CURRENTLY: Perfect Weather, Loving These, Nurturing Ourselves, And Good Morning?

Happy FRIDAY! I’m SUPER HAPPY THIS WEEK IS ALMOST BEHIND ME (can’t you tell how excited I am with the ALL CAPS?!?). It has been struggle-city with Alex away, extra stress at work, extra miles on the training schedule, and just feeling a bit crazy in all regards (aren’t we all? ; ) ) . On the plus side, it’s been the PERFECT running weather here finally (at least in my book)

Also still really loving the AfterShokz Trekz Air wireless headphones (get a discount for them here). I had my tempo run yesterday and had to wear wired headphones —> it makes me wonder how did I ever function without bluetooth headphones for so many years?!?

I am trying to get in extra GOOD wholesome calories while my mileage increases and homemade pizza dough (from this cookbook) with Pesto, Mozzarella, Zucchini, Black Olives, and Broccoli really hit the spot.

I’m re-reading Deena Kastor’s book (here) and feel like I only want to read 10 pages at a time because it’s SO GOOD. I loved this part about how she began to nurture herself. I’ve got some nurturing myself planned for tomorrow morning —> Getting up at my normal weekday time (5am), driving to Steamboat (where it isn’t quite so crazy hilly), running 28 miles on a few roads that I know will be pretty quiet, getting in some strength at the gym, soaking in the hot springs, and going somewhere delicious for a post-run meal (thinking a sub somewhere sounds good). I’ve also reserved a few books at the library, so excited to do some reading this weekend!

I’m also really excited to follow along on the MS Run The US Relay this year - it starts TOMORROW! Find all of my old recaps of my relay segment here.

Also: this is what I woke up to this morning - what did you wake up to?

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Ways you love to nurture yourself?

What did you wake up to this morning?

Favorite last recipe you cooked?!? —> I need something new to try!

That was interesting..., I wish I could do this too, & 1 more day!

I slept in this morning (unintentionally). I just somehow kept hitting snooze on my 3 alarms that I had set?!? Idk. When Alex travels for work, my entire schedule is complete thrown off wack. Thankfully, he comes back tomorrow and can help take care of the furry beasts again. This one has been extremely naughty this week (i.e. another reason why I was running late this morning —> he spilled my honey/banana/peanut butter toast on the floor.). Oy.

Stella has, however, very much enjoying all the extra attention I’ve been giving her this week. I too wish that I could do a face-plant into an Almond Butter jar.

I’m also really not sure how one gets comfortable in a position like this, but Stella does it so well. Don’t judge her on those crooked teeth…

Another Stella stalking-food because honestly that’s basically all she does and she somehow always looks incredibly cute while doing so. Also: photo was of my lunch yesterday. Homemade Chicken Soup (with chicken thigh meat) for the win!

I almost didn’t get my run in this morning, but thankfully I persevered. It was a total off-morning (I forget my headphones & any sort of fuel at home), but still managed to fit in my entire run with 10 middle miles at goal marathon effort.

I also have trouble finding flat places to run here for that long of a distance that ISN’T the treadmill. I’m happy to report that those middle miles were almost all uphill (ha), but it helped get me stronger so there’s that.

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Do you have a favorite route that you do your speed work?

Weirdest thing your animal did this week?

One thing you’re looking forward to this weekend? —> Coffee in the mornings and reading.

Eugene/50 Miler Training RUNdown Week 14: 3/25-3/31

Last week was a recovery week and I’m surprised at how many days it took me to recover from the week before! I think these recovery weeks have been key in insuring that I have time to rest and not get sick. Normally I catch a cold/ sinus infection at least once per cycle, but so far- I have had none! I also focus on sleeping in during these weeks and got up early to run just one day. I still maintain my strength work and really focus on listening to my body - if it’s tired or not feeling speed work, then I just do the mileage as easy miles instead.

Monday, 3/25: 3.43 miles easy at 10:22 13’ up - after work in the sunshine!

Tuesday, 3/26: 1.5 mi warmup / 9 miles tempo (actual - 5.5 miles and my legs felt like jelly. cut it short / .5 mile cool down & extra strength—> i.e. extra wall squats ; )

Wednesday, 3/27: Rest day!

