Update: A Trophy, Missing the Century Mark, and a Humbling Half

As you may or may not have noticed, I took a blogging break/mini social media break. It was a rough month’s end (April) and I needed some recoup time. I’m feeling a lot better, but I do want to catch you all up to speed.

A Trophy

In early April I snagged my new 5k Pr (and broke 22 minutes!). I ended up placing 2nd in my Age group which was a complete surprise to me, especially since it was 30-39, a wider spread than the usual 30-34. I received an e-mail that I would be awarded at an Arizona Diamondbacks! Free tickets in addition to the award!

My husband and I decided to make it a date night and it was just so much fun!

Cheesin’ real hard πŸ˜€

The trophy was really fancy and I got to go down to the field and everything! (And even make a jumbotron appearance πŸ˜€ )

Missing the Century Mark

I finished April with 99.64 miles. I did not care about being .36 off 100.

A Humbling Half

The last day of April had me running a much anticipated half marathon. The She Power Half is an inaugural race that happened to take place in my city. I was really looking forward to this race since I first signed up for it last year. I thought maybe it could be a PR race. But after Phoenix Marathon, I didn’t feel as up for it as I had hoped. I also felt tired, which isn’t a surprise considering the year I’ve had. When I talked to my coach about She Power, she agreed that it wasn’t an ideal race for me to attempt a half PR and instead, gave me a race plan that was still challenging enough to make it fun for me (because I like making my life difficult).

But from the get-go I knew my coach’s plan wasn’t happening. The first mile was fine, a little fast. My husband and kids surprised me right before the mile mark and it was my best mile of the race.

My favorite cheerleaders ❀

It was all downhill from there (and not in the good race downhill way). My BQ training buddy Ashley was with me and I told her at mile 4 that things were not looking good for me and to go on on her own. The rest of the way had me trying in vain to keep her in my sight.

At mile 10, the cramps came as well as defeat. I knew my family would be at our neighborhood entrance after the mile marker and when I saw them, I came to a complete stop. I was done. I chatted with my husband for a bit and thought about waiting a little longer for some friends before I decided to just finish the race. It was about a 4-5 minute stop.

Exactly what I needed at that moment ❀

I saw a girl around the last mile of the race who looked like she was on a mission. I asked her what her goal was and she said 1:55. I told her that we had it and to “Let’s go!”

After the race I felt like I’d been hit by a train. My entire body was so sore and I knew that I was battling some dehydration. I hung out with friends for a while afterward (which really made this race into a WIN) and when I went home, I immediately went to bed.

The race did not go at all according to plan and instead, it left me in more pain than my last two marathons combined. There’s an ache specifically in my right foot that I’m getting checked out this afternoon. With official BQ training approaching, I want to make sure I can start on the right foot (see what I did there?).

Even though She Power wasn’t a race to remember time-wise, I can’t help but think how far I’ve come in my running when a 1:55 isn’t a “good” race. I remember training for that time. Now looking back, I’m glad the race went the way it did, because it has really helped me reflect on my journey and appreciate every race for what it is. Of course I know that not every race can be a PR, this one wasn’t even meant to be, but sometimes you need a reminder that there are waaaay more things that make a race “good”. My friends are what made this race and it’s those memories that I’ll look back on the most.

My Moms Run This Town family ❀

Beer. Yes.

Cheers!!!

Such a fun race πŸ™‚

That medal tho.

–How was your April? Would you have completed .36 to make 100 miles?

–Are you ready for summer running?

Hanson’s/NYC Marathon Training: Week 4

How many weeks is this thing again?

This was a tough week. My daughter started Pre-K this week and we all had to adjust to our new schedules (plus, tmi, I had my monthly lady visitor 😦 ). But, in true Helly fashion, I was able to make it work and get all my runs in. In fact, I didn’t miss a single training day the month of July!!

Monthly mileage PR

Monthly mileage PR

I have to admit, I’m pretty darn proud of myself and it motivates me to keep it going as long as I can. I know that life will happen, and I might have to miss a run, but to see me being as disciplined as I’ve been lets me know that I CAN DO HARD THINGS.

Marathon Goal– 3:50
Marathon Pace/Tempo Runs– 8:45
Easy Runs–9:40-10:20
Long Runs–9:29

Monday, July 25th 3 easy miles, 10:10 avg

This was my daughter’s first day of Pre-K and she handled it like a boss.

