Training week: NIKE WOMEN'S DC!

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2M+ Strength Training

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 2M

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 13.1M Nike Women's Half Marathon

Squats and Lunges make me tired- like, exhausted by Wednesday tired. I almost skipped the gym because it was a taper week and work alone was making me tired, but I went anyway. I am excited that I am actually feeling my muscles again, but why does getting stronger make you more tired?!

Since it's taper week, I also decided I would only do one-ish lower loop of Central Park on Thursday. Enough to run the soreness off and it was worth it. I just wasn't feeling it this week, so I'm hoping this Blah week will make for an awesome race! 

Sadly, by the time the race came around, it wasn't as awesome as I was hoping it would be. I only finished a minute faster than my NYC Half time, but I know I could've done better. The good news is it was still a great experience and I can't wait to do it again. More on that later!

Since my goal is to get faster, on top of the hills and strength training, I've been trying to cut out sugar. Implementing that plan during Easter week was not the smartest of plans. . . so instead of trying to go cold turkey, I'm just slowly weening myself off. I keep trying to remind myself I've done it before and it feels great, but sometimes so does chocolate. Ugh! I also know once I get off the bad carbs, afternoon snacking will stop, but until then, I've thrown out the chips and started bringing in carrots and hummus and almonds. It's been working! I've also been incorporating hot tea and matcha into my afternoon routine, but more on that later. Honestly, even though I haven't been the best about it, I really do feel better. After my Thursday run, I almost cheated because it would've been more convenient- do you know how hard it is to find food you can eat when you're trying to cut out bad sugars?! Then I realized I was feeling much better and I should keep it up. So we'll see!

Nike Women's DC Training: 5 weeks to go!

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 3.5M- 2 lower loops of Central Park

Wednesday: Yoga

Thursday: 3.5M- 2 lower loops of Central Park

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Rest

Normally, the week after a half marathon, I like to make it a rest week. When Pam texted to ask if we were still running on Tuesday, I somehow forgot this and agreed. We ended up walking the 2 loops (I was still really sore) and it turned out to be the best idea ever! Who knew active recovery works better than complete rest? I even did some yoga and went to the park again on Thursday as well. I should probably remember this for next time. Not all race weekends have giant theme parks to walk around for active recovery :) 

We've also decided we are going to train to get faster- for real this time. I've also decided I'm going to race one of the 10ks in June. There are a couple of half marathons (Nike Women's DC and The Brooklyn Half) on the schedule before that, but let's be honest, racing a 10k sounds a lot easier than double the distance. Baby steps. I'm glad I have someone to do this with and hope we will be able to motivate each other. Next week, we're going to start hills! 

I was contemplating a 6 mile long run this weekend to round out the productive week, but I'm just not feeling it. Who knows? I might decide to go for a walk later. Right now, I have a ginormous headache and I'm not sure if it's the wine from last night or other things . . but either way, the couch is calling my name and I'm not fighting it.

(3Things) I'm late to the party on: Salted Caramel, Compression and the internet.

I'm clearly late to the party on:

It's about time to get a new pair of shoes. I was in between these and the Berry color, but went with the yellow (courtesy of B's vote. I should've known- whichever one is more obnoxious go with that)- I love them! Can't wait to break them in. I also finally stocked up on the salted caramel. I'm excited to have them during the Half this weekend.

When CW-X tights went up on Zulilly, I jumped at the chance to try them. I've been hearing great things but that price tag was scary! So, I got 2 pair and I cannot wait to try them out post- race this weekend. I tried them out after my long run on Saturday and holy wow! Those suckers are tight! I have no idea how anyone would be able to run a race in them- I cannot imagine using a portapotty and trying to pull them back up. Yikes! I have no idea how I'd get them on in the summer time either, so good thing I won't be training ;) 

Things I learned about the internet this week:

ZocDoc, where have you been these past 6(ish) years?! Type in your city, your insurance and what kind of doctor you need and BAM! There's a list all in your area, that takes your insurance, and that might even have an appointment today. No more waiting 2 weeks to get an appointment with a dermatologist- because seriously (seriously, a dermatologist?!), it's annoying.

Did anyone else know that Pintrest will notify you when you pin something from a retailer and it goes on sale?! Thanks, Pin! You ROCK! and so do those pants (they're my favorite non-lululemon, they're that amazing) This can be very very dangerous. 

