Technically I’m only off to one race but just getting to Las Vegas this week will be a series of smaller races to pack, get some freelance jobs finished and spend as much time as possible with the boys before we leave. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Last week was a great week of training, Halloween shenanigans, a new strength workout and one hell of a storm.
WEEK OF OCTOBER 30, 2017
RUNNING
I started my running week with a time trial. It sucked. My numbers have been off in my Training Peaks log because, simply put, I can’t run as fast as I used to. I didn’t get upset about it, I just sucked it up and went out and ran 30 minutes as fast as I could. It was horrible but now my paces are more in line with where I actually am now and not two years ago, which is a very good thing. My new normal is 7:00 min mile, and my pacing for everything from a 400 to a marathon will stem from that.
I also did my last long run (for this race anyway) last Friday and it was fantastic because I ran with a friend for 6 of them. Running is always better with freinds!
Monday – time trial | 30 minutes plus a warm up and cool down | 8 miles total
Thursday – 3-4 miles easy before strength training | 3.42 miles
Friday – long run | 11 miles
Total = 22.42 miles
CYCLING
I was a basement dweller again this week but it wasn’t too bad as my rides were short or recovery rides. I’m listening to a new podcast* (thanks to Dana at Kiss My List) and it made the time on the trainer go by pretty quickly. *see below
I also had this girl staring at me like I was insane the entire time so…
Um mom. What the hell are you doing?
She was being kind of a pain. I had to do this ride at 5am before the boys woke up and, usually at that time she curls up on the couch and sleeps but not this morning! OMG she was all over the place and driving me nuts. When I complained about it to Miles later on he said “Mom, what do you expect? She never goes in the basement so she was excited to explore. Plus, she has no idea what you’re doing, riding that bike to nowhere, so imagine her confusion?” This kid. I swear.
Wednesday – trainer spin ups before strength | 10.5 miles
Sunday – 10 x 30″ | 12.3 miles
Total = 22.8 miles < – – this is almost exactly the distance I ran this week! I won’t be seeing that again…I hope.
SWIMMING
The pool was fabulous, albeit cold since the Y cannot seem to get the pump regulated for more than two months at a time! Grrrrrrr. Two of the three were after hard running sessions and felt great!
Monday – easy swim after time trial run | 900 yards
Tuesday – 100s and 25s | 2,000 yards
Friday – easy swim after long run | 1,000 yards
Total = 3,900 yards
GEAR
Mama’s got two new pair of shoes! As I mentioned, I tried the new Brooks Revel and I love them so obviously I bought another pair. Then, I read this post from Mrs. Brooks rep herself Jesica at rUnladylike and, guess what? She’s not a fan. She asked if I had tried the Levitate and I had not so obviously I needed a pair. I’m now happy to say I have TWO favorite pairs of running shoes!
If you’re a neutral runner who likes some cushion, either of these will work for you. Maybe.
Brooks Levitate in blue and Revel in red/pink. Running in flip flops not recommended.
THINGS I LOVE
Getting updates for the Las Vegas Rock and Roll half marathon and the tribute that is planned to honor the victims of the shooting last month.
I was just so relieved that the race was moving forward and being held even though we were supposed to gather at the same venue where that horrible mass shooting took place. Undaunted and more determined than ever to have the race, the directors had a race of their own with town officials, police and emergency crews to reestablish a pre-party and new start line.
The new start of the race will be at the New York, New York hotel and casino. As for charity? There are three ways to give back (purchasing a $20 t-shirt with proceeds going to the Las Vegas victims fund, donate directly or volunteer at the race) and several on course tributes including the first 2.5 miles being “miles of silence” without bands or music, a “signing wall” that all runners can pen at the expo and will then be displayed on the course and lastly, we are encouraged to wear our race t-shirts which will be illuminated by course lights as we race down the strip!
The t-shirt you can purchase for $20 with all proceeds going to the charity for the shooting victims.
I’m beyond excited.
