Weekly Roundup 3.6-3.12

 

4 runs this week. Monday was cold. Wednesday was nice. Friday was snowy. Sunday was windy.

I had a progression run on the schedule for Monday and it ended up being a pretty aggressive progression run.  My splits were 7:48, 7:14, 6:57, 6:34.  It felt good but I was definitely pushing the pace breathing hard and because of that I went pretty easy for Wednesday’s 1 mile Fartlek.  I was still working but I wasn’t as aggressive.

Friday we saw more snow so I thought that may help get Georgie back to running—if you haven’t been following along, she’s been pretty stubborn lately.  Snow would make this a fun, adventure run and I thought maybe we could even visit the trails.  It took us quite awhile to get going but once I got her out of the driveway, I was able to get her to a little trot and then just tried to keep her moving.

Saturday was one of the coldest days of the year and I for whatever reason actually agreed to run outside for 14 miles along the Road Race course with Matt.  I only had 8 miles on schedule but we took it easy.  It was about 14 degrees at the start and warmed up to 18 by the finish.  Winds were gusting at 20-30mph.  It was brutal but the sun was shining and I was in good company.  It had been awhile since I saw Matt and we had a lot to talk about.  He’s currently in marathon training mode—he runs the Boston Marathon course with Dave McGillivray after the race and then looking to PR at Vermont City in Burlington, VT.

Other highlights:

·      Next week is my birthday week! I received a surprise package with birthday socks in the mail from Balega. Aren’t they the cutest?!  #ImpiPerks #LoveMyBalegas

Upcoming events:

·      5 weeks until the Newport Rhode Race!

·      11 weeks until the Buffalo Half Marathon!

Monday 3.6.17

4 miles (28:34)

100 TRX squats, 15 TRX single leg squats, 15 TRX lunges

14,029 steps

Tuesday 3.7.17

Taught spin class

7,596 steps

Wednesday 3.8.17

5 miles (37:33) with 1 mile Fartlek

19,388 steps

Thursday 3.9.17

Taught spin class

Power Water

10,785 steps

Friday 3.10.17

2.97 miles with G (29:03)

11,466 steps

Who ran 14 miles?

Saturday 3.11.17

14 miles with Matt (1:58:19)

32,501 steps

Sunday 3.12.17

Taught spin class

Burdenko H2O

12,531 steps

This week’s mileage: 26 miles

This week’s G mileage: 3 miles

March Totals: 41 miles

2017 Totals: 213 miles

Weekly Roundup 2.27-3.5

 

After the past few weeks of easing back into running, I now feel like I’m back to actual training mode again.  I added in a little half marathon pace tempo work, continued with strength training and I GOT IN THE POOL!  Oh em gee I swam laps.  Can you believe it?

I had a rough start on Monday when I practically left half my running stuff at home so I couldn’t run right after work.  I went home and tried to take the pup out but she still wasn’t having it!  She was being a brat and only wanted to run in the direction of her favorite trail… down the trail… and then wanted to run the trail again.  Um, no.  I dropped her off at home then finished up with 3 miles on my own.

Wednesday was not a nice day so I took my run to the treadmill.  I wasn’t thrilled about it but I even stuck around for a few strength exercises put together by my favorite Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist.

Friday was a big day for me.  I drove to work to run my 4 miles.  I planned it out to finish running about 11:50—10 minutes before lap swim starts.  I had a goal of getting in the pool and swimming for 20 minutes but I got in a groove and stayed in for 100 lengths of the pool (it’s only 46 feet), which ended up being 35 minutes!  For most of the swim, I was the only one in the pool and it felt awesome.  Hard—it totally kicked my butt—but awesome.  

I finished off the week with a 7 miler.  It was a brutally cold day with strong wind gusts.  I totally wimped out and went back to the treadmill.  It was actually a good decision because I had a mid-long run tempo in mind and the treadmill made 4 miles at half marathon goal pace a lot easier.  Don’t get me wrong—it was tough.  I was working really hard to keep up but the treadmill made it easier to keep at a consistent, steady pace.

Other highlights:

·      It’s my birthday month!

·      The Dairy Queen in Falmouth opened this weekend. Buy one get one free FTW.

·      I won a close Weekend Warrior Fitbit battle between me, my mom, Aunt Barb and cousin Melissa.  Good work ladies!

·      Remember my OOFOS OOriginal Sport Sandals review this summer? Did you know that they also made clogs?! On Saturday I received my latest product to test and review for BibRave—the OOFOS OOcloog Project Pink Clog. For every Project Pink pair sold, OOFOS will donate $10 to breast cancer research.

 

Upcoming events:

·      6 weeks until the Newport Rhode Race!

·      12 weeks until the Buffalo Half Marathon!

