Week six: what a great week

It's Sunday, and that means that another week of training is complete. It's hard to believe that I'm 1/3 of the way done with training. That means that the miles are going to start increasing. This makes me a little bit nervous! I know that I need to trust in the process and believe in myself, but it's not that easy! Luckily my legs have felt great and my hips are holding up. Here's hoping that continues for the next twelve weeks.

Kristin and I got in three miles on Monday and six on Tuesday. These routes included hills, and I'm happy to say that they are getting just a little bit easier. I wish I could say that I love running hills, but that is far from the truth. I know they will make my legs stronger and help me come race day. Luckily our conversation tends to distract me as we take on the hills. 

Wednesday = strength day! I got in another round of Pump Revolution and even increased the weights. I'm not sure that my muscles appreciated the extra weight, but I know that I'm not going to get stronger if I don't up the ante. Still not using weight for squats and lunges per the chiropractor's orders. My legs felt it the next day, so I know that it's working.

Thursday's run was a solo run. I got so caught up and the music and trying to beat the rain that the 3 miles flew by. I did struggle going up "the hill" from the previous day's workout. That's a sign that they're both working, right?!?

Friday is my rest day, but I was happy that I still met my step goal of 10,800 for the day! 👣👣👣👣

Saturday's weather was picture perfect for a long run. I had nine on the plan and was lucky that Monica and Kristin both agreed to run with me. When we turned to run "the hill", I wasn't sure if they were going to keep talking to me. We panted up the hill and ended up having a great run full of wonderful conversation. It's amazing how much faster runs go when you have a buddy or buddies with you. 

Sunday was a cross training day! Once again, I rode alongside Kevin while he got in his long run. This week he needed to get in 13.5. The hills on the route were definitely a workout for my legs. Hopefully I'll be able to run tomorrow. 😉

I'm a little nervous about next week's long run. I have 14 and that'll be the longest that I've ever run. Here's hoping that I'm ready for it. Right now, my plan is to do the first 6.5 by myself then Kevin will join me for the last 7.5. We will see how it goes. Fingers crossed that my mind and body are ready for it! My plan is to take it one mile a time! Hopefully the music and company will push me through!

Week 5- a bit of a struggle

Started the week with my last morning run before heading back to work. Kristin and I decided to take on a new route with a few hills. We were able to get our 6 in with a decent pace. I'm going to miss these early morning runs. Still trying to convince my body to slow down for when the miles get bigger. Joined my couch to 5k girls after open house for another 2 miles. 

On Tuesday, I decided to join our middle

school cross country team for their workout. It was hot out, and I didn't bring any water with me. I knew this might be an issue on the run. We started out with a nice 1/2 mile warmup followed by their stretching routine. Then we set out for a 4 mile run. The coach told me we would be heading to the "desert". I had no idea what to expect. I was greeted by lots of hills and rocky terrain. Part way through the run, my stomach started growling. I realized that I hadn't fueled my body properly for running after school. Definitely something I will need to work on in the upcoming weeks.

Wednesday was my strength day, and I stuck with Pump Revolution. This is a good fit with strengthening all parts of my body.

On Thursday, I parked my car at my daughter's school, so she could drive home after volleyball. I decided that I was going to try out a new route that included a hill that will be similar to Philadelphia. It was tough, but I will definitely be including it in future runs. I could feel it in my legs the next day, so I know it did its job. 

On Saturday, I had 12 miles to tackle. My running buddy and best friend joined me for the first 7. It's amazing how fast the miles go when you get lost in conversation. I took her on a slight detour of our normal route that included the hill I found on Thursday. For a minute, I thought our friendship might be over. I wasn't sure if I'd take on the hill when I finished on my own. I decided that I need to do everything I can now to prepare for race day. I took on the hill and won. My legs definitely hated me when I got back. I got in a good stretch, foam rolling, and a hot bath in green alcohol. I took snacks along with me just in case I needed them, but I only used one chew along the way. The hydrate from Beachbody's performance line really seems to help replenish electrolytes on my long runs. Hoping that is the case as the miles continue to increase. 

