Plan shlam! My running weekend

So you all know I’ve been very badly following the Run Less, Run Faster plan for my fall marathon. Yeah….I haven’t been doing a good job of running less or running faster.

Saturday was long run day and I set out and 5 in the morning for an 8 miler. I joined up with with my running club for this one and lo and behold, Running Schlub was there! I “met” Richard through one of my other fave bloggers, Piratebobcat. Richard visited my page when I wrote about my hate for the Heat (Miami, that is) and we’ve been blogging (and now real life!) buddies every since. Funny, because during our run, we never talked basketball lol! He was nice enough though to run at my pace that morning–I was struggling 😦

And in typical Helly fashion, I forgot to take a pic–I’m so bad at the picture taking…

Me and the Running Schlub

Me and the Running Schlub

8 miles, 10:00/avg. mile

Sunday according to my plan is a cross training or rest day. I did neither.

Instead, my running club and a local Roadrunner Sports were hosting a Fun in the Sun 5k–nothing formal or timed, just a run to get us all together for a run and enjoy some sweet shopping discounts after.

Some of my friends wanted to get out there early for extra miles so of course I said yes. We got started at 6 and this was what awaited us:

at SIX in the morning!!!!

at SIX in the morning!!!!

Needless to say, this was not the best of runs 😦 We I drudged along for 3 hot miles.

And after that, I did it all over again with the rest of my running group!

Double duty Sunday

Double duty Sunday

That's me on the right with my flying ponytail :D

That’s me on the right with my flying ponytail 😀

I mentioned sweet discounts–I got myself some new shoes!!!

My new beauties <3

My new beauties ❤

I’ve been currently rotating my Brooks Ravennas and Asics GT2000s but missed my Kayanos of old. I have the old 18s that I use just when I’m out and about because they’re way long over used on mileage. But I had been wanting to try out the new model for a while so I can’t wait to break them in!

I’m not overly brand loyal–I typically stick with Brooks and Asics for shoes. How about you? Are your brand loyal?

–How was your running weekend? Anyone race?

–Does your ponytail fly all over the place like mine does?

–Do you stick with your training plan verbatim or break the rules like I do?