast forward a few hours later and I met a friend to watch “50 Shades of Grey”.  I did like the movie and am not sure why people are complaining about it.

So today I made my way to the gym.  I watched a few episodes of “Parenthood”.  Man, that show is really good.  Total is 8 miles @average pace 12:14.  Definitely slower than I wanted to but I know that soon I will see progress (faster times).  I guess I must have been so glad to step off the treadmill that I forgot to do the strides.

*Runs on treadmill are done on 1% incline.

Thoughts:

  • I am tired of this cold weather.  I know I shouldn’t complain about it because at least we are not getting storm after storm like the east coast.
  • I know once summer is here and it is really hot I will be complaining about the weather too.
  • No school tomorrow.  Time to relax.  I also have an appointment for a 6 months follow-up mammogram/ultrasound.  Hopefully I’ll get good news.
  • I have two cross training workouts (Monday and Thursday).  Have I mentioned how much I dislike the elliptical?

Elliptical or treadmill?


Feb
2015

Weekly Recap #5

categories: Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running, Weekly Recap

weeklyrecap
*February 2-8, 2015

Monday:

  • PLAN- 3 miles @easy, conversational pace plus 30 minutes of cross training
  • ACTUAL- Did not run.

Another snow day for us.  No way could I leave my house.

My view on Sunday night.

nightsnowday

Monday morning.

hotchocolateday

Perfect day to build a snowman.

buildsnowman

Tuesday:

  • PLAN-5 miles @easy, conversational pace with 6 X 1 minute fartlek with 2 minutes recovery
  • ACTUAL- Did not run.

I was all set and ready to run at the gym.  However, throughout the day I was not feeling good. I was really tired and had a headache that just would not go away.

Wednesday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

Thursday:

  • PLAN- 5 miles at easy, conversational pace with 5 X 1 minute fartlek with 1 minute recovery, 10 minutes of core work
  • ACTUAL- 2.5 miles @10:55 pace and 2.5 miles with various pace of 10:55, 11:18, and 11:44

Felt tired the last 2.5 miles so I took a few breaks.  Fartleks @7:59 felt hard but yet manageable. It made a big difference between 2 minutes and 1 minute recovery.  I think I could have handled doing one more.

Yeah, gotta work on core work.  One minute planks are hard for me.  Baby steps for me.

Friday:

  • PLAN- Swim class
  • ACTUAL- Did not swim.

There was a confusion at the gym so I was not able to take my swimming class.

Saturday:

  • PLAN- 7 miles @11:30  +/- 10-15 seconds with 8 strides at the end of the run
  • ACTUAL- 7.56 @11:50 average pace

A beautiful day for a run.  Ran nice and slow along the lakefront.  Walked a lot since the weather was really nice and I was thinking about my week in school.

Splits are:
1-11:02
2-11:56
3-11:54
4-11:52
5-13:04
6-13:15
7-12:13

chicagorunning

sledding

lakefrontwithice

Sunday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

It is a rest day for me but I also go to a local restaurant where I eat breakfast and grade papers.  Last week I was there for breakfast and lunch.

breakfastpindos

*Runs on treadmill are done on 1% incline.

Thoughts:

  • I am loving fartleks and strides.  And I love even more that they will help me get faster.
  • It is almost that time to look into new running shoes.  Currently I run in the Saucony Ride 7 but am looking at the Brooks Ghost 7 and Brooks Launch 2.  I’ve always been a fan of Brooks shoes but had to switch to other brands because I wanted to run in something new and different.  Well, back to Brooks it is and I cannot decide between the two.

brooks7

launch2

  • I am going through race withdrawal.  My next one isn’t till March but I want to run one this month.
  • I know many people don’t normally drink water when running anything less than 5 or 6 miles. I do.  I cannot drink too much water throughout the day at school so I find myself drinking in the evening.  Yes, even for that 3 mile run.  🙂
  • Not running related but I see so many selfies of people sticking out their tongue.  My question is “Why?”  I just don’t understand it.  I know what a tongue looks like and I really do not want to see yours.

Which shoes do you currently run in now?  Help me decide, Ghost 7 or Launch 2?


