Choo Choo chugga chugga

Week 5: 

10/19: Strength/TM - 2 miles

10/20: 4 miles. Indoors. YMCA

10/21: 6 miles; outside. 4.5 w D. 1.5 solo

10/22: strength 10 minutes

10/23: rest 

10/24: 10 miles, outside. Slow minutes

10/25: strength/stretch

Monday's details: 

5 rounds

400m

10 squat cleans

10 push press

10 SA DB swings #20 (each side)

Ended w .75 to total 2 miles 

Thursday's details:

5 rounds

10 front raises #8

10 fly raises #8

10 hammer curls #8

10 squat and press #8

When O was younger, he was obsessed with trains. I cannot count how many times and how many episodes of Thomas the Tank Engine and Choo Choo Soul have been burned into my brain. I think he really craved the order and synchronicity of the trains itself - all lined up in a row each with its own specific purpose. He has since outgrown his obsession love with trains but he definitely still exhibits the same obsessive tendencies. Kind of annoying as a parent, honestly, when your kid is so insistent and focused  that he won't give up, even when all signs point to Game Over. Dead End. Full Stop.

Training feels like that to me sometimes. As annoying and overbearing it gets in my life, I still crave that order, the knowledge of knowing that next stop. Often think I must be as annoying to my friends and family as I felt(feel?) Oliver was to us back then when he always and only had trains on the brain. But, now I understand. It will bode well for him in life, this personality trait. Doesn't make it any less annoying though. 😉

With each training cycle, I try to make sure that the schedule doesn't overtake and control the rest of our lives, but.. When you're the mom and certain responsibilities lie with you, juggling it all and making time for what is important is... not necessarily a struggle, because it's all worth the perseverance and hard work, BUT! It's tiring. I'm tired! You'd think after all of these times I could have found the recipe for this...

Last week was a super slogfest. I'm starting to think this heavy dead legs feeling is not all from weight training. I've really started to realistically study my diet and its affects on training, and my overall health. I am starting to be more diligent about vitamins, drinking enough water and really thinking about my protein intake. So much work, but if I want to see results I have to put in all the work, right? Right. So, stop eating the sugar, LB. 

I was psyching myself up over Saturday's 10 miles. It's been a while since I've ran 10 miles, let alone outside and alone.  I had to mentally pep talk myself all of Friday and even Saturday morning. Luckily, we didn't have plans until the afternoon so I was able to sleep in a bit, make pancakes for the family and then head out around 9. In the rush to find some working earbuds, I left the house without any fuel. Whoops! Turns out, you don't need fuel as much when you aren't running very fast. The GU could have helped but I was really ok without it.

The first two miles always suck in major ways, but I found my groove around mile 4, and ended up doubling back in the middle to knock out some miles. My legs didn't feel great but I felt.. Ok. Not like death,  but not like a rockstar. Somewhere in the middle, like your average pedestrian suburbanite. My main goal was not necessarily pace (although, isn't that always really the goal) but to finish strong those 10 miles. Save for two brief stop lights, I ran the entire way and for a moment, I even #ranhappy, if you can believe it. 

So, first 10 miles in the training cycle are on the books!

This week's 10 miles are scheduled for the treadmill.

Hold meeee

I can't count.

Week 3 4! 

10/12: 6 miles, TM. 55:33

10/13: Weights/core. 30 min.

10/14: 5 miles. TM. 48 min

10/15: Rest

10/16: Rest

10/17: 9 miles, TM. 1:25. Quick strength workout 10 minutes.

10/18: Rest

Total miles: 20
Total Strength: 2 days

So. I can't math. I somehow miscalculated the training calendar, and I should actually be on week five today, which means last week was actually week 4, not 3! Whoops. Oh well, moving forward.

Last week was nothing special. I slept late on Sunday night which meant I ended up skipping my Monday run. Luckily, I was able to squeeze it in during the evening. 6 kind of icky miles (with a few stops) but still. 6 miles.

I wasn't able to get outside at all this week, so I knocked out 9 treadmill miles on Saturday. This run was also laced with a few zillion stops but in my defense it was to play referee to the kids. Apparently it's pretty difficult to go an hour without arguing about something. Plus my legs just felt like lead, and I was sadly kind of bored! I need fresh, new tv!

I'm having a hard time balancing strength training and running. I feel like I'm burning out my legs so that the runs are feeling extra effortful. I'm not really sure how to do this strength training thing while training for a half.

You know those running magazines and blogs that show gazelle like runners in their stealth, lithe forms?

I'm like this guy.

All quads, man. All quads.

I was just too tired and unmotivated to run on Sunday but I did sleep in until 9:30 both Saturday and Sunday, which is juuust what my body needed.

Now, onto another week. 

Run, run, lift, lift (fork), Run.

Freshly birthed at week 2

10/5:  5 miles, TM. 47:27

10/6:  5 miles. TM/ 48? 

            Million stops. Just tired 

10/7:   30 minutes. Strength circuit 

10/8:   Rest 

10/9:   Rest

10/10: 6 miles, TM. 58 min. 

