Hello everyone and and welcome to the Weekly Wrap.  I am excited to be a host this week. Thank you to Holly and Tricia because they are trusting me to be a guest host this week.   If you’ve never joined the Weekly Wrap, I encourage you to give it a try! It’s a great way to discover new blogs and make new friends!

The rules are pretty simple.  Visit and comment on as many blogs as you can, including the host blog.  Please do not drop a link and leave – let’s support each other!

WWGuest-Zenaida

BQTraining

As mentioned in this post, I’m attempting to get my own BQ.  I am excited to be training using again the Hansons Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles.  I purchased a new Hansons Method Marathon Plan and now will be running 5 days (instead of 6) a week. 

Week #13, June 19-25

M Ran 14.02 Miles
T Ran 5.02 Miles
W Ran 5.50 Miles
TH Ran 2.02 Miles
F Did not run
S Ran 5.02 Miles
S Ran 15.02 Miles

I missed my run on Sunday and decided to do it on Monday.  However, it was one of those in which I questioned why I was training for another marathon.  I missed my run on Sunday and ran instead on Monday.  I woke up early to run along the lakefront.  It wasn’t too hot but definitely felt it as time went by.  I wanted to stop and get an Uber to take me back to my car.  I didn’t. Took me about 3 hours to finish that run.

Later that afternoon my nephew and I took Lola to the vet.  She did well with the vet and loved being in the car.

Tuesday was a workout with the trainer and 5 easy miles.  My plan was to run after meeting with my trainer but my legs were very sore.  I could hardly move.  But that evening once I was out there felt GREAT.

RoadtoBQ72

The rest of the week went by quick.  I ran Wednesday and Thursday and Friday was a rest day.  I went to the gym to do some arm exercises and also to relax in the whirlpool.

RoadtoBQ73

I’m always excited to get new Oiselle gear.  I love their gear but need to stop ordering because I have so much stuff already.  Then I took a nap with Lola and later that evening met a friend for dinner.

Saturday’s run went very well.  Weather was perfection!  I never get tired of the view.

Sunday was another long run – 15 miles!  I went to a forest preserve because I did not want to run on pavement nor in a sunny area.  It was a great run and I am very pleased with it!  It took me almost the same amount of time to run 15 miles as it did for 14 miles from Monday’s run.  This trail has some downhills but also uphills and isn’t easy.  My goal was to run each mile under 12 minutes (4 miles were done over 12 minutes).

It could have been the weather, the terrain, or the fact that I drank Tailwind throughout my run.  

RoadtoBQ85

Total mileage for the week: 46.60 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  306.42 miles
Total mileage for the year: 354.61 miles

So tell me about your week.  Are you training for a race?  Do you like trail running?  What fuel do you use for your runs?

Are you ready to link-up and to join the fun?

87 Comments on Road to BQ Week #13 and a Link Up

  1. Thanks so much for co-hosting the weekly wrap this week!

    You put in some serious miles this week! Kudos for getting in not one, but two long runs this week.

    I’ve been using Tailwind for my long runs recently and am really liking it.

    • Thanks Kim! I was a bit nervous because it was my first time doing something like this. Also, I had to make some changes to my blog but I am glad I did because it was time to do it.

      I am proud of myself for getting in my two long runs. I should have skipped Monday’s run but I was stubborn.

      I am also impressed with Tailwind. Next week I am going to try UCAN for my long run.

  2. I just finished week 1 of Hansons. This is my third time using it. It’s a really challenging program, but even when i haven’t hit all my runs, I have good marathons after.

    • I used it for the first time last summer when I trained for the Chicago Marathon. It was intense! I did not get the time I wanted but I still ended up with a PR.

    • I like this version that I have because I run 5 days instead of 6. Last summer I did the 6 days version and struggled with it.

  3. Great job on powering through and finishing your run. This Uber/Lyft makes it so much easier to back out, but helps build mental strength. Haha! Thanks for guest hosting today! I do want to try out the Hansons Plan for my next half-marathon. Would love to follow your journey through. Good luck on that BQ.

