Hola...

I'm not trying to ignore everyone here... I just haven't had anything special to post.

Right now, i feel like this...

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stressed

I feel stressed about work, training, my running group, my diet, money, etc etc etc etc etc...

So that's where I am and I think because of that, I haven't had any fun ideas about blogging. Sorry guys :(

My training this week so far has been this:

Monday: 7 hill repeats - 60 seconds with a warm up mile and a cool down walk

Tuesday: rest

Wednesday: 4 x 3 minutes repeats with a 3 minute recovery

4 x 1 minute repeats with a 2 minute recovery

warm up and cool down mile

I also have done most of my fitabs stuff. Today I have to do 250 and I'm done with my 3000

Woot woot.

I hope I have something fun for you tomorrow. 





Key Training Workout #2 - RnR Savannah Marathon Training

This morning was a key training session. Holly has 6 key training workouts during marathon training. These are weeks where we have long mileage in between tapers. Because our training plan is 20 weeks, we don't necessarily have to build mileage every single week, but actually get to build a strong base by tapering 2 weeks in between each "long run". The first training workout distance was 8 miles. That was 2 weeks ago. Today's workout was to run 90-110 minutes, record distance and pace.

source - Augusta Rd, Greenville, SC

That was my scenery which was pretty nice. The first 5 miles, my friend, Lori, ran with me. It was immediately hot and muggy. I think the temp was only like, 75 degrees, but the humidity being over 80%, it felt much hotter at 6:30 am. 

We ran through Cleveland park:

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Falls Park:

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and downtown greenville

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The first 4.5 miles went quickly and although our time wasn't great, I wanted to make sure I started out slow because I know - from reading millions of blogs - that my first marathon isn't about time but finishing. We ran 4 minutes, walked 1. Normally, when I do that, I like to run at a 9:00 pace for 4 and then walk. But today, I wanted to take it slow. I think there were times when we hit 9, but for the most part, teetered between 9:30-10:00 - which was my goal

After I sat with Lori to eat my Gu (actually it was those mountain gu thingys) and drank some water, I started out for my next 5. 5. I ran through neighborhoods and down augusta to get a different view and to avoid some of the hills. We are lucky in Greenville to be at the foothills of the Appalachian mountains so the views are beautiful... running sometimes is not... it's really really hilly. So I tried to go on flatter roads since the first 5 were pretty challenging. 

Things I noticed in this run:

1 - I felt strong, even towards the end. I was tired and my legs were sore, but I felt strong. 

2 - I could feel the ab work I've been doing for the fitabs challenge. They were part of the reason I felt so strong

3 - I did a good job keeping hydrated over the week because I did not carry water, I only drank it when I got home (after the first hour and then when i was done) and I was okay. 

4 - run 4, walk 1 is a goal of mine and I am going to train that way. But I have a feeling on race day that may be adjusted going into the last half of the race. 

5 - my legs felt fatigued. I had to incorporate 60 strides towards the end, but once I did, my body remembered good running form and automatically went there

I came home and immediately iced - I felt a twing in my right knee and some issues with a knot under my right butt (so weird) - and I ate some oatmeal

All in all, it was a good run. I definitely have a long way to go but the good news is, I have 15 weeks. I also definitely think I can do it!

Fitabs Challenge

So I've been doing the Fitabs Challenge for 3 weeks now and I have yet to dedicate an entire blog to it. I really wasn't sure what to blog about today, so I thought now might be a good time to talk about abs.

I've had a few "challenges" when it comes to this "challenge" (haha - give me a courtesy laugh please).

1. Remembering to actually do it. The first week was easy because I was at the beach and I had nothing going on to distract me. I did 600 that first week, easy. I also followed the videos and did everything Coach Ashley did. The second week did not go so well. I forgot, had to make some up, it got crazy and I only did 500. Third week, I forgot the first 3 days. THen monday, I was like, crap. I have to make up 700 sit ups in 4 days so I had to do 175 per day. That was TOUGH. but I remembered. and I did them. BAM

2. Variety: after the first week, I stopped doing some of the recommended exercises. One thing that was awesome was my Nike Training Club bonus workout I earned. It ended up being focused on abs which was awesome because it was a 15 minute exercise video that gave me anywhere from 175-200 sit ups, woot woot!!

I did a lot of full sit ups, leg kicks, bicycles, russian twists, planks, etc on my own. I just didn't want to get stuck in the same ab rut because I don't think that's very beneficial. I had a hard time thinking of different exercises.

