marathon training week 1

Let the marathon training begin!

To start off, I decided to follow Hal Higdon's Novice 2 Marathon Training Plan.  Which consists of 3 runs during the week, 1 of those being at an appropriately challenging pace, the other two are there to get more mileage in (I think), and then a long run at a much slower pace during the weekend.

However...during the middle of this week, I discovered a different plan that required less runs during the week, but those runs are more challenging as you need to meet certain paces on each of your runs.  Basically, you run an intervals in the beginning of the week at faster than your current 10k pace, a tempo run slightly slower than 10k pace two days later, then your long run on the weekend, but not much slower than your planned marathon pace. The day before the long run is a rest day, then the other two days of the week that are between runs require high intensity cross training.  This is called the FIRST Marathon Training plan.  I am going to switch over to this one due to the challenge of the plan. The first run I completed via this plan was on Sunday...as you will see.

Monday

Scheduled "rest" day.  Walked on the treadmill for an hour.

It was slightly brisk in the AM.

Tuesday 

3 mile run. 8:30 pace.

At this point, I hadn't run at altitude for a week and a half. Sedona doesn't count. So, this did not feel too good. But..you gotta start back up somewhere.

Wednesday 

5 mi pace run. 8:58 pace. 

I am not sure why I decided to run a faster run on a trail, but alas I did.

It was around 50 but could have used another layer for my core. Being cold while running is not ideal.

Not the pace I wanted in the slightest.. Still think the altitude adjustment was getting to me.

Thursday 

3 mi run. 8:17 pace.

Felt back to normal during this run!

I am incredibly shocked that 1) no ducks attacked me 2) I didn't get pooped on. There was definitely a close call.

It was a gorgeous afternoon!

Friday 

45 mins walking on treadmill.

We had a work holiday party this night. Loved wearing my new sweater dress! Definitely going to wear this when traveling with some leggings.

Saturday

After not getting an appropriate amount of sleep, I decided to postpone my "long" run until Sunday. Fortunately, I had enough time in the afternoon to lift before heading down to Phoenix for the Muse concert.  Apparently I went all out in just 45 minutes...see below in my Sunday notes.

Muse, by the way, was amazing. I have seen them once before in Columbus, but this tour features them performing in the middle of arenas on a 360 degree stage set-up.  They totally rocked it.

We were front row, by the way.

I wish I could have gotten a better picture of this (hard when you're in the front), but the guitarist here and the lead singer would stand in front of these monitors, and then the projection behind them would make it look like they are attached to the projection (the projection being a hand in this case, so like they were being used as puppets).

If I were to get a guitar, it would have to light up like this.

Confetti and streamers really melt my heart at concerts.

Sunday 

8 mi PMP + 30 sec.  Goal - 9:17. Actual pace - 9:10.

Turns out that I may have done too many squats.  Woke up with my lower body completely sore/on fire. But I had to get this run in. Believe me, I felt the pain the entire time.  My goal was to finish in 1:12 but I'll take 1:13.  And yes, that's my wrist band from the concert.

Anyway - 19.1 miles total for the week. Started off slow but finished strong..in many ways. Excited to see how these interval and tempo runs go this week-  weather looks warm too!

blue apron #3

My favorite time of the month: Blue Apron time!

Mushroom Browned Butter Cavatelli with Lacinato Kale and Soft Boiled Eggs

This was marvelous. I love pasta but have it so rarely (thanks to me ODing on it last winter and gaining more weight than necessary), it was so nice to have it again though. Plus with my favorites: kale and eggs. This was a very easy dish to prep and cook as well - I can see myself making it again.

Caramelized Leek and Barley Miso Ramen with Delicata Squash and Fresh Ramen Noodles

This was definitely a tasty dish. Fresh ramen noodles are...amazing. Forget that 99 cent junk at the store. Fresh is what's up. I loved the leeks in this too.

Coconut Curry Braised Cauliflower with Aromatic Basmati Rice and Cilantro Chutney

This was definitely interesting.  Another one that was very easy to prep and cook.  However, I baked the cauliflower too long so it wasn't as curry-esque as it should have been. Which was slightly devastating. But even with my carelessness, this was still a pretty good dish. I feel like coconut milk can be dangerous. Dangerously addicting.

what is a rest week?

Here are some highlights from my rest week.

I ate this entire bag Sunday morning. Did not feel so awesome after.

Time to change up the inspirational quote on my phone's background. For the record, I'm pretty sure this quote isn't accurate. But hey, I'll take it.

Hanging out with a 200+ pound dog at work.

Healthy pre-Thanksgiving lunch on Wednesday.

Not working out was driving me a little nuts. Walking on the treadmill made days a bit more bearable.

Checking to see if race-day photos were uploaded yet was also a daily/hourly occurrence. I did not see this photographer at the finish evidently.

But, I saw this one! Or maybe I just smile all the time when I run.

Saw The Hunger Games on Thanksgiving. I thought it was pretty good! Also, this reminded me of the days when I had Icees several times a week until I got to college..

Not pampered or anything.

Regardless of what you have seen above, I was mostly healthy this week.

Mostly.

Now, it's time to kick off training for my first ever marathon. Back to running (which I have realized keeps me sane), and eating healthy (bye Cookies).

november stitch fix

In a world record time of 12 hours after receiving the long-awaited "Your Fix Has Shipped" email, I received my November Stitch Fix.

My only must for this fix was long flared dark jeans.

Here's what I got:

Kut From the Kloth Goldie Flare Jean

So, the long requirement was definitely met.  There was a bit of lighter wash on the front thighs which isn't something I totally love.

Also, the jeans are fairly thick, and are a little big for me (even with the very nutritious huge waffle with strawberries and whipped cream I just had for lunch) Sadly, I will not keep these.

