April 3, 2017

WEEKLY RUNDOWN – MARATHON TRAINING WEEK 13 & 14

I never got around to recapping week 13 last week so I will do a quick rundown of both week 13 and 14 here. Week 13 was the last big week before tapering. In hindsight I am not sure that I really needed to taper for three weeks but that ship has sailed. I already feel itchy and restless wanting to run more miles. Trying to just focus on this marathon but I am excited that I finally handed over my money for my big summer race.

As usual I am linking up with Jessie at The Right Fits and Jess Runs ATL to recap last weeks training.

———–

Monday: I was still sick but feeling a little better so I got up early to run 12 miles before Cory went to work.

I always love seeing the sunrise on my runs.

Tuesday: 4 easy miles in the evening

Wednesday: 5.6 steady miles in the evening around the hood

Thursday: Early morning easy 4 miler since I had drinks with the girls planned for the evening. So nice to see friends that I hadn’t seen in awhile.

Friday: I wanted to get a little bit longer of a run in but it’s so dark in the morning still so I jumped on the basement treadmill and the miles flew by. So nice to Netflix and Treadmill.

Saturday: easy 6 miles

Sunday: Last long run of this training cycle! I headed to Boulder to run trails, it was a beautiful day and I took it nice and easy. It was still probably not enough elevation gain for my race but it is what it is. Done early so we had plenty of time for an afternoon birthday party.

Totals:

Running: 63.35 miles total, I believe this might be my biggest week ever.

————————————————————————————

Monday: Full rest day.

Tuesday: 4 early morning miles, legs felt pretty good after a rest day. Lot’s of wildlife out now the spring is here!

Wednesday: Speed work on the treadmill – half and quarter mile repeats. Trying to find a little turnover.

Thursday: Easy 6.5 miles, was meant to be at least 8 miles but my legs felt wooden and tired so I cut it short.

Thursday evening I finally pulled the trigger and signed up for the Leadville Silver Rush 50 miler….slightly scared.

Friday: Set out for 4 miles but legs felt really good so added on another mile.

Saturday: Easy 6 miles

Sunday: We celebrated my mom’s birthday in the morning (sneaking Cannon a bite of cupcake…..)

so my normal morning long run was moved to the afternoon. I am not used to running in the afternoon sun and burned my arms, whoops! 14.3 warm miles on the local trails.

Totals:

Running: 41.3 miles – let the taper madness begin….

March 20, 2017

WEEKLY RUNDOWN – MARATHON TRAINING WEEK 12

Last week was not the best week for training and a big step back in milage. A cold has been rolling it’s way through our house. On Sunday of last week Cory started to have a sore throat and was full on sick by Monday, then later in the week Cannon came down with similar symptoms and I was last to the party by coming down with it on Saturday. We have been lucky that we haven’t been sick much with a little one in the house so we can’t complain too much. That said, sleep hasn’t been great and I decided to skip my long run yesterday since I was at the peak of feeling crapy and didn’t want to make the illness worse. I did get up early this morning to fit in 12 of the 16 I missed, it didn’t feel great but better than Sunday would have.

As usual I am linking up with Jessie at The Right Fits and Jess Runs ATL to recap last weeks training.

———–

Monday: Full rest day, unless you count swim lessons with Cannon, he has started going twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. He is a natural in the water and already kicks and swims well.

Tuesday: 6.3 miles in the morning before work, my headlamp is getting a lot of use recently.

Wednesday: Mid-week longish run of 8 miles

In the afternoon I headed to Runners Roost to replace my Hoka Cliffton 3s, that old pair carried me many miles and kept my PF in check. I am so happy with them, I replaced them with the exact same pair.

Thursday: Easy 4 mile run, was supposed to be a double day but with Cannon getting sick, I need to be home with him, priorities!

Lots of early morning runs and sunrises.

