I’ll start this post by confessing that while I didn’t follow this week’s training 100%, I did get in 5 runs, includimg a long run. So for week 3 of Cleveland half marathon training, it wasn’t bad.
The week called for off days on Thursday and Friday, and then a 5k race on Saturday. I didn’t have any races planned, so I opted to get in a long run Saturday instead (and still get out for a short run Thursday … it was 55 degrees when I came home from work — I had to!). So here’s what the week looked like:
I was so excited to have THREE outdoor runs, including 1 done in the evening! I somehow got home before B and the kids on Thursday, so I prepped some dinner and then got outside for a short run before we ate. I can’t imagine doing this on a regular basis, but it was fun!
I was also excited about my long run this weekend. I haven’t run this long since before LM was born and probably since I was last training for a half – so it’s been about 2 years!
Some questions for you:
What’s the longest run you’ve done recently?
Do you have favorite running socks?
Note: I am a Cleveland marathon ambassador! That means I get free race entry for me, and a free race entry to giveaway. Wanna run CLE with me? Don’t forget, I have a 10% discount for you!
Today, I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.
This week, I was only sick a few days, which helped a TON. My eye infection healed, but then LM came down with a fever and likely HFM (along with teething), which is making sleep fun. I also was away for the weekend, which made the schedule change a bit – I did my long run on Friday and then got in an impromptu run on Saturday.
Saturday’s run included some great views – look at the frozen lake! It was also the first run I’ve had outside in forever so any views would’ve been great.
This week’s Tuesday Topic is are you a morning runner or an evening runner?
I’m DEFINITELY a morning runner. I can’t imagine running at night – running is how I start my day nearly every day of the week. It’s the only way I function some days! Plus, my days/nights are pretty crazy that if I ran at night, it would have to be after the kids are in bed and wouldn’t be until after 9 p.m. some nights (which would be too late for me). Here is how I make it happen:
I sleep in my running clothes when I can. Maybe it’s gross, but it makes it so much easier to get out and run! And when I don’t, I make sure my clothes are set out and ready to go.
I figure out my running route and plan before I go to bed. I don’t want to have to think in the morning.
I set multiple alarms. I don’t always wake up with one alarm.
Some questions for you:
Are you a morning or evening runner?
Do you run on vacation?
Note: I am a Cleveland marathon ambassador! That means I get free race entry for me, and a free race entry to giveaway.
Wanna run CLE with me? Don’t forget, I have a 10% discount for you!
I’ll be honest, while I pretty much was able to follow the plan, it wasn’t my best week ever. I was still feeling under the weather and then Fri/Sat came down with an eye infection (yay!) so overall haven’t been myself lately. But the week is done and here it is:
That brings my February total to 85 miles.
The next week includes pretty similar training, but with a 30 min tempo run instead of the intervals and a 6-mile run instead of 5 miles. I’m not going to be home Saturday, so I’ll probably try to run my 6 on Friday. We’ll see how that plays out!
This week’s Tuesday Topic is running wish list. What’s on my wish list for training?
A healthy, injury-free training season. I’m so tired of being sick and would love to stay healthy this season!
Sleep! I’m seriously lacking in the sleep department with 2 kids under the age of 3, including a 9 month old who still doesn’t sleep through the night every night. And I notice that on the nights I get 7-8 hours, I run much better than the nights I’m getting 4 and waking up lots.
New shoes. I’ve got 500+ miles on my grey Saucony Ride 10s, but can’t seem to find a similar pair I like right now. I will keep looking, but for now am running in some Ride 9s.
Some questions for you:
What kind of shoes do you run in?
Do you follow a specific training program?
Note: I am a Cleveland marathon ambassador! That means I get free race entry for me, and a free race entry to giveaway.
Wanna run CLE with me? Don’t forget, I have a 10% discount for you!
At the beginning of the year, it seemed like I had so much time to kill and that it wouldn’t be training time any time soon. But suddenly, it’s here.
Of course I’m getting over a cold, so I’m not at peak running level, but I’d rather feel this way now as opposed to race day. What’s my training look like? I am a big fan of Hal Higdon’s plans, so I’ll be once again using his training program. Here’s a slightly modified version of what I’ll be doing:
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. I’d love to do another sub-2 hour half marathon but I’m not sure how training will go this year. I’m not in as good shape as I was last time I ran a half marathon, my lack of sleep is real (see: 2 kids under 3) and I have been having a hard time finding enough time to run every morning (again, 2 young kids). But enough excuses – it’s training season! And here we go!
Some questions for you:
What are you training for?
What training program do you use?
Note: I am a Cleveland marathon ambassador! That means I get free race entry for me, and a free race entry to giveaway.
