Yikes!! Yes you heard that right....only one more week till the Cleveland Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon. And I don't know if it's because of the crazy summer, or because I started my training earlier with my first half that it seemed like it was like forever before my first half got here...but this half just seemed to sneak up on me...one minute I was trying to start my training, next minute we are a week away....crazy stuff I tell ya!!
So went for my last long training run Saturday. What a beautiful morning for it too. Temps in the 50s, lovely sunshine...it was wonderful. And this time I wanted to simulate what I would do on race day...I had my Gu Chomps and Jelly Belly Sport Beans for fuel, wore my shoes I plan to wear on Sunday, not sure on the outfit yet, but we'll have to see how the weather is in Cleveland. Anyway, as I started my run, I purposely started running more slowly. I usually run between a 9-9:30 minute mile. And I usually make the mistake of starting out too fast...this time I purposely started at almost a 10 minute mile. Felt kind of weird at first, but I went with it. The run was really good...and to the guy who just happened to be running the same route I was for a good part of my run....trust me I was not stalking you...obviously we have the same idea on a long run route. Anyway, my training log said to do a 7 mile run, I wanted to do 10...I know, again the insanity kicking in. I got to mile 8 and I started feeling tired, but I kept pushing through. By the time I got home I had just a smidge over 10 miles. Those last couple miles were tough. I'm so praying that when I get to Cleveland that I'll be able to pull through those last 3 miles. Ugh...but overall I was happy with my run. When I checked my stats on Nike+ it said I pretty much did negative splits until mile 9, and believe it or not mile 8 was my fastest mile...and also I have run 2000 miles since I started running in August 2010....that's crazy....I figure I'm almost to Cali now right?? LOL!
And just FYI....I never run without my tunes and if you are looking for some great running mixes check out Rock My Run. They have really great running mixes. The running mix I ran with Saturday was the Faith, Love, Run mix by DJ Lloyd. What a great mix to get going on your run but also praising God in the process...it's great!
So now the taper begins...I plan to do a 5 mile run sometime today then a 2 mile run later this week and then it's race time on Sunday. The Expo is on Saturday so I'll be there picking up my race packet and checking out what they have to offer then the plan is to meet up with some of my Cleveland family (Yes, I am originally from the Cleveland area). So hoping to meet my aunt, uncle and grandma for some dinner and then hopefully turn in early for a good night's sleep for race day.
So wish me luck and my next post will probably be after my half on Sunday with a race report. Have a great week everyone!
Monday, September 30, 2013
Thursday, September 12, 2013
There's a fine line between dedication and insanity
So half marathon training continues...hard to believe in just a little under a month I will be running my 2nd half marathon. Training this time around has been very different from the first time. Not sure if it's because I've been through it once before (and no I'm not saying I'm a seasoned pro), or if it's the time of year, or if it's being so busy that I have no time for the mental games from the first time...who knows. So far training has been pretty good....though I have to say not exactly ideal.
So if I had to choose a time of year to do my training, this time of year would NOT be my first choice. First of all, let's face it....I'm a mom...summer means kids are home, summer is busy, summer is HOT...and it's still hot here...there is no routine...it just really makes it difficult to get those miles in when you're a mom. And even now that my boys are back in school, it's still not easy to try and get those runs in for some reason. A lot of juggling has been involved with this half marathon training that's for sure.
For instance, my run yesterday. Yesterday was a crazy busy day. I had an appointment in the morning, had to set up for our community dinner at church, then a meeting at 4 p.m. and then help at the community dinner...I knew that if I wanted to get my run in I would have to do it after setting up the community dinner....which meant at 1:30 in the afternoon....when it was still 90 degrees out and the humidity was insane. Not ideal in the least...but I put on my big girl shorts, tied up my laces and went out and did it before my brain told me what a crazy insane woman I was. (I always tell my friends that there is a fine line between dedication and insanity....and I jump that line often....lol!!) So I was able to get a four mile run in, and actually it was a really good run...one of the best I've had in a while...though at the last half mile I was totally dying...it was WAY too hot and my water bottle had gotten warm by this point...bleh...nothing worse than drinking warm water, but overall I felt really good running and I had no pains at all...my knee was great, even my hip, which usually starts giving me fits when I amp up the mileage...my hip was great! So just goes to show, even when the environment isn't ideal, you still can have a good run.
