Coastal Delaware Marathon Training: Week Two

January 4, 2016January 4, 20163 Comments

Week two is in the books, and it went so much better than the first. I was happy to be back on somewhat of a routine, but having friends around to join in my runs helped to keep me on track. I’m definitely feeling a lot more confident about training after this past week. Especially because I hit my highest mileage in a single week since Wineglass training!

Monday: 0

Tuesday: 5.5 Miles, 1 mile w/u, 3×1600 with 400 recovery (9:05, 8:57, 8:57), 1 mile c/d + Abs & Lifting

Wednesday: 7.1 Miles + Abs

Thursday: 6 Miles + Abs, Butt & Arms from Daily Workout App (DWA)

Friday: 0

Saturday: 12.22 + Abs

Sunday: 0

Total: 30.82 Miles

Even looking over each day, I feel a bit exhausted! I skipped any sort of yoga on Monday, mostly because I just can’t get into it by myself. Which is fine, because Monday is rest or yoga, but hopefully I can find a yoga class to join that fits my schedule.

Tuesday I wasn’t feeling so hot, so instead of going to the gym, I stuck to the treadmill. I had mile repeats on the schedule, so I pushed through and got them done, just above the time I needed. I think I’m actually starting to enjoy speed work on the treadmill because it keeps me focused on the pace, even if it doesn’t exactly line up with the set speeds. I followed up with abs and a little bit of lifting.

Wednesday I met up with the marathon girls and we ran along Lester Trail. My legs were a bit stiff from Tuesday, but it felt good to be on softer ground. I hadn’t been able to run Lester much since the time change, so it was nice to get out there and run one of my favorite trails. Once I got home, I did some abs.

Thursday was a bit tough. My legs were definitely feeling the increase in mileage, but I wasn’t going to back out of the run. I met up with Mallory and we ran two loops at Hinckley Lake. It was a nice change, but it can still be a bit challenging with the smaller hills. We kept an easy pace and walked the slippery bridges, no need to fall and injure ourselves!

So peaceful, but so chilly.

After I got home, I tried a new app that Jennifer had mentioned to us. Daily Workout App or DWA from now on, has a variety of workouts ranging from 5-10 minutes and focuses on different parts of the body. I had been using workouts I’d found from Pinterest, but from now on, I’ll be using this to tone my abs, arms, legs,etc. I think it will be perfect to keep me motivated on lifting and my ab routine.

Home screen of Daily Workout App. So many options!

Saturday was my long run, and I met up with a group of 10-12 at Hinckley. Some of us came early and ran a lake loop. After we finished, we met up with the rest of the group and headed out for our road loop. I hadn’t done a long run in a while, so I was a bit concerned how this would go. The first three miles, most of us stuck together, which helped the miles fly by. It was about the three mile point of the road loop/sixth mile of the day, I took advantage of a decent sized hill and walked/fueled while I had the chance. But once I got to the top, I found myself in between groups and spent the next two miles trying to catch up. Eventually I decided to just do my own thing, and run the pace I was comfortable with. I ended up running the last six miles alone but always had the next group in sight. Typically I would have dreaded being by myself, but I spent the time reflecting on the year, thinking of what I want to accomplish in the next 12 months, and singing “Hello” by Adele.

Tough run, but Bart Yasso approves!

I planned on doing a recovery run on Sunday, but my legs were really sore. I jumped a bunch in mileage, and I didn’t want to overdo it this early on in the training cycle. Instead, we watched the entire Making a Murderer series. Netflix marathon for marathon training? It works.

Overall this week was so much better than last. I ran more, I drank more water and I was able to sneak in a few extra minutes of sleep each day. Mentally I feel a lot more prepared for training, and I just hope I can keep the momentum up.

*Also, Nuun is currently having a discontinuation sale on three of it’s flavors. Right now, Kona Cola, Lemon Tea, and Lemonade are just $4.00! Watermelon is also on sale, but not being discontinued. So stock up before they’re gone!

Friday Faves

June 27, 2014Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe that another month is almost over. Time to take a look at this months favorite things!

AllTrails – I found this website when I started looking for local trails, then I discovered the app for my phone. You can search by location, or specific needs like biking or dog friendly. I’ve found a ton of new trails I can’t wait to explore, and now I have no excuse for not having enough trail runs this summer!

Hart of Dixie – This has been my latest Netflix addiction, even though it’s a few years old. I went through season one and two in an embarrassingly quick amount of time, and liked it better than I thought. I’m still waiting on season three to be uploaded, but once it does, I’ll be unreachable for a few days.