I cried, she didn't.

I cried, she didn’t.

Afterward, my son and I headed to the gym as I had 6 miles on the schedule. But little guy did not handle it like a boss; he missed his big sister 😦 When I dropped him off at the gym daycare, he was fine and went off to play. I got on the treadmill and started running but was. not. feeling. it. It felt like I was running through mud the entire way–and I usually don’t mind treadmill running at all. Something was not right. So at mile 3 I called it a day and went to pick up my son. When I got there, he looked up at me with tear-filled eyes; he had been crying on and off for sister. It’s funny how mother’s intuition works. ❀

Tuesday, July 26th–1 mile WU, 6×800 @3:50/7:38 pace (w/400R), 1 mile CD=6.5 miles; 3 easy afternoon miles, 9:18 avg

It was an early wake time for this run and I just didn’t wanna. But I did. In my mile warm up, my watched buzzed that I had received a message–it was from my sister. I was surprised because my sister doesn’t usually send me messages so I was compelled to stop and check it. This was what she sent:

With the message: "This made me think of you."

With the message: “This made me think of you.”

It was just what I needed to get going–sometimes even in training you need tell your body to shut up and get things done, lol.

My sister and I are not very close (a long post for another day, perhaps) so anytime I get a message from her, I’m overjoyed. Overjoyed that she thought of me to send me something.

I nailed the workout.

  1. 3:50/7:38
  2. 3:48/7:35
  3. 3:42/7:23
  4. 3:43/7:25
  5. 3:46/7:33
  6. 3:44/7:29

Then, in the evening, I made up my 3 miles from the day before with my husband and my running group. It was a hot run, but we survived.

Somehow managed a 9:18 avg. Too fast for an easy run.

Somehow managed a 9:18 avg. Too fast for an easy run.

Wednesday, July 27th–REST DAY

Oh, happy day.

Thursday, July 28th–1 mile WU, 6 Tempo miles, 1 mile CD

Despite what the average pace says, this was not a good run.

That "WU" mile should've been a warning sign

That “WU” mile should’ve been a warning sign

 

I ran with a super speedy friend and knew that I would have to stay disciplined and totally wasn’t. I was mad myself because I know better. I HATE positive splitting runs–I’m usually so good at pacing and making sure I negative split. There’s just NO room for a 7:50 mile in a tempo run. Not when my speed work is practically that pace. Ugh, Helly!!! I let my friend go at mile 5 and got it together…

Plus, it was effing ridiculous outside at 5 in the morning.

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Friday, July 29th–6 easy hill miles, 9:57 avg

Another Friday of hills and me waking up at 4 and driving 30 minutes to them, lol. It was 90 degrees at 5 in the morning. NINETY DEGREES!!

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But, it was not a boring run because……

#doggoals

#doggoals

Saturday, July 30th– 7.33 easy miles, 10:07 avg

I missed running with friends in the morning because I had a hair appointment (and I also have a husband who is marathon training–I forget about that sometimes, ja! ) so I did this run in the evening. When I looked at the temperature, it was under 100 so I figured it was *totally* okay for me to run…

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Sunday, July 31st–8 easy miles, 10:10 avg

I had plans to meet a friend in the morning for these miles but when my alarm went off at 4:20 it was accompanied by the sound of rain. I was getting out of bed when my husband said, “You have got to be crazy. No, you’re not going.” I sent my buddy a message that I was out and while I felt bad, I knew it was the right thing. That could’ve been one slip and fall away from getting injured (remember my little trip last week?)

So I did the 8 miles on the treadmill.

Woodway treadmills are amazing.

Woodway treadmills are amazing.

—-42.07 miles—-This was a tough week and a test to my commitment in training, but I got it done. I can feel myself getting stronger and there’s really no better motivation than seeing progress. Here’s to a new month of training!! πŸ˜€

I’m also still fundraising and am getting closer and closer to my goal. If you’re in the giving mood, please donate–ANY amount is extremely appreciated, really. ❀

–Have you seen a sunglasses wearing dog before?

–What’s your craziest #AsSeenOnMyRun?

–How was your running month? What’s your monthly mileage PR?

 

 

 

Hanson’s/NYC Marathon Training: Week 2

Welp, Week 2 is in the books! I feel like after week two of any training, things start to get real. The honeymoon is over, so to speak, and it becomes harder to stick with it. In Hanson’s, the mileage spikes significantly in Week 3 so I think they agree with my theory that the fun is over after the second week.

