It’s been a few years since I’ve had races on back-to-back weekends, and yet, here we are.
I just finished writing a recap for my amazing Cherry Blossom 10 Mile Run and now one week later, I’m heading to the Love Run Half Marathon Relay. I’m really excited about this unique race because it’s all about having fun!
As usual, I’m linking up with Annmarie at The Fit Foodie Mama, Angelena Marie at Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced, Michelle at Fruition Fitness, and Nicole at Fitful Focus for Wild Workout Wednesday! Check any of their sites for some awesome and effective workouts!
[bctt tweet=”Sharing my goals for the @loverunphilly half marathon relay on 4/10! #runchat #wildworkoutwednesday” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Goals for the Philly Love Run Half Marathon Relay:
The Philly Love Run Half Marathon is almost here! If you’ve been reading the blog, you have seen that I have been promoting this race for several months now, first unofficially, and now officially as a Love Run Ambassador. The race is now sold out! And there should be a great crowd ready for some fun.
The winners of the free entries to the Love Run Half Marathon have been announced and contacted. Congratulations to the winners!
I am running the Love Run’s first ever half marathon relay with Bret and my good running buddy Mark. I’m really excited to try something new.
Racing Strategy:
After having a successful race last weekend, I’m not going to worry about sticking to a particular racing strategy at the Love Run. I plan to be the final leg of the relay running 3.6 miles and I simply want to enjoy the run with no expectations! Mark will kick it off with the first 3.9 miles and Bret will get the majority of the mileage in the middle. Hopefully, I don’t get any bad flashbacks to high school track…I was always miserable when I ran the 4×400.
Fueling and Hydration:
Since my race leg is barely longer than a 5K, I won’t need to use any fuel. I’ll use this race as an opportunity to test my Orange Mud Hydraquiver in action. I haven’t used it in a while and I still need to get comfortable with putting the bottle back on my pack after taking a drink. However, since it is going to be really cold in the morning (low 30’s? Seriously??), guzzling cold water may not be high on my priorities. I’ll have to make sure I stay warm while I’m waiting for my turn to run! At least there won’t be rain at the race this year!
Workouts for the Week:
Wednesday 3/30: I ended up having a 12-hour work day so I didn’t get to go to weight training class or open softball practice. It was for the bes,t though – I was still sore from Monday’s Boot Camp class. Too many squats!
Thursday 3/31: Bret and I had one last run before Cherry Blossom – about 3.5 very slow miles. And yes, I was still sore.
Friday 4/1: Rest! And my body was starting to feel back to normal.
Saturday 4/2: Lots of walking in DC! We went to the Natural History Museum and the race Expo at the National Building Museum and did a lot of back and forth to and from the hotel. I was a little worried I had too much time on my feet.
Sunday 4/3: The Credit Union Cherry Blossom 10 Miler! After the race, my legs felt dead for the rest of the day and I got plenty of sleep on the way back from DC!
Monday 4/4: Surprisingly, my soreness was almost completely gone! Maybe compression socks actually work? I went to yoga class at lunch and appreciated the stretch. Work was busy and to avoid overdoing it, I skipped boot camp.
Tuesday 4/5: Rest day! I don’t want to push too hard, especially because I feel a cold coming on.
Weekly Report Card:
I’m very happy with my workouts for the past week and I’m giving myself an A! Now that the Cherry Blossom Run is over, my next big race is the Broad Street Run on May 1, another 10 mile race. After the Love Run, I’ll get back to a routine of running 4 days a week but I need to find a new training plan! There’s no rest for the weary…good thing I’m feeling great these days!
Are you racing this weekend? Have you ever done a running relay?
Hope you have fun running the relay this weekend. Sometimes running a race for fun is the right approach, and I hope you enjoy running the streets of your hometown this weekend.
Thanks, Kathryn! It will be nice to have a race back in my backyard!
It’s great when you can run a race for fun, not pressure on yourself. Sometimes you can even surprise yourself with your time when you’re not so focused on it.
Yes, when I overthink a race, I tend to not do so well! So it’ll be fun to just take what comes my way!
Running the half as a relay sounds like so much fun!
I hope the weather isn’t too chilly for you while you’re waiting for your turn!
I know right? Thankfully my boyfriend is pretty fast so he might not make me wait too long!
You’re going to be great! It might feel cold as you’re waiting in your corral, but once you start running, I bet the cool temps will feel really nice. You got this, girl!
Thanks, Nicole! The good thing about me is that I warm up pretty quickly once I get going! This is when it comes in handy!
That 10 miler (as tough as it was) was a great warm up for this weekend’s half! You’re going to do great. And even tho the predicted temps seem cold, those are perfect running conditions!
Fingers crossed for another good race! Thanks 🙂
Awesome week, and so nice to go into a race just for fun. I second Jen–you very well might surprise yourself! Good luck!
Thanks, Susie! 🙂
You are definitely prepared! I need to get a Philly race on my schedule at some point maybe in the fall.
It would be great if you came up here for a race!
So fun that you’re doing the relay- you will totally kick butt!!! Can’t wait to read all about it 🙂
Thanks a lot, Annmarie!
I’ve done one marathon relay with a team that was a ton of fun. I think my segment was 6 miles. It was a nice way to experience a long course race without actually doing the full course!
I’m really excited to try the relay, and maybe I’ll be able to find other similar races!
I would love to do a relay at some point…sounds like a fun team event!
Yeah I can’t wait to give it a try!
I have never done a running relay and it sounds like a blast!! Have a great time and the weather looks like it’s going to be perfect!
Thanks, Natalie! I’m looking forward to it!
You had a great recovery week! And it sounds like you have a great plan for the relay! I am hopeful that I will get to do a relay by the end of this year or early next. I’m trying not to think about future races, but I also hate missing out, so I hope it works out.
I also hope that I will be up in Philly for RnR this year! It would be great to connect with some of the great Philly running bloggers!
Have fun this weekend!
Thanks, Jenn! And yes, it would be awesome to meet at Rock ‘N Roll! I know that I plan to do the 5K on Saturday and probably hang around and cheer the half marathoners on Sunday!
I think I am going to run the Baltimore Running Festival Marathon relay. I have never run a relay before outside of track waaaay back in the day 😉 I actually ran the 4X400 too!
I think you will have a great time! Congrats again on CB10!
Oh that sounds like a lot of fun! Thanks, Tamieka, it’s been a really fun couple of weeks!
I have always wanted to run a relay, sounds like a lot of fun, good luck!!! I would love to race in Philly some day too.
Thanks, Toni! It was a fun race, I definitely recommend it!
Have fun this weekend!
Thanks, Jennifer!