Friday: 5.6 miles early in the morning so I could spend the day with my boys. Cory had the day off and it was Cannon’s 9 month birthday so we decided to have a picnic and hike to celebrate.

My little Cannon may be sick but he still had so much fun on his 9 month birthday picnic and hike. Love you to the moon and back little one. #Cannon #cmcn #9monthsold

Cannon wasn’t feeling great, but it was warm and he seemed to enjoy the hike even with buggers on his face.

Saturday: I was already not feeling well Saturday morning, so I just went out for a quick 4 mile run before we started our day. It’s been really warm here in Colorado and all the plants are starting to wake up. We spent much of the day working in the yard before taking Cannon for a walk to the park in the afternoon.

Sunday: I was supposed to run 16 hilly trail miles, and it was a beautiful day for it. But my cold had lodged itself into my lungs and I felt miserable, I can’t take any medicine to help with the symptoms so I just decided it was best to rest and try to recover from this virus. We took it easy, worked in the yard more and took Cannon to the park again.

Totals:

Running: 32.5 miles….shrug.

March 14, 2017

WEEKLY RUNDOWN – MARATHON TRAINING WEEK 11

Another week down, just a few more to go. I feel like last week was all about just getting it done.

Work was more demanding than normal so runs were all about business. It feels a bit boring to talk about my running week as all the runs were done in my neighborhood to save time but I committed to documenting this training cycle so here it is.

I am linking up with Jessie at The Right Fits and Jess Runs ATL to recap last weeks training.

———–

Monday: Full rest day. I hadn’t taken a rest day in awhile so I took full advantage of the extra time to get more work done.

Tuesday: 4 mile run around the reservoir. It was so windy that I had a hard time running in a straight line.

Wednesday: Mid-week longish run of 7 miles

Thursday: 6 morning miles before a long day at work, tried to keep it light and easy.

Friday: Double run day! I really love double run days. 4 miles in the morning and 4 miles in the evening.

Saturday: It was grey and rainy in the morning and I loved it. I think running in the rain is very calming, 5.25 miles was a great way to start the day

Sunday: 20 miles!!! It felt fine, but was a lot flatter than I would have liked. I didn’t want to drive to a trail head so I kept it to the local trails. Next weekend I really need to find more elevation for my long run.

Totals:

Running: 51 miles

Cross Training: None…just the way it worked out this week.

3 more peak weeks until taper!

March 6, 2017

Weekly Rundown – Marathon Training Week 10

Weeks are speeding by and now we are just 6 weeks out from race day! Week 10 was a bit of a cut back week as my legs were feeling a thrashed and I wanted to be ready to tackle peak training. The next 4 weeks will be peak marathon training with more race specific training. On the race website the first sentence on the course description says “These are challenging courses”…..GULP! I will admit I am nervous, I feel like I will be more than ready to run 26.2 miles, but the 3500 feet of gain is giving me concern..so it’s time for more hills!

I am linking up with Jessie at The Right Fits and Jess Runs ATL to recap last weeks training.

———–

Monday: Quick 2.5 mile shake out run after Cory got home from work and strength training focus on core work.

Tuesday: Strength work while Cannon was napping and 3 miles of intervals on the treadmill.

Wednesday: Wednesdays are my mid-week long run day so I got a little over 8 miles in before Cory went to work, it was VERY cold and I was a little underdressed…brrr.

Full body strength training in the home gym in the evening.

Thursday: 5.6 miles in the morning, trying to go really easy.

Friday: Double run day! I don’t always have long amounts of time that I can be out for a run so running twice in a day is the only way I can get longer milage in on week days .I started the day with 5.75 miles in the morning and 3.2 miles in the evening.

Saturday: Cory, Cannon and I got out for an early run before a busy Saturday. I love when we all get to run together. In the afternoon we got to enjoy amazing 75 degree weather while celebrating Cannon’s cousins first birthday. It was so much fun!

