February in Review

A fantastic hill repeat session on the basement treadmill  brought my February training to an end.  It was a great sweat session and I had the chance to break in my new shoes!

The February Details
February 2013 stats
76.6-- running miles
67-- spin miles
0-- jump rope fitness workouts
0-- core fitness workout
7-- Pure Barre classes
1--  Fitness App workout
143.60-- total miles

Current 2013 stats
176.91-- running miles
67-- spin miles (3 classes)
19-- jump rope fitness workouts
1-- core fitness workout
7-- Pure Barre classes
1--  Fitness App workout
243.91-- total miles

2013 "to do list" check-in

2013 Running Goals
1. First and foremost 26.2 under 4 hours--enough said
-As of February 28, 2013 I have been looking at marathons to determine where I would like to attempt this goal.  I'm leaning towards an October race.
2. Achieve a second sub 1:50 so I can remove the asterick from my current sub 1:50 PR
-I didn't run any half marathons in February.  I am still hoping to achieve this goal while running in DC in March.

2013 Mini Running Challenges
1. Run 100 miles per month
-73.1 miles run in February.  The stomach bug and pure exhaustion hit me hard and put a glitch in my monthly mileage goal.
2. Run 1300 miles for the year
- 1,123.09 miles to go to complete this challenge.

2013 Non-Running Mini Challenges
1. Cross-train at least twice a week
-I am incredibly happy with February's cross training.  I took 7 Pure Barre classes, 3 spin classes, and completed one fitness app.  In fact, one of my employees told me that she could see a difference in the way my clothes were fitting so the Pure Barre classes must be working.  Always nice to get a compliment. 
2. Complete a jump rope workout every day
-This goal came to a halt last month to prevent injury and I didn't do a single jump rope workout this month. 
3. Drink 50 ounces of water per day (based on my current weight, this is my daily water intake need)
-Success here.
4. Take my vitamins daily
-Vitamin taken every single day in February.
5. Continue to choose and cook healthier foods
-12 meals made in February.  I am pretty happy with this considering every single person in our house was sick for a few days in February.
6. Learn to swim...better luck this year
-Same story as last month.  We all know this one is a thorn in my side. I have done extensive research in regards to swim lessons. I just need to figure out what will fit my schedule and make the commitment.

I am very happy with my February training.  I managed to incorporate a lot more cross training and I have thoroughly enjoyed every class that I have attended.  Both the spin and Pure Barre instructors are great and really know how to motivate you to do your best.  I did fall short of my mileage goal for the month but I can't be upset about that since I was sidelined by that stomach bug.  Also, for those that are keeping track, I did not eat a single sweet or chip the entire month of February--challenge complete!!

I really would like to know when it is going to warm up here and actually start to resemble the fact that spring is just a few short weeks away.  I'm looking forward to running the Rock 'N Roll USA half in March with Deb and Nikki.  Here's hoping for awesome running weather with a killer PR to show for it!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

Snoball Run 5K Recap

Considering I work for the school that hosted the run, I figured I should support our athletic teams and use this race as my training run for the day.  I would have run Saturday morning anyway so why not run with almost 600 of my closest friends.  Since there were close to 600 people registered to run the event, I knew parking would be a bit challenging.  I went ahead and parked at one of my employees houses and walked to the race with her.  The best part about racing where I work was the fact that I had access to my office and to the line-free restrooms just down the hall from my office.  It was nice to be able to leave my goodie bag, etc in my office during the race.  One other perk to working at the race location was the fact that the athletic director was kind enough to pick up my race packet as well as those of my two employees that walked the race.  We didn't have to wait in line at packet pickup and our numbers and goodie bags were in my office when we arrived.  Normally I run a pace run on Saturday mornings so my plan for the race was to finish in 25 minutes as that would put me within 20 seconds of my usual Saturday morning pace.  The race started and I fell into a nice groove pretty quickly.  I looked down at my watch and noticed I was holding 7:45 pace.  I was quite happy with this as I didn't feel like I was pushing hard to maintain it.  Mile one came and went in 7:45.  Just after mile one I caught up to some of the male high school swim team members and decided to run the rest of the race with them.  They were quite entertaining as they would ask how far into the race we were.  When I told them we were at 1.85 miles they mentioned that I was awesome because I knew the mileage so well.  I had to admit to them that it was only because I was wearing a Garmin.  We managed to get to the two mile mark with a 7:38 pace.  We continued on and the swimmers were discussing their plans to kick it in the last half mile.  Once we got to that part of the race, I did let them know the mileage.  I managed to stay with the swimmers through mile three which we hit at a 7:42 pace.  Now you would think at this point the swimmers would run it into the finish with me but of course in true high school student fashion they made a point to out kick me in the end.  I tried to stay with them but alas I just couldn't.  I finished a few strides behind them with a time of 23:35.  I was incredibly happy with my time considering it was much faster than 25:00 and I never felt like I had to push hard to maintain the pace.  After a few minutes, I headed back to my office to grab my things and then ran the one mile cool down back to my employees house to get my car.  I could have left my goodie bag in my office until I came into work on Monday but I really wanted to wear the shirt this weekend so I carried the bag for my cool down.

See how cute!!

Saturday's 5K was the first running of this event.  I am truly hoping it becomes a yearly occurence.  It was nice to be able to run a race so close to home.  Sunday morning I met up with my friends Missi and Kim for a long run.  The run was great and very scenic.  I had to work hard for the miles as my legs were still feeling Saturday's 5k but it was definitely worth it.

