Week 3... Check!

Today's run rounded off week 3 of Boston Marathon training! Week 1 went very well and I stuck straight to my training plan. Week 2... not so much. Combined with Christmas holiday temptations and being home in Oceanside where surfing usually constitutes my daily workout and burritos replace my daily smoothies, I was still able to get in a solid lifting workout and a total of 14 miles over 2 runs in. It was back to the grind with the start of week 3 and I hit it hard! Sometimes we need a little break even after just 2 weeks of training :)

Oceanside South Jetty... how can I resist?

Today I woke up excited to give the last day of week 3 all that I had. Waking up to an email from the owner of the rental condo in Boston we have been hoping for made me that much more pumped to go for a run. I booked the condo, called my parents in excitement and headed out for a chilly 10 mile run. I am pretty sure I smiled the entire time. Thoughts of traveling to Boston, visions of crossing the finish line on Boylston Street, and friendly greetings from runners passing by fueled me to keep going at a pace much quicker than planned. 

I love my Nike+ TomTom GPS watch!

Welcome back to my Saturday morning long runs. I am happiest when training for a race :)

What Works For Me

Everyone has their go to daily/weekly workout routine that makes them feel their best and achieve desired results. I get really bad ADD in the gym (especially when the workday ends and it comes time to decide on my means of breaking a good sweat) and always need a plan to get an effective workout in. Leading up to training for races I like to create a solid fitness base... something that will ease me into a rigorous 4 month training plan and remain injury free **fingers crossed**!!

My weekly training base incorporates not only running but plenty of cross training in the form of lifting, swimming, and biking. The week of workouts I have planned the next two months to achieve my Boston Marathon base looks a little something like this:

Monday - Lift arms

Tuesday - Run 3-4 miles at race pace

Wednesday - Lift legs or HIIT (Hight Intensity Interval Training)

Thursday - Run 4 miles (hills or speed/track workout)

Friday - swim 1,600m or 1 mile

Saturday - Run 6 miles (turn into tempo runs as training approaches)

Sunday - REST!!

I have found that obtaining a solid base for my overall fitness has contributed greatly to both my motivation to train for an event and the way my body feels post workout.

After strenuous workouts (especially lifting) I like to treat my body to a delicious protein shake. If you hate the taste of protein like me try this recipe:

1 banana

8 oz milk

1 tablespoon peanut or almond butter

1 scoop protein of choice (chocolate is yummiest)

Cheers to a healthy running base!! What works for you?

Eugene: The Beginning

In December of 2012, one of my best friends and I decided to run our first Marathon and share the experiences of training and finishing together. We decided on Eugene, Oregon due to its beauty, cool climate, and extremely flat course! After months of long Saturday runs full of unforgettable conversation and memories we travelled 8 hours (by car) up North to Eugene. All along it had been my goal to qualify for Boston and just a week after the Boston bombings I wanted nothing else than to run the race the following Spring.

Hutch and I the day before the marathon at the race expo. Track Town USA!! Dreaming of that moment so soon when we would cross the finish line on Hayward Field following the footsteps of many Olympians and running legends.

After a pre-race picture (all smiles but man were we nervous) we were off!

My amazing husband, Wes, met me several times along the race course to cheer, take pictures, and restock me with the essentials: muffins, energy chews, and nuun sports drink.

Hutch and I with our race medals at the finish line! Our amazing friends Jeannie and Brian drove all the way from San Francisco to cheer us on and made this hilarious sign which apparently made a few runners angry ;)

Hutch smashed all her goals and finished the race in under 4 hours! I, still shocked till this day, qualified for Boston at my first marathon with a 3:31:01... what an emotional finish line crossing it was... both legs cramped with 400m to go and I was so delirious that Wes found me 30 min later wandering with my arms stuffed with free food including a plate of delicious pancakes.

Nothing better than a post race celebration at Ninkasi brewery. We just had to flaunt our race shirts and medals :)

It was a long 5 month wait... In September I applied for a spot in the 2014 Boston Marathon and 2 weeks later the above email hit my inbox stating I had been accepted!! It was the most instantaneous runner's high ever!

I am so excited to begin training for another marathon. Here is to blister free feet, delicious carbs, and an injury free training regime. "Boston" will be running Boston April 21st!