I’m headed into October with my head down and arms pumping. I may pop up for air sometime around November 2. This is going to be my monster month and not just because of Halloween.
WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 28, 2015
RUNNING
I’m starting to feel better about my mileage and preparation for the New York City Marathon! I had another strong week, a feel good long run of 19 miles and a fantastic half marathon in Maine!
Monday: 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 5k & 10k efforts on the elliptical – 8 miles total
In an effort to salvage as much of my aging legs as possible, coach had me do this speed work on the elliptical. Normally I hate being sidelined to this machine but, with the week I had coming at me, I gladly did the work. It was perfect – a hard effort with zero impact.
Tuesday: Spin and strength training day
Wednesday: 19 miles, LSD (ling slow distance) 2:51:46 – 9 min/mile average pace
I woke up to pouring, driving rain, or rather it woke me up. My husband kept saying “you’re not running in this,” but didn’t understand that I had to. Wednesday was the only day to do my long mileage before the half marathon on Sunday. But, as luck would have it, the rain stopped just as I started and instead of water from above, I drowned in my own sweat in the sweltering humidity of the day. Big, huge thanks to my BRF Anne for slogging along for the last 9 miles with me!
This is what your running shoes and rolled down compression socks look like after 19 miles in the rain and humidity. I should really be a fashion blogger.
Thursday: I went swimming! Well, I went pool running for 30 minutes and then did some swim intervals for another 30 minutes. It felt fantastic to be back in the water!
Friday: I was supposed to do an easy 5 miler but one of my kids was sick so I hauled out the bike trainer and rode the bike for 40 minutes instead. #INeedATreadmill
Saturday: This was an amazing day of fun, relaxation and being unplugged with a group of bloggers. Total oxymoron but it happened and it was wonderful! We managed a three miler on one of the most gorgeous stretches of beach I have ever seen. It was amazing!
That’s me, Tina (Fuel Your Future with Tina), Sarah (Run Far Girl), Jesica (rUnLadylike), Jen (Running with the Girls) and Sandra (Organic Runner Mom) way off in the distance!
Sunday: Maine Half Marathon! Full recap (possibly several) are coming on this race and the retreat leading up to it. It’s going to be very hard to find the words to describe how truly life changing it was. Here’s a hint:
Total running miles: 19
Total racing miles: 13.1
Total elliptical miles: 8
Total pool miles: who the hell knows? Maybe 3.
Grand total: 43ish fabulous miles
SWIMMING
I’m so happy to have this back in the line-up even if it was only for one day last week! It seriously felt so good to be back in the water, even if I was “running.” The weightlessness of it after running my 19 miler the day before, felt like heaven.
That is actually me swimming. The timer was not cooperating.
CYCLING
Sorry not sorry but I’m saying adios to my spin class at the Y. Instead of missing it after being away in Lake Winnipesaukee for a month over the summer, I kind of got used to not having to do it. I absolutely love to teach, and I will miss a lot of my regulars, but after almost 20 years of teaching fitness classes, it’s time to hang up the shoes.
RACING
I have so much to tell you about the Rise.Run.Retreat weekend and Maine Half Marathon. I could fill several posts just with pictures alone! Look for all the details here later this week.
FUEL
One of the very best things about marathon training is all the food! Of course, you shouldn’t over indulge but who am I to refuse my hard working muscles of much needed fuel? My rule for eating while running and racing 40+ mile weeks? Listen to your body!
My go to after long, hard training runs has been this bag of goodness:
Found at Target (where else?) and filled with yummy deliciousness the likes of peanuts, peanut butter chips, raisins, M&M’s, peanut butter chocolate candies and peanut butter coated pretzels. Plus, it goes with my general monster theme so I had to buy it.
GEAR
So I bit the bullet and ordered a pair of PowerBeats2 wireless headphones (Amazon Prime $144). I haven’t been able to use them very much but, when I have, they have been great! They charge quickly, come with a great little case for storage, they stay put when running and have well placed volume controls, and stop/pause/play buttons.
Once I get a chance to really put them to the test – i.e. a long run, track workout, etc – I will do a full review including how long that quick charge up lasts!
PERISCOPE
I did my very first Periscope last week and I can tell you this – it’s weird, it’s fun and men are pigs. But I guess that’s what you get when you do your first one in a bathing suit. What? I was going pool running and swimming! But seriously, since that first one, I have been having so much fun with it!