Sorry if I'm late to the game on all of this :)

Glass Slipper Challenge Training: week 18

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 2.5M

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: RNRNOLA Half Marathon

I took it super easy this week, seeing as last weekend I ran another half marathon. I really wanted to take the whole week to chill out and I had a lot on my schedule, but I knew from past experiences running at least once would be extremely helpful for the second half marathon.

My knee has been giving me problems, so I've been trying to RICE as much as possible. . . no time for injury! Sadly, I don't know if I got in enough foam roll time, so I'm hoping that doesn't mess me up for the race. Thank goodness, the rest of my long runs don't really need to be that long. 

The half marathon wasn't that bad. There was a lot of aches and dull pain, but nothing serious, so that's always positive. It was warm, HUMID and rainy, which was the complete opposite of my experience from the previous weekend. I wasn't prepared for all of that (but it also would've been nice to actually look at the weather) but it wasn't as bad as it could've been. There will be more about the race in the official report.

Now, seeing as I've royally messed up my training schedule with back to back half marathons and next weekend is supposed to be my longest mileage, I guess I'll just have 2 taper weeks and god help everyone around me :)

How's your training going?

Glass Slipper Challenge Training: week 17

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: Yoga

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: 2.5M

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 4M

Sunday: The Fred Lebow Half Marathon

I couldn't get to the gym on Tuesday due to another round of a foot of snow with negative degree weather. So, I decided getting reacquainted with some Rodney Yee was a good plan. 5 days later, my abs were still hurting. Yoga is no joke, especially when it's been many months since you've practiced. I should probably keep that in the training rotation. Then Thursday, I got a solid run on the treadmill, even though I was trying to make it an easy run.

Saturday, 8AM was the only hour of the day that showed sunlight, so that's when I decided to do my 4 miler. I was going to try to wait until after B went to work, but snow was in the forecast and I couldn't risk it. The weather was also "feels like 10". How in the world did I motivate myself to get out of my nice warm bed?! I had to keep telling myself this will prepare me. The more prepared I am on race day, the better I will feel after. 

It took me a solid 5 hours after the run to actually feel warm again. That seriously concerned me for the 13.1 miles I would be out in the cold for on Sunday. Spoiler alert: it wasn't that bad! I remembered to pack an extra set of warm clothes and ran with 2 pairs of pants. It was the coldest I've ever run in and coincidentally, the most miserable . . but more on that later. One day I'm going to learn that a 12.5 mile training run and a 13.1 race are NOT the same thing. I think I pushed myself too hard and I'm hoping I didn't do too much damage. Rolling and stretching are now a top priority for the rest of the week (as they should be always, but clearly I've been slacking).

As much as I complained and was super cranky about this weekend, it's done. It's in the books. Even though my longer run was not a great mental boost, I know I can do it. I followed the training plan almost to a T for Dumbo (or at least a LOT better than I am this time) and I felt great. No, I didn't PR but I wasn't in unnecessary pain after. I think that's the main goal for Glass Slipper- that and don't get injured from now until then. I just really hope it's a lot less painful than this weekend! 

Glass Slipper Challenge Training: week 16

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: 2.5M

Wednesday: Rest

Thursday: Rest

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 5M

Sunday: Rest

I'm starting to understand why people hate winter training. I feel like every time I need to do a long run, there is either snow or rain on the forecast. I don't mind the cold temps as much as I mind adding rain or snow to it. It's just a recipe for pneumonia and no one's got time for that. Fingers crossed I'll be able to run in the sun soon. That's not too much to ask, is it?

I'm being super lazy about going to the park during the week, so nothing new to report! Thursday, I was going to go to the gym, but had dinner plans, so that was clearly more important. I'm trying to balance training and a social life, remember? We'll see how that works out. 

I couldn't decide if I should try to get over an 8 mile run in this weekend, or make it a down weekend. I'm clearly having a hard time following and sticking to a training plan, so I'm just going to wing it, which is, of course, a terrible idea. I have a half marathon next weekend (remember when I thought it would be a good idea to sign up for it bc my training plan already had 12.5 for that day? Clearly all of my new year goals are out the window and we're still in January) and I plan on doing back-to-backs for it. I'm annoyed that I haven't been able to get more longer runs in, but what are you gonna do? 

Last minute, I decided to just do 5 miles and save my legs for next weekend. My knees are in serious need of a date with the foam roller. Even though I only "ran" a 10k last weekend, I spent a lot of time on my feet, so I'm counting it as training. If WDW marathon weekend taught me anything, it's you can do whatever you set your mind to. So, I've totally got this! 

How was your week?