Monday 2.27.17

2 miles with G (20:45)

3 miles (24:11)

30 TRX squats, 15 TRX suspended lunges

17,972 steps

Tuesday 2.28.17

Taught spin class. The playlist: Working for the Weekend Spin Playlist

9,998 steps

Wednesday 3.1.17

4 miles (30:11)

Workout from Eric: 15 kettlebell deadlifts, 15 kettlebell dipping birds, 10 kettlebell Turkish getups, 10 each 4-way clamshell, 10 each 2-way ab press

15,439 steps

Thursday 3.2.17

Taught spin class

Power Water

12,476 steps

Friday 3.3.17

4 miles (30:28)

35’ swim (1,533 yards: 30 laps freestyle, 10 laps breaststroke, 10 backstroke)

13,028 steps

Saturday 3.4.17

7 treadmill miles (51:59) with 4 miles at HMP <--7:01, 7:01, 7:02, 7:01

19,175 steps

Sunday 3.5.17

Taught spin class

Burdenko H2O

11,966 steps

This week’s mileage: 20 miles

This week’s G mileage: 2 miles

February Totals: 43 miles

March Totals: 15 miles

2017 Totals: 187 miles

Run Jen Run's Friday Five 3.3.17

What’s up everyone?

I’m back for the second installment of #FridayFive where I will be sharing 5 things I’m currently loving…

Balega

So I mentioned a few Weekly Roundups ago that I was selected as a 2017 brand ambassador for Balega.  Balega has always been my go to sock brand but I always ended up buying from the Hidden Comfort line.  Our Impi welcome package was filled with 8 different pairs of socks—and I am falling more and more in love with the brand with each and every pair of socks I try on.  From the pretty colors of the Hidden Contour and Enduro No Show to the warmth of the Blister Resist No Show (shown in pic), each sock has a new purpose for me and I love them all!

New Balance Fresh Foam Zante v2

The Zante v2 is my current favorite running shoe and they carried me 26.2 miles through the streets of Miami.  Mega comfort—they are supportive enough for a long run but so lightweight that they make a great racing shoe.  The v3 just dropped and I can’t wait to try them next.

Rock Tape

Do you get injured a lot like I do?  Have you ever used Rock Tape?  There are many uses for Rock Tape including support and assisting movement along with increasing the blood flow to the area to decrease pain and swelling.  There are also a lot of great YouTube videos on how to apply it if you aren’t lucky enough to be surrounded by Physical Therapists all day like I am.  Give it a try.  It’s seriously a miracle workout.

Fitbit

I’ve had my Fitbit for so long I was starting to get sick of it.  I had plans to retire it after Miami Marathon training but now I am totally obsessed with it.  So what happened?  Two of my coworkers got a Fitbit and I am way too competitive to sit back and let them talk about their stats.  We’ve been counting calories, upping our water intake and challenging each other to the Weekend Warrior and Work Week Hustles.

TRX Suspended Lunges

I love this advanced TRX exercise that is great for runners!  It challenges your balance while strengthening the quads, glutes and hamstrings.

That’s all for this month.  Check back on the first Friday of every month for 5 more of my favorite things!

Weekly Roundup 2.20-2.26

This week of running felt a little bit better than last week as I’m still easing back into it.  Monday was a little on the cool side but it felt good to get back outside—I’m so sick of the treadmill!  I decided to try Eric’s workout from last week again and I made it through 2 sets!  #progress

Wednesday was beautiful and I went the extra mile.  Literally.  I only had 4 miles on the schedule but I went for 5.  I ran my long run on Friday because it was almost 60 degrees and I couldn’t wait to get outside!  My goal was to stay aerobic.  The swirling wind made it difficult but I made a solid effort.

Saturday was also beautiful.  I ran in shorts for the second day in a row in February.  What a weekend!

Upcoming events:

·      7 weeks until the Newport Rhode Race!

·      13 weeks until the Buffalo Half Marathon!

Monday 2.20.17

4 miles (31:05)

Workout from Eric: 2x[15 kettlebell deadlifts, 15 kettlebell side lunges, 15 kettlebell dipping birds, 15 TRX rows, 15 TRX chest presses, 90” TRX plank]

14,548 steps

Tuesday 2.21.17

Taught spin class. The playlist: Harder to Breathe Spin Playlist

10,155 steps

Wednesday 2.22.17

5 miles (37:29)

16,784 steps

Thursday 2.23.17

Taught spin class. The playlist: Lose Control Spin Playlist

Power Water

11,731 steps

Friday 2.24.17

6 miles (47:16)

Mini home workout: 50 squats, 50 box jumps, 30 single leg heel raises, 15’ core

18,854 steps

Saturday 2.25.17

3 miles (24:09)

12,105 steps

Sunday 2.26.17

Taught spin class. The playlist: Lose Control Spin Playlist

Burdenko H2O

11,970 steps

This week’s mileage: 18 miles

This week’s G mileage: 0 miles

February Totals: 38 miles

2017 Totals: 167 miles

Hungry Girl’s Better Basic Corn Muffins

Easy recipes are my favorite and this Hungry Girl corn muffin recipe requires only two ingredients!

Ingredients

One 8.5 oz. package Jiffy corn muffin mix

1/2 cup fat-free plain Greek yogurt

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line a 6-cup muffin pan with baking cups and/or spray with a nonstick spray.

In a large bowl, combine muffin mix, yogurt and 3 tablespoons water. Stir until uniform. Evenly distribute batter among the line or sprayed cups.

Bake 13-15 minutes.

Enjoy!!