This week has been quite a challenge as far as getting in all my workouts. Work is intense, I had to work on Saturday, plus a couple hours on Sunday. That meant that again Yoga was the loser (or more concisely, I was the loser because I did not practice yoga). I was happy with my running workouts though, even if I had to cut my Saturday run short. Here is my week four training recap.
I decided to tweak my training plan. I’m feeling pretty good, and I’ve been increasing my mileage consistently, so I changed my long run so that I will increase mileage a little quicker. I also added in the 5k I mentioned last week, Women Running Wild, on March 24. It is on a similar course to the 5k I did last week and I’m interested to see improvement in my time after five more weeks of training. If you click on the picture of my training log it will take you to the complete plan.
Click the pic for the full plan.
Another change that might be in the works is that I may be doing the Run Through Redlands half marathon instead of La Jolla. Because of an ownership change, Alan has not been confirmed as the announcer this year in La Jolla, but he is definitely announcing in Redlands. I like Redlands, my grandparents lived there when I was a kid, so running through Redlands brings back a lot of memories to me. I’ll keep you updated.
On another note, I think I may have found my next half marathon! I received an email from the Costume Party Run. It is a half marathon (the Hilarious Half Marathon) and 5k (the Wacky 5k) that will have its inaugural race in San Diego on July 7 this year. The Hilarious Half Marathon will start at Qualcomm Stadium (about a mile from my son’s home!), and costumes, while not required, are encouraged. Also, if you like bling, the finisher’s medal is the blingiest. It is a six inch, die cast medal, with a 3D spinning disco ball. I need it! Check it out here. You can also check out their Facebook page to keep up to date on the event. I will be planing my costume (something that doesn’t come naturally to me, so I’ll be asking for help).
Strength Training
I’m pretty happy with my strength training this week. On Monday and Friday I taught my Fast and Furious class, and frankly, it kicked my butt. During Friday’s class I laughed with my one student, who is about my age, that we were two middle age women trying to hold onto our youth. Well, why not. Friday’s workout in particular, was really challenging (see the photo above for the workout). It was a Tabata workout, the first ever that I’ve taught or completed myself. I found it on Fit Fab Cities, and it was so perfect I didn’t have to make any changes.
I also taught my Ball class two times this week. The Tuesday workout was moderate, but the lunges, squats, and core work challenged me. Thursday’s workout was tougher. We did three sets in a circuit style, including pushups with feet on the ball, twisting squats, reverse lunges, and lots of core work. Yes, it counted.
Yoga
I always feel pretty embarrassed when I have to write that I did not get in any yoga during the week, but I was seriously time challenged this week. I’m thinking that I need to do a yoga challenge next month to get me back on track, but I will try again next week to get at least two workouts in. My body and my soul feel so much better when I consistently practice that it is crazy for me not to.
Running
Since I’m training for a half marathon, I believe that my running workouts are the most important, and here, at least, I have kept with the program. The only exception is that I had to work on Saturday, so I didn’t have time to run six miles. Instead, because I got a late start, I ran a fairly fast 5k, especially the downhill second half. I felt great and was able to use the downhill to open my stride. I had a similar run on Tuesday (running late again!).
Wednesday is my tempo run. I like to vary my program, so this week I started with a 1.5 mile warmup, basically uphill, but running pretty slow and steady. Then I used the downhill for the next two miles. I kept my heart rate at about 85-90%, so I was pushing the downhill, running about 8:20 miles. After the two mile temp, I dropped Penny at home and finished another two miles, with one more downhill run of about .75 miles to top things off. The total run, including uphill warmup and recovery, averaged about a 9:30 mile, and I was happy with that.
This week was the first time I ran my long run on Sunday, as scheduled, instead of sneaking it in early. Alan and I headed out with Penny and Buddy for the first four miles, which we ran on the trails. Then we dropped off the dogs and finished the last five miles on the road. I felt pretty good, even though my body was still a little achy from Friday’s Fast & Furious workout.
I made a great recovery smoothie after the run, using the ingredients in the picture above. Protein & Omega 3s from the chia seed, plus almond yogurt, almond milk, and lots of fruit. I had to go to work again (we had our annual homeowners meeting at which I have to be present), and I felt the smoothie really helped me recover faster (that and taking a short nap before I showered up for work). I felt strong all the way through the meeting, which turned into a bit of a fracas. Homeowner’s association meetings, who’d think they would become a melee?
i took the picture of the dog because she looked just like my Olivia (her name is Lola). The other pictures are of cops, paramedics, and firemen who came after my 911 call during the homeowner’s meeting. Fun times!
