What Training Looks Like Right Now

It’s kinda funny how different seasons of life bring different expectations, viewpoints, perspectives, and goals. I was just thinking back to this time last year where I was super vigilant on training for my 50 miler/ Eugene Marathon and honestly, I feel like maybe it was too much training? It’s funny how it takes a while to look back at something and see it from a totally different perspective. I can almost envision the why I never actually reached my goal at Eugene because my training was crazy intense during an already stressed-out time in my life. I’m so happy I decided to take a complete month off of running because it allowed my body to regenerate and honestly, I’m feeling fitter than ever right now. I’m excited to begin working with a running coach for the first-time and focus on just a few races this year. I also really want to continue to improve-upon my nutrition as well as the ‘little things’ like strength training, yoga, and maybe some cross-training activities or run groups! Speaking of healthy -> we’re still mainly eating vegan (since November!), but have been loving the vegetarian options from Hello Fresh! Last nights Mediterranean Chickpea Couscous Salad:

I’m also getting stocked-up which can only mean one thing: race training season is upon us!

I started 3 mornings last week with some yoga and it was amazing. I really really love to begin my days like this if I have time.

Epsom Salt baths are also my jam lately. I add a side of Hot Lemon-Lime Nuun & some Gilmore Girls for the background -> amazing.

Last weeks training looked a bit like this:

Monday, Jan. 6th: 7.03 miles 9:33 min/mi avg in the slushy snow and yoga

Tuesday, Jan. 7th: Bike for 20 minutes & strength

Wednesday, Jan. 8th: 7.5 miles with 6 x 800m (see below for splits) and 15 minutes of strength work and yoga

Thursday, Jan. 9th: 3.5 miles at 10:46 pace on snow-packed trails after a day at my mental health clinical

Friday, Jan. 10th: 10 miles with a faster finish overall average 8:59 pace and yoga

Saturday, Jan. 11th: 6 easy miles at 9:24 min/mi avg and yoga in the morning

Sunday, Jan. 12th: 6.24 easy treadmill miles at 10:29 min/mi avg and yoga in the morning and 342 yard swim

Total Mileage: 40.3 miles

Total Elevation (treadmills don’t count the incline which is a bummer!): 1, 322’ up

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-What’s your training look like right now?

-Ever had a point in your life where maybe you over-did it?

What My Off-Season Training Looks Like

If you’ve been following along with me even a little bit you know that I never really DO ‘off season’. I’m a big goal-oriented person and well, I just like to plan! So it’s very rare when I DON’T have something on the schedule (I.e right now!).

I’m always interested in what others do during their off season so thought I’d share what I’m doing and maybe you can comment below on what you’re doing!

I’m trying to focus mainly on strength, flexibility, and trying new things. SO I tried some Pure Barre on demand last week. It totally kicked my butt and I’m here for it 🙌🏻

I’ve done a bunch of 3 or 4 mile walks with Stella.

I’ve started hiking on the treadmill. Normally I’ll aim for 30 minutes at 5-10% incline 💪🏻

I’ve also just started a new JasYoga 2 week trail membership and am LOVING every online class I’ve done thus far.

I’m also just enjoying playing around with my diet and not having any specific goals! I love that I’ve got a clean slate in front of me

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what do you love to do in the off season?!

Training Tuesday: ALL THINGS FUEL!

Trying to compose this post about race fueling strategy and I keep getting distracted by this photo 🤣 I’m already looking forward to ice cream next summer

ANYWAYS! Let’s dive into some things that I’ve learned about fueling before/ during/ after the race. I just want to preface this post by saying that what works for some runners may NOT work for you! For example- some runners love peanut butter before a race and I’ve found it doesn’t work for me.

I’ve also found that meat & potatoes the night before a race work really well for me. Pasta- does NOT. Also a race that ends with a thanksgiving dinner is the BEST 🙌🏻

I’ve really been loving making my own homemade gel and separating it into personal serving ziploc bags. I found the recipe in the cookbook, Run Fast Cook Fast Eat Slow

Post long run I love to get in fuel right away and avocado toast with a smoothie is perfect 👌🏻

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do you have a favorite fueling strategy?

Eugene/50 Miler Training Week 16 RUNdown: 4/8-4/14

Ok, so if you say my post yesterday then you know that things did NOT go as planned last week. BUT I’m moving on and not dwelling on it. We can only do so much and sometimes, it’s our bodies way of communicating that we need to slow down before injury or illness happens (and I definitely DO NOT want a repeat of Vegas Half 2018 where I had bronchitis leading up to/at the race!).

Monday, 4/8: 7.55 easy miles at 10:24 157’ up

Tuesday, 4/9: Rest Day/ Yoga

Wednesday, 4/10: 10 miles with 7.52 at goal marathon pace (8:35 I believe today?) & lotsa strength

Thursday, 4/11: 8.5 miles easy at i’m not sure what pace with 480’ up

Friday, 4/12: 5 miles easy @ 9:58 and lotsa strength

Saturday, 4/13: Rest day. 9.5 hours in the car….fun!

Sunday, 4/14: Another rest day!

Total Mileage: 31.05 miles

Total Elevation: 637’ up



The Race That Taught Me All About Perseverance

When I started thinking about recapping what races I did this year and which ones really left a lasting impression on me, this race was one where I kinda wanted to forget about. Don’t get me wrong, I accomplished an amazing goal- I became an ultramarathoner! But it was so tough. It reminded me of my first (and second) marathon, where I really really wanted to quit (multiple times). It was so tempting to just call it quits after that first 25k (the first of two loops of the course).

It was the slowest I’d traveled anywhere in a really long time (actually even slower than my 175 mile run to Denver in May 2018). It was also my first solo traveled race, so I could just quit whenever I wanted and there would be no one to feel bad about my decision (except myself). So, why would I continue to push along when all the signs were telling me to turn around?

It was honestly the people surrounding me. We were all pretty miserable, but when they took off for that second loop I followed along. Not even sure what I was committing to at that time.

But when you hear the finish line announcer celebrating each runner that crosses that line, you feel a sense of earnest. I didn’t want to miss out on that opportunity. After all, the kitties were waiting for me at home- expecting me to come home as an ultramarathoner. I couldn’t let them down.

It’s funny when I look back, I dont’ really remember exactly how miserable I was. I don’t remember convincing myself that at 25k I would just walk off the course. I remember really really wanting to be done, but pushing on anyways. Coming out stronger (mentally) at the 40k mark than I was at 20k.

It’s funny in those moments of doubt, how we somehow find a tougher layer within us. It was slow and absolutely off my time goal, but when you completely doubt yourself and then somehow persevere - it’s the most amazing feeling. So I guess that’s what most people refer to when they say ultras are addicting because I’m already looking forward to pushing my boundaries even further next year.

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What race taught you all about perserverence? Why?