Category: Running


Jan
2015

Weekly Recap #2

categories: Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running

weeklyrecap

*January 12-18, 2015

Monday:

  • PLAN- Cross-train
  • ACTUAL- Oh boy, here we go again.  Again, nothing today.

After school I had a meeting and then a dentist appointment.  I did have my stuff ready to go to the gym but instead just went home.

Tuesday:

  • PLAN-4 x 800 @4:37 (2 min RI)
  • ACTUAL- 4 x 800 @9:17 (per mile)

Great workout!  I felt much better than last week.  I like doing these on the treadmill so I did the calculation on the pace for one mile and came up with 9:23.  I am not sure why I did them in 9:17.  I will admit though that I got tired and struggled with the last 800 but overall still felt great.

Wednesday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

Thursday:

  • PLAN- 1 mile easy, 5 miles @10:33, 1 mile easy
  • ACTUAL- None.

Too tired.  Stayed late after school to review some papers and organize some things in my classroom.

Friday:

  • PLAN- Cross training
  • ACTUAL- None

I had a doctor appointment for some blood work to check my cholesterol level.  I went in July and my levels were high so she asked me to go back in 6 months.  I got my results today and my levels are pretty good.  Total is down 15 points and LDL is also down 15 points.  My HDL, good cholesterol, also went up a little.  My doctor even told me that whatever I am doing is working and to keep doing it.

Saturday:

  • PLAN- 10 miles @12:00
  • ACTUAL- None.

I had a retirement/wedding anniversary party on Saturday in Hartford.  It was a great party!  My plan was to run on Sunday morning, but when I woke up it was raining and the roads were too icy and no way was I going to run in those conditions.

Not running related but tried this beer for the first time.  It was OK.

hanukkahbeer

I love my Dunkin’ Donuts.

ddmug

Sunday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

*Runs on treadmill are done on 1% incline.

Thoughts:

  • Week 2 did not go as I expected.  I guess that is bound to happen with unexpected things but at what point is it “acceptable”?
  • I have missed my tempo runs on Thursday so I need to figure out a way to stay motivated and make it to the gym.
  • I am loving my workouts on Tuesday.
  • I enrolled in swimming lessons at the YMCA.  I am excited because I’ve always wanted to take swimming lessons but felt embarrassed because the younger kids swim better than me.  I am excited too because it will be another form of cross-training/exercise for me.

What is your favorite speed workout?


Jan
2015

Weekly Recap #1

categories: Half Marathon Training, Motivation, Running

weeklyrecap

*January 5-11, 2015

Monday:

  • PLAN- Cross-train
  • ACTUAL- Nada, but does walking count?

Back to work and no motivation to get on the elliptical.

Tuesday:

  • PLAN- 3×1600 @9:29 (400 RI)
  • ACTUAL- I did run 3 miles but at 9:34 pace.  However, I was not able to run them consistent and so I had to stop every quarter mile.  Not my finest moment but still felt great after my run.

I was tired and it showed because I could not run one mile without stopping.  Or perhaps the pace was too fast for me?  I was happy that I was able to run 400s even if that wasn’t in the plan.  Definitely counts as speedwork.

Wednesday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

No school due to weather.  My evening class was not cancelled.

Thursday:

  • PLAN- 2 miles easy, 2 miles @10:02, 2 miles easy
  • ACTUAL- Did not run at all.

Still no school so I stayed home.  I had planned to go to the gym after lunch but once I saw the snow, I decided to skip it and not worry about it.  I finished watching the last season of “Veronica Mars”.

Friday:

  • PLAN- Cross training
  • ACTUAL- None

Met a friend for dinner.  Had a great time and enjoyed my two apple martinis.

martiniSaturday:

  • PLAN- 8 miles @11:45
  • ACTUAL- I did 6:54 miles alternating between 11:44 and 11:18 with a few walking breaks.

Oh boy, I guess the martinis on Friday night were a bad idea.  I finally made it to the gym at 3pm and could not keep up with the pace.  I usually enjoy running on the treadmill but for some reason I was not liking it on Saturday.  I watched a few episodes of “Hot in Cleveland” and that did not help at all.  I finally stopped with 6:54 miles.

Sunday:

  • PLAN- Rest day
  • ACTUAL- Rest day

*Runs on treadmill are done on 1% incline.

Thoughts:

  • A rough first week into the new year.  Definitely not my finest moment.  I need to work on being consistent with my runs and cross training.
  • Hydrations is key.  Must remember that every single day.  Even though I was home for two days, I did not drink water like I was supposed to.

Jan
2015

Running in new states in 2015

categories: Race all 50 states, Running
To date I’ve run in 31 states.  Well 32 if you include Washington DC.   I know Washington DC isn’t a state either I am counting it as part of this goal.  The states in yellow are those that I still need to run in.

Race in the 50+1 States

To date I’ve registered for the following races/states:

There are a few more I plan to do but still working on logistics:

So that is 7 new states this year for a total of 39.  Wow, I was hoping to be in the 40s at the end of this year so I will need to add a few more races to my list.  Let me check out those cities that I can get to on Southwest.  I live about 5 minutes away from Midway Airport so there is no doubt as to which airline to use.

As I complete a race in a new state I get excited because I am so much closer to completing my goal. I am hoping this year I get to truly enjoy each race instead of focusing on time.  Although I would like to one day run a sub-2 half marathon.  To date my best time is 2:17:03 at the ING Hartford Half Marathon in 2013.

I am also excited this year to run the Illinois Marathon as a relay member for “Team Faster than Snails”.  For sure that race will be just for fun!  Oh, and I am still hoping to run Ragnar Relay Chicago. So far we’ve had 2 snow days and now my last day of school is June 9 (Tuesday).  Team members meet on Thursday evening to start on Friday morning.  A couple more snow days and for sure I won’t be able to run in the relay.  No more snow!!

