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 #3, June 11-17

M Ran 4.00 miles
T OFF
W OFF
TH Ran 7.25 miles
F Ran 3.01 miles
S Ran 4.00 miles
S Ran 8.00 miles

4 miles to start off the week and my first day of summer school.  I have 12 students in my class and it is an ideal number to have in a classroom.  They finished first grade early in the month and will be going to 2nd grade in August.

The next day I got my first picture.  Made me smile.

I didn’t run on Wednesday because I woke up late in the morning.  After school I had  a PD and then was too tired to run.  I did Wednesday’s run (6×800 with 400m recovery and 1.5 miles warmup and cooldown) on Thursday.  Each interval was on pace except the last two.  Not too bad, right?  I did this run in the Brooks PureFlow 7 and afterwards noticed that my left leg/calf was hurting again.  The same thing happened the last time I ran in them but I just wanted to make sure and that is why I ran in them again.  Well, not no more.  I am sending these back.

The rest of the runs were all easy runs.  It’s been hot in Chicago and it was tough being out there for both of my runs on Saturday and Sunday.  On Saturday I did get up early but didn’t start running till almost 8am.  By the the sun was out and made it even more hot.

I knew it was going to be just as hot on Sunday so this time I made sure to get out there even earlier.  I saw the sunrise.  So pretty!

I did 8 miles @12:51 average pace.  I struggle a lot on this run.  But I don’t care because I got it done and it was within my easy pace range anyway.

Total mileage for the week: 26.27 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  67.31 miles
Total mileage for the year: 518.71 miles

Here’s how training has gone so far:
Week 1 and 2

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 #1, May 28-June 3

M Ran 4.01 miles
T OFF
W Ran 4 miles
TH OFF
F Ran 2.00 miles
S Ran 3.00 miles
S Ran 6.01 miles

I ran in new shoes (Brooks PureFlow 7) and somewhat enjoyed the HOT weather.  I was off on Monday and the week went by fast!

My left leg had been bothering me so I made sure to stretch and foam roll more than ever before.  I used a tennis ball for the glutes and that felt so good.  Weird but true.

I was supposed to run 3 miles on Friday but only managed 2.  It was a beautiful morning for a run!   

The next day my leg felt much better.  The stretching, foam rolling, and wearing compression socks definitely helped.  

First week of training went well.  This week was mostly easy runs which I like.

Total mileage for the week: 19.02 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  19.02 miles
Total mileage for the year: 470.43 miles

Week #2, June 4-10

M Ran 4.00 miles
T OFF
W Ran 5.01 miles
TH OFF
F Ran 3.00 miles
S Ran 4.00 miles
S Ran 6.01 miles

My last day of school began with 4 miles!  I wore a long sleeve top and was definitely overdressed.

I went to a professional development on Wednesday and then on Thursday and Friday went to school to set up my classroom.  I will be teaching summer school for 4 weeks from 8:30am-12:00pm.  I am actually excited about it!

Saw this during my PD and actually made me think about my running goals (sub 2 half marathon, sub 5 marathon, and eventually BQ).  For now I am going to focus on a sub 2 half marathon.  I am thinking of aiming for it at the RnR New Orleans Half Marathon in February.

The rest of the week also consisted of easy runs.  For the most part I’ve managed to run them at an “easy” pace.  Sometimes it isn’t that easy because I want to pick up the pace and just run faster.

Today’s run was supposed to be 8 miles.  I was halfway into it when these two dogs somehow showed up in front of me and scared me.  A lot.  I stopped and waited for them to leave.  They stayed for about 5 seconds and then they took off.  A car stopped and one of the passengers asked me if I was OK.  The driver even offered to give me a ride.  I thought that was nice of them but I told them I was OK and took off in the opposite direction.  I was still kind of shocked and thinking of what would have happened if the dogs had jumped at me or bitten me.  I was angry that they were loose out there instead of in a leash.  I still wanted to finish 8 miles but my mind took control and I was done at 6 miles.  

Next week on Wednesday I will have my first speed workout for this training cycle.  It is 1.5 miles warm up and cool down, and then 6x800s with 400ms recovery.  I am not sure if I should do this run in the morning before or after class.  We’ll see what happens!  🙂

Total mileage for the week: 22.02 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle:  41.04 miles
Total mileage for the year: 492.45 miles