Sunday was a scheduled cross training

Day, so I biked 14 miles while Kevin got in his long run. It gave us a chance to spend quality time together to celebrate being together for a year. I've missed our weekly runs, so I hope this is something we can continue. 

This week made me realize how tough it's going to be to balance work, training, and watching Jadynn play volleyball. I won't always have a lot of time to work with, so I'm going to have to run no matter how hot it is. Another thing I realized was I'm going to have to be very conscious of the foods I eat and making sure that my body is properly fueled through the week. My breakfast and lunch will need to include good carbs since the miles will start increasing next week. Who knew that training would be his tough! I just hope I can get everything figured out and stay on track. I got this! I got this! At least that's what I keep telling myself. 

Goodbye week 4

It's hard to believe that another week of training is in the books. Have I already survived four weeks?!? I can only hope that the next 14 weeks go as smoothly.

Started off the week with a three mile run with Monica. We got caught up in talking, and we were finished before I knew it. I need to keep reminding self that I need to go slower. I got in my strength training by doing Pump Revolution! I really love this workout since it works all of the muscle groups and promises over 800 reps. My muscles definitely felt it the next day! 

Kristin and I took on a hilly 6 mile course on Tuesday. Luckily my hips were cooperating and my muscles had plenty of fuel. Since this was the case, our pace was the fastest to date. I had to give this run a thumbs up!

On Wednesday, I joined Kristin for a three mile run trail run by a local winery. The scenery was absolutely beautiful. At one point, we looked at each and tried to figure out why this run was a little bit tougher than the previous day's 6 miles. We looked at out GPS watches and relaized that we were at a 9 minute pace! One day I will figure out this whole going slower idea! 

For cross training this week, I got in a Cize workout with my teaching partner after a meeting at school. We worked up quite a sweat and got in lots of giggles as we embraced our inner white girl. I don't think that I got a single dance move correct. Oh well!

This week's long run was my first double digit run since my half in April. Luckily I was going to be getting these miles in with my sil, Abby, and her mom. I love when the three of us run together because it reminds me of how far we've come as runners. While we were running, we came across a purse and wallet that was on the side of the road. Bonnie decided that we should take it to the police station that was just up the street since we found birth certificates, social security cards, debit cards, and licenses. She volunteered to carry it since Abby and I had water. 

We told her she needed to run like she stole something! It was amazing how fast the 11 miles went with these two ladies. I've been very blessed to log miles with these two ladies. I cannot wait unt Abby and I cross the finish line in Philadelphia together. For now, I'll have to savor all of the training miles we get together. 

As I was driving home from Pittsburgh today, I had to stop and get gas. After getting gas, I looked at the odometer and realized that we had went 20.4 miles. I looked at my daughter and told her that I was starting to have anxiety! She looked at me like I was crazy. I told her that we had driven 20.4 miles since getting gas and one day I was going to run 26.2. She just shook her head and smiled. Every day I get a little more anxious, but I know I'll be ok if I stick to my training plan.  Once upon a time, I felt the same way about running a 10k and half-marathon. I trusted in my training and survived! I'm sure this time will be the same! I just have to keep repeating it until I actually believe it, right?!?

Week 3- #warrior

It's hard to believe that another week is in the books. The week's seem to be flying by, and the miles are adding up quickly. Once again, I was blessed enough to get in all of my miles with running buddies.

Started the week off getting miles with my couch to 5k buddies. Somehow I always forget to take pictures with them. I got 2 solo miles in as 2 with the ladiesZ. My friend's son joined us this week. It's been awesome watching the ladies get better with each passing week. 

Tuesday my BF and running buddy recorded three miles. It's always such a blessing to get in our girl while doing something good for our body. I'm truly blessed to have her beside me for so many miles. If only I could convince her to run this full marathon with us! 

