Welcome to the start of a new week! I’m excited to share how my New Jersey Marathon training has gone these past 2 weeks!
Now that I’m in a new race training cycle, I’ll be back to posting weekly training recaps. Because of the holidays and all of the New Year posts from last week, I’m sharing 2 weeks of training. Keep reading to check out how it went!
I’m joining HoHo and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap – it’s always great to see what my fellow running/fitness friends are up to! I’m also joining Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run, Nicole and AnnMarie for Wild Workout Wednesday, and Rachel, Debbie, and Lora for Running Coaches Corner!
[bctt tweet=”Marathon training these past 2 weeks have been CRAZY! Check out my latest recap! #runchat #sweatpink” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Weekly Wrap: New Jersey Marathon Training and Sub-Arctic Temps
This is my first Weekly Wrap of 2018 and it’s great to be back! First I want to say farewell to the wonderful Tricia of MissSippiPiddlin who has stepped down from co-hosting duties. I’ve really enjoyed following her running adventures with her husband and friends! The new co-host is Wendy from Taking the Long Way Home, and I think she knows that I’m a huge fan of hers! Go check out her inspiring blog!
So what’s been going on with me since Christmas week? By the way, I hope you had a wonderful holiday season with your family and loved ones. I had a pretty nice, low-key holiday in Philadelphia. Since then, I’ve been busy visiting wedding venues (still haven’t made a final decision yet!) and working on my 2018 goals – a lot of that including becoming a more efficient and productive blogger. Hopefully, you’ll notice some improvements around here soon!
But the big story has been the weather….OMG. I am from Buffalo, New York, but this weather is ridiculous even by my standards! Hanging out in the single digits is ROUGH. We had a snow storm in the middle of the week and thanks to the nature of my job, I don’t get snow days! At least the drives to work were quicker than usual since everyone else had days off!
Most folks who read here know that I love winter running, so I wasn’t going to let this cold weather stop me, especially since I’m at the beginning of New Jersey Marathon training. I’m on an 18-week schedule and once again working with Coach Laura, and it feels great to be back at it! Remember, you can sign up with a $5 discount for any distance with code: “NJMBibrave18”!
Week 1 Workouts:
Monday 12/25: 3 miles on Christmas Day with Bret! We went for an easy run around the neighborhood and I dressed up with some holiday socks and antlers. Unfortunately, the wind was so ridiculous, I had to carry the antlers in my hand since it kept trying to fly off my head!
Tuesday 12/26: 8-mile long run – I was originally going to do my 4-mile progression run but since it was SO cold outside, I figured we should just keep going! This was a really tough, really hilly, miserable run…but I’m glad that I was able to do it without walking. I definitely made the right call to do my long run early in the week!
Wednesday 12/27: Yoga and barre fusion class in the evening. My calves were finally starting to feel better after a challenging barre class on Sunday morning. I couldn’t slouch in either the yoga or barre portions of the class – a great workout!
Thursday 12/28: Finally my calves are starting to feel normal! No workouts.
Friday 12/29: 4 mile easy run in the morning on my day off. The temperature was down to 15 degrees…brrr! I was really glad to get this run done!
Saturday 12/30: Another 3 mile run with Bret. We ended up running through the Chresheim Trail and it was so scenic and fun to run through the snowy woods!
Sunday 12/31: No workouts!
Week 1 Report Card
My first day of training was on Christmas Day and we had a ridiculous cold weather snap…and yet, I still got in all my runs. I’m proud that I was able to resist temptation and get out there! I’m giving my first week of training an A!
Week 2 Workouts
Monday 1/1: I went to the first barre class of the new year. It was a full house and Megan really kicked our butts! We did pistol squats against the wall at the barre and it was just impossible. Lots of hip work, leg raises, all that fun stuff. I had a really great time in class!
Tuesday 1/2: Speed work! Fartlek run: 10 minute warm up, 6 x 2 minutes of easy, 2 minutes hard, then finish up to 4 miles. I felt really good on this run for some reason, even with the warmup. I really pushed myself on the fartleks but remembered to focus on effort instead of pace, since the first one was at an 8:35 pace (a little too fast!). The cold air at night was a little rough though!
Wednesday 1/3: I mixed up my schedule and was dressed for a yoga class that was already canceled. No workouts.
Thursday 1/4: We had another snow storm! The winds were awful. I was originally going to run outside that day but since I got home late…it wasn’t worth it. No workouts.
Friday 1/5: I had to bite the bullet and run on the treadmill. 4 of the most boring miles that I’ve run in quite some time!
Saturday 1/6: I was debating that morning in bed whether I wanted to run the 10 miles on Saturday or switch to Sunday. I decided that the -14 wind chill wasn’t the smartest idea, so I went to HIIT Barre at 8 am. We had an awesome workout that effectively killed me, lol. Then shortly after class I went back outside and went for a 2-mile run! It was REALLY cold, but not as bad as I thought it would be!
