Training recap: last week of 2017!

My next run will be in 2018! It seems so crazy to say that. Time really flew this year. It was my first full year of running so I had more adventures, health, happiness, and made more amazing friends than I ever imagined possible. Thank you to everyone who has followed my journey and thank you for allowing me to follow yours as well. You are all so incredibly inspiring.

Huge thank you to Lifelong Endurance for coaching me through my 2017 races and helping me improve as a runner while keeping me injury-free!

Monday

Plan: 4 miles easy + functional strength at home

Ran: 4.01 miles/38:21/9:33 min/mile

Today was Christmas! I spent time with my family but got my run in first (of course!). It wasn’t the BEST run but I got it done. The weather was perfect, cool running weather but My shin muscles were a bit tired (happens sometimes) so I stopped and walked a few times.

Tuesday

Plan: 6.2 miles – 2 miles easy, 2:00 @ 8:00-8:30, 3:00 @ 9:30, 2 miles easy

Ran: 7.0 miles/1:02:56/8:59 min/mile // splits: 9:35, 9:20, 8:25, 8:24, 8:47, 9:06, 9:16

Today’s run felt MUCH better. No soreness at all, which I think may be due to adjusting to new shoes. This run just felt downright AMAZING. It was 40 degrees (F), cool, crisp, and drizzly. “Yucky” weather to everyone else, perfect weather for runners. My legs felt 100% today, which made me feel great!

Wednesday

Plan: 5 miles easy

Ran: 5.01 miles/47:46/9:32 min/mile

I ran with a great running friend of mine and the miles FLEW by. We had a great time chatting and before you knew it, we’d hit 5 miles. The run felt good and effortless. Running with friends is the best!

Thursday

Plan: 3 miles easy + Cross-training

Ran: 3.01 miles/28:55/9:37 min/mile + spin class

I got to run with my friend AGAIN! (Hooray for being off work for a week for holidays!) The run felt pretty good, not as “easy” as yesterday but still not a tough one. I just wasn’t quite as peppy, but the miles still flew by. The spin class felt really great – lots of energy and got a nice sweat on, which is nice especially in the winter when I don’t sweat much while running.

Friday

Plan: 5 mile “Out and Back” – 3 miles easy, 2 @ 8:30 or faster + functional strength at home

Ran: 5.00 miles/44:02/8:48 min/mile // splits: 9:23, 9:29, 9:23, 8:01, 7:44

I did the strength moves first before the run, which felt nice because it warmed be up (literally) before getting out there in the cold to get my miles in. The strength session is still pretty tough for me (this is week 2 of consistent strength for me) – especially tricep dips and push ups. The run felt really, really nice. I used my new New Balance 1400v5 for the last two miles and I felt like I was flying. I LOVE them. Definitely my new race-day shoes.

Saturday

Plan: 10 miles easy

Ran: 10.00 miles/1:37:58/9:48 min/mile

This run felt just OK. I was really tired afterwards and my right foot is aching. I was also really hungry and ate everything in sight today. I just went with the flow. Hoping my foot feels better after tomorrow’s rest day! Looking forward to the new year and crushing some major goals in 2018!

Sunday

Rest!

Happy New year and here’s to many exciting running (an non-running) journeys in 2018!

Upcoming races in 2018:

• Hot Chocolate 15K Dallas (Feb 2018)
• Rock n Roll NOLA (March 2018)
• Statesman Capitol 10K (April 2018)

How was 2017? What are your 2018 goals? Resolutions?Upcoming races?