Speaking of good runs, I have some recommendations for some things for a good run or at least help you obtain it. I have come across some great running stuff lately that I want to pass along to you:
Runner Girls Podcast....if you have the ability to listen to podcasts this is a great little podcast of three ladies who trained to do a half marathon together and are now training to do a 5K in 30 minutes or less. They talk about their training, they have interesting weekly topics and they keep it real. Go check them out.
OptimalRun.com...if you are looking for new running shoes, this is a great little website that if you go to their tab "Personalized Footwear Recommendation"....from there you answer their survey questions about what you like in running shoes and what not...and within a day they will send you not a link or a cookie cutter email recommending you what shoes to wear...oh no....they will send you a personalized video recommendation of what shoes they recommend for you....I thought this was pretty darn cool...of course I don't get out much either, but seriously it was really, really cool. And they will also give you a discount on the shoes they recommend for you. As soon as I can scrape my $$ together I'm probably going to try their recommendation for me...yes a Mizuno pair of course...lol! Oh, and they have free shipping and a great 40 day money back guarantee...can't beat that!!
Cooling Runner's Towel Now this link may or may not be the exact same towel I have, but if you can get your hands on any type of cooling towel....do it!! I don't know how I ever ran without one of these things. My lovely sister, who just got into running herself, when we did our Tutu race a few weeks ago she introduced me to this amazing thing and let me have one of hers. Now when I run without it, I'm miserable...especially in this heat and humidity we've been having. The great thing about this towel is that when it's dry it's like a piece of cardboard, but once you get it wet it is soft and cooling...I like to get it wet and then leave it by my A/C for a little bit to get even cooler...oh yea....it's awesome. I call it my woobie towel....my boys love it and they don't even run. It's amazing!! Get one now!!
Well that's all I have for now. 24 days until my next half...if you happen to be running the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon in Cleveland on Oct. 6th, let me know...would love to know of someone else that is crazy enough to do this race like me...lol!
Have a great week!!
So if I had to choose a time of year to do my training, this time of year would NOT be my first choice. First of all, let's face it....I'm a mom...summer means kids are home, summer is busy, summer is HOT...and it's still hot here...there is no routine...it just really makes it difficult to get those miles in when you're a mom. And even now that my boys are back in school, it's still not easy to try and get those runs in for some reason. A lot of juggling has been involved with this half marathon training that's for sure.
For instance, my run yesterday. Yesterday was a crazy busy day. I had an appointment in the morning, had to set up for our community dinner at church, then a meeting at 4 p.m. and then help at the community dinner...I knew that if I wanted to get my run in I would have to do it after setting up the community dinner....which meant at 1:30 in the afternoon....when it was still 90 degrees out and the humidity was insane. Not ideal in the least...but I put on my big girl shorts, tied up my laces and went out and did it before my brain told me what a crazy insane woman I was. (I always tell my friends that there is a fine line between dedication and insanity....and I jump that line often....lol!!) So I was able to get a four mile run in, and actually it was a really good run...one of the best I've had in a while...though at the last half mile I was totally dying...it was WAY too hot and my water bottle had gotten warm by this point...bleh...nothing worse than drinking warm water, but overall I felt really good running and I had no pains at all...my knee was great, even my hip, which usually starts giving me fits when I amp up the mileage...my hip was great! So just goes to show, even when the environment isn't ideal, you still can have a good run.
Speaking of good runs, I have some recommendations for some things for a good run or at least help you obtain it. I have come across some great running stuff lately that I want to pass along to you:
Runner Girls Podcast....if you have the ability to listen to podcasts this is a great little podcast of three ladies who trained to do a half marathon together and are now training to do a 5K in 30 minutes or less. They talk about their training, they have interesting weekly topics and they keep it real. Go check them out.
