Marathon Mom

Another week of no running, busy work and now cold, rainy weather. I’m almost halfway through my 4 weeks of no running. Luckily this week I was able to focus on fun with friends and family; a few dinners out, AMR Book Party and more. I even tried a new workout and went back to spin for the first time in nearly a year! Our Memorial weekend has been full of rain and clouds meaning I got lots of organizing done. Last month I decided to quit being a Beachbody coach, I love the programs and have built a great collection for myself but I hate the way Shakeology is pushed as the greatest thing ever and can fix anything. I tried it, it is okay but I have found much better options that agree with my body much better. I will continue to share my experience with the workouts and how great those are and would be happy to share my opinions and advice on the workout programs if anyone has questions. Monday:  BB Legs (this is the last time since 1 hour of legs causes too much hamstring p...

Week 1 of marathon training was interesting on a few levels; mentally I’m having a tough time with the lower mileage but am convincing myself that I need it, I ran on vacation in weather that was 60 degrees warmer than I’m used to (sorry that’s why I was pretty scarce last week) and I managed to injure myself during my long run on dry ground! Run views Despite being on vacation I think I managed to get my workouts in and eat pretty healthy, just forget about those glasses of wine, mojitos and margaritas! I also had no GPS so all runs were by time which I have a tough time mentally with. Monday:  P90X Back/Chest/Abs and 1 hour hiking Tuesday:  Intervals: 10 min easy, 8x 1:30 hard run 0:45 easy 10 min easy and Yoga Wednesday:  P90X Shoulder/Arms/Abs and 1 hour hiking Thursday:  Tempo run: 10 min easy 25 min harder 10 min easy and P90X Plyometrics (just 30 min) Friday:  P90X Legs/Back/Abs and hiking Saturday:  Long Run: 1:30:00 complete ...

It seems like last week I was looking at the first week of Boston training and now we have 8 weeks to go. This training has been less than great with illness and nasty weather my runs have been tough. I finally feel like with 8 weeks to go I can say I'm really training! 2 weeks ago I ended with a 20 miler cut short due to hip issues which I relate fully to the nasty road conditions but after another session of muscle work and acupuncture I felt better. See I guess in my old age I'm getting smarter and learning to listen! After a steroid course and then antibiotics I think I have finally kicked this illness for good, now to down the pro-biotics in hopes of not messing up my gut. I am also nearly 1 month into being dairy free again and know this is helping everything. Last week I ended on Saturday with a great run, I needed this mentally to tell me I wasn't out of my element. So how did the rest of the week go.... Pre-run ritual Monday: Yoga and strength Tuesday: 1...

This week I was starting to think that I have 11 weeks until race day and need to rethink my goals as training is not coming together. Not what I wanted since I had hoped for this to be a great race. I know I still have time but with speedwork lacking still and 13.1 being my longest run this training I am wondering what will happen. I love being outside in summer so I can’t stand the idea of staying inside to cross train on the elliptical or bike and being home with a 3 year biking outside is tough plus I hate to throw her in childcare at the gym every day so we run together. I am listening and okay with not running if I hurt and pushing if I can, happy to say I can make it about 2 miles or speedy running without pain, then time to go easy. Week 4  was much different than I have done lately: low mileage, relaxing, family fun time and even a race with a unexpected finish (more tomorrow) and guess what? I swam this week! Monday:  Short stress relief run with Morgan and ...

Week 2 was not my final appointment like I hoped, while I to continue to feel better I’m not 100% yet so a few more easy days ahead. I had another week of intense studying and limited “good” workouts but that’s all changing! The frustration is huge right now as I am in the midst of yet another less than ideal marathon training L I am hoping for a good year of racing but it is halfway through and nothing great yet. Monday:  Morning walk with puppy and zoo day with O. Tuesday:  Morning spin, strength with trainer, 3Mile Run on AlterG , Easy 5 Mile Run with group Wednesday:  Much needed run walk to take study break: 5 Miles and core work Thursday:  Morning strength and walk with puppy and Evening run with MRTT group Friday:   Morning spin (run to/from gym for 3.5 miles) Saturday:  12 mile easy run Sunday:  8 Mile run (to/from playground), core and evening 1 Mile walk  Week 3 I am running half #6 this Thursday and hopin...

