Category: Running


Jul
2018

Goodbye July and Hello August!

categories: Ambassador, Half Marathon Training, Hansons Training, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

Where did July go?  I feel like I just wrote about the end of summer school and still having a few more weeks of summer break.  

Hello August

• July was a busy month with family activities.  My sister and her husband were in town and we did something pretty much each day.  We went to a cotillion on the 14th and then the rest of the week, we went downtown to Millennium Park and to Lake Katherine, and also visited lots of other family members.  Plus, we ate A LOT!  I am surprised my pants and shorts still fit.

• Training went well this month.  I am currently training for the ZOOMA Great Lakes Half Marathon in September.  I did most of my runs but missed 3 long runs and an easy run.  We had some hot days but lately it has cooled down and that has made the runs a bit more enjoyable.  How many more days till Fall?

• Ran 102.44 miles.  Another month over 100 miles.  I am now 55% done of my yearly goal.  There are 154 days left in 2018 and I still need to run 533.41 miles to achieve my goal.

2018 Goal

• Total time running was 21:10:59.

• 21 days of running.  With the Hansons Training Plan, I run 6 days a week and so far have been doing OK.  I’ve trained before with this plan but lately have been struggling with my long runs on Sunday and the hot days this summer.  I’ve forgotten how tired I get using this plan.

July 2018 Calendar

ZOOMA Half Marathon-27

• My weekly speed workouts have not been going OK.  I’ve been struggling to hit the required paces and that frustrates me.  I know the weather is a big factor because I remember during the winter I did so well in my speed workouts.

ZOOMA Half Marathon-41

• I ran 1 race in July.  I ran the Elmhurst 4 on the 4th on July 4th.  It is one of my favorites and it was so much fun!  I have no races in August as it will be all about training for my upcoming half marathon.

Overall, I am proud of myself with how I did in July.  I missed a few runs but didn’t stress too much about it.  I go back to work on August 20th and I am sort of looking forward to it.  🙂

July 2018 Report Card

So how did July go for you?

Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun


Jul
2018

ZOOMA Half Marathon Training Recap, Week 9

categories: Half Marathon Training, Hansons Training, Running, Weekly Recap

ZOOMA Half Marathon-1

I am excited to be training for the ZOOMA Half Marathon on September 15.  I am also excited to share that I will train using the Hansons Half Marathon Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. 

Week #9, July 23-29

M Ran 5.00 miles
T OFF
W Ran 7.10 miles
TH Ran 4.00 miles
F Ran 6.00 miles
S Ran 4.00 miles
S Ran 6.50 miles

Monday was another early wake up call to run.  Felt great and was able to get negative splits!

Wednesday’s workout was 5×1000 with 400s recovery and 1.5 miles warmup and cooldown.  I was disappointed because I did not hit the pace I was supposed to.  

ZOOMA Half Marathon-41.jpg

Thursday, Friday, and Saturday runs were 4, 6, and 4 miles again.  The weather was decent which made the runs enjoyable.  Some days you can do negative splits and some days you don’t.  🙂

Sunday’s run was 3×2 miles with 800m recovery and 1.5 miles warmup and cooldown for a total of 10 miles.  I went out early to enjoy the cooler temperature.  I was planning to do this by the lake by decided to do this close to home.  This run did not go well and I stopped at 6.5 miles.  I was frustrated.  I wasn’t hitting the paces I was supposed to and instead just decided to run whatever pace I could.  Then I got too hot and tired.  Then my left foot began to bother me.  I stopped and just walked home. 

Some days you have good runs and some days you don’t.  Oh well.  I can’t be too hard on myself since I am still doing pretty good with training for the ZOOMA Great Lakes Half Marathon.

Total mileage for the week: 32.60 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  215.11 miles
Total mileage for the year: 666.46 miles 

Here’s how training has gone so far:
Week 1 and 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7
Week 8


Jul
2018

NuGo Egg White Protein Bars Review

categories: Ambassador, BibRave Pro, Product Review, Running, Tuesdays on the Run

Disclaimer:  I received NuGo Egg White Protein Bars to review as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find, and write race reviews. 

Thanks to BibRave I was afforded the opportunity to try out a new to me product – NuGo Egg White Protein Bars.  I had never heard of this product till a few months ago.  I received a mixed box with 12 bars in 4 flavors: Dark Chocolate Sea Salt, Maple Pecan, Blueberry, and Peanut Butter.

When I first received my box, I couldn’t decide on a flavor and finally picked Dark Chocolate Sea Salt.  It was delicious!  I shared with my sister and she also agreed that it was good.

So what’s so great about these protein bars?  
• They’re made with real fruits and nuts.
• They’re non-GMO and 180-200 calories.
• They’re certified gluten-free and OU Kosher Pareve.
• Each bar has 12-14g of protein with no soy or dairy!

I don’t exactly have the healthiest eating habits but whenever I can, I try to not always eat junk food.  I actually felt good eating these protein bars because I knew this was better than eating a hamburger, pizza, or a hot dog.  Don’t get me wrong, occasionally I do eat hamburgers, pizza, and hot dogs but I am trying to cut down.  🙂 

Each bar is chewy like a candy bar.  I would enjoy one with a cup of coffee.  They’re tasty and easy on my stomach.  They’re also perfect for post-workout needs as it is a great protein option for fueling your body. 

