Thursday Thoughts – Week 1 Training

March 10, 2011 by 6 Comments
  • I’m half way through Week 1 of my half marathon training plan. After looking at a bunch of different half plans, I decided to stick with Smart Coach – I figured it’s worked for me for my last two 10ks, so if it ain’t broke…..

  • I don’t want to jinx myself but I’m showing signs of getting faster! On the plan for Tuesday was 1600 intervals and I actually saw times in the low and mid 9’s – definitely speedy for me! And I ran the last interval faster than the first. All-in-all a nice return to the track.

  • I’m back to studying the ChiRunning DVD. I’m trying to break it down and concentrate on one “focus” per week so this week has been all about posture. When I get tired I start to slouch a bit, but I’ve noticed that if I concentrate on my posture it takes any pressure out of my lower back/hips. Next week I’ll work to incorporate the next “focus” – the lean.

 How’s your week going?

    signature
    Filed Under: ChiRunning, Smart Coach, track work, training

    My New Target

    March 2, 2011 by 6 Comments

    This lovely necklace came my way about a month ago courtesy of a great giveaway from Marcia at The Studly Runner (aka Running Off at the Mouth).

    Since I received the necklace from Nana’s Jewelry, it’s been sitting in the box it came in on a shelf in my closet — put aside until the 10k training I was currently in was complete.

    Well, the 10k is done and in the books. So on this first day of a new month, it seemed like a good time to bring it out. It may sound corny, but this little necklace will serve as a great reminder and motivator for the journey I’m about to embark on. I’m so excited to go after this goal!

    I’ve decided to treat this week as kind of a step back week — a chance to get my half training plan finalized and give my angry left knee a little break. So I did an easy run of 3 today, and plan to get in some strength training, yoga and couple more easy runs during the rest of this week. Then it will be time to go after my new target…time for another first! I can’t wait to get started!

    signature
    Filed Under: firsts, goals, Half marathon, injuries, training

    A Couple More Firsts

    February 20, 2011 by 8 Comments

    One of the beauties of being a new runner is that there are lots of firsts to celebrate! This morning I added a couple more firsts to my collection —  I ran 8 miles and in 15 degrees!

    Obviously I’m more excited about hitting 8 miles than I am about the new low temp…especially after such glorious weather just two days ago. But with a race on the Cape only a week away, I have to be prepared for whatever New England weather might decide to show up that day. Well given the high winds I ran into for at least half the run, I think I have definitely reached the point where I’m unfazed by the weather – a definite victory!

    The run itself was more like two runs – the first 4 and a half miles were smooth and easy. Then I felt a sharp pain on the outside of my left knee. I have no idea what happened, but after that it was part run, part hobble with the occasional stop and stretch. Not always pretty, but 8 done nonetheless – a first!

    Hopefully ice and rest is all that’s needed – I’m scheduled to run again until Tuesday…so fingers crossed!

    signature
    Filed Under: firsts, Hyannis 10k, training, weather

    I’ll take another week like that!

    February 14, 2011 by 9 Comments

    Last week was a good one!

    There were no snow days, which meant schedules were fairly normal for the first time since the begining of January.

    I got all of my planned workouts in except for an easy 3 miler which I opted to skip in favor of yoga to keep my ITB happy. On Friday, I treated myself to a Thai Massage which was heavenly and really helped to relieve some of the pressure/tightness I’ve been feeling in my hips and lower back.

    Saturday night we went to a fun event to raise money for a new school playground and I walked away a silent auction winner for a pair of Vibrams! Cannot wait to get them – more on that to come.

    And finally on Sunday, I got to run outside again for the first time in 3 weeks!! Without our weekly snow storm I figured the roads would be clear enough to venture out. And despite having to dance around black ice and being a bit tired (did I mention we went out Saturday night…did I mention there was a lot of wine involved?) I was psyched to say goodbye to my new BFF and get my 7 miles outside!!

    On the decks for this week:
    Rodney Yee's Yoga for BeginnersToday: Yoga. I was tweeting with Sage Roundtree and she forwarded a couple of her podcasts to try. I also just got Rodney Yee’s Yoga for Beginners DVD.

    Tuesday: 4 miles

    Wednesday: My weekly TRX/Pilates class

    Thursday:  Tempo run or speedwork — with less than 2 weeks to go until the Hyannis 10k I’ve been trying to figure out which workout is more beneficial.

    Friday: It’s suppose to warm up around here (read 40’s) so I’ll probably run again with some yoga as well.

    Saturday: my weekly Pilates Reformer group

    Sunday: my first attempt at 8 miles!

    How was your week? What have you got planned this week?

    Happy Running!
    signature
    Filed Under: Hyannis 10k, Pilates, Thai Massage, training, TRX, Vibrams, Yoga

    New Day, New Attitude

    February 6, 2011 by 6 Comments

    Thanks to those of you who indulged me in my little pity party on Friday – I really appreciated the encouragement!

