Weekly Wrap 24

Welcome to Weekly Wrap 24!  This was race week for Earth Day 50kPretty sure this was the best week that I’ve had all year.  SO many fun things happened – I don’t know if I can even fit them all in this wrap up!  Linking up with Holly and Wendy to bring you Weekly Wrap 24.  

 





Monday 4/16

Run: We woke up to torrential downpours and 30+ mph wind gusts. Man was I glad I had another rest day! I also woke up feeling really sick and stuffy-  I think I had a sinus infection.

Other: Elyse and I went to mile 25.5 of the Boston Marathon course to spectate.  It was a BLAST! We bundled up in multiple pairs of pants, thick socks, winter coats and umbrellas.  I was inspired by the grit, guts and stamina the runners displayed.  It was incredible to watch and cheer, even if I was numb by the end.

 

 

Tuesday 4/17

Run:  My last speed workout before the 50k! I ran along the Charles River, 4x .75m on, .25mi off, so a total of 8.25 miles.  Felt fresh and hit some 7:30 paces!  What a difference a day makes in weather.  It was sunny, little wind and warm.

Other:  I was still feeling sick.  I made another mango immune boosting smoothie for breakfast before spending the day walking around Boston (Elyse had to work).  I was on pup duty and took Riley for two walks.  I can’t wait until I can have a dog of my own!

 

immune boosting mango smoothie vegan
Immune boosting mango smoothie

 

Wednesday 4/18

Run:  Another rest day due to travel.  When I got back to Chicago I treated myself to a massage to flush out my body and get me ready for the race.

Other: A few weeks ago, Health Warrior approached me about a collaboration for the Beauty Begins Within campaign.  They’re partnering with Girls Inc. to teach girls to be bold, strong, and beautiful by focusing on inner beauty and health.  I am really proud of the post I wrote for themRead it here, or click the photo below.

 

Health Warrior Becca Menke

 

Thursday 4/19

Run:  I did an easy 4.25 mile shakeout run in the morning.  It was a BEAUTIFUL day in Chicago.  The kind of day that makes me love being a runner

Other:  Back to the work grind.  Adios vacation, til next time!

 

Friday 4/20

Run:  I biked to November Project in the morning and ran about 2ish miles.  For the workout, I just hung around handing out high fives and cheers. Throughout the day I was hydrating a lot and followed my typical before a race meal plan.  My sinus cold was on it’s last legs, but I still think that drained me a bit.  I was playing hydration catch up which isn’t really where you want to be the night before an ultra marathon.

Other:  I was so excited to share some other cool news!  I have joined the Coaching Consortium at EDGE!  This summer, I’ll be coaching athletes through the summer marathon training program.  There’s a lot of great experience among the other coaches on the team, I can’t wait to learn from them and the marathon group!

 

Saturday 4/21

Run:  THE BIG DAY! Earth Day 50k! There will be a full race recap on the blog later this week but oh my goodness.  It started off as a magical race but I lost my wheels around mile 22 and fought so hard to finish.  My goal was to podium… and I got 3rd!!  I would not have gotten there had Jeremy not been running with me.  He stayed with me as I  started to tank, keeping me motivated and moving.  He won the Ultra Virgin award and came 3rd in his age group!! Then there was the amazing November Project cheer squad positioned along the course, plus my family crewing me at the start/finish area.  They gave me a much needed boost every time I passed.  At the end I was on cloud nine and cried at the finish line.  That evening, I devoured a plate of sweet potato fries and peanut butter cookie dough milkshake in celebration.  This day was pure happiness.

 

 

Sunday 4/20

Run:  Around 3:30 in the morning, my sore quads woke me up like “HEEEEEEYYYY! ROLL ME OUT NOW!” So while most people in the city were sleeping, I was laying on my foam roller.  I went back to bed and woke up at a more reasonable time of 7:30.  Made myself some savory waffle-omelettes and went to hot yoga to stretch out.  I wish I had a picture of me in class – everyone was squatting in chair pose and I was just standing straight up in a “this is as far as my body goes right now” pose.  Aside from the squatting moves, it was a great class.  Went to EDGE afterwards and then took a nice long afternoon walk to get some blood moving to my muscles.

Other:  In the evening, I went to book club.  We read Option B by Sheryl Sandberg.  I LOVED the book.  It’s about developing resilience, overcoming obstacles, and finding joy in life when it seems like there is none.  I made cookie dough dip to share.  It was a great way to spend the evening.

 

 

 

And that’s a wrap!   Between watching the Boston Marathon, the positive response I got from the Health Warrior post, joining the team at EDGE and then achieving my goal in my 50k surrounded by such a supportive group, this has been THE best week. I’m going to be riding this high for a while.

 

I kind of shoved my responsibilities into this coming week. I’m super excited to be sampling my energy bites at my friend Katie’s SHINE fundraiser event on Wednesday.  Then I have a few coaching things before the weekend where I’ll be working at the One of a Kind Show.  I had a great time at the winter event, and I’m excited to see who is at the spring one.

 

What’s on tap for you this week?  What do you do to celebrate a race? Let’s stay in touch!  Follow me on Instagram  or Facebook for more food/fitness related posts.  

 

Happy running,

Becca

 
 



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Lisa
5 years ago

Sounds like a really great week! Congrats on your 50k! I cant imagine going to yoga after a race like that, but I’m sure it helped to stretch out your legs!

kookyrunner
5 years ago

Awesome job and congrats on your podium finish at the race!

Amy C. (@RunningEscapade)

Wow! What a fantastic week —> you definitely deserve to ride the high for as long as you want. And congrats on making the podium and hitting your goal. Running a 50K on it’s own is an amazing accomplishment!

Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner

I bet spectating was just amazing!! Huge congrats on your 50K finish can’t wait to hear all about it. I’d love to be part of the Beauty Begins Within campaign. Fits right into my girls on the run program

Kimberly Hatting
5 years ago

Congrats on your 3rd place finish at the 50K! That’s amazing! I’m excited to hear all about it 😉

HoHo Runs
5 years ago

What an exciting week! I think it’s cool you went out in that crazy weather to spectate at the Boston Marathon. Congrats on your podium finish at the 50k and on the Health Warrior and Edge opportunities as well. You should be very proud. Thanks for linking.

Catherine
5 years ago

Congratulations!!! I can’t wait to read your race recap. I’m so glad you had such a great experience and I can’t believe you went to yoga the very next day. I wasn’t up for yoga till Friday after racing Monday.

Wendy
5 years ago

What an amazing week! Congrats on your Health Warrior gig and on your podium finish in that 50k. I’m so happy for you!!!