You may think I’m being overly dramatic with this title, but I beg to differ.  Perhaps many of you have done hill repeats.  Even more of you, I’m sure, have done speed drills.  But, how many of you have combined the two into one of the most grueling workouts you can imagine – – speed/hill repeats?  Who thinks of this stuff?  Someone who is a rocket scientist and coach, and I was the (un)lucky recipient.

 Rundown_March31

 

At the start of each week, I check out my online plan from CRS (coach rocket scientist) and Wednesday seemed interesting with a swim (that’s right!), run and teaching my Power Sculpt class.  I barely gave a second thought to the hill repeats on Friday, especially since I only had spin class scheduled for Thursday.  I’m pretty used to two-a-days now and even three-a-days (see Wednesday) so it just seemed meh.

However, when Friday arrived and I took a closer look at what was actually expected of me I saw this:

WU (warm-up) 20 min at easy pace increasing intensity to Z2 (zone 2 heart rate)

3 x 1k hill repeats in upper Z3

Translation: find a hill that’s almost a mile long & run up it at 10% less then 10K pace, which, for me is 7 min miles.  Um, WHAT?

Needless to say, I almost lost my breakfast each time I (finally!) made it to the top of the hill.  I was never so happy to be done with a workout in my life.  I found myself scanning the woods, actually hoping the mountain lion would just come and get it over with.  The only issue, after the last repeat, was that I then had to run home (another mile or so) and up my mountain to get there.  And, yes, I ran up the mountain.  I also texted CRS to let her know that workout made me think very bad thoughts about her.  She laughed.

Here’s what they look like on paper.  Take note that the steepest peak is the one at then end – the one I climb to get home:

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WEEK OF MARCH 31, 2014

RUNNING:  Besides the near puke fest that was my Friday, I was also lucky enough to run a long run – 10.6 miles -on Saturday at a 7:42 pace.  Woot woot.  That was also the day after the hill repeats and before a 30 mile bike/20 min run brick.  Sounds like fun, doesn’t it?  I have to say that I’m loving it.  I got a lot of running in this week (almost 32 miles!) and speed work with 200s at the track.  All in all, it was a great running week.

CYCLING:  The good news is I was able to go outside for a 30 mile ride on my bike this weekend.  The bad news is that it felt like I was riding in a tornado and my hands and feet were ice the entire time.  Do you have any idea how hard it is to shift when your fingers feel like blocks of ice?  Hard.  I was really trying to enjoy the ride but the wind was so brutal.  Did I mention it was also about 35 degrees?  Right.

…even though the season is just beginning!  Same thing.

…even though the season is just beginning! Same thing.

CROSS-TRAINING:  I went swimming!  Sometimes CRS surprises me with a little treat mid-week.  This week it was 1000/100 yard swim and I loved it!  Initially I didn’t want to get in the pool because it’s still pretty cold, but once I did I got in a flow and really enjoyed it.  Of course, I also loved the 5.7 mile run that followed.

RACING:  I’m starting to get nauseas every time I think about Spain and how close it’s getting.  I think that’s a good sign.  I also have a 5k and shorter Duathlon to get though before then.  Small details.

FUEL:  Must eat all the things!  I have the appetite of a pregnant sumo wrestler lately.  A fantastic lunch place just opened up in these parts called Garbanzos.  It’s all Mediterranean food; think hummus, tabuleah, whole wheat pitas, peppers, olives and the yummiest falafels you’ve ever had.

THINGS I LOVE:  Being named to the first ever Team HMF!  What’s that you ask?  It’s our local running association (Hartford Marathon Foundation) who I’m a big proponent and participant of anyway.  A friend told me they were looking to put together a social media/badass runner representation team to market, promote and (of course) run a lot of their races.  In return we get a cool running kit to wear, free race entries, Timex watches and more.  I’m really excited and can’t wait for our first team meet-up!  #TeamHMF

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THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH:  The fu**ing wind.  *see cycling above

MUSIC:  Here’s a little ditty my kids came home from preschool with:

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What do I think of that?  I don’t think you want to know.  I mean, really?

TV:  I’m pretending that by me not caring one bit about UCONN being in the big game (what’s it called?) I’m actually helping them win.  Just go with it.

READING:  If I have time to read, I’m going to sleep.  Although you should read fitbie.com this week.  Shameless plug, but we’re featuring stories from runners getting ready for Boston and a dear friend of mine, Denise Pantason is one of them.  All of the stories are incredible, and prove just how unforgettable this year’s race is going to be!  #BostonStrong

RANDOM THOUGHT OF THE WEEK:  Miles told me that if I was a robot, he would take my batteries out.  Ah motherhood.  It’s so magical.

Is it Spring where you are?

Do you know anyone running Boston this year?

Did your kids ever bring home songs like the one mine did?

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