Week(end) Recap

I had written last week how I’d given myself a marathon training pre-season before I get down to business. Well, business has arrived and today is my first official day of training!! Woohoo!! I have 6 miles on the agenda and we’ll see how they go.

Last week was a busy week with preparation for the holiday on Friday (Independence Day here in the States) but I still managed to get quite a few runs in–

On Monday, my pre-season schedule had me running 4 miles, one warm-up, two tempo, and one cool down. Despite once again venturing out in 106 degree heat, it went far better than the previous Monday as my splits went like this:

Mile 1-9:21
Mile 2-8:44
Mile 3-8:41
Mile 4-8:53

The last cool down mile was a little too fast but I had begun Lebronning (cramping) and just wanted to get the run over with. I was happy to see that I was keeping my splits consistent again as it’s something I’ve been trying really hard to work on.

Tuesday according to my plan is a cross training day and I know this is where I might be cheating with Run Less, Run Faster. Tuesdays are group runs with my running group and I really like meeting up with them. It’ll be hard to give this day up to a day in the gym as I’d much rather hang out with them–I’m thinking if I did an easy-less than 4 miles-run followed up with the bike or something that it might work.

So the plan was to do some easy running but I ended up running and chatting with a girl who’s pretty fast. You can tell that I couldn’t keep up as my splits looked liked the hot mess that I was

Mile 1-9:06
Mile 2-9:17
Mile 3-9:27
Mile 4-9:47

Another what I was I thinking....

Another what I was I thinking….

Wednesday was speed work at the track but like previous session, there wasn’t much speed happening. Unless you count me trying to eat my ice pop as fast as I could before it melted lol! Anyway, three miles done.

Cross training as planned for Thursday but because I knew I’d be running the following day for the holiday (Fridays are typically rest days) I made Thursday my day of rest.

Friday we were all up bright and early for a fun 5k with my run club. They had a splash mob-bish run planned so it was going to be some wet and wild fun!

Little did I know that the wet would really be sweat from the humidity going on that morning–holy cow!

This was at 6:50 in the morning!

This was at 6:50 in the morning!

The race itself was really fun as my running group always finds unique ways to make these get togethers interesting. We were told to arrive on time as the race would be chip timed and we needed to pick them up early before the race started.

My race chip :D

My race chip πŸ˜€

We all do these in fun so it wasn’t a competitive 5k. I kept a decent pace (although difficult because I could really feel the humidity!) and finished in 28:45 (9:01/mile).

I had an 8 mile long run planned for Saturday and I was up at crazy 0’clock to get started. The humidity had carried over at at 5 in the morning and we were running in 82 degrees weather with 51% humidity. It was pretty awful and I could feel it the entire way. Luckily my plan’s long run pace was manageable and I stuck to it the entrΓ©e way: 8 miles (9:50/mile). I was actually really excited about this as I hadn’t run this far in a while (not counting the 27k trail run).

Working up some nice leg sweat.

Working up some nice leg sweat.

Sunday was rest day with stretching and foam rolling.

Overall, a very productive week at just over 22 miles. I’m looking forward to the official first day of training today πŸ™‚ 16 weeks til Marine Corps Marathon!!

I'm Jesse Spano excited about this!!!

I’m Jesse Spano excited about this!!!

–How was your running week?

–Did you run/race this weekend?

–Get my Jesse Spano reference? πŸ™‚

Friday Five: Summer Edition {Link up!}

I’m so excited as this is the first link up with the wonderful ladies of the DC Trifecta– Cynthia, Mar, and Courtney!!

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If you haven’t checked out these ladies, you should! Each Friday these three host a link up with a different theme–all fun, all awesome. Why I’ve waited til now to join? No idea.

This Friday’s theme is:

5 Things I Will Do This Summer

Here goes!

(in no particular order)

1. Marine Corps Marathon Training Starts!!

Marine Corps Marathon here I come!!!

Marine Corps Marathon here I come!!!

Yes, I’m actually really excited about this. I’m a schedule girl and love having something on the radar to look forward to. I’ve also recently started reading this

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and will decide if it’s something I’ll want to try for this marathon. Have you read it? What are you thoughts?

2. No Soda!!

As you might already know, I started a 100 Days of Summer Challenge with my challenge being no soda.

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Day 6 and I’m going strong. I’ve been tested a few times, like when I refilled my mom’s soda at Chipotle, but so far I’ve passed πŸ™‚

Left: My water cup Right: Mom's soda

Left: My water cup Right: Mom’s soda

3. Lesson Plan.

I mentioned a few weeks ago that I’ll be headed back to work. I start early August and I’m really looking forward to it. Like I’ve said numerous times, I’m a planner and last summer after having my son in July, I took a year leave of absence to stay at home with the option to return if I wanted to the following year.

I’m so glad I left myself the option.

I’ve loved being home with my kids and am grateful I was able to have that opportunity. But I also want to see what being a working mom is like. I plan on working this upcoming school year and then deciding what my maybe more permanent place in life is as far as work is concerned. Luckily with teaching, I can go back when I can/want to.

4. Party Time!

OMG, my son turns one in July! I can’t believe how time flies. I remember people telling me that once I have kids, to really cherish the moments because they grow up so fast. I used to secretly roll my eyes but it. is. truth.

We’re having a birthday party for him beach themed and I can’t wait!!

He's got his swim suit ready!

He’s got his swim suit ready!

5. Gym Visits

With our crazy Arizona heat, I’ll be making more gym visits to the treadmill. That means taking my kids to the gym daycare. We’ve done it a few times and they’ve been okay but only lasted about 30 minutes. Last week I took my daughter and she actually lasted more time! I’m hoping with more consistency they’ll get used to it and let mommy get in a good workout πŸ™‚

Post gym smiles!

Post gym smiles!

–What are some of YOUR summer plans??

Today is the last day of the Bondi Band giveaway!! A winner will be announced tomorrow morning. Click here to enter!

Some Pretty Awesome News

SO much has been happening this past year and it’s barely March! This week especially has been a busy one for me as we get ready for our trip to Ohio. When we come back, a lot of things are happening starting with prepping for our Europe trip and this

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and then when we come back from that, I have to really start preparing for this

Source

Source

and then when I come back from that, I’ll have about 5 weeks before I start training for THIS

Marine Corps Marathon here I come!!!

Marine Corps Marathon here I come!!!

I MADE IT!!! I know for a lot of people, their dream marathon is Boston and I’d love to do that someday too. But, I know that qualifying for that is a super long shot. For me, my dream marathon is this one, the Marine Corps Marathon. The People’s Race.

My dad was a Marine and even though he and I are not very close, this part of his life is what makes me proud of him.

I entered the lottery thinking I’d have to do it a few years before I’d get in. I didn’t think it would happen the first time! My husband knew. He knew the instant I told him I’d entered. He said, “You’ve signed up for so much this year and because of that, you’re going to get this too.” Jajaja! I seriously have been doing a lot lately. Needless to say, having made it into MCM means my race calendar is done for the year lol!

I have so much to look forward to, I just can’t even believe this year so far πŸ™‚

Weekend Shopping:

It’s appropriately colored Marine Corps Red πŸ™‚

–What is/was your dream race?

–What are you looking forward to this year?

The ENERGYbits giveaway is underway! Go here to enter and give these bits a shot πŸ™‚