Come run with me!  Where are you running?  Can I tag along?


Jan
2015

Three Things Thursday, January 8, 2015

categories: Half Marathon Training, Running, Teaching, Three Things Thursday

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. 

1.  I got back from San Antonio on Friday night and spent the weekend getting ready to go back to work on Monday.  Honestly, I was excited to see my kids again.  The snow looks so pretty.

letitsnow

Monday and Tuesday went well with my kids but was exhausted at the end of each day.  Notes from my principal always make me smile.

backtoschool

On Tuesday I got a call that school would be closed on Wednesday.  Yes, I was happy but my math class in the evening was not cancelled.

coldday

That evening I found out that school would also be closed on Thursday.  Another day at home.  It was so cold today and I did not leave my house at all.  Instead, I watched the last season of “Veronica Mars”.  It will be another cold day tomorrow but it looks like there will be school.

snowday

2.  I spent these two days at home watching “Veronica Mars” on Amazon.  Love, love that show.  I cannot remember why I never saw it when it was shown on TV.  I am disappointed that there aren’t any more seasons for me to watch but do know that the movie is available on Redbox.  Besides Veronica, my other favorite character is Logan.  I like his bad boy character and cannot resist his gorgeous smile.  This girl is also a big fan and got to see the movie premiere in Los Angeles.

Training for the Fort2Base 10 NM3.  With a new year comes a new training plan.  I am not training for anything specific but just planning to run a few half marathons this year.  I wrote my new plan using the book “Runner’s World Run Less, Run Faster: Become a Faster, Stronger Runner with the Revolutionary 3-Run-a-Week Training Program“.  I already missed today’s workout but don’t want to stress out about missing any of my runs.  Now I only need to work on my cross training.  I dislike the elliptical and get bored on the bike.  A new show on Netflix or Amazon would definitely help.


Jan
2015

December and Year in Review 2014

categories: Ambassador, Hammer Nutrition, Monthly Review, Race all 50 states, Race Recap, 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. 

HappyNewYear

In December I ran 90.71 miles compared to 69.82 in November.  Last year (December) I ran 142.39.  Big difference but I remember that I was training for my 50K in April.

Here is my 2014 running year in review:

# of Miles Run: 1001.48.  I did my last run yesterday morning.

Races Run: 17, 50K (1), marathons (1), half marathons (9), 10K (2), 8K (1), 4 milers (1), 5k (2).

Fun Race Destinations: All Disney races except the Wine and Dine Half Marathon.  Also, Des Moines and Tulsa (basically all races with Jaime).

Best Races: I had a great time at both the Shamrock Shuffle and the 4 on the 4th.  I felt really good in both races and definitely enjoyed them.  Also, I enjoyed the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon because I also felt great (besides some pain in my glutes) and did well despite my lack of running/training.

Worst Races: Chinatown 5K, ZOOMA Chicago Half Marathon, Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon and Route 66 Half Marathon.  I really hate running in the rain and hills.  However, I would like to run again Chinatown 5K and Route 66 Half Marathon.

Running Shoes: I started off the year running in Brooks PureConnect 2 (315.35 miles).  Then switched to the Brooks PureFlow 2 (346.28 miles) and then back again to Brooks PureConnect 2 (65.18 miles).  I then needed more support so I got a pair of Mizuno Sayonara.  There were OK.  I guess I was used to lightweight shoes and found the Sayonara too heavy.  I went back to Fleet Feet and was fitted with a pair of Newton’s Kismet. Wow!  I really loved those shoes.  Everything was going well until I experienced some toe numbness in my right foot.  I went to the podiatrist who diagnosed me with Morton’s neuroma.  I don’t think that’s accurate since I did not experience many of the symptoms. “Morton’s neuroma is a painful condition that affects the ball of your foot, most commonly the area between your third and fourth toes.  Morton’s neuroma may feel as if you are standing on a pebble in your shoe or on a fold in your sock.  Morton’s neuroma involves a thickening of the tissue around one of the nerves leading to your toes.  This can cause a sharp, burning pain in the ball of your foot.  Your toes also may sting, burn or feel numb.”

Luckily, I only experienced the numbness but it was enough to take me back to Fleet Feet for another pair of shoes and I walked out with the Brooks Ravenna.  Really comfortable shoes but somehow I experienced some discomfort on the right side of my right foot.  I really tried to make them work (because I did not want to buy more shoes) and used several different pairs of socks but no luck.  In November I bought my last pair, Saucony Ride.  My feet are happy and I am happy.

Star Sightings: I met Scott Jurek, Deena Kastor, and John Cox.  Plus, I got to see Bart Yasso again in Chicago and Tulsa.

runningstarscollage

Ambassadorships: Zooma Chicago Half Marathon and Fort2Base.  I did not run Fort2Base but instead volunteered at gear check which was fun but also exhausting.

Next year I will be am ambassador for Christmas in July and will be sponsored by Hammer Nutrition.

Register for any Christmas in July Race and use discount code AMBARROYO10 to save 10% off and code 228361 to save 15% off your first Hammer Nutrition order (affiliate link).

Personal Records (PRs): 2, Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle and Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th.  I am excited and looking forward to running them again this year.

Favorite Medals:

favoritemedalscollage
Top L to R: Tinker Bell Half Marathon and Disney Princess Half Marathon Bottom L to R: Dumbo Dare Challenge and Coast to Coast Challenge

Best New Running Product I Tried: Hammer Gel in Nocciola (Hazelnut-Chocolate).

My plans for next year?

  • Run 2,015 miles as part of Run 2,015 in 2015 Challenge.  The plan is to run them with three other friends but don’t think they’ve signed up.

RunTheEdge