I hope you’re doing well! I know it’s been pretty quiet on my side lately, but that doesn’t mean that there hasn’t been anything going on! I’ve been very busy training for the Rock ‘N Roll Nashville Half Marathon, which is now only a few short weeks away!
I thought now would be a good time to check in and share how things have been going with my training. I’m entering Week 6 of my plan from Coach Laura, and I’m really optimistic about how things will go in Nashville!
I’m linking up with Kim and Deborah for the Weekly Rundown, Kim and Zenaida for Tuesday Topics, and Debbie, Marc, and Rachel for the Running Coaches Corner.
Rock ‘N Roll Nashville – Training Update
So much has happened, and I hate that I haven’t been blogging as often as I like. On top of keeping up with my runs and workouts, work has been incredibly busy. The work-life balance is always a challenge, but I’m learning to not be so hard on myself and just keep moving forward and doing my best! So instead of breaking down my specific workouts, here’s a broader update on half marathon training!
Training Overall – Going Well!
As a whole, I think that half marathon training has been going pretty well! I actually ran almost 60 miles in the month of March, which is a number I haven’t seen in several months. Working with Coach Laura has provided the structure that I needed, and while I did have to cut back a little bit from time to time, I’m still on track.
Now that I’m getting into double-digit runs, I’m realizing it’s time for me to get back to a consistent fueling routine. On my long run on Saturday, I didn’t eat pre-run and it showed…I really struggled, but thankfully I did bring along some Honey Stinger chews for energy. I walked a lot on that run, and while I felt a little guilty “running” 9 miles instead of 10, it was better than doing nothing at all!
New Running Shoes
I have been having a few challenges with my shoes, however. I was still wearing my old Mizuno Wave Rider 21’s, even though I had over 300 miles on my pair. Unsurprisingly, on my longer runs, I started experiencing pretty bad knee pain…my shoes were pretty beat up and I didn’t realize it! I was super excited to get the Brooks Glycerin 17 as part of a campaign with BibRave and started wearing them right away, but after a few
Injury Prevention
With all the increased mileage and changing of shoes, I’ve been experiencing a lot more tightness in my calves and some familiar, unpleasant foot pain. So I’ve really been focusing on doing more pre-hab to prevent a plantar fasciitis relapse. Barre actually helps a lot with hip, glute, calf, and hamstring work, but I do heel drops almost every day and try to strengthen my feet whenever possible.
Running Club at Work
The running club that I created at work so many years ago has really come to life this year and we’re still going strong as we’ve finally entered spring! It has been so exciting to have people that want to come out to run week after week. We run on Saturday mornings and have been mixing it up, meeting at different locations and incorporating stairs in our workouts. I can’t help but feel like a proud parent when I see everyone ahead of me, getting to know each other, and getting it done. It has really brought me so much joy!
So I think I’ve said enough, lol! Training is going well and I am confident that I will be ready for Nashville. I’m definitely not running it to PR, but to have a pain-free experience, almost exactly a year after my amazing experience at the New Jersey Marathon. Fingers crossed that all goes well!
Are you training for a race? How has it been going for you? Any fun races lately?
Sounds like your training is going well! I love that you started a running group at work.
I totally understand how hard it is to get blog posts written–it’s tough with life and everything else. Once the weather gets better I anticipate the same issues!
Thanks, Wendy! I hate that I haven’t written much…I had such lofty goals for the year! But you can only do your best and there’s no point stressing out about it!
I hate when there are random pains caused by who knows? running, walking, shoes…ugh.
Hope yours does not interfere with your race.
I have a half this Sat, then a 15k 2 weeks later and another half in May.
Not exactly training but doing when I can and running them all for fun (and just to finish pain-free).
Random pains are the worst! So frustrating, especially when you’re doing all the right things. I hope your upcoming races go great and are pain-free!!
My calves and feet are the areas that always get tight and bother me as well. I feel like once you get those it’s a constant battle to keep them at bay. Sounds like you are on a good training plan for you. Happy running this week!