Wanna run CLE with me? Don’t forget, I have a 10% discount for you!
Wow – I can’t believe this is my last Training Tuesday post for this year’s stint as a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador. I feel so truly grateful to have been able to participate in the experience this year again and share my training with you and the other amazing ambassadors.
Said amazing ambassadors
This year I had signed up for the Challenge Series – the 8k and Half Marathon. This would mean that I would run an 8k Saturday morning, followed by the half marathon Sunday morning. (You may recall I did the Challenge Series last year, but the 5k/10k, since I was 30+ weeks pregnant)
8K
This year looked a little different. First, the races were downtown, which was great! They were a 10 minute walk from my apartment and the courses were wider and more open than last year. I didn’t run with FW but we did get a pre-race pic.
I wanted to “take it easy,” knowing I had a half marathon the next day; but of course I took it a little faster than I would’ve liked. About 1 mile in, I found fellow Ambassador, Sara, running with her boy and her stroller! We ended up running the rest of the course or 4ish miles together. It was great to have someone to talk to for those last miles – it made them fly by!
Saturday was PERFECT running weather. It was 50 degrees, overcast and a little breezy. I couldn’t have asked for better conditions for the 8k.
pre-8k with some other ambassadors
HalfMarathon
Sunday was a different story for the half marathon. Looking ahead at the weather all week, I was nervous for race day. It was due to be upper 70s (one day it forecasted 78 … ick!) and 100% chance of thunderstorms. Definitely not ideal running weather, especially for me, as I have not been training outside much during this training season.
But, luck was on our side. I woke up and it was mid-60s and NOT raining. I made it to the start and then began to wait in the massive porta potty line. And by massive, I mean that I was still waiting when the race started. I ended up heading inside the Q to use the restroom and Mary and I jumped into Corral D (we were supposed to be B or C) for the start. We discussed our goals – we decided that it would be to “survive the humidity … or get a PR.”
For the first few miles, we spent most of the time running/walking/dodging people and walkers. But after a few miles in, we were finally able to get into a good pace and enjoy the course. This year was a new course and I LOVED it. It took us part of the way through downtown, into the Flats, into Tremont, throughout the Detroit Shoreway neighborhood and then back downtown on Detroit (no dreaded running on the boring hot Shoreway!!).
How did I do? I felt pretty good for the first few miles. And B even surprised me by cheering us on with FW throughout the course! I knew he was watching, but didn’t expect to see him 4 different times, so that was great. About mile 6-7 I started to get pretty hot and thirsty and my fingers began to swell up. I took in part of an expired Salted Caramel Gu that I had found in our apartment but it tasted funny so I dropped it just in time to pick up a Vanilla Honey Stinger from the course around mile 8. I made sure to get water at every stop throughout and even dumped some on me.
smiles before the race
Around mile 11, I was spent. I told Mary she could go ahead of me as soon as we saw the bridge to back downtown; the thought of going up the hill made me nervous and more tired. Mary looked at me and said, “We will get under 2 hours!” She dashed ahead and I tried to keep up somewhat as I made it up the bridge and back into downtown.
I finished as strong as I could and was pleased to find out that my finish time was 1:58:07. Was it the PR I was hoping for in the weeks ahead? No. But it was under 2 hours, a solid race for my first post-baby half marathon, especially considering the humid conditions.
I’m feeling a little bit emotional now that my training is done. Or maybe it was the 2 engagements that happened this weekend during the running festivities? Either way, for some reason, this year’s race has left me a little misty eyed. Must mean it’s time to sign up for another race!
Some questions for you:
Did you run Cleveland? What did you think?
Have you ever done a Challenge Series – two day – race?
Happy Valentine’s Day! It’s also Tuesday, which for me, is Training Tuesday.
Confession: I’m not running today. AND I barely ran at all last week. For two reasons.
One good reason – vacation! We spent about 3 full days in the car (1.5 there and 1.5 back), and despite the fact that we brought our jogging stroller, we only used it once (and for less than a mile). We were hoping to get in a family run near a park or someplace flat, but we stayed in downtown Atlanta and the roads didn’t seem so conducive for getting out for a stroller run.
One not as good reason is that toward the end of the week, I started feeling sick. The first day, I was feeling sick and not able to run more than a mile or so. And then it got worse. I found out today that (yay!) I have mastitis, which explains why I’ve been feeling lousy for the past several days. So I’m taking it easy and resting.