The beauty that is in our backyard

I think I was most impressed by our 1:30 finish time (9:00/mile) considering we didn't start out at that fast of a pace.  Here's a look at the splits:  9:34, 9:23, 9:02, 9:24 (the hill we love to hate), 8:45, 9:25 (the hill we love to hate take two), 8:42, 8:53, 8:41, and 8:23.

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

Bugged Training

Last week was a crazy week for my training as I was completely sidelined by the stomach bug.  I was at the ice rink with my kids for their ice show rehearsal on Sunday (Feb. 10th) and out of nowhere I was feeling terrible.  It was all I could do to make it home before getting sick.  It was a long, miserable night of getting sick off and on until early Monday morning.  My entire body was aching and I couldn't get comfortable for the life of me.  Monday evening I started to feel a bit better and thought I might be able to go to work on Tuesday.  Fast forward to Tuesday morning and my head was pounding so hard it was painful to stand up.  Pretty sure that was a direct result of being dehydrated from the bug.  Sure enough my daughter came down with it on Tuesday afternoon and had to stay home from school Wednesday with grandma.  The stomach bug can certainly throw a wrench into a training plan.  Here's a look at my "bugged" training last week.

Sunday, Feb 10
Plan:  10 mile run
Actual:  10 mile run (I didn't get sick until Sunday night)

Monday, Feb 11
Plan:  Strength training
Actual:  Stomach bug (hard core ab workout..yuck)

Tuesday, Feb 12
Plan:  4 Off/on miles
Actual:  Dehydation headache/stomach bug plus a sick child

Wednesday, Feb 13
Plan:  Pure Barre class
Actual:  Makeup homework with previously mentioned sick child

Thursday, Feb 14
Plan:  5 miles (hill repeats)
Actual:  4 miles (hill repeats)

Friday, Feb 15
Plan:  Pure Barre class
Actual:  Pure Barre class

Saturday, Feb 16
Plan:  5 pace miles, 50 minute spin class
Actual:  50 minute spin class

Sunday, Feb 17
Plan:  11 miles
Actual:  8 miles, Pure Barre class

Fortunately the week didn't end up being a complete wash.  I was happy to get in a few workouts.  I was definitely tired and had to work harder at each one.  I am sure that had something to do with having the stomach bug for several days.  Yesterday was supposed to be a strength training day but my body was telling me it still needed some recovery so I went with a rest day.  I am back on track with my training as of this morning.  I hit the YMCA indoor track at 5 AM for my planned off/on 4 miler and while my legs were tight from Sunday's workouts, I was able to hit all of my planned paces.  Here's hoping I am completely recovered and my training plan won't be "bugged" this week.

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

Strength Training, Cross Training, and Snow Running Oh My

One of the goals I have for 2013 is to add strength training as well as cross training in addition to my running.

Strength Training
I know myself well enough to know that if I don't do this in a group setting, where I am held accountable by others, I likely won't do it at all.  This is where my neighbor Brenda and Pure Barre come into play.  Brenda had posted about a studio coming to our area on her Facebook page.  I was very intriqued so I asked her for more information.  I made the commitment to join Brenda to see what is was all about.  This past Friday I stepped way out of my comfort zone and took my first Pure Barre class with Brenda by my side.  At first I was incredibly intimated and questioned my ability to complete the class but five minutes into the class I was loving it.  According to the website, Pure Barre lifts your seat, tones your thighs, abs and arms and burns fat in record breaking time. Clients see results in just 10 classes, lose inches in weeks and have fun doing it!  I have to tell you that description is 100% accurate.  I can't wait to go back and do the workout again!  I was a bit concerned that I wouldn't be able to move come Saturday morning when I had a hard time walking up my steps just 90 minutes after class had ended!

Getting our "tuck" on at Pure Barre Westlake

Cross Training
I was pleasantly surprised Saturday morning when I realized I could in fact move!  I headed to the YMCA for my planned 5 mile pace run on the indoor track.  I had noticed on the Saturday schedule that there was a spinning class as well.  I decided if I felt good after my run that I would check out the class.  I figured it would be perfect cross training!  I am so glad I decided to give it a try.  The instructor was great and he played fantastic music.  I am definitely doing this Saturday  morning workout combination more often!!

Feel the burn

Snow Running
Imagine my surprise when I woke up Sunday morning to major arm and ab muscle soreness.  I suppose that saying about "if you think it hurts today, just wait until tomorrow" is accurate.  I headed out into the cold and met up with Missi for a long run.  Missi had an hour on her plan and I was hoping for 9 miles so I figured I would run the first hour with her and then head out for the final 3 solo.  As we were getting ready to finish the first hour Missi asked me if I was going to run all 9.  I told her I really wanted to and she said she completely understood achieving your anticipated goal.  She even encouraged me to get back out there and do it.  We parted ways after 6 miles and I headed back out on my own with a promise to text her when I had finished.  Safety first!!

The gorgeous trail we ran on Sunday

In the end it was a fantastic weekend of workouts.  I had to shake my head this morning when I sneezed and my abs were screaming at me.  I guess the Pure Barre class paired with holding my abs in yesterday to stay upright on the trail really caught up with me.  I am loving it though!  Here's to more fun workouts this week!!

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!