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06/20/2016
by She's Going the Distance 11 Comments

Run and Beer and Run Some More

The title sums up the weekend perfectly, and the weekend was perfect if you ask me. Saturday morning at 7:30 I explored a new-to-me trail which I will be spending a ton of time on this summer, especially since the majority of it is shaded & has water fountains, a runner’s saving grace. I realized, especially while out on the paths for 16+ miles, I want to get a water pack to carry more water. Does anyone have suggestions? I’m open to brands (Nathan, Ultimate Direction, Camelbak etc), but I would like a backpack type hydration tool, not a belt with bottles.

Anywho, the 16.6 miler went well. I was anxious and nervous for absolutely no reason. Especially when I’ve been coasting around 15 milers each weekend with no problem. I only took in two Honey Stinger gels, probably not enough, but it was warm out and it’s always hard for me to eat a lot in the heat. I’m trying to slowly eat more during these long runs in preparation for fall marathon training.

Deer selfie & a Chocolate + caffeinated Honey Stinger

Note worthy items on my run: I saw 3 deer, a crane and a black snake. Yep. Saw another female runner jump several feet from the edge of the trail and was quick to point out to me to watch out. I’m always hopping over twigs and branches on the trails in fear they might be a snake. Turns out it’s not a bad idea.

After I finished, feeling excellent by the way, I swung by a local brewery that a client told me about. Manor Hill Brewing! (Ellicott City, MD)

I started with a flight to taste several beers, played corn hole (or “bags” depending on what part of the country you’re from), walked around the facility (they allow self guided tours) and enjoyed the sunny afternoon!

I enjoyed the Coffee IPA and their sour saison. The brewery doesn’t serve food so you can bring your own! I brought along chips, peanuts and oreos. Don’t judge, remember I ran super far so I can eat some junk once in a while.

Coffee Brown IPA & Latte milk stout taster w/Cinnamon bun oreos 🙂

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The brewery has limited space and is only open Friday to Sunday so if you plan on going, i’d recommend making a reservation! The space is beautiful, the bartenders were so nice and it was a fun place to spend an afternoon.

The next day, Sunday, which is now turning into my 2nd runday I met up with my friend Deena for an easy 5 miler.

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Talking about life, relationships and running is just the way I like starting the morning! This is also one part of the the 50K course i’m planning. Just need another weekend to scout out the parts of the course and I can share it.

Last Week

Monday: 30min upper body

Tuesday: 7.1m easy 8:38/pace

Wednesday: 8.1m easy 9:10/pace

Thursday: 5.1m fartlek, 20min full body HIIT

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 16.6m long 9:25/pace

Sunday: 5.1m easy

Total Miles: 42

Water hydration pack? Brand/type/Liters?

Favorite way to spend a summer afternoon?

08/04/2014
by She's Going the Distance 12 Comments

Try New Things

I did a long run yesterday (8.5m), and it was ROUGH. It’s been all gravy-train-sugar-clouds for the last few weeks coming back from the injury, but dudes—yesterday running humbled me and slapped me back into reality. Running is hard guys.

As soon as I took off, my quads were screaming and tight. I probably stopped 15 times during this entire run to stretch, walk and catch my breath. The only reason I finished is because everything in my lower body finally loosened up at the halfway mark. The humidity was brutal. Even when i slowed down I couldn’t take deep breaths..then it started raining, helped a little but not really. I could have been running through the Amazon for all i knew. Humidity and me do.not.get.along. Side note: i’m running hills almost daily because of where I’m living now. Not always fun, something is always sore or achy even when pace slows way the heck down. I’m going to enjoy every minute of flat Philly & Chicago in a few months!

The hard work from running hills, in heat and humidity will shine through come the fall. That has always been true, so i’m trying not to to be discouraged with a bad run. They happen. The love for the run happens on those random days where everything clicks unexpectedly and makes all the hard work worth every humid second.

On days where i’m not building mileage I have been working toward keeping myself happy. I’m trying new things, eating at new restaurants and focusing on just plain, being happy. When my friend Marie came into town we went stand up paddle boarding for the first time & did boxing drills at my gym.

