Black Cat Week 7 – Trying to be patient

February 18, 2018 by 22 Comments

So I should be wrapping up week 7 of training for the Black Cat 10-miler, but the reality is very little training has been going on. I went down with the flu two weeks ago, and while I thought I was over the worse of it last weekend, I’m learning recovery is not a straight line!

I spent this past week trying to regain my bearings – some moments feeling good, only to have someone pull the energy rug out from under me quickly. Mostly I’ve been dog-tired. I spent the week trying to let go of my disappointment at watching my training progress go south and focusing instead on what I could do and giving my body all the rest it was craving. So as a result, the week shook out like this:

Monday: Rest; plank streak day 43

Tuesday: Got back to the Superman, Squats & Twists Challenge with 60 squats plus planks

Wednesday: A hectic day of presentations for work really set me back. I had planned to get some cardio done, but by the time I got home I was toast. So I got my plank done and enjoyed a quiet V-Day dinner at home with J.

Thursday: Woke up feeling horrible and discouraged that I was sliding back and not getting better. It was a tough day mentally, but I gave in and let myself sleep a lot. (A plank did happen)

Friday: Finally woke up feeling good. I got some errands done, met a friend for lunch, and then met another friend for a 3-mile walk in time to catch this beautiful sunset. I finished the day with 70 squats and some planking.

Saturday: Yeah ok so maybe I got overly ambitious on Friday. I woke up Saturday feeling drained so I kept it simple with a little yoga, planks, and 70 twists.

Sunday: Finally some running! 4 hard-fought miles thanks to 5:1 run/walk intervals.

Just a little less than 3 weeks until Black Cat and it looks like I’m going to have to re-think my goals for this race. It’s a good thing I’ve got the Portland 10 Miler a few weeks later!

So tell me something about your week!

I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap!

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Filed Under: Black Cat 10 Miler, Recovery, training, Weekly Wrap

Weekly Wrap – Black Cat Training Week 5

February 4, 2018 by 26 Comments

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

I am counting down to the start of the game and cheering on the Patriots! But before I get to football, food, and beer I’m joining hosts Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap. If you post a weekly training update definitely check out this link-up – it’s a great place for motivation, encouragement, and inspiration!

Monday – Rest; plank streak D29

Tuesday – 3-mile run; plank streak D30

Wednesday – Woke up with a mysterious ITB/glute pain – had no idea where this flare up came from since Tuesday’s run was uneventful. Unfortunately, I had presentations for work and spent the day on my feet…in heels. Skipped my strength work and spent some time rolling with a lacrosse ball. Still kept the plank streak alive!

Thursday – Another 3-miler was scheduled but the ITB/glute was only mildly better. I’m in no mood to be sidelined so I hightailed it to the massage therapist. Plank streak D32

Friday –  With the ITB feeling much better, I hit the treadmill to make up Thursday’s run. I got to test out my new kicks! I also joined Rachel’s Supermans, Squats, Twists Challenge so there were 30 squats in addition to streak day 33.

Mizuno Wave Sky

Saturday – The forecast showed brutally cold temps so I opted to push my run to Sunday and get a strength workout instead. I focused on core and upper body, including the challenge’s 30 Russian Twists. Plank day 34.

Sunday – So Mother Nature has a twisted sense of humor. When I started my run it was 40 degrees, but things quickly changed…temps dropped and then icy rain began. Seriously?! Of course, the ITB/glute decided to start complaining just for added fun. Not much you can do but dig in and finish. 7 miles done!

And with that, week 5 of Black Cat training is a wrap!

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Filed Under: Black Cat 10 Miler, Weekly Wrap

Black Cat Weeks 3 and 4

January 28, 2018 by 42 Comments

In the flurry of last Sunday’s AFC Championship Game and the awesome comeback win of my beloved Patriots, I completely missed last week’s Weekly Wrap. So I’m linking up with hosts Holly and Wendy for a quick wrap up of the past two weeks of Black Cat training.

When I last checked in I was starting to feel off and had that sense that a cold or something was ready to unleash itself. Well, I manage to dodge it for a few days, but the creeping crud finally hit in full force this week – taking out both my boys and finally me.

