Welcome to Weekly Wrap. Recapping week 2 of my F3 Half Marathon training plan – back in the daily running swing. Linking up with Holly and Wendy.
Hello training cycle, how I’ve missed you! I am back in the running swing of things this week and it feels so good. This was my second week of F3 Half Marathon training and one of my bigger run weeks since the summer. Oh how I’ve missed this feeling of 40+ miles in a week. I feel so much more centered and ready for what life brings when I have a regular running routine. My 2019 season is taking shape and I’m growing more excited for it to unfold. First up is the F3 Half Marathon in January. It’s one of the few races I’ve ever repeated (2016, 2017, 2018). If you are interested in joining me, use code BECCA2019 for a discount on either the 5k or the half marathon. Now onto the Weekly Wrap!
Monday 11/5
Run: Zone 2.  Easy 7 mile morning. Easy miles are my favorite way to kick off the work week.
Other: NEW RECIPE.  Over the weekend, I made some garam masala roasted butternut squash. I always forget how much you can get from one squash, so I used the leftovers to made some savory vegan butternut squash waffles. Get the recipe here.
Tuesday 11/6
Run: Tempo.  Warm and rainy morning run with Sprint Tuesday! I ran a 3 mile warmup with the group and then did 4×1 mile intervals on the path back to the start. Over the weekend, I had asked my coach to adjust my pace card. I thought it was way over-reaching for me and not at my current ability level. These new paces were much better and I felt confident through the first 3 intervals, faltering a bit on the last one. But it was progress and I ended feeling mostly satisfied. Plus, shorts weather and crunchy leaves always makes the morning better.
Other: Strength.  Went to OYM for the HIIT class (Metcon). Initially, I was the only person there so the instructor asked me what I wanted to work on most. Arms! Another athlete showed up at the last minute, but we still went really arm heavy. My arms were noodles by the end.
Wednesday 11/7
Run: Skipped Run.  Supposed to do an easy 4 miles after strength class but I just woke up in such a funk. All throughout strength class I just felt tired and didn’t want to be there. When I went to lace up my shoes I just had no desire to get out the door. My August, September and October were really stressful and I think it has just recently caught up with me. I’ve felt very…blah. There’s no other word to describe it.  So I chose to take a long hot shower and sit in recovery boots instead.
Other: Recipe testing.  In the evening, I went over to my brother’s house to recipe test, in part to cheer myself up, and in part because he was sick. I experimented with a smoky bean chili that (I think) came out really well! Next weekend, I am in a chili cook-off so I am practicing my chili skills.
Thursday 11/8
Run: Speed.  The strong winds kept me on the treadmill but I am so glad. For the past few weeks I have been extremely discouraged with my Thursday workouts. I always faded at the end and struggled to keep pace. On the treadmill, I can set the pace and hang on, pushing myself more than if I were outside. While slightly artificial, this was a much needed confidence boost that the speed is IN there, I just need to figure out how to tap into it more.
Other: Strength class.  Went to another OYM METCON class. I really liked this format: 10 minute warm-up with resistance bands, strength set that rotated between 3 exercises, and then one minute plyo rounds for the remainder of class. The class flew by and was easy to manage.
Friday 11/09
Run: November Project.  I ran down to November Project in a chilly drizzle, and by the end of the workout the drizzle became snow flurries. Luckily, a friend let me borrow their thick winter gloves for the workout. It was a chilly reminder that winter running is here and I need to swap out my gear!
Other: NEW POST.  I met Jackie and Jeremy in the afternoon to work remote and publish a new post: A recipe round-up of a few easy vegan fall recipes. I’ve had the blog for THREE years now, (what?!) and sometimes I even forget what types of recipes I’ve posted. It’s nice to review once in a while, especially fall-themed recipes. Check it out here and let me know which you try!
Saturday 11/10
Run: Long Run.  Ran with the EDGE training group again this week. The workout was a “Fartlek Finish” – 4 miles easy, 3 miles alternating 2 minutes hard, 2 minutes easy. The wind was crazy strong heading west and I was glad to be running with a pack of guys who could block it. I tacked on some extra miles at the end in order to reach 11.5 for the day. The sunshine and group camaraderie made for a wonderful Saturday.
Sunday 11/11
Run:  Trail Miles.  Took Liz and Janette out to the trails for some easy miles to round out the week. It’s amazing how fast the leaves change! For the Flying Pug, the trees were all shades of red, yellow and orange, but today most trees were bare and the path was a blanket of brown leaves. It was absolutely gorgeous weather, and we crossed paths with some other runners I knew. Janette teased that I am one of the few people who can go out into the woods and STILL run into people I know. So true and I am so proud of that!
Other: Pay it Forward.  In the afternoon, I connected with Jacqueline, one of the owners and bloggers at Wellthoughts. She asked questions about building a blog, much like I had asked Erica and Suzie early last year. It was great to feel like I could pay it forward and support another blogger!
And that’s a wrap! Two weeks of training for F3 and back into the running swing of things. In all, I totaled 43 miles for the week, attended 3 strength classes and completed my resistance/agility drills three times. While I was feeling pretty down midweek, I think I’ve gotten a good dose of perspective and advice to enter into next week ok the up.
How was your week? Let’s stay in touch! Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for more food/fitness related posts. Â
Happy running,
Becca
What a great week of workouts. I find that a running routine keeps me grounded to. I just finished a big training cycle and decided to take a couple of weeks off running… but without a routine, I just feel like I am all over the place even with non-relating running things, LOL! Those vegan recipes look amazing – they have me thinking of going vegan once a week.
HaHa, my friends call me the mayor of running because I know so many people at races and when I’m out on the running trails! It sounds like you’re the mayor of your town!
It really is nice to get back to a regular training cycle after being out of one for a while. I love working with my coach and I’m so glad I finally bit the bullet and hired one! It’s much less stressful when you don’t have to decide for yourself your mileage or pace targets.
40 miles a week is more than I’ve ever run and I’d be tired — especially at this time of year! So good for you.
My runs have been kind of blah for a while now, so I do get how sometimes running on the treadmill can actually make you feel a bit more accomplished. And yet I do avoid it most of the time! It’s supposed to be rainy tomorrow, but it looks like it *might* clear up enough to get a run in tomorrow afternoon outside.
Good luck with the chili competition!
Good luck with the chili cook off!
Question: do you find the Garmin is more accurate on top of the sleeve & doesn’t pull? I’m new convert & still trying to find best practices with it
Solid week for you! Butternut squash is my fave but I’m bummed my garden gave me zero winter squash this year. The waffles look amazing!
You had me at butternut squash. I can’t get enough of it this time of year! I never thought of waffles though. I’ve tried making soup and it wasn’t good. If you have an easy recipe, let me know! Congrats on the mileage. I think it’s best not to run if you aren’t feeling it. Often times, a good night’s sleep with send those blahs away. Thanks for linking!
What a busy week! I’m always amazed at how you squeeze so much in. Those waffles with the black berries….yum!
your waffles look great! It is pretty amazing all the different things you can create with squash. Have a great week!
Thanks Deborah!
Excellent week for you! I too was in a funk but it was more yesterday and today. I think the cold weather and fighting the wind on my runs really took a toll on me, physically and mentally. I know that with my half coming up in 2 weeks, I need to be prepared for any kind of weather and so I push on.
Have a good week! Thanks so much for linking up.
The wind on Saturday wiped me out, I was so tired later in the day. Wishing you good weather for race day!