Thursday, 3/28: 6.26 miles easy at 9:58 79’ up & strength

Friday, 3/29: cross training day! 130 stairs climbed & 1/3 mile swim. Followed by soaking in the hot springs

Saturday, 3/30: Rest day! Yoga

Sunday, 3/31: 6.54 miles easy at 9:53 561’ up & strength. Finally felt back to normal on this run and legs felt really good.

Total Mileage: 23.73 miles

Total Elevation: 653’ up



Training Tuesday: How I Mentally Conquer A Bad Patch In A Race

Sometimes during a race (especially the longer distances), you inevitably hit a tough patch. I remember my first marathon and my first ‘bad patch’ came REAL EARLY (i.e. mile 14 of 26.2!). I had no tools in my back pocket to use and continued to struggle with it for the remainder of the race. Over time, I’ve come to find a few things that have helped me focus my attention AWAY from my mind and back on the race. I would LOVE to hear some of your tricks too though because mine don’t always work every time.

Remind myself of my training. Those runs where I struggled and thought I wouldn’t be able to make it. Those snowy/rainy/humid/hot miles that felt never-ending. If I could make it through that, then I could make it through anything.

Focus on when the next aid station is. This really helps me in those later miles of a marathon when I just want to see that finish line. If I can get to the next aid station, then I can reset my mind and then focus on the next one.

Change my music/ put headphones on/ put my pump-up jams on. I’ve ran a few marathons now where I will run for most of the race without my music and then put it on in those last 5-6 miles of the race. This almost always helps get me through a bit of rough patch.

Remind myself why I’m doing this. Maybe it’s to hit a new milestone, maybe I set a goal to hit a certain time goal a long time ago and I’ve come this far to not give it my best effort, maybe it’s for those who can’t run, maybe it’s for a charity. Whatever it is- remember your WHY. In Vegas, it may sound silly, but my “why” those last few miles was getting done faster to get home and meet our new kitties. Whatever works!

Think ahead to my post-race meal/activities. I always make sure to have something exciting planned post-run. For Moab, I was so excited to have the opportunity to explore a National Park post-race that that kept me going those last few miles when the air was dusty and uphill.

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What helps get you through a “tough patch” in a race? Tips? Tricks?

7 THINGS

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Ours was eventful on Saturday and then Sunday nice & relaxing. Alex is away in Las Vegas this week, so I’m on full Stella-duty and will be getting most of my runs in the morning because she’s much more comfortable at home rather than spend 2+ hours in the car while I’m running at the gym. I did most of my meal prep yesterday, so I should be able to relax most evenings after work. This is my second-to-last really high mileage week before I taper for Eugene and then for Pinelands 50! I’m excitedly nervous and ready to tackle the weeks ahead.

Let’s flashback to Saturday morning when we woke up, excited to make some fresh coffee and breakfast and found out that poor Stella had gotten sick in several places throughout the entire house (she’s OK! got it out of her system and was perfectly happy by the time we woke up). Sooo we spent the next hour cleaning it up, airing out the house (it had also snowed the night before and was FREEZING outside- i.e. 12* I believe?), and decided that neither one of us could eat in there at the moment. So off to breakfast we went! Freshies Summit Scramble for the win.

Took Stella for a walk on the ice-covered core trail.

Did some spring cleaning and found all of my old skating dresses. That pink one was my absolute favorite. Every time I wore it = I felt incredible and STRONG and bada$$. Hmmm… maybe I should wear it for my race this month?

Brady was NOT helpful when I was trying to put away all of my heavy sweaters and jackets.

A game of life & popcorn while watching March Madness. HOW INCREDIBLE was that UVA vs Purdue game? We had to stay up late and watch.

Sunday Runday! 6.5 miles to round out March in some warmish (28*) temperatures and snow-free roads (FINALLY!).

Brady found his favorite new spot to nap.

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-Where is weirdest place your pet naps?

-Any tips for getting stains out of rugs?! We got most of them, but still a bit left and woolite isn’t cutting it.

-Favorite ways to prepare for the week ahead?