I am not a big fan of Blueberry nor Peanut Butter and surprised that these were also very good.

NuGo Egg Protein Bars-4

My favorite one is definitely the Dark Chocolate Sea Salt.  I like that this was just what I need to satisfy my chocolate craving.

NuGo Egg Protein Bars-8.jpg

If you’d like to try NuGo Egg White Protein Bars use code: “BIBRAVE” for 15% OFF at www.nugonutrition.com.  You can choose a single flavor, or try the variety pack.  This discount is good until August 3rd.

Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.

TuesdaysOnTheRun


Jul
2018

ZOOMA Half Marathon Training Recap, Week 8

categories: Half Marathon Training, Hansons Training, Running, Weekly Recap

ZOOMA Half Marathon-1

I am excited to be training for the ZOOMA Half Marathon on September 15.  I am also excited to share that I will train using the Hansons Half Marathon Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. 

Week #8, July 16-22

M Ran 4.00 miles
T Ran 7.75 miles
W Ran 4.00 miles
TH Ran 6.00 miles
F Ran 10.00 miles
S Ran 4.00 miles
S OFF

Wow, what a week!  I made some changes due to family stuff and the RnR Chicago on Sunday (I didn’t run but was a spectator).  I was determined not to miss any runs this week.  I didn’t!  🙂

Ran 4 miles on Monday and then went to see “The Incredibles 2”.  A good movie!  My favorite part was the scene with the raccoon.

Tuesdays are my days off but I moved my runs to be off on Sunday to spectate the RnR Chicago.  I did 10 x 400.  It was a tough workout and I didn’t not hit any of my paces.  I was hot and tired (my own fault).   There are some pretty flowers by the airport.

My sister is in town with her husband and daughter.  We went out to eat with another sister and my mother.   IHOP was celebrating their 60th anniversary so they were offering 3 short stacks for 60 cents.  My niece and I shared Mexican Tres Leches Pancakes and Belgian Dark Chocolate Mousse Pancakes.

Wednesday was 4 miles, Thursday 6 miles, Friday 10 miles, and Saturday 4 miles.  I went out too late on Thursday to run 6 miles and it was a mistake.  I don’t know why I thought it was a good idea to run in the middle of a HOT day.  I did my long run on Friday and it was tough too.  The last time I ran 10 miles was in May for the Solder Field 10 Mile.

ZOOMA Half Marathon-37

Later that evening I went to Fleet Feet South Loop to see Kathrine Switzer.  🙂

Kathrine Switzer-9.jpg

It rained for most of the morning on Sunday.  I felt bad for the runners.

Overall it was a good week.  I did all of my runs and don’t think I’ve ever run for 6 straight days.  That was exhausting!

Total mileage for the week: 35.77 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  182.50 miles
Total mileage for the year: 633.86 miles 

Here’s how training has gone so far:
Week 1 and 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Week 7


Jul
2018

ZOOMA Half Marathon Training Recap, Week 7

categories: Half Marathon Training, Hansons Training, Running, Weekly Recap

ZOOMA Half Marathon-1

I am excited to be training for the ZOOMA Half Marathon on September 15.  I am also excited to share that I will train using the Hansons Half Marathon Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue.  You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. 

Week #7, July 9-15

M Did not run
T OFF
W Ran 2.00 miles
TH Ran 4.00 miles
F Ran 4.00 miles
S Ran 4.00 miles
S Did not run

This week did not go well for training.  I was in a funky mood and had no desire to run.  I missed my run on Monday and Sunday.  I also missed my long run last Sunday too during week 6.  I don’t remember feeling like this last year so I am not sure what is going on.  

Wednesday morning I wasn’t hungry early in the morning like I usually am.  I did some errands but by 11 am I had to eat and stopped a restaurant close to my house.  I had a pepper and egg sandwich with hash browns.  It was yummy!

ZOOMA Half Marathon-28

That evening I decided to head out for a run.  I wanted to do 3 but ended up with 2 miles.  As I was turning a corner, another car also turned, and then stopped not too far from where I was.  That freaked me out.  I stopped too waiting for the car to keep going.  It didn’t.  Other cars were behind it and also stopped.  It still didn’t move.  The cars went around it.  Still didn’t move.  The driver finally turned on the blinkers.  I then turned around and went back home.  I don’t know if there was car problem or the driver was waiting for me.  

ZOOMA Half Marathon-29

Saw this the next morning on my run.  Yes, we have a problem around here.

ZOOMA Half Marathon-30

Ran faster than I wanted to and almost managed negative splits.

ZOOMA Half Marathon-31.jpg

Friday and Saturday were easy runs too.  It rained a little on Saturday but it felt so good to be out there.

ZOOMA Half Marathon-32

I want some fall weather!  That is my favorite season for running.  Hopefully next week will be better.  I need to figure out how to not miss/skip my long runs on Sunday.  I am thinking of moving them to Saturday to run with friends and hopefully that will motivate me to run.

Total mileage for the week: 14.00 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  146.73 miles
Total mileage for the year: 598.11 miles 

Here’s how training has gone so far:
Week 1 and 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6