July Rewind

August 1, 2014Leave a comment

July is already over and it’s hard to believe that summer is going so quickly! July was an extremely busy month that mostly consisted of working, running, eating and sleeping almost every single day. I stepped away from the blog this month some and didn’t have a Friday favorites or 365 photo recap, but honestly, I don’t think I would have had time. This month was a busy one, so let’s take a look at the numbers….

Miles run: 111

Races run: 4 (Twin Sizzler 5k/10k, Trail Monster 5k/15k)

Miles biked: 0

Favorite Workout: 7/26 – 18 Mile Long Run

Books read: The Runner’s High

Recipes: Shipwreck

July was full of running and had some great workouts. I hit my highest month of mileage yet, and nailed every long run I had scheduled for training. I didn’t run as many days or miles as I originally planned, but I scaled things back in the last week or so of July to keep some pains at bay and prevent injury.

I tackled 4 races this month, but had a different goal in mind. I attended races that had multiple races for the day and combined them to create my long run. The Twin Sizzler put me in my place and the Trail Monster gave me a deeper insight to technical single track. I loved the experience of both, but plan on sticking to one race per day in the future.

My favorite workout came at the end of the month with my 18 miler. I focused on a close to marathon pace for a majority of my run and ran those 18 miles in just over 3 hours. I never thought I could hold that pace for so long, or come in that close to three hours for 18 miles! This run was a huge confidence booster because last year I failed at my 18 miler.

I didn’t do so well on biking or reading this month, but as always I promise to think about it at least once next month, and maybe get back into it. Truthfully, I’m just too exhausted all the time to add anything else into my day.

August will be full of more miles, and hopefully no injuries. I also have one of my favorite half marathons coming up and I can’t wait to see how I do.

What was your favorite thing from July? What plans do you have for August?

May Rewind

June 4, 2014Leave a comment

I can’t believe how quickly May went by, and with it went a crazy month of running! The weather finally got onto somewhat of a normal schedule so I was really able to push my limits this month. Let’s take a look at the numbers.

Miles run: 83

Races run: 4 (Run.4.Fun 5k, Flap Jack & Jill 15k, Cleveland Half Marathon, Medina Half Marathon)

Miles biked: 0

Favorite Workout: 5/21 – Mastick Trails

Books read: Started The Runner’s High

Places traveled: 0

New recipes: 0

This month was by far my best month of running in a long time. Even though I had a few weeks of taper, I still managed to run more miles than I did in April. The last time I ran this many miles was last July, where I barely made it to 84 miles. This month also pushed me to 325 miles for the year, so just over halfway to my goal. Due to marathon training beginning in June, I should be on track to run at least 100 miles next month. I’ve never accomplished that, so I’m excited to cross into triple digits!

Not only did I get the miles in this month, but I raced a bunch. I ran a 5k, 15k, and two half marathons, and managed to PR in three of them! I finally broke my post college 5k PR after many attempts, and the next goal will be to get back under 25 minutes. But the real winner of the month was finally breaking 2 hours at Cleveland. It was a complete surprise and a long time in the making. It meant even more that I was able to break 2 at the place where I ran my first half marathon!

My favorite workout was through the Mastick trails with Elayna. Mastick has always been one of my favorite places to run, and I look forward to more summer miles there. I’m still reading The Runner’s High, but because it’s a combination of short stories, I don’t feel like I’m falling behind in it.

I finished the month with the end of my training cycle, and retirement of my favorite shoes. June will bring high mileage, marathon training and hopefully quick paces!

How was your May? What’s your favorite distance to PR in? What big plans do you have for June?

October Rewind

November 1, 20131 Comment

October wasn’t your typical month, and so the review should reflect that. I only ran once in the month of October, and while I completely enjoyed chasing daylight along my favorite path, I knew it was best for me to take some time off. Recovering from ongoing planter fascistic and just plain feeling burnt out, distance (away) makes the heart grow fonder of running and I’m ready to jump back in.

