Today I went for a run and finished my 2 a Day run challenge!!! This month I challenged myself to test the waters and do a double run day each week. I was hoping I could add miles without losing a recovery day. Is anyone else like me and really needs a day off sometimes? Streakers are incredible because they stay motivated and uninjured to keep putting in the miles each day. So until I find the magic pill to help me survive streaking – 2 a Day was my plan.

So today I started off getting five early miles in with a friend on a new route. I checked off six more streets in my quest to map my town. (I’m getting there, but still have a lot more to go.) Later that evening I laced up for my remaining four miles, solo. I looped a new area and caught an incredible sunset. I successfully completed four weeks of 2 a Day runs and I am pretty proud of myself. I have bumped up to mileage in the 40s each week and I am still maintaining my recovery days. Bam! Done! #run40throwdown #monthlythrowdown

Today I went for a run and pushed through to earn my last three miles on this tough long run. My Long Run Sunday included 16 miles this week, nothing fancy. All was great until 4am when gusty storms geared up to ruin my morning run. So, I waited until storms settled and hit the road around 11am, still sure I was beating the “sandwich” storms forecasted for the day. It was 78, cloudy, high humidity and 18mph-21mph winds. I was thankful it was not sunny and set off into the wind for my first four miles towards Seaside Park. The wind was a wall, but manageable as I went past a busy boardwalk. Just before I hit my turn around the sun came out, in full force. Heading north meant I was running with the wind, which brought me thoughts of coasting north to the end of my 16 miles. Wrong.

I hit the boardwalk for a quick break and noticed I had already gone through half of my water. I was drenched in sweat and already looking forward to stopping at the house to refill. At mile 8 I stopped to refill my water and search for motivation to continue — come on I was halfway done! The wind was on my back! I could jump on the ocean once I was done! — None of these helped.

I started my run determined to make it north to Bay Head. The boardwalk was crowded as I dodged walkers and checked off another mile. I turned towards 35 and began to make my hike north. My next mike I paused for cars, bikers, walkers and the heat. I was overheating fast. It was defeating. I hit 10 and stopped my watch. I took out my phone and sent a text to my husband indicating I wasn’t making 16 and bring water. Lately I have been running with garmin live, allowing him to track me and keep tabs on my progress. I sent another text indicating I was going to try another three miles.

I started up hoping I could at least get 13 miles in to count as a long run in my mind. It was hard. Music did not help, nor counting, focusing on my breathing or dreaming of a post beach dip – nothing. I looked down and my “keep the faith” bracelet brought some comfort. This was a tough run and I was pushing through it. I was not hurt or unable to move; just uncomfortable due to overheating. I had nothing to fear. This run would be over in three miles and then I could reflect on what to do better next time.

I completed two miles, turned around and was running into the wind again. Despite immediately slowing, the wind felt good and gave some relief from the sun. I kept putting one foot in front the other and kept moving. Just before hitting mike 3 I passed Shawn who was waiting in the car. I motioned I was almost done. He inched up and followed me until I hit my last mile. DONE.

That was tough. Mid-day summer runs are hot! I was fooled by clouds, but should have known better! As I collapsed in my seat chugging the iced cold water I tried not to beat myself up. This was an easy 16 miles, my third week of them – nothing crazy. I allowed myself a moment to reprimand myself for not running long Saturday and procrastinating until Sunday. But then I thought about the positives. My first 10 miles was a consistent pace and solid. I worked through discomfort, regrouped and finished. My run was not 16 miles, but I finished a 46 mile week, my highest this month, despite not finishing my long run. So, I try again. A new week and new chance to keep the faith. Faith in what will be.

Today I went for a run and celebrated with donuts!!! So I procrastinated all week and put off my intervals until Friday. Morning coffee with my sister and playing with my neice won this week. Sometimes family just wins, or maybe it always wins lately. So this morning instead of coffee, everyone went to the pier with high hopes of fishing and “the big catch.” I laced up to do my intervals instead, with hopes of getting done in time to go for donuts together. I warmed up and hit three sweaty, five-minute intervals. My loop had my near the pier so I stopped by to say hi.

I was reminded fish were not biting and we had a donut date. So finish up…. fast. So I went back out to 35 and pushed through three more intervals. At the end it was not a bad run, but the last five minutes I was ready to be done. As soon as I got home I jumped in the car (pretty sweaty) and we were off to get bucket list donuts!

Talk about pressure. There were so many options and the line was growing!!! We took our time selecting our dozen.

Speedwork, donuts and family!!! Happy Friday!!!

Today I went for a run and boy was it hot. Shawn and I laced up and hit the road for our favorite bay to boards loops, but it was tough. Heat and humidity was high and the air was still with little breeze. Nonetheless we took it easy and enjoyed beautiful views of the ocean. Tons of people were out – aerobics on the bay, kids at science summer camp, walkers and pickleball! Our goal was to try pickleball this summer, but it has not worked out. But there is still time!