I’ll spare reliving the details, but I’m happy to say that I did manage some workouts despite feeling less than 100%. Most of my runs have been quick 3-milers. But a break in the frigid temps has helped to nudge me outdoors for a couple of runs, including a great run last Sunday when it actually reached 50 degrees! (Who can turn down 50 in January?!) I hit 6 miles, which is the longest I’ve gone in a while.

I’ve also been doing what I can to keep up some strength training focusing primarily on glutes and hips. Additionally, the plank streak I started at the first of the year continues (hello day 28)!

This week also brought some fun mail as I got my first ambassador shipment from Headsweats!

I also got my discount code to share – use ATTITUDE25 for 25% off full-priced items on the Headsweats website!

Thankfully, I’m starting to feel better so this week I looking forward to returning to something that looks more like a consistent training plan.

And that’s a wrap!

Tell me something about your week – Have you managed to stay healthy? Do you workout when you’re sick?

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Filed Under: Black Cat 10 Miler, training, Weekly Wrap

Black Cat Week 2 Wrap Up

January 14, 2018 by 48 Comments

Week 2 of Black Cat training is done and it was a bit all over the place.  I spent the week juggling a hectic schedule while feeling less than stellar. I’ve been definitely fighting off something and it finally caught up with me today.

Monday – Woke up feeling pretty lousy – like a cold was imminent. Thankfully it was a rest day so I worked from my couch under a blanket and hoped it would pass.

Tuesday – A heat wave of 40-degree weather broke out and I just couldn’t pass it up. I felt like crud so it was a slow and easy 3 miles – felt great to be back outside!

Wednesday – Made my first foray back to early morning workouts and hit the gym for 40 minutes on the bike and some strength work.

Thursday – A collision of schedules and still trying to get on top of whatever had me feeling so crappy made this a rest day.

Friday – I so wanted to run in the morning to beat the crazy rain and wind heading our way but just couldn’t rally. I settled for treadmill miles later in the day happy to have not missed my run!

Saturday – My body was craving a good stretch so I hit the yoga mat with my furry yogi master 😉

Today was suppose to be a 7-mile long run, but I feel like I’ve been run over by a truck so I gave in and have spent the day on the couch watching football. I’m not working tomorrow since it’s MLK Day so hopefully, I can get that run done then.

In other news…I found out that I was selected as a Headsweats ambassador for 2018! I love their hats and visors and am looking forward to representing them!

And that’s a wrap! I’m linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.

Tell me something about your week. Did you get a break from the frigid temps this week?

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Filed Under: #TeamHeadsweats2018, Black Cat 10 Miler, training, Weekly Wrap

Wrapping up Black Cat Week 1

January 7, 2018 by 42 Comments

The first week of the new year is in the books so it’s a good time to get back to weekly updates. I’m linking up with Holly and new host Wendy for the Weekly Wrap – this a great link up to find support and motivation, so be sure to stop by and check out how everyone spent their first week of 2018.

For me, this week marked the start of my training for the Black Cat 10 miler. While I was all fired up to hit the pavement, Mother Nature had something to say about it.

Monday – New Year’s Day & a rest day

Tuesday – Strength training. While I usually run on Tuesdays, a quick glance at the weather and the snowstorm coming on Thursday had me juggling my schedule so I could keep an every-other-day run schedule.

Wednesday – Bitter temps settled in and with hill repeats on my plan I ran my first miles of the year on the mill.

Thursday – Cross training by way of shoveling 12 inches of snow thanks to the “bomb cyclone”.

Friday – Sub-zero temps and ridiculous winds meant I was heading back to the gym for another run. The highlight was having my son join me!

Saturday – I was feeling very beat up after Friday’s run (happens often to me after mill runs) so I was happy to have a rest day.

Sunday – Yeah it was 1 degree so back to the gym I went. 6 more miles on the mill.

So while I would have preferred to have run outdoors, I’m happy with 13 miles to kick off this training cycle. The forecast shows a warm-up into the 30s this week so I’ll look forward to hitting the road.

So how was your first week of the year? Are you training for anything?

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Filed Under: Black Cat 10 Miler, training, treadmill run, Weekly Wrap