It’s tough not to run

Hey there. Work has been a little crazy so at the end of the day I’ve been focusing on eating healthy dinners and putting my feet up. 

I’ve also been working on my cross training. But I’m having a little problem.

I’m finding it hard not run. and it’s more than a I-love-to-run problem. It’s more of a I MUST RUN ALL THE MILES POSSIBLE EVERY WEEK problem.

When I set a goal, I work towards it, and I achieve it. If it looks like I can’t achieve my A goal, I modify the goal to something I can achieve and achieve it. Failure is not an option in my mind.

This mindset/personality trait is such a double edged sword. I am very committed to my goals, yes. But when I try to take a break from something (like, running…) I find it hard to not still give my 100%, even when I know it is okay.

Most likely, by the time this week is done, I will have taken 2 spinning classes, ran twice and done 4 sessions of EA Active. This is more than okay. I know that, logically. I’m taking a little break from running between training cycles. Mentally, this will be good.

But part of me also hates to see my weekly mileage fall, and hates to see myself hitting the pavement less than four times. 

Which is I guess exactly why I NEED this. To prove to myself that it’s okay not to go balls-to-the-wall in running all the time. 

But man, is it hard.

Friday Fitness Recap – April 26

This week I have been in half recovery mode, half trying to get ready for the Pittsburgh Marathon which is a week from Sunday! It came up so fast! I’m excited but a little nervous since I didn’t really train for it because I was focused on the Hershey 10k. Hopefully it’ll go okay though.

I didn’t get in the 4 running days this week that I hoped to get in. My legs felt pretty tired on Tuesday so I decided to take an unplanned rest day. Kickboxing is also over for the summer so I need to figure out what I’m going to do to fill that void. I’m thinking on focusing on my arms and core through the 30 day shred and EA Active but those don’t add up to the 60 minutes of intense cardio that I get from kickboxing. So we will see. It’ll be nice to have a change of pace for a little bit though.

Saturday – Rest
Sunday –  7 Mile Run + Beaver Stadium Run 5k (2:23:xx total)
Monday – 3 easy miles on the treadmill (38:19)
Tuesday – Unplanned Rest
Wednesday – EA Active Arms & Abs (30 mins)
Thursday – 4 hard miles on the treadmill (48:37)
Friday – Rest

Total miles: 17
Total time: 4.3 hrs

This weekend I’m planning to take it easy as I start to taper for the Half next weekend. I want to get in an easy 8 miler tomorrow or Sunday (hopefully tomorrow), but other than that it’s going to be rest rest rest!

Have a good weekend!

7 Mile Run + Beaver Stadium Run 5k (Race Recap)

Happy Monday! I hope you had a great weekend.

The hubby and I are embarking on major spring cleaning, including going through everything in our basement and purging and organizing. So needless to say, my weekend was filled with a lot of cleaning and organizing, as well as a good bit of running, to be expected.

I totally slacked on Saturday with getting out the door to do my scheduled 10 miler. I just wasn’t feeling it. So instead I decided to do 7 miles before my planned 5k race on Sunday.

On Sunday I woke up around 7 so that I was to the race location by 8. I was able to check in and get my packet, drop it off in my car, and then I went off to do 7 miles. I had a rough route in mind but I sort of winged it. I took it super duper slow. LOTS of walk breaks. I didn’t want to be a complete failure for the 5k later in the day. I did the 7 miles in 1:45. Like I said, super duper slow and easy. My legs felt pretty good when I was done. I purposely chugged a lot of water and took a Gu (something I normally wouldn’t do for a 7 mile run) so that I was hydrated and getting some “food”.

I got back from my run around 9:45, and took some time to change my clothes (so glad I thought to bring an extra shirt to change into!), eat some Gu chomps, chug some more water, go to the bathroom, etc. It was a little chilly outside so I spent a good 10 minutes in my car just trying to get my body heat back to normal again.

The race didn’t start until 11, but I was glad to have a lot of time to relax, change, stretch and mill around with some friends before it started. The race was the Beaver Stadium Run, in State College, PA. I have run this race for four years now (here is my 2011 recap) and I am so impressed with how it has literally doubled in size every year. This year there was ~3500ish runners! That’s more than at the Hershey 10k! Super impressive. The race benefits the Special Olympics of Pennsylvania so it is a great cause.

 

I was decked out in pink. I had decided early on that this race was just for fun. And give the crowds at the beginning and all the weaving I needed to do, in addition to the fact that there was only a chip at the end, I am so glad I did. My official time was 39:17, but according to my Garmin (which I started when I crossed the start), my time was 38:14. Not my best by any stretch but I had a good time and felt strong given that it was miles 8, 9 and 10 for me.

At the end of the race you get to run through the tunnel and onto the 50 yard line of Beaver Stadium’s field. It is a rush, especially if you’re a Nittany Lion football fan.

Franco Harris has been a huge supporter of the race since the beginning (the first year I even met him and got a photo with him – I’ll have to share that sometime!). I give him a big ol’ high five as I ran to the finish line.

 

And what’s this?! A finish line photo where I look like I’m having fun?! Awesome! haha. It pays to have a friend who is one of the photographers for the event.

 

After the race I met up with my friends, and our friend who was a photographer for the event. We milked having access to stand on Beaver Stadium’s turf for as long as we could and took a bazillion photos. I just wanted to share this one.She was taking individual photos of us, and the way we were standing, I joked that I felt like a cheerleader, so I put my arm up to cheer.

Running the Beaver Stadium Run is a great opportunity. It’s well-organized (though I think they’re going to have to be careful if the race size continues to grow like it has the past four years), a great course and finish line, and for a really good cause.