Feature Friday: Why Racing Mindset Is So Important

March 18, 2021 by Stacy McAllister in marathon training, half marathon training, Ultra Running

Happy Friday! I picked up an overtime shift this week, so I worked last night (gotta save up for that house we’re trying to buy!) and am very much looking forward to lots of SLEEP this weekend. I recently hit my 2 year anniversary from running my strongest half marathon (not my PR) and wanted to share some tips that I learned from racing it (since hopefully we’ll get to race again REAL SOON!).

Mindset is 90% of race day. You’ve done the training, put in those longer runs, pushed your limits, and it’s now all in your head & heart to perform to your potential. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve raced and gotten into really terrible mindsets/ talked myself out of performing to the best of my ability. It’s the races where I’ve remained super positive and stuck on my goals that I’ve raced really well (for me).

It’s also much more challenging to keep your mind positive in longer races because you have more time to think (obviously). I still need to work on my mind during marathons, but feel like I’ve gotten much better at remaining positive in half marathons. The best 26.2s that I’ve had all included me smiling and enjoying the race basically the entire time.

I’d love to know what your favorite races were and WHY. Did you smile the entire time and what was your race mentality (did you even have one?)

Training Rundown: 3/8-3/14

March 16, 2021 by Stacy McAllister in marathon training, 100 Miler Training, Training Rundown

Humpday & St.Patty’s Day! I wish I had planned something festive for the day, but I haven’t. I guess there’s still time! What’s your favorite St.Patty’s Day food? Irish Stew, Corned Beef, or Soda Bread? I actually haven’t tried any of these. Maybe this year should be ‘the year’?!

Monday, 3/8: 10 minutes on the indoor trainer, 35 minutes of strength, & 9 x 800m

Tuesday, 3/9: 1 hour easy run between night shifts

Wednesday, 3/10: 20 minutes of strength & 45 minute easy run

Thursday, 3/11: 35 minutes of Pilates & PT exercises & 3:15 long run

Friday,3/12: 15 minutes on the indoor trainer, 25 minute tempo run, & 35 minutes of strength

Saturday, 3/13: Rest Day

Sunday, 3/14: Another rest day! Originally planned to do yoga after work, but the time change got the best of me and I fell asleep almost directly after work.

Total Mileage: 43.08 miles & ALL OUTDOOR RUNS!

7 Things

March 15, 2021 by Stacy McAllister in Weekend Things

Happy Monday! Better late than never right?! I slept for 13 hours last night- I blame the time change. Anyone else have trouble adjusting when we lose an hour of sleep? I also always seem to work the day after we adjust our clocks. Maybe someday I’ll learn my lesson! At least it’s (mainly) starting to feel like Spring here.

Also had the windows open on our front porch last week and I wasn’t the only one excited about the warmer temperatures.

Also- finished this book last week. Super good book, but The Nightingale is still my favorite Kristin Hannah book.

I’ve also officially got my first running sock tan and am pretty excited about that.

Looking forward to a few more long runs hopefully on trails in the next couple of weeks.

VERY MUCH looking forward to the day where I don’t have to wear a mask for 12+ hours at work.

Laundry with a side of binging Schitts Creek completed my few days off of work. Also- Brady is obsessed with laundry baskets. Anyone else’s cat love baskets and boxes?

Feature Friday: Why Take A Rest Day?

March 12, 2021 by Stacy McAllister in marathon training, half marathon training, 100 Miler Training, Feature Friday

Happy Friday! This is basically like my Sunday, since I have to work for the next four days so I’m taking advantage of the day off and trying to get as many chores done as possible. I like to get all my meal prep and clothes laid out in the morning so I can have the rest of the day to do fun things (like running or reading)! My body is TIRED from my 19.5 mile long run yesterday, so I’m very much looking forward to my rest day tomorrow. I am NOT looking forward to losing an hour of precious sleep Sunday morning (since I already get very little sleep between my shifts), but it will be so nice for it to be lighter out later in the evenings. YAY for longer days ahead.

So, why are rest days important each week? They allow your body time to recovery, replenish, ‘fill its tank’ for the week ahead, and adapt to the previous weeks training load. If you never take rest days (I.e. very gentle movement), then you’re putting your body at an increased risk for injury or burn-out.

Everyone’s body is different, so some can run everyday of the year and never get injured, but it’s also important to recognize that they are probably also running at a wide range of speeds to give their body the necessary time it needs to adapt and get stronger. When we rest, our muscles rebuild the fibers that slowly get broken down during harder/longer training runs. I like to think of it as we’re stitching our body back together.

It’s good to get some movement in your body during rest days- like walking, yoga, light cycling, gentle stretching, or swimming to help stimulate the blood flow to your muscles (helps repair them faster), but listen to your body. Sometimes I really just need a day of total ‘nothingness’ and that’s OK! Over time, you’ll come to know your body better and be able to recover from your workouts more efficiently.

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—How do you like to spend your rest days?
-Favorite cross-training activity?

Training Rundown: 3/1-3/7

March 09, 2021 by Stacy McAllister in Ultra Running, marathon training, 100 Miler Training, Training Rundown

Humpday! Last week I had a solid week of running. I worked overtime as well, but still felt like I was able to fit in all of my runs. I had a few treadmill runs, but it was so chilly here in the beginning of the week that I didn’t feel like bundling up to go outside (also I just really love our treadmill). This week should be warmer, so hoping to have less time indoors!

Monday, 3/1: 1 hour easy running, 45 minutes strength, & 15 minutes on the indoor trainer