             (Plan 8 miles outside)

10/11: 4.5 miles recovery w D. 

            15 min strength

I hit 20 miles for the week. I don't think I've done this in a very long time. I can only (need to) go up from here!

Last week was not spectacular, as I was still suffering from the last dregs of sickness from the previous week. Cough cough hack. 

Monday's treadmill run was fine, if a little slow. Tuesday's was downright painful and sloggy, with many stops peppered between the miles. I really couldn't find my groove and I was just so very tired. It's pretty amazing/annoying how your body reacts accordingly due to the different phases of the month. 

Wednesday was strength, and just... 

Whoa. 

It was a solid workout that was sneaky tough and did i certainly feel it afterwards. I am pretty sure this was the first time doing deadlifts correctly, because my glutes and quads were screaming. Post workout, I struggled walking down the stairs. I felt like a baby calf. 

#freshlybirthed

Here's a peek at the workout. Seems simple, right? No. I was basically crippled and hobbling for two days. #hurtssogood

Needless to say, Thursday and Friday were rest/recovery days. We had a pretty packed weekend so I had planned to wake up early and get out the door for 8 miles but by the time I waited for the sun to rise, I didn't have enough time, so I jumped on the treadmill for 6 ugly miles. Between having my period and still sore legs from Wednesday, I just struggled. I threw in some incline work and a few speed bursts in the last two miles, which helped the miles go by faster until the end. 

Sunday's easy 4.5 miles were timed but accidentally not logged with miles or pace. I am not sure what I did to my Garmin but my watch failed to read or report any of the fun info! Regardless, it was nice to get out with D and just catch up for a bit. I threw in a few bicep and shoulder moves with 10 lb weights and then did some abs and called the week good. 

I miscounted the weeks on my training calendar and it turns out I have a week less than originally anticipated. So, skipping week 3 on the calendar and moving to week 4. Today calls for a rest day, and I'll take it. #mondays

Seattle or Bust. So far, Bust...

Seattle Half Marathon Training 2015 Week 1

9/28: 5 miles. 47 min new shoes

9/29: TM and weights. 2 miles total. Old shoes. 40 min total. See below. 

 

9/30: rest (sick)

10/1: rest (sick)

10/2: rest (sick)

10/3: rest (sick)

10/4: rest (sick) 

9/28 details:

4 rounds 

800m

5 power cleans, 

5 hang cleans,         

10 push press.

 Abs. 

Well. That is certainly not how I expected to spend my first training week. I felt strong both Monday and Tuesday and was happy to finally be running in my new shoes, but things started going south Tuesday night. I kept asking everyone if they were freezing (they were not), and I was super achy. 

Chimes of doom. 

I figured maybe it was just from my early morning workouts, and the wonky weather we have been having the last couple of weeks. But I woke up Wednesday massively congested and coughing, so I took it easy and slept in and ended up skipped the rest of my early morning sessions. I felt pretty crappy all week, and the only things that saved me were early bedtimes and those breathe rite strips (uh maaaaaaazing invention). I was able to get a solid, 7,8 hours most nights which felt fantastic. I think sleeping and resting is really what I needed to kick this cold in the ass. 

I am frustrated lately with my health. On paper it seems like I'm doing everything right to take care of myself (except for too much sugar shup up) but I've been sick twice in one month, and I'm tired of it! My diet is pretty consistent and I've been exercising and sleeping better in the last month and a half than I have all summer. I'm guessing (hoping) that it's just due to school starting and the kids acting as petrie dishes of germs when they're at school. 2 out of 3 kids, and 1 out of 2 adults have been sick, and while I'm hoping J and W escape this round of illness, I'm not placing my bets just yet. 

Here's to week 2 of training. Hoping in can complete a full week successfully! 

Let's do this, Monday. 

Last week. Lift more, Run less. My new shoes are pretty!

9/21: 3 miles, treadmill

9/22: Strength/2 mile TM

9/24: Rest

9/25: Rest

9:26: 5 miles. TM. 48:47. Strength 

9/27: Strength

See below for workout specifics: 

9/22

5 rounds 

400m

5 reps-

  

Added .75 miles to hit 2 miles total. 30 min workout 

9/23: 

3 rounds

400m

21 kb swings

12 burpees

Then. 12-9-12

Hang cleans

Lunges 

9/26: 5 miles. 

Then,

5 rounds

5 power cleans

5 front squats

5 push press

9/27

5 rounds

10 DB cleans #20

10 squat and press

10 burpees

Not a ton of running his week. My pretty new shoes came in on Friday so I got a short 5 mile run in on Saturday. Hoping to take these out for a spin this weekend, but I've been coughing and congested since Sunday, so I'm contemplating keeping it indoors. 

Monday was officially training day 1 for this cycle. Goal race is the Seattle Half Marathon, from which I hold my half PR of 2 hrs on a dot. Looking back, I definitely think I could have gone sub 2, but I was pretty conservative in the first half. Overall, I was pretty pleased with my performance, but am hoping for improvement this time around. 

