#TrainingTruths: Workouts and Rachel Ray

Last week was a busy week with school, graduation, a faculty party, and trip to MA for a family shindig. I was only able to complete 2/3 of my scheduled training runs for a weekly total of 12 miles and I had to get creative to make that happen!

Workouts:

#TrainingTruth: I really like the feeling of a PR!

On Saturday I had 7 miles on schedule, but I also had a 5K that didn't start until 10 AM. In order to get in my mileage for the day, I chose to run 4 miles before the race. I've never done that before, but we were leaving after the race to drive 2.5 hours to MA. I had to go before.

My goal for the 5K was to do at least as well as last year, and I thought this might be a struggle because of the pre-race run. After crossing the finish line of the non-chip timed race, it dawned on me that I might have done better than last year...by a lot.

Later that evening I checked the results and discovered that not only did I beat my time from last year, but also my PR from SIX YEARS AGO! I am really starting to like the feeling of becoming a better runner!

#TrainingTruth: I'm a little nervous about running in the summer heat.

source

As we make our way through the month of June in New England, the temperature has been steadily climbing. We've already had some really warm days, and I find myself struggling with breathing and maintaining my energy. I don't know much about how to run in the heat and I want all of my runs to be productive, so I've got some researching to do.

Food:

#TrainingTruth: I could eat parm-crusted haddock daily!

In an effort to try to eat healthy and because we love fish, we have been trying new recipes. Rachel Ray has a great recipe for tilapia, but we modified it for one of our favorite fish, haddock. It's a process to make, but it's so delicious!

You can find the original recipe in her book rachel ray's look + cook on page 136 or on the Rachel Ray Show website. And more delicious recipes can be found here.

#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to asses ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary.

To participate all you have to do is share your #TrainingTruths:

1. Tag a Twitter post with the hashtag #TrainingTruths
2. Comment on the Running Escapades Facebook page 
3. Leave a link to your own blog post in the comments of the weekly post
4. Link up below

I look forward to reading your #TrainingTruths!

Put Some ZOOM in Your Training

The start of summer can have different effects on our fitness routines. Some people are motivated and charge full steam ahead into their training and workouts. Others may be feeling a little lazy and fighting the urge to relax on the beach instead of get up and move. Then there is always so much more to do in the warm fabulous days of summer.

Whether you are ready to jump in or need a little motivation, the Zooma Cape Cod Half Marathon/10K is a perfect way to do it.

"ZOOMA is a national women's race series that takes running and celebrating to the extreme. ZOOMA half marathon and 10k or 5K races are followed by a fabulous post-race party with massages, wine, music and more!" 

When you sign up for Zooma Cape Cod you get access to Train Like a Mother training plans as well as opportunities to attend training runs sponsored by City Sports - Back Bay location in Boston.

This race is the perfect opportunity to get together with all your girlfriends. You can train together, run a race together, and then party on the Cape together!  

As a Zooma Ambassador I can offer you a discount on the Cape Cod registration. All you have to do is enter the promo code CCAMB8 to get $10 the half marathon or $5 off the 10K. The price increases on June 23 so hurry to get the best deal!

You won't regret registering for this event. Zooma offers tremendous support through the blog, their Facebook page, and Twitter.

How do you stay motivated during the summer?

Kickoff to Summer

June 18 - On Saturday I ran the Kickoff to Summer 5K for the third time. This is a fundraiser race for the local elementary school in my town and dedicated in memory to local father Dave Cramb who passed away in 2008. This year I recruited my husband, step daughter, and BRF. My goal was to do as good or better than my 28:06 time from last year.

My BRF and I had a seven mile long run on our training schedule so we ran four miles before the race. We opted to run along the river, a simple out & back. It was a cool morning with bright blue skies and a pleasant breeze. Our pre-race run was a first for me. I've often seen and heard others talk about running before or after a race to get in the mileage, but I admit that I always thought they were kind of crazy. Now that I understand the importance of a proper training program, I get it. Afterwards, we met my step daughter and husband at the registration area before heading to the grand stand for the Opening Ceremony.

