….and My Story Runs On….
Well, I just got too busy last weekend to blog so I’m doing a quick recap for the last 2 weeks. I am doing these blogs strictly for my own personal journaling of my 50 Mile training. I wish I would’ve journaled my first marathon and 50K so here I am now 😉
This was the plan for the last few weeks:
| Week Of | Week | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Miles |
| 9-Nov | 10 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 10 | 54 |
| 16-Nov | 11 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 24 | 10 | 56 |
Week 10 was tough as I left for Asheville NC on Wednesday 11/11. It’s my favorite weekend every 2 years that I get to go and have uptraining with ChiRunning founder Danny Dreyer and get to be with my fellow instructors from around the world. I learned so much and it always baffles me how much there could be to learn about the art of running. But more about that at a later time….
Week 10 Recap: Because I knew I would not get a long run in while I was traveling, I did the Pemberton Loop as my first run of the week on Tuesday 11/10. This is a 15 mile loop and it’s the first time I do the whole thing during the day. I’ve done it at night time a few times for the Javelina Jangover race with Aravaipa Running. I went with my friend Vicki and we took our time so I could get more time on my feet (4 hours). I traveled on Wednesday. On Thursday, I spent most of the day at a track and a hill doing some advanced work with Danny and fellow ChiRunning instructors. We were working on improving performance without increasing perceived rate of exertion. During our lunch break, I ran 2 miles effortlessly on the track and got at least 5 in that day (I was supposed to run in the morning with the group but was too exhausted so I chose to listen to my body and sleep in). On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, I did a few miles each day on the grounds of the Crowne Plaza in NC with fellow instructors. On Monday, several of us had the chance to do a 3 mile trail run with Danny. My goal for the week was 54 miles but I only got in 24. I decided to not let that worry me at all.
Week 11 recap: I needed some serious rest after my trip. I was exhausted physically and mentally! On Wednesday I was excited to get out. I used to be solely a social runner but I’ve learned to really appreciate solo running. When I am alone, I really focus on my form and become as mindful as possible to what my body is doing. I was going to do 6 miles around the hood but decided to do 7 because I was feeling so good.…and I used my ChiRunning app the entire time to focus on cadence, breathing (I focused on nose breathing almost the entire time) and my other form focuses. On Thursday I got 3 miles in with my track group. I had workshop scheduled this weekend so I had couldn’t run on Saturday. I decided to do 18 miles on Friday at South Mountain. I broke up the run as follows: 1st 5 miles focusing on form, 2nd 5 miles I put music on speaker phone and the last 8 miles were with my friend Vicki. It was almost 5 hours total with stops in between which is good time on my feet. On Saturday, I wanted to get 10 miles in the afternoon after my workshop. Vicki, Denise and Lori joined me for 4 on trail and then Lori and I finished the rest on the canal. On Sunday, I had a private lesson so I was able to get 3 more miles in. My goal for the week was 56 miles and I did 45. Good back to backs this weekend and feeling pretty good! Did leg drains daily and foam rolled, hit the hot tub a few times this week and got a free massage at the Girls On The Run event.
I’m excited about a taper week coming up! In a few weeks, I’ll be doing my 2nd 50K (McDowell Mountain Frenzy) which will be a training run. I like to use races as training runs when the mileage fits. I didn’t have to pay because I had volunteer credits but at least I get a pint glass and aid (food/drink) on a long run which is easier than going back to my car to refuel. Plus I get to see my friends and have more company along the way!
So here is how the weeks finished:
| Week Of | Week | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Miles |
| 9-Nov | 10 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 22 | 10 | 54 |
| 0 | 15.3 | 0 | 5 | 2.3 | 2.1 | 2 | 26.7 | ||
| 16-Nov | 11 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 24 | 10 | 56 |
| 3.1 | 0 | 7 | 3.1 | 18.5 | 10 | 3 | 44.7 |
Fundraising update:
Haven’t really done much with it this week. Every little bit helps though!
Previous blogs posts in this series:
From My Running Story to Yours….
(if you feel inspired to share your comments, do so below…I want to hear your story too!)