Category: Running

Platte River Training: Week 7

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I can’t believe it’s already week seven, I feel like I just started training and here it is flying by. I started the week with lower mileage because I was pretty tight from Sunday’s 10 miler. I had a massage on Wednesday at Revalations that I found for half off from Groupon. I was pumped to have a whole hour of relaxation, but even though it felt wonderful, I did leave a little disappointed. A majority of the time was focused on my back, and barely on my legs. Even more disappointing, my quads and hamstrings weren’t even touched and they needed the most attention. Major bummer 😦

Friday was the turning point of the week when I woke up with pain in my left arch. I had a few bad days within the past year with arch pain, but this was beyond normal, so I knew I was in trouble. I decided to take off for the rest of the week and let my foot recover. There are still two months until Colorado, so I’m not extremely nervous yet, but I don’t want to be in anymore pain than I already am.

Monday: 3 Miles

Tuesday: Rest Day

Wednesday: Massage

Thursday: 3 Miles

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: Rest Day

Sunday: Rest Day

I’m a little bummed out this week, 6 miles is definitely on the low end of where I wanted to be.

Regardless I have to focus on the big picture, which is why I was so excited to see this come on Friday!

I may have two months until the first half, but I have eight months until the real test. Every moment of training is crucial, and sometimes you have to be patient.

Training times four

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After six weeks of preparation for the Platte River Half, I’m finally to the point in my schedule where I’m training for four half marathons at once. My main focus has been on my Colorado trip, only because this is the first half of the year. But, I’ve been keeping the rest of the races in the back of my mind. Besides, none of them would be possible without any of this preparation. So here are my training schedules for the next three half marathons after Colorado, all of which are a continuation of Platte River training.

Earth Day Half Marathon-April 22nd

Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
(April 16) 4 Miles Easy Rest 3 Miles Easy 4 Miles Easy Rest 2 Miles Easy 13.1

I’m really excited for this race for two reasons. It’s one week post Colorado, so after running in crazy altitude I should be in excellent shape 🙂 And it also happens to be on my birthday, my favorite day of the year! I’ve been looking forward to racing on my birthday since summer. To me the perfect way to celebrate my birthday is running 13.1 miles!

Cleveland Half Marathon-May 20th

Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
(April 23) 5 Miles Easy Rest 5 Miles Speed 4 Miles Easy Rest 10 M Rest
(April 30) 5 Miles Easy Rest 5 Miles Tempo 4 Miles Easy Rest 9 Miles Long Rest
(May 7) 5 Miles Easy Rest 6 Miles Tempo 4 Miles Easy Rest 9 Miles Long Rest
(May 14) Rest 3 Miles Easy 3 Miles Easy 4 Miles Easy Rest 2 Miles Easy 13.1

Just like many local runners I’ll be participating in the Cleveland Half again this year. I’m looking forward to enjoying the race instead of being a giant ball of nerves. Plus I’m running for Team JDRF, supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I’m not running this race for me, I’m running it for those affected by Diabetes.

Sunburst Half Marathon-June 2nd

Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
(May 21) 4 Miles Easy Rest 5 Miles Easy 4 Miles Easy Rest 8 Miles Long Rest
(May 28) Rest 3 Miles Easy 4 Miles Easy Rest 2 Miles Easy 13.1 Rest

My second out of state half and it will be on the beautiful grounds of the University of Notre Dame. Unfortunately the finish has been changed from ending inside the stadium. I still think this will be a good, flat race, and I’m excited to explore South Bend.

Compared to last year, it’s weird to think I’m training for four half marathons at once, all within a few weeks of each other. And even two weeks from now, I’ll be training for a fifth half. Knowing I’ll have a big race every couple of weekends can be a little overwhelming, and possibly tiring, but I know it will just make things go well in October for the full!

