Category: Running

Platte River Training: Week 15

1 Comment

This is it! The final countdown. This time next week I will be in Colorado for the Platte River Half Marathon. Words can’t even describe how I feel right now, excited, nervous, scared, anxious…the list could go on. I felt pretty good this week, and by good, I mean 3 of my 4 runs were sub nine pace! Despite the ups and downs of pains, I think I’m in the best shape of my life, post college, and I’m ready to kick off half marathon season.

This week I kept the mileage short again, hoping to work out all aches and pains. I actually think I did better in the colder weather, so I was glad it wasn’t 70+ degrees. I even had a little 5k action to look forward to, so I knew I had to get some decent workouts in.

Monday: 3.61 Miles

Tuesday: 4.18 Miles

Wednesday: 2.21 Miles

Thursday: Rest

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 3.1 Miles-Go the Distance 5k

Sunday: Rest

The goal for this coming week is just to enjoy myself. I’ve got to prepare physically and mentally for the weekend. Here we go, final training week!

Changing and Rearranging

Leave a comment

As much as I’d like to say I’m sticking to what I have planned for 2012 races, I just can’t. After reviewing the logistics of some races, I won’t be able to do them this year. And even though some races removed are out of state, I still have my goal for 25 out of state half marathons, I just can’t rush it.  I’ve gone over the list many times and I’ve made some major changes. Of course the list of races is never really final, it’s now more realistic of what I’m able to do this year.

Races Removed:

  • Sunburst Half Marathon
  • Run, Wine & Dine 5k
  • Nashville Half Marathon

Races Added:

  • Go the Distance 5k
  • Love-A-Stray 5k
  • Mesa Turkey Trot 10k

Races Undecided:

  • NCN Huntington Duathlon
  • Heart & Sole 5k or Half
  • North Coast Challenge 5M

With the freedom of not stressing over big out of state races, I’m open to doing more local races. I hope I can add more to the list than I’ll end up removing by the end of the year. It’s still the year of races, and hopefully a PR.

Platte River Training: Week 14

2 Comments

It all comes down to this. Week 14, which means now I’m counting down days to the race, not weeks. 14 days. I’ve come so far in the past weeks and months, but there is so much that can happen in the next 14 days. This is where I need to be careful about what I put in my body and how I treat it. Every single pain or twinge I need to think twice about. All liquids will now be water, so wine glasses, I’ll see you after a few weeks. And all pasta is welcome back in my body. I may be going to the extreme, but I’ve put so much time and effort into this race since December 26th. Outside of Maine and the marathon, this is one of the most important races of the year. Not to mention I’ll be running in altitudes I’m not used to at all.

So let’s take a look at the past week.

Monday: Rest Day

Tuesday: 3.22 Miles

Wednesday: 3.41 Miles

Thursday: Rest Day

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: 6.19 Miles

Sunday: Rest Day

I let my legs decide on the mileage this week. I didn’t want to push myself too hard, or get down on myself if I didn’t make it to a certain mile. The first mile of my runs is probably the hardest now. My knee just doesn’t want to give in, and makes for a very uncomfortable couple of minutes. I’ll be picking up a brace for the next couple of weeks, hoping that will help by race day.

Speaking of race day, I didn’t run the Sole to Soul 5k. We had a change of plans and I ended up in Wooster for the weekend. I’ve quickly learned I need to have an alternate race schedule for when I’m not up in Cleveland. However, I did find a race for this coming Saturday down in Marion, so I’ll be able to get in one more race before the half!

How to train for Colorado running…

4 Comments

That’s the question I ask myself everyday. I have just under three weeks until I hit high altitudes and give my best shot at running in the mountains. To admit I’m nervous and scared to run is an understatement. I have no idea how my body will react, but I’m pretty sure I won’t be running a PR. So I need your help. What have you heard or what do you know about making sure I don’t drop out in the first mile?

This is actually happening…

I appreciate any advice, but if all you can think of is joining me, there’s still time to register here…

Also, any suggestions on what to do in Denver for a weekend?

Platte River Training: Week 13

Leave a comment

Three weeks to go! The race is within a month and the nerves and excitement are knocking on the door. This past week I kept the miles short and easy. I didn’t plan it this way, but it appears that the pain in my arch has made its way up to my knee. It’s been a little sore since St. Malachi, and I don’t think it plans on leaving anytime soon. I’m hoping that as long as I take it easy this next week I can avoid doing any other damage.

