Month: April 2018


Apr
2018

Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 22

categories: Illinois Marathon, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

Illinois Marathon-2

Week #22, April 23-29

M Ran 3.61
T 4.35
W 2.86
TH Rest
F Ran 1.60
S Rest
S Ran 13.27

My last week of training!  I did one quality session (which I was shocked that I had to do) and the rest of my runs were done at an easy pace

Monday morning I had a professional development at school so I didn’t have to get in early.  I went running in the morning and enjoyed seeing the sun. 

Illinois Marathon-197

On Tuesday I went out in the evening (later than I wanted to) for my last quality session workout (10 minutes warm up, 6×400@2:40 per rep, and 10 minutes cool down).  Boom!  Mission accomplished! 

Friday was my last run (20 minutes) and I took my time and enjoyed it.  

Illinois Marathon-200

I went to work for 1/2 day and then drove to Champaign for the marathon.  It was a long drive (2.5 hours).  My race didn’t go as I expected.  Spoiler alert: I did instead the half marathon.  I will have a recap of the race on Tuesday.

Total mileage for the week: 25.70
Total mileage for this training cycle: 488.79
Total mileage for the year: 409.95

Here’s how training has gone so far:
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Week 11
• Week 12
• Week 13
• Week 14
• Week 15
• Week 16
• Week 17
• Week 18
• Week 19
• Week 20
• Week 21

That concludes my training for the Illinois Marathon.  I am signed up for the Marine Corps Marathon in October but I think for now I will hang my marathon running shoes.  I have a few races I want to PR (5K, 10K, 10 miles, and half marathon) and would like to focus on will like to focus instead on those race distances.


Apr
2018

Random Thoughts Thursday 17

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• My Internet was down since Saturday.  A Comcast representative came in today and fixed it for me.  Whew!  How is it possible to feel lost without Internet at home?  I did have access on my phone and Sprint but it feels very different doing so on a phone.

• My marathon is this Saturday.  I am excited but also nervous.  I trained really hard this winter and had some great runs but also some not so great.  I know my “A” goal is to get a PR but what I really want is a sub 5 finish time.  I know I will be happy completing another marathon, no matter the time, but I know that I will be a little disappointed if I don’t get that sub 5.

• I ordered two hats from Headsweats.  I am a big fan of their hats and will be wearing the pink/white on on Saturday.

• Finally some warm weather in Chicago.  Finally it is Spring here!


Apr
2018

Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 21

categories: Brooks Running, Illinois Marathon, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

Illinois Marathon-2

Week #21, April 16-22

M Ran 10.76
T Rest
W 6.52
TH 2.49
F Ran 2.89
S Ran 5.90
S Ran 2.49

Before I tell you about my week, can we talk about Desi winning The Boston Marathon!!!!  Wow, so amazing!  I was watching it in my classroom when she was in 2nd place, then I stopped watching (can’t remember how long) and then the next thing I knew, she was in 1st place.  Beautiful!!!

Have you seen this Tweet of a video of here crossing the finish line?  Watch it as many times as you want.  I know I did.

I missed my long run this past weekend.  My coach asked me if I could do it on Monday.  I told her yes but then found out we were expecting snow.  Oh boy.  When I got home I didn’t want to run.  I wanted to read more about Desi and The Boston Marathon.  Also, I was cold and tired.  I asked my coach if it would be horrible if I didn’t run.  See the message below.  That and Desi’s win was enough to get me out there.  I did.  And it wasn’t bad at all.

Illinois Marathon-193My run was 40 minutes warm up, 3×10 minutes @10:43 with 400m recovery, 2×5 minutes @10:01 with 400m recovery, and 30 minutes cool down.  Did better than expected!

Illinois Marathon-194 I was excited but also nervous for Wednesday’s run (15 minute warm up, 1.50 miles @10:43, .50 mile @10:01, .50 mile @11:56, 1.5 miles @10:43, .50 mile @10:01, 10 minute cool down).  It wasn’t too cold but a little windy.  I did stop about 2-3 times for a little to catch my breath and then kept running.  Felt great and was pleased with my splits.

Illinois Marathon-195

The rest of the week were easy runs (Thursday was 30 minutes, Friday was 35 minutes, Saturday was 70 minutes, and Sunday was 30 minutes).  

We finally have some nice and warm weather in Chicago.  I began stalking the weather for next weekend in Champaign and am pleased that it will not be cold.  🙂

Illinois Marathon-196

Today was a fun run at Fleet Feet Chicago sponsored by Brooks.  We had a chance to try out the Levitate.  I’ve heard so many great things about it and was excited to run in them.  As soon as I put them on, I knew I was going to like them.  They felt very soft and cushioned.  What I don’t like is the price ($150) which I think is expensive.  It is definitely more than I am willing to spend.  I know they’ll be reduced sometime this year when the newest version is released and then I can buy a pair for me.