Platte River Training: Week 6

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I am so pleased with how this week of training went. It was the only  time during traveling that I was able to get all my workouts in. Even better, my legs felt great the entire time. A majority of my week was spent in Dallas, humidity and warmth included, but it was a nice change from the Cleveland “winter.” Unfortunately I didn’t get to run outside. The location of our hotel didn’t allow for a safe route in the heart of downtown. But, the workout room made up for it with a beautiful view of the pool and the skyline of the city.

Downtown Dallas

Monday: Rest Day

Tuesday: 5 Miles

Wednesday: 3 Miles

Thursday: Rest Day

Friday: 4 Miles

Saturday: Rest Day

Sunday: 10 Miles

This week’s biggest accomplishment? That 10 miler up there. I somehow pulled off PR pace and ran it in 1:33, which would give me a 2:04 half! Despite some ups and downs in the past few weeks, I’m doing better than last year 🙂 Bring on Colorado!

Platte River Training: Week 5

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Frustration. This is the word I would use to describe my running as of late. Traveling every week has really taken a hit on my body. My biggest concern is that my arch starts to hurt after a few miles on the treadmill, but I’m being smart this time and stopping once I feel any pain. I’m not too nervous yet, I know that my body isn’t used to this. Fingers crossed that once traveling is done, my body will get back to normal.

Monday: 3 Miles

Tuesday: Rest Day

Wednesday: 2 Miles (Stopped short)

Thursday: 0

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday:  3 Miles

Sunday:  Rest Day

I really struggled with getting anywhere close to the miles I was supposed to run this week. I found this shirt, and decided from here on out, I’m going to have positive training.

No Excuses.

Well, it must have worked. Saturday morning I woke up to snow and decided to “brave the run.” I ran my fastest training run yet. There was something peaceful about running snow covered streets in the countryside of Wooster. I had negative splits, and I may have even had a smile on my face. Here on out there will be good training runs. Goodbye negative attitude.

Platte River Training: Week 4

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Here it is, a month into training and I can’t believe how quickly it’s going by. It’s also exactly 3 months until my birthday 😉

This past week was another busy one, I was in Toronto most of the week for work so following my training was difficult, luckily it was supposed to be a light week. I knew going in that the weeks I traveled  would be the hardest. And again, I’m glad they’re in the beginning of training, instead of right at the end. Just like in Vegas I spent four days on my feet from sun up to sun down, so the last thing I wanted to do at the end of the day was run. I was able to get a run in around Toronto, and it was a great way to see the city. The weekend brought two bad workouts, I’m hoping to get out of the funk, but I suppose everybody has bad days once in a while…

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2.5 Miles

Wednesday: 0

Thursday: 0

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 2 Miles Run, 2.5 Miles Bike

Sunday: 4.5 Miles Bike

This week I’m on the road again, a different city every day. I’m hoping that since I’ll be traveling alone I won’t have any distractions and I’ll be able to get back on my training. Four weeks down, 12 to go!

Taking the plunge….

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I’ve realized that I’m at a point in my life that I’m happy with everything I’ve accomplished so far. I feel very grateful for everything that I have and there are no major complaints about my life. But I’ve had a lot of friends that ask if I’m ready to take the plunge. I’m in my mid-twenties, it’s the perfect time; there is nothing to really hold me down from accomplishing so much more that I have on my list. So…..

I registered for my first MARATHON!!

That’s 26.2 Miles!

I am officially registered for the Columbus Marathon in October! I must be crazy….

Platte River Training: Week 3

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It felt great to be back in my element and able to follow my training my plan this week. Even though it’s only been three weeks, I’m definitely noticing some changes. I might even be a little fond of the treadmill. I’m also starting to see some definition in my legs, which I know will only make me stronger as my training goes on. I decided that I’ll be lifting three times a week: Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. I’m hoping I’ll be able to tone my arms and hopefully gain a little bit of muscle. I’m really happy with using the Runner’s World Smart Coach app, I feel like I have complete control of my training, but I have a plan that will push me a little bit so I can get better each week. Here’s week 3:

Monday: 5 Miles Easy

Tuesday: Rest Day

Wednesday: 5 Mile Tempo Run

Thursday: 4 Miles Easy

Friday: Rest Day

Saturday: Skiing

Sunday: 9 Miles Easy

I had to change my weekend run plans for a skiing day, but it was definitely worth it. My Sunday run was a cold one. Halfway through I couldn’t feel my hands and I was starting to get sore, so I shortened my loop and finished the final miles on the treadmill. So far it’s the farthest run since Columbus. I have no doubt in my mind I’ll physically be ready for Colorado. I’m still trying to figure out how I can possibly prepare myself for the altitude change, but I think that’s something I’ll have to learn when I get there.