Today I went for a run to squeeze in my speedwork before the weekend. I’ve been rolling out my piriformis and it is feeling better, but sore. I want to say that was the reason I put this off, but really when I’m on beach time, family breakfast really is the priority. So today I managed to get out the door before seven and began my warm up. 800s are good in small doses – today I had eight to do. So I picked a straight stretch and ran.

The first two were not bad, but then the sun and humidity made it tough. I kept bargaining with myself so I could cut out early. But,, I kept moving until I reached the bay when I noticed gray skies to the west. And then it poured. My last two 800s, just when I wanted to give up, were I’m the pouring rain. The rain was a relief, despite my contacts flipping. I finished my 800, all eight, without giving up. Glad to get this run in and remind myself to stick with it, even when it gets tough.

Today I went for a run and completed my first Double Day run for my monthly challenge. Are you big on running doubles!? I’m not going to lie, I was not sure I would want to do this, but it turned out well! A teammate likes to throw double days in whenever it works and whatever pace/distance he feels. This made adding the challenge AWESOME! No stress except for staying motivated and surviving added mileage. Today I got a late start so I decided to distract myself with miles on some new roads. It was HOT!!! After dinner I hit the road again for my speedwork. I’ve really wanted to do my speedwork first, but the heat was unbearable this morning and I had a lazy morning. (I’m human!) At the end of the run I nailed a solid progression run and totaled 11 miles for the day! Bam!

Today I went for a run twelve weeks out from the Chicago Marathon and fifteen weeks from the Marine Corps Marathon 50k. (My next two major races and bucket list items.) Six miles kicked off my training today it was swampy MD weather. Not ideal, but mental toughness is just as important as physical. I’m pretty excitied to take on Chicago again, but beyond nervous to tackle my first 50k. Let’s get to work!

Today I went for a run down the shore for a long run on a familiar stretch! I’m BACK! To say I’m happy to be down at the Jersey Shore is an understatement. This might be my happy place. The simple place where you can escape from the every day rush, enjoy what it has to offer and slow down. Spring Break has started and I’m happy we get to spend some time here.

The weekend consisted of sun on Saturday and wind/rain on Sunday. That means Saturday I’m in it for the long run. With a little uneasy feeling of only two runs this week and my last run being a tough one – I was a little nervous when I stepped out the day midday. This week was another interval long run. I started off looping south, hoping to make my way towards the south end of Seaside, but instead turned around once I saw the crowd on the boardwalk and packed streets.

I looped on side roads before making my way back to the main drag. My warm up was done and it was time to tackle the 2x3mile intervals. I picked up the pace and went with it. (although I did have to toss my shirt at my house because with the wind on my back, it warmed up fast!) First set I held a solid 7:50 pace and just as I was finishing Shawn had caught up to me on his bike. He was the perfect motivation I needed to keep myself moving. We paused, I took my gel and in no time I was ready for the second set. We picked it up and took on the next set. Having Shawn there helped me find a groove as I chased after him on his bike. After a mile and a half it was time to loop back towards the house and take on the wind. No doubt the moment we turned it smacked me in the face. But Shawn kept moving and I matched his pace as we pushed through the gusts. Second set done – 7:45 pace. The remaining cool down was no joke, cool. The wind really picked up off the bay and was gusting in parts where inlets came close to the road.

At the I finished my 13.1 long run, 2x3mile sets and chased after Shawn on his bike. Throw Down Challenge – chase my family on their bikes – done. I needed this run at the shore. It was redemption from earlier in the week and a way to kick off my spring break.

Today I went for a run when I really wanted to throw in the towel. This week I finished my fourth week of early morning runs!!! (monthly challenge) Really glad to get back into this routine, although waking up early and being on my feet at school are two things that my feet would rather not do back to back. This was a tough week. Tuesday I ran, Wednesday it poured and Thursday I tried to get my speedwork done before barre class. It was a tough one.

Speedwork this week included 3×10 minute intervals. Ok, I can do that no biggie – right!? Wrong. With the humidity, long day of meetings and pervious day off, I crumbled. I made it through only two of the ten minute intervals and through in the towel. Although I kept a 7 min pace for the two ten minute segments, it was work. I was dehydrated, tired and I talked myself out of the third ten minute segment.

Which is better? Two solid efforts and a easy cool down or Two solid efforts, one less than perfect effort and a cool down?

Well obviously sticking it through to the end and completing all three is the goal, but I talked myself out because I knew it was not going to be perfect like the first two intervals.

But then again, what if it had been an even seven pace just like the first two and I’ll never know?

The mind is a tough muscle and the hardest to train. One day I might get over talking myself out of what I am worth and what I can achieve. As of now I know I have been trying out new speedworks, tackling paces I have not always been confident with and enjoying the process. Maybe next time I will trust myself a little more and go with it.