Cannon bundled up for fun winter running

Sunday: I decided to cut my long run WAY back to 10.75 miles. It was a nice to go to Cannon’s swim lesson in the afternoon without noodle legs!

Totals:

Running: 43 miles

Cross Training: 3 sessions

February 27, 2017

Weekly Rundown – Marathon Training Week 9

Week 9 was a bit of a mix and a challenge to get my workouts in. Cory had to travel for work mid-week so I was on my own with Cannon and the pups. I also agreed to teach a class for a coworker in the evening and we had an ice storm that made running outside impossible. All in all, I am happy with what I was able to get in given the obstacles. As always I am hoping to do better this week!

As usual, I am linking up with Jessie at The Right Fits and Jess Runs ATL to recap last weeks training.

———–

Monday: Quick 2 mile shake out to get rid of the stiffness from last Sunday’s 16 mile run

Tuesday: Jumped on the treadmill for 5 miles with intervals.

Wednesday: Normally I get out early for a mid-week longish run before Cory leaves for work, but he was on travel for work so I decided to try to get out for a mid-day run with Cannon. It was a beautiful day and normally Cannon does fine in the stroller but on this particular day he was not having it. We made it .75 miles from home when he started to complain so we turned around. Any Mamas out there have tips on how you got your little one to love the jogging stroller?

I was at least able to get in a strength training session during a short nap time.

Thursday: Cory was back (yay!) so I was up and out early to get 7 miles in around the neighborhood. It’s so nice that I am able to get out earlier and earlier as the days get longer. I would have liked to have gotten a strength session in but I agreed to cover a coworkers class in the evening so that was out for the day.

Friday: I wasn’t able to get out until late in the evening, I actually love running in the dark with my headlamp. 4 miles on trails felt amazing.

Saturday: Up and out with the sun to get 6 miles in before the day got going. It was 12 degrees and I didn’t see any other runners.

Sunday: I had an 18 mile run on the schedule and I didn’t want to be away from Cannon for too long so I decided to run loops around our house. About half way through the run I stopped back home to nurse Cannon. When I got back out on the run my legs were stiff and it took a few miles to get back into the groove. All worth it to see my little man. Any other moms out there doing loops so they can feed their little ones?

Totals:

Running: 43.7 miles

Strength: 1 session…sigh

February 20, 2017

Weekly Rundown – Marathon Training Week 8

I finally signed up for the Desert Rats Trail Festival marathon, so I guess it’s official now. Marathon training is feeling real now with just 8 more weeks to go, half way there!

As usual, I am linking up with Jessie at The Right Fits and Jess Runs ATL to recap last weeks training.

———–

Monday: Evening 3 mile run, chasing the sunset after Cannon went to bed, my legs felt heavy after my long run the day before so I took it nice and easy.

Tuesday: Tuesday was Valentine’s Day, Cory came home a little early so we could all go out for a run together. It has been so warm here lately, we have been spoiled. We got in just under 4 miles before it was time to get Cannon his dinner.

Sweethearts Run ❤

Wednesday: Early morning 7 mile run in the hood and full body strength in the evening.

Thursday: Just another quick evening 3 mile run, trying to get in as many hills as possible and full body strength in the evening.

Friday: First double run day of this training cycle! 5.6 miles in the morning, focusing on hills and 3 miles in the evening, just easy miles with Cory and Cannon.

Saturday: Saturday was a busy day so I got out early for a few miles.

Up with the sun ☀️

Sunday: The warm weather has led to dry trails so I drove to Boulder for 16 miles on the trails. It was a gorgeous day but my legs were thrashed!

Just another Sunday Runday

Totals:

Running: 45 miles

Strength: 2 sessions

February 19, 2017

Cannon // 8 Month Check In

I can’t believe Cannon is already 8 months old, he looks more and more like a little boy and less like a baby.

He is now 18 lbs 10 oz (42%) and 28.1 in (63%)

Cannon is still eating like a champ, his current favorites are bananas, golden beets, carrots and apples. Even though he does not have any teeth he feeds himself and chews all his food.