Wednesday's five mile training run was a little bit of a struggle for me because I was in day 2 of my Refresha ms didn't have a lot of fuel in the tank. Luckily, I had 2 running buddies that pushed me along the way. We even got in a couple of hills, and I HATE hills. It's all part of the plan to prepare for Philadelphia. I should've searched for the flattest full instead of one with hills!

Thursday was a rest day because I was doing my long run in Friday while my sister-in-law was in town. I thought I would be recovered from doing the Refresh since Thursday was my last day. I woke up Friday morning and had my usual banana before a long run. The first 1.5 miles weren't too bad but suddenly my muscles started to fatigue from lack of carbohydrates. I made it to the three mile turn around and told the girls that I needed to walk. We walked .5 miles and I felt like I could run again. That only lasted for about a mile. My sister-in-law looked at me and asked if I was ok. I just told her I needed to walk again. This took me back to the days when I first started running. My legs were heavy and walking was inevitable. It made me realize how far I've come as a runner and reminded me about he importance of taking care of my body. Fueling and rest is all part of the training plan. I pushed through and finished the six miles at a 12:02 pace. That's a number I haven't seen for a few years. I apologized to the girls and thanked them for walking with me. At the end of the day, I was still able to put a 6 in my running log. Never again will I try to pull of runs longer than three miles whe ice only had fruits and veggies for three days. #lessonlearned

My week ended with doing the Warrior Dash with some of my friends and my girl. This was my third mud run but her first. She started off strong but tweaked her ankle somewhere after the first mile. There were times I knew she wanted to give up, but she persevered. I convinced her to finally stretch her ankle out, and that seemed to do the trick. She finished strong, and we earned our medal together. Crossing the finish line with her will be a memory that I always treasure! 

This week taught me to make sure that I fuel my body properly! This coming week's long run will be 11 miles, and I will be trying to find some snacks to keep me fuels along the way. I always learned to be grateful for how far I've come in this running journey. Once upon a time, 12 minutes was the fastest that me legs would go. I've worked hard to get this far and know that I gotta keep working hard. 26.2 is the goal, and I WILL get there one way or another. 

Week 2 is a wrap

Blessed is the first word that comes to mind for this week's training. I'm blessed that I am able to run and have people in my life that share the same passion. For my training runs, I was able to run with someone different each time. I was a little bit of an over achiever and got in 3 extra miles. I figured that might make up for runs that I might have to miss due to weather or a crazy schedule.

Started the week off working out with my sister one last time before she went home. We did Pump Revolution. This is going to be my strength workout for the duration of training because it works all of the muscles. Followed it up with a three mile run with Sheri.

Got in my 3 miles on Tuesday with my best friend. We agreed on running slower, but our bodies weren't cooperating. Our first mile was under 9 minutes. Not the pace that I want to get used to since I'm working in endurance rather than speed. Luckily, we slowed down a little bit for the last 2 miles.

I know that I'm going to have to incorporate hills in my training runs to prepare for Philadelphia's hills. I convinced my Aaron to join me for a hilly five mile route. He did a great job and still liked me when we finished. 😉

Thursday was my extra three miles, and it was a solo run through the hills of PA. It was a picture perfect night for a run, so I knew I couldn't pass it up. The moon was gorgeous and the temperature was amazing. 

 Saturday was my nine mile long run, andKevin  put together a running group to help me get in my miles. Monica and Kristen were troopers because neither of them had done more than five miles since April. I enjoyed their company; it helped the miles pass by quickly. Hopefully I can convince them to join me in the future when my runs get longer! 

Sunday is cross training day. For cross training, I've decided to bike while Kevin does his long runs. Today my friend, Sarah, joined us for a 10 mile ride. My legs feel great, but my butt is a little sore. Definitely going to have to find a seat that had a little bit more cushion for the 20 mile rides.

As I sat typing this, I realized how blessed I am to be surrounded by people that are like minded. If I wasn't, I would've been by myself on all those runs and bike ride. Definitely counting my blessings. Two weeks down and 16 to go.