Happy Wednesday! Another day, another dollar right? It’s weird how slowly this week has been going. On Monday night I had a blast watching Wisconsin vs. Duke, but was VERY disappointed in the outcome (spoiler alert – Duke won!). I had predicted Wisconsin would win it all, and it was so CLOSE…but alas, it wasn’t meant to be. But on the bright side, I won my bracket pool, giving me bragging rights and a nice chunk of change! Thanks Kentucky for busting everyone’s brackets! But I digress…
Since it’s Wednesday, it’s time to talk about my training for the Cherry Blossom Run, which is THIS SUNDAY! I’m sharing my updates as part of Workout Wednesday, hosted by Diatta from Femme Fitale Fit Club and Sheila from The Frugal Exerciser! It’s a great linkup where fitness bloggers post great workouts and share lots of useful tips! Be sure to show them some love!
[bctt tweet=”My Goals for the Cherry Blossom @CUCB Run! #wowlinkup #CUCB2015 #runchat”]
Game Plan for the Cherry Blossom Run:
It’s crazy to think that in a few days, this will all be over. I began training for the Cherry Blossom Run on January 26, 2015. I’ve been through a lot over these past few months, and I’ve truly grown as a runner in the process. It’s been an incredible ride and I’m so grateful that I’ll be heading in to this race injury-free!
Racing Strategy from Coach Kristy:
Kristy has been leading me the entire way, and shared the following strategy for me:
- Maintain 10:30 pace, being sure not to start out too fast or weave around other runners
- Pick up the pace the last 2-3 miles of the race if possible
- Watch out for the big hill towards to end of the race and then that’ll be it!
Following Kristy’s plan, I should expect to finish the 10 miler in 1:40-1:45. I’ve mentioned earlier this year that I am not focusing on pace goals this year, but on having FUN! Do you know how hard this is for me? I want to do my best, by all means…but I’m way too much of a head case. I’m hoping that the beautiful cherry blossoms, the energy of the crowd, and the gorgeous monuments in the Nation’s capital will distract me enough to just enjoy being in the moment. I’ll try to snap some pics during the race too!
Fueling and Hydration:
I’ve been using Clif ShotBloks for my fueling, so I’ll be taking 3 bloks (100 calories) at mile 3-4, and again at mile 6-8. I will carry the bloks in my handheld water bottle, but I will also make sure to stop for hydration at each water stop, just like I did for the Rock and Roll Half Marathon last September. It’s been a bit awkward trying to run and handle the chews, so I’ll be careful not to drop any like I did in one of my earlier training runs. Thankfully the weather is forecast to be pretty nice, and I don’t have to worry about rain! I can’t wait to see the gorgeous cherry blossoms!
Week 10 Training Recap:
Wednesday 4/1: 3-mile easy run. It was a beautiful day and I had no complaints. Then I met up with Bill and went to the batting cage! The first round was cut short because the ball hit me in the face…but when I went back in I did much better. I need to practice my swing! Oh yeah, and I need a glove!
Thursday 4/2: 3-mile easy run. I was going to run Thursday, but we had great weather so I decided to go ahead with it. But I didn’t feel good at all. Everything felt heavy
Friday 4/3: Rest day!
Saturday 4/4: 6 mile long run in 1:03:34. I felt great! My friend Tom joined me for about 3 miles and it was just like old times…the time flew by and we had some great conversations. The plan was to run 10:20 pace for miles 3 and 4, but I got a little lost in the moment, and when I sped up I ended up having splits at 10:05 and 9:36…oops! Coach Kristy wasn’t happy, but thankfully no harm was done!
Sunday 4/5: Rest!
Monday 4/6: I went for a 3-mile run. It was supposed to be easy, but it was very tough! The weather was nearly 70 degrees and there was a heavy breeze! I also ran a new route that was too hilly – not smart, Janelle.
Tuesday 4/7: Boot Camp Class. Another great workout for the core, thanks to the planking and bicycles. My right knee didn’t feel so great when I was doing forward lunges…so I need to keep an eye on that.
Week 10 Report Card:
With all that has been said, I am going to give my final week of training a B+, because I could have tapered a little bit better. I have an easy run set for today, which I WILL take easy on the treadmill! And then I will completely rest until Sunday! Be sure to follow me on Instagram and on Facebook – I’ll be sharing my updates during Cherry Blossom Weekend. Wish me luck!
If you’ve run the Cherry Blossom Run before, do you have any last-minute pointers? How do you lose the nerves before a big race?
I am really excited for you! The weather looks great this weekend and I know you are going to rock it. Have a great time!
Thanks so much! Fingers crossed!
Your training sounds like it’s moving right along, you are doing very well. I love your plan for hydration and fuel. I am new to fueling during a race and I have not tried bloks. I may have to get some to try them out. So far I’ve used Gu and Gummy Bears 🙂
I haven’t run a race longer than 7 miles. My first half is next month, and I’m trying not to focus on the nerves, so far I still have 5 weeks of training, so I am just focusing on my mileage and strength training.
Good luck!! I cannot wait to see photos from the race. I imagine with the cherry blossoms it’s absolutely gorgeous! #wowlinkup
Thanks so much Amy! Fueling has been so helpful! The bloks have pretty good flavors and I haven’t had digestive issues from eating them. Gummy bears sound tastier though! Good luck on your half, that’s awesome you’re doing your first and it’ll be so much fun! Strength training will definitely take you far 🙂
I had Arizona winning it all, so no points after that. I only got one point getting Duke to the final, but I did not win the office pool
I think one person in my pool picked Arizona. Everyone was on Kentucky!
That is interesting, why avoid weaving around other runners? I know when I run 5K’s there are a bunch of slow walkers and I work to get around them because they are in the way. I know terrible but it’s the truth! #wowlinkup
I think that since it’s a longer distance race it’s easier to catch up on that time lost versus weaving in a 5K.
I think you’re going pass your goal, the way you’ve been training!
We shall see! 🙂
Oh I think we will be in the same corrals! I will be in green 🙂 Will you have your phone race morning? I’ll tweet where I’m standing that morning (will prob try to find Kathryn too). Good luck!
Ooh that would be awesome! Yes I’ll have my phone! Can’t believe it’s almost here, ah!
I will see you there! It looks like we’ll have perfect, beautiful weather. I am very much in the same space as you–running not so much for big goals this year, but to enjoy. It’s a great race no matter what! Good luck!
Thanks so much!! I hope to have a wonderful time!
i’ll be there too! hopefully we’ll have a chance to meet each other! enjoy the race, it’s going to be beautiful weather this weekend and the blossoms are POPPING!!!!
Yes we need to meet!! I can’t wait to see the cherry blossoms!
Visit from a new reader! 🙂
Sounds like you have a well laid out plan, I hope you have a great race! I’m a big fan of Clif Shotbloks as well. I hope to run this race next year, I’ve never seen the cherry blossoms!
Karen @karenlovestorun
These are some great goals and you have a great race plan in place! I have no doubt that you’re going to have an awesome day out there. Good luck this weekend, lady!
Thanks Salt!!
Have a great race! The CUCB is one of our favorite races and the slower 1/2 is running again on Sunday!
Thanks so much, I’m so excited!
Your goals so smart and doable. I think having them mapped out and in mind as you’re training will really help you meet them!
I’m very excited for you – you’ve had a great training cycle! Good luck and have fun!!
Sounds like you have a good race strategy! Excited for your run and so cool that the blossoms will be out this year. The year I did it, they weren’t quite there yet. Have a great run!!!
Seems like you are ready and I will check out your next post to see how you did. #wowlinkup