Here is my complete recap of the week:
Okay, my first question is, what kind of costume to you think I should wear for the Hilarious Half Marathon? I have almost five months to plan and prepare, so use your imagination. You know lots of pics will be forthcoming.
How did you training week go? Who raced? I’d love to hear all about it!
The costume party run sounds like so much fun. I have been wanting to run a race where costumes are highly encouraged! I would totally go for something with a tutu because that it on my race bucket list, but other than that I’m not sure.
Sylvia @ Frolic Through Life recently posted..Saturday Scenes
I’m not sure yet either. I love the frilly princess stuff that women wear to Disney races, but I think I should be different.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
That tabata workout looks great. I’m pinning to do that later this week. I know what you mean about yoga and trying to fit it in. For me, I used to think that “doing yoga” meant going to a 90 min class. Now, I’ve realized that it doesn’t have to be that intense for me to reap the same benefits and it’s been easier to incorporate into my week. Take the pressure off has helped. The Hilarious Half Marathon sounds like fun! My week was great, mainly because I got to ski
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Lessons from Ski School – Part 2
You’re so right about yoga. Last year when I did my yoga challenge, I made a commitment to do a minimum of 10 minutes a day. It made it so much easier, because you can always find 10 minutes in a day. Thanks for the reminder.
I saw your ski pictures. Your boys look adorable
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Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
Wow…that’s a serious home owners meeting. Yikes!
Great job in adjusting and rolling with your schedule!
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama recently posted..Marathon Monday Week 1
I wasn’t at work today, so I’m curious about the aftermath. It will be interesting to see how things play out.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
oh i’m definitely trying out that tabata workout. love the looks of it!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean recently posted..Bean Bytes 25
It was a great workout, like I said, my first experience with Tabata. Not my last, though!
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
I love the variety in your workouts!
Jill @ Fitness, Health and Happiness recently posted..Menu Planning || Nutritional Value vs. Sugar Content of Fruit
Thanks. Now if I could just get some yoga in!
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
I want to do that half marathon!! I love the medal!
Ali recently posted..Schwan’s Home Delivery Review
San Diego in July! What more can you ask for? Stay tuned, I hope to have a discount code soon.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
Love all of your workouts! Lots of fun and variety
Costume run sounds like a blast too!
Kierston recently posted..Simply GrateFUl.
San Diego in July…just think about it!
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
WOW what a wild week! Way to go!
Krysten Siba Bishop (@darwinianfail) recently posted..Happy Heart Project – Your Body
Ha! It was pretty wild!
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
Your training schedule for your half is inspiring me! I used to run races/halves but I haven’t in a long while. I’ve been feeling the itch again, though, and your training is just adding fuel to that!
The costume race sounds like a blast!! I’d be all over that. I love fun, themed races.
The only suggestion I can offer would be something comfy! Maybe you can create something super colorful with your normal running gear? Like Catwoman, or Wonderwoman? Since they’re already in spandex!
Looking forward to hearing your ideas!
E recently posted..best. cruise. ever.
San Diego in July..join me
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The only thing I would worry about with a catwoman-type costume is that it is July and possibly could be warm. A catsuit could be torture for 13.1 miles.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
Here is an interesting observation I wanted to share with you after reading your post regarding missing workouts.
I find when I start something new its easy to miss one or 2 of them, however, the more time I invest into it and the more I dont miss it the more I would feel really let down if I was to miss it. Its like the more you have worked out in routine regularly time and time again the more you have to lose missing it by a single session.
I dont know if it will work for you but I often use that to priorities what is really important to me and to make something that someone else would think of as a priority 2 a clear #1!
I agree with you. I have done that with running, so it is the first thing I schedule and the last thing that gets “pushed aside” when life gets busy. Obviously I haven’t done that with yoga, even though I love it and miss it, That’s something I think a yoga challenge would help. It gets me back on the regular path for my yoga.
Thanks for your insight.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4
Homeowners meetings are never fun. Cute doggie though… I hope work slows down a little this week!
Mindy Artze recently posted..FitnessGlo Review and Giveaway
I don’ think work will slow down for about two months! It’s that time of year. Then I’ll have about four months of almost nothing (summer in the desert) before it starts all over again.
Debbie recently posted..Weekly Training Recap: La Jolla Half Marathon Week 4