Anyway, here is how the week turned out:
Sunday: 0 miles, half day in the car driving to Atlanta (we got in around 6:30 p.m.) Monday: 0 miles BUT a lot of walking! (23,000 steps) Tuesday: 0 miles running but a decent amount of walking (12,000 steps) Wednesday: 4.5 miles running outside in Atlanta! And more walking (20,600 steps)
Thursday: 4.25 miles on the treadmill in the hotel gym and more walking (19,600 steps)
Friday: 0 miles (11,500 steps) Saturday: .75 miles but a lot of walking (19,500 steps)- I would’ve run more but was sick (later realized I had a fever … and then mastitis)
Total: 9.5 miles
I ended the week feeling sick, so hopefully this week is a little better in terms of runs. I’m going to take it easy and recover in the meantime but hope to be back running again soon!
Where are all the New Year’s resolutioners? Is it just me – or has the gym/running trails/etc been eerily quiet the past week? I swear, every year at this time my gym gets more crowded and the running trails and paths get more full of people trying to make an effort to start the new year on track. But this year? I have yet to see this phenomenon.
Anyway, I’m BACK on the training bandwagon! I haven’t really stopped running, but I’ve been enjoying not having any planned races to train for and just running when I have time, am not super exhausted from life as a working mom with a baby who doesn’t sleep, and not feeling like I have to get out and run on the cold, snowy/icy, wintry roads.
he feels the same way i do about winter runs outside
BUT that’s all about to change – because it’s training season! That’s right, I’m officially training for the Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon again. It’s coming up this May and as usual, I’ll be sharing my training with you as an ambassador. Stay tuned for a race entry giveaway, too!
I’ve done the race a few years in a row now (minus last year when I did the 10k/5k challenge series because I was just a weeeee bit huge and pregnant) and it’s a great tradition that I look forward to getting back at it!
running this pregnant was not as fun as it looks
2015 race – half marathon finish
Mary and I at the starting corral in 2014
So despite some of my nervousness about the race (Will I have time to train? Will I pass out on the treadmill since I’m so tired all the time? Will I be upset if I am not as fast as I have been in years’ past – since this is highly unlikely?! How can I breastfeed and train at the same time?), I’m excited to be finally committed to returning. Some questions for you:
What’s your next race?
Mommas – any hints for training with a baby?
Should I do the Challenge Series – 8k/half? Or just the half?
PS- Check out my Instagram for my running GIVEAWAY I have going on right now – I’m giving away this great book by a fellow Cleveland author and Cleveland Marathon Ambassador!
It’s been too long since I’ve written a Training Tuesday post, huh? You’re probably all wondering if I fell off the face of the running earth. Have I stopped running? Have I taken up another sport? Am I injured?
Thank goodness the answer is no, no and no (fingers crossed). In fact, I’ve still been running – I’ve just been bad about sharing my weekly updates (though if you read this blog you’ve seen me mention it on occasion anyway). Here are a few running updates:
I have new shoes! While I’m always a fan of Sauconys, I have my first pair of Mizunos! I have the new Mizuno Enigma Wave 5s (got them for reviewing purposes from Fitfluential!) and they’re SO soft. They’re a cushion shoe, which I love wearing, and have been enjoying them on long and short runs.
doing running drills with my new Mizunos
I’ve signed up for a new race! Finally, right? I’m signed up for the Rock Hall Half Marathon in August. It’s the first time the race is in town and I’m excited for a brand new race and new course!
I’m streaking! Hehe. What I mean to say is that I am participating in the Runners World Running Streak. You have to run daily between Memorial Day and Fourth of July. Only 4 more days and I’ll be complete!
I’m continuing to do speed training. I’ve only done two speed workouts since the Cleveland Half Marathon (one tempo run and one interval run … and have another interval run planned for today), but I have been seeing it work. I’m getting faster and that means …
I got my first sub-25 minute 5k!!!! Again, finally, right?! This has been a goal of mine for a year, but last year my main goal was a sub-2 hour half marathon. Now that I’ve crushed that, I was able to focus on the 5k and speed runs. I’m so happy 🙂
My race time! Proof! (and see who #1 is? Fellow Cle Marathon Ambassador Jess!)
AND I’m excited to share with you that I found some new compression socks that I’m in love with- Lily Trotters! I was lucky enough to be sent a pair of their compression socks and I’ve worn them a few times now for training runs and just around the house (because I’m cool like that).
Lily Trotters Sock Selfie!
Some things I like about them:
They are made in the USA.
They are cute! Look at them. I love the polka dots and ruffles because let’s face it, I’m not that girly in real life but in my running life, I can pretend, right?
They’re soft and I can wear them all day. Sometimes compression socks itch if i wear them all day (does this happen to you?!) but these don’t!
