Weekly Roundup 12.5-12.11

Week 9 of 16

Another week down and another week closer to my goal! 

I started the week with an easy treadmill run.  I had a little Achilles scare so I went home and immediately applied Rock Tape.  Because of that I skipped Run Club even though I had WEDNESDAY OFF!

Wednesday was fun.  I got G out for 2 miles then went back out for 5 miles with a 2 mile Fartlek.  My legs were tired and I was a little aware of my Achilles so I didn’t go as hard as I originally wanted.

Friday was an easy 3 miles and I took a gamble to see if I could keep G out on the roads for that long.  We ventured out of the neighborhood and although we made a bunch of stops, she did great!

Saturday was COLD.  I woke up to 24 degrees, feels like 14.  I waited until after 10am to head out for my long run when it was 28, feels like 18.  My dad bundled up and we hit the roads for 16 miles.  It really was cold and there were some nasty wind gusts.  It wasn’t fun at all but the miles went by pretty fast—maybe because I was so distracted by the cold.  Compared to my last 16 miler I felt like I was running slower but I felt so much better and stronger in the last 2 miles.  The first attempt I was really struggling at the end.  The funny thing is that both runs averaged 8:09 pace, this run being 13 seconds faster.  Oh and the best part about the run?  Other than my dad dressing up like a traffic cop?  Walking in the door after my long run to my mom pulling cinnamon rolls out of the oven.  They I made a quick stop at work on my way home to #NormaTecAndChill.  Yes!

I was lucky to have a 3 day weekend (I will make up for it next weekend) so I got in another chilly run on Sunday morning before spending the entire rest of the day on the couch watching football.  It was wonderful.

Other highlights:

·      I received a new product to test for the BibRave Pro program so stay tuned for my full review of Generation UCAN’s Protein Powder.  The chocolate and vanilla flavors will be great for smoothies and I’m pumped that they sent a “cookbook” with some of their favorite recipes.  What do you put in your smoothies?

Upcoming events:

·      7 weeks until the Miami Marathon!

Monday 12.5.16

4 treadmill miles (32:00)

14,948 steps

Tuesday 12.6.16

Taught spin class

9,058 steps

Wednesday 12.7.16

2 miles with G (17:29)

5 miles (39:54) with 2 mile Fartlek <-- 7:18, 7:29

21,547 steps

Thursday 12.8.16

Taught spin class. The playlist: The Heart of Rock & Roll Spin Playlist

Power Water

11,898 steps

Friday 12.9.16

3.09 miles with G (27:09)

12,982 steps

Saturday 12.10.16

16 miles with daddo on the bike (2:10:17)

37,220 steps

Sunday 12.11.16

4 miles (30:34)

12,899 steps

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16             Week 5 of 16

Week 2 of 16             Week 6 of 16

Week 3 of 16             Week 7 of 16

Week 4 of 16             Week 8 of 16

This week’s mileage: 34 miles

This week’s G mileage: 5 miles

December Totals: 53 miles

2016 Totals: 876 miles

Weekly Roundup 11.28-12.4

Week 8 of 16

Halfway to Miami!  I can’t believe it.  8 weeks down, 8 weeks to go!

Overall I’ve been feeling pretty good.  This week was a down week before building with a tough bunch of weeks coming up.  I didn’t have much time to run on Monday because I went to a women’s self-defense class the Mashpee Police.  It was great!  So watch out creepers.

Wednesday I went back to the treadmill for a repeat of last week’s workout and Thursday morning I fit in another run with the pup.

On Friday I had a dentist appointment in Falmouth because I had my FIRST CAVITY EVER!  I was so upset but took advantage of the fact that I was in Falmouth and headed to the bike path after the appointment for my long run of 12 miles.  In theory it was a good idea to go right after until I realized half my face way numb.  Not only was I drooling but I’m pretty sure my nose was running too because the Novocain crept up into my nose and cheek.  So attractive.  Long run was ok.  Not bad, not great but I got it done.

Saturday morning was the 5th Annual Jingle Jog.  I already blogged about it and you can read all about it here: http://www.jenrunsfastblog.com/2016/12/race-report-jingle-jog-5k-2016.html

Other highlights:

·      I had a blast at the CCR Christmas Party on Saturday night!  Thanks Joe & Kathy!

Upcoming events:

·      8 weeks until the Miami Marathon!

Monday 11.28.16

1 miles with G (9:08)

9,784 steps

Tuesday 11.29.16

Taught spin class. The playlist: Like I Love You Spin Playlist

7,340 steps

Wednesday 11.30.16

6 treadmill miles (44:30) with 5x800s at 8.8, 8.8, 9.9, 9.0, 9.2 mph

18,402 steps

Thursday 12.1.16

1.90 miles with G (17:51)

Taught spin class. The playlist: Somethin’ Bad Spin Playlist

Power Water

16,276 steps

Friday 12.2.16

12 miles (1:30:50)

28,402 steps

Saturday 12.3.16

2 mile warm up (19:05)

Jingle Jog 5k (20:54)

Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2016

21,083 steps

Sunday 12.4.16

Taught spin class. The playlist: The Heart of Rock & Roll Spin Playlist

Burdenko H2O

11,613 steps

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16             Week 5 of 16

Week 2 of 16             Week 6 of 16

Week 3 of 16             Week 7 of 16

Week 4 of 16

This week’s mileage: 26 miles

This week’s G mileage: 3 miles

November Totals: 112 miles

December Totals: 19 miles

2016 Totals: 842 miles

Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2016

All I really have to say is that man I love this race!  Every year the Falmouth Jingle Jog gets merrier and merrier and the costumes get better and better. 

