Happy Wednesday! I can’t believe we’re already into February…this year is already going by too fast for me!
I’m a little late in posting this week, but I’m happy to be able to share my Cherry Blossom Run training progress with the Workout Wednesday Crew: Diatta at Femme Fitale Fit Club, and Sheila at The Frugal Exerciser. This is a great linkup for bloggers that love fitness and for anyone interested in finding new workouts!
Week 1 Training Recap:
Monday 1/26: 2 miles on the treadmill with 11:19 pace. Even though there was the predicted Nor’easter, the weather actually wasn’t bad yet so I probably could have taken it outside. Instead I was in the work gym watching Paternity Test Reveals on Maury…lol!
Tuesday 1/27: Boot Camp after work. We did a lot of squats, burpees, and core work as always. Strangely enough the 8-pound weights are starting to feel too light so I worked with 10’s. My hamstrings were feeling tight so I spent some time foam rolling and stretching after my workout.
Wednesday 1/28: Cardio Kickboxing at lunch…a lot tougher than usual, but fun! Then after work I did my 2-mile training run (ended up 10:53 pace) followed by 6 30-second strides. Last, I was finally able to practice yoga: 55 minutes of work focusing on hamstrings and hips.
Thursday 1/29: I had my 4-mile run featuring hill repeats! I had to do five 30-second uphill sprints at a hard effort, then walk down each time, then finish running to 4 miles. I was a little worried that I wasn’t doing it right, and I wasn’t sure that the hills I used were steep enough…but I’m working on it. Definitely a good new challenge!
Friday 1/30: A COMPLETE day of rest…much needed!
Saturday 1/31: While visiting my brother, I had an awesome run down in Virginia on the Mt. Vernon trail. I started out below the Woodrow Wilson Bridge and ran an out and back for a little over 5 miles at an 11:25 pace. It was very cold out and my knees felt a little creaky by the end, but it got done!
Sunday 2/1: Another day of rest!
Week 1 Report Card:
I’m very happy with my first week of Cherry Blossom training! I was pretty much on target for all of my runs, and I am working on doing a better job of keeping the slower,11:30 pace. Coach Kristy has been tracking my progress as I upload each running workout, and providing comments to let me know where to improve. I’m already in the middle of Week 2 training with one run down and 3 to go…wish me luck! For Week 1, I’m giving myself an A!
[bctt tweet=”Cherry Blossom Training – so far so good! #wowlinkup #CUCB2015 via @Janelle_RWNR “]
How have your workouts been going? How do you handle running hills – any tips?
I am always interested in doing stuff like Cardio Kickboxing, but whenever I’ve tried, it is so far divorced from my personality that I get self-conscious about it and tend to do other stuff for cross. I love the idea, though, and the few times I’ve done that kind of thing alone, I’ve loved it.
#wowlinkup
Aw, I know what you mean! I feel the same way about yoga (which can make me very self-conscious) but I think a lot of people are in the same boat. I just focus on having fun and getting a great workout. It’s fun to try something a little out of the ordinary 🙂
Okay okay, I admit it. I hate to go running, but I LOVE reading about those who do. Keep up the great work!
Thanks a lot, I’m glad you enjoy reading!
Hi Janelle! Nice work on your training. I am not much of a runner, but I have been doing a bit more of it lately. No hill work though! I tend to spend more time in the group fitness room teaching and taking classes. Happy Wednesday to you! 🙂
Thanks Ashley! This is my first time really doing hill work and I’m still so nervous about it! So cool that you teach group fitness, I love going to classes!
How long is the race? Is the race when the cherry blossoms are in bloom? #wowlinkup
Hey Sheila, the race is 10 miles and taking place April 12 in DC. Hopefully the cherry blossoms will be in bloom by then!
Get it girl! It sounds like you had some awesome variations in your workout! I visited Mt. Vernon trail when I was in DC last summer. It’s gorgeous! #wowlinkup
Thanks Lauren! 🙂 I love running in the DC area, it’s a great change of scenery.
Sounds like a great first week of training and a good mix of workouts! Nice job!
Thanks Michelle! Hopefully I can sustain throughout my training!
I sooo want to run the Cherry Blossom some day. I’m glad your training is off to a good start!
Thanks Ali! I’m so excited about this race! 🙂
Nice job of getting your workouts in and sticking to your pace! Especially the treadmill runs…I get so bored on the treadmill!
I like to keep my treadmill runs as short as possible, but they are helpful when I need a softer terrain to run on or when it’s really bad out!
Great week!! I miss taking kick boxing classes, hoping one will fit in my schedule soon. Keep up the great work!
Very well rounded week Janelle! I love the balance of strength training and yoga in there. I bet you will find that your running will improve and you will feel a lot better doing it! #wowlinkup
Great job on your training runs this wk. I hate hill work outs but they are so good for you.
Ha…I always watch Maury while on the treadmill – it helps my 9am workouts go faster.
Now that I’m also prepping for the Cherry Blossom 5K, I really to run outside/at least once a week. Hoping the weather cooperates!
I’m hoping the weather gets better too…I don’t mind it too much but it makes it a lot easier to get out there. Maury definitely helps the time pass haha!
Great week of training! I’d give you an A as well.
Thanks Clarinda!
Hills make me hate them but I work on it and like that it makes me stronger. I am happy to hear you did what you needed to do even as you travel to visit family. That is great discipline. #wowlinkup