I know I’m a broken record – but summer running really is my jam. I love the slower mornings with kids out of school, the lighter mornings (running in the light is the best!), the ability to run trails (because of aforementioned lighter mornings), and I don’t even mind the warm weather.
This week was no different. It was a good week of running, weight lifting,swimming, walking and just enjoying summer to its fullest. I can’t complain – in fact, this week’s activities made me content! It’s good to feel good!
I cannot complain about this week’s weather. Was it hot some days? Yes. But it truly felt like summertime and I loved it! I kept to my outdoor runs and the sun rising, and I felt the endorphins all week long. I wish I could bottle up this feeling come winter when it’s cold and dark and I despite the mornings.
Again this week I got in some good runs – a long run, a few regular runs – some walks, my lifting, and also another swim! This is truly the most swimming I’ve done in my life for working out and although I don’t crave it (like I do running), I’m glad I’m keeping it up. Here’s how it looked:
Summer truly goes by too fast. June is already over, which means we’re almost halfway through! Since it’s my favorite season, I wish it would slow down. I am not ready for July – despite loving it so much!
June was a pretty good month mileage/running wise. Some highlights:
Sleeping in! Though I’m still tired — probably because I’m going to bed a lot later with summer sports, etc.
Continuing my weight training, even on vacation
Swam some laps! This is a big deal for me – it’s stepping outside my comfort zone by (1) swimming and (2) working out at night, which I hate
Welp, like a lot of people in the US, we had a HEAT WAVE this week and it was HOT IN CLEVELAND! It was hot and humid, but we made the most of it. Did I get in shorter runs than usual? OH YES. Fewer walks? YES. But I still got in some running and lifting, plus a few days of fun with the kids to celebrate my son’s birthday!
I did something new this week – I got in TWO swims! My kids had swimming lessons each night, so two nights I was able to get in some short swims while they were at lessons. It was nice to do something else to supplement my running and weights, and even though my swims were short, I was proud of my attempt to get in some laps.
Otherwise, it was a pretty standard workout week – here’s what it looked like:
The title of this blog post should definitely be sung to the tune of “Summer Loving” (Summer Nights) from Greece. Do you remember that movie? Because it’s what came to my mind as I was typing the name of the post.
While it doesn’t truly feel like SUMMER here yet (read: not too hot or humid), I have been loving the summer schedule! Kids are off school, which means I no longer have to be done running and showered/ready for my day by 6:15. I get to sleep in more than an hour (!) and have been enjoying the additional hour of sleep plus the daylight during my runs. This week, while feeling the pain of being back from a wonderful vacation, I was so happy to be able to run outside during daylight and run some new routes at home. There’s something about running during daylight to brighten your mood!
That’s right – Boston was trip #3 for May for me! This time, it was an airplane WITH the family and for vacation. This past week was spent out of routine again, but it was great and relatively active – I was able to get in some hotel gym time, some runs, and lots of walking! And even better, I got some time off work, was able to get SLEEP and had a wonderful time with the family.
It’s funny – I got in fewer miles this week than normal, but WAYYYY more steps! That’s because we did a lot of walking so even on the days I didn’t get in some real runs, I still got in plenty of steps. I also even got in some weights in the hotel gym, which was a nice surprise!
Man, I am feeling out of whack this week. From being out of town Thursday through Monday, to having the kids finish school with 2 half days Thursday and Friday, to traveling again yesterday, this week was far from normal. I did my best to get in some activity, but it wasn’t my usual schedule and I was lacking sleep, routine, and even access to my home gym some days 🙂
Do you get the post-race blues? I know they’re a thing, but it’s amazing the mixed feelings I get after a race. While it’s somewhat freeing to know I can just run whatever I want when I wake up in the morning and not have to stress about when I’m going to do my long run, etc. that feeling quickly gives away to sadness about my big event being over.
This week I spent most of the time recovering. My hip and knee was sore after Sunday’s race, so I tried to keep it easy, get back into my weight training, do some walks and light running, and just stay sane. Here’s what a recovery week looked like for me:
Well, that was a whirlwind week! This time last week I was in Orlando for work … in fact, just a few days ago I was in Orlando, running on little sleep, a decaf latte, helping with my company’s annual sales meeting. But here I am now, writing a recap of the Cleveland Marathon Race Weekend! And what a weekend it was. We also had a piano recital, a ballet recital and more …. but this post is about the Cleveland Marathon event so let me stick to that.