That was about it. I do feel like I'm getting stronger and the exercises feel like they're getting easier. Or what I should say is that I can do more reps because I start dying. I'm really glad that I'm participating in this because my weakest part is my core and honestly, a strong core helps avoid hip, back, knee injuries when running.

are you doing the fitabs challenge right now?

have you ever participated in a fitblog challenge before? 

RnR Training Week 5

Training for the week:

Monday:
10 x 30 seconds with 1 minute recovery
4 x 60 seconds with 2 minute recovery
175 abs for the fitabs challenge

Tuesday:
45 cross training - i'm choosing swimming - my learn to swim plan says
150 m warm up swim with 60 seconds rest
4 x 50 swim with 30 second rest between each 50
8 x 25 m with 30 second rest between each 25 m - count the # of strokes in lap 1 and try to take them down by 1 each lap (1-4, then repeat)
150 cool down swim
175 abs for fitabs challenge

Wednesday
1-2 minute hill repeats 4-6 times
175 abs for fitabs challenge

Thursday:
5:45 am spin class
1 mile run (to get used to brick)
175 abs for fitabs challenge

Friday: rest which may include yoga

Saturday: run 90-110 minutes

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This morning, I did the monday workout with my Go Run group. We somehow got a week off, but they adjusted so we could be together. I'm such a freak show when it comes to a training plan but I will follow it religiously. I feel like, if someone who is highly qualifed in programming made a plan specifically for my level, I'm going to follow it without adjustments simply because what I know about running is about 1/100 of what the training plan knows. My hope one day is that I'll get certified to train and then, maybe I'll feel a little more confident.

The run went well minus the tired feeling towards the end. The warm up mile felt great and I wanted to run way faster than I needed to. The 30 second sprints felt great but the last one, I pooped out. Then the last 4 were a struggle. I normally don't feel like this but I'm guessing that it's probably a result of doing the triathlon yesterday.

What's amazing about that race was that when I was done, I was completely worn out. I went home and slept for a while. When I woke up, I laid on the couch some more until I finally had to go to the grocery store at 4 pm. I mean... no foot race has EVER put me down for the count like this did. I was completely EXHAUSTED. I'm guessing it was the swimming? I have no idea.

FITABS Challenge:

so just to keep you up to date... I was bad last week. I did 500 instead of 600 so I was already down 100 and then I missed friday, saturday and sunday. Whoops... so I divided 700 by 4 and came up with 175 per day. That's what I have to do. I'm going to die... not really... but it's not going to be fun

How do you feel about altering training plans?

Have you ever worked with someone directly and altered their plan?

Has a race ever put you out for the rest of the day? 

Maybe it'll work this time

So, yesterday, I tried to post about my long run and it wouldn't save or publish. I don't know what happened but I was upset when I tried to publish my post and IT WOULD NOT. I think it might've been our internet or maybe blogger, I have no idea. So, here I go again...

Yesterday, I ran 8.24 miles in a terrible time, something like 1:38 or something, but here's what my training plan called for:
first 2 miles, half marathon pace
4 miles, run 2 minutes, walk 2 minutes
last 2 miles, half marathon pace

my half marathon pace is run 4/walk 1 so that's what I did. I didn't feel like carrying a water bottle, so I did a 5 mile loop, went up to my porch, drank some water and ate a GU, which turned into a longer break because my hubby wanted to talk to me.

I felt bad that it took me so long but what I loved was that it felt so good! My half marathon pace if I just ran without the run/walk would probably be about a 10 minute mile, maybe a 10:20. The issue is that I HATE running that slow. My body feels most comfortable running at a 9 minute mile, but I can't hold that pace for 8 miles, much less 13 or 26.2 which is what I'm training for, so since the training plan called for run 2/walk 2, I was excited because that meant I could run fast!! It felt so good and I remembered why I love running. I felt strong, it felt good to be sweating, I felt happy, I LOVED IT!! At one point, i was rounding the corner, singing Black Eyed Peas out loud and dancing with my arms. I realized that I had to reel it back in before someone saw me and I thought I was completely psycho.

I think my play list helped too because I just put it on random and it included Bob Seger, Chicago, Black Eyed Peas, Amy Winehouse, Beastie Boys and Stone Temple Pilots. That seems like a weird mix... I guess it kind of is...

The other thing, I am participating in the FITABS challenge and missed my day yesterday. I realized that this morning so I guess my rest day for the week is over... whoops. Otherwise, I have done 700 since we started. WooHoo!

