How DID I Do?

Yesterday was National Running Day! I took a couple days off after Sunday's race so I celebrated yesterday by getting back out there!

My thoughts everyday I run!

 

So, I realize I made some goals for myself for the month of May so I thought I would check-in to see how I did..

30 day squat challenge:

 

Ummm...not so good on this one. I kept forgetting to do them. When I would remember, I would double up to make up for the day or days that I missed. I maybe missed 10 days of the month... X on this one!

 

Increase my mileage in May, compared to April..

 

Monthly Mileage
	KM	Miles
January	192.20	120.13
February	230.00	143.75
March	288.30	180.19
April	204.60	127.88
May	251.17	156.98
June	33.10	20.69
July		0.00
August		0.00
September		0.00
October		0.00
November		0.00
December		0.00

 

Check Mark on this one!

 

Shape Up for Niagara Falls Women's Half Marathon

 

 

Not sure if I shaped up, but its done and I completed it, so Check Mark on this one!

 

Dig out the grass in my front yard to get some landscaping done

 

 

Done! I even put in a little more effort and put some plants in. Check mark on this one!

 

Avoid celebrating my birthday

 

 

X on this one! Although, it was a very nice birthday so I can't complain!

 

Last, was to spend time with those I love!

 

 

Check Mark on this one! Although that goal is never complete!

 

All-in-all, I think I accomplished the important goals so I won't beat myself up over the ones I didn't accomplish.

 

Keep Planking! Join our #plankaday Challenge!!

What are some of your goals that you accomplished in May or in general?

Take the Long Way Home

As I've mentioned a few times, I have started my training for my first marathon, the Chicago Marathon in October. 

Monday's Run

I certainly have the luxury of time on my side as there are over 100 days until the race, which gives me the option of trying a couple of different training plans.  My plan is to initially use a training plan which focuses on building distance and stamina…basically giving me the confidence that I can handle the distance of the marathon.  For this plan I scoured the internet to try and get a sense of what was free out there and then I took the bits and pieces of the various plans and put them together into my own plan.  I chose to focus on simply building mileage at this point ion my training, with runs planned for 4 out of 5 weekdays as well as a long run on the weekend with an optional 5K on the other weekend day.

My Training Schedule

I tried to make sure I didn't add too many miles on a week to week basis, and so far the only real mileage boost has come from the increased distance of my long run.  My weekday runs have consisted of 2 10K's and 2 13K's (6 and 8 miles roughly) and my weekend long runs have jumped up from 15K (was actually a 15K race), to 22K, 25K and 28K this past weekend.  Well, it was supposed to be 28K last weekend.  I set out on my run with a loose plan in mind as to where I would run, but then a little ways in I decided to change it up a bit and try out something new.  I knew that it might be a little bit longer than my original intended route, but it would still be close…if anything I had thought that my original route may have been a little short of the 28K goal, meaning a few extra laps around the neighbourhood when I got home.

Saturday's Long Run

As you can see in the lovely Nike+ representation above, my route change certainly did get me my 28K…and an extra 4K for good measure.  I ended up going for 32K (20 miles!) in some crappy weather…it went from hot and muggy to pouring rain and then back to hot and muggy.  It was also 7K longer than I had ever run before in my life (my previous long was 25K the previous week)…not the best idea.  I was just beat by the time I was done, and if it weren't for the fact that I was so far from home I would have quit the run at the intended 28K.  Lesson learned…know your route.  I also got to experience some of the chaffing that I've heard so many runners talk about…thank you sweat and rain!  I was pretty sore around my armpits and later on in the week discovered I had also suffered the famous chaffed nipples…

Need This Shirt

Body Glide to the rescue this week!

As you have probably already seen this week in the girls' posts, we have started a June Plank Challenge along with Jacqueline at SkinnyChickBlog.  Feel free to join in, just follow us on Twitter and/or Instagram and use the #plankaday hashtag.

Plank On, Planker

Do you use a training plan when preparing for a race?

 

What are the best running-related shirts you have seen?

The SkinnyChick Behind the Blog

As most of you know - us 3CheapRunners are new to the "blogging world" (we started just 2 months ago today!!!). Up to that point I had really only read this girl's blog (since I saw her featured on Women's Running Magazine's online "bloggers")...well, one day in April while I was reading this post - there was a link to Jacquelin (aka SkinnyChickBlog)...I immediately knew we were destined to be friends, I mean come on:

- Her husband's name is Mike - my husband's name is Mike

- She loves cupcakes - I am obsessed with Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing

- She likes running - I run too :)

- She prefers sarcasm to taking life too seriously...me too

- She luv's lululemon - I practically own shares in lulu ;)

....really the list just goes on and on.

I've really enjoyed getting to know her through her blog, as well as through email and Instagram, and I was BEYOND excited when she agreed to be a guest interviewee!!!

So let's dive right in...Here's my interview with the cool kid - SkinnyChickBlog

How long have you been running?

Since September of 2009. Not that I'm counting or anything.

What (or who) inspired you to start running?

I started reading healthy living blogs and was shocked when I read race recaps. I literally thought to myself "adults run races!?" Yeah, it's a good thing I never claimed to be smart. Then I got to thinking, hey why not give it a shot. I was always athletic in school, but after I graduated I never really found my niche, until then.

What are you favourite shoes to run in?

I am in love with my Mizuno Wave Rider 16's. I kind of want to marry them, but I don't think Mike would agree.

What race is on your bucket list?

Anything Disney! I mean what's not to love? Running in the happiest place on earth, sign me up!

***side note - I am still trying to convince her to meet us 3CheapRunners at a Disney race to run together***

What’s your biggest running/cycling accomplishment?

2 years ago I completed the California Classic 2 day event. I did the metric ride on a Saturday and ran a half marathon on Sunday. It was incredibly challenging and so much fun. I'm actually doing it again next weekend, except I'll be doing the 35 mile ride & run the half marathon. I got injured a few weeks after this race and struggled with multiple injury punks since then, so crossing the finish line this time should be schweet.

This race was on May 18th and 19th, and you can read her race recaps here and here

Where is your favourite place to run?

I love running outside. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area about a mile from the Google Headquarters so I tend to run around there. The Bay Trail which is about 30 miles-ish and goes all the way to SFO is also close by so I'll run along the bay too. The weather here is incredible for running year round so it almost makes up for the cost of living here. Almost.

Why write a blog about it?

Because my husband does not like running which means he is not cool and doesn't want to talk about running, hydrating, racing, PR's and injuries like I do. I don't even know who he is anymore. ;)

And now some just for random…

What’s the #1 most played song on your iPod?

Anything Britney Spears & Rihanna basically because I use the Britney Spears station on Pandora. I also love country music too.

What is you favourite snack?

Fresh fruit, cheese and chips. Does coffee count? If so, then add that too..

If you follow SCB on IG then this is almost a daily photo you'll see ;)

Are you ticklish?

Yes, very. Ughh

How many pairs of running shoes do you currently own?

Um, 5 but I only wear 1 and keep track of the mileage on them.

Do you like drinking from the cup or a straw?

Cup for hot coffee and straw for cold drinks.

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A huge thanks - to someone I now consider a friend :)

Make sure you check her out daily on her blog - so that way you can enjoy all her blonde tendencies everyday - just like I do :)

And before we finish up with SCB...we have partnered up to host a #plankaday Challenge for the month of June...who's joining us?!? (Make sure to leave your IG name in the comments below - so we can follow your plank progress!!!

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And the best present (almost ever)...