This was the third year that my dad and I ran this race—we missed 2014 because of puppy kindergarten—and the second year in a row Run Club friends Danielle and Jason also ran with us.  I love that it’s the first weekend of December and pretty much kicks off the holiday season.

The race itself was chilly and windy this year.  I warmed up for 2 miles with Danielle, Jason and their friend Pat and actually did warm up but that wind kept reminding us it was December on Cape Cod.

My goal for the race was even pacing.  I wanted to run comfortable fast and maintain.  I think I did just that with splits reading 6:40, 6:44 and 6:43.  

I ended up placing 2nd behind Anne but it was déjà vu all over again.  At the top of the Falmouth Road Race hill she was right there in front of me.  I maintained pace through the second mile and seemed to be slowly making some ground on her.  I could have taken off the last mile and tried to catch her (last year I ran a 6:11 last mile as I knew breaking 20 minutes for the first time since high school was within reach) but tired marathon training legs and my need to work on patience said to run my own race and cruise through to the finish.

On the other hand my dad freaking killed it!  Last year he PRed at the 5k distance and ran 26:27.  Yesterday he ran 25:25!  Yup, that’s Mr. “I’m going to run really slow today” Skiba.

21 days until Christmas!

[Related Posts: Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2015 & Race Report: Jingle Jog 5k 2013]

Weekly Roundup 11.21-11.27

Week 7 of 16

I completed a 16 miler this week!  Woo woo!  My training plan only called for 14 but the timing just seemed right.  Weather was decent (well it was a bit damp and breezy), dad was on the bike and a 3-day weekend helped me to fit in a stress-free 16 miles.  It’s important to have a plan yet stay flexible because life can get in the way!  Next weekend I am running the Jingle Jog on Saturday morning then going to the CCR Christmas party on Saturday night and I work all day Sunday so I was starting to get worried about where/when/how I was going to get it done.

My goal for the long run was to take it slow and stay comfortable.  I’ve run 16 miles before but it was my longest run since the Cape Cod Half and the first time running over 13.1 miles since the Houston Marathon almost an entire year ago.  I was definitely reminded how much distance hurts and came to the realization that Miami will be here before I know it.  

 

As for the rest of the week…

Monday we returned from North Carolina!  After a long day of travel, I got out for a quick 3 miles before the sun set.  I was sad to leave G so soon after we got home but she was in her doggy day care coma and didn’t want to be bothered.

I missed Run Club again after an extra long work day.  On Wednesday I opted indoors to get my workout done on the treadmill.  I hated every minute of it but I was thankful for my headphones and not getting stuck running in the dark.  Georgie and I slept in for what seemed like forever on Thursday morning but got out the door for our own little Thanksgiving Turkey Trot!  Friday was my long run and Saturday another short recovery run with G to round out the week.

My updated long run schedule until the race is: 12, 16, 18, 20, 14, 20, 14, 10, 26.2!

Other highlights:

·      I signed up for the Newport Rhode Race!

·      I surpassed my 2015 mileage.  Last year I logged 815 total miles and I currently stand at 816 miles for 2016.

Upcoming events:

·      9 weeks until the Miami Marathon!

Monday 11.21.16

Travel day!

3 miles (23:11)

12,249 steps

Tuesday 11.22.16

Taught spin class

8,970 steps

Wednesday 11.23.16

6 treadmill miles (45:10) with 4x800s at 8.6, 8.7, 8.8, 9.0 mph

19,648 steps

16 miles means a big piece of pie.

Thursday 11.24.16

Happy Thanksgiving!

2.02 miles with G (18:04)

3 miles (24:27)

15,637 steps

Friday 11.25.16

16 miles with daddo on the bike (2:10:30)

33,837 steps

Saturday 11.26.16

1.98 miles with G (17:41)

10,177 steps

Sunday 11.27.16

Taught spin class

Burdenko H2O

10,799 steps

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16             Week 5 of 16

Week 2 of 16             Week 6 of 16

Week 3 of 16

Week 4 of 16

This week’s mileage: 32 miles

This week’s G mileage: 4 miles

November Totals: 105 miles

2016 Totals: 816 miles

I signed up for the Newport Rhode Race!

Disclaimer: I received a free entry to the Newport Rhode Race as part of being a BibRave Pro. Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador) and check out BibRave.com to review find and write race reviews!

What: Newport Rhode Race Half Marathon

Where: Newport, RI

When: April 15, 2017

I just added another race to my 2017 calendar!  On Saturday April 15th I will be running a half marathon in beautiful Newport, RI representing the BibRave Pros.  The race features both a marathon and a half marathon.  I opted in to the half marathon for motivation to continue running after the Miami Marathon and for a good test of my fitness about 6 weeks before the Buffalo Half Marathon.

The marathon course is USATF certified and is a Boston Marathon Qualifier—word on the street is that my coworker Eric will be running the full to BQ.

According to the race website, “The half marathon follows the first 13.1 miles of the full marathon route. The half starts 3o mins after the full marathon at the same start and finish as the full marathon. You will enjoy selfie worth seaside views, grand mansions and rocky shorelines. It is truly a stunning course.”

I’m pretty pumped.  My only time in Newport was for Destination Book Club back in 2012 and I have been looking forward to going back someday.  Besides what better way to see Newport then to run 13.1 miles along its coast?  Fingers crossed for warm April temperatures and mild winds along the water.  Newport is only about an hour and a half from Cape Cod and the 8:00am half marathon start time would allow me to drive up race morning if I really wanted to.

 

If you want to join me at the Newport Rhode Race, register here and use discount code “BibRave” for $10 off your entry!