Category: Brooks Running

Road to BQ Week #16

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!

Friday Five 2.0-Five Things Friday

I cannot believe it is already Friday!  And to think that we are halfway through the month.  I am kind of excited and looking forward to another school.  

I had an exciting week filled with good news and some fun and new running products.

  1. I woke up Monday morning to find out I wa selected to be a BibRave Pro Ambassador.  

BibRAVE Pro

2. As an Ambassador, I have the chance to run the Chicago Half Marathon and 5k on September 24th (I signed up for the 5k).  I would have signed up for the half marathon but I am running on marathon on September 3rd and I don’t think I’ll be ready for a half marathon.  

If you would like to sign up, use BRCHI17 to get $15 off the half and $10 off the 5K.

2017 Chicago Half and 5k

3. Do you cringe when you see your running photos?  I knew I was an underpronator but seeing pictures is just something else.  I was worried that I was wearing the wrong shoes but my friends at Fleet Feet confirmed that I have the right shoes.

Underpronation

4. I love my Oiselle tops and purchased 8 new tops (and some new shorts).  They’re gorgeous!  And I love running shoes so I bought the new Revel from Brooks.  I am supposed to get them today and can’t wait to run in them.  I’ve read that they’re similar to the Launch which are the shoes I use.

There is a summer sale going on right now.  You save 30% off already marked down stuff. Check it out!

Brooks Revel 1

Brooks Revel 2

5.  Do you want to get paid to be healthy!  Join Achievemint, connect apps, and start earning money. Use THIS LINK to join and we both get 250 points.  For every 10,000 points you accumulate, you get $10.  I’ve connected it to FitBit, Strava, and Garmin accounts and already made $10.  Seriously, you have NOTHING to lose.

Achievement

I’m linking up with Running on Happy and Fairytales and Fitness for Friday 2.0.

fridayfive

Road to BQ Week #15

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 #15, July 3-9

M Ran 5.02 Miles
T Ran 4.03 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 6.00 Miles
F OFF
S Ran 5.02 Miles
S Ran 12.02 Miles

Monday’s run felt good.  My legs were still sore from Sunday’s long run.  I love it when I have an “easy” run.  I even managed to get negative splits.

On Tuesday I ran one of my favorite races – the Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th.  You can read my recap HERE.  It was lots of fun.  Then in the afternoon my sisters and I headed over to my cousin’s house to eat, talk, laugh, and have a good time.

The rest of the week went pretty fast too.  I did my tempo run on Thursday and felt pretty good.  Well, it was done on the treadmill so I’m not really sure how accurate it is.  

On Friday I met up with a friend to finalize our plans for Alaska.  We leave on the 19th!! We talked about how we booked this trip in August of last year and now it is almost time for us to leave.

RoadtoBQ98

Saturday morning was another gorgeous day for a run.  It was sunny but in the low 70s. Perfect!

RoadtoBQ95

Sunday was back at Waterfall Glen for 12 miles.  Can I tell how how happy I was that it was “only” 12 miles?  The night before I filled up my hydration vest with water and left it in the fridge.  In the morning I added 2 packets of Tailwind.  I figured that was enough for my run.  It was.  I still had some water left over when I was done.

Total mileage for the week: 32.09 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  376.61 miles
Total mileage for the year: 424.80 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Christine at Into the Glimmer.  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!

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th

This morning I ran the Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th.  This was my 5th year running it.  It is also one of my favorite races.

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 1
Source:  www.athlinks.com

I woke up early, made coffee and ate a Clif Bar and left my house around 6am.  The race started at 7:15.  I like to get there early so I can find parking.  So far I’ve been able to park in the same spot/area as in previous years.  I got my bib and tshirt.  The shirt is actually nice!

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 2

I met up with a few of the Oiselle crew for a picture.  

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 3

Finally it was time to run.  The course is not flat.  It isn’t horrible but any little incline tires me out.  🙂

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 4

As usual, I started too fast.  When will I ever learn?  My first mile was my fastest and then it went downhill.  However, I surprised myself because my last mile was my second fastest.  

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 6

It wasn’t too hot but it was very sunny.  I remember at one point I just got very hot and had to stop for a bit. There was plenty of water stations and I drank water at every single one.  There weren’t too many people out there but those that were there were WONDERFUL.    They cheered and encouraged us throughout the way.

With less than a quarter mile to go I could see the finish line.  However, there was an incline. I did my best to run instead of walk.  Nothing wrong with that but I wanted to see if I could do it.  And I did!  I was running next to a woman and I somehow got a burst of energy and ended up passing her up.

My official time is 42:37.  I knew I was not going to PR and I did have fun running this race.

Elmhurst Running Club 4 on the 4th 5

I was looking at my pictures from previous races and I have worn the same socks.  Also, I have worn running clothes in the same colors to go with the 4th of July theme.

This day is extra special to me.  It was in 1978 that my mother along with my siblings arrived here from Mexico.  I’ve been living in this country for 39 years.

How will you be celebrating today?  My two sisters and I will be heading over to my cousin’s house to eat, laugh, and have a great time.

I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun

Road to BQ Week #14

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 #14, June 26-July 2

M Ran 5.02 Miles
T Ran 7.02 Miles
W OFF
TH Ran 7.02 Miles
F OFF
S Ran 4.02 Miles
S Ran 16.02 Miles

My legs recovered pretty good after Sunday’s long run.  I took a swimming class in the morning and then ran 5 miles in the afternoon.  I did struggle a little but overall enjoyed my run.

Tuesday’s workout was tough.  I had to do 4 x 1 mile with 400/jog recovery along with 1 mile warmup and cooldown.  I was able to hit the required pace for each mile except for the 2nd mile. Overall, I did pretty good!

RoadtoBQ88

Later in the afternoon I spent a few hours at National Tire and Battery.  My car needed a new catalytic converter and oxygen sensors.  The catalytic converter was stolen from my car in November 2015 and my neighbor, who is a mechanic, put in a new one for me.  I’ve had my car since June 2006 and I love it.  I have no plans to get a new one anytime soon. My car even has a cassette and CD player but does not have any of the fancy gadgets new cars have these days.

Thursday was one of those days in which I could run and keep on running.  I was not exactly looking forward to it because I dislike tempo runs.  I mean, I know the benefits of them but still do not like them.  Well, I impressed myself because I felt great!  I think what might have helped was my large DD coffee and QuestBar that I ate before my run. Or maybe I am getting faster and stronger?  Who knows?  But it was a great feeling!

And that was my last run for June!

June 2017 Miles

Today’s run was tough.  I was ready to run 16 miles.  I fueled with Generation UCAN in the morning and also filled up my hydration vest with water and UCAN Hydrate.  I even made my own gel version with the sports drink mix and water.  I took half of it around mile 9 and the rest around mile 13.  I don’t know what happened but I was hurting and almost started to cry towards the end.  It did not go as I thought it was going to and I know every runner has days like those.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway to win a $10 Starbucks gift card and a pair of Lock Laces!

Starbucks and Lock Laces

Total mileage for the week: 38.10 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  344.52 miles
Total mileage for the year: 392.71 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Kim at Running on the Fly.  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!