A Tough Week

This was a tough week. Work was hectic, I spent way too much time in my car with multiple days of long commutes, and then there was some added family drama at the end of the week (parenting is not for the faint of heart!). Since this was supposed to be race week, the workouts were lighter than usual and I was just fine with that – Keep reading and I’ll explain the “supposed to” part.

A Tough Week

Monday — Rest day. While I usually like to start the week off strong, after another night of poor sleep it just wasn’t happening.
Tuesday — 2-mile walk, Core, & Yoga
Wednesday — 2-mile walk, Core & Upper Body Strength
Thursday — 3 miles & Core
Friday — 2.5 miles & Hip Mobility Work. I hadn’t planned on running but I received a great collection of new gear from Brooks as part of the Run Happy Team and couldn’t resist a short run. (Plus, I had some crazy to burn off!)
Saturday — Rest day.

I woke up early Saturday morning (like 3:30 early) and knew the thought of getting in my car to drive to Connecticut for Sunday’s race was bringing me no joy…so my hubby and I agreed to cancel our hotel room and take a DNS. Sorry, not sorry. After a sleepless night, I took advantage of the rainy day to park myself on the couch with my book and rest. There may have even been a nap.

The hubs and I also decided to jump in on a last-minute registration for the Run to Remember 5 Miler next weekend – there’s always another race, right?! This race is a fave that I’ve run a number of times, but I had not planned on running it this year since it was scheduled for the weekend following the Mystic 10K.

So the plan today is to get a run of 6 – 7 miles and re-group for what I hope will be a quieter, drama-free week ahead.

In case you missed it:

Ways to Beat the Heat – Summer Running Tips

Do you ever decide you’re just not feeling a race? Are you quick to make up for a DNS?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

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Ways to Beat the Heat – Summer Running Tips

Welcome to another edition of Fit Five Friday! With many of us already getting our first taste of summer-like temps, it seems like the perfect time to share some summer running tips. I have made it no secret that running in the heat and humidity is not something that I enjoy, but as a fan of fall races, there’s just no way around it. So I’m going to do my best to embrace it, keeping these tips in mind…

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in the summer of 2014, and has been updated.

Ways to Beat the Heat – Summer Running Tips

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Hit the road early —  Temperatures are much lower earlier in the day so why not get out before the sun’s rays become too intense. This one is a must-do for me!

Get acclimated — As you make the adjustment to running in warmer temps, this is not the time to get hung up on hitting target paces. Take those first hot runs slowly, focusing more on effort than pace. Your body will adjust within a couple of weeks.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate — I’m always surprised by the number of runners who proclaimed not to carry any fluids with them when they run regardless of the distance. For long runs, I get that not everyone loves carrying a handheld water bottle but there are other options – a hydration vest, fuel belt or just strategically stashing water along your route. For shorter runs, at least make sure you hydrate well before and after your run. Drink according to thirst!

Dress the part — I’ve said it for winter running and the same holds true for summer – avoid running in cotton clothing! All cotton does is trap sweat, stay wet, and potentially cause chaffing (which of course always begs the question – Why any race shirt is cotton?!). Stick to light-colored, moisture-wicking apparel…and don’t forget sunglasses and a hat or visor.

Be willing to head indoors — That’s right…I said it! Sometimes, it’s going to be just too dang hot to run – so be willing to switch things up. Either hit the treadmill or opt to make it a cross-training day — great days to head to an air-conditioned gym, studio, or the comfort of your own basement, right? And, if you’ve got access to a pool – lucky you!

Above all, I think the biggest key to managing your workouts in the summer heat is to listen to your body! You can never go wrong with that approach, right?

How do you manage summer running?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!


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Weekly Run Down – Sleep Deprived

Happy Mother’s Day to all of my fellow moms! I hope you all get spoiled by your families today.

