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Geneva Half Marathon Training–Week 1

Happy Monday!

monday dog

(pic source)

I’m definitely riding an endorphin high right now following an incredible trail run. Renaud introduced me to a new trail tonight after work which was perfect. It was challenging but not intimidating. The muddy trail provided us with views of the river and due to the clear Spring like evening I was gasping at the views of Mont Blanc.

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Needless to say, this run couldn’t have come at a better time. I have chosen a new goal half marathon and Gia and I have one hell of a plan in place. We’ve already built in the ski weekends and upcoming travel to make sure that I can still log enough quality runs and miles to feel strong on May 4th.

Last week was a perfect kick off week. I enjoyed runs with friends and solo. I embraced the treadmill for speed and still enjoyed one rest day and one day of cross training.

Monday: rest day

Tuesday: 2 miles at 8:55 and 10 minutes of chest, arms & abs

Wednesday: Tempo run including 10 minute warm-up, 2 miles at 9:00 pace repeated twice, followed by a 10 minute cool down

Thursday: A deep tissue massage and 20 minute yoga for runners

Friday: 8 mile long run along Lake Geneva bright and early with a new running buddy, Lauriane, while keeping under a 9:45 pace

Saturday: 6 miles of walking through Lyon while taking in the sights

Sunday: 4 mile run along the Rhone River and through Lyon

This week includes lots of running Monday through Thursday as Friday and Saturday will be spent skiing in Verbier. I am excited for next week in New York City which will be a balance of running and catching up with friends during some of my favorite workout classes!

Your turn: If you had to choose, would you run through sand or mud?

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Silverstone Half Marathon Training: Week 3

Happy Monday! I am so relieved that my big presentation is over. I don’t know about you guys but having something like that looming over my head just adds stress. I feel like a huge 10 pound bag was just lifted off my shoulders!

Thanks for all your support as I know we all deal with different types of stress on a daily basis. I’m so glad that I took some of my stress out during workouts last week versus giving in to the temptation to just forget about workouts. I always feel better after a workout, especially during busy periods!

Last week’s half marathon training went pretty well during the weekend when I was able to build my mileage in a respectable way. 029031 024  Monday: 20 minutes Yoga for Runners 

Tuesday: unplanned rest day

Wednesday: 4 mile run outside before work

Thursday: Does dancing at our company’s New Year’s Party count?

Friday: 2 mile run to and from Good Vibes Yoga where I met Charlie for our favorite 75 minute yoga class, Yang & Yin Yoga! It’s rare that I find myself craving a class but any Friday I’m in London I make sure my schedule is free from 6-7:15pm for this class. I really like the balance of challenging moves with relaxation at the end.

Saturday: Bo and I enjoyed a very speedy six mile run through Central London while enjoying many of our favorite sites including Buckingham Palace, Green Park and Big Ben. I found myself panting towards the half way point but soon realized it was because we were keeping an 8:17 pace – far too fast for where my training is right now. We ended up finishing the 6 miles in a 9:17 pace which is right on target for what I’d love to do for 13.1 miles in March. I have a ways to go but this run was a good confidence builder! 

Sunday: Bo and I took advantage of the lovely London weather and enjoyed a 5 mile run through Hyde Park. After three straight days of running my legs were definitely tired but it felt great to start building the mileage again. Running 12 miles in 24 hours is the furthest I’ve run since the Lausanne Marathon attempt back in October.

I didn’t get all my workouts in last week and hope to focus on that this week. Unfortunately, based on the weather, it looks like most of the workouts will be inside. We are going skiing again this weekend so I will be front loading my running since I know it’s virtually impossible to squeeze in a run when we’re in Verbier. Therefore, this week my goal is 1 yoga sessions, 4 runs including 1 hill workout and 1 “long” run, 2 days of skiing, and bring back my daily ab routine.

What was your favorite workout last week?

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NYCM Training Week 5: Savor the City

Wow, 89 days from now I’ll be heading to bed in preparation for the New York City marathon! While 89 days sounds short when I say it, at least in my head I know that it’s over 12 weeks away!

Last week’s 26 miles weren’t necessarily done in normal fashion but I finished the week feeling stronger than I have in a while! Reflecting on the workout schedule I posted last Monday night leaves me smiling:

Monday: 5 miles in Central Park+Pure Barre blogger class

Tuesday: cross training

Wednesday: 5 4 miles

Thursday: yoga/stretching +2 miles

Friday: 14 mile long run 12.5 mile run +Physique 57 blogger class

Saturday: 4 miles

Sunday: 2 miles

While I didn’t get the miles in the exact order, I woke up super early Friday morning to get a quality long run in even though the morning’s humidity left me soaking wet within a few miles. I was out late both Friday and Saturday night and was therefore thankful that I front loaded my week’s miles.

Looking forward to this week, my goal is to savor my last full week of training in the city for six weeks. Running in New York City can be an amazing energizing experience if you plan things correctly. Tonight, thanks to my office running club, we enjoyed one of my favorite runs in the city: Queensborough Bridge. The 5 mile run wasn’t always easy due to the incline but sharing this experience with two runners who had never experienced it was magical! I was able to share my bridge defeat with them that I experience during last year’s marathon and find inspiration in their excitement. In addition, they are such supporters that we’ve decided to run the bridge more often to help prepare me for the marathon.

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This week’s long run will allow me to finally enjoy the NYC Summer Streets program as I conquer Park Avenue with other NYC runners. The route, which runs from 72nd street down to the Brooklyn Bridge will be a perfect way to log miles without the normal traffic interference!

This week’s schedule will take me to 29 miles, just short of the 30 mile hurdle which I’ll conquer next week. In addition to enjoying my first personal training session with Lauren who is back from maternity leave, I want to squeeze in at least one yoga session to keep things balanced and loose.

Monday: 5 miles (Queensborough Bridge)

Tuesday: personal training+foam rolling

Wednesday: yoga+weights

Thursday: 6 miles

Friday: 4 miles

Saturday: 14 miles

Sunday: Rest

If I’m lucky, I’ll also enjoy a massage sometime this week. I can’t decide whether to schedule it before my long run, midweek, or as a long run reward.

Question: What is your favorite way to reward yourself after a great week of workouts?

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