Absolutely Landa Open Cardigan

When I first saw this cardigan, I was a bit turned off by the buffalo checker print.

But when I put it on, I liked it a bit more.

Papermoon Lambert Knit Top

Nothing too amazing about this top.

I received a similar one either last time or right before that had more texture on the shoulders, and that was something I would be more likely to keep rather than this plain one.

THML Libbie Cowl Neck Pullover

A large comfy sweater.

This was the moment I realized that I'm not a sweater person. I don't like hiding..but this was  very comfortable. Out of all of options, I would be most likely to buy this top.

Loveappella Evie Draw String Funnel Neck Sweatshirt

Then finally, a cowl-neck sweater. I wasn't trying to look like a box.

Overall, a pretty safe fix. Going to save some money at least for Christmas shopping!

sedona turkey trot

Kicked off Thanksgiving with a Turkey Trot - which wasn't much of a trot!

I rocked my reward for the half marathon PR - new Brooks pants.

We made our way down to Sedona for the Turkey Trot, and got there at 8 to beat the masses at the packet pick up.

Little did I know that I would become a water bottle collector when I moved to Flagstaff.

We went back into the car to stay warm until the race started. Don't mind me and my drumsticks.

Basically, this race was kind of hilarious. First off, there was only one person running with their Thanksgiving turkey. They cleverly put it in a backpack and they finished around 36 minutes. Second, apparently the aid stations got stolen over night so the crew had to improvise with using mailboxes. Third, the entire first half (entire being 1.5) of the race was downhill. Garmin said it was 173 feet down, which doesn't seem a lot..but still.

So my goal of the race was to first finish under 30 mins (my previous 5k PR is 31), which I knew I would easily do at this point in time, but then my reach goal was to finish 24 mins. Well..

For the record, my Garmin only registered this as 2.9 miles but.. I'll take it. I can't remember the last race I've run where the course was completely accurate as far as mileage. Drawbacks of running in small races/in the middle of nowhere..

The post-run snack?

Pie, of course!

Give me all that whipped cream please.

We all beat our goal times too!

Overall, this was a great, yet chilly way to kick off Thanksgiving Day!

gilbert half

PR!

So, had an awesome race yesterday. 

Thank you Snapchat for such awesome graphics :P

We started around 10 minutes late...not sure why the start line was right before train tracks..

One day, I will put my bib on straight. One day.

Anyway, my intention was to stay with the 2:00hr pacer, then probably after a mile or so, I was like..screw it. And picked up the pace so I was within distance of the 1:50hr pacer. 

I must say... my Garmin came in handy and kept me accountable. I made sure to stick to the same pace thanks to that thing, and when I was going slower, I'd speed right back up.

My most consistent splits ever.

I was thankful that we ended up running on some dirt/gravel paths so it was similar to the Urban Trail.  The race was pretty though, you could see the desert mountains in the distance, we ran alongside the canals, through farmland, and then finished next to parade. Which was...cool, but strange. It definitely motivated me to have some decent form. Or something close to that.

My end time was 1:49:26, putting me 3rd (it was 2nd..) in my age group and finishing with the first 50 females overall. So..16 minute PR!

The medal may have had a photo shoot at Sunset Point on the way back to Flag.

Afterwards, I took the shuttle back to my car, where my keys were locked in my car. That was pretty intelligent. But forced me to keep standing and moving around so that's my positive :)

Some people eat really unhealthy after they race..instead I decided to use the Jamba Juice coupons they gave us.

Yes, two juices. For the record, I wasn't even hungry. Or so I thought.

After, I went shopping in my Buckeye jersey. 

The people at Saks actually...acknowledged me in my total Midwest outfit.

I went to this cool Ohio State bar and was recruited to start the O-H within seconds of sitting down at the bar.  Also, let's not talk about that game.

So, in summary! Great race. It's nice to see where I stand in a normal half marathon (where mud isn't half the race, or where there's 1862 feet of climbing).  

Now, a week off before marathon training begins!

half training 2015.3.8

Well,I only had to run 2 whole runs this week, but that ended up being more challenging than anticipated.

But not because of this.

Or these awesome roads.

On Monday morning, I woke up with what felt like a hangover. My whole body felt extremely weak. I didn't want to eat. At first I thought it was because I really increased my weights at Body Pump on Sunday (the only ever time I felt similarly to this was after my first ever leg day).  But when I got to work... the wrath hit. I don't know how I managed to work the whole day. I literally came home at lunch and just laid in bed.

While laying in bed, I researched other options for my European marathon..

After work, I took some meds (expired from my Colombia trip but heck, I was desperate) and just laid around reading the Martian. It's amazing how much free time one has when you can't eat or work out. But mostly when you can't eat. The Stomach problems.

Tuesday, I had to keep the meds working (my lunch consisted of 6 slices of bread, thank goodness for our catered lunch!), and then decided to wean off the medicine after lunch, with an awesome dinner of vegetable broth and crackers. DELISH.

Finally, on Wednesday afternoon, I branched out to some real food with a very small portion of bean (yes, dangerous) salad, greens with mandarin oranges, and bread at lunch. People were wondering why I didn't take any of the quinoa soup and I glared at them. In my mind of course. Glaring wouldn't be very HR like.  

I was feeling pretty good through Wednesday evening and decided to run my scheduled 3 on the treadmill/9:09 pace. That was the breakthrough moment right there!  

Even though I will actually be resting next week, I had to sign up for this.

Finished off this round of training with a 5 miler at 8:33 pace today and felt awesome (the fact that it was 65 and sunny out also helped). 

I ran as hard as I could up that last hill.

Also, went to this "Diva's Night" downtown on Thursday and won this Ibex sweater. Which costs more than any piece of clothing I own. Raffles are my thing.

Finally..

Time to RACE!