Oiselle Stride Shorts – I used to wear spandex in HS and college, but after I graduated, I didn’t feel I was in shape enough for them. I finally bit the bullet and purchased the Stride Shorts and fell in love! They fit perfectly, hide sweat and they have a built in pocket. These are my new go to shorts for track days.

stride short with zip pocket

Sport Beans Protein Recovery Crisps – Jelly Belly has done it again. I discovered the recovery crisps last year, but had trouble finding them in stores. Now that I’m able to find them closer, I can’t help but buy a few bags at a time. These are perfect for post run hunger, especially when I have to drive home from a race. Plus they’re not heavy on the stomach, and gluten free/peanut free for those who follow a certain diet. Chocolate is by far the favorite flavor, in my opinion.

Nuun of the Month – Watermelon is the perfect summer flavor. It’s fun, refreshing and has a bunch of flavor. This was a limited flavor last year, but looks to back for the long haul. Right now all orders from Nuun ship for free through Sunday, June 29th. Be sure to stock up now!

Watermelon

What are your favorite things? What’s your summer drink of choice?

Friday Faves – May

May 23, 2014Leave a comment

It seems like it’s been longer than a month since I did my Friday Faves, but it’s that time again! This month is definitely a mix, but that’s what keeps it interesting!

The Piano Guys – Now that I’m finally able to turn off the heater in my office, I needed something to listen to that wouldn’t distract others at work. I turned on Pandora and found these guys. It’s the perfect music to listen to while concentrating on work. Plus the mash ups they do are fantastic! My favorites are The Cello Song and Beethoven’s 5 Secrets.

Erica Sara Bracelet – Over the past year I’ve had my eye on a few pieces of jewelry, but could never decide which one I wanted. I finally decided on the Every Mile bracelet and I’m absolutely in love. The saying, ” Every mile becomes a part of me” has so much meaning to me. And the best part, it fits my tiny wrist! Now to figure out my next piece….

Oiselle’s Scantron Tank – I bought this tank as part of my race day outfit for Medina, but once I tried it out, I didn’t want to wait to race in it. It’s so light and freeing, it’s perfect for all weather. I love that its loose around the stomach so it doesn’t stick to you when the humidity is making everything else cling. I got the fresh green, but the brill blue is looking pretty good.

Cheez-It Grooves – I have an addiction, and I’m not about to fight it. I tried these crackers at a wine tasting a few months ago and I haven’t been able to put them down. As soon as I get home from work, the box is in my hands. I personally think they’re paired best with a port wine cheese dip. Yum….

GE Wine & Dine Events – We’re big fans of Buehler’s for our grocery shopping, but when a friend told us that Giant Eagle hosted a wine and dine night, we almost didn’t think twice. Once a month, they host a 6 course dinner that has a wine tasting for each part of the meal. For only $20 a person, or $35 for a couple, you get to try new foods and wines and meet some great people. This past event had a kale and yam salad, salmon, stuffed mushrooms, beef brisket, shrimp and Spanish chorizo, and turtle cheesecake.

Nuun of the Month: Strawberry Lemonade. This flavor is perfect for the summer. It’s light and refreshing, combining a few of my favorite flavors into one. Now until Tuesday, May 27th, Nuun is offering free shipping. Make sure to jump on their website and stock up now!

What are you currently raving about?

Friday Faves and a Giveaway!

April 18, 2014April 18, 20145 Comments

April happens to be my favorite month, mostly because it’s my birthday month, so I wanted to do something a little different this time. This month, I wanted to share a list of my favorite things, and as a little bonus, a giveaway!

Favorite Shoes: Asics GT 2000 – These shoes, they are heavenly. I first tried them on at the Columbus Marathon expo in 2012, and I’ve never looked back. I’ve gone through a couple pairs, and I’ve never been more satisfied with a shoe. I’ve always been an Asics’ girl, but these are hands down my favorite. They recently released the GT 2000-2 which are currently sitting in my closet waiting for their first run!

Asics GT-2000, Heaven for your feet

Favorite Half Marathon: Sandy Ridge Half Marathon – No longer around, this half marathon will always have a place in my heart. This course ran on my street and surrounding roads I grew up running on, the roads where I fell in love with running. My favorite moment of this race was running by my parent’s house, hearing them cheer and seeing words of encouragement sprayed onto the road.

Run!

