RnR NOLA: RACE WEEK!

And just like that! I’m on to RACE WEEK! I just want to give a huge shout out and THANK YOU to Lifelong Endurance for coaching me through to each Start line and helping me run smart, stay healthy and injury-free, and just do what’s best for my goals – and most of all for keeping it fun! THANK YOU!

And thank all of YOU for your support and encouragement! You are all so amazing and inspire me every. single. day.

Let’s see how last week went taking me into race week!

Monday

Plan: 4 miles easy

Ran: 4.10 miles/39:49/9:42 min/mile

Quite honestly this run did not feel good. I felt stiff and my legs felt heavy.

Tuesday

Plan: 6 miles – 2 miles easy, 8 x 1:00 @ 5K pace, 1:00 easy, 2 miles easy

Ran: 0.0 miles

Yes. I skipped my run. I NEVER skip my run. I just didn’t have it in me. The energy or the desire.I think my sleep really effects how I feel and I’ve been adjusting to the new job – lately I’ve been waking up at 4:50 instead of 6:00 am, so hoping I’ll adjust soon!

Wednesday

Plan: 5 miles easy

Ran: 6.10 miles/53:58/8:51 min/mile

Rainy run! I was excited to run again (yay!) and this one felt good! It was cold and windy – I got “wind burn” for the first time on my legs! It didn’t last long but was a totally new thing for this Texan. I was happy that I was happy to run.

Thursday

Plan: 5 miles easy + 5 x 100m strides

Ran: 6.02 miles/57:32/9:34 min/mile

Early morning run – felt pretty nice! The rain held off for me! Maybe because today was my BIRTHDAY! 🙂 Fun fact: 2/22 is (was) also George Washington’s birthday and was originally Bicycle Day!

Friday

Plan: 6 miles – 2 miles easy 30:00 tempo, 2 miles easy

Ran: 7.72 miles/1:08:43/8:54 min/mile {splits: 9:40, 9:35, 8:19, 8:06, 7:56, 8:33, 9:37, 9:36}

Another early run! It ended up being a little longer than 6 miles since I went by the description (30:00 tempo was 3+ miles). It feels good to get it done before the day starts. I almost got caught in the rain but just managed to dodge it. I did not manage to dodge all the puddles, however. Puddles – 1, Jenna – 0.

Saturday

Plan: 10 miles easy

Ran: 10.02 miles/1:33:41/9:21 min/mile

I ran solo because of the storms – it was hard to plan anything. So once I noticed the rain stop, I just went for it. It was actually quite peaceful. I ran right in between two storms. It was actually pretty warm, but still felt OK! My hips are pretty stiff lately but otherwise all good!

Sunday

REST! No. I did not make up Tuesday’s missed run. I thought about it. I really thought about it. Then I remembered Coach saying we move on. I also realized that if I ran today, I would have 0 rest days until my races. I think this rest day will make all the difference. I also got a TON of stuff done – grocery shopping, meal prepping, laundry, and my birthday dinner with my amazing family!

I will be running the 5K this Saturday and the Half Marathon on Sunday. My AWESOME dad is also running the 5K (we will fun run together) and the 10K on Sunday!

Me and my birthday pie!

Are you running any Rock n Roll Marathon series races this year?

Have you ever been to New Orleans? Any must do/see/eat recommendations?