Eugene Marathon/ 50 Miler Training RUndown Week 5: 1/21-1/27

Happy Humpday! I’m so glad we’re already halfway through this week. It’s getting close to our yurt trip and I’m so excited. I also just can’t wait for a few days off.

Monday, 1/21: 5.30 miles easy @ 11:40 pace with 838’ up. I definitely felt super tired & sluggish on this run, but was really surprised at the amount of elevation I gained. I’m starting to get stronger with those hills!

Tuesday, 1/22: 30 minutes of strength & 1.5 mi warm-up / 6 miles @ goal marathon effort (8:20) / 1.5 mi cool down. 9 miles total. originally had some 1k repeats on the schedule, but decided that this morning felt like a good one to get my tempo run in and I’m glad I did. I started out at a conservative pace (8:41) and bumped it up from there until my last mile was under 8 minute pace! All done at 0.5% incline and on the treadmill since it was an icy mess outside.

Wednesday, 1/23: REST DAY!

Thursday, 1/24: another snow day! 8 easy miles on the treadmill

Friday, 1/25: ANOTHER snow day! I did this speedwork on my treadmill at home (it’s not the best for going fast, but I made do). 5 x 1k with 400m Recovery between sets & 1.5 mi warmup & cool down. 7.5 miles & then strength work afterwards

Saturday, 1/26: 6 easy miles!

Sunday, 1/27: strength & followed by my longest run since July! 15 miles on a mix of snow covered trails & then slush-filled roads

Total Mileage: 50.82 miles!

Total Elevation Gain: 2,171’ up

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Training Tuesday: What I Ate In A Day

Happy Tuesday! How’s your week going? I’m so excited that we’re finally almost into February! January is definitely my least favorite month.

I wanted to share with you what my typical food looks like when training and working a 9-hour day. I documented what I ate last week when I had 30 minutes of strength training & 9 miles on the treadmill (with middle 6 at goal marathon effort- 8:20).

I woke up at 4:15am and had two slices of sourdough bread with almond butter and a drizzle of honey.

Also- a cup of coffee ( a must ).

I replenished & fueled my run with a gel (~40 minutes in) and electrolytes (~every 5-10 minutes while running and then I make sure to drink the remaining after I finish while stretching).

My first ‘real breakfast’ or second breakfast (however you want to look at it) happened at work shortly after 8am with the Can’t Beet Me Oatmeal II from this cookbook (I make a few servings of it at the beginning of the week so I can just pop it in my bag before I leave in the mornings), another cup of coffee that I brought from home (with one scoop of these collagens), and a banana.

I try to snack every 2-3 hours, so I had orange slices and a few handfuls of trail mix (from Natural Grocers) around 11am.

I had lunch around 1pm. This week, I made a big batch of the GImme Veggies Fried Rice (from this cookbook) and added a few slices of cooked chicken (also prepared on Sunday). Also with the remaining half of Kombucha and carrots/hummus.

Around 3:30pm (right before I leave to go teach skating at the rink), I had this almond butter bar (so tasty!). Normally I love something like PB & apple slices, almonds, or small thing of popcorn for my snacks- today I was craving something a bit chocolatey.

I got home shortly after 5:30pm and arranged our salads for dinner. I had already pre-diced the veggies on Sunday and cooked/sliced the chicken breast (on Sunday as well), so getting them together was super easy. I topped mine with a bit of ranch and Frank’s Red Hot for dressing.

I’m all about an after-dinner snack, so I had a bowl of popcorn and two of Justin’s Dark Chocolate Mini PB cups. Along with a cup of Throat Coat Hot Tea with two tablespoons of Apple Cider Vinegar and a drizzle of Honey (it doesn’t taste the greatest, but I swear that adding Apple Cider Vinegar has helped stave away any colds or sinus infections this year thus far- I’m normally always sick through winter and I haven’t had one niggle since November).

Sometimes I’ll eat more than this or sometimes less, I just really try to listen to my body and go with what it is craving (to an extent). If I’m extra hungry after a run, I’ll grab a Breakfast Sandwich at Starbucks. I almost always try to eat every few hours to keep myself from bonking or making a bad decision later on. I also never cut-out certain food groups because I truly believe that everything in moderation is the healthiest way to live. HOWEVER, I do know that my body feels its best (and mentally I feel my best) when I eat generally well so I keep that in mind as well when reaching for ample sour candy.

I also always drink at least 96 fl ounces of water, plus more if I’m running longer than 6-7 miles.

Here’s a daily cuteness for you. This was taken directly before he turned very naughty.

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What are your favorite snacks throughout the day?

Favorite way to unwind after a long workday?

Eugene Marathon/50 Miler Training RUNdown Week 4 : 1/14-1/20

Rest day over here! I’m finally starting to get into a good routine with my training and when my rest day is vs hard workout days. It’s funny how it takes a bit of time before you feel into the groove of things and your body adapts. I’m also excited because next week is my first cut-back (mileage) week of my 50 miler training cycle! I normally stay on a pretty consistent building mileage schedule, but am intrigued by the ‘cut backs’. I think it may help prevent me from burning out and staying able to continually build up the mileage without getting injured. I’ll swap out a few of my easy runs days for cross training days.

Also- just an update. I cannot be trusted to NOT sign-up for more races. Haha.

But in all seriousness- I’m SO EXCITED about this one! It fits perfectly in my calendar (as far as training/ far out enough from either of my goal races/ location) and not too far from home. Plus it looks like a really fast course, so half marathon PR—> I’m coming for you!!

Last week, I managed to get outside for several of my runs, but also hit the treadmill a fair amount due to the snow. It is what it is during the winter here and I’ll take whatever opportunity I have to get the miles in (whether it’s indoors or out).

