Here we are, halfway through August, and I am just getting around to writing my July training recap. I also am realizing that I have slacked on updating my blog lately. I haven’t done race recaps for any of the races that I ran in July. I haven’t shared my thoughts on anything in a while. I keep up with my Instagram posts about my daily workouts, but I know some of you enjoy the deeper insights. I’m going to try to be better!
Total June Miles: 93.25 miles
This was the first month in 2019 that I did not get 100 miles. I came really, really, close… but decided that I have many months ahead of me to get all kinds of miles in, and that breaking the streak wouldn’t kill me. I’m pretty proud of the fact that I did 7 months in a row of 100 miles! (Started December 2018)
- January 2018: 66.50 miles / January 2019: 100.03 miles
- February 2018: 74.53 miles / February 2019: 100.12 miles
- March 2018: 89.00 miles / March 2019: 116.26 miles
- April 2018: 70.75 miles / April 2019: 104.41 miles
- May 2018: 100.19 miles / May 2019: 111.69 miles
- June 2018: 78.57 miles / June 2019: 100.07 miles
- July 2018: 79.76 miles / July 2019: 93.25 miles
- August 2018: 136.95 miles /
- September 2018: 137.30 miles /
- October 2018: 80.11 miles /
- November 2018: 63.0 miles /
- December 2018: 103.33 miles /
- TOTAL 2018: 1080 miles / TOTAL 2019: 638.8 miles
What was I training for? I used the Hal Higdon Advanced 5k training plan to prepare for the Running to Honor 5k. This was a very special race to me, because of the cause (honoring veterans, especially those who never came home or lost their battles with PTSD after returning home), the race director being one of my friends, and it was held my birthday weekend. I worked hard on my training plan with hopes of getting my second sub 30 5k or maybe even a PR.
What races did I run? Volkslaufe 10k, Canadian Lakes 5k (fun run) and Running to Honor 5k
Best performances: Not only did I manage to get a sub 30 5k at Running to Honor, but I ended up getting a PR! My official time was a 29:12, but the course was just a little bit short. I wasn’t satisfied with not seeing the “New 5k Record!” flash across my Garmin, so I unpaused it and ran that last little distance to end up with a 29:30 for 3.11 miles – a 3 second PR! I have to give a huge shout out to my friend Christine who helped push me through this race. There were several times when I wanted to give up… although it wasn’t a very hot day, it was a humid day, and I can’t stand running in humidity! Christine tried to keep my mind off feeling like death and she stayed by my side the whole race.
Opportunities for improvement: I’m not going to pick on myself for nutrition and hydration this month – I actually have been working on improving those things, YAY ME! I’ve also been doing some cross-training, thanks to hiring a running coach who is keeping me on my toes. One thing I definitely need to remember to do is warm up and cool down, especially stretching. I’m pushing myself harder, running in new shoes, and my body is feeling it. I need to give it some love!
What’s ahead: Remember how last month I was saying I was anxious to do another marathon? Guess who signed up for one!? I am officially registered to run the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon on November 9th. As I said earlier I am working with a running coach for this one. I have a LOT of races planned between now and then… the next one is the Lake Lansing Marathon Relay (5 people do a loop of 5.25 miles), then Crim 10 miler the weekend after, then I will possibly be doing a race at Run for Your Heart, next will be the Capital City River Run Half Marathon Relay, and the last weekend of September I am participating in my first ever Ragnar Relay! (Apparently this year is the year of relay races). October will bring Bruckelaufe to round out the Frankenmuth series, possibly the CMU Homecoming race (it was my first 5k in 2008), the International Half Marathon at Detroit and finishing up with Trick or Trot at the end of October. Then only two weeks will stand between me and my next 26.2. You guys, I am so excited for this one. My training is going really great, my coach is amazing, I’m really confident that I’m going to kick ass at Indy!
RD on the Run 