There's 11 weeks to go and here's what in store for this week:
Mon, Jan 31- Day off (Funeral)
Tue, Feb 1 - 8 miles speed work
Wed, Feb 2 - 5 miles hills
Thu, Feb 3 - Xtrain: Zumba
Fri, Feb 4 - 13.1 miles on mill
Sat, Feb 5 - Yoga, plus short run or snowshoeing
Sun, Feb 6 - 5-8 miles (Super Bowl Sunday - GO PACKERS!)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
16 miles - count it down!
It's 6:00AM on a Saturday morning, and I'm about to set out on a 16 mile run. ( I think I just shuttered at that last part. ) As part of my marathon training, today's the day for a long run. Temperature is a balmy 31 degrees outside under cloudy skies with some light snow possible. Not too bad really, considering how cold it's been over the past few weeks.
The course I had mapped out was about 16.2 miles. Here is link to my route:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4259589
My run started out painfully slow - I was tired and every mile seemed to drag on forever! It wasn't until about mile 4 that I started to get into the rhythm. My mind was racing with ideas about different blog posts I could write on Lighten Up. I wish I had a way of recording my thoughts while I'm on the go. :) I worked some hills into the run to help build strength and endurance in my legs. My first pass through the UW Arboretum was nice and quite. The road were a bit icy in places. I saw lots of other runners out - they were all very friendly. As I approached the Vilas Zoo, I spotted my car and Mattie awaiting my arrival. He was galloping running in little circles, just rearin' to go! And so I took a 2 minute breather and we were off - just another 6 miles to go.
I'm so fortunate that he came out because I'm not sure I would have made it. Okay, I probably would have finished just fine, but it was so nice to have the company and support. :) We tackled the ginormous hill leading up to Seminole Hwy and then picked up the pace for our final loop through the Arboretum.
In the end, I finished the 16.2 miles in 2 hours, 10 minutes. That is an average of 8 min/mile. Wow - it certainly didn't feel that fast, but I'm proud to say I did it!! Whoo-hoo!
And now....a grande skinny mocha from Starbucks and a peanut butter sammich! Mmm, Mmm, Mmm!
The course I had mapped out was about 16.2 miles. Here is link to my route:
http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=4259589
My run started out painfully slow - I was tired and every mile seemed to drag on forever! It wasn't until about mile 4 that I started to get into the rhythm. My mind was racing with ideas about different blog posts I could write on Lighten Up. I wish I had a way of recording my thoughts while I'm on the go. :) I worked some hills into the run to help build strength and endurance in my legs. My first pass through the UW Arboretum was nice and quite. The road were a bit icy in places. I saw lots of other runners out - they were all very friendly. As I approached the Vilas Zoo, I spotted my car and Mattie awaiting my arrival. He was galloping running in little circles, just rearin' to go! And so I took a 2 minute breather and we were off - just another 6 miles to go.
I'm so fortunate that he came out because I'm not sure I would have made it. Okay, I probably would have finished just fine, but it was so nice to have the company and support. :) We tackled the ginormous hill leading up to Seminole Hwy and then picked up the pace for our final loop through the Arboretum.
In the end, I finished the 16.2 miles in 2 hours, 10 minutes. That is an average of 8 min/mile. Wow - it certainly didn't feel that fast, but I'm proud to say I did it!! Whoo-hoo!
And now....a grande skinny mocha from Starbucks and a peanut butter sammich! Mmm, Mmm, Mmm!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Kickin it back at Delaney's
I normally don't take two days off of running in a row, but my body was asking - no begging - me to take the night off for some R&R. So, instead I got up early and did some pilates before work. For dinner, we enjoyed a fantastic meal at Delaney's with some friends. It was restaurant week, which meant we could choose a soup or salad, an entrée, and a dessert for $25. It was SO good!
For first course, we got the spinach salad, which was mixed with Gorgonzola, prosciutto and strawberry vinaigrette, topped with cracked pepper. Yum! For the main course, Matt and I both savored the Mahi-Mahi with rice pilaf and a mango salsa. Double Yum! Finally, they saved the best for last...strawberry cheesecake. Triple Yum!
After that - it was off to bed. I had 16 miles awaiting me in the morning! Good-night
For first course, we got the spinach salad, which was mixed with Gorgonzola, prosciutto and strawberry vinaigrette, topped with cracked pepper. Yum! For the main course, Matt and I both savored the Mahi-Mahi with rice pilaf and a mango salsa. Double Yum! Finally, they saved the best for last...strawberry cheesecake. Triple Yum!
After that - it was off to bed. I had 16 miles awaiting me in the morning! Good-night
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Zumba, Zumba, Zumba
Tonight was week #2 of my Zumba class. The first half went great! The moves were fun and easy, covering the four basic rhythms (merengue, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton).