    • Thank you! Hansons is tough but it works. I am training for the Lake Michigan Marathon on September 3rd. The race is in Michigan.

  4. Sounds like a very solid week! You are sooooooo lucky Lola likes the car. My cats have always hated it. It makes taking them to the vet a pain.

    I do like trail running. I have a short easy run tomorrow & plan to do it on a trail.

  5. What a great week of training – after the Monday run at least! You got in your miles and that’s what counts. Currently training for a PR for my fall half marathon – it’s been five years, I think it’s time for a new PR! I like easy trail running – my favorite trail was around a loop around a lake and it was shady and nearly flat except for a few small hills. I’m a huge fan of Huma and Nuun – but I’ve heard a lot about tailwind, I might have to check it out!

    • Thank you! Which half marathon are you training for? I have been wanting to get a sub 2 half marathon for years but haven’t been able to do so. The trail around the look sounds fantastic! I like Huma gels too! Have you tried the ones with sea salt? Yummy!

      • I’m training for the Navy Air Force Half Marathon in DC. I’m aiming for sub 2:30 (my current PR is 2:34 and my last half was 2:42). I have tried the sea salt ones – I love them!

        • Fun! I love DC and would love to go back one day. I was supposed to run the RnR half marathon in March but got injured in January and it took me a couple months to recover.

  6. I’m considering using Hanson’s 10k plan for RnR Vegas. I’m adding on one more week to give me a little bit more time to build, but I like how the plan looks.

    • I like the whirlpool because it is so relaxing. And I love it that I have access to it in my gym.

  7. I love trail running, but there are not many options where I live unless I want to drive for an hour to a bigger place. I would never tire of that beautiful Chicago shoreline, either!

    • Maybe once in a while you can make that drive so you can do some trail running? Waterfall Glen is about 30 minutes away so I am going to go on Sundays for my long runs. My body, legs, and knees aren’t sore as when I run on pavement.

  8. nice week of training! i used Hansons earlier this year but as i think i mentioned, i went down with a back injury after my final long run just 3 weeks before my goal marathon so i never got to test the results…i’ve been out now for just under 2 months but hoping to come back next weekend! i will definitely try Hansons again but likely not this year.

    • Oh no! I am sorry to hear about your back! Being injured does suck but I know you are going to come back stronger and ready for your next marathon.

    • Thanks! It is a lot of mileage but I know this week won’t be as high. Congrats on your half marathon! Which one did you do and how did it go?

  9. Thanks for hosting WW this week! I do love running in Chicago, but maybe not in the summer heat! I did a bit of trail running in San Diego last weekend!

    • Chicago weather is weird. We can have some hot days and then some gorgeous days for running. I bet running in San Diego was great!

  10. Wow! Great job on getting those runs in! I do love Tailwind! I used it all throughout my training for Utah Valley and will use it for my Century training as well. I love the light flavor!

  11. I’m definitely interested in the Hansons Method and am looking forward to how the training works for you. Currently it feels like my legs are always running while being tired, ha! Thank you for being our guest host for the Weekly Wrap!

    • Thank you! I also trained with Hansons last year for the Chicago Marathon. I did not get the finish time I wanted but I still needed up with a PR.

  12. Thanks for hosting this week! Fabulous job with your runs. That’s a lot of mileage! I don’t do trail running often, I just never really got into it.

    • Thank you! I was never into it before either but I realized I needed a different and new location to do my runs. I find that my body and legs aren’t as sore as when I run on pavement. Plus, Chicago is very flat and with trail running I get exposed to downhills and uphills.

  13. Awesome week, rockstar! I’m actually pretty horrible at fueling while running and I’m looking for something to use—what do you like about Tailwind?

    • Thank you! This was my first time using it in a long run so I don’t have much experience with it. But I can say that I like the flavor. Very light and not too sweet. Also, I used one package with 24 ounces of water and that’s what I used on my run. I don’t think that was enough because I did get very thirsty towards the end. I just need to figure out a better way to fuel and hydrate since it isn’t easy for me to refill (one loop on the trail is 9 miles).