    So I’ve shaken off my mini funk, tweaked my plan and am ready to get going again! After a week off, I wasn’t sure how the run was going to feel this morning or how far I was going to go. It was back to the treadmill and after the first couple of funky miles, I finally settled in, found a rhythm and decided that running a 10k would be good for my psyche. 6.2 miles done!

    This week’s revised plan:

    Monday — Yoga
    Tuesday — Easy 4 miles
    Wednesday — TRX/Pilates class
    Thursday — Speedwork
    Friday — 3 miles
    Saturday — Pilates Reformer
    Sunday — Long Run (7 or 8)

    Looking forward to a good week!

    signature
    Filed Under: training, treadmill run

    Thursday Thoughts (aka 3 things)

    January 6, 2011 by 6 Comments
    Two runs down and one more for this week — the ITB continues to cooperate! My plan is to stick to 3 runs/week for another week or two and see how my left leg responds.

    Started my TRX/Pilates combo classes last night! It was a fantastic way to get abs, triceps, biceps, quads and hamstrings all in one intense hour – the next six weeks should be challenging!

    I am on a purging quest! One of the things I love about the start of the new year is this feeling of working from a clean slate. So I am on a mission to tame the clutter — there’s just too much stuff! Over the next couple of months I’m going to systematically work my way through  my house and purge so that by Spring my goal is to only have things in my house that my family really needs, uses and loves. I’m off to the attic to get started. Wish me luck!

    signature
    Filed Under: 3 things, clutter clean out, Pilates, training, TRX

    A Few Goals for 2011

    December 30, 2010 by 2 Comments

    Being the seriously goal-oriented person that I am, a list of running-related goals for 2011 was inevitable…so here goes:

    1. Run my first half marathon — already registered!
    2. Improve my 10k time
    3. Run at least 6 races (including at least 1 more half) — I will flesh out my race schedule by end of January
    4. Get serious about strength training, especially glutes and hips to help reduce chances for more ITB injury
    5. Pay greater attention to my diet, especially the day before long runs
    6. Embrace hill repeats into my training — this was actually a goal I posted back in July but have yet to take it on
    7. Build my mileage and aim to run 1,000 miles
    8. Run strong (see #4), injury-free…and of course with Attitude 😉
      Have you set your goals for 2011?

      signature
      Filed Under: goals, Half marathon, training

      Nagging knees and future planning

      October 18, 2010 by 4 Comments

      I’ve been babying my left knee following Monday’s race. I did go to my usual Pilates class on Wednesday and ventured out for a comfortable 3 mile run on Thursday. All seemed well, until Friday morning when my overly excited German Shepherd came charging down the hall and right into my knee — the good one! Are you kidding me?! My goodness does that dog have a hard head!

      So there was more ice and rest. And yes, I admit that standing most of the evening at the party we went to last night probably didn’t help any! There was no run today but I will get back out to see how things feel tomorrow and hopefully do my planned runs this week. I’m signed up to run a local 5k in a couple of weeks, but I’ll have to see how things go.

      Despite my current knee woes, I can’t help but start to think about future plans and I’ve been eyeing 2011 races. I know for sure that there’s at least one half marathon on the horizon for me…hopefully more than one…but which one will be my first? That I don’t know yet. But, maybe the first question should be how long will it take me to train for one cause that will certainly factor into the “when” of the race. Time to check training plans!

      signature
      Filed Under: goals, injuries, race, training

      A random Wednesday…

      October 6, 2010 by 2 Comments

      Is it just me or is this week crawling along?

      It’s still raining in the northeast, and over the past couple of days I’ve wondered if we should start pairing up the animals two by two?

      But I’m trying hard NOT to diss Mother Nature because the forecast for this long weekend looks fantastic! (May the weatherman be right for a change!)

      I didn’t do my scheduled run yesterday because my tweeky knee is seriously acting up, so I figured extra rest and ice was a better choice. Hopefully I can get tomorrow’s run in.

      I’m trying to put together a playlist for the race — my last few long runs have taught me that the tempo of the second 5K needs to be faster than that of the first 5K.

      Is it crazy that this race isn’t done yet and I’m already thinking about running another one?

      signature
      Filed Under: general musings, race, training, weather

      Open letter to Mother Nature

      September 28, 2010 by 5 Comments

      Dear Mother Nature –

      OK girlfriend it’s time you and I had a little chat!

      Have you looked at your calendar lately?

      It’s officially fall!!

      Here in the northeast that means, leaf peeping, apple picking and cooler temps! I didn’t slog it out running in the crazy heat and humidity you threw at us unrelentingly all summer to be greeted with more of the same now! I mean seriously, I went out for simple 3 mile run this morning and I’m a dripping mess! And throwing us a bone in the form of the occasional crisp fall day just isn’t cutting it! There is a reason that I and many of my fellow runners signed up for races in the fall….to enjoy the cool, crisp air on race day. Do you see where I’m going with this?

      So please, I’m begging you…enough of the hot flashes….embrace your inner ice princess and please cool things down around here and try to keep it that way at least through December!

      Sincerely,

      signature
      Filed Under: general musings, training, weather