This week’s Tuesday Topic is What are some running mistakes you’ve made or keep on making?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I laughed when I saw today’s topic.  I always tell my students that everyone makes mistakes but the important thing about it is to learn from our mistakes.  Umm, obviously that does not apply to ME.  

🟦 Not stretching after a run.  I am always in a rush after my run.  I have to shower, get ready, and get something to eat before logging in for my students.  This week I am going to my classroom to set it up and seriously there is no time.  

🟦 Not enough cross training or strength workouts.  I do it here and there but am not consistent.  Reason?  Time.  Sometimes laziness.  

🟦 Being too tense.  I don’t relax my shoulders and end up with some discomfort.  I don’t realize I am doing it until my shoulders are up toward my ears.  Sometimes I stop to stretch my neck and my arms and that helps.

🟦 Running too many races.  In 2013 I ran 24 races.  The majority were half marathons.  While it was great crossing off so many states from my list, it was tiring and expensive too.  Obviously I did not learn because the following year I ran 18 races and quite a few were Disney races.

🟦 Starting too fast.  I think many of us have done this.  Now I run my easy runs at an easy pace but sometimes I do start off too fast and then walk more than intended.  I know for sure I have done this at a race.

What about you?  What are some running mistakes you’ve made or  keep on making?

This week’s Tuesday Topic is What’s on your Fall bucket list?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

I’m deviating from this week’s topic to write about my goals for Fall.  I’ve been working very hard in my training and also in my job.  However, I don’t make time for me.  I am hoping that with these goals I can find a balance between my personal and work life.  I am writing them in no specific order.

⇒ Continue working with my coach.  I enjoy working with him and my workouts.  I have my good and bad days.  Every runner goes through that and there is nothing to do about it.  Is there?

⇒ Keep on working on endurance and speed.  I truly believe that the training this year is getting me ready for next year.  I say this because I want to be positive that there will be races next year.

⇒ Stop checking and responding to work email after work hours.  I have already removed the app from my phone.  I can only check it from my computer.  Whatever it is sitting in my inbox can wait till the next morning.  

⇒ Log off from my work computer at 3pm or 4pm (the latest).  The work is never ending.  Work will always be there.  It can wait till the next day.  Yesterday I was working on school stuff till 8pm.  

⇒ Buy a house.  I know I keep saying this but I want to move this year.  I like where I live but am ready for a change.

⇒ Get up more often during the day.  I sit pretty much all day and am tense and sore.  My neck hurts every single day.

⇒ Get a massage.  I maybe need 7 in a row!  I know the last one I got was last year.  I used to be really good about it and get a massage twice a month.  

⇒ Read more books.  I love reading Wendy’s posts where she mentions the books she has read.  Right now I am reading “The Happy Ever After Playlist” and have a few more waiting for me at the library.  Thanks Wendy!

⇒ Do more fun things with friends.  This one is “tricky’ but doable.  Last Monday I met a friend for dinner.  I had not seen her since March and it was my first time out in a restaurant in a long time.  It felt weird but also nice to be out.

⇒ Go to sleep earlier.  I have not been sleeping well.  I stay up way too late (work) and then wake up early in the morning.

⇒ Find time for yoga and cycling classes.  Running and strength is what I do now.  I know I should do more.  I miss the bike and I know yoga will help me feel better.  I was motivated with Deborah’s post where she did yoga everyday for 2 weeks.  

⇒ Smile and laugh more!  

Whew, that’s a lot.  What do you think about my goals?  Anything else I should add to the list?

This week’s Tuesday Topic is What speedwork do you incorporate in your running?  You can write about this topic or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to link up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!

One can either love or hate speedwork. I have mixed feelings about it. It all depends on how I am feeling that morning. I don’t hate it but I don’t love it either. I do it because I know it will help me get faster and because my coach tell me do do it. 🙂

When doing speed workouts, my paces aren’t “fast” but to me they are. They’re faster than what I would normally run. It feels good to hit paces and see numbers I never thought I would see. It is even better when I don’t want to do said workout and it goes better than expected!

✔️ I like to do short speed workouts than longer ones. My favorite ones are the 30 seconds fast with 1 minute recovery and 1 minute fast with 1 minute recovery.

✔️ A longer one that I like to do is 3:15/80 or 3:30/75. It isn’t that bad once I get settled in. Sometimes I do two sets of interval and I have to be careful not to go too fast in the first set.

I do a workout like this about once a week. Again, I don’t love them but don’t hate them either. They’re like spice adding an interesting twist to a run! Doing them does not kill me but will make me stronger. 🙂