Feb
2015

Weekly Recap #4

categories: Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running

weeklyrecap
*January 26-31, 2015

Monday:

  • PLAN- 3 miles @easy, conversational pace plus 30 minutes of cross training
  • ACTUAL- 3 miles @10:56 average pace and 30 minutes on bike

My first workout with my new coach.  Almost did not go to the gym but glad I did.  Great run on the treadmill and 30 minutes on the bike wasn’t too bad.  Time went by quickly.

Tuesday:

  • PLAN-4 miles @easy, conversational pace with 6 X 1 minute fartlek with 2 minutes recovery
  • ACTUAL- 2 miles @10:55 and 2 miles @11:18

Ran 2 miles @10:55.  Pace felt OK.  Fartleks were done @7:59 and felt hard but at the same time manageable.  I am in awe of people that run races at that pace.  One minute was long enough for me. I took it slow the last two miles and ran them @11:18.  I was tired.  Great workout!  Definitely want to do this one again.

Wednesday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

Thursday:

  • PLAN- 3 miles at easy, conversational pace
  • ACTUAL- 3 miles @11:22 average pace

For some reason 3 miles was tough today.  Started at 10:55, then 11:18 and then back again to 10:55.

Friday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

Saturday:

  • PLAN- 6 miles @11:30  +/- 10 seconds with 6 strides at the end of the run
  • ACTUAL- 6.38 @11:21 average pace

runningsaturday

A little cold but still great day for a run.  Splits are:
1-11:39
2-11:22
3-11:44
4-11:25
5-11:08
6-11:30

Sunday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

hellofebruary

*Runs on treadmill are done on 1% incline.

Thoughts:

  • What a disappointment about Rita Jeptoo.
  • I definitely enjoyed my workouts this week.  Next week will be similar with my long run being 7 miles.
  • I want these shoes.  So cute.

jazzlowpro


Jan
2015

Weekly Recap #3

categories: Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post below are “affiliate links.”  This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers.

weeklyrecap

*January 19-25, 2015

Monday:

  • PLAN- Cross-train
  • ACTUAL- Nada.

It was my day off from school but I met my friend, Lidia, at Corner Bakery to grade some papers.  It felt good to finally grade some writing papers that I’ve had since November.  I also had the most delicious Avocado and Spinach Panini.

CBPanini

Tuesday:

  • PLAN-1200 in 7:01 (200 RI), 1000 in 5:48(200 RI), 800 in 4:37 (200 RI), 600 in 3:27 (200 RI), 400 in 2:16 (200 RI)
  • ACTUAL- 1.39 miles

Those numbers hurt my head.  Well, to make a long story short, I did not complete all of them.  Well, I only did 1.39 miles.  I have a whole bunch of excuses but I won’t even write them all here.  I will only say that it clearly wasn’t my day.

Wednesday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

Thursday:

  • PLAN- 1 mile easy, 5 miles at 10:33, 1 mile easy
  • ACTUAL- 2.50 miles

I got a late start to my workout that by the time I finished my easy 1 mile, I was already tired.  I walked and ran and finally went home after 2.5 miles.

Friday:

  • PLAN- Cross training
  • ACTUAL- Nothing.

I went home because I had a cold.  As soon as I got home, I took some Theraflu and went to bed.

Saturday:

  • PLAN- 12 miles @12:00
  • ACTUAL- None.

I switched my long run to Sunday to take a class at The Dailey Method Orland Park with Meghan.  Well, that didn’t happen.  I stayed home and watched a few episodes of “Hot in Cleveland”.  It is a funny show.  Sometimes the characters annoy me but they still make me laugh.

I also made some Bob’s Red Mill Soup Mix, 13 Bean Soup on the crockpot.  It is so easy to make and tastes delicious!  Then that night before I went to bed I put again the ingredients in the crockpot for another batch.  I have a small one (4-6 cups) but have a bigger one in the attic.

Sunday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

*Runs on treadmill are done on 1% incline.

Thoughts:

Nuttzo

Nomeatathlete

  • I am excited to be working with my friend, Melanie, to coach me this year.  I know, I know, I said at the beginning of the year that I had a running plan using the “Runner’s World Run Less, Run Faster” book.  Well, that wasn’t really working out for me so I reached out to her and she has agreed to work with me.

I can’t believe this is the last week of January.  I am looking forward to the remaining 11 months.  What are you excited about this year?