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.
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!
I met up with a few of the Oiselle crew for a picture.
Finally it was time to run. The course is not flat. It isn’t horrible but any little incline tires me out. 🙂
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.
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.
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.
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
MRan 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!
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!
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!
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!
Disclaimer: None of these items are sponsored by the companies but are items I purchased with my own money.
Thanks to everyone that commented on Sunday’s post while I was a guest host for Tricia and Holly’s Weekly Wrap Up!
1. Wow, June is over and we are halfway through 2017. Summer break is going great! I’ve been able to sleep in, rest, spend time with Lola, and run.
2. This month I ran 115.75 miles compared to last month (115.45 miles). I’ve been doing longer miles but I’ve been running 5 days instead of 6. Along with my marathon training, I’ve been taking swimming lessons and working with a personal trainer.
3. In a few weeks I will be heading to Seattle and then to Alaska. I am happy and excited about it. Cannot wait!!
4. My first day back to work is Monday, August 21. I will be setting up my new room the week before and know it will be a long process. I moved classrooms and will have to set up everything again.
5. Now it is time for a giveaway. I love coffee. And I love Starbucks. I am not a big fan of their hot coffee but do LOVE, LOVE their iced and cold brew coffee. I also love my Lock Laces and have them in all of my running shoes. I’ve been using them for a few years now and make sure to always have extra sets for a giveaway or to give to friends.
Can you tell I love the Brooks Launch 4?
Now let’s talk about the giveaway. The winner will receive a $10 Starbucks Giftcard and a pair of Lock Laces in blue.
Please use the Rafflecopter below to enter. This giveaway will run until July 7th at 11:59 pm). The winner will be selected on July 8th. The giveaway is open to US residents only. All entries are verified, so please be sure to complete them or a new, random winner will be selected.
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!
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
MRan 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.
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.
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.
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?
Last month I joined a new gym – Fitness Formula Club. Not only do I like it but I LOVE it! I’ve been going a few times already and pretty much have figured it out.
The two locations I go to are South Loop and West Loop. South Loop is closer to my house, has one floor, does not get crowded, and is located closer to the parking lot. West Loop has an indoor and outdoor pool and has two floors. Both locations offer free 2 hour parking.
As a new member, I received 4 “free” personal training sessions. I did have to pay a “more than I wanted to pay” enrollment fee. But if I go at least 36 times within 90 days of signing up, I get back my enrollment fee in FF Bucks which I can use for spa services (massage, manicure, pedicure, facial) or more personal training sessions. Love it!
Now let’s look inside the gym and the locker room.
Lots of counter space and plenty of mirrors.
Rows and rows of lockers.
Love that my big water bottle fits here and I can fill it up to the top.
Each locker has its own lock that you can set with your combination number.
There is body lotion, cotton balls, and arm deodorizer. The showers also have shampoo, conditioner, and body gel.
A hair dryer AND a flat iron.
Lots of towels to use for your workout and to shower.
You can order a smoothie and/or lunch to eat onsite or take it with you. They always have smoothie samples and they’re delicious.
Plenty of treadmills, bikes, ellipticals.
Free computers and a TV.
A variety of group fitness classes to choose from throughout the day. Depending on the location, the earliest will be 5:15 am and the latest will be at 7:30 pm.
Source: www.ffc.com
The outside pool. I know you cannot really see it but it is there.
A bathing suit spinner/wringer and bags to take said bathing suit home.
So, can you tell I am excited about it? This summer they have a great referral program. If a friend joins by June 30th, you get a free month of membership.
Do you have a gym membership? How often do you go? Do you like it?
I am linking up with Marcia, Erika, and Patti for today’s Tuesdays on the Run.
