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Tag Archives: swimming

Big Cottonwood Week 6: Firecracker 5ks and Long Runs

July 8, 2019 By in Big Cottonwood Marathon, Running, Training Tags: , , , , , 3 Comments
Big Cottonwood Week 6: Firecracker 5ks and Long Runs

Last week, I wanted and needed a couple of days off from running. With the Fourth of July race, things were thrown off a bit. Plus, after six weeks of training my body needed a decreased mileage week.

Monday: Easy 60 minutes
Tuesday: Swim 2 miles
Wednesday: Easy 60 minutes
Thursday: Firecracker 5k (20:10) Total Mileage: 10
Friday: Swim 2 miles
Saturday: Easy 60 minutes
Sunday: 17-mile long run

Week 1: Hello Humidity

Week 2: Half Marathons and Workouts 57 mpw

Week 3: Travel and More Travel 53 MPW

Week 4: Training: Beach Runs and Long Runs 52 MPW

Week 5: Training: Workouts and 10ks 46.5 MPW

Thoughts:

Initially, my husband and I were going to hike all weekend. We planned to go up to Northeast NJ and spend Thursday-Sunday off the grid hiking. So a while ago, I planned for it to be my down week of running. Since he’s gone, that didn’t work out. On Friday, I woke up realized my body was not ready to run. I opted to swim instead.

Swimming:

Both times I got into the pool felt fine. Nothing was exciting about either time. I’ve preferred to swim 3000 meters. I swim 1500 meters (30 laps), stop and swim another 30. It’s boring and comfortable, but it’s what I’ve enjoyed doing.

Firecracker 5k (20:10):

I’ll have a recap tomorrow, but this is my fastest 5k in quite some time. (Maybe since March?). Then again, I haven’t run a lot of 5ks. It was 80+ degrees and 95% humidity. It was so hot.

17 Mile Long Run:

Long runs have felt extremely challenging. My legs feel fine, but the heat and humidity have gotten to me. I’ve learned very quickly that I’ve needed even more fluids (and if you know me, I drink a lot of water). So I’ve had a rough time adjusting. Sunday felt decent and it was nice to run part of it with Alexis. It made the run go by a lot faster.

 

Posts from the Week:

Flying to Essex County

June Training: Building Fitness

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. This week I talked about products to carry water, and there is even a giveaway with a fuel belt. 

In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. There are often giveaways as well as discount codes.

Questions for you:

How was your week of training?

How do you adjust to the humidity? 

 

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Training: Workouts and 10ks

July 1, 2019 By in Big Cottonwood Marathon, Running, Training Tags: , , , , , , ,
Training: Workouts and 10ks

Is it July 1st already? It’s hard to believe that half of the year is gone. 

Anyway, last week went relatively better than the week before. I still had hiccups in training, but what is marathon training without that?

Monday: Easy 60 minutes
Tuesday: Easy 60 minutes
Wednesday: AM: 6X800s with 800 jog rest
PM: 5 Miles easy (Total mileage for the day 13)
Thursday: Swim 2 miles
Friday: Easy 60 minutes
Saturday: Pineland Striders 10k (44:04) Total mileage 10
Sunday: 15 Miles easy

Week 1: Hello Humidity

Week 2: Half Marathons and Workouts 57 mpw

Week 3: Travel and More Travel 53 MPW

Week 4: Training: Beach Runs and Long Runs 52 MPW

Week 5: 57.5 

Thoughts:

Training wise, I’m happy with how the week went. On Instagram, I mentioned that swimming 1-2X per week was my balance right now. Trying to cram in a third day, felt forced and I don’t want to burn out of it. I want to swim because I want to, not because I have to.

Workout Wednesday: 6X800 averaging 6:30 pace

I was happy to get this in. It was a jam-packed day between dropping my husband off for a deployment and then running.  Workout wise, I felt good. Originally I wanted to do these on the track, but there wasn’t enough time to get to one, so I settled for the road.

Pineland Striders 10k: 44:o4

It’s been years since I’ve done this race (I think since 2014 or 2015).  The last time I ran a 41: XX and I thought it was my slowest yet! On Saturday, we had the highest dew point yet (74). It was hot and humid, and my body did not respond well to the weather. I ran as hard as I could for the day. I’m happy with my effort for the race.  As I begin building mileage, I can feel it in my legs, and racing has gotten increasingly harder.

