Motivation Monday and Weekly Mileage Mash-Up

I am officially running the Fox Valley Half Marathon on September 20.  I have had my eye on the race for a few years and I'm excited to actually be running it! The course is set along the Fox River starting in St. Charles, IL. I have 8 weeks to train and to get fast!

This week I felt back to normal with my running and exercise routine.  I found balance this week between work, running, weights, and cross training.

Monday:
8 mile walk while listening to Rich Roll interview Fully Raw Kristina.  What I took away from this podcast included increasing the amount of whole, raw food in my diet and to eat locally to increase nutrition in produce. I took a 45 minute spin class in the early evening.  I ended up biking about 19 miles and it was a tough session! Following spin I did my regular back routine with lat pull-downs, rows, pull-ups, and cable tricep presses.

Tuesday:
I ended up only being scheduled for a half day at work (yay for a surprise half day!!) and I was home by 1:30.  I left for my run around 3:00 and it was HOT! My goal was to run at least for an hour and to take my time due to the heat.  I ended up feeling pretty good and did my favorite 10 mile loop.

10 miles

1:26:10

8:37/mile

Wednesday:
I worked my biceps, triceps, and shoulders at home while watching Orange is the New Black.  I subbed for Chris's softball team Wednesday night and it was an epically long 12 inning game. It's even longer when you only are supposed to play 7 innings.

Thursday:
 Rest!

Friday:
I'm working on making my easy runs truly easy.  It's a lot harder than it seems.  I'm currently reading a new training book, 80/20 Running, about running the majority of training runs and very few are speed work are race pace runs.

6 miles

56:49

9:28/mile

Saturday:
I took another long walk today while listening to Rich Roll's podcast.  I ended up walking 6 miles despite it being very hot very early in the morning.

Sunday:
I ran my long run without a Garmin telling me each mile split.  I ran 14 miles in about 2 hours.

Miles Running: 30
Miles Walking: 14
Strength Training: 2!

Monday's motivation is the power of positive thinking.  I truly believe what the mind believes the body will follow. 

Happy Monday!



What was your longest run this week?

Do you listen to podcasts? Which ones?

Friday Things

There is more craziness going on in this little part of the internet.  Between work, chasing after two dogs, cooking, attempting to keep the house clean, runs, spin class, and drinking crazy amounts of coconut LaCroiz (the BEST flavor), there hardly has been a moment to breathe.

I've been quietly stalking the Fox Valley Marathon registration page and debating with myself if I should run the half or the full.  I have 10 weeks from Sunday to train.  If I decided on the the full marathon, my training would focus on getting mileage on my legs without much speed.  Half marathon training would focus on speed with the goal of a major PR.  I'm leaning more in the direction of the full marathon as speed at this time does not sound appealing.

Despite my busy schedule I have been able to maintain 20-30 mile weeks with runs ranging in distance from 5 miles up to 12.  I've also been toying around with tempo runs and speed work to get myself ready for my 10K next Friday.

Today's run was a comfortable 10 miles.  I had no goal pace other than to run at what felt like an easy pace.

10 miles

1:23:20

8:20/mile

I've also started running more with my HRM and I averaged 166 bpm on this run.  This run was at a comfortable pace for me and I felt like I could keep going once I finished.

Running news....

THIS article was a great read.   It explains the difference between pushing hard and over training.  I can really relate as I'm starting to think more and more that I have over trained for my last marathon this past May (I've been doing a LOT of reflecting on that run lately as I decide what race to do next).  The biggest takeaway I took from this article was to reflect on my runs in my running notebook to better keep track of fatigue, aches and pains, etc.

I really wish I lived near Atlanta for this casting call.



In other news.... We booked a trip to visit a good friend in San Franscisco! We have never been and are looking forward to doing very touristy things.

This weekend's project is finally painting the master bedroom.  The painting tape is up and is ready to go for tomorrow's painting marathon.


What have you been up to lately?

Are you training for a race or running just to run?

Rock n Roll DC

So we stayed up a little too late last night watching the Blackhawks and the Ducks in game 5.  Nothing gets my heart racing like playoff hockey.  Toews with 2 goals in 1:12?!? The Hawks are down 3-2 in the series.  Wednesday night's game is here in Chicago so I'm hoping we go to game 7!

In running news...

I am officially signed up for my next marathon: Rock N Roll DC

This race is March 12, 2016 and it is on my birthday! I cannot wait to start off my 29th year by finishing another marathon.

I have not been to Washington DC before, and I looking forward to getting a grand tour on my own two feet.

I also have my eye on a fall marathon.  My two options are:

1. Fox Valley Marathon.  This is located in beautiful St. Charles, IL in September.  The course runs a long the Fox River.  The course brings you through Batavia, Aurora, and Geneva.  St. Charles has one of the best downtown areas and would have great options for a post race meal!

2. Naperville Marathon.  This race located in Naperville, IL is run in early November.  What I love about Naperville is that it offers a great downtown, beautiful homes in the neighborhood, and a great forest preserve, all of which you get to run through.

Or possibly both.  Most likely both.  Especially with this Fall Distance Challenge.  I am all about an extra medal.

I am hoping to find some fun half marathons to complete as well.  I am trying to talk some friends (cough, cough) into running a half (or two) with me!
 


Any locals ever run either the Fox Valley or Naperville marathons? What did you think?

Have you run a RNR race before?

Would you do anything for an extra medal? 

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