Favorite 5k: Love-A-Stray 5k – I’ve run this race every year it’s been around, and will be running it for the third straight year next weekend. I grew up volunteering at the Love-A-Stray shelter and adopted two cats from them as well, so this race has always held a special place in my heart. Registration is still open if you’re interested in running, pups can join too!

On course last year

Favorite Place to Run – I will always love running in the Cleveland Metro Parks. There are so many opportunities and trails to discover, it’s hard to have a bad day running there. I don’t get there as often as I used to, so my second favorite has become Buckeye Woods and slowly creeping up to my number one spot.

Welcome to my happy place.

Favorite Band on my iPod – Anberlin has been a favorite for a long time. Whether it’s a long run, or a race, they pump me up and remind me of how far I’ve come. They’re finishing up their last year together, but listening to them will always be a good reminder of the many, many miles I’ve run.

Favorite Run Fuel – Sport Beans are without a doubt my favorite thing to snack on during long runs and races. With such a sweet tooth, I’m not sure how I keep these in stock at home. I did a review last year, and naturally my favorite was and still is Lemon Lime. Best packet for long runs? That definitely has to be the assorted pack. This year they’ve introduced Extreme Pomegranate and Extreme Assorted.

Sport Bean Flavors

Favorite Nuun – It’s no surprise that my favorite Nuun is Lemon Lime. Lemon Lime has always been my thing, and Nuun does it perfectly. They recently came out with Nuun Energy, which keeps the refreshing taste of the lemon lime flavor, but adds caffeine to stay hydrated and awake all day. Can you say perfection?

How do you make Lemon Lime better? Add caffeine!

So here’s my chance to share the love of one of my favorite things. The awesome folks at Nuun are joining in on my birthday month and letting one lucky winner pick their favorite Nuun 4 pack for themselves! Here are the rules:

The contest will run from Friday, April 18th to Thursday April 24th, ending at 9:00 EST.
A winner will be randomly picked and announced on the blog on Friday, April 25th.
You may enter one time per option, leave a comment telling me which options you choose.

Here’s how to enter!

Follow me on Twitter (@masher52)
Follow Nuun on Twitter (@nuunhydration)
Leave a comment telling me your favorite Nuun flavor
Tweet “I want to stayed hydrated and win a pack of Nuun from @masher52, http://wp.me/p1zF7j-LM “
Like Masher Runs on Facebook

Good luck and stay hydrated!

Friday Faves

March 21, 20141 Comment

Another month of my favorite things is here! It turns out that most of these are running related this month, but that’s ok. Hopefully you’ll find one of these items to be something you can’t live without, and they’ll be on your favorites list too!

Picky Bars – I finally hopped on the Picky Bars train and I’m so glad I did. I’ve been a long time lover of Clif Bars, but sometimes they don’t agree with my stomach. I tried Picky Bars and have yet to have any issues while running. New long run fuel? I think so.

House of Cards – After hearing all the buzz about House of Cards, we decided to sit down and test out a few episodes. This quickly turned into watching as much as we could in our free time….hello binge Nextflix! I didn’t expect to like House of Cards, but I can’t get enough. I’m also a big fan of the parody, House of Carbs….mmmmm pasta.

Oiselle Lux Side Zip Top – Just as soft as the original Lux long sleeve, the Side Zip is perfect for layering in the cold. I wish I would have gotten this sooner to enjoy the frigid temps!

Oiselle Charcoal Joggings – I’ll admit, I’ve been a big fan of the Asics Thermopolis LT Tights for as long as I could remember. But I’ve worn them a bit thin, and I needed something else to add into rotation. I tried the charcoal joggings and it was love at first run. They’ve been warm enough to deal with our crazy winter and they fit like a glove.

Nuun of the month: Cucumber Mint – Call me crazy, but I love cucumber chunks in my water. So when I tried Nuun’s Cucumber Mint U Natural Hydration, I instantly felt I was sipping water on a hot summer day. It may sound like an odd combination, but it’s so refreshing and may be come my summer drink of choice. U Natural Hydration is all natural flavored with vitamins and essential electrolytes, the perfect drink tablet to keep you going all day long. The U Natural Hydration flavors are often over looked with Nuun, but I have yet to find one that I don’t like.

Well there’s my favorites for this month. I have a feeling that April’s will be extra special….