I wrote about my roller coaster of emotions for Women’s Running online and, for once, was met with nothing but positivity on the FB page. Stunning.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
This week, there’s a list:
- A crazy ass storm that pounded us with rain and wind and closed school for a day! The worst part was my kids being up all.night.long as the power clicked on and off. Luckily our power stayed on as so many people in our town and throughout the state lost it for days!
- CrossFit so far. I will preface this by saying I have only had one real workout (or WOD if I must!) and it’s not really what I thought. I plan on dedicating an entire post to this after I give it 30 days. Stay tuned.
- Halloween on a school night. Can we please just move this to Friday and Saturdays only? Why should Thanksgiving be the only holiday to have a designated day of the month? Come on people, work with me here. I’m sure teachers everywhere would agree. (and, while we’re at it, can we please just call it Halloween and not have stupid “harvest parties” at school? I mean seriously.)
Vaughn was a Power Ranger and Miles was a Pea Shooter from the Plants Vs Zombies game.
PODCAST
Thanks to Dana at Kiss My List, I have a new obsession-worthy podcast. Dirty John started as a story in the Los Angeles Times and grew into this podcast. John Meehan is a manipulative con-artist who manages to trap a seemingly very intelligent and wealthy mother of three into a relationship that is intense, twisted and completely captivating.
I’ve gone through all the emotions with this one. At times I feel sorry for Deb (the woman at the center of the story) but mostly I want to smack her across the face and yell WAKE UP! It’s definitely worth a listen and has kept me entertained on all my long runs!
RANDOM EXCHANGE OF THE WEEK
After I came home from my long run on Friday when it was 70 degrees out:
My husband: It looks beautiful outside!
Me: It’s actually humid and pretty hot.
My husband goes outside to get the mail and returns…
My husband: Your running makes your weather interpretations so skewed! It’s not humid at all and is absolutely gorgeous outside!
He was right. And yes, running does skew everything!
[Tweet “The Rundown is headed off to the #RNRLasVegas half marathon but has plenty to say before she goes… #train4life”]
How was your week?
Are you “off” to anywhere soon?
Can I tell you that I’ve never actually done a CrossFit class? Shhhhh. I only have worked out with my coach doing CrossFit stuff. In fact, my coach Becky told me I should never do a class because I’m not coordinated enough…lol! If it wasn’t true, I might have been offended…
I don’t think I’d like the classes much either, from what I’ve seen of them.
I knew it!!!!!! You were part of my CrossFit inspiration and it was all a LIE!!! LOL. I may just use the “open gym” time to do my own, more appropriate, workouts.
I am sending you positive and safe race day vibes. I’m sure it will be an emotional race weekend but also a positive way to honor what happened there.
I’m so glad you love the Levitates!!!!! I’ve heard nothing but great things from everyone who has tried them so hope they keep working for you too along with the Revels. I’ll miss you this weekend in NH! xoxo
Yes, exactly that!! Thanks so much Jes and I will miss you all terribly this weekend!! Do we really need to wait another year to all meet up again? Boooooo
Ohhh!! Allie’s drinking the CrossFit kool-aid!! ☺️ Can’t wait to hear what you think about it! It was a wild week for sure. I completely agree – trick or treating needs to be a Friday or Saturday night. Tuesday was brutal!
I couldn’t resist when they opened one so close to me!!! Gah! So far, not so good but I’m sticking to it.
I”m not so into Crossfit. I don’t mind Crossfit style workouts, but CF itself… no thanks. Then again, I’m really good at sitting and doing nothing right now. REALLY good at that.
Next time that ToT is on Tuesday–call me. I’ll take them. I take payment in candy.
I’m feeling the exact same right now.
You have a DEAL woman!!
Riding that bike to nowhere… love that… kick ass in Vegas… just keep picturing yourself as Shalene and please say f yes as you cross the finish line!
You know I’m saying “f**k yes” when crossing every finish line from now on. Love that so, so much.