As I’ve shared, I’m a Cleveland Marathon Race ambassador, which means I get to promote the fun race and get free race entry. Really, it’s just a wonderful way to meet with some other really wonderful people in the Cleveland running community. Take Adam, for example, our leader — he shared impromptu videos about each of the ambassadors leading up to race weekend and here’s what he had to say about me:
Since this is also part of my weekly recap, here’s a quick look at my week before the race weekend – it included some short runs but I tried to keep it simple the week before the race. Unfortunately for race prep, I didn’t get much sleep (including 5 hours Monday night and 3.5 hours Tuesday night), and I had a lot of time on my feet during my work trip. I did take a few days off which included some walks:
Sunday: 4.12 miles before my flight out and some weights
Monday: 4 miles hotel gym
Tuesday: 3.23 miles hotel gym and some weights
Wednesday: Off – just a 2.5 mile walk
Thursday: Off – just a 3.3 mile walk
Friday: Off – just a 2.6 mile walk
And then race weekend began! This year, here’s what the weekend entailed:
FRIDAY — THE RACE EXPO
One of my favorite race weekend traditions is volunteering at the Cleveland Marathon Race Expo with other Cleveland Marathon Ambassadors. I volunteer at the registration/packet pick-up booth on the day/time the Expo opens, and it’s the best way to kick off the weekend! Seeing everyone in the expo picking up their packets really does get me so excited for race weekend! When the doors open at 12 and the rush starts, I feel ALL the feels. And as an added bonus, I get to meet up with some other race ambassadors who also volunteer.
FRIDAY NIGHT — AMBASSADOR PRE-RACE DINNER
Friday night, one of the ambassadors hosted us all for a pre-race weekend dinner! It was the first time we had an informal dinner at someone’s house. We typically have a formal event hosted by the Marathon, with other VIPs, but it was nice to be with just the other ambassadors in a more intimate environment. She had a gorgeous house and an amazing kitchen, and hosted us for a fabulous pasta party.
SATURDAY MORNING — 5K
Saturday morning: I kicked off the day with the Cleveland Marathon 5K. It looked like it was going to rain, so I ended up wearing my old sneakers and a short-sleeved shirt, but by the time it started, it was 68 and sunny. I regretted the sleeves (I was hot!) and old sneakers (my feet were sore), but I had an okay time running. I’m not going to lie – I was disappointed after this race. Especially after last year when I felt like I was flying and could’ve kept going – and I finished at an 8:15 min/mile. This year I was 40 seconds slower per mile and felt awful. So I left the 5K feeling disappointed and also nervous about what the half marathon would hold for me, knowing how lousy I felt running the 5K.
SUNDAY — HALF MARATHON
Sunday morning: Half marathon time! Again, my goals this year were to just have fun. A few months ago, my goal would’ve been to get close to 2 hours, but the past few weeks have not been great. I haven’t been sleeping well, my feet were sore from standing all day Friday and wearing heels during my work trip (when will I learn?), and after Saturday’s 5K, I told B my goal was 2:10 or under.
I kicked off the race with a pre-start photo with my other ambassadors. Being at the starting line with them always gives me a boost of energy. After the photos, we head our separate ways and into our own corrals. We have such a diverse group – one of the ambassadors even won the full women’s marathon several years in a row!
I’m so grateful for B and the kids. They got up EARLY with me and headed to the starting line to take photos and then watch me all along the course. I am so lucky to have them – I couldn’t have done this year’s training without B there to support me, watch the kids, etc.
I had debated wearing a tank or short-sleeved shirt – it was 58 at the start, and I like wearing tank tops at 60 degrees for races. I clearly opted for the short-sleeve but wished I had the tank top on by 1.5. I’m not going to lie – I was not feeling good the first 5-6 miles. My feet were already hurting, and I felt hot and out of breath. By mile 6 when I saw B, I realized I hadn’t taken any fuel at the start as I had in the past, so I quickly grabbed my Gu and within a few miles felt better! I decided to take it easy and not try for the sub-2, and instead, just enjoy the run. I gave all the high fives out I could, touched all the “power up” signs, ran through a hose, stopped at all the water and gatorade stops, etc. I decided to just enjoy the run – and I’m so glad I did! It made the 2nd half of the race that much better.
Even with all my stops, I finished at 2:02:22! While my Garmin time was slower, my official time was faster than last year by 20 seconds, so I’m counting this as my post-partum PR!
THANK YOU Cleveland Marathon for A WONDERFUL weekend. I can’t believe I’m now one of their old ambassadors. Every year I wonder if taking on the Challenge Series during the craziest time of year is a good idea, and I’m SO GLAD I did. I’m so grateful for B for taking care of everything to help me run, and the Marathon for letting me run around my city. It really is a beautiful way to see it and take it in, and I loved every moment of the weekend (well, minus the first 6 miles or so hehe). I’m so grateful to be part of this amazing ambassador team!
Questions for you:
What is your “tank top” temperature if you have one?
What’s your post-run go-to meal? I love a rosemary bagel with egg and cheese sandwich.
I am linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.
I Crashed The Web 