Berlin Marathon Training Update

As I sit here, the washing machine is going so that I can pack today and I’m waiting for
the clock to say 8:50 so that I can leave for the bank to pick up Euros for my trip to Germany. I leave on Wednesday morning and I’m so excited and also a little terrified. I’m ready for this, and cannot wait to see this amazing city!

Last week’s workouts:
Monday I did some upper body. I have the upper body of a newborn and I really should do this more often! I watched the Iron Cowboy while I did it, and if you haven’t seen it, get on over to Netflix and watch it!

Tuesday I ran three miles in the morning and another 2.4 that night!

Wednesday I taught yoga and then went to see Brittany Runs a Marathon. I also really suggest this movie, whether you run or not. It’s ana amazing look into the life of someone who doesn’t fit the norm of what an athlete looks like. You know, like me!

Thursday I slept in, did some upper body strength and then ran that night. 

Friday was a rest day. I ran some errands, which included getting my nails done for Berlin!

Saturday was long run day. Since I’m tapering, it was only 10 miles. It was a glorious day for a run, followed by a camping trip to watch the Clemson game. Overall, a perfect weekend. Since I only did 10, my legs weren’t really tired! 

What was your favorite workout this week?

Have you ever been to Europe? Were you nervous about your first trip there?

Go Clemson!!

Yesterday, after my final long run for the Berlin Marathon, the hubs and I packed up and headed south for the Clemson Family Weekend game. We got to tailgate, see the parade, high five the players  as they ran into the stadium, and watch them annihilate the 49ers. All in all, a great day, which found us camping for the first time ever in our 27 years together! If you ever have the chances to attend a live sports event, I highly recommend it!!

NYRR Virtual Racing Turkey Trot 5K

I am running the NYRR Virtual Turkey Trot 5k as part of being a BibRave Pro (Ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews.

If you follow my blog, you may have read my post the other day about the NYRR Halfway There 131. Virtual Race. I have also registered for their NYRR Virtual Turkey Trot 5k!  I seriously love Turkey Trots! I have done one every year for quite awhile now, and have finally found the perfect one. It takes place in a neighborhood not far from mine, two miles, to be exact! 

Why do I love to Turkey Trot? It gives me a little less guilt when I eat all.the.food. at Thanksgiving dinner....

this year's turkey will come from Midwood

Plus, Santa was at the Trot last year, I saw some great friends, and they were already decoarted for Christmas. Perfection.

So. How do you join me on this FREE adventure?

1. Register for a FREE Strava account, if you don't already have one. You can do this at the same time that you

2. Register for the FREE race here

3. Join the Facebook group for the event

4. and the NYRR Strava Club and the Challenge Page

5. After your run, make sure that your watch or Strava app says 3.1 before you stop it. (If your Garmin is finicky like mine, maybe 3.2) and edit your Strava activity so it counts as a race. (Seriously, y'all, I did a ten miler some weeks back and when it synced to Strava it said 9.99 miles) and the run must be an actual road run, treadmill runs and manual entries won't count. Make sure you upload that run by December 4th and  your privacy settings are marked to "everyone" in order for it to count. You cab run your race anywhere between November 23rd and December 1st!

6. Save the Strava badge that you will earn, and share the heck out of it, using #NYRRVirtualRacing

When will you run your NYRR Virtual Turkey Trot 5k?

NYRR Virtual Halfway There 13.1 Powered by Strava

I am running the NYRR Virtual Halfway There 13.1 Powered by Strava as part of being a BibRave Pro (ambassador). Check out BobRave.com to find and write race reviews.

I love Virtual Races. I have even hosted my share of them as fundraisers for Cancer Research or for Muscular Dystrophy Research. In 2012, I explained the rules, but let me go over them again real quick. 

Step one is to register (I will post the links below, have no fear!!) This race is free for everyone! You can donate when you register and proceeds support NYRR mission’s to help and inspire people through running and benefit NYRR’s free youth and community programs, including Rising New York Road Runners, NYRR Striders, and more.

Next is to train. Make sure you are ready for the distance! Because I am running the Berlin Marathon on September 29th, I won't have time to do this until October 12th. I will be doing a preview of the first half of the Charlotte Marathon that morning, so the timing is perfect!

Now you have registered, and trained, and you are ready for race day. The great thing about a virtual race is that you can run it at night.....

Or 5:30 in the morning....

Alone or with friends....

And when you are done, you can celebrate!

The NYRR Virtual Halfway There 13.1 Powered by Strava race has a few rules. They are so simple!

1. Register for a FREE Strava account, if you don't already have one. You can do this at the same time that you

2. Register for the FREE race here

3. Join the Facebook group for the event

4. and the NYRR Strava Club and the Challenge Page

5. After your run, make sure that your watch or Strava app says 13.1 before you stop it. (If your Garmin is finicky like mine, maybe 13.2) and edit your Strava activity so it counts as a race. (Seriously, y'all, I did a ten miler some weeks back and when it synced to Strava it said 9.99 miles) and the run must be an actual road run, treadmill runs and manual entries won't count. Make sure you upload that run by October 16th and  your privacy settings are marked to "everyone" in order for it to count.

6. From the NYRR website: If you’re in NYC, show your badge of completion at the TCS New York City Marathon Expo Presented by New Balance from October 31 to November 2 for a surprise gift (limited supplies, first-come, first-served). 

7. Save the Strava badge that you will earn, and share the heck out of it, using #NYRRVirtualRacing

Sounds great, right? I love having goals to work towards! Let me know that you have finished it, so I can send all the kudos! Check back in a few weeks to see the recap of my 13.1 miles, and be on the lookout for another FREE Virtual Race I'll be doing in November!

Who is joining me?

Training Update and Tapering

Last Saturday, the 7th was final long run. Because of the way my training went, I ended it with an 18 miler instead of a twenty. I did this with NYC as well, so I am thrilled with the fact that I was able to do this for Berlin. I managed a twenty miler for Chicago, but while attempting to train for Marine Corps 2018, I had to bump down to the 10k because training after an injury didn't go as planned. I couldn't even get to 16! 

Because the 18 miler took so much out of me, and because the3 chafing that accompanied it was so uncomfy, I rested Sunday through Tuesday. (TMI? it's a running blog, and to be expected!) Tuesday I had planned to run at night, but my son needed my car for work and the run never happened. Could I have run at home? Totally. But I didn't!

Wednesday I taught yoga. I was so stiff, but I definitely felt better at the end. I also walked a mile.

Thursday morning, I ran 3 with Mel. She definitely pushed me to go faster, which was fun!

Midday, I did a 15 minute strength workout that focused on core strength.

Thursday night I ran another 2 miles and walked a half mile with the 5k Crew, followed by a plank. 

Friday I ran errands, one of which was to pick up this cool massage ball that I won at Saturday's long run!

Saturday we had a 10 mile run. The first 7 was done with the whole pace group, and the last 3 were done with the two ladies with upcoming races. Part of coaching for me, is making sure everyone gets their miles and no one runs alone. I have some ladies training for races that are coming up soon, and some training for a race that is in December. 

Afterwards, the hubs and I drove over 1.5 hours each way to pick apples. Seems silly, but we always used to go when we lived in Jersey, and we haven't gone since we moved to SC. In Jersey, it was a 30 minute drive. We probably walked a mile or so while we were there, it was so beautiful out!

Sunday was Goat Yoga. An hour of yoga, some fun posing afterwards, and then a mile walk round trip (maybe a little less) to get some yummies at Amelie's. 

What was your favorite workout this week?