Running, Strength Training & Putting The Pieces Together

Today started with a 10K training run with my running group...

(We had a new member today... Welcome Mimi!!!)

After the run we had a quick group meeting/strategy session to discuss our 2017 running goals and current scheduled races. Post-run meetings like these are best conducted with the assistance of Starbucks...

Our group is definitely growing and evolving, and as it does the delicate art of balancing competing priorities becomes even more important. Especially for our group because we took a very grassroots approach to starting it and recruiting members. One of my main priorities for 2017 is getting a half marathon PR. Fortunately most of the group is hoping to improve their pace also. Our biggest challenge will be getting everyone to their ideal pace at a rate that will facilitate all our race goals. 

For example, I have a half marathon every month (for the most part) up until June; however my training for Berlin is supposed to start at the end of May. Since there will be some overlap between my half marathon race schedule and my Berlin training, I want to get my half marathon PR before the latter starts. Which means I have a little less than four months to achieve this goal. It seems like a lot of time... but it's not. It's certainly doable, but the time frame doesn't allow for much room for error. 

10Ks & Birthdays...

The mileage goal for this morning's long run was 6-8 miles at an 11:30 min/mile pace. It started off like this...

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And ended up like this...

So it was a lot closer to 6 miles than 8, and pretty close to 11:30 but quite there. During the first half of the run I was steadily achieving negative splits, but that went out the window by miles 4 and 5...

Current Status...

I feel like I need to walk around wearing this shirt...

I'm back from Rio but I haven't run in over a week because I strained a muscle in my lower left leg and have been trying to be diligent about resting it. Not only am I dealing with the injury, I'm also sick. I was telling my mom all about how I was feeling last night...

(She decided to call instead of texting a response to all my whining messages)

2016 Wings For Life World Run {Race Recap}

{pictures will be randomly sprinkled throughout the post & won't necessarily correspond with the surrounding text}

[Today the global running community gathered for the 3rd annual Wings for Life World Run. I joined thousands of runners from 34 locations in 33 different countries to run (and walk) for those who can't. A Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) is a significant life changing event that has affected (and will unfortunately continue to affect) many individuals. And while there is no cure currently, there have been several advances in medicine, surgery, and technology that allows for an improved quality of life for individuals with SCIs. These advances are made possible through events like Wings for Life where 100% of the proceeds are dedicated to SCI research.]

Sunday Running...

Today is Day 2 of my "Training Streak"

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I did a 6-ish mile run this morning with Andy and Tabitha...

Tabitha was testing out her makeup and costume for the upcoming Star Wars half marathon that she and Andy are running next week because she, like all smart runners, knows not to try anything new on race day!

Why I Don't Wear Race Shirts...

I don't wear race shirts. I keep them, but I don't wear them because I'm saving them. Don't worry, this isn't the introduction to a blog episode of "Hoarders". I'm actually saving my race shirts because one day I want to make a race-shirt quilt...

I got the idea to do a race shirt quilt shortly after I started running so I never got into the habit of wearing the shirts on race day or during regular training runs. There were a few exceptions (like the color run shirt) but other than that I've kept them safely tucked away in my closet...

A Step In The Right Direction...

I got some really great advice from Kara this morning...

(not directly of course, but sometimes the Milepost quotes feel like they're written specifically for me)

"Don't try to rush progress..." 
How many of us are guilty of this? I know I am. ALL the time. I get frustrated when I'm trying to get faster (ignore the title of my blog when you read that), or trying to run longer. I want to see the progress as soon as I lace up my shoes and head out the door, not always appreciating that it can't be rushed... shouldn't be rushed. Rushing causes complications: it can cause injuries, which can lead to frustration and inevitably can stop the very progress you were trying to rush in the first place. So (taking Kara's advice) try not to "rush" forward; just take one small step at a time.

"... a step in the right direction..."
Small steps (through manageable training plans) help you reach your ultimate goal safely. The best plans allow you to build up to your goal so you don't take on too much too soon. I had a hard time learning this lesson and ended up spending a lot of time and money on physical therapy. Now, as difficult as it is, I'm trying to listen to my body and not take giant steps toward my marathon goals... just small steps forward in the right direction.

Updates, Reminders & Favorite Things...

Ok guys, if you signed up for the ZOOMA Run Love Virtual Challenge here are the training plans:

5K plan starting on Jan 4th 2016...

10K plan starting on Jan 4th 2016...

If you haven't signed up (but want to) you can register HERE.

**~**~**~**~**

This Is How I Zooma...

So I officially became a ZOOMA Ambassador for the 2016 ZOOMA Women's Race Series!!! 

#ZOOMANation

The ZOOMA Chicago Half Marathon in 2014 was my very first half and it was a really great race (despite the fact that I thought I was going to die all the way from mile 11 to mile 12). I'm excited to be an Ambassador this year because they are doing some fun and exciting things, including a virtual 5K/10K Love Run...

It will be held around Valentine's Day weekend ;)

The Random Report...

As promised, I kept Thursday and Friday as rest days. I did a lot of stretching but not much of anything else "activity-wise" because I wanted to give my joints a break. When I ran on Wednesday evening, Niqui and I were talking about my heavy footfall. She told me I should try "running like a gazelle" and "lightly bounce" from one foot to the other...

That's what I try to do, it just never quite works out that way. 
Well...the falling happens for sure but not so gracefully ;)

When the World Runs Together... {2015 Wings for Life #WorldRun Race Recap}

Today was the 2nd Wings For Life #WorldRun !!! 

Wings for Life brings together over 70,000 runners, in 35 locations (in 33 different countries), on 6 continents across the globe, all starting at the same time and simultaneously running together for those who can't.

In my typical "early bird" fashion I got to the run at an insane hour...

...and took advantage of the 3 hour wait until the start by attempting to take a nap...

There were several police officers patrolling the parking area so I felt comfortable resting in the car before I had to head to the start