Man, I feel like each week I’m having another reason why I didn’t get in all my runs. And this week was no different. Remember last week when I ended the week feeling crummy? I was feeling achy and just well, not myself. It turned into a full stomach bug on Sunday and thus this week’s Cleveland half marathon training really didn’t happen. Here’s what it looked like:
Cleveland Half Marathon Training
Technically Spring
While it was technically spring this week, it didn’t feel like it. We started the week with some chilly temps, but ended the week with SNOW (yes, really .. again!). I also ended the week feeling crummy, so this week’s Cleveland half marathon training was far from perfect. Here’s what it looked like:
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Feeling Back!
Running is just like life is – some weeks are GREAT and others are not. But this week, I felt back! After a week of not feeling well, I felt like I really this week’s Cleveland half marathon training. I got in a few treadmill runs, a speed run, and even some outdoor runs. I even got in a 7 miler before work one day!
The only thing not great was my energy levels this week. The time change and some busy (but fun) days at my job didn’t help. But with the weather being great nearly all week, it was hard to complain!Here’s what the week looked like:
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Under the Weather
Two weeks ago I kicked off Cleveland half marathon training with a bang. I ran every day, including getting outside for G’s first run in the big-kid running stroller, and was feeling great!
Then this week, the wheels fell off. I started feeling under the weather on Sunday night, and felt sick through Friday. It wasn’t anything major – mostly tired, slightly nauseas and achy (and yes, I took a COVID test – it was negative!). And even though it lasted only a few days, it put me out of commission and I wasn’t able to keep on track of training.
I didn’t try for speed, mileage, etc. this week. Instead, I still tried to run/walk when I could, knowing how exercise does wonders for my mood, so here’s a look at what this week looked like. It’s better than nothing, and If finally started to feel like myself almost on Saturday. Hopefully I’m back at it next week!
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Training Season Is Here
It’s training season! That means I’m actually going to be following a schedule, not just waking up and running whatever I feel like. That’s right, Cleveland half marathon training is here!
The last half marathon I ran was in 2020, and it was virtual. Thanks to the pandemic, and then being pregnant, and then giving birth and having a newborn, it has been quite a long time since I last ran anything of distance. But I’ve been keeping up running and have a solid base, and ready to start training again.
My goal in the past has been to run a sub-2 hour race. And I’ve done it a few times. But these days, I’m starting much slower. So, my goal now is to get a little faster, and complete a full training cycle. I plan on following something similar to Hal Higdon’s plans, which have worked for me in the past. This means each week will contain:
- One rest day
- One speed training day
- One long run
- A few easy runs
Each week, I’ll share my training – how it went, what I actually ran, etc. My goals are to do the full training program and run my best. Between not being as in shape as last training cycle, my lack of sleep is real (see: 3 kids plus a 7 month old) and I have been having a hard time finding enough time to run every morning (again, 3 young kids). But enough excuses – it’s training season! And here we go!
With that, here’s how this week went:
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2022 Cleveland Marathon Ambassador
I’m excited to share that I’ve once again been selected as an ambassador for the Cleveland Marathon!
Race weekend is back in May with the 5k, 10k, half and full marathon. I’m so excited to be back running races IN-PERSON and in the spring again!
I haven’t started training yet, and life is a little crazier these days with a newish baby and a new job, but the Challenge Series (running Saturday and Sunday) is my favorite and calling my name again! I’ll probably be aiming for the 5k/Half challenge. As part of my ambassadorship, I get a discount code – so feel free to use MCCARNSAVE10 for 10% off registration. And stay tuned for a race entry giveaway coming soon!
Last year was the first year I didn’t run the Challenge Series. At less than 3 months postpartum, and only having started running again for a few weeks, I didn’t have enough time to train for the half marathon. I’m hopeful that this year will let me get in some longer runs and get back into running shape!
In the meantime, here’s how the week went running wise:
Sunday: 4 miles outside! and then a walk with the family
Monday: 4.04 miles outside!
Tuesday: 4.5 miles treadmill
Wednesday: 5 treadmill miles
Thursday: 5.1 treadmill miles
Friday: 4 treadmill miles
Saturday: Rest day – No running, took a 4 mile walk outside instead
I got in TWO outdoor runs, the first time in a while! I went on a run with my brother when he was visiting from Germany, and it was great. Well, not the weather or conditions – it was cold, slippery and icy but the conversation was great at least. It was the first time I had run with someone in several months, and that also made the time go fast.
Sunday it actually got warmish – so I was able to run in capris, and then take a not-so-frigid walk with the family.
Some questions for you:
- Do you have any upcoming races?
- Have you been running outside lately?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.
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The End of a Streak?
What constitutes the end of a running streak?
Since April 2020, I’ve run at least one mile every day. In the beginning for me this meant 4-5 miles/day. As I’ve gotten more and more pregnant, and bigger and bigger, I told myself to “just run one mile.” Then after that, I would walk/run the rest. But as if this week (Day 412), my “just run one mile” turned into “can you walk/run one mile”? And that’s when I wondered – is my streak over? Does a walk/run count for a streak?
If a walk/run counts, I’m still streaking.
If it’s running without stopping, then day 411 was my last day.
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Slowing It Down
I know I have been saying this for a few weeks now, but I’m slowing down when it comes to running.
At 33 weeks pregnant now, running is not so comfortable. While my weight is the same, I’m bigger during this pregnancy than my last one – at least in terms of the size of my bump – which means many runs feel like I’ve just ate a full Thanksgiving meal, have already run up 7 flights of steps and also have a full bladder. I’m so full and out of breath, even though my heart rate isn’t up!
With LM, I ran a 10k and 5k the WEEK she was born. The Cleveland Marathon weekend was the weekend before I gave birth (and was 39 weeks during the races), so I somehow managed to do those races. But, I didn’t run too much up to that – just 1-2 days a week. So I’m hopeful to keep that up, even if that means my streak is ending soon.
Not a running photo, but seen on a walk this week — so many turtles!
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Back to Monsoon Season and Happy Mother’s Day
After a few weeks of beautiful weather in Cleveland, it seems that monsoon season has hit. Each day this week, I woke up to rain or clear skies that turned into rain, which also turned into chilly weather. While we did have one day of 60 and rain (which I don’t mind as much), most of the rest of it was 40 and rainy, which is probably my least favorite running weather (besides ice).
But, the streak goes on and I was able to get in runs every day, including my BEST RUN in months, thanks to the help of my husband. More to come on that.
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First Mile Run and Amish Country
After I hit my 1-year running streak last week, I honestly wasn’t sure how long I would continue to run every day. I know it’s not going to be until this baby is born (I’m 28 weeks pregnant), but I decided to keep it up this week.
Truthfully, it was easy. After being in New York over the weekend, running in Cleveland Monday through Wednesday wasn’t difficult. And then, we decided to take a short trip to Holmes County, Ohio – or Amish Country – which provided me another great change of scenery – including lots of FLAT land – making it easy to keep the streak up.
So I’m still streaking, this time on vacation, AND I even got in a few runs with my 4-year-old who ran his first mile this week! I’m so proud of him and he even helped me keep on moving. I know he would’ve gone faster if I wasn’t slowing him down these days!
I Crashed The Web 