We enjoyed making crafts

and celebrating Valentine’s Day

We have spent many miles in the BoB stroller enjoying this sunny February.

Past Monthly Updates:

February 14, 2017

Happy Valentines Day!

I hope your day is filled with love and snuggles!

February 13, 2017

Weekly Rundown – Marathon Training Week 7

Week 7 flew by, and after this week I will be half way to Desert Rats Trail Marathon. It was the start of exams last week so things were a bit crazy, there was not enough strength training but I hit the minimum goal of 30 miles for the week.

I am linking up with Jessie at The Right Fits and Jess Runs ATL to recap last weeks training.

———–

Monday: Just a quick 2 mile run on the treadmill to shake off the dust.

Tuesday: My legs were still feeling heavy and stiff so I did a little interval run on the treadmill. After a 5 minute warm up I ran 1 min hard 1 minute easy for a total of 20 minutes, then cooled down. It did the trick and my legs felt much better after.

Wednesday: Early morning 7 mile run in the hood.

Thursday: 3.2 mile evening run, I would really like to get in some longer runs mid week, but I am just glad to be getting out after Cannon goes to bed.

Friday: Friday got away from me quickly, so I decided to jump on the treadmill for a climbing workout before heading to bed.

Saturday: I moved my long run to Saturday since there was snow in the forecast for Saturday night/Sunday morning. I decided to keep it simple and just do laps in the neighborhood. Cory and Cannon joined me for the first 5 miles then I completed 10 more on my own.

Sunday: I squeezed in 3.75 miles before swim class for Cannon

Totals:

Running: 35.13 miles

Strength: None (boo)

February 10, 2017

Currently // February 2017

The last couple months have been a blur, with the holidays, lots of new adventures and trying to soak in every moment with my little man. Here is what’s been up the last couple of months.

Excited About // My new role teaching at a small local college. I had moved more into administrative role over the last few years and I LOVED my job at the University. Honestly I really miss my old job and my coworkers, it really was an amazing group of people and students to work with. But after returning after having Cannon, it just didn’t feel right to me. I hated spending so much time away from him when he was so small, it broke my heart and I didn’t feel like I was my best at work or at home. So I resigned from my job without a real plan on what I would do next, it was scary but I believed that something would come up that would be a better fit. In December I applied for a teaching job where I would only have to be on campus twice a week and could do the rest of my work remotely from home. I interviewed and was offered the job right at the begining of the year. While I loved being home full time with Cannon, this for me feels like the best fit, I love that I am with him most days but I still get to teach and interact with adults. It’s not always easy, and there is VERY little free time, but it’s so worth it.

Training For // Marathon training for an April trail marathon. It feels so good to be training for an event, like getting a little piece of myself back.

Focusing On // Little victories. As I have gotten back into training and eating well to fuel my runs I am having little victories like being able to run all the hills on the seven mile loop around my house. Being able to zip up my old favorite running jacket, this is a big win in my book. And fitting back into more and more of my work wardrobe. I hit my pre-pregnancy weight a while ago but after having a baby and (still) nursing things are a little different. I was training for an Ironman before getting pregnant so even if the scale is the same or less body composition is still a work in progress.

Struggling With // Nursing. You may recall that I had a hard time establishing my milk supply right after having Cannon. I had to work really hard to get enough milk to feed him. It was going along but I always had to work at it. I woke up every night for months to pump extra, sometimes multiple times. Now that I am back at work again my supply seems to be going down again and I feel like I am hanging on by a thread to keep up. It’s stressful and I have a lot of mom guilt about it, like I am not doing the right things if I am not able to make enough milk for my baby. I know it’s fine if he has formula, and that I even have a frozen milk stash but I am struggling with accepting that this has been such a struggle.

Loving // Playing with my little man, he is so much fun!