Long Run: 15 Miles

This was supposed to be a moderate effort, but it ultimately became an easy run, and I struggled through the heat. Looking back, I was hydrated but probably not enough. Around mile 8, I felt as though I hit a wall. Unfortunately, I was at the furthest spot from my house and (besides getting a ride), running back was the easiest way. So after taking a few mins to cool off and hydrating (I also keep a form of payment on my run), I got back out and finished. Was it my best run ever? No. Did it humble me? Yes.

Next Week I’ll do a Fourth of July Race and try a more productive long run.

Posts from the Week:

Hoka Carbon X Shoe Review

Does Collagen Help Post Workout Recovery?

Bungalow Beach 5 Miler (34:14)

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. This week I talked about dealing with heat and humidity. PLUS AN ENTIRE OUTFIT GIVEAWAY FROM RUNNERS LOVE YOGA. 

In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. There are often giveaways as well as discount codes.

Questions for you:

What is something you’ve burned out with before? While I have running, I stopped swimming competitively in 2011 and never looked back.

Bit Cottonwood Training Week 4: Beach Runs and Long Runs

June 24, 2019 By in Big Cottonwood Marathon, Running, Training Tags: , , , , , , 2 Comments
Bit Cottonwood Training Week 4: Beach Runs and Long Runs

Last weeks training was ok. I didn’t get done everything, but I raced and ran long. Both last week and next week will be busy in life. I’ll have more about that soon but my personal life and summer took a 90-degree turn as of Saturday.

Anyway, this is about running right? During this marathon cycle, I said I wasn’t going to be miserable. I’m going to work hard and get the long runs in, but I’m not going to slave away to marathon training during the summer.

Monday: Easy 60 minutes/Swim 2 miles
Tuesday: Easy 10 miles with Skip
Wednesday: OFF
Thursday: Easy 60 minutes
Friday: Easy 9 miles with Alexis
Saturday: Bungalow Beach 5 Miler (34:14) Total mileage: 10
Sunday: Long Run: 16.8 miles
Total: About 53

 

Week 1: Hello Humidity

Week 2: Half Marathons and Workouts 57 mpw

Week 3: Travel and More Travel 53 MPW

Week 4: 52 MPW

I planned to get into the pool three times last week but only had the time once. I haven’t been able to get in the pool as much recently, but I’m hoping to get back there over the summer. Next week our community outdoor pool opens so it will be much closer.

Running:

My easy runs were easy. There is nothing to note about that. I mentioned in a previous post but most of my easy runs are untimed. I average 60-minute runs to be about 6.5 miles. Is it 6.1 or 6.7? The world may never know.

Bungalow Beach 5 Miler:

It’s becoming evident; my body is comfortable at a 6:50 pace. I’ve raced that speed for almost everything recently. It feels challenging but not all out. I can’t seem to get my legs to move any faster, and this race was no exception. I’m not disappointed with the race, and it finished on the sand. I took it out comfortably and was able to pass two women to end up as 3rd overall.

Since school is out, it will be easier for me to get to the track. I need to work on paces that aren’t comfortable, which isn’t easy when most of your workouts are alone.

Long Run 16.85 miles averaging 8:06 pace:

I decided to get out of my usual routes and run in Philadelphia (only about 10 miles from my house). It was nice to have different scenery and the run went by fast. I’m happy with my effort and the second half of the run was faster than the first.

Next Week:

I’m just trucking along. I’m hoping to get a faster speed workout in as well as another local race.

Posts from the Week:

Hiking Tuscarora Mountain

Topo Fli-Lyte 3 Shoe Review

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. This weeks newsletter is how to get the most out of your local running store!

Questions for you:

How was your week of training?

Have you ever run on soft sand before?  

Big Cottonwood Training Week 3: Travel and More Travel

June 17, 2019 By in Big Cottonwood Marathon Tags: , , , , , , 7 Comments
Big Cottonwood Training Week 3: Travel and More Travel

I spent early last week traveling home as well as recovering from the She Power Half Marathon. My quads were slightly sore after the race but seemed to loosen up with the week. It was a more eventful week since I spent half of it on the road.  The week also felt as though it went by fast.

Monday: Easy 45 minutes Indianapolis
Tuesday: Easy 60 minutes Wheeling, WV, Easy 2 hours hike PA
Wednesday: 4X1 mile 6:41, 6:45, 6:46, 6:58 (wu/cd 10 miles)
Thursday: Swim 2 miles
Friday: Easy 60 minutes
Saturday: Red Bank Classic 5k (wu/cd 10 miles)
Sunday: 15 Miles
Total: 53

Week 1: Hello Humidity

Week 2: Half Marathons and Workouts 57 mpw

Week 3: 53 MPW

Thoughts:

My easy runs were just that, easy. It was fun running in several new cities, and I didn’t run in the same area one last week. I’m happy with how the week went. I would have liked to get a second day of swimming in, but with traveling, it didn’t work out.  As I mentioned last week, I base my easy runs on about 6.5 miles per hour. I might run 6.1 or 7, but since my easy runs are typically done by time, it makes it easy to calculate a rough idea of mileage.

