WEEK 23: HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

Hello all,


I have been working 7 days a week for the past 4 weeks, while maintaining my running regimen. I should feel like this guy here, but surprisingly I'm OK. At first I felt tired because I thought I was supposed be tired from the busy schedule. But really, my body felt fine; I just had to get my mind on board. But all that hustle and bustle has come to an end as my vacay from my regular job has started and I'll be off until January 5th. Whoo-hoo!


WEEK 23 Recap:

• Monday: 2 miles
• Tuesday: 3 miles, speed intervals
• Wednesday: cross training
• Thursday: 2 miles, light tempo
• Friday: rest
• Saturday: 5.5 miles
• Sunday: rest
• TOTAL: 12.5 MILES

This week was a good week to cut back mileage. I've changed my training strategy a bit since I began training with K; adding speed intervals and tempo runs. I also needed to step back because I had been increasing weekly mileage steadily for a few weeks. I've learned that it's good to cut back every few weeks.

Another first for me this week too: I ran with a group outside for the first time. I met K and M at Forbidden Drive for about 5.5 miles on the trail. We ran a pace a bit faster than I'm used to but I was able to keep up with no problem! And the cold weather wasn't too bad either; it was about 28*F. I'm looking forward to running with those guys again soon!

Injury/Health Report: Still feeling fine!

Tech Report: I spent all my money on Christmas gifts for my family, so I don't think there will be anything to report on for a while :(

Happy Holidays!

Almost Thirty

WEEK 22: 6-MONTH ANNIVERSARY!!!

Hello all,

This week marked 6 months of running for me and I'm still as enthusiastic as I was on DAY 1. I figured that this would be a good time to reflect on the top 10 things I've learned about running and myself over the past 154 days:

1. Running is fun.
   
2. Halloween candy is not good running fuel.
   
3. It's not a good idea to run after happy hour.
   
4. Being tired is not a good excuse to skip a run, I often feel more energized afterwards.
   
5. No matter how many days a week I force myself up at 4:30 am to run, I'm still not a morning person.
   
6. My open-toe shoe days are numbered.
   
7. Running does get easier if you stick with it.
   
8. Running injuries are preventable if you train properly.
   
9. Running in temperatures below freezing is not for me (yet).
   
10. I am a runner.

WEEK 22 Recap:

• Monday: 3 miles
  
• Tuesday: My first speed intervals, 3 miles
  
• Wednesday: Cross training
  
• Thursday: My first tempo run, 3 miles
  
• Friday: Rest
  
• Saturday: 7 miles
  
• Sunday: Rest
  
• TOTAL: 16 MILES

This week, I started training with K and it went well. He showed me how to do speed intervals and tempo runs on the treadmill. I also met a few other runners in his group and I'm looking forward to learning from them. Next week, I think I'll do some hill repeats with them, if the weather permits.

Injury/Health Report: I feel great!

Tech Report: No new gear to report, but that will change soon. I'm on the hunt for more socks, tops, tights, and sports bras. Oh, and another pair of sneakers. Basically, everything.

From only being able to run for 2 minutes at a time to running 7 miles straight: I've come a long way in the past 6 months. And I'm looking forward to another productive 6 months as a newbie runner! And that ever-illusive six pack still would be nice ;)

Almost Thirty

WEEK 21: 7 MILES DOWN, ONLY 19.2 MORE TO GO!!!

Greetings,

Another busy week...I worked 7 days again. However, I managed to get my first 7-miler in on Saturday morning before my 6-hour shift. I was really determined...maybe I'm a runner after all.

Despite the agony of spending 80 minutes straight on the treadmill, it was a piece of cake. The first 5 miles went by fast because I was chatting with a fellow runner who convinced me to join his running group to train for the Broad Street Run. Did you get that?....I was chatting while running for FIVE MILES!! I used to marvel at the runners who ran their mouths during their runs, while I struggled with my breathing when I first began. I've really come a long way.

WEEK 21 Recap:

• Monday: Cross training
  
• Tuesday: 3 miles
  
• Wednesday: Rest
  
• Thursday: 5 miles
  
• Friday: Rest
  
• Saturday: 7 miles
  
• Sunday: Rest
  
• TOTAL: 15 MILES

This week my excess of rest days were actually days I had to work literally all day, so I don't feel so bad about it.

Injury/Health Report: I feel fine but I really need to start eating better and hydrating everyday. I eat like a pig and I don't drink enough water.

Tech Report: No new gear to be excited about, but my new sneakers are working out well. It makes me feel official to rotate between different pairs.

Next week, I'll join my new running buddy K for some guidance on training workouts. I was a bit hesitant at first because he and his buddies are hard-core runners, but his knowledge and dedication to running convinced me that they may be a good bunch to hang out with to get tips and get better at running.

Almost Thirty

WEEK 20: 7 MILES...HERE I COME!!!

Greetings,

WEEK 20 was super busy due to the Thanksgiving holiday and the biggest shopping weekend of the year. While Thanksgiving was relaxing, I ended up working at my seasonal job (cashier at premium clothing store with a sweet employee discount) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Somehow, I still managed to get my long run in on Sunday even though my legs were killing me after three consecutive 5 to 7 hour shifts.

WEEK 20 Recap:

• Monday: Rest
  
• Tuesday: 3 miles
  
• Wednesday: Rest
  
• Thursday: 4 miles
  
• Friday: 3 miles
  
• Saturday: Rest
  
• Sunday: 6 miles
  
• TOTAL: 16 MILES

Injury/Health Report: No injuries to report and I am perfectly healthy!

Tech Report: I finally found the fuel/hydration belt I was looking for.

I ran with it on Thursday and it wasn't too bad: no uncomfortable flopping and no shifting around. It wasn't annoying but it is definitely something I will have to get used to.

I also ordered some new running shoes that were on clearance at Nike.com. The Nike Structure Triax 11+ is the next generation of the model that I have been wearing since I started running. They fit a bit more snug that my old sneakers but they weren't too tight. They felt good to run in too.

December is the month to hit 7 miles...wish me luck!

Almost Thirty