OptimalRun.com...if you are looking for new running shoes, this is a great little website that if you go to their tab "Personalized Footwear Recommendation"....from there you answer their survey questions about what you like in running shoes and what not...and within a day they will send you not a link or a cookie cutter email recommending you what shoes to wear...oh no....they will send you a personalized video recommendation of what shoes they recommend for you....I thought this was pretty darn cool...of course I don't get out much either, but seriously it was really, really cool. And they will also give you a discount on the shoes they recommend for you. As soon as I can scrape my $$ together I'm probably going to try their recommendation for me...yes a Mizuno pair of course...lol! Oh, and they have free shipping and a great 40 day money back guarantee...can't beat that!!
Cooling Runner's Towel Now this link may or may not be the exact same towel I have, but if you can get your hands on any type of cooling towel....do it!! I don't know how I ever ran without one of these things. My lovely sister, who just got into running herself, when we did our Tutu race a few weeks ago she introduced me to this amazing thing and let me have one of hers. Now when I run without it, I'm miserable...especially in this heat and humidity we've been having. The great thing about this towel is that when it's dry it's like a piece of cardboard, but once you get it wet it is soft and cooling...I like to get it wet and then leave it by my A/C for a little bit to get even cooler...oh yea....it's awesome. I call it my woobie towel....my boys love it and they don't even run. It's amazing!! Get one now!!
Well that's all I have for now. 24 days until my next half...if you happen to be running the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon in Cleveland on Oct. 6th, let me know...would love to know of someone else that is crazy enough to do this race like me...lol!
Have a great week!!
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
And the training continues??
Whirlwind (noun)
1: a small rotating windstorm of limited extent
1: a small rotating windstorm of limited extent
2
a : a confused rush : whirl <a whirlwind of meetings>
b : a violent or destructive force or agency
Mainly thinking of definition 2a here...yes my summer was quite the whirlwind and it's hard to believe that summer is unofficially over here in Ohio....the kids are back in school...we just celebrated the last BBQ holiday of the year...we celebrated with having a 90th birthday party for my grandma!! But now, it's time to get back to some sort of routine. Though I have to admit, though my kiddos have been back to school for almost 3 weeks now, it's still a little struggle getting back to some sort of routine....because my normal routine has changed.
Normally I would do my weekday runs right before my kids got out of school. I would park at my youngest's elementary school, go for a run, my two older children would walk to the elementary, and we would all meet there in enough time to pick up the youngest. This year is a little different...youngest is in a new elementary school temporarily while they are finishing the construction of our new elementary school (which should be opening in October) so no need to park at his old elementary school...the two older boys get out a lot sooner than the youngest so now I have to back up my time to go for a decent run...which cuts into the time when hubby is home for lunch...oh the juggling woahs of a stay at home mom. So I have yet to come up with a decent time to run and honestly my juggling so far has not been very good. Last week I had to do my long run on a weekday...9 miles...well, I usually rest the day after a long run...but because of my schedule I knew I would have to do a short run the day after my long run...well...yea...did that...got that run in...unfortunately it was very hilly....I know, not very smart of me....and I was cutting it close on time...another not-so-smart move, and I was trying to run a little faster in order to pick up my boys on time so I wouldn't have to hear them complain how they had to wait on me...yea...strike three...I'm out. Ended up pulling a muscle in my leg I think and have been down from running since...though I went for a walk/light jog last night and seemed ok...definitely nothing great, but no pains. So I'm hoping to do a short run today to see how it goes. Though I like the freedom and spontaneity of summer, it really throws one off when you're training for a big race. I'll be honest...I'm worried about this one. Not sure I'm gonna even get close to the time I did at the Capital City Half. With only a month left to train I think I'm going to have to change my focus to just getting across the finish line...no PRs, no great and amazing finish times...just get across that line. And for me that makes me a little sad...I'm one who like to do their best. I like to improve and do better each time. But sometimes life gets in the way, and let me tell you...if there is one thing that God has truly been showing me lately is to be flexible...especially with my time. Unfortunately runs don't always happen like I want them to, when I want them to, or as long as I want them to go. Sometimes you just have to accept things as they are, brush off your shoulders and move on.
So that's that. Though I'm really hoping my last month of training goes a lot smoother than the past couple months. I have been working in a few more cross-training workouts which I think will help. At least I hope so.
Here's to hoping that the next 30 days are better!
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