Random week off, and this was supposed to be about recovery

Why is it so hard for me to blog?  I have no problem reading other people’s blogs…never miss a beat there.  Maybe I should give it up?  One more try to be consistent!

Let’s get workouts out of the way.  This week was weird.  I had a killer, awesome OUTSIDE speed workout on Monday.  Then, it went downhill.  I didn’t really “run” until today, Saturday.  I don’t know what happened.  I have no problem working out, I mentally could NOT run Tuesday.  

I dreaded it.  

So, I didn’t.  

Which led to more days off.  I did this girl's workouts (Blonde Ponytail).  

I am so sore.  

I don’t think I’ve ever felt my LOWER abs…you know the ones you always try to make sore…the ones that give us the most trouble…well, YEAH, they’re freaking SORE!  I’ll be keeping an eye on her workouts and use them frequently! 

So, Monday was beautiful.  It was 2 mile warmup, 6 x 1 mile repeats with 2:30 minute recovery jog, 3 mile cooldown.  I was very proud of myself for hitting my target time in the first two, and the FINAL repeats.  This is HARD for me to do outside.  Given the workout on a treadmill, I would’ve hit the paces, even 20 seconds per mile faster, no problem.  Clearly, I need to run my speed workouts outside.  

One VERY important thing running intervals on the treadmill has taught me is...

the cadence I need to hit certain times.  THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.  Now, if I can only get my LEGS to not give out when I'm outside, we’ll be all good.

So, adjusting my training schedule, the trail run in June was rained out.  Rescheduled to July.  Fine with me.  I haven’t been consistent with my marathon training, so I’m pushing it back to following the 18 week schedule.  Doesn’t really matter, because the first part is base training anyway, and I already USUALLY hold a base of at least 60.  So, no pressure here!

I ran a 5k in May…sucked terribly.  I think the humidity was 100%.  I don’t want to make excuses, but seriously, heat & humidity DO ME IN!!  I’m a much better cold weather racer.  I still managed to pull off 2^nd in my age group.  Although, I was really upset with my time because it was about the same I ran in November.  Yeah.  All this training, and I’m still at the same level as the fall.  

Fabulous.  

I understand you can’t train for marathons and expect to run well in 5k’s.  But, I feel you should consistently BETTER yourself.  So, not clocking a better time is very hard on me.

Today’s workout was Blonde Ponytail’s "Out of the Box Workout".  Then, later I jumped on the treadmill for 8.  I ran the interval run I usually do to complete the 8 in less than an hour.  OH MY HOLY MARY MOTHER OF JESUS.  If you would’ve heard me from another room, you would have thought I was having the most unbelievable, mind blowing sex ever.  Sorry for the visual and if I offended anyone…just want to give you an idea of how I was huffing, puffing, moaning, DROOLING, I think at one point I almost collapsed and vomited.  My daughter turned around and gave me the eye…like are you gonna make it?  I don’t know why it’s so easy for me to push myself in my own workouts.  When it comes to a race, I simply have no desire to compete with others.  

I compete with MYSELF only.  

I think that’s what kills my race times.  I push myself so hard in workouts and when it comes to a race, I really don’t care too much.  Hmmmmm, something is going on there. 

I listened to a podcast recently about competing, and the main thing running coaches LOVE to see in runners is….

You need a runner who HATES to lose more than LOVES to win. 

Coaches want this quality in athletes.  It’s a killer instinct that wins.  

I don’t have it.  

I compete with myself.  I’m learning to adjust things.  Maybe I’ll get there.

So, I had a recover post all ready to go.  I really want to talk about some key things that work for me.  I consistently hold high mileage, am getting up there in age!  Keep up with 3 kids, have a full time job, part time job (which consists of running lol), and have KNOCK ON WOOD managed to maintain major injury free and able to carry on with high mileage, quality workouts, and HIIT training.  I’ll try to have that by Monday.

And no, this doesn't have anything to do with running, but this is my son...awesome pic so proud :)

Hiatus, hair & more

So, it's been how long?  I have no idea.  I do know there's probably not a sole around reading this, but I wanted to get back into blogging to track workouts & share nutrition, workout, and motivation.
First thing's first.
Today's workout, on treadmill because Mon & Wed are treadmill days for me.  No other way around it.  8 on the schedule, so I chose this awesome girl's treadmill workout "the ladder".  8 miles done in an hour, boom, done.

This is one reason for my hiatus...
I have to transform this

Into this...

Oh my, it's a JOB!!
Another job I've had since January is working part time at the YMCA training members for their first half marathon.  This was such a challenging, yet rewarding journey.  I think I struggled more mentally getting members to try to push themselves to their abilities...and get through the AWFUL weather we had this winter.  It was definitely a test of endurance.  The end result was bittersweet.  I loved seeing everyone surpass their goals and thank me...even though THEY were the ones that put in the work.  It was a process that helped me see this will be part of my future, helping people reach their running goals.  It was a blessing.

My mileage has been hovering around 60-80 miles a week.  Now, some of those (around 20-30) were at a much slower pace than even my relaxed pace.  So, it was a great way to get some high mileage without all the wear and tear on my body.

