Injinji Toesock Giveaway Winners

injinji giveaway

Thanks to all that entered my giveaway.  The winners are:

  • Lisa A.
  • Nicole L.
  • Amanda A.

Prizes will be sent this week.

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I will have another one in a couple of months!!

Chicago Marathon Training Week 4

I survived another week of marathon training.  Here is my update for my training.

*Week #4, June 30-July 6

Monday: 1 mile WU, 6 x 200 @8:30 (400 RI), 1 mile CD
I’ve never done 200s.  I liked those a lot.  I did WU and CD @10:32, 200s @8:25.  Felt great and was impatient during the RI (felt like too long).  Definitely want to do more of these.

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I hope I added the numbers correctly here.

Tuesday: Run 45 mins @10:45 pace
Got a late start to my run.  Felt blah.  Ran 3:59 miles @11:09.  Total time is 40:04.

Wednesday:  Rest/Stretch

Thursday:  1 mile WU, 30 mins at 10:00 pace, 1 mile CD
Ran WU and CD @10:32, 30 minutes @ 9:52.  Pace felt a combination of hard and easy.

Friday: Elmhurst Bank 4 on the 4th Race
Great race!  And I got a PR!!!  Read my race recap.  Ran 4.08 @9:42 average pace.

Saturday:  7 miles @ 11:00 pace
I really wanted to do 10 but legs were tired by mile 9.  Splits are all over the place.  Great run though. Ran total of 9.13 miles @ average 11:00/mile pace.

It was another gorgeous day for a run.

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Sunday: Rest/Stretch

*Runs on treadmill are done on 1% incline.

Thoughts:

  • Next race is Chinatown 5K on Saturday.  I get to run with Emily from Out and About.  Plus, it is her birthday so make sure to send her birthday wishes.
  • I became a member of CorePower Yoga.  This location has free parking and takes me about 10 minutes to get to (with no traffic).  I like the variety of classes that they offer.  I am going to skip CorePower Yoga 1 and move on to CorePower 2.  The class that I am most excited about is CorePower Yoga Sculpt because it includes strength-training exercises such as squats, lunges, bicep and tricep curls.
  • I like my new Newton running shoes.
  • Today is the last day to enter my giveaway for a free pair of Injinji toesocks.

Community Bank of Elmhurst 4 on the 4th

On Friday, July 4, I ran again the Elmhurst 4 on the 4th.  This is my second time running that race.

I woke up at 5:30am, drank coffee, ate a PickyBar, got ready, and made my way to Elmhurst.  It took me about 25 minutes to get there.

I found a parking spot close to the start/finish line and went to pick up my bib.  I then waited for the race to start.  I had no race plan (smart??).  Well, Coach Sara told me to push myself at the end and to run the last two miles faster than the first two miles.  Gulp.

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Finally it was time to run.  It was a beautiful day for a race.  It was partly sunny and not too hot.

I stopped to get water at the first water stop.  Perfect location because it was before an uphill.  I drank my water as I walked up the hill.  There were a few spectators and it was great seeing them outside cheering for us on such a special day.

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Mile 2 was the turnaround point to head back to the finish line.  I did not stop at the next water stop because I was feeling really good and not thirsty at all.

I pushed myself during that last mile but did walk for a little bit to go up a small hill on my way to the finish line.  I was tired and just needed a few seconds to catch my breath.

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Going up towards the finish line. I know it looks flat but I swear that it isn’t. I took this picture after I was done with the race.

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Below are my splits from this year and last year.

4onthe4th

My finish time is 39:39 which is an almost 2 minutes PR from last year.  It was a great feeling!! Honestly, I was not expecting it.  I was trying not to look too much at my watch and instead ran based on how I felt.

Cool shirt!

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I am so glad I had the chance to run this race again.  I like the distance, location, and price (only $25!!).

Next race is Saturday, July 12,  Chinatown 5k.  It will be my first time doing that race.

Don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a free pair of Injinji Toesocks.

injinji giveaway

 

June 2014 in Review

Miles Ran/Last Month:  75.34/65.18.  Another great month of training with Coach Sara.  Yeah, I still don’t like tempo runs but I am enjoying 400s.  On Monday I ran 200s and I like those even more.

Highest Mileage Week:  21.  I did all of my workouts that week (speed, easy, tempo, and long).  

Races Planned/Completed:  1/0.  I won an entry to the Michelob Chicago 13.1 but ended up not finishing the race.  I did not even write anything about it because I was sad and disappointed about it. I know I made the right decision but I can’t help but feel that way.  Anyway, I did not finish the race because I got too hot as I was running.  I took a lot of walking breaks to cool down and would feel better but then would warm up once I began running again.

Current Ache/Pain:  My knees are better.  Last month I ran in my new shoes, the Mizuno Sayonara. They’re OK but I like the Brooks PureFlow 2 more than these.  On Tuesday I went to Fleet Feet and got a pair of Newton Kismet.  Wow, I did 5 miles today and they felt really good.

I’ve been foam rolling as much as possible.  I’ve set up my little gym area in the living room by the TV so I can stretch and foam roll.

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newtonkismet

Current Challenge:  None.  Thought about doing the planks challenge but I need to be realistic.  🙂

Current Book:  Where’s You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple.  So far it is a really good book.  I finished Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins and Bossypants by Tina Fey.  I did like Mockingjay but am disappointed with the ending.  Yesterday I saw a preview for Part 1 of the movie and can’t wait till November to see it.

Current Song:  Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order.  This song takes me back to my high school days.

Current Treat:  Going back to the chocolates.   They’re delicious.

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Next Race:  Elmhurst 4 on the 4th tomorrow.

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Current Excitement:  Love summer break.  I’ve done a lot of reading and finished 2 seasons of House of Cards.  Holy frijoles!  Great show and I love Kevin Spacey.  Also, I’ve been able to watch many of the games of the World Cup.  Mexico’s loss on Sunday was disappointing but the game between Costa Rica and Greece was INTENSE.  Oh, and let’s not forget the game between USA and Belgium.  Tim Howard is HOT and I think he looks better without the beard.

summer break

Injinji Socks Giveaway

Disclaimer:  I am not an Injinji ambassador nor was I compensated for this post.  I simply like these socks and want to share them with you.

Happy Hump Day!  It is finally July but where did the past six months go?  I’m on summer break and have been taking it easy.  I finally watched “House of Cards”.  Wow, what a show.  Can’t wait for the next season.  I’ve also read a few books and have been watching most of the World Cup games.  The game yesterday between USA and Belgium was intense.

To start off the new month (even if I am a day late) I have a giveaway for you.  As you know I am a big fan of Injinji socks and I am giving away three pairs of socks (S, M, and L).  Pretty cool huh?

Enter this giveaway to win a pair of S, M, or L pair of Injinji Toesocks.  Giveaway ends on Tuesday, July 8th at midnight.  Good luck!

injinji giveaway
Click on image to enter giveaway.