After a few brief words, a moment of silence, and the singing of the National Anthem all the runners and walkers headed to the start line. The combination paved and dirt road course starts at the Central School and loops through the local fair grounds. It's an easy, relatively flat course. The race started on time with a lap around the school and then headed out onto the main road for .75 mile before turning into the fair grounds. The next 1.5 miles followed a dirt road out and looped back around. Here there was a lot of congestion formed by the runners who had stopped to walk. The last .50 mile was a slight incline to the finish.

What I love about this race is that it is organized entirely by volunteers and they do an awesome job. They provide three water tables along the course staffed by students and parents from the school. It also includes a one mile fun run for kids and a kids' mad dash for the little ones prior to the start of the 5K run/walk. The only improvement would be to have chip timing.

I'd been looking forward to this race because it was the first one I ran after moving to NH. That year was not my best running performance, but last year I did much better. This time I not only did better than the previous year, but also beat my six year old 5K PR with a time of 27:35 and 6th in my age group!

After finishing, I hung out with BRF while waiting for my step daughter (who was only a minute behind me) and husband to finish. We ran into a fellow teacher who was the third overall finisher this year! We cooled down over some delicious home made food and good conversation.

After the race, I was notified by Heather that I was being featured on her blog Running with Sass. Heather is a Mississippi girl who was inspired to run after watching her friends run the Disney World Marathon. Head over to her blog to see what she has accomplished since then!

Thanks Heather!

What do you like most about races?

How do you "kickoff" your summer?

#TrainingTruths: Workouts and Yogurt

June 13 - If I'm going to become a better runner, I have to take time to think about what I'm actually doing. Obviously I'm running, but what else is going on that might help or hinder my training?

In an effort to be more conscientious about my fitness choices I'm starting a weekly post in which I will share...well, my training truths. Mainly I'll be focusing on my workouts and food, but really any topic is fair game. The point is to be honest and maybe learn something.

Workouts:

#TrainingTruth: Sometimes I run when I shouldn't because I'm so caught up in meeting the weekly mileage.

Two weeks ago I officially started following another Nike+ training program as I get ready for half marathon #5. Even though I have been running regularly since last August, I still like the structure and guidance of a plan.

This plan suggests three runs each week. Week 1 of the program I missed a day because of a work event so I didn't reach my weekly mileage. Week 2 was better and I even ran an extra day trying to catch up a little. This is a good way to get an injury.

#TrainingTruth: I am consistent with strength training in small portions.

I've been working on strengthening my core. I love these weekly workouts and wrote about them here. When I faithfully followed these 30 day challenges in the past, my running felt better, easier. Last month I tried to do more than one challenge and that was a big fail. Lesson learned. Don't over do it!

Food: 

#TrainingTruth: I need yogurt to counter the side effects of the junk food I like to eat.

I have always been a picky eater with stomach issues on top of the fact that I devour all things salty and by definition "junk." I tried Activia because Jamie Lee Curtis said that in two weeks I would feel awesome.  I don't know how it works; I can only attest that it does...for me. Running is much easier when you don't have to worry about stomach issues. My favorite flavor is Raspberry...

Want to know what others are eating? Go here. 

What have you learned about yourself this week?

#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to asses ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary. If you feel like sharing your #TrainingTruths, tag a Twitter post with the hashtag, comment on Facebook, or leave a link to your post in the comments below. 

Bloggers Unite

 
June 11 - Yesterday I had the opportunity to meet up with some awesome New Hampshire ladies. We had a fun time getting to know one another and chatting about blogging, running, and races. There's nothing better than meeting more women passionate about running and fitness.

Let me introduce you:

Janine - blogs at The Purple Giraffe. She wears tutus when she runs!

Angela - blogs at Happy Fit Mama. She's a marathoner!

Sarah - blogs at Run Far Girl. She used to teach high school English!

Cheryl - blogs at Live Fit Daily. She's a Georgia Peach!

This summer I will be running the Lozilu Women's Mud Run in Boston along with Angela, the Color Me Rad 5K with Janine, Cheryl and possibly Angela, and maybe I can convince Sarah to run Zooma Cape Cod. Hopefully there will be some non-running adventures to get us together again too!

Do the people in your life share your passion 

for running or fitness?

What new adventure have you been on recently?