I did however have a little fun this week when I took Elayna out for a 3 mile run. I was pretty proud of her for making it the whole way. I have a secret plan of making all of my non-runner friends into runners.

Runner in the making

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 3 Miles

Wednesday: 3 Miles

Thursday: Rest

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 3 Miles

Sunday: Rest

Plan for the next three weeks? Run at least 2 more long runs and just take the rest by how I feel. This Saturday is the Sole to Soul 5k in Avon, not sure how it will go, but I’m hoping for around 9 minute miles, hopefully a little quicker!

Platte River Training: Week 12

Leave a comment

Week 12. I can’t even believe how quick training has gone by. It’s hard to believe that I only have 4 more weeks until my first half of the year. And even after that point, it is a continuous roll of half after half!

This week was a little tougher than I anticipated. My legs felt tight during my first two shorter runs, but I’m pretty sure it was because they were still in shock from the hills of St. Malachi. Needless to say, I was able to stay around a 9 minute pace for both runs, I’m glad my body is adjusting to running faster. My weekend runs were both in Wooster this weekend, so I was able to change up the view and try my legs on even more hills.

Saturday I had my first uneasy encounter during a run. Wooster, as far as I’ve known has been pretty safe. I had no set pace or distance that I wanted to do, just wanted to shake out my legs and make sure they were ok with Sunday’s long run. I started down a country road across from Darren’s apartment. I felt great, managed some small hills and took in the beautiful views. On my way back in, I went through some housing developments, and this is where it turned weird. Every time I turned a corner, I had a car full of high school boys either following me or passing me. My guess was that this happened about 4-5 times, in two different developments. While I’m sure it was just a bunch of boys up to no good on a Saturday morning, it still bothered me, so I booked it home.

Sunday  I was ready for my long run, but more nervous for the hills, lots of hills, so 12 miles would be tough. I decided to split up my run so it wouldn’t be as over whelming. The goal was a 4 mile loop, refuel, 4 mile loop, refuel, 4 mile loop.  Well while this seemed like a great idea, no matter where I turned I had hills, so after mile 8, I split the last 4 in two so I could stretch and refuel. Unfortunately I didn’t quite make it to 12, just short of 11. But after all the hills, I knew my legs got a workout, they were begging for forgiveness a long time before I was finished. Overall it was a 9:43 pace, not bad for my first real hill experience of the year.

Hills anyone?


Monday: 2.68 Miles

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 4.25 Miles

Thursday: Rest

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 3.06 Miles

Sunday: 10.75 Miles

Hills and high school boys may have been my biggest obstacles this week, but overall I’m pretty pleased with how the week went. I know I should be doing more miles during the week, but I think what I’m doing is paying off.  I also made a decision on the Cleveland 10 Miler….and this year I’m going to pass. I’m pretty confident my legs will be exhausted after Colorado and Earth Day Half and I’ll end up not enjoying the race. But it is definitely on the calendar for 2013!

Four more weeks to go!

Platte River Training: Week 11

Leave a comment

I must say that I can’t complain with this week of training. Week 10 ended with a tough long run, so I took this week as recovery and a way to regroup before I hit the 12 and 13 mile marks the next couple of weeks. I kept the mileage this week relatively low, and ran every other day. My legs were a little tight in the beginning of the week, but I think with the way I planned things, I was able to really benefit towards the end of the week.  Each run felt great, even my 4 miles on the treadmill. One of the best moments, was the run I did on Tuesday. Apparently I had my fast pants on because I saw a sub 8 number on my Garmin, haven’t seen that in a while!

Hello speedy!

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2.5 Miles

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 4 Miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 5 Miles-St. Malachi Race

Sunday: Rest

The week ended with St. Malachi, race recap to come tomorrow. This week I’ve got a 12 miler on the schedule for Sunday and need to decide on the Cleveland 10 Miler before race fees go up. But even more excited, only one month until Colorado!

