Wednesday, July 31, 2013

265.90

My totals miles for the month of July.  265.90 miles!!!!  My highest ever!  That averages out to be 8.5 miles per day. 

How did I do this?  I, along with 5 of my running friends, challenged ourselves to run everyday for the entire month of July.  We would rise in wee hours of the morning (sometimes 4:30am) to run various distances, do hill repeats, etc... Together, we were able to motivate each other and stay dedicated to this challenge.  Together we were able to hold each accountable for our daily run.  Together we managed to run a total of 1,412.84 miles for the month.

I love my 5am run group.  It's such a great group of talented runners.  I am honored to call each and every one of them my friend!





Monday, July 15, 2013

What I've been up to; running, future races, new shoes.

Running, running and more running.

After the Ann Arbor Marathon, I decided to take the entire month of July off from racing.  It has been marathon training and marathon racing January - June and I needed a break. 

That break didn't last too long...

I created a self challenge and the recruited a few running friends to join in the "fun".  Run everyday for the month of July.  So much for "taking it easy".  It's been fun, so far and for their efforts, I will give the person with the highest mileage for the month a little runners good bag. 

We started on July 1st, which was a Monday (perfect for me since I prefer to have my weeks go mon-sun).  Yesterday was the last day of week #2 and I am currently at 110.90 miles for the month so far.  Week #1 was 53.95 miles and week #2 was 56.95 miles.  I wish I had paid closer attention to my totals so that I could have made it an even 54 and 57 for each week.  Anyway, this weeks goal is to hit 60 miles.  If I can keep this up, July of 2013 will make my highest mileage month ever. 

I have also finalized my 2013 race calendar.  I still need to register for a few of these, but once I know I plan on running a specific race, I never back out.

Here's what I have for the balance of 2013;

August 3rd: Run Clark Lake 12K
August 10th: Run thru Hell 10 mile
August 17th: Somerset Stampede half marathon - my cousin will be coming to town from Illinois and this will be her first half!!
September 7th: Run Woodstock Marathon (trail) - running this as part of our 50K training.
September 21st: Dances with Dirt 50K (trail)
September 29th: Brooksie Way half marathon
October 20th: Detroit Marathon
November 10th: Monroe half marathon
November 28th: Detroit turkey trot drumstick double (5K & 10K)

I need a second job to start funding my race addiction!

Thanks to my loving husband, I recently received my 2nd pair of Adidas Energy Boost.  I love these shoes.  My last pair has over 650 miles on them (and 3 marathons!) and they just now began giving my aches and pains.  Adidas has put out some fun colors for the new models.  I love how bright these are!


 I am also considering the Adidas Bostons as a shoe to add to my rotation.  They are a neutral shoe and light weight.  I would use them for hill work and easy paced runs, while running the Boosts on speed days, faster long runs and races.  For years I have spent all my time running in a support shoe.  I needed it when I started.  I over-pronate.  The Energy Boost are a cross between neutral w/ some support for those who over-pronate.  When I run in my other shoes, they feel bulky and uncomfortable.  Should I be going neutral?  Who knows.  Only time will tell once I start phasing out my others while adding the Bostons.