Another goal, after this race, is to continue consistent training through 2016. Running tends to fall to the wayside after December, but I'm determined to keep it a constant in my life. Running and weights. Let's go. 

Also, trying to really cut back on the sugar. Damn you, Costco bag of dark chocolate covered pretzel thins.

So. Lookit mah pretty shewz!

I paid $5 more for the purple color combo. Totally worth it. 

*Tuesday and Sundays workouts courtesy of The Blonde Ponytail

Week before Week One

9/14: Strength

9/15: 4 miles. TM

9/16: TM/strength

9/17:  Yoga, vinyasa flow 1 hr

9/18: Rest

9/19: Strength 35 min

9/20: Strength 25 min

***

Nothing too exciting. Got in 4 measly miles and then decided to take a run break for the rest of the week. 

I really wanted to run at least 6 miles Saturday but the back of my knee and my hamstring was strangely tender after Tuesday,  so I decided not to run for the rest of the week, and to also limit my squatting. Yoga helped to stretch out my legs but I was still feeling slightly achy. Luckily I was still able fit in a great workout on Saturday morning. I'm pleased that I decided to open my types of training to things other than running, and I'm definitely starting to feel the benefits of incorporating variety into my routine. Plus, it helps me from getting bored and so both my mind and body benefit. 

Here are a couple workout recaps:

9/19 workout 

5 rounds

10 DB snatches #20 (each side)

10 clean and press #50

10 burpees

Oohweeee sweaty!

Resting my hamstring. Need new shoes!A

9/20: Last minute workout, 25 min. 

Woke up and was busy trying to tackle laundry and make my daughter a traditional birthday breakfast of Korean seaweed soup. 

However, we had a couple hours of time between church and dinner out with my family, so I treated the kids to some tv time so. I could squeeze in a workout. I didn't want to run in the treadmill and get super sweaty, since I didn't have time for a shower before leaving, so I just basically made up this workout. 

4 rounds 

10 overheard pulls. Not sure of weight.       Just what was on the machine.

10 push press, #45

10 bent rows #15 each

10 goblet squats #20

1 round - same exercises, 15 reps each

5 rounds total. 

It was a quick workout but I was still glad to fit something in. 

10 Half Marathon training doesn't technically start for another week, so I'm just going to keep mixing it up this week until then. 

I am certain no one really reads this but that's ok! I just like writing down my weekly updates. It helps to look back and see where I am/was/want to be. 

I work out.

9/7: 4 miles, walk. Squats and burpees

9/8: 6 miles. Outside 58+ min. Slog city

9/9: Strength - 25 min. 

9/10: Strength/TM. 35 min

9/11: Rest

9/12: Strength, 35 min.

9/13: 4 miles - 2 slow miles w D. 2 miles walking, hills 

Recaps! 

9/9:  

5 rounds 

5 back squats

10 hang cleans

10 push press

10 single arm barbell row (each arm)

Ended w 10 burpees

9/10:

Strength. 25 min

400m treadmill, 

Then

3 rounds 

10 goblet squats - #20

10 reserve grip pulldowns

10 barbell rows 

10 bent knee deadlifts (hard . so hard!)

10 weighted lunges (each leg) 

800m treadmill - total of 1 mi. 

Sweaaaty

9/12:

5 rounds:

10 DB cleans, #20, each arm

10 squat and press

10 burpees

I thought Friday night would be the genius opportunity to clean out part of the garage, which then turned into the purge of the century. So, currently my garage is in disarray, which means the treadmill is folded up against the wall and thus out of commission. The elliptical is blocked by boxes, so there goes my home cardio options. However, J left just enough room for the weight machine and free weights, so I was able to at least get in a pretty sweaty working on Saturday. Who knew weight lifting could make the sweat drip off your nose? This week's workouts left me with pretty sore legs, so despite the lack of cardio, I felt pretty good! Ended w some light running/walking, plus some girl catch up time on Sunday to round out the week.

A strange thing happened on Tuesday. It was the first day of school for the kids, and every year I take this day off. I didn't wake up early enough to run, but found that I had some time in the afternoon right after the kids were out of school. Now, in the last couple of years I've definitely become a morning runner but I do think it is good to mix it up and adapt to changes, so what better way than to run in the humid afternoon sun? Hmm. My not favorite. 

I struggled through six slow miles, and ended up stopping a few (million) times during the last two miles. However, the oddest phenomenon occurred in the hour I was out there - I didn't hate it. Usually during a tough run, I just loathe the moment, the mere act of running, attempting to be a runner. I have crazy and irrational "I should just give up running" thoughts, and just feel pretty discouraged by my slogginess (totally a word). But! But!  On Tuesday, I just felt happy to be out on the roads, pounding the pavement. Just shows how much of our struggle is mental. Although, don't get me wrong, physically it is always still pretty difficult. Puff huff.

Half marathon training starts next week!