These runs are my favorite

October was a crazy month of stress, overworking and an emotional pull in every direction. If you missed my last post, then I’ll catch you up. We bought a house! A quicker than expected decision, followed by our closing date being changed three times, and honestly, I’m so glad that it’s finally over. But really I couldn’t be more excited. I’m absolutely in love with our house, our huge deck and the fenced in yard that will *hopefully* one day contain a dog.

Home is where the heart is

You could say I’m borderline obsessed with our newest purchase, but I’m just thrilled that I don’t have to pack up and change apartments every year. We love Medina, and are looking forward to our next chapter of life, out in the country.

So there’s October, a month off running, but a month of preparing ourselves for the next stage in life. I’m looking forward to November, and getting back into running. But even more so, I’m excited that the Christmas countdown is on!

How was your October? Any goals for November? Starting the countdown to Christmas?

August Rewind

September 5, 2013Leave a comment

August was a quick month, and I’m excited to say that I’m ready for fall. I’m ready for the cooler temperatures, the leaves changing and warm cups of coffee no matter what time of day. August definitely wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t boring either. Let’s take a look back….

Miles run: 64

Races run: 1, Buehler’s Heart & Sole Half Marathon

Miles biked: 0

Books read: Once a Runner…made it to the 100’s!

Places traveled: 0

We might as well start with the elephant in the room. Those miles are no where near the 100 I had hoped for. I made it half way through the month and ended up with some foot pain. While this is still a mystery of how it happened over night, it’s something that is still bothering me. I cut back my miles drastically after running a half marathon on an injured foot. Outside of the pain, the race was great, but probably not the smartest thing I’ve done. I took a complete week off and attempted to get back into things. The pain isn’t gone, my endurance is dwindling, and well, this marathon I’m supposed to run is still a giant question. Along with some big races I had hoped to run afterward… (don’t bother checking the 2013 race schedule, they’re not up there)

As for my bike. It’s found a great home in the garage, and it has a close companion of my mountain bike that joined it this summer. Yoga also joined this group, I haven’t been to class in two months. Summer was busy and life happens. I’m hoping that I can get back into my yoga, because I actually miss it. And, well. I’ll still think about that bike.

And while we’re on the topic of the not so fun things of August, we might as well throw in the final closing of my favorite coffee shop. That’s right, Caribou Coffee is closing it’s doors on the Eastern side of the US. I knew this was coming for a while, but my very last store was shut down on September 1st. It may seem silly to be upset about a coffee shop closing, but I spent a lot of time there. From Friday nights in high school, to visits with friends while we were home from college, to studying for the GMAT and writing papers for my MBA. From friendships and first dates, to my own time to get away, Caribou held a big spot in my heart. I’m slowly opening up to Starbucks and Peet’s, but no one will ever make a Campfire Mocha like Caribou.

Until next time…

But enough of the Debbie downer things that occurred. I’m excited to share that there were good things that happened in August, like one of my closest friends getting married. My dear friend Elayna married her fiance after 9.5 years of dating. That’s a long time, you guys! It was a beautiful day filled with so much love, and I couldn’t be more excited for them.

With the beautiful bride

I have no idea what September will bring or what I’ll be able to run. I wish I was more excited that it’s marathon month, but time will show what’s in store, and hopefully I’ll be able to finish another 26.2 miles.

How was your August? Anything excited happen?

July Rewind

August 2, 2013Leave a comment

Wow, what a month. Marathon training ramped up quite a bit and took up most of my time. From what was supposed to be a relaxing month, turned into a busy, non stop month. With one more month of summer left, fall will be here in the blink of an eye! Let’s take a look at the numbers for July.

Miles run: 84

Races run: 1-Twin Sizzler 5k (Wellington Cheese Fest was canceled)

Miles biked: 0

Books read: Still stuck on chapter 4 of Once a Runner

Places traveled: 0

Unnecessary purchases cut down: Probably not

New recipes: Attempted spaghetti squash

I definitely have to say that this month I’m so proud of my running. In June I ran 53 miles, and this month I ran 84. Not only did I add 31 miles to this month, but July was my highest month of mileage ever! The last time I was this close was last September with 83 miles and before that was last July with 79 miles. I can’t even believe I was able to put that many miles on my legs. Let’s also mark this down as the longest I’ve been able to stay injury free. Maybe 2013 will be my year after all.

