Category: Weekly Recap

Road to BQ Week #18

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 #18, July 24-30

M Ran 3.01 Miles
T Did not run
W OFF
TH Did not run
F OFF
S Did not run
S Ran 4.02 Miles

Still in Alaska.   I’ve created a page specifically for this trip.

On Monday we did a 4 Mile “Amazing Race” in Skagway.  We got a map and a list of places to find.  Each was worth 1 point and a few others 2,3 and 5 points.


Meghan and I got 13 points.  We did not win but definitely had fun.

I went kayaking (first and probably last time).  It was fun for about 15 minutes.  Then I got tired.   I will admit that I was terrified of the kayak tipping over.


Our last run was in Ketchikan where we did a 5k.  There was an option for a 10k too.

Meghann and I did an excursion in Ketchikan where we saw a bunch of totem poles. Pretty cool.

The ship arrived in Vancouver on Friday morning and we stayed an extra day to tour the city.


Ever been kayaking?  If so, will you do it again?

Total mileage for the week: 7.03 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  438.15 miles
Total mileage for the year: 486.34 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner.  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!

Road to BQ Week #17

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 #17, July 17-23

M Ran 5.02 Miles
T Did not run
W OFF
TH Ran 3.26 miles
F OFF
S Did not run
S Ran 13.57 Miles

I realized today that somehow I had the comments off feature in my post about the Chicago Half and 5k.  Not sure how that happened but I fixed it and you can now comment on that post.

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I did not keep up with my training while in Alaska.  I tried.  It was hard.  

I will post a few pictures from my trip here but will include more in separate posts.  I’ve created a page specifically for this trip.

I left Wednesday morning to begin my trip to Alaska.


First stop was Seattle where I shared two flights with my nephew.


The next stop was Anchorage.  That evening there was a 5k.  It was fun!


This is at 9pm in Anchorage and it was bright and sunny.  😳


The next day was a trip to Seward.  This is a view from the train ride.  I saw a moose, a bear, and a couple of eagles.


Finally in Seward and before boarding the ship.


It was beautiful and cold at Hubbard Glacier.


Our first stop was Juneau where I ran a half marathon for state #38.


Ever been on a cruise?  Where did you go?

Total mileage for the week: 21.85 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  431.12 miles
Total mileage for the year: 479.31 miles

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.  This week’s host is Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner.  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!

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!

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!

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!