Monday, 1/14: 5.95 miles easy @ 10:08 23’ up

Tuesday, 1/15: 5.35 miles with 1.5 mi warm-up (6 x 400m at 3% incline 8:30 pace/ 400m R)/ .65 mi 12% incline hike & strength. I cut this workout a bit short because my back and stomach were feeling off. I still felt like I gave it decent effort when I could!

Wednesday, 1/16: Rest day! Did some yoga.

Thursday, 1/17: Planned to do 12 miles in the morning, but the snow that we got was insane. I fit in 7.5 miles in the morning with 272’ up & strength and then got in the remaining 4.5 miles after work on the treadmill. Still got in the milage, just not normally how I am used to getting it done!

Friday, 1/18: 8 miles easy at 9:49 average on the treadmill & massage in the afternoon!

Saturday, 1/19: 6.02 miles easy at 10:36 860’ up & yoga

Sunday, 1/20: strength & 9 miles total with 6 miles at goal marathon effort (8:28 pace). Not my fastest, but I stuck with it despite not feeling super strong.

Total Mileage: 45.02 miles

Total Elevation: 1, 833’ up

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Favorite cross training activity?

Favorite way to spend a rest day?

Weekend Recap

There was really only one theme this weekend and it was: SNOW. So. much. snow. I love snow (I mean why else would I be living in the mountains?!?), but when you have to commute in it- it’s not as enjoyable (…for me anyways). Our typical 30 minute drive takes upwards of almost an hour when it’s snowing and Friday morning- it was basically a blizzard out there. This was the view when I got to the gym (this is normally a sidewalk…).

And this is how much snow we had gotten from Thursday night to Friday afternoon when I got home from work:

Saturday was filled with mainly hibernating. I read most of the rest of my book (full book review coming out on Friday!), did a bunch of cooking, and then went out for a snowy/icy run!

It finally stopped snowing sometime after dark Friday evening, so my easy 6 miles on Saturday was mainly just icy (I used my spikes) and snow packed. I also am still working on really slowing down my easy pace and I think it’s finally paying off! My average heart rate on my run yesterday was 137, BUT I also gained over 860’ in elevation in 6.02 miles.

I also did some yoga after my run to stretch out, then enjoyed a nice little appetizer platter for my lunch :) Anyone else love these?!?

Sunday was spent getting ready for the week ahead (I lay out my clothes for the week), reading, blogging!, 6 miles at goal marathon effort, and teaching skating.

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Favorite things to put on an appetizer platter?

Snow- yay or nay?

DRIVING in the snow- yay or nay?

Then VS Now, I'm Excited For THIS, And The Easiest/Best Lunch Ever?

Happy Friday-eve! I’m honestly most excited to do absolutely nothing this entire weekend. I kinda just want to hole-up on Saturday with a good book, hot cocoa, and some good appetizer platters (our favorite ‘Saturday afternoon snack/replacement of lunch’). I’ve been so busy (and overly stressed) at work lately that my runs have been so needed. It helps so much to just ‘zone out’ and not think about anything when running. I think sometimes that’s my favorite thing about getting out for a run. We’re in the midst of getting more snow (yay for skiing, not so yay for driving), so throwing it back to a warmer day where we could see the ground.

I’ve also forgotten how tired and hungry you are when in the midst of marathon training! I’m on week 4 of serious training and WOW my legs feel dead, I’m falling asleep on the couch at 8:30, and am feeling so unbelievably fit already (yay). Here’s to hoping all this training pays off and gets me to the start & finish line of both the Eugene Marathon & my 50 miler races strong and healthy!

Here’s to hoping I’m more in shape for my 50 miler than I was for my 50k….

My lunches for this week have been amazing. I’m not here to brag, but well…I kinda need to because it tastes SO GOOD. It’s also super easy to throw together (less than an hour prep on Sundays too!). I’m kinda one of those people that eat the same thing all the time if I like it, so I’ll probably be eating this for the next year or so. ——> Brown Rice (made a giant batch on Sunday), Green Peppers, Onion, Diced Tomato, Spinach, & Black Beans. I then top it with the most delicious salsa & guacomole. All that I’m missing is Tortilla Chips (but honestly I’ve been munching on salted almonds lately - I just leave them in my car so whenever I’m feeling hungry, I grab a handful- which helps me with any of those salty/crunchy cravings (and is much more nutrient-dense as well)!

Since the 10 Year Challenge came up on both Facebook and Instagram recently, I thought it would be fun to reflect on here!

10 years ago, I was a freshman in college. I wasn’t even a runner at this point! I was actually injured (partially torn meniscus in my knee) from a skating fall (yes, I competed in college as a figure skater)!

I was very driven in my skating, easily persuaded to try new things from new friends (hello, college!), and focused on my studies. My favorite past-times included skating (duh), studying, going out to dinner with friends, rushing in my new sorority (oh hey, Gamma Phi!), and learning what ‘going out’ on the weekends actually means (oh, how naive I was!).

I also sled along the slippery slopes of various eating disorders when I was injured. I was convinced that I would gain ‘a ton of weight’ because I was unable to skate/ train. I was also introduced to running (but it took me a few more years before I would catch ‘the bug’) from my roommate- who was part of the SU Track & Field Team!

Today, I’ve honestly grown so much and am excited to continue to grow, learn, and mature! I realize that food=fuel and that if I need to take a few days off of running, it’s not a big deal.

I’ve learned to love the outdoors- in every way, shape, and form.

I’m so glad with where my life is now and I wouldn’t change a thing. I can’t wait for what the next decade brings!

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What did your life look like 10 years ago?!

Favorite lunch food?

Favorite outdoor activity?