Another GREAT week of training and pleased with all of my runs.  Less than one week to go!

Total mileage for the week: 31.05
Total mileage for this training cycle: 463.09
Total mileage for the year: 284.26

Here’s how training has gone so far:
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Week 11
• Week 12
• Week 13
• Week 14
• Week 15
• Week 16
• Week 17
• Week 18
• Week 19
• Week 20

 How was YOUR week?  


Apr
2018

Random Thoughts Thursday 16

categories: Random Thoughts Thursday

Random Thoughts Thursday

• Did you watch The Boston Marathon?  Wasn’t it simply amazing to see Desi win?  This is the best thing I’ve seen about it!  Please watch it.  And then watch it again.  And again.  I will keep watching it every day so prepare myself for the Illinois Marathon next Saturday.  I’ve met Desi a few times in Chicago and she is one of the nicest and most humble individuals on this planet.

2018 Boston Marathon-Desi.jpg

• Do you talk to your pet(s) before you leave?  I do.  Every single day.  I also tell Lola to behave and not to have any parties.  🙂

• I am beginning to stalk the weather for my marathon next weekend.  Looks like some decent weather.  

Illinois Marathon-189

• Any “Scandal” fans?  Can’t believe the show is over!  I didn’t watch it tonight.  As a matter of fact, I haven’t watch the past 2 episodes.  I will get caught up this weekend.

• So how many times did you watch the Tweet/video of Desi? 🙂  🙂


Apr
2018

Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 20

categories: Illinois Marathon, Marathon Training, Running, Weekly Recap

Illinois Marathon-2

Week #20, April 9-15

M Rest
T 3.72
W 6.36
TH 3.62
F Rest
S Ran 3.32
S Rest

Great day for running but legs felt very tired.  I surprised myself and ran a “fast” mile of 11:53.  Must remember to run S-L-O-W-E-R now that I am so close to my marathon.

I almost skipped my run on Wednesday because I was tired.  I haven’t been sleeping well.  I woke up very early on Monday and Tuesday and after work what I really wanted to do was nap.  🙂  It was 60 degrees outside and I know I’ve been complaining a lot about the weather so it was the perfect day to be out, right?  I wore shorts and compression socks.  Luckily I also wore a long sleeve top because once outside I was COLD.  Very weird.  It was 52 degrees when I was done.

My workout was interesting (15 minutes warm up, 4×800 @5:20/rep with 400m recovery, 4×400 @2:20/rep with 200m recovery, and 10 minute cooldown.  Each interval was done faster than expected and that made me very happy!

Illinois Marathon-185

Thursday had pretty decent weather and I couldn’t wait to run in shorts!  However, it felt chilly on my run (like on Wednesday) and am glad I wore a long sleeve top.

Illinois Marathon-186.jpg

The weekend was all about crappy weather.  Wind and rain.  I went back and forth with debating on doing my long run (40 minutes warm up, 3×10 minutes @10:43 with 400m recovery, 2×5 minutes @10:01 with 400m recovery, and 30 minutes cool down) on Saturday or Sunday.  By the time I finally decided to do it on Saturday, I realized that it was going to take me over 2 hours to finish and I wouldn’t be back in time to shower and meet my family for lunch.  I told myself that depending on how I felt after lunch and the weather conditions, I might still do my long run on Saturday.

Lunch was fun.  We went to a Mexican restaurant.  The food was OK but it was great hanging out with the family.  After lunch I went home and took a nap.  🙂  I felt much better after my nap I went out for an easy run (40 minutes).  It wasn’t as bad as I thought it was going to be and regretted not doing my long run instead.  I even managed to finish each mile at the same pace – that has never happened!!

Illinois Marathon-187

I wanted to cry Sunday morning.  As much as I tried to motivate myself, I just couldn’t do it.  I skipped my run.  Did I feel guilty?  Yes.  I sent a message to my coach and she said I could do it on Monday.  The problem is that we are expecting snow.  So we’ll see if I run on Monday.  Sigh, really over this weather.  But I guess I shouldn’t really complain since the weather conditions for the Boston Marathon as expected to be worse.

Illinois Marathon-188.jpg

Total mileage for the week: 17.02
Total mileage for this training cycle: 432.04
Total mileage for the year: 353.21

Here’s how training has gone so far:
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Week 11
• Week 12
• Week 13
• Week 14
• Week 15
• Week 16
• Week 17
• Week 18
• Week 19

How was YOUR week?  How is the weather where you live?