I swear after this week, the one thing at the top of my wish list is a good night’s sleep! Despite my best efforts sleep was pretty elusive this week – I got into a bad cycle of waking up around 3 each morning and getting back to sleep was a challenge. By the time I got to Friday, I was toast! The workouts this week were not always pretty but they were done. Here’s a quick peek at the week that was.

Weekly Run Down – Sleep Deprived

Monday — 2-mile walk & Hip mobility work. Sunday’s 7-miler plus a poor night of sleep left me feeling very creaky so the extra focus on hip work was needed.
Tuesday — 2-mile walk otherwise Rest. Long day in the office but got a post-commute walk done.
Wednesday — 3 miles including hill repeats & Core. I was feeling the need to mix things up a bit so why not some spontaneous hill work?
Thursday — Yoga & Core. Also got a much needed sports massage.
Friday — 3 miles & Core. I was so not ready for it to be 80 degrees! Thanks to another lousy night of sleep I had pushed my run to midday. Had I bothered to check the weather in the morning I would have forced myself out the door earlier.
Saturday — 5 miles & Core. What a beautiful morning and these miles felt oh so good! I also spent a couple of hours weeding and cleaning up the garden – my hamstrings hate me LOL!


Sunday — 3-mile walk & TBD. When my hubs got up for his run I decided to head out for an early morning walk. My current situation is coffee – I’ve got one more day of Week 2 of Oliva’s core challenge to complete so I may pair that with an upper-body strength workout to give my legs a break.

The highlight of the week was the return of my college boy for the summer so I’ve got the best Mother’s Day gift of having both my boys under one roof again 🙂

The upcoming week is race week so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I can catch a few more zzz’s.

In case you missed it:

Five Fave Fitness Power Songs

How was your week? Do you ever struggle with getting enough sleep?

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.

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Five Fave Fitness Power Songs

Happy Friday!

Thanks for joining Darlene, Jenn, Renee, Zenaida, and me for another edition of Fit Five Friday. This week we’re talking Favorite Fitness Power Songs. Of course, you should always feel free to write about any fitness/wellness-related topic.

I definitely like to/need to have music on my runs and I keep a pretty wide variety of songs on my playlists – though you’ll never find a country song! My “favorites” depends a lot on my mood, but here are five songs that are currently in rotation often.

Five Fave Fitness Power Songs

“About Damn Time” by Lizzo — Honestly it was hard to just pick one Lizzo song. She just makes me smile.

“Glow Up” by Meek Mill

“Run Run Run” by Jill Scott — I mean with a title like that how can you not include it?!

“Back in Black” by AC/DC — My youngest son got me to add this one to my library and I find myself playing quite a bit.

“Don’t Stop the Music” by Rihanna

“Wake Me Up” by Avicii

Yes, I know that’s actually six songs…I had a hard time taking one off the list. 🙂

I’ve got a race in two weeks so as I put my next playlist together, tell me some of your favorite power songs.

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


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Well Hello May

MAYhem is underway – this always feels like the month with “all the things”. Despite the busyness, May is one of my favorite months because it finally feels like Spring around here. Weather-wise the week started cold and dreary, but by Friday Ma Nature finally flipped the switch and the weekend has been gloriously sunny and warm…note to self, I need to acclimate!

I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down – here’s how the first week of May played out.

Well Hello May

Monday — 2-mile walk, Upper Body Strength & Core. Started Oliva’s Core Challenge – a 5-week challenge of a mix of 5 10 or 15 min classes


Tuesday — Peloton Bike & Core
Wednesday — 3-mile run & Core
Thursday — Lower Body Strength & Core – Lots of focus on glutes and glute activation.
Friday — 3-mile run. With the promise of finally seeing the sun in the afternoon, I held off on a morning run and was rewarded with a nice spring afternoon. The route I picked was especially hilly and I was happy with how my legs responded despite the previous day’s legwork.


Saturday — 1-mile walk & Upper Body Strength
Sunday — 7-mile run & Core. It was a beautiful morning and warmer than I was ready for. I’m not complaining just noting that I need to get acclimated!