Sunday 1/7: 10 mile run to the Wissahickon! What an amazing run. I was able to run with Ellen, my new running buddy who lives in my neighborhood that I met at barre class. She was so great to run with and she definitely encouraged me to pick up the pace. I wish I had more pictures to highlight the beauty that we ran through, but take my word for it. We did nearly 9 miles together, then I finished up the rest on my own. So proud of this run!
Week 2 Report Card
Even though I didn’t take a yoga class this past week, I’m giving Week 2 an A! The weather really didn’t make it easy, but I went out for runs in the wind and single digit weather on Saturday and Sunday, and I’m just proud that I got it done! Believe me when I say that I’m relieved that a “January Thaw” is on its way! I miss the 20’s and 30’s for real!
Are you training for a race this winter? How have you handled running in super COLD conditions??
I love that we both started training on the same day 🙂
I think you deserve an A++, especially for doing your long run yesterday! Aren’t you looking forward to our “heatwave” this week? LoL
So far it’s been a tough winter to be a runner esp one who hates the treadmill.
You have been doing great!!
You’ve had a couple of great training weeks! It’s always nice to find a running friend who’ll help you push that pace a little! Have a great week!
You had a great week of training! I wish I could do the NJ Marathon (ok, the half) with you. So many races…
Thanks for the love! <3
Great start to your training plan! Hope we all enjoy the warmer temps this week
Way to go getting your runs in during these cold temps! It’s always nice to run with friends. It always makes the time fly by!
This weather has been horrible. ugh. I currently have frozen pipes. Yay. But god couple of weeks!!
I am so impressed at your runs in freezing cold weather! I haven’t been running this winter but usually I’m a baby and opt for a fitness class instead of a run when it’s super cold.
Looks like you are doing great with your training! The weather has been unbelievable. Hopefully thats the end of the super cold weather for awhile!
Thankfully we can work from home when it snows. If I lived closer, I could make it in, but my drive can be interesting in bad weather. A lot of us don’t live near Boulder, and yet the university doesn’t like cancelling due to snow.
Wow! Incredible training… not easy. Keep it up!
Exciting that you’re training for another marathon!
Right now I’m limiting my running so my PF can get better for real. I haven’t minded with the frigid weather, but now that it’s back to double digits I am craving a run!
Big props for starting your training cycle on Christmas Day!! You crazy girl! Just the fact you started then deserves an A! Looking forward to following you again this year – I find you very efficient and productive as it is! I am still trying to get my Year in Review post up as well as my 2018 Goals!
You absolutely get an A for both weeks — GREAT job getting it done in such awful weather.
Everyone seems to be finding new running buddies. Jelly!
IT’s crazy how cold it’s been. Thankfully, we’ve had a bit of a reprieve, but it’s gonna get cold again on Thursday. Such is life! I’m thankful I got to spend most of last week inside.
The antlers are so cute, even if they wouldn’t stay on your head! Isn’t it fun to run with a friend that pushes your pace a bit? It looks like you had a beautiful place to run too — which is an added bonus. Good luck with the wedding planning! Thanks for linking!
Awesome job on your first two weeks of marathon training! I am super impressed by how well you ran in those cold temperatures. I think you deserve an A+ for training in those temperatures!
I’ve lost almost all ability to handle anything under 15 degrees since I moved to Seattle – even when I ski or snowshoe, it’s usually in the high teens or 20s (and it’s easier to bundle up for those activities).
WAY TO GO!! That weather was no joke. I felt so bad for all my east coast friends last week.
OMG – this weather has been NUTS! Way to get your runs in despite all the craziness!
I’m sad I’m injured but super NOT sad that I’m missing running in all this mess!!! We’re about to get an ice storm tomorrow so I’m sure you’ll be getting it not long after us! Great job with all those workouts, girl.
You’ve done a great training, Janelle! How long are your preparing for the marathon?
Great job getting back in to training! I’ve just been getting by and hoping for the spring weather to arrive early! I’m training for 3 half marathons in 3 weeks which I haven’t done since I trained for a marathon two years ago. I have two weeks to straighten it out lol….here goes nothing.
Gorgeous frozen photos.
I’m training for the Lebow Half next Sunday and our weather has been much the same as yours. I finally got outside Friday evening. I don’t mind cold, but this COLD has been ridiculous so I’ve been all about the treadmill and Mile High Run Club to the detriment of some planned longer runs. But you do what you can. Best of luck!
Congrats on your engagement! How exciting! Sorry to hear about the freezing weather and storms but excited to follow your marathon journey! Great that you found a running buddy that lives closeby. Friends definitely make a difference especially on long runs and even speed workouts!
Sounds like training is going well for you so far! I find winter marathon training so tough