They’re not toooo tight! I sometimes feel like other compression socks I wear are so tight over my slightly larger-than-normal not-so-ladilike calves, but not these.
I made Nicole take this picture of me running with them.
Want some for yourself? There’s a Kickstarter campaign starting July 14th so check them out now!
How about you? Some questions for you:
Have you crushed any running goals (or other workout goals) lately? What should my next goal be?
What’s your favorite pair of running shoes?
Do you wear compression socks? Yes! I have three pairs and I swear by them. I definitely think they help me with recovery.
Disclosure: I received a pair of Mizuno Wave Enigmas thanks to Fitfluential to try out AND Lily Trotters sent me a pair of their compression socks. As always, all thoughts and reviews are my own. 🙂
Wow – I can’t believe this is my last Training Tuesday as a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador. I feel so truly grateful to have been able to participate in the experience and blog and share my training with you and the other ambassadors.
I’m not going to dwell on this week’s training, because really – you all want to hear about the race, don’t you? Instead, I’ll tell you that it included a last tempo run (Tuesday) and some outdoor runs with my ladies the other days (and temps from 70s to 30s…because that’s what Cleveland is like):
Anyway, Sunday was race day. Earlier in week, Nicole had asked me if I had a goal for the race. ‘To PR,” I said, almost confidently. Which is NOT me. I don’t have running confidence, even after running 8 or so half marathons, training for a full, and logging miles nearly every day, I am not confident about my running. It was only this year that I even started to consider myself a runner! So, I was surprised that I said that.
BUT I feared I jinxed myself. As race day got nearer, the weather was not looking great. I do well in 40s-50s and it was supposed to be 70s, 80% humidity and – well – not my ideal running weather.
this is what was posted to Facebook a few days before the race:
So yeah, let’s just say that come race eve and morning, I was not expecting a PR. All week I prepped. I stayed hydrated as much as I could, drinking water, nooma and more water with a splash of Crystal Light.
My desk at work. Staying hydrated!
The night before the race I followed my plan to the T. Despite being on my feet for much longer than I would’ve liked during the day (from about 10-4:30 due to a work event and then at the Expo), I ate well, drank my fluids and was in bed by 9 to watch a pump-me-up movie (B chose Run For Your Life about the beginning of the NY Marathon).
Race morning started out well. I somehow managed to sleep nearly full the night getting more than 7 hours and woke up at 5 a.m. feeling ready to go. The rain looked like it would hold off, so I opted to go with a tank top and shorts. I hate running in tank tops because of how tight they often are but I knew that I’d have to with the humidity.
I was supposed to meet the Ambassadors at 6:30 at the starting line for a pre-race photo opp. Of course things didn’t go as planned. After finishing my normal pre-race fuel (1/4 of a bagel with honey and a few bites of a protein bar), I realized I had no idea where my license was. And then my keys. And then one of my nails from the Expo fell off. Let’s just say that I didn’t leave my apartment until about 6:45.
The start!
As we walked to the start, it started pouring. We found some shelter and it somehow stopped just a few minutes before 7 a.m. and we hustled to the starting line. The start was SO efficient! At exactly 7 a.m. the race began and we were surrounded by cheers, people taking photos, and we made it into our corral and so we began.
Here’s somewhat of what was going on in my head:
Miles 1-4: This is great! I love half marathons. I love the crowds, the people running, the sounds of the garmins going off each mile ere great. I was feeling amazing, not running too fast, not feeling too hot, and stopping for water at each water stop. B and I were running together and I loved the crowds at the start, in Ohio City and Tremont.
Selfie at the start
Mile 5: This is rough. I hit a wall, early, and felt my minerals draining. Was it too early to take a Gu? Or my new favorite – Boom (apple cinnamon is my fave)? It was okay running down Clark but I was losing momentum and the people were scarce.
Mile 6: Yay! People are cheering. I love Ohio City. Oh hey- I see Joey! Hey Joey. And the Ignatius band. You’re awesome! Thank you! I even said to B – I needed that cheering, I was starting to feel myself lose momentum.
Mile 7: There HAS to be Boom gel soon, right? I mean – I need it. But wow, Gordon Square is awesome. These crowds. Oh wait – they’re gone? Thank goodness for water – and that hose! Ok, I’m giving in – definitely need some of my Gu I brought with me. Oh my goodness- I love Salted Caramel Gu!
Mile 8: Oh THERE’s the Boom. Apple Cinnamon – my favorite! If I just hold this in my hand and keep squeezing it, maybe my super swollen hand will get back to normal.
This is not a flattering photo but you can see my hair whipping AND the gel in my hand. Squeezing away!
Miles 9-10: So long marathoners – hello Lakewood. Oh my. I have to do another 5k?!
