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 #16, July 10-16

M Ran 5.02 Miles
T Ran 3.89 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 6.02 Miles
F OFF
S Ran 4.31 Miles
S Ran 13.42 Miles

Another great week of running!  Took it nice and slow on Monday and rocked my speed workout on Tuesday and tempo run on Thursday.  On Friday I went to the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Half Marathon expo and then ran the race on Sunday.  The weather was great but I bonked at the last half of the race.  I plan to have a recap on Tuesday.  

RoadtoBQ103

I was disappointed with the expo.  I’ve been to quite a few of them and they’re filled with lots of vendors.  This one?  Not so much.  I was done in about 45 minutes.  I kept walking thinking that maybe I might have missed a few vendors but kept seeing the same ones.  

RoadtoBQ104

Surprised RnR still uses D-TAG for timing purposes.  My fear is removing it from my bib and forgetting to place it on my shoe.

RoadtoBQ105

Medals from RnR races in other countries.  My favorite is the one with the skulls which I think is from Merida (Mexico).

I got taped up.  This brand lasts longer than KT tape.

RoadtoBQ108

Got a FREE Brooks hat because I am #BrooksEndorsed.  🙂

RoadtoBQ109

I bought 3 things: running belt from Fusion Belts  (love that it is waterproof), RockTape, and BottleBand.  As always, the race shirts are ugly.  I’ve run so many of their races and have never liked their shirts.  

My favorite race photo <FREE from Charlyn.  The medal is cute in the shape of Cloud Gate or “The Bean.

I was supposed to run 16 miles today and was hoping to run 3 more after the race.  My feet and legs were hurting and there was no way I was going to run more miles.

Total mileage for the week: 32.66 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  409.27 miles
Total mileage for the year: 457.46 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Janelle at Run With No Regrets.  Please stop by her blog and show her some love!   I am also linking up with Courtney for her Training Recap Link Up!

Hoping everyone had a good week!

47 Comments on Road to BQ Week #16

  1. Another great week of training for you!

    I love all the items that you purchased from the Expo! I’m surprised that it didn’t have more vendors – I usually love the RnR expos. Congrats on completing another half marathon 🙂

  2. I”ve been using Bottle Bands for years! I love mine. I’ve tried so many drink systems, but I guess I’m old school–I just want to carry a bottle. Sorry I missed you today!

    • I thought of you when I saw them at the expo. There will be other races and hopefully we’ll see each other.

  3. Great job this week! lol I also hate the D-tags. I haven’t run a RnR race in a couple years but our local marathon uses them for the marathon relay.

    Great job with the race! I’ll be back to catch your recap 🙂

    • Thank you. That is funny that you’ve never used the D-tag. I started running when races used the chip (?? I think that is what it’s called) that you had to tie to your laces with zipl ties and then remove it and turn it in or else you would get charged for it.

  4. Funny story about those Dtags RNR uses. One year at RNR VA Beach my sister had someone else’s tag connected to her bib. We didn’t notice it until later on that evening (when the expo had already closed), when we were laying out our race clothes. That was a stressful morning before the race for sure!

    • What! That is so weird! It sounds like that whole situation was resolved? Yeah, that would have been stressful for me too.

  5. Great job! Sorry to hear about the half marathon not going as well as you hoped. I’m not too happy with the finisher shirts for RNR this year either…the medals are usually great but the T-shirts so uninspired!

    • I have a love/hate relationship with RnR races. They need to fire their shirt designer.

      • I think it’s someone at Brooks, isn’t it? or do RnR design their own?

        I love the RnR shirts, only a couple I haven’t liked but it was the shirt itself and not the design.

        • I think it is someone from RnR but not sure. I agree that since it is a Brooks shirt it is great quality but the design ruins it.

  6. Sorry the race didn’t go as planned, but it’s no surprise given the weather in Chicago in July — too tough for me! Is 2017 the year for boring grey race shirts? I think ALL of my races went grey this year. :-/

    • Thanks! Actually I thought the weather was so much better this year. It wasn’t too hot and it was mostly shaded. But I know that not all races will be great ones.

      Ugh, gray is such an ugly color.

  7. That knee taping situation almost looks like zebra stripes! It is very surprising that they use the D-Tag for being such a huge company. Get with the times! (pun intended). Great week!

    • Thanks Elizabeth! Haha, it does look like zebra stripes. I was surprised too about the D-tags. They need to stop charging so much money for the races (it was $100 to register a week before the race) and get on with technology.

  8. Those RnR tags are annoying! but I still feel like I need to keep it!

    Congratulations on another half marathon! that medal is pretty cool! I’m doing Philly RnR and I’m not thrilled with their medal.

    • Thanks! RnR needs to get on with technology and get rid of the tags.

      I like the medal but found out it is similar to the one from 2014. Yep, I just checked. They both have “The Bean”.

  9. Love the RnR t-shirt!! I did RnR Vegas a few years ago and the race shirt is one of my very favorites.

    P.S. Saw your email come through and I’ll get back to you ASAP! 🙂

    • Glad you like the shirt. I did run Vegas in 2013 and I think that shirt had cards or something having to do with casinos.

  10. I love your cute kitty! Congrats on the race, even if you did not run more miles, I am sure it was great for your training!
    The brooks hat is cute 🙂

    • Thank you! Lola is my beautiful cat!

      I think it was the shoes. They’re not for long runs and I made the mistake of wearing them on Sunday. I am sending them back to Brooks.

      I like the hat too. Not a big fan of trucker hats but that one I do like.

  11. I’ve done the same think with planning to run a few more miles after a half marathon. Sometimes when you’re done, you’re done!

  12. Looking forward to following your Hansons training. I’ve heard mixed reviews! I would worry I wouldn’t be able to hang but the more I run, the more I realize I could probably handle it.

  13. we don’t use D-tags here in Europe. I was surprised as well to see them at RnR races in the States!

    I totally get not doing an additional 3 miles after the Half… sometimes it’s just enough!

  14. Your little cat is so cute! 🙂 The race shirt does look a little plain. I don’t mind the one I got in Vegas a few years ago. I’ll have to look up the fusion belt. I love my flipbelt but wouldn’t mind a waterproof option.

    • Thank you. I love my Lola. I like the belt and plan to use it more than the Flipbelt.

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