Weekly Training Recap – Brooklyn Half

I can’t remember if I mentioned registering (it was sort of a last minute thing) but I ran the More Magazine/Fitness Magazine Half Marathon today! I had a 13 mile run on the training schedule so I figured I might as well get a medal and t-shirt for my efforts. Plus, a race in Central Park is much more entertaining than running around my town. AND I got another credit for 9+1.

So, I actually wrote the rest of the post below on Saturday afternoon, but am just now getting the chance to finish and publish it. (Such a great blogger I am, I know.) It’s incredibly ironic (you’ll see why in my next post!) so I decided to keep it instead of just deleting it. Here we go.

 My problem with using races as training runs is that I find it hard to not go all out on raceday (unless I’m running with friends who also just want to have fun). When I’m alone, I start trying to PR and get all caught up in my splits. But I want this to just be an easy long run. Plus I’m totally not ready to PR. By Brooklyn, maybe (hopefully), but not quite yet. I guess we’ll just see. I’ve had a really low mileage week so far (uhhh 2.75 miles, more on that below) and I’ve noticed that the less I run, the more tight my IT band and hamstring feel. What is that about? I guess I’ll be spending the night foam rolling. While watching The Hills. Yep. I’m not afraid to admit it.

Moving on. I was such a slacker this week. The was the worst workout week I’ve had since I began training for the Brooklyn Half.

My “easy run” on Tuesday didn’t go well. I was planning to run 4 or 5 miles and it was a gorgeous day outside. Perfect. I should have been excited. But when I got home, I felt extremely sluggish and tired. I told myself to just make it 4 miles. As I was running, I bumped it down to 3. Just make it 3. I got back to my house around 2.75 and gave myself permission to quit.

I blame it on my lunch; I didn’t bring enough to eat and was starving all afternoon. When I finally got home I think I stuffed chips or yogurt-covered raisins or something like that in my mouth. Needless to stay, my stomach hurt. Totally my own fault.

On Wednesday…

I went to Body Space Fitness and the instructor made my day. He came up to me, mid-sandbag-pull-with-push-up, and very curiously asked: “Kara, what’s your athletic history?”. I said “uhhhh…” wondering if he was going to compliment me or tell me I suck, and then said “I can tell you’re an athlete”. And it MADE MY DAY. My LIFE, really. I’ve never felt like an athlete and was never a superstar in any sports I’ve played. And I’m still just an average runner, even though I’ve been running for years. But dang it, I can do pistol squats and kettlebell swings and TRX pikes and keep up in a group fitness class. HIGH FIVES TO EVERYONE.

Ever since I joined ClassPass (a pass that gives you access to a bunch of studios throughout NYC – you get 10 classes a month for a flat fee) I’ve noticed I’m much stronger. I always look for classes that incorporate strength and/or HIIT, and for me, they 100% make a difference (when compared to just running/steady-state cardio). Pre-ClassPass, I was never very consistent with lifting – it was hard to motivate myself to do these types of workouts alone. I kept coming up with excuses. It’s much nicer to have someone give me all the equipment, tell me what to do, and push me for the full hour. I’m so much more productive in a class.

Anyway, back to my super exciting week. Thursday I baked chocolate chip cookies with Brendan instead of running. (Oops.) I’ve been trying for years to bake the perfect chocolate chip cookie, and it turns out the whole time Brendan can already do that. The secret could potentially be mixing the baking soda in water before adding it to the batter. (Shhh don’t tell him I told you.) Or maybe it was all the love he baked in. (AWWWW.) They were just so good. Although I would have liked them a liiiiiiiittttle better without the chocolate chips. Not a chocolate fan. (Don’t hate me!)

Friday, I went to the race expo over lunch and took an extra long walk with a coworker, but that’s about it. So basically I did nothing all week. And here we are now at Saturday. TGIS. I was planning to go to yoga this morning but it’s so nice outside that I couldn’t bear to be indoors.

Since I’m not anywhere tropical, I took a walk up into town and am currently sitting at an outdoor table at a coffee shop drinking a strawberry + orange juice smoothie.

 

Just setting the scene for you. You’re welcome.

A guy who just got here asked his wife to order him a large chocolate banana shake with extra whip cream, and an egg, bacon and cheese breakfast sandwich. I’m jealous of that order.

Annnnnd lastly, the Wyatt Picture of the Week, courtesy of my dad:

Wow that was a lot of rambling. I want to know about your weekend! Are you a go-go-go person, or do you prefer to relax on Saturday and Sunday?