If you’re not already, you can follow me here and join the crazy!
It’s not too late to join the Periscope Challenge with Blog Clarity. Because making a complete ass of yourself on video is way more fun when you do it with a support group.
THINGS I LOVE
This video. Anything that opens with “Do you find yourself longing for the apocalypse?” has to be good, right? Well a little dose of actual nature is the remedy for all of life’s ailments and it’s hilarious.
My other most favorite lines:
“Nature can reduce symptoms of cynicism, meaninglessness, anal retentiveness and murderous rage.”
“Caution. Nature may cause you to slow down, quit your job, or seriously consider WTF you’re doing with your life.”
Nature. Try it.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
I hate this ad and the idiotic men who made it but, I absolutely love the backlash and their rude awakening to it.
Because remember that time the kids tied you up and drew all over your face? The only thing that actually makes sense to me about this picture is the time on the clock.
Of course you can read the whole post, and a bunch of other greatness, on Scary Mommy.
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I run about a 9:30/10 minute mile. I could go faster but why?” – Carrie of Eight Crazy Souls, who won a spot at the Rise.Run.Retreat this past weekend. This just makes so much sense! She also finished her very first half marathon with this brilliant philosophy. Congratulations again Carrie!
they stay put when you run???
the husband has the beats but (shhh) I rolled my eyes kinda at them as he needs to be fancy all the time since he works in the music industry.
You now have me wanting a pair…
xo
I totally get the eye roll but YES they stay put.
So proud of you for that amazing half!! It’s going to take me a few posts to catch up on everything, too. That real estate card… seriously?!? Sometimes I think we’re making such progress for women… and then other times I’m not too sure.
So glad you’re feeling better about NYC, too. Thanks again for being my travel buddy!
It was a pleasure being your travel buddy and was happy to get a little extra time with you! That race was just amazing all around and I love that I was able to cheer you to the finish 🙂 See you soon…
YES YES YES!!!! You did so awesome yesterday. You had your game face on and ran it like a boss. I’m so flippin’ happy that we finally got to meet. Let’s not make it another 2 years before we see each other again, k? Because Allie – you raise me up!!!!!
OMG Angela you crack me up!!! I just can’t. Every time I think about you doing that it’s just more hilarious.
Best.weekend.ever and there’s no way we’re going another two years before seeing each other!
That half marathon sounds like a lot of fun and I’m glad you had a great time. I cannot believe about that Real Estate Card. I’m actually in a lot of shock.
It’s definitely shocking. I would have thought it was a joke because really?
Looking forward to racing with you in a couple weeks!
Glad you got the headphones and such great mileage this week. It’s so close!
I have a pair of regular over the ear beats so I bet those are great too.
So excited to hear more about the retreat!!
It’s getting VERY close! I have 22 to run on Friday and I’m afraid for my legs. Loved seeing your smiling face after your long run this past weekend!!!
Oh my gosh! I can’t believe that ad!! I am not surprised a man made it though because they could be completely incapable of working part-time and taking care of kids (not to mention the 1,000 other things SAHMs do). Also, on what planet did they really think that was a good idea?
I didn’t know you were thinking of giving up teaching spinning! What made you decide? I’m happy that it will allow you more time in your life to focus on other things and that you are happy about the decision. 🙂
Clearly those dudes need to hire more women, especially in the marketing department. I mean for real.
As for spinning, it’s been a long time coming. There’s a lot of reasons but mostly I never wanted it to be something I had to do and that was exactly what it was becoming. I’m sure I will miss it but it was time.
I can’t even. Can we go back to Maine now please?? You ran such an AMAZING race yesterday. I loved watching you and Tina zoom by looking so fierce and focused. My heart was so full cheering you all on to such incredible races. It was so great to see you!! Hopefully, we’ll get a chance to hang out again soon. And Carrie’s quote? LOVE it!
It really was so great, there really aren’t enough words…or the right words! I totally want a do-over!!
I just loved that Carrie said that because seriously…why?
AMAZING!!! You did SO amazing!!! That is my 1/2 PR! Congrats on such an awesome race and a weekend with amazing ladies and runners sounds so fun!!!!! Awesome job getting out there and getting your 19 miler in! I’m excited for your full!!!!