    • Thanks! I’ve heard great things about it and yes many people do well with it. I trained with it last year for the Chicago Marathon. I did not get the time I wanted but I still ended up with a PR.

    • Thank you. I wasn’t supposed to do a long run on Monday (missed it on Sunday) but I was stubborn so I did it anyway.

    • Thanks! I was stubborn and instead of skipping Monday’s run (it was supposed to be done on Sunday) I did it anyway.

      I love my kitty! Can you tell? 🙂

  14. Great week of running! I am currently training for Chicago… I use Huma gels during my runs, but I’m also experimenting with a little bit of real food.

    • Thanks! How is your training coming along? I like Huma gels? Have you tried the ones with sea salt? Those are yummy!

      • It’s coming along good… starting week 2 🙂 I hadn’t seen the ones with sea salt, I’ll have to check them out.

  15. What beautiful trails!! I hope your training for BQ goes well!! it looks like a lot of running, but I’m sure you will accomplish your goal!

    • Thank you! I don’t know how long it will take me for a BQ but I am determined to get it one day.

    • Thanks! It does make a difference running through the woods. Also, I noticed this in the fall, but there is an earthly smell that I love and look forward to when I run there.

  16. I love the pictures I took of the Chicago waterfront while flying in for the marathon and on the boat tour too. It is so pretty! Congrats on that very impressive mileage! I wish I had some trails around here to run. It would definitely help with the monotony of a long run. I use Tailwind (but also like Gatorade Endurance) and GU. Thank you so much for being our guest host this week!

  17. Congrats on a high mileage week! I love running trails and will certainly be there when it’s hot. I love the shade the trees provide. How great Lola loves the car!

    • Thanks Marcia! I am thinking of running on the trails every Sunday for my long run. I recover so much faster. I was a little sore yesterday but today…nada. 🙂

  18. I was briefly considering the Hansons method but decided to go with one that allowed more cross training for my fall marathon. How is it working out for you? Have you used it before?

    Tailwind has become my new favorite!

    • Hi! I used it last summer when I trained for the Chicago Marathon. It is intense. I did not get the time I wanted but I managed a PR. I know the original plan calls for 6 days of training and I am liking the one I have which is 5 days. That extra rest day does make a difference. Plus, some of the speed/strength workouts are different too and not as intense.

  19. Oh my goodness. My pup loves being in the car! But somehow, she can always tell when we’re headed to the vet and that’s when the “love” ends. 😉

  20. I look forward to following your journey with the Hansons Method! I’m reading the book now and hope to apply the training approach to next year’s marathons. Keep up all your mileage, you’re rocking it! And that whirlpool… it looks so good right now!

    • Thank you! I know it is intense but many people swear by it. The one in the book is much more intense (still manageable) and the one I am doing not so much.

  21. You put in some heavy mileage. I am impressed. I wish I could be that motivated but I’m not.

    Love your cat pic. I have one that looks similar. (I have 4 cats).

    • Thank you. I have my days in which I am not motivated at all but I make myself do it.

  22. I prefer trail running…especially when it means shade! Kudos on putting in all those miles during summer. I prefer to take it easier when it’s hot.

  23. Great job this week! I’ve heard such good things about Tailwind. I think I need to try it for myself!

    • Thank you. It was my first time using it in a long run and I was very impressed with it.

  24. I’m not a cat person, but Lola is beautiful! 🙂 Great job with all your running this year. The trail at the preserve looks gorgeous. I bet the shade was lovely. Shady trails are hard to come by here in Vegas.

  25. Sounds like a great week of training! I love trail running and there are trails right by my house, but I’m not a big fan of trail racing. I’ve done a few, but I’d rather just lollygag and enjoy the scenery when I’m out on a trail instead of trying to push my pace at all.

    • Thank you. Lucky that you have trails right by your house. I haven’t done any trail racing either but mostly run there to train. Have a great day!

  26. Looks like a great week! Way to go on getting two long runs this week! That is some serious mileage! I too love trail running! I wish I could do it more but a lot of the trails are far and we have lots of easy bike paths nearby that I am too lazy to drive to a trail. :p

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