Week 2   was a tough one but as I said on Friday things are improving with my hamstring J I am loving this new clinic and doctor. I have been able to run pain free on flat routes and am thrilled, even managed a slightly hilly run Saturday without pain! This week has also brought the return of allergies and on top of that issues with thyroid continue. I have been hypothyroid since my diagnosis in 2007 and rarely keep the same dose, once again I am in the middle of dose changes thanks to my thyroid slacking and making me even more fatigued plus I get the joy of hanging on to a few extra pounds L Monday:  Pilates DVD in morning, 1 hour elliptical, no way I was getting back in the freezing pool! Tuesday:  Morning spin/weights with trainer & Easy evening Run 5.5 miles Wednesday:  1 hour elliptical while O went to kid’s yoga at the gym J Thursday:  Morning Spin/Weights, Run 5.5 miles (walking on hills), 1 mile walk in afternoon and core Friday: ...

Well, looks like I am back at it again. I made the decision to run the Swan Lake Marathon in 3 weeks and started following a back to back marathon recovery/training plan . I guess we can call this Week 1 again since I have decided to run the marathon in June! Guess what, no snow this week! But record heat on Tuesday and then storms all weekend, ugh! I had my first (and only) visit with the sports doc, yes I thought it was good but he is not near what I got from the guy I used to see. So despite things being less than ideal (further and no child care) I am switching. Spring is here, no more snow pictures this week, yeah! Monday:  Swim 15 minutes (sad, but that is my limit) in a very cold pool with broken heater! 45 minute easy bike Tuesday:  Strength workout with trainer and 5.5 mile easy run in 92F Wednesday:  6.5 mile run/walk Thursday:   1 hour bike in am and weights in afternoon Friday:  1 hour spin Saturday:  1 hour elliptical in...

Week 14  meant the first week of taper and almost race day! We had a tough week with illness for both O and I meaning easy workouts from Wednesday on. Guess what, spring is finally here and in full force, high 70s and sun this weekend was exactly what we all needed! Congrats to Ashley for finishing her marathon this weekend! Monday:  Easy 4.5 with puppy in morning and 7.5 mile   hills in afternoon Tuesday:  Weights with trainer and 7.5 mile run with group Wednesday:  Sluggish Morning 11.4 mile Run (this was when I knew I too was getting sick) Thursday:   Afternoon weights /core + 3 mile walk with puppy and O Friday:  Morning Spin and Afternoon easy 3.5 mile run to the park Saturday:  16.2 miles (so nice I finished in just shorts and a sports bra and pretty sure I blinded the cars with my winter white legs an belly!) and 1 mile walk to park Sunday:  5 mile recovery trail run and Afternoon core/strength 1st Trail Run of...

Happy Marathon Monday! It truly is marathon Monday as the 117th running of the Boston Marathon begins in just minutes. The past 2 years I've had two very different experiences running the Patriot's Day race: 2011 complete with PR and 2012 filled with pre-race injury & 90F on race day . Week 12  means the final peak week of training then taper, yikes. My glute (probably piriformis) is better but still sore after my hilly 10 Mile Race. Other then that this week has been bad, snow, rain, sleet and ice. Yep, it is mid April and we are in the midst of winter. We have gotten snow the past 6 days and there is no end in sight. Everyone, including the dog, is moody and over winter. Monday:  Yoga & 1:05 hour elliptical Tuesday:  Morning Spin, weights with trainer & Easy evening Run (coaching) Wednesday:  Morning Run (new hilly route) windy day: 12.5 miles Thursday:  Morning 1 hour Bike Trainer & Afternoon run 4 miles/weights Friday: ...