I started my plan, right on time on November 25th, with an 8k run on the treadmill
I still had my cold which ended my run streak but I was starting to feel better and that 8k felt good.
I quickly launched my Wishes for Olivia fundraising campaign on the blog, facebook and dailymile and got some great support. I continued on that week, running a total of 58k over 5 days running and ending with a lovely group run along the Around the Bay hills with Patty, Sam and Emma. That was a tough 20k and my longest run since Hamilton's half marathon.
The second week of my training plan saw me immediately stall in one area I want to improve on: core and upper body strength. I didn't do anything in this regard. I just do not enjoy any other kind of exercise except for running. I really need to commit to core work at the very least and I'm determined to turn around my slackatude in this are today!
The week of December 2nd was busy. My mum and I travelled to Buffalo on Monday evening and I ended up working until about 10:45. My mind was still working hard, so I went down to the hotel bar for a beer and one $3 pint turned into three:
I still got up the next morning (albeit at 0700) and got in 8 treadmill kilometers, which hurt just a little:
The rest of the week was busy as well as we hosted an open house on Saturday and we prepped for that. I had a half day off on Friday and I took advantage by doubling up on my runs, running 10k in the morning before work and 10k in the late afternoon before I picked up my oldest son from school. The party went really well on Saturday and on Sunday afternoon, I got in another 11k in the sunshine to get my total up to 60k for the week.
This week started strong with a 10k pre-work run in the cold before work:
And some Tuesday treadmill tempo miles before work as well. Yesterday I had plans to meet the girls for our monthly dinner so I slept in until 0600! and ran 10k on the treadmill after work, before the dinner. This was boring and easy at the same time. I'm glad I have the option to get in some treadmill work because I'm finding that I'm really struggling to get up and run before work. Today, I set the alarm to go for a 8k run at 0500 but I didn't get up. Now, I always have gym time booked in my calendar on Thursday, so I knew I had this option, but I really feel like I'm hitting the snooze button too much. I'm finding the thought of facing the -20c (-4f) temperatures not appealing at all. I guess the main thing is that I'm getting the runs in and not skipping them all together.
In fundraising news, I sit at 19% of my goal achieved! I've raised $657.20 so far toward my ultimate goal of $3,400 in memory of Olivia and to support Make a Wish Canada. Please consider donating if you can. To learn more and to donate, GO HERE. Even $5 will go a long way to help. I thank you for your support!
So, I'm two and a half weeks into the plan and in two and a half weeks, I'll begin to add those #embracethesuck, Jack Daniels runs back into the program. I'm hoping that I can get my early morning mojo back by then and also to get my core a bit stronger.
I hope you're doing well. Are you in the off season too? Do you still have races to run in 2013 (I'm done)? What races have you signed up for in 2014?
Happy Holidays!
I feel like such a slacker not starting my plan until January, lol!
ReplyDeleteI hear you on the core strength stuff; I do TRX because it's the one thing I've found that doesn't bore me to tears. And even then on a good week I only get in two sessions.
Keep up the great work! We don't start our Ironman training plan until March 11th, so still some time (though we'll be ramping up in January/February).
ReplyDeleteWe have two more races left, both are this Saturday!
Nice start to the training Nicole (and the fundraising).
ReplyDeleteI'm done my races for this year, but I'm running the Chilly Half so my half marathon training is starting up, plus I'm running the Nike Women's Half in April so I'll have to figure out how to maintain.
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