I’m going to check out those new Brooks. I’m a fan of the Launch, but still always looking for a cushion-y neutral shoe to rotate.
I tried the new fuel belt that you mentioned in your last blog and thought it was great. No ride up, no sloshing…all good!
Good luck at Vegas next weekend!
Oh awesome!! I’m so glad about the fuel belt!
Definitely try the Levitate. They do not disappoint.
Solid running- you are so ready for a strong race!! And I love that Vegas is incorporating what happened with ways to give back. It should be a really powerful weekend for you!
I couldn’t agree more! And YOU are primed and ready for your race. I’ll be thinking of you!!
The storm was NUTS! We had no school on Monday and a delay on Tuesday, but as a teacher, it was really nice and I got to squeeze in a Spin/TRX on Tuesday morning, which was amazing.
I totally hear you on the Halloween thing! My kids were exhausted.
I am so excited to hear all about the race! Hopefully the “warm humid” temps of CT this fall will help your training for Vegas. GOOD LUCK!
I know all the teachers were happy but right now I’m drowning in these days off!!
And yes, I’m sure the weather here will be helpful. It’s supposed to be 78 on Sunday in Vegas so…
Thank you for the laugh! Your articles are a welcomed distraction from my albeit not actually physically running more like “running in spirit” day! Maybe, one of these days I will actually dust off my running shoes but I rather enjoy reading your adventures more! Have a good day!
Just keep reading 🙂 Thanks Dawn!
i’m so pumped for your LV RnR race!!! i know you’ll rock it, pun intended. i’m very excited for you and can’t wait to read about teh experience.
so my hubby just got the Levitate’s and he absolutely loves them. coincidentally his pace has gotten faster by 2 min.. wtf? funny enough he literally got them from under my nose. we were shoe shopping and he convinced me to try the Glycerin’s, which I did and love, but then we went and got himself the Levitates AND Glycerin’s, without even asking me if I wanted to try them. well to be fair they only had one pair and in his size. doh! i’m totally joking but it is funny how his pace is faster and he happens to have the Levitates.. hmmm. tempting!
going to check out that podcast, i’m really in need of a new podcast that is not: mental health, running, food, or motivational. i need something interesting, thank you!
So funny about your husband!! That is one of the reasons I’m glad mine doesn’t run 🙂
And YES to a podcast that has zero to do with health and fitness. This one is perfection…
Another strong week of running – you are ready for this race and I can’t wait to see how you do! Star cracks me up – dogs are so confused about indoor exercise! Ollie will bark his head off at my stability ball whenever I do core work and Charlie tries to lick my nose during Pilates.
Calling them Harvest parties drives me batty too! I went to a conservative Lutheran elementary school and we weren’t allowed to call it Halloween because of witches and such. (Seriously.) It still bothers me now – it’s Halloween and should be way spookier than anything harvest.
OMG she is the worst with workouts. I don’t even try to do anything on the floor when she’s around because she will absolutely tackle me! So glad you can relate. LOL!!
And seriously with the holiday stuff. *massive eye roll*
Yay – I knew you’d like the podcast! I felt the same way about Deb. Run like the wind in Vegas, Allie!
We need a Dirty John discussion group! That ending was insane!!!
Thanks Dana 🙂 I’ll do my best…
I so understand the humidity argument! I’m always seating from the gym and complaining about the humidity… and Vags thinking I’m nuts.
Speaking of Vegas, I love that they’re suing the race as a charitable opportunity. This country is so depressing right now.
I always look for a shoe with a really wide toe box. From the picture it looks like the Revel is a bit wider than the Levitate- have you found that to be true?
Good luck on your race! Can’t wait to hear all about it.
You are correct and, I need a wide toe box as well. I will say that because of the mesh in the toe box, I don’t find the size to be an issue with the Levitate. I will most likely race in the Revel but, if I only had my Levitates, that would be fine too!
Hey, well you could do a review of the sneakers you use to run, what do you think? I would love to know.
I can definitely make that happen! Thanks for letting me know what you want to see here…