What Training Differences I'm Making NOW For That BQ in 2020??

in

Happy Friday EVE! What's everyones plans for the weekend?? Alex will be away (he's "casually" hiking a section of the CDT with his co-workers as part of their Border to Backyard Rally project...they're trying to clean up the colorado section of the CDT) and I've got my first official "long run" of my Vegas Marathon Training Cycle on Saturday (a 10 mile progression run)! But other than that, I'm not really sure! I'd really love to make it to the pool to swim either Saturday or Sunday because I haven't been in a few weeks and maybe baking something delicious (thinking something smores-related sounds pretty amazing)? Any tasty dessert recommendations you have for me to make? I'd really also like to get in a hike this weekend, but not really sure where. 

TBT to hiking in Dinosaur National Monument a few years ago!

TBT to hiking in Dinosaur National Monument a few years ago!

SO, I've previously put it out there that I'm going for a BQ in 2020 ((to run the Boston Marathon in 2020, so I'd need to qualify before September 2019) because that's right before my 30th Birthday) and I wanted to share with you some of the changes that I'm making during THIS marathon training cycle to set me up for success come 2019! I think that qualifying (for me) will not happen overnight and It won't happen if I just train for a 3:30 marathon, I've got to make some other SMALLER changes to help bring some BIG results.

Coming for you Boston Marathon in 2020!

Coming for you Boston Marathon in 2020!

  • Incorporating Yoga 1 x a week --> Yoga helps stretch me out, release stress, and prevent injuries when your muscles get too tight from running so many miles
  • Strength Training 3 x a week --> When my mileage ramps up, I want to still be consistent with my strength training because you can't just expect to run more and still gain muscle
  • Intuitive eating --> This is a new one for me, but I'm already seeing big differences in how I feel each day! I let my cravings guide my choices and eat more often (on the regular), so I never have the feeling that I need to "overeat" because I always know I'll be eating again in another 2-3 hours. If I'm craving salt --> I eat something salty (normally I find that that's our bodies way of telling us that it needs something)
  • Progression Long Runs --> focusing on getting those negative-splits come race day
  • Tempo Runs in the early evening --> to help prepare for and simulate race day (this also includes eating (relatively) the same thing that I would be on race day!

What's your favorite type of cookie? -->probably chocolate chip right from the oven! yummm...

What are somethings you're doing different in your next training plan?

Ever done a thru-hike or section of one? --> I never have, but I LOVE reading thru-hiker books

Catching Up & I'm Feeling *TWITCHY*

in , ,

Happy Friday-eve! I hope you have some fun plans this weekend!! I'm traveling solo down to Copper tomorrow afternoon. My 50k begins at 7am Saturday morning! I cannot believe that it's already HERE! Also, I'm excited to start getting back into the swing of things as far as a training plan/ schedule/ looking forward to Fall adventures (is it OK to look forward to Fall/ cooler weather when we're still in the midst of Summer?!?...maybe I just jinxed us and winter weather will be unusually terrible this year)! I'll post my goals for the 50k tomorrow, so make sure to check back!

I've been packing for my race/ putting together a playlist/ updating my garmin/ will be getting my race day nails ready tonight! What are your race day necessities?!? Alex is backpacking with the boys this weekend and taking Stella, so I'm honestly super looking forward to Sunday morning (I'll drive back home Saturday after the race) when I don't need to worry about taking Stella out super early and can literally sleep the entire morning away (if I want). I have NO IDEA how I'll be feeling after my race (thinking super sore, but who knows), so I've scheduled next week to either include all rest days/ a few rest days just depends on what my body needs! 

I'm also feeling pretty twitchy this week. My runs feel a bit stiff and I've really had to hold back on my paces --> this is my nice little sweet twitchy spot that lets me know I'm ready to RACE! When my legs want to go fast and my body feels a bit tight --> race-ready!

Sunrise views from my run yesterday morning!

Sunrise views from my run yesterday morning!

Alright, so I've been feeling just ugh lately. I'm not sure if it's a delayed post- MS Run The US blues, raging hormones that won't go away for weeks, or just stressed/bored/ etc.? I've felt bloaty for weeks and just a bit blue. I know I've gained back some of the weight I lost during my relay week (which was good because honestly I was too thin by day 7) so that could be contributing to the bloaty feeling, but I've also had no real desire to eat healthy foods (normally I always do) so I'm eating more sugary things and also just running way less so I have no real outlet to relieve my stress/anxiety and have more time on my hands to do...something? IDK. Maybe I need a new hobby? I'm trying to add in more yoga and meditation into my life, but they haven't really left me feeling "full" and "complete" as they normally do.  