Unfortunately there was only one race for this month. I ran the Twin Sizzler 5k on the 4th of July and was supposed to run a 10k in the middle of the month. Due to weather, the Cheese Fest 10k was canceled with no sign of a make up date. I was really bummed, but maybe someday I’ll get to run an actual road 10k. If not, it’s fine by me. I also didn’t get any biking in, major fail on this cross training activity. My poor bikes probably think they’re stuck in the garage forever.

I did attempt to cook this month with something new and healthy. And by attempt, I mean it didn’t go so well. So my goal in August is to actually make an edible meal with spaghetti squash. Wish me luck.

But the most exciting thing that happened in July is that we have a new addition to our household!

The newest little bundle of fur!

We adopted this three month old kitten from the local shelter, and thankfully he fits right in. He’s curious, playful and always hungry. Most importantly, he’s gets along great with his older brother.

New best friends

What did you do exciting in July? Any good recipes for spaghetti squash?

June Rewind & Six Month Goals Review

July 2, 20131 Comment

June is complete and we’re half way through the year. I’m still in disbelief that it’s July, but that means fall races are right around the corner. June overall was a very busy month, I’m not quite sure how I got everything in those last 30 days. Before we take a look at the past 6 months, let’s take a look at June’s numbers.

Miles run: 53

Races run: 0

Miles biked: 0

Books read: Still reading Once A Runner…

Places traveled: 1 (Put-In-Bay)

New recipes: Gluten Free Pasta

My miles were up in June because I started marathon training. I expect this number to grow each month, and even hoping to hit 100 miles in August. Hopefully this plan works out. Unfortunately I didn’t run any races or get any time on the bike. I hope to add a few races and at least 20 miles on the bike in the month of July. This should help with mixing up my training and getting cross training in.

I’ve been so busy that I’m still on chapter 4 of Once a Runner, but with a pretty empty calendar in July, I plan on doing a lot of reading. Part of my busy plans included a trip up to Put-In-Bay for a bachelorette party. It was my first time to the island, and well, I don’t think I’m the same party girl I was once.

One improvement I had was on my new recipes. One of my main goals in marathon training is to eat healthier. There’s nothing worse than having a track workout or a long run with stomach issues. Last year I started to cut out dairy and it helped a lot. I have a weakness for cheese, so I can’t be 100% dairy free. My next step was adding my fruits and veggies with my meals. The final step was trying to cut out gluten. I love pasta too much to give it up completely, so I opted for gluten free pasta. Thankfully I had no issues and can continue my love of pasta in my daily life. We’ve also been eating off the grill a lot, so I suppose that means I’m being healthy? But I really should learn to cook more….

So June was pretty decent, but now it’s time to take a look at the past six months…

2013 Goals

Running:

Run a sub 2:00 half marathon –Saving this for fall
Run 800 miles-currently at 239, only 561 to go!
~~PR in the 5k-~~Sole to Soul 5k, 25:37, but still hoping to shave more time
Run two half marathons in two new states-3M Half in January, Texas can now be crossed off the list
Volunteer at races-I really need to do this

Personal

~~Travel-~~Work-Vegas, Dallas, Toronto. Fun- Austin, Colorado, Cincy/Kentucky, PIB
Learn German- Noch, arbeitend an es
Learn to cook and eat healthier-Work in progress
Stress less- This will probably never happen
Read more, at least 10 books-4 complete! (The Best of Me, Fifty Shades of Grey, The Next Best Thing, The Last Song)
Cut out unnecessary purchases-Half and half, that new car got me

Half way through 2013 and not bad. There are still some things I want to do, and some I’d like to continue. The best part is I still have 6 more months to work on these goals.

How was your June? Have you met any of your 2013 goals? What are your goals for the rest of 2013?