Marie & I in a friendly boxing workout

Last weekend our gym worked a church event and we all attempted Zumba. I’m NOT coordinated..and no, i don’t believe there are pictures of us doing Zumba, but it happened and it was a hard, sweaty workout.

Ben, Michele, Torre & me

At the same event I got to rock climb.. that was a VERY fun first and will not be the last. Thank Bob I started doing more pushups and pull-ups because my forearms were feeling it!

And… I got to bounce on this thing. Don’t know what it’s called but i’ve seen it at the mall and carnivals and stuff and always thought it would be fun. New and fun. For about 2 minutes then i was over it. Trampolines are where it’s at people.

The rest are a little random, and not fitness related, but all in the same—Try new things! Like wearing my hair a little differently…

Or having eggs benedict on a waffle…

Or drinking a craft beer that is made with Old Bay seasoning…

Flying Dog beer

And last but not the end of these showing up on the blog… Taking a few minutes from my day to watch the sunset. I’ve been working late most week nights and i now take the time to step outside of the gym, breathe, relax and enjoy the different colors that each evening brings.

Workouts!

Monday: “The 120″ Workout, 15 abs

Tuesday: 30 min total body cardio workout, 3m easy 8:45/pace

Wednesday: 6m track workout 4 X 800s 7:40/pace

Thursday: Rest

Friday: 6.2 easy 7:58/pace (flat terrain = huge difference in “easy” pace)

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: 8.5m easy 9:01/pace

Total: 24.3

What new things have you done lately?

02/11/2014
by She's Going the Distance 10 Comments

Beer for Breakfast & a Workout Summary

Monday: 6.5 easy 8:24/pace

Alright, I’m going to talk about something everyone can relate to. Working out on vacation. While I was in Chicago over the weekend I messed up and missed my long run on Saturday. I even squeezed my runs in before the trip without a day off just so I’d only have 1 run to do during the weekend. But with 3 feet of snow on the ground and having to drive to a gym, I just wasn’t motivated.

it snowed about 2-3 more inches later that day

I’m human. Some people think I’m a machine when it comes to working out, but i get lazy and procrastinate and sometimes I don’t want to leave my friends and family because I’m afraid i’ll miss something. I don’t feel that bad, cause I spent quality time with my nephews 🙂

Mason, Jaxon & Brant

I had a hard 10 miler on the schedule, and I felt bad missing it–literally stressed about it all weekend! Which is crazy. One missed workout isn’t going to make or break a half marathon time, but if this was happening all the time, I couldn’t expect amazing things to happen in a race. Running is something I love because you really get out what you put into it.

Monday I had an email waiting in my inbox from my coach.. She was waiting for my log to update and show my long run. No, she wasn’t upset when I skipped it, she just wanted to discuss moving forward and suggested a 5k race to really see where my speed is. Then we can come up with some realistic 1/2 marathon goals. I’m about 4 1/2 weeks out from the USA 1/2 already! I swear if you stick to a training schedule and take it one workout at a time, the weeks fly by!

Just like the past weekend, it flew by. I want to go back to Revolution Brewery and get brunch again. Breakfast foods are my all-time favorite type of foods. This was the BEST BREAKFAST I’VE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE.

Perfect eggs in a basket with hollandaise sauce that was to die for! Also, this was the first time i’ve had beer with breakfast. Move over mimosas! There’s a new Sunday drink in town.

Two hours after I landed back in DC Monday morning and went for an easy 6.5 mile run. I was going to try and makeup the 10 miler, but after a weekend of beer/pizza/no workouts my legs were heavy and tight. It felt great to get a run in, but man, it’s hard to take a weekend completely off. I’m back and ready to get back to it!

Late Recap from Last Week

Monday: 4m easy 8:25/pace, 20 min shoulders, 10 min abs

Tuesday: 7m hills 8:10/pace, 20 min chest/biceps, 20 min abs

Wednesday: 5 easy 8:25/pace

Thursday: 6.4m moderate 7:21/pace, (7:55, 7:36, 7:37, 7:15, 6:56, 6:47)

Friday: Rest

Saturday: Rest

Sunday: Rest

How did your weekend run/workouts go?

Ever do a shorter race before a goal race one to gauge fitness?