Mar
2015

CARA Membership and Hammer Nutrition Giveaway Winner

categories: Chicago Marathon, Giveaway, Running

It will be ten years since I began running.  I remember I signed up for “Beginning Running” class offered through CARA.  I don’t remember exactly what happened because I signed up for the class again.  Clearly I had NO idea what I was doing.  The goal of the class was to run 30 minutes nonstop.  I think I made it to 27 or 28 minutes and that was definitely an achievement for a non-runner like me.

I signed up for the Chicago Marathon in May 2006.  I also signed up to run for a charity that is no longer in existence.  Anyway, because I was running on behalf of a charity, they offered to pay for my marathon training with CARA and gave me a one year “free” membership.  My training was clearly an amazing experience and I learned so much from my group leaders and the others in my group.

I ran the Chicago Marathon a few more times on behalf of a charity and again I trained with CARA and got a membership.  Over time I decided to not renew my membership.  Don’t ask me why because I sure don’t remember.  🙂

Well, thanks to a Twitter post from Bethany at Accidental Intentions I found out (late to the party here) that I can secure a guaranteed entry to the 2016 Chicago Marathon.  Yep, all I need to do is volunteer for two shifts at the 2015 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K or Chicago Marathon and run either 5 or 10 races (two different options depending on the race distance).  The other option is to earn a top five placement in my age group category in the year end standings.  <<That my friends will NOT happen.

You bet I signed up to be a member.  It is $44 for an individual 1-year membership.  I found a discount code which then brought it down to $38.  I have the option to get a $20 refund on a Runner’s World subscription included in the membership.  That means my final cost is only $18.  Pretty good right?  I am excited to be again a part of this running group.

Why the 2016 Chicago Marathon?  Why not run it this year?  Well, next year will be ten years that I ran my first marathon.  I guess it is more of a sentimental meaning to me.  Plus, it is a great race with a beautiful course!

4, 2006 Chicago Marathon 2
My first Chicago Marathon. This was before mile 20 and I was in so much pain.

Thanks to all that entered my giveaway.  The winner is Marcia K. at Marcia’s Healthy Slice.  Don’t worry if you did not win because I’m planning to have more Hammer Nutrition products giveaways.

Finally it feels like Spring here in Chicago!


Mar
2015

Hammer Nutrition Gift Pack Giveaway

categories: Giveaway, Hammer Nutrition

Disclosure:  I am an ambassador for Hammer Nutrition and I purchased all of the products in the giveaway on my own.

In late December 2014 I was notified that I had been selected as an ambassador for Hammer Nutrition.  I first began using their products last year and since then have truly enjoyed many of their products.  Below is a list of the things I use:

  • HEED Sports Drink-I love the Melon and Mandarin Orange flavors.
  • Hammer Gel-My favorite flavor is Nocciola (Hazelnut-Chocolate).
  • Hammer Bars-The Oatmeal Apple is yummy.
  • Recoverite-Love the Chocolate and the Vanilla Flavors.

I am giving away a gift pack with the following items:

  • One Purist Water Bottle
  • Two Hammer Bars in Oatmeal Apple
  • Three Hammer Gels (Nocciola, Peanut Butter, and Chocolate)

HammerGiveaway1

Enter now!  Rafflecopter will select a random winner in one week.  Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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