Lastly, I have a triathlon this weekend. It will be my first. I have not been in a pool since the last wednesday in June. I have not been on my bike since the beginning of June... whoopsy... But, I signed up for the back and I think there are going to be a lot of old women, so I'm like, eh, i'm sure i'll be fine. At least I'll have the run down :)

So, speaking of all of that, my training for the week will be as follows:

Monday: Speedwork: 10 x 30 second hill repeats, 6 x 60 second repeats on flat ground with 1 minute recovery
*p.s. speed work is my fav, i'll talk about it later

Tuesday: swim. My friend Holly recommended www.beginnertriathlete.com and that site has a learn how to swim 5 month program so I'm starting that in order to become a better swimmer. They've got all kinds of stuff on there so it seems pretty cool! I will also try to do strength as well, either after the swim or at lunch

Wednesday: 6 x 3 minute repeats

Thursday: spin class

Friday: swim, yoga

saturday rest

sunday: TRIATHLON!!!!! 250 m swim, 10 mile bike and 2.5 mile run

It should be easy, I'm just not going to be placing or anything. I need to learn to swim. But what I will say is that when we practiced the swim/run workout, I LOVED IT. So I hope I can train and do a longer sprint one day!!

What does your training look like this week?
Have you ever done a triathlon??

Long Run - kinda...

Well, saturday was supposed to be a long run. I was going to do the Red, White and Blue shoes 5k and then run another lap around the course. I was excited about my PR, talk about that later, but did not feel like running another 3. So instead, I talked and talked and talked and avoided looking for Holly Di Giovine (which is who I was supposed to run with) and insured that I wouldn't be running :)

But knew I had to make it up which leads me to today. I'm at the beach, Myrtle to be exact, and I woke up on my own at 6:45 am to run, no alarm clock. I was just ready to get it over with so I guess my body was letting me know we weren't oversleeping. I put on my clothes, grabbed my Garmin, and started running. I didn't know where to go because I'm not familiar with this part of the beach so that's why I'm glad I had my trusty watch.

The first part of the run was nice, i started slow because I wanted to make sure I didn't poop out. The first 3 miles went quickly and I really enjoyed it. I felt like I was in a zone and nothing could stop me. Then I started to struggle, mainly because 1) it was hot 2) I was thirsty 3) I had to go to the bathroom and 4) I was hungry. I ran another mile pretty well but then mile 5 and 6 were odd, I had to walk, blah blah.

Here is the biggest difference from other runs where I've struggled, I didn't care. I don't mean that in a bad way like, i don't care about my training... I meant, I didn't have any expectations and i was okay with however it turned out. I hate when I go for a run and it doesn't turn out the way I plan and then I get mad at myself. Why do I judge myself so harshly when I don't run at my expected pace? I think sometimes, I feel slow already so when I do a long run and I'm not at my best, it makes me feel bad about something that already is slow. But I'm getting to a place in my training where I am realizing that it is what it is. And my pace is my pace. I can't help that it's not faster and just like I tell my friends or new runners that it's about being healthy and not about time, I should follow that same advice.

So today was nice because I could enjoy a not so perfect run and know that I just finished my third week of marathon training and I have 17 more weeks.

p.s. I am officially on day 3 of the fitabs challenge and I have done 100 each day... BAM!

Do you ever beat yourself up about your training?

Flashback Friday and Abs Challenge Day #1

1. Today was the first day for the ABS challenge with fitblog. If you're interested, check out the challenge and her blog. Today, I did 100 sit ups the way Coach Ashley said and I will say that I HATE AB WORKOUTS but I'm glad I'm doing this because I lack a lot in core strength and it will help my running. So I'm excited about it but it's going to suck.

2. My hubby is bringing home a new phone because mine looks like this:

whoops

3. now it's time for Flashback Friday

Today, i'm going to dedicate flashback friday to the 4th of July!!! We're going to the beach and I'm ssssssooooooo excited about that. Yes yes, we just went to charleston but hey, two beach trips in two weeks can't be too bad, right??

So, Flashback Friday beings:

Movie:

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I was trying to think of a good movie and I was having a hard time, so of course, I went with Tom Cruise. He would be so awesome if he hadn't had that little crazy part the last decade... 

TV Show:

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This show was awesome. How can any regular joe schmo come on this show and beat the real american gladiator... he cannot!!

Song:

I mean, really, how can you not pick this song? it's a patriotic staple

last, patriotic fashion statement... living in the south, we see this often and honestly, going to Myrtle Beach this week, I fully expect to see the 

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AMERICAN FLAG BATHING SUIT

because honestly, nothing shows more respect for you country than using the flag as a string bikini. Thank you Heidi Montag... thank you

p.s. This is where I'll be staying for the next week:

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woot woot