Then, things turned ugly. Although the second half was just as fun, I somehow lost any and all coordination. Oh well - Janie get you next time! :)
Then, things turned ugly. Although the second half was just as fun, I somehow lost any and all coordination. Oh well - Janie get you next time! :)
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Default to #8
Tonight's run was supposed to be hill training. However, my muscles were still fairly sore from Monday's exercise ball workout and the lack of sleep was starting to catch up with me. The Lighten Up website went live today, and it was a whirlwind of support calls and emails. So, to make it easier on myself, I just did the good ol' #8 program on the mill, which was an easy 5 miles and a few hills.
It didn't go as well as I wanted - there was a sharp twitch in my left hip again. I'm convinced that was caused by Monday's workout, and perhaps I should not try that again while I'm training for Boston. Nevertheless, I finished the run and decided to take it easy the rest of the week.
It didn't go as well as I wanted - there was a sharp twitch in my left hip again. I'm convinced that was caused by Monday's workout, and perhaps I should not try that again while I'm training for Boston. Nevertheless, I finished the run and decided to take it easy the rest of the week.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Speed Work
Tonight's run calls for speed - I like to go fast!
So, what are the benefits of speed work, you might ask? For beginning runners, speed work helps to improve running form as well as mental discipline. Sure, it's easy tor run fast for a short period of time, but keeping it up for more than a mile is a bit more challenging. It's important to ease in to the faster speeds - start out slow and gradually increase your speed and stride. For experience runners, the speed training will help them zip through the marathon on race day at a more consistent, faster speed than they normally train at.
I didn't think I had it in me to run fast tonight. The balance ball workout from last night really tired me out. So, I ran the first two miles at a 9:00-10:00 min/mile pace. Then, I increased it to 8:30 for two miles, then 8:00 for 1 mile, then 8:30 for a mile, then 7:30 for a mile, then 8:00 for the final mile before cooling down. The total was 8 miles in 70 minutes - not too bad.
So, what are the benefits of speed work, you might ask? For beginning runners, speed work helps to improve running form as well as mental discipline. Sure, it's easy tor run fast for a short period of time, but keeping it up for more than a mile is a bit more challenging. It's important to ease in to the faster speeds - start out slow and gradually increase your speed and stride. For experience runners, the speed training will help them zip through the marathon on race day at a more consistent, faster speed than they normally train at.
I didn't think I had it in me to run fast tonight. The balance ball workout from last night really tired me out. So, I ran the first two miles at a 9:00-10:00 min/mile pace. Then, I increased it to 8:30 for two miles, then 8:00 for 1 mile, then 8:30 for a mile, then 7:30 for a mile, then 8:00 for the final mile before cooling down. The total was 8 miles in 70 minutes - not too bad.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Who needs thumbs?
So tonight, I had planned to do the balance ball workout - a 50 minute aerobic workout with the large exercise ball. It really works the quads, hamstrings and core. Unfortunately, I got tied up in the kitchen after getting home from work. I wanted to toss some squash in the oven to let it bake while I did my workout video. So, as I'm cutting up the squash into small strips, the knife comes down, slicing through my nail and half way into the center of my thumb. Yeah...ouchy!
There was no pain at first and only a little blood. I rinsed it off, grabbed a towel before it even had a chance to start spewing all over. I pressed on it very firmly until I couldn't feel it or my other hand holding it. I walked around the room, talking to myself and trying not to pass out. And then the room started spinning, the head felt light, and not even the reassuring words stood a chance. I sat down on the toilet, threw my head between my knees and waiting patiently for Matt to come home to secure the wound with a band-aid. Fortunately, it was only a few minutes later that he arrived to save the day. What a great guy!
Oh, and then the pain set in and my head got oozy. I was bummed to have to missed my workout. So, I downed some ibuprofen, wrapped in my fleecy blanket, and turned on Wheel of Fortune. About a half hour later, I decided to finish preparing dinner and attempt the ball workout. I figured the pain couldn't possibly be any worse, so what the heck, why not just go for it. All in all, it was a success. The workout was great. Sure, the thumb was still throbbing, but the workout felt good.
So, do you really need two functional thumbs to work out? Nope, not really. :)
There was no pain at first and only a little blood. I rinsed it off, grabbed a towel before it even had a chance to start spewing all over. I pressed on it very firmly until I couldn't feel it or my other hand holding it. I walked around the room, talking to myself and trying not to pass out. And then the room started spinning, the head felt light, and not even the reassuring words stood a chance. I sat down on the toilet, threw my head between my knees and waiting patiently for Matt to come home to secure the wound with a band-aid. Fortunately, it was only a few minutes later that he arrived to save the day. What a great guy!
Oh, and then the pain set in and my head got oozy. I was bummed to have to missed my workout. So, I downed some ibuprofen, wrapped in my fleecy blanket, and turned on Wheel of Fortune. About a half hour later, I decided to finish preparing dinner and attempt the ball workout. I figured the pain couldn't possibly be any worse, so what the heck, why not just go for it. All in all, it was a success. The workout was great. Sure, the thumb was still throbbing, but the workout felt good.
So, do you really need two functional thumbs to work out? Nope, not really. :)
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