Another Interim Week

Monday
Did: 1.05mi on beach @ 8:43/mi avg
Set out for a walk, but couldn't help but want to run as the sun rose over the shore. Pretty cool to see how my footprints looked in the sand- a straight line of "ball of the foot"-prints. :) 

Tuesday
Did: 6.26 @ 8:37/mi avg, Big 5
When Jer and I lived in Charleston, we used to run 2-3 miles from our apartment along the West Ashley Greenway. We always said it might be cool to, someday, be able to run the whole length of it (almost 8mi), which, at the time, sounded impossible. Today, we at least ran the "last half" of it as an ONB 10KTuesday, so now I've run its entire length. 

It was really fun to run with my husband! We don't get these opportunities very often. During the week, I run before work and he runs after due to commute+childcare obligations. On Saturdays, one of us coaches for the track club while the other does a stroller run with baby boy. On Sundays, I have my running mamas group. When we have had the occasion to run together, our pace difference usually presents a bit of a problem. 

Today was awesome, though. I've gotten fast enough over the past year that I'm not only able to keep up with him, but also hold a conversation, which feels pretty amazing. We had a GREAT time running together at a pace that was comfortable for us both, and even finished off with a really fun kick at the end. This wound up being both an all-time 10KTuesday PR for me as well as the second fastest 10K I've ever run. <3

morning runs: 1000x better of a date than going out for dinner
(though we did have coffee together after)  

Wednesday
Did: nothing
I wanted to do bootcamp this morning, but realized we just had too much that needed to be done for the family this morning to make that viable. Planning on doing my own strength training tonight before bed... so we'll see if that happens. 

...nope, sure didn't. Oh well. Probably needed a rest day. 



Thursday
Did: 3mi PRO @ 9:34/9:23/8:53, Big 5, plus bootcamp with 3x~225m @ 7:59/mi
Getting up at 4:10am after sleeping in (until 6- lol) most mornings for the past week was a bit rough. Still, it was wonderful to have a run with B. I've missed her!

Our run felt really good as we warmed up over three miles, unintentionally turning it into a progression run. Bootcamp was great, too. I'm always amazed by how "good" I feel there. Not only do I have a good workout, but being around the people and our instructor just puts me in such a great mood for the rest of the day. I'm beyond glad that we started... and came back. 

Today's workout was four rounds through:

1) modified pull-ups
These are the hardest for me. I have to really focus on using my arms/chest/back instead of just letting my quads do most of the work. 

2) toe touches/angled toe-touches (alternate each round)
Definitely felt it on the angled version

3) wall balls
Used 10# ball and felt like these were "easy", even getting into a deeper squat and throwing higher. Sounds like it's time to upgrade to the 20#!

4) hamstring gliders (alternate between singles and both legs)
Kept arms off the ground for alternating single legs, but had to rely on elbows for grounding on the "both leg" ones

5) kettlebell OH press/speed floor press (alternate each round)
Definitely used the right weights for these: OH press = 26#, floor press = #35. Was just getting to failure by the end of each time period. 

6) box shuffles/lateral runs
nothing to talk about here ;) 

and then three rounds through:

10 deadman burpees
20 kimura situps
~225m run

Found it REALLY hard to go right into the kimuras after the burpees. Runs felt good. I like the short distances we do at bootcamp because I can use them to focus on my form. Today, I thought about leaning forward and keeping my arms at a 90 degree angle.

Friday
Did: 4.12 @ 9:34/mi avg, Big 5
Even at 4:30am, Hotlanta is living up to its name. Oh, the humidity! Felt sluggish, but the last mile was a 9:01, so there's that...

Sidenote: I really like being able to be home and showered before the family gets up and we start our day. 


Saturday
Did: 7.04 @ 9:10/mi avg, 20k steps, Big 5
Unexpected travel took me away from Brandi for yet another Saturday run this month. Fortunately, I found a great place to run around where I was staying. I wasn't thrilled by the prospect of 6-8 miles by myself, but it ended up being a really great start to a hard day. It's always fun when you plan out a new route away from home and see other runners within the first mile; not only do you know you picked a "good route', but it's always nice to have some "company" on the roads. 

Despite actively trying to "take it easy", I was a pretty consistent 9:13/mi for the first 5K, slowed to a 9:36 on the "trails", and then picked it up for the last bit on the roads. It's runs like this that make me feel really confident in my abilities, especially when they happen at times I'm not expecting them to. 

Saw this gem about a mile in. #itsasign

Sunday
Did: ~2mi walk with the fam, Big 5, 2 Jeopardy episodes of weight lifting
Easy stroll along the riverwalk, then some miscellaneous weight lifting while watching DVRed Jeopardy episodes that I'm going to count as strength training

Gorgeous :)

Also:
I've recently been inspired by a host of friends trying the Whole30, paleo, or just other "healthy eating" plans. As much as I'd like to jump on the bandwagon and go hardcore/all in on one of these things, I know that's unrealistic for me right now. I am, however, making a conscious effort to go one week without eating "processed crap". I'm not being super regimented about the criteria I use, but I do have criteria and, today, I met them. That's one day down, six to go.