Miles 11-12.5: I hate the shoreway. I hate the shoreway. Let me repeat myself. These rolling hills. The steady incline. The lack of crowds. Well this is better than last year I think?
Mile 12.5-13: B tells me to go ahead. He’s been pacing me the entire time but the heat has taken a toll on him. “You may PR” he says. “Really?!”I say in disbelief. “Well, not really…err…maybe?” So I do it. I go ahead. I run and realize I’ve started running too hard too pace. I can no longer push it. Or can I?
Just after leaving B. Feeling like I can do this – I can push it!
Mile 13.1: I see the finish clock. It says 1:59. I can do this. Under 2 hours again. And maybe … just maybe, my chip time will be a PR? I’m done!
And so – a PR. Was it as fast as I could have gone/ Probably not. But with the heat and humidity was I happy? Yes, yes, yes!
B took this of me after our race
I have so many mixed feelings now that the race is over. I truly loved my experience as an Ambassador. I loved wearing my Ambassador shirt this weekend- I got people at the Expo and even in the streets coming up to me and asking me questions about not only the race, but also the city I loved the support system of the fellow ambassadors – everyone was so nice and motivational.
Post race with B and Mary
Looking back at the race, how do I feel? I loved the crowds at the beginning, in Ohio City, Gordon Square, Tremont and Lakewood and I even enjoyed the new part of the course and seeing a part of the city I’d never seen before. I enjoyed the post-race party and of course the cheering at the finish line. I guess it helps that I got a PR – of course that makes the race pretty happy as well – but I am SO proud to be a Cleveland Marathon Ambassador. I felt proud of the city and the race and can’t wait to run it again next year!
with some of my fellow ambassadors the night before the race (photo from The Tambura Runner: http://thetamburarunner.com)
It’s taper time! You know, that time when every runner in your life gets cranky and slightly crazy because they can’t get in that longer run they think they should but really know they shouldn’t?
The second to last week of my Cleveland half marathon training is DONE. It’s somewhat bittersweet -and exciting! – that the next training post I share with you as an ambassador will include race day. Holy cow … am I ready?
Here is a look at this past week:
This week’s training
Monday: On the schedule – 5 miles.
Actual run – 6.18 miles. It was truly gorgeous weather for a run outside- not too hot, not cool, but just beautiful spring!
Tuesday: On the schedule – 10×400 intervals.
Actual run – 10×400 on the treadmill. Each 400 was about 7.6-7.7 and I walked a minute or so in between each one. Confession: Intervals have not gotten any easier. I used to jog between them but this week started off with walking and was glad I did.
Wednesday: On the schedule – 3 miles.
Actual run – 5ish miles, thanks to running with Erica this day. It was a perfect morning for a run. We had 3 on the schedule, and I did about a mile warmup first and then felt so good after the run I did a little more. I was overdressed but it was so perfect out! If race day is this way – low 50s – I’ll be ecstatic!
I took a selfie while waiting for Erica- you can see the Terminal Tower in the background AND the fact that my shirt is indeed too warm for our run.
Thursday: On the schedule – stretch and strengthen.
Actual workout – I did about 55 minutes on the elliptical at basically no resistance in the morning.
And then 3 miles, pace. At night, B had some time and it was beautiful out so I decided to do my Friday 3 mile pace run. With B pacing, it felt like we were flying. We finished the 3 miles in about 24 miles, an 8:18 pace. I was definitely hurting – if this is what it takes to get a sub-25 5k, I’m almost ready!
Feeling proud after 3 fast (for me) miles. And tired. Oh yes my body is tired.
Friday: On the schedule – 3 miles, pace.
Actual run – No run! I did my pace run Thursday after work so I just did a super easy 60 minute elliptical workout on Friday.
Saturday: On the schedule – 12 miles.
Actual run – 12 miles. We were rollin’ deep today! Which was great because I was super warm and needed the distraction. B and I started out, met Nicole 1 mile in and then got to Mary after about another mile in. Also not ready for this warm weather – good thing we started early because it got up to 80!
How we look mostly through our run (we stopped for water)
How we feel. Holy heat!
Sunday: On the schedule – crosstrain or off.
Actual workout – 55 minutes on the elliptical and some abs. It was another beautiful day but we ended up not having time for a walk – because it was Mother’s Day! We spent the day at the Asian Market and then went to B’s parents house for some small plates. It was a great, relaxing day.
Some questions for you:
Race day is looking quite warm in the forecast. Any tips on staying hydrated and not overheating?
How do you stay motivated after your race? Do you sign up for another one? Take time off?
I Crashed The Web 