Thanks a lot Deborah – the calf tightness is so frustrating, it seems like I have to do something for it every single day. Happy running!
I absolutely love that you have a running club at work!
Glad to hear that training is going well. Totally understand what you mean about work – i hope that things can die down for you soon!
Thanks, Kim! Yes, I’m relieved training is going well – it feels great to be back in the swing of things! Hopefully, work will calm down soon!
It really is hard to balance everything in the amount of time we have. Sounds like you’re doing a pretty good job with it! And that’s great news that the new shoes are working out.
Thanks, Chaitali! Balance is always a challenge!
That is SO awesome your running club at work is thriving! Very cool. Sounds like your RnR Nashville training is going well. I can always feel the effects of old shoes in my knees as well. London Marathon for me in 20 days! Eeeek!
Thanks, Marcia! The knees are always the giveaway, I don’t know why I didn’t give it more thought – maybe because my mileage was much lower than when I was training! So excited to hear about London!!
Thanks for this great update! So glad things are going well and I can see why you feel like a proud parent with your running group – I’ve been thinking about doing something like that at my work. Maybe I should stop thinking about and take a leaf from your book and just do it!
Thanks a lot, Shathiso! You should definitely start a running club at work – it’s easier than you think! It’s really helped me grow as a runner too 🙂
Good to hear that training is going well! Also glad to hear that you’re jumping on the prehab. And 9 miles is definitely better than nothing (been a long time since I’ve run that far).
That’s so nice that something you created is going strong — congrats!
Thanks, Judy! Yes, I am doing much better with prehab FINALLY lol. I’m just doing whatever I can to make it a habit and it definitely helps!
Great update from you! It’s great to hear that your training is going well. Glad the Ghosts are working out for you. I’ve been curious about the Glycerin but wondering if they might be too much cushion. Looking forward to reading your review.
Thanks, Michelle! I’ve been so out of the loop so it was great to see how everyone else has been doing too! Yes, the Glycerin was much more cushion that I’m used to, but it is a great shoe!
That’s great that your running group from work is going so strong! That’s a true testament to YOU and your leadership 😉 I wish I was running RnR Nashville…..
Thanks, Janelle, for linking with us 😉
Thanks, Kim! Aw, that means a lot. I hope we get to cross paths at a race soon! I had so much Cherry Blossom FOMO LOL!
Well sounds like you’re on track to have a strong race in Nashville! Glad your training has been going well and you are feeling confident!
Life can get in the way sometimes and usually something has to give. Unfortunately for most of us that thing isn’t work, so it falls on something else. I didn’t blog much last month (or run much for that matter) it happens to all of us!
Thanks, Montana! I’m really looking forward to Nashville! 🙂 I always feel so much guilt when I get away from blogging, but it happens to the best of us!
I could identify with your comments about not fueling properly for a long run. I have been there many times. When will I learn? I need some stick-to-my-ribs food in my belly to fuel the longer distances. I can get away with anything up to about 6 miles on an empty stomach, but anything beyond that and I am hurting!
It’s been so long since I’ve been consistently running longer than 6 miles that I forgot what I needed to fuel lol! Yes, our body definitely lets us know what we need!
I’m so glad training is going well! I know you were not certain about the shoes so it’s interesting that you did need to move on to a different model. It’s so tough sometimes to find the right shoe!! Good that you are doing what you can to prevent PF, you DEFINITELY don’t need that again! Also great to see your running up is, well, truly up and running!! Hopefully for the next long run your’ll have a better fueling strategy. I always find that quite the challenge as well!
I think it’s so great that you have a running group at work! It sounds like you’re having a strong training cycle!
Thanks Debbie! Overall I think things are going really well…fingers crossed!
Glad your training is going well too! I also have the Glycerin and do like those for my “long” runs, but yes they have lots of cushion. The Ghost is a great one too!
Thanks a lot, Zenaida! The Ghosts are really working well for me right now as I continue to increase my long runs!
My colleague is running Nashville too — excited for both of you!
Boo re: calf tightness, but hope you can stay ahead of it and that the new shoes are just perfect. Yay re: office run group