This next week I’ll be in Toronto Tuesday-Friday. I’m hoping to follow my training plan as best as a I can. I’m also hoping to get an outside run in so I can get a view of the city. It will be my first time in Toronto, should be very exciting!

Platte River Training: Week 2

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This week of training was interesting to say the least. I knew going in it would be challenging getting all of my miles in, unfortunately I didn’t get in as many as I had hoped, but my body did get a workout. This past week I spent a majority of my days in Vegas. I was on my feet from 8am-9pm, so by no means was I lazy.

Monday: 1.5 miles and lifting

Tuesday: Rest day

Wednesday: 5.5 miles-bike

Thursday: None

Friday: Rest day

Saturday: 4.5 miles

Sunday: Rest day

Luckily the day I flew in and back home were rest days, so I didn’t miss much there. Wednesday and Thursday were the busiest days, and for my own safety I decided not to run on the strip when it was dark. I was able to get a bike workout in one of the mornings, which felt good, I’ll be looking forward to more of these. I’d say it is safe to say I walked at least 10 miles a day, between walking from the hotel, to the conference center, to walking around our booth from 10am-5:30pm each day. I had to cut down my Saturday run because my body was still sore from being on my feet all week. But I was able to catch a nice view on my run.

Beautiful CLE

I’m really glad this hectic week was so early in training, I didn’t have too much to lose. This next week I’ll be home so I’m planning on really pounding the pavement. I also registered for three of my half marathons this week, Earth Day Challenge Half, Cleveland Half, and Mount Desert Island Half!

Platte River Training: Week 1

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The first official week of training for the Platte River Half is done! Two weeks ago I was getting back in to simple base miles. This past week I ran farther and faster than I thought I would this early into training. It’s given me the confidence to know that if I can start this well, there is no doubt in my mind about the 26.2 that will be approaching in 10 months. I also ran my first training run with Gu, and finally got my foam roller. One week down and 15 to go until I’m off to Denver!

Monday: Rest (had to switch with Tuesday after too much holiday cheer)

Tuesday: 4 Miles-Treadmill

Wednesday: 3 Miles (1.5 Mile Tempo)

Thursday: 4.5 Miles

Friday: Rest

Saturday:  8 Miles

Sunday: Rest

This next week month will be interesting and could hamper some of my training. I’ll be traveling 4 of the next 5 weeks, from Vegas to Canada to way down south in Texas. My goal is to follow the schedule as best as I can, but with standing for at least 6 hours a day and a crazy schedule, I can’t promise anything. Sorry feet, but you won’t be happy any time soon.

Happy, freckle feet

The curse of free time

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Now that I have free nights and weekends, yep, I’m like a cell phone plan. I’m trying to find ways to fill this time so I’m not bored. Trust me, I’m enjoying not going to class, writing papers or doing research, but I need something to keep me going until April. So I started looking for smaller races to fill in the summer while I’m between half marathons. One thing led to another and I have added some possible races to my 2012 list. Check out these pavement pounders!

  • March – St. Malachi…every year I hear this is a great race, it will fit perfect with Colorado training, so why not give it a shot
  • April – Cleveland 10 Miler….another race with great reviews, I just can’t get enough of Cleveland races
  • June – Park 2 Park Half Marathon…a local, inexpensive half, running within two parks I loved growing up
  • July – Huntington Duathlon…on my list last year, but this time I actually want to do it
  • August – Run, Wine, and Dine….running and wine, need I say more?

Have you ran any of these? Any suggestions?