I got a PR in a half in March...1:40:45.  Was shooting to break 1:40, but hey, it's a PR, I'll take it.  I know I have great things in my future :)

Also ran my FIRST full marathon Apr. 20th in 3:46, just 6 minutes away from by BQ time!!  Being my first full, I wanted to run extremely conservatively to make sure I enjoyed it and finished...and I DID!!!  It was the best race experience of my life.  Totally addicted to Fulls now.  I'll be shooting for my BQ time in October, so that's what I'll be focusing on training for all summer.  I ran the full so easy that I had one day of tightness and then was back to my normal workouts about 3 days later.  It was the weirdest feeling...I almost braced for some pain...but nothing.  I felt totally fine.  This lets me know I have MUCH more in me :)

Training plan I'll be using for October is the more than 70/week in this book...

A few upcoming races I'm excited about...

Another area I'm concentrating on during training is core & arms.  During my marathon, one thing that did get sore were my arms.  Funny, but true.  So, 2 days per week will focus on upper body strength and 3 days dedicated to core.
Did this one today, and THIS SITE has some amazing and fast core workouts.

I've had to deal with some personal budget cuts lol, so sometimes my favorite protein powders are scarce in the household (like Vega, MRM egg white protein, Sun Warrior blend).  But, you don't always have to get your protein for your smoothies or meals from powder.  Look around your cupboards or fridge for things like this that can be added to a smoothie or meal, and it will create about the same ratio of protein as a powder would.  Any of these could be used in a smoothie with some almond milk, spinach or kale, stevia and some ice cubes for a good smoothie.  Add a little avocado or chia for some healthy fat, and that's all you really need.  Or, for more of a "food" meal, a slice of toast, some egg white or an egg, and some avocado with some hot sauce on top is one of my favorite post workout meals.  So, don't always think you need pricey protein powders to get some good nutrition.

And, since the little person has been coughing in my face for approx. 36 hours, I'm off to put some good bugs in my body to fight the bad bug battle...wow that's a mouthful lol.

Pre-race day....a day in pictures

So tomorrow is the Carmel half marathon race for me and Sarah! or is that Sarah and I?  who knows...
well, the weather is looking a bit peculiar...still not sure what I'm gonna wear but I think its gonna be shorts, compression sleeves and a long-sleeve dri fit top...and throw away gloves to keep the chill away early on.

I also decided that I needed a great lunch and a pre-race reward of some new running gear...so here is my day in pictures...oh and I think I'm randomly throwing in some pics of last weekends first sprint tri of the season (Carmel Sprint Tri)...new PR for me...it was an indoor pool swim, 10 mile bike and 3 mile run...short and sweet...I finished in 1:04 which I was pretty happy with..but still need to improve my swim speed and get my mile splits in the high 6's...a girl can dream!!!  I also rode my new Tri bike...for like the 2nd time...wouldn't you know that the winds were crazy that day and my aero wheels tought me a whole new form of balance!  I think I almost blew over 10xs!! but it felt fast....

Pre-race Sprint Tri Checklist....check it once, check it twice, check it a hundred times....
I'm so paranoid about forgetting something that is vital..or even not so vital...I swear road races are much less stressful to prepare for....

Today's delish lunch of salmon and spicy tuna rolls (mistake roll...YUMMY)

and last but not least, 3 new pairs of UA running shorts and 1 new half zip Nike running top..

UA has these new running shorts...thin mesh and stretchy, soft comfy waistband...I may have just found my new favorite piece of running gear!!!

Blogger break has to end....

So I'm officially back and trying to be regular with this blog thing.  I haven't posted in hmmmm we'll go with forever...and that sucks really.  I've been really busy training all year and I need to be better about posting about it.  I like writing what I do because it keeps me accountable...and I must admit I like seeing it on paper...well screen.  So anyway since the last I posted I've done quite a few races....a couple half marathons, a couple 5Ks,  several triathlons etc.  My next big goal is the Half Ironman in Muncie in July.   It's a ways away but I train year around and increase my distance closer to the actual event. 

The biggest adjustment to my training routine has been 2 a day workouts and Masters Swim.  I don't do 2 a day's every day, but I've been trying to about 2-3 days during the work week and then doing 2-3 hour bike rides on Saturday and 10-20 mile runs on Sunday.  Masters swim has been a great addition to my workout.  You don't know how bad you suck at swimming til you join Masters and literally look like  you are going backwards because everyone else is swimming past you so damn fast.  I've definitely seen some improvement which I'm loving.  My 100 meter time has definitely improved by a few seconds over long distance and over shorter distances, I've improved about 10 seconds.  Today's swim workout was 300 warmup freestyle plus six - 10 minute swims with increasing spped/distance each interval (so basically you had to go faster)...then cool down.  I love the way a good hard swim workout makes you feel...its the best all over workout.   

I've added some new blogs to our sidebar that I have become obsessed with.  Triathlon is my new love...I did my first sprint in April of 2011 and I did a total of 7 I think through September.  I also set a new pr for my half-marathon but I definitely need to improve that still..so I can do well in my longer tris. 

Well, I will leave you with some pics from some of my summer races because no blog is complete without pics.  talk soon - Danielle

Sarah and I in September running a half marathon...love how this pic turned out !

I think most of these were from the Go Girl Triathlon at Eagle Creek Park...I'd love to buy pics from

every race...but I'd go broke....