All-in-all, not a bad week, and just two weeks to go until my first race of 2023! Hopefully, the weekend’s weather sticks around for a bit.

How was your first week of the month? Does it feel like Spring where you are?

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Five Things Over May Coffee

Hello Friday! It’s also time for another edition of Fit Five Friday and I’m starting off the weekend with a little catch-up over the Ultimate Coffee Date with Coco and Deborah. So grab a mug of your favorite beverage and let’s chat for a bit!

Five Things Over May Coffee

Over coffee, I would tell you how much fun I had over the Boston Marathon weekend. Bib distribution is always fun – I especially love it when runners are so excited they ask you to be in their “bib pick-up photos”. I ended up working alongside an older gentleman named Bill who was a trail race director and had run Boston among other marathons. It was a good time chatting with him about running and racing. I also had some fun meet-ups with the Brooks Run Happy Team -. the VIP Party on Saturday night, and then on Sunday a team meet-up.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I also attended Rewriting the Narrative Authors Panel at the Boston expo featuring Alison Mariella Desir, Kara Goucher, Lauren Fleshman, and Christine Yu. It was oh so good! I read Allison’s book, “Running While Black” earlier this year (if you haven’t read it you need to!) and I have Kara’s book sitting on my Kindle. I’ll definitely get to Lauren’s and Christine’s soon.

Over coffee, I would tell you that I’m looking forward to running my first race of 2023! The Mystic 10K is just a little over two weeks away. I love that my hubby will also be running it. It feels like forever since my last race in November.

Over coffee, I would tell you that my college boy just has exam week standing between him and coming home. I can’t wait to have everyone under one roof this summer!

Over coffee, as is typical for the month of May, I would tell you that I am on the hunt for our family’s summer vacation. Currently, we looking at cruises around Alaska.

Glacier gazing anyone?

OK your turn, what would you share over coffee? Have you ever been to Alaska?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!


You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


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April Wrap-up and Setting May Goals

And just like that, another month is coming to a close. I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down to wrap up April and set some May goals. But first, here’s a quick look at this week in fitness.

April Wrap-up and Setting May Goals

Monday  — 1.5-mile walk, Upper Body Strength & Core
Tuesday — 2.25-mile walk, otherwise rest
Wednesday — Lower Body Strength & Hip mobility work
Thursday — 3-mile run
Friday — 1-mile walk & Yoga (hip focused)
Saturday — 6.2-mile run


Sunday — As I sit here with my coffee watching a steady rainfall, I have no interest in a cold rainy run so I’ll be taking my recovery “run” to the bike.

I logged 64 (mostly pain-free) miles this month and did pretty well with these April goals:

  • Opt outside every day – I missed just two days.
  • Daily stretching or mobility work – Check.
  • Increase long runs to 8 miles – Nope – just didn’t happen.
  • Complete the Team Wilpers Spring Run Challenge workouts. – In progress. I just finished week 5 of this 8-week challenge.

So, what’s on deck for May? I’m extending all of April’s goals and adding

  • Mystic 10K — I’m looking forward to running my first race of 2023!
  • Return to early morning runs — I runfessed that thanks to my sometimes hectic schedule, I’ve taken the fit it in where I can when I can. I prefer to get out and get my runs done early. This is especially a must once the weather turns hot so I might as well get back in the habit now, right?
  • Stick to a set workout schedule — See above.
  • Prioritize recovery and sleep

How was your April? What are you looking forward to in May?

 

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April Runfessions

The breakneck pace of 2023 continues and here we are approaching the end of April. Since it’s the last Friday of the month for this week’s Fit Five Friday, I’m linking up with Marcia to share a couple of Runfessions. So let’s dive in!

April Runfessions

I runfess that despite my best efforts to hold to a set workout schedule, many weeks I find myself juggling my workouts to fit things in where I can. I keep hoping for a light at the end of my hectic work schedule tunnel …but MAYhem is just around the corner.