The plan:

Marathon Goal– 3:50
Marathon Pace/Tempo Runs– 8:45
Easy Runs–9:40-10:20
Long Runs–9:29

And here are last week’s deets:

Monday, July 11th– Easy 5 miles, 9:46 avg

The plan said 6 and I hated to break the plan so soon in the training but I was pushed for time as I was meeting my husband for lunch. I did these miles at my gym which is a bit of a hike from where he works. At the end though, I figured it was better I take miles off the easy runs than the important SOS (Something of Substance) runs–and it was only 1 mile, lol.

Tuesday, July 12th– 1 mile WU, 12×400 @7:45 pace with 400R, 1 mile CD=8 miles

I was really looking forward to this run for some reason. I was excited to run fast (for me) as I’d been doing a lot of “easy” miles up to this point. I know that Tuesdays will become harder as the weeks go on, but for right now, I’m thinking they’re fun πŸ™‚

It was tough to get in a groove though because I kept having to slow down to get to my prescribed pace. I seemed to be more comfortable at the 7-7:15 pace. I wish I’d just done them all at a consistent effort–whether that was at 7:15 or 7:45. I ended up texting Allison and having a long conversation about this–I know I’m barely in week 2, but 7:45 just felt too easy for speed work.

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This was also the first time I programmed a “workout” on my watch. I felt like a total badass πŸ˜€

#yolo

#yolo

Wednesday, July 13th Glorious Rest Day

Yet I still got in two miles of walking according to my steps count, lol.

Thursday, July 14th 1 mile WU, 4 miles Tempo @8:45, 1 mile CD=6 miles

Hanson’s said 6 easy but next week, when Tempo runs begin, they have me starting with 6 Tempo miles and I thought going from 0 to 6 was a bit much. So I figured making a mini tempo out this runs would be a good transition.

But again, I went too fast. I couldn’t get myself in the groove for 8:45 and as each mile beeped, I would see I was going faster. I ended up negative splitting.

I'm shocked at how good these miles felt.

I’m shocked at how good these miles felt.

I think it’s just marathon training excitement and once fatigue sets in and the mileage increases, I’ll settle into my paces easier.

Friday, July 15th– 5 Easy miles, 9:55 avg

I stuck to my easy pace for this one but in my half asleep stupor, I took a wrong turn in my route and was short a mile. I was bummed to have “lost” another mile this week but I figured again, it was on my easy run day. Plus, we were going out of town later that morning and that was making me feel a little rushed #excuses

Road trip essential

Road trip essential

Saturday, July 16th–7 Easy (turned into Long Run) miles, 9:05 avg

Totally didn’t stick to the pace on this one. We went down to our hometown to visit and woke up at dawn to run. I think it was excitement at being home and running through the streets I grew up on that made me run faster (and longer, I added a mile since I “lost” one the day before). I figured I’d make this my Long Run since it was closer to that pace and I’d make Sunday’s run my Easy run +2 miles.

ZERO cars.

ZERO cars.

Sunday, July 17th– 8 Easy miles, 9:35 avg

I had an absolute blast on this run. First, it was like 75 degrees when we started. I’d even go out as far to say I was cold! Second, my husband and I decided to make the run a little mini tour of our hometown so we ran to various places. My little hometown is a small border town right next to Mexico. We did a mini circle of the city and it was only 8 miles, lol!

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Morning sunrise start

At the Mexico/U.S. Port of Entry

At the Mexico/U.S. Port of Entry

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The shorter fence is on the U.S. side and the taller fence is on the Mexico side.

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Street art

Street art

At my old high school

At my old high school

Back at the start :)

Back at the start πŸ™‚

It was such a great week of running and my highest mileage week ever (be prepared for me to say that each week)–I even managed to meet the miles I was supposed to by adding a few at the end of the week. A total confidence booster and I hope that I can just continue with this momentum. The high mileage coming up scares me a bit– I’m terrified of getting injured, but I’ve been foam rolling and stretching like a mad woman. I slacked off on my core work and MYRTLEs while on vacay but I’m def back to normal now that I’m home. Overall, two thumbs up for Week 2!!! πŸ˜€

Total miles: 39.17

–How was your running week?

–Do you take running tours of your town?

–Do you know how to set workouts to your watch? I’m really proud of myself that I learned, lol!