Motivation Monday and the Weekly Rundown

Monday:

There was no spin class today because the gym was undergoing maintenance.  I headed out for an easy 5 miles after dinner.  It felt 20 degrees cooler near all the greenery on the trail.

 

 5 miles

42:57

8:33/mile

Tuesday:
Off

Wednesday:
Today focused on strength training! I worked my way through p90x Arm and Shoulder workout while watching Orange is the New Black.  I love the variety of this workout.  I finished two sets of each exercise.

Thursday:
Off

Friday:
After feeling down about missing lots of running time due to the crazy early September heat wave here in Chicago, I dedicated myself to run after dinner on Friday.  From the first step off my front stoop, this run felt good.  My legs were ready to move and it was gorgeous running with the sun setting.  I ran 9 miles on the trails before beating the sunset home. I picked up Peyton for the last mile around our neighborhood and Peyton was ready to run!  My legs might have been near dead but Peyton wasn't having any of it.  That last mile was 6:56.  Yowza.

10 miles

1:21:50

8:11/mile

This run made my week.  After feeling discouraged from not getting in many miles during the week, I was pumped after this run.  Nothing beats the feeling of a good run!

Blurry Peyton was also very happy after running.

 Saturday:
 Off

Sunday:
Sunday Runday! 

I nailed a time trail for the Fox Valley Half Marathon!  I also forgot to mention this is also my half marathon PR.  A PR from a training run! I can't wait for September 20!

13.1 miles

1:44:26

7:58/mile

 

Happy Motivation Monday!

How was your running this week?

Monday Motivation and Weekly Rundown

Monday:
I went for a 8 mile walk in the morning and then had my butt handed to me at spin class for 45 minutes.  I upped the resistance I had been using on the bike and saw the difference in the amount of sweat that puddled underneath me.  Am I the only one that drips buckets in spin class?

Tuesday:
My first Track Tuesday! I ran 9 miles total today.  I had a good soreness in my legs after this speed session that lasted about two days.

Wednesday:
I did the first 6 exercises from the p90x arm and shoulder workout.  No running today!

They wanted to play instead of workout.

Thursday:
I really did not want to run after work, but I told myself to at least try for an hour of running.  By the time I hit the 3 mile turnaround marker, I was extremely thirsty and wanted to run farther to the drinking fountain.  That added an extra mile each way but was definitely worth it.  I must not have had enough water while at work.

8 miles

1:10:48

8:52/mile

Friday:
My legs felt fresh today and I ran my favorite 10 mile loop.

10 miles

1:25:38

8:34/mile

The best part of this loop is the amount of shade.

We've been hitting up the dog park frequently this week.  These two are joined at the hip and must do everything together.  

Despite there being a giant yard for them to play in, they lay together.

And they nap together.

Saturday:
I took a break from running today and did 30 minutes of p90x yoga.  I also did extra hip stretches and foam rolling afterward.

Sunday:
I did not have time to run my normal long run and had to condense it to under an hour. 

6 miles

51:16

8:32/mile

We headed to Revolution Brewing in Logan Square for beers and brunch.

 I ordered the sausage and biscuits and Chris got the brisket omelet.  Both were fantastic!

Today's Motivation Monday features the photogenic runner.  The memes people have created from his original picture are hysterical.  If I only I could pull off a picture half as nice as this guy's.  I usually look like I'm dying.

Happy Monday!

Weekly Mileage Round-up

My mileage definitely dropped this week from last week.

Monday:
My body was still feeling the effects of the wall painting and epic house cleaning so I rested today. 

Tuesday:
I ran after work today and was not feeling the run.  I had orginally wanted to run 6-8 miles, but quickly into the run I shortened the distance.  I ran this run without music and did not focus on my Garmin. I tried to keep the pace at an easy run pace since my legs felt heavy.

4 miles

35:36

8:54/mile

Post run I lifted weights and focused on biceps, triceps, and shoulders.

Wednesday:
Wednesday was a little cooler and I was able to take Peyton for a run after work.  This run was a little slower than our usual pace. Peyton must have been planning on an "easy" (for her) run.

3 miles

23:08

7:42/mile

Thursday:
Rest day!

Friday:
I was super busy Friday so my workout was short and sweet. I took my mom to the doctor in the morning, and after a 5:30 am wake-up call I was pooped.  I ended up going for a 2 mile walk and made it home just before it started to pour.

Saturday:
My race was scheduled for 7:30 pm, so I had to do some planning regarding food and activity during the day. I went for a walk early on in the day and listened to Rich Roll's podcast.  He interviews different people across nutrition and endurance sports. He advocates for a plant-based diet and it is very interesting to me how many ultra runners and endurance athletes also adhere to this type of lifestyle.

The time came for the race and I warmed up and stretched prior to the run.  My race recap will be put up soon!

6.23 miles

47:53

Sunday:
I went for a shake-out run later than I had intended so it was already very hot. This forced me to really slow down and to run at an easy run pace.

5 miles

45:07

9:01/mile

Total mileage: 16 plus walks

Strength workouts: 1 

Not the best week but my body was needing a break.  This week my goal is to get back into spin twice this week, strength training at least two times, and then a long run this weekend.

How was your weekend?

What are your goals this week?

What fruit have you been eating a lot of lately? (I'm going grocery shopping and looking for different fruits to snack on)