Platte River Training: Week 10

1 Comment

Running is such a mental sport, and this week my mind was put to the test. I was lucky enough to get three runs in outside, something I’ve been craving now that its not completely dark outside when I get home from work. I used to semi enjoy the treadmill and could manage running on it every night, but I’ve mentally checked out of it. I can barely run 3 miles without getting bored, I feel like I’m not even moving.

Regardless of my endless fight with the treadmill, when my legs hit the pavement I’m running at a pace that creeps towards 9 minute mile pace. This is such  an amazing feeling. I’ve been stuck in my pace of 10 minute miles forever. Now I know my training is really paying off. I especially noticed this on Tuesday when I somehow found myself at 8:45 pace! I forgot I could even run this quick, and it gave me a glimmer of hope that one day I may find my old college friend, 7:30 pace.

For the most part, this week went well. I was under 10 minute pace for two full runs and half of my long run. I didn’t have any pain in my arch until Sunday, and I didn’t need to use tape. Thursday was my treadmill downer day, but I’m determined to get through the rest of the few treadmill runs I’ll have to do. Sunday was my biggest challenge. I knew I had to do 11, and after last week’s long run, I wanted to make this one better. The first half was great, I had a 9:10 pace (probably too fast for the distance) and the snow wasn’t too bad. About half way in, I started feeling dehydrated and thirsty, Gu helped, but I was pretty sure I was going to get sick a few times. I kept telling myself that this is probably what Colorado will feel like, but worse. If I can mentally push through these few rough workouts I can definitely enjoy those easy long runs….someday.

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 3.86 Miles

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 2 Miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 3.56 Miles

Sunday: 10.84 Miles

This week is race week! Saturday is St.Malachi, my first race of the year. I’m a little nervous, because I haven’t raced a 5 miler in years, and I’ve heard it’s a tough course. Hope it’s fun!

And don’t forget I’m running for Team JDRF  for the Cleveland half marathon this year. My race is dedicated to those who are affected by Type 1 Diabetes.

Platte River Training: Week 9

1 Comment

Week nine and I’m back! This week went so well, and it couldn’t have come at a better time. It’s now down to the final seven weeks. How is race day coming so quickly? My two biggest goals this week were to run without pain, and to create a workout room in my apartment. I started the week with smaller mileage so not to stir up any problems, I also made sure to tape my arch for extra support.

“Don’t worry, I got this.”

The tape worked pretty well. I had a little pain throughout the week, mostly after a long day on my feet, but it didn’t bother my running. I felt confident enough that I’m better (knock on wood) to finally register for St. Malachi. This means there are only two weeks until the first race of 2012!

Monday: 3 Miles

Tuesday: 3 Miles

Wednesday: 4 Miles

Thursday: Rest Day

Friday: Sick 😦

Saturday: 3 Miles

Sunday: 11 Miles (Morning: 8, Afternoon: 3)

A pretty low key week until Sunday. I ran with my childhood neighbor, who was nice enough to go at a slower pace for me. However, he’s been in California for a year and a half, so what better time to catch up than while running….I struggled with this run at some points. I’ve been training alone so I’m not used to going back and forth on paces. I’m also not used to talking and running. Needless to say I had to cut it short to just 8 miles. I was determined to hit 11, so I did the last three later in the afternoon, at a 9:10 pace. Where was this pace earlier? And where did it come from? Training is paying off, it just decides when to show up.

So I survived a week with minimal pain, one goal accomplished. Second goal, I transferred part of my living room into a workout room.

Before 

After

Not much, but it’s a start. And unfortunately no treadmill. But I can be a little more productive in my own living room, instead of the gym with everyone around. Plus, I have the perfect spot for my new bag that I won from Jess and Ellie!

Platte River Training: Week 8

Leave a comment

Officially half way through training for Colorado, and unfortunately this week has been the worst week of training. I took a week off to let my arch recover. My schedule actually worked out that I was pretty busy after work, so I wouldn’t feel like a complete waste by not running all week. Thursday was the only day I got some miles in. I attempted the treadmill and ran two miles, I felt pretty good, but didn’t want to push it.

The pain has gotten a lot better and only happens once in a while, but it’s still almost every day. I’m hoping that with limited pain, this week will allow me to get back to a semi normal schedule of training. I just have to be patient and be thankful this is happening now, instead of the week before the race.

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday:  2 Miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Rest

Here’s to a new week of hopefully no pain and many miles!