While I’m beyond happy to be running relatively pain-free and overall running has, dare I say felt good, I runfess that I feeling a little meh about running in general. I’m feeling the need to shake things up a bit but haven’t quite landed on the “what” yet.

I runfess that I recently did this…

I’ve applied before to the London lottery with no luck so I’m not at all expecting to get in – but just the thought did spark a little excitement. You never know 🙂

Do you feel like April flew by? Do you ever get bored with your running?

Welcome to Fit Five Friday!

Join My First 5K and MoreRunning With AttitudeRun Laugh Eat PieRuns with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Please share the link-up love by visiting and commenting on your hosts and at least two other Fit Five Friday bloggers!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter


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Kind of a Cut-back Week

This week the Team Wilpers Challenge hit the pause button on speedwork so it felt like a cut-back week of sorts. The work week was hectic – (I’m starting to feel like a broken record) and sleep has been evasive, so I was happy to scale back a bit and just run without a lot of pacing math. Here’s how the week in workouts played out.

Kind of a Cut-back Week

Monday – Lower body strength, Core, and 1.25-mile walk. Since I had the day off for the holiday (Patriot’s Day in MA), I had originally planned to drive out to spectate the Marathon. But, after 4 straight days of driving back and forth into the city (first for work then for Marathon-related fun), and knowing I had multiple days of commuting on deck, my body was begging for a rest. The less-than-ideal weather sealed it for me and I happily watched from the comfort of my couch 🙂
Tuesday – 1.5-mile walk & Yoga. An in-office day, but I did take a lunchtime walk and then hit my yoga mat after I got home.
Wednesday – 3.25-mile run. Another in-office day, but thankfully I was able to leave early enough in the afternoon to log some post-work miles.
Thursday – Peloton bike, 1-mile walk & Core
Friday – 2.8-mile run
Saturday – Peloton bike, Core, & 1.5-mile walk
Sunday – 5.6-mile run

This morning’s run was definitely the highlight of the week. Despite a poor night of sleep and the weather alternating between a light mist to heavy downpours, this was one of my better runs in the past couple of weeks – funny how that works sometimes. Hip mobility work and stretching continue on the daily, keeping my hip region happy and quiet. I’m looking forward to being in my car less this upcoming week – I definitely feel it if I spend too much time in the car.

How was your week?

I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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April Mid-month Check-in

As I find myself so often saying lately, the days are flying by…and here we are already halfway through April. Things continue to be busy in this neck of the woods, though thankfully less manic than in March. Instead of a day-by-day update on the past couple of weeks, I’m checking in to share some quick highlights.

April Mid-month Check-in

Running

I’m very happy to say that my running is feeling good! I’ve just wrapped up Week 3 of the Team Wilpers Spring Run Challenge and am really enjoying getting a taste of speedwork again. My “long” runs are holding steady at 6 miles with yesterday’s run being an especially good one where everything seemed to click – and the beautiful spring weather was just icing on the cake.

I have 5 weeks until the Mystic 10K so I’m feeling good about where I am at this point.

Mobility work and Walking

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve put a lot of extra attention on the pre-hab work including daily stretching and hip-focused mobility and yoga classes on the Peloton app. It’s clearly been helping my running. And, while I’ve sprinkled in some low-impact classes on the bike, my go-to on non-running days has been walking – keeping my #optoutside goal for the month intact. As I’ve been prioritizing focusing on my core and lower body strength, upper body work has taken a backseat – perhaps that will change in the next couple of weeks, but perhaps not. For now, I’m just kinda rolling with what’s working best for me.

New Shoes!

Thanks to being a part of the Brooks Run Happy Team I can say with certainty that I don’t need any more running shoes. But, that didn’t stop me from ordering the new Boston-edition Hyperion Tempos – when it’s a collab between your favorite professional runner and your favorite shoe brand, how can you not 🙂

Can’t wait to try these during my next speed workout!

In case you missed it:

Five More Things About Me

April Coffee Chat

How’s April been treating you so far?

I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Run Down.

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