Balancing Running and Traveling

February 14, 2014May 20, 20141 Comment

Over the past month and a half I’ve been doing a lot of traveling. I’ve actually spent more time on the road than in the office or at home, so balancing working out and traveling has been a bit of a challenge. But over the past couple of years, I’ve come to accept the fact that January and February are the hardest training months because of travel and I’ve come up with ways to work around it. Whether you’re traveling for three days or for three weeks, each of these tips can apply to you and hopefully help you find some balance!

Stay hydrated! People tend to forget to drink water when traveling, and usually end up drinking more coffee or alcohol during trips. While it’s ok to have some fun, your body depends on water to keep you feeling fresh, especially when you’re training. When flying you should have 16 ounces for every two hours you spend in flight, and you should make sure to finish it before you land. Can’t stand the taste of water? Try adding Nuun to your drink to pump up the flavor.
Get enough sleep. Just like staying hydrated, not getting enough sleep can really wear you down on a trip. If you’re able to, try to stay on your regular schedule or adjust to your time zone. Sometimes, like traveling 3 time zones, you can’t stay on your own schedule. If this happens, then try to get as much sleep as you can the first night, this will help so you’re not playing catch up through the rest of the trip.
Plan your workouts ahead of time. Take a look at your schedule and try to find open gaps of time where you can fit in workouts. I know I can usually get a workout in on the first day of the trip because it’s set up day. You may have to switch to a morning run or evening run, but at least you’re still putting in the time and you can follow your training plan.
Explore the city. The best way to explore a new city is on foot, and what better way than by lacing up your shoes and heading out for a few miles? I love running in new cities because you get to see more than you would on a regular trip, plus the miles go by quickly! If you’re not sure where to go, ask the front desk of the hotel or check out lo-ca-lei-kki, a website and app that helps you find a local place to run while traveling!
Try new workouts. If you’re stuck inside and have to use the hotel’s gym, try to make it more exciting than limiting. Get on a machine you’ve never tried before or lift weights that you thought would be too heavy. You may be surprised to find what you like and add it to your regular routine.
Sign up for a race! Check online ahead of time to see if there will be a race going on while you’re in town. It’s a great way to get a workout in and see a new part of town. Plus you never know, you could end up running a PR or place in your age group! Check out Running in the USA to find local races when you travel.

There you have it, these are my top tips for balancing traveling and running. It can be a challenge to get all of your workouts in when you take a trip, but hopefully these will help you get them accomplished!

What are your tips for balancing running and traveling?

Friday Faves

January 24, 20142 Comments

It’s time for another addition of my favorite things! I’ve got a variety of items on the list this month, let’s take a look!

Hello Vino App – I’m a big fan of wine, and when I mean big, I mean I’m doing a wine tasting almost every weekend at our grocery store. (Too much wine, maybe?) I used to take a picture of the bottle so I’d remember it for future reference, but now there’s an app for that. Hello Vino is the perfect app for wine lovers. You can keep track of your favorite wines, find deals on wines, or find the perfect wine to pair with any meal. In other words it’s the how to on becoming a wine snob.

Body Fusion Class – I’m absolutely loving my Body Fusion class right now. It’s the perfect mix of lifting and yoga. I never knew the proper way to lift, so having an instructor show me the right way and new ways to lift makes all the difference. I can tell this will be a huge help with training this year. Better yet, the class is on Monday nights so it’s the perfect way to kick off a new week!

Bastille – This is my latest album download and I’m completely satisfied. I heard Pompeii on the radio this summer and recently started hearing Bad Blood, then I knew I was hooked. I downloaded the entire album and I can’t get enough. Plus, most of the songs are on a quick beat so they’re perfect to add to my race playlist! Also, they’ll be performing on Saturday Night Live this weekend if you’re interested in checking them out.

Source

My final favorite will be sort of a reoccurring favorite. Back in December I was accepted as a 2014 Nuun Fan Member as part of a new tri-level ambassador program. So each month I’ll be focusing on one flavor of Nuun that I’m loving.

Cherry Limeade Nuun – Cherry Limeade has been my travel buddy and afternoon savior. With just 40mg of caffeine, it’s the perfect dose to get you back on your feet, but doesn’t keep you awake until the wee hours of the morning. With early flights and multiple time zones over these next couple weeks, my sleeping schedule will be all over the place. Luckily I’ll have my Cherry Limeade Nuun to keep me awake when I need it most. It’s also been a great tool to use for that 3:00 lull every afternoon, one tab and I can keep plugging away until I leave at 5:30. The flavor is great and I’d definitely recommend it over that afternoon cup of coffee!