Thank you so much Jen. It was an incredible race but actually not a PR. BUT, I have truly never pushed myself so hard. I’m definitely going to write an entire post about all of it, and I’m sure it will resonate with you because you have been there and totally get it.
I think I saw you made a decision about your marathon so I will have to check that out!! So exciting.
Sometimes the best races are not because of a PR!!! I know you have a pr under 1:30…but 1:32 is my PR :). Pushing yourself harder than you ever have and running it with an AMAZING run are definitely reasons that would make Sunday a super awesome memorable experience! I’m so proud of you!
Too much goodness in this post!! Loved seeing the retreat pics on instagram and FB this weekend….I was jealous of course. Your race…#1 in AG….crazy!!! Can’t wait for the full recap. That real-estate ad….yes I actually would like a woman who can juggle 100 things rather than a guy who can only do one thing at a time…. and the quote from Carrie…sometimes but why is right!!
YES, yes and OMG YES!!! My hope is to someday have a similar weekend with you Paria…and Kristin Armstrong…and wine 🙂
Omg I love Carrie!!! I totally agree with her and have said the same thing to myself. It’s funny but I do wonder that. My first half marathon was the BEST time of my life because my only goal was to finish and have fun. I ran it in 2:10 and chattered and laughed the whole time. Oh if I could only have stayed like that!!! Lol
I know, right? Someday I will have a race like that and just absolutely love it!!
And she’s running all of those miles in her Addidas and crushing it!!!! You inspire me with your hardworking go after it attitude. And yes, WTH is up with that advertisement. Not cool at all! Hugs!
You know it! Thanks so much Sandra and I have no clue what those guys were thinking, nor the people in the marketing department. I would like to think that it was a group of women who knew the backlash that would occur, so they printed it to reveal just how slimy these guys are. 🙂
I just officially found you! I’ve seen your comments on other blogs but never checked your blog out….we have a lot in common – twin moms (mine are a month apart and not technically twins, but close enough) and I’m running NYC too!
I can’t believe you got to run a half with Tina, how awesome! I can’t wait to read the recap on that and they whole weekend! And seriously, how did an ad like that get past a group of people who all approved it….
Hooray! So glad you found me and now I will need to check you out 🙂 Thanks for reading and commenting! Running with Tina was beyond amazing and I haven’t a clue how that ad was actually put out into the world. Insanity.
Omg you crack me up!!!!!!! So great to meet you and everyone else this weekend!!
So glad I could give you a laugh since you gave me plenty. I will definitely be thinking about that quote when I’m out running on tired legs. So great meeting you this past weekend and I hope our paths cross again!
Allie, you are refreshing, inspiring and just… awesome!!! Way to kick major butt in that half marathon!!! Yeah!!
So excited for the recap!!
I am loving all the posts about the retreat!! Looks like such a beautiful weekend!!
I am super excited about your crazy October/November and you are going to crush NYCM!!!! xo
Gah! Thank you so much Nat. Your ears must have been ringing because absolutely everyone was missing you and sending you good vibes 🙂 I’m hoping we can meet in NYC!!
Oh friend… my month of crazy started MONTHS ago. Hahaha!!
The question is – does it ever end?
Sadly, no…
Yay for an awesome week of running that ended with an amazing race. I’m so grateful to have gotten to run three of those miles with you. When I start training seriously again, my goal is to be able to semi-chase you 🙂 Congrats on your great race and age group win. xoxo
LOL – that is fantastic and yes, running with you is always fun my friend, no matter the pace! Let’s do it again soon…
Ok, so not going to lie, I had total runner/girl/blogger envy over you girls this weekend inbetween my legs at Ragnar! So jealous! My parents house is actually about 1/4 of a mile from the beach you were running on!! And I must say, is Sandra really that tall or are you really that short?? 😉 :p
Both. I’m super short (5′ 2″) and Sandra is super tall! It’s funny because Tina was surprised at how short I was. I guess I look tall on the internet 🙂
We were loving all of your Ragnar pics and were cheering you in that horrible weather. Next year I certainly hope you can come to the retreat but we NEED to meet up before then!
Agreed we definitely need to meet before. Will the retreat be open to the public next time? My team already committed to doing Ragnar again next year, hope it’s not on the same weekend again!
I’m not sure how they will handle it next time but unfortunately I think it will be the same weekend 🙁