Workout Wednesday: 4X1 mile with 2 minutes rest

My legs still felt heavy after the race. I didn’t feel terrible, but I didn’t feel the best. I was glad to get the workout in.

Red Bank Classic 5k: 21:00

I’ve always wanted to do the Red Bank Classic, but the timing never works out. This year it did. To summarize the race, my body didn’t feel great, and I also collided with another racer at the start. I spent a few seconds on the ground. It was hard to get back up and start running, but you can only control what you control. I’m proud of myself for running a solid effort.

Sunday Long Run: 15 Miles

In all, I felt decent but not great. I woke up exhausted and not sure I even wanted to run. I told myself to start and see how it goes. I’m not the type of person that believes you never regret a run, because there are a few times I wish I hadn’t run. Anyway, I got 15 miles in and averaged 8:20 pace which I’m proud of.

In all, it was a decent week. It wasn’t the best week ever, but I got what I needed too done.

Posts from the Week:

Running Podcasts to Keep You Entertained

She Power Half (1:29.27)

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. This weeks newsletter is how to get the most out of your local running store!

Questions for you:

Have you ever fallen during a race?

How was your week of training? 

Big Cottonwood Training Week 2: Half Marathons and Workouts

June 10, 2019 By in Big Cottonwood Marathon, Running, Training Tags: , , , , , , , 1 Comment
Big Cottonwood Training Week 2: Half Marathons and Workouts

Last week felt like the neverending week. I felt exhausted on Monday, and the week only seemed to get longer and longer. I’m proud of what I got accomplished running wise.

I didn’t get the chance to swim another day, but that’s okay. As I ramp up running mileage, I am trying to remember I can’t do everything and expect to stay healthy (both physically and mentally).

Monday: AM: Easy 60 minutes run
PM: Easy 45 minutes run
Tuesday: Easy 60 minutes
PM: 2-mile swim
Wednesday: 2X10 minutes (average 6:28, 6:29) Total mileage 10
Thursday: Easy 60 minutes
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Easy 60 minutes
Sunday: She Runs 13.1, total mileage 16
Total: About 57

Thoughts:

This week was a decent week for running. I’m not especially proud, but I’ve been running on fumes the entire week. There wasn’t ever a point I chose to workout versus sleep, but my sleep schedule has been off the entire week. I’m not someone who can nap in the daytime (past 10 am), so when I’m up…I’m up.

Anyway, the runs themselves felt pretty good. As I increase my mileage, I worry less and less about pace. I measure my easy runs by minutes. I guestimate that 60 minutes is about 6.5 miles, and 45 minutes is 5 miles. Could it be 6.1 miles? Sure but I don’t worry about it. By making a rough estimate, it makes it easier to calculate an increase in mileage.

Swimming felt good this week, and while I only got two days of swimming in, both were quality and I’m glad I did.

Workout Wednesday: 2X10 minutes hard effort (6:28, 6:29) with warmup and cooldown 10 miles

I’m surprised it went as well as it did, but I felt good. I was running on minimal sleep, and it was packed between a busy day, but I did what I could.

She Power 13.1 (1:29.27)

I have a lot to say about the race. I ran the entire thing alone from start to finish. It felt as though I was just running, following the cyclist, doing my own workout. No one to push me, but me.

Did I have a great time? Of course. Was it strange at the same time? Of course. The weather was less than ideal, and it rained the entire time with some course flooding. In all, I kept my splits pretty even and also ran faster per mile than many shorter 10ks that I’ve run so I can’t complain.

Thoughts:

In all, I’m happy with the week and how an increase in mileage is going. I don’t plan to run 20 next week or anything (I think that will probably come in mid-July).

Next Week:

Right now, I’m happy with my mileage. I’m hoping that paces will start to feel more comfortable as I continue running higher than I’ve run in a while. Since I’ll be on the road a good portion of next week, I’m not sure how much pool time I’ll get.

Posts from the Week:

May Training Log

Mizuno Waveknit R2 Shoe Review

Scott Coffee 8k (33:03)

Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. This weeks newsletter is my favorite and all about coaching and if it’s right for you!

Questions for you:

Have you ever run a race alone?

How was your week of training? 

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