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:

  1. 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!
  2. 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.
  3. 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?

 

 

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