Many people do their speed sessions on Tuesdays, and while I really love being a part of a big group of friends who encourage each other through grueling sets of 800ms, it works best for me to do my speed workouts on Thursdays. I do my longer midweek runs on Tuesdays. I was super proud of my Track Thursday this week. I felt great and recovered beautifully. Healthy running is exhilarating. I forgot how fun it is!
2016 Chicago Marathon Race Recap
I completed my second marathon last Sunday as part of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon. I finished in 3:56! Even though I PR-ed by 17 minutes and had my first sub 4 hour marathon, I haven't had many positive thoughts since I crossed the starting line.
Someone once told me that finishing a race is how an athlete expresses themselves. That a strong finish is an expression and reflection of the time and effort you put in to your training. This race did not reflect how hard I worked all summer. My quadriceps were in charlie horse level pain from about mile 10 to mile 26.2. I knew it was a physiological problem, and planned to get a blood work up as soon as I got back home. What the heck happened????
Thought Progressions on an 18 mile run...
My thought progression during my run today; feeling tight➡️ you can't take five miles to warm up during the marathon ➡️ panic - can't hit my paces ➡️ text P to come pick me up.....
Marathon Meltdown / Peak Training Week
Closed out this week with 75 miles, including the last 21 miler before Chicago!! But the best part of it is that P still loves me, despite the fact that I threw a three hour fit of epic proportions on Friday. After a long week, it was just a special mix of insomnia, hormones, and peak training tiredness. I realized I was in the wrong corral for the Chicago Marathon and the deadline to change has already passed. I've been checking weekly and hadn't been able to see my corral until Friday. I think psychologically speaking, it was just the last banana and I was so mad at myself for missing the deadline. After working so hard this season, how could I have overlooked that??
IT BAND/BANNED FROM RUNNING (get it?)
There are 29 more days until I am supposed to be running the Rock n Roll Nashville marathon. Except for this IT band is not healing - and by that I mean, I have not allowed it to heal. My chances of running the marathon are not looking good. I refuse to throw in the towel at this point.
CHRISTMAS WORKOUT/Running PLAYLIST
The holidays are HERE. I like to incorporate the holidays into every single part of my life, and so, of course, that includes my workouts! Ever wonder what the true spirit of Christmas sounds like? Need help propelling yourself up a big hill during a run? I've compiled a list of joyful Christmas songs to infuse your workouts with hot beatz, cheer, and joy! From Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, to Diplo, to Justin Bieber, I've got you covered!!
Red White & Blue - #2: Watermelon WORKOUT
It can be hard to find time to be active during the holidays, no matter how great your intentions are. The trick is to plan ahead and to involve as many of your friends and family as possible. Here are some ideas on how to stay active during the Fourth of July!
Marathon Music!!!
For the first 10-13 miles, I will probably be successfully distracted by the specatators and other runners on the course. But for those next thriteen, more specifically, miles 20 – 26, I will be conducting orchestras, marching to the beat of the drumline, joining a gospel choir, and pretending I’m in the Hunger Games as I inch towards the finish line.
Here is a sample of what will be on my playlist tomorrow! What I need from you is suggestions for music to add to my Marathon playlist!! If there is a story behind the song, please share that as well! Please leave your suggestions in the comments section, or comment on my Instagram post!
Girls on the Run and The Dailey Method - Special Donation Match Classes
Here is a super easy way to support GOTR Nashville or the Girls on the Run chapter in your area!
If you are in Nashville, mark your calendar for Sunday, March 1st, at 3 pm! In support of the Girls on the Run "One in a Million" campaign celebrating the milestone of serving our one millionth girl, The Dailey Method Nashville will be holding a special donation match class! Minimum $10 donation to attend class. All donations will be matched by TDM Nashville with all proceeds going directly to Girls On The Run Nashville! Hope to see you there!!
To learn more and to sign up, click here!!
Marathon Training - Week 7: 18 miles and still smiling
Week 7 finishes up with 18 miles. Last Saturday, 2/14/2015, our long run was 17 miles, and it was one of the worst runs of my life. This weekend, our group training run was canceled. I was actually kind of relieved because it was supposed to rain all day Saturday and it was still super icy out. There was no way I was going to miss this week’s long run. My only option was to run on the treadmill. Yep. 18 miles. On a treadmill. Inclines included.
It was tough, and I really looked forward to water breaks, but I felt GREAT!! So much better than last week, in fact, I finished smiling! Granted running on a treadmill and running outside are much different, but my celebration here is for getting through 18 miles without being a Negative Nancy and without feeling like my legs were made of cement.