Apr
2013

Chicago Lakefront 50/50

categories: Running

I received this email today.  It is for early registration for an ultra marathon in November.  I did this race last year at the end of March and felt great (and sore and tired) afterwards because that was longest distance I had ever ran.  I have not ran a marathon nor longer race since then.

Chicago Lakefront 50/50

It is so tempting to sign up again.  Part of me is ready for something challenging.  As if running a half marathon every two weeks is not challenging enough. It is but this will be even more challenging and rewarding.  Plus, it will give me a chance to beat my time of 6:20:55.  Yes, I ran very slow.

I am not sure how I can train for this race since I do have a race every two weeks.  It is doable?  Or maybe I should just wait till next March when my race schedule is more flexible and not racing every two weeks?

Well, it is definitely something to think about.


Apr
2013

Weekly Workouts, April 1-7, 2013

categories: Half Marathon Training

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 6 x 800 (90 sec RI)
Done.  I ran these on the treadmill at 7.5 which equals to an 8:00 mile.  I felt like this was more manageable for me.  I have struggled with 7.9 and 7.8 so I had to bring it down a notch.

Thursday – 2 miles easy, 3 miles @ short tempo, 1 mile easy
I went to Riviera Maya for five days for a friend’s wedding.  On Thursday morning I went to the gym to run 7 miles.  Ugh, for the first time EVER I was bored running on the treadmill.  Not even my music made it bearable.  Plus, it was a weird treadmill.  I set it for 5.8 which is the speed I use to warm up and it was S-L-O-W.  I was walking instead of running.  I kept increasing it and settled for 9.5 but still was not sure how fast it really was.  Seriously, it was boring and I couldn’t take it anymore so I just ran 3.6 miles.

Saturday – 9 miles at HMP, 10 minutes walking
Did not run.  I was planning to run outside by the pool, ocean, or anywhere I could find a running path. Anywhere EXCEPT the treadmill.  I went to bed late on Friday and woke up late on Saturday late that it was too hot to run outside.  Why didn’t I run on Sunday?  The wedding was on Saturday and I went to bed late too and woke up just in time to finish packing, eat breakfast, and wait for the shuttle bus to pick me up to take me to the airport.

Total miles ran this week is 9.6.

On Saturday I am off to North Carolina for state #16.  Yes, I am excited about it!


Apr
2013

March 2013 in Review

categories: Monthly Review

This month I ran 85.68 miles compared to 66.18 last month.  Last year in March I ran 106.20 miles but that’s because I ran a half marathon AND an ultra marathon.  🙂

I ran two half marathons in March:  Little Rock Half Marathon and Rock ‘n’ Roll USA Nation’s Capital Marathon and Half Marathon.  Both were fun but challenging.  I am trying really hard to enjoy a little bit my races.  I know I won’t always have a great race but they can’t all be horrible right?

In April I have two races:  Run Raleigh and Rock ‘n’ Roll Country Music Half Marathon.  At the latter race I’ll be meeting Laura from Absolut(ly) Fit.  I am excited and looking forward to it.  I’ve changed my airline reservations to Nashville (again) so that I get in at a reasonable time to pick up my bib and leave on the last flight so that I am not rushing out of the race and hotel to get to airport.

On Saturday and Sunday I spent a couple of hours booking hotels for my upcoming trips/races. Ugh, it took so long but at least I am set except for Savannah, GA.  The logistics of getting to the expo and the start line make my head hurt.  I am not sure if I want to go there anymore.  Anyone wants to go with me?

I am looking into yoga classes, specifically bikram.  Right now Bikram Yoga River North has two specials: $29 for one month of unlimited yoga and $100 for 10 classes.  I’ve purchased the 10 classes and will start going when I get back from vacation.  Tomorrow morning I am off for 5 days in Riviera Maya.

Look what I go in the mail the other day?  Yes, I am a Rock Encore.  I got this medal for completing two RNR races this year (Arizona and Washington DC).

March in Review


Mar
2013

Weekly Workouts, March 25-31, 2013

categories: Half Marathon Training

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 1000, 2000, 1000, 1000 (400 RI)
Done.  Whew, these were challenging!  Felt good afterwards!

Thursday – 1 mile, 5 miles @ mid tempo, 1 mile easy
I had a massive headache after school so I went home and took a nap.  I slept for about 2 hours and then still felt groggy afterwards.  I did feel better but was in no mood to run so I woke up early on Friday and ran the 7 miles.  I am glad I waited till Friday to run.  Afterwards I went to get a massage. Whew, I cannot remember the last time I went to get a massage.  I know it’s been MONTHS.  I am going back on April 12th and then again in May.

Saturday – 8 miles at HMP, 10 minutes walking
Saturday was a rest day for me so I ran on Sunday.  This time I went to the lakefront.  It was so peaceful and beautiful and cannot remember the last time I ran along the lake.  I plan to run outside at least once a week for my long run.

Weekly Workouts, March 25-31, 2013

Weekly Workouts, March 25-31, 2013

 

Total miles ran this week is 21.14.


Mar
2013

Weekly Workouts, March 18-24, 2013

categories: Half Marathon Training

Workouts this week:

Tuesday – 5 x 1200 (400 RI)
Done.  I did these on Monday because I had another meeting on Tuesday after school.  I did not know how long it would last so I decided to just run on Monday.  These workouts kicked my know you what.  I ran these at 7.8 speed which equals to  7.42 pace.  Yikes!!  I could hardly hold that pace and am in awe of those runners that find that a comfortable pace.  I look forward to that day when I can do that as well.

Thursday – 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ mid tempo, 1 mile easy, 2 miles @ mid tempo, 1 mile easy

Done.  Mid tempo speed is 7.1 which equals to 8.27 pace.  I will admit that I didn’t run the 2 miles without stopping.  I did stop.  Several times.

Saturday – 10 miles at HMP, 10 minutes walking
Ugh!  I did not succeed.  I ran 2.92 on Saturday and 4.05 on Sunday.  Usually I do look forward to my runs at the gym but yesterday I could not make myself go.  Today I woke up at 8am and did not get out to the gym till about 1pm.

Total miles ran this week is 19.77.

This week is a short work week due to Good Friday and then Spring Break the following week.  Yay!! On Friday I have an appointment for a massage and then for a haircut.  I have not had a haircut since December and need to cut off about 2-3 inches and get ideas for a hairstyle for the wedding the following week.  As for a massage, I don’t remember the last time I had one. I purchased a $109 Groupon for three 50 minute massages and have already made two appointments.  I LOVE massages! If I could afford them I would get one every two weeks.