I'm trying to be less strict with myself on following a training plan/ diet because I know taking a break is good, but honestly I feel like it's gotten me down into a rabbit hole of sorts. Maybe I'm just one of those people who needs structure in their life, but all I really know is that I'm so looking forward to training for the Vegas Marathon after this 50k and having some real scheduled things again.

Maybe this is TMI or maybe you've struggled with something similar when transitioning from one goal to the next? Any thoughts/ recommendations/ insights?

How do you know you're "race ready"??

What I've Noticed 8 Days Into Meditating

in

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend! I actually ended up signing up for a *surprise* half marathon last weekend and did that on Sunday to help me get to 18.46 miles! I ran to the start and ran back to my car after the race. It was so much fun and I had a great time (plus- I PR'd my half marathon time by 10 MINUTES!- finished in 1:49:07)! I NEVER just spontaneously sign-up for races (especially ones held by our local running club), so this was a huge step for me! What made me sign-up? 1. I drove the course and it was SO beautiful (pretty hilly too...) I knew I had to run it 2. I think meditating has helped BOOST my CONFIDENCE and silence my mind from negative thoughts (more on this in a moment). What are some things that you're currently not doing that you know you COULD/ SHOULD/ WANT TO do?!?

Post-Race selfie! No Frills meant no medals/ no AG awards (I got 2nd) / no t shirts!

Post-Race selfie! No Frills meant no medals/ no AG awards (I got 2nd) / no t shirts!

meditation-stock.jpg

ALRIGHT, so I started using the Headspace App (it's got 10 free 3 min/5 min sessions) to give me some clarity and I also really wanted to use it to help with my racing mentality. I'm not really sure why (probably something to do with having the relay behind me and my next big race not for many months), but I've been struggling with more negative thoughts lately. They swirl around in my head saying terrible things like "you're not fast anymore" or "who do you think you are dreaming that big" or "that goal will never happen to you". These thoughts I used to be able to SQUASH immediately, but the transition post-relay (running much less) has me all discombobulated). SO I decided it was time (inspired by reading Deena Kastor's book Let Your Mind Run) to take control of my mind. 

I wanted to be able to let those thoughts come into my mind, acknowledge them, and then tell them they are not welcome in this space. 

Meditating is something I've always wanted to do, but I've been pretty intimidated by it. I've always wondered how anyone can just "shut their thoughts off", but I've actually come to release it's less about "shutting your mind off" and more about acknowledging thoughts, but not letting them overtake you. 

Each headspace segment is either 3 or 5 minutes (you choose) and they guide you through your meditation. There is not much "quite time" where they aren't speaking/ guiding you, which helped keep me focused on my breathing. You can also turn notifications on your phone to have the app remind you to meditate or send thoughts/ quotes to you throughout the day (this totally sounds like a sales-pitch, but I'm just sharing my unbiased opinions here)! 

So, here are some of my major takeaways after meditating for 8 days:

  • I've become more conscious of my thoughts, but I've also felt in more control of them
  • I've felt more relaxed throughout the day
  • I've noticed I've been able to utilize my breathing to my advantage when I feel stressed/overwhelmed
  • While negative thoughts are still present (hey, we're all human), I've started to become more "in charge" of them. Letting them know that they are not welcome here
  • I look forward to my 3 or 5 minutes in the mornings (I do it right after I pour my coffee). It may make me "later" to wherever I planned to be, but 3 or 5 minutes is worth it. 

I'm thinking I will try another set of their meditation sequences (you have to pay for them after the 10-day free trail - it's $12.99 per month), but still trying to decide which one! They offer more in just the "basics" category or ones in health/ brave / happiness/ work & performance/ students categories. 

Ever tried meditating? What was your experience like?

What were three things you most enjoyed this weekend? --> Saturday morning coffee/ cuddles with the kitties/ breakfast cooked by Alex, Opportunity to race, Time spent outdoors with Alex & Stella

Thoughts on hometown races? Love 'em or hate 'em?