50 States Challenge: Year 4 Recap

My birthday was at the end of January, so that means we are due for a 50 States Challenge recap! I honestly cannot believe I am 4 years into this challenge.

This year was a down year in the challenge for me, but with my surgery I knew this would be the case. Considering I didn't do any races for 4 months, I'm pretty please I was able to get 3 states done!

My states for 2016 were:

- Michigan: Detroit Half Marathon
- Nevada: Rock n Roll Las Vegas Half
- Delaware: Rehoboth Beach Half Marathon

These 3 states brought my total up to 27 states (54% completed).

I am gearing up for 2017 and my goal of getting 5 states done. I haven't signed up for anything yet, but I have two races/states planned for already. Those two states are:

- West Virginia (Marshall University Half Marathon in November)
- Arizona (Tucson Half Marathon in December)

I am excited for the one in Arizona, not only to be in warm weather when it's cold here in NYC, but because I'll be visiting my cousin while I am there (her and her husband live there). I always love when I can combine a race with a visit to someone I love.

I have a couple of other races in mind - 1 (possibly 2) in April and 1 (possibly 2) in May. It's just about finalizing plans now. So basically, between April and May, I'll get 3 states done!

I am always looking for races in states I haven't done yet, so if you have any suggestions, please share!

And of course, my updated map!

Training recap week of 1/30

Another week of training for Princess in the books! And even though I missed some runs this week, the runs I had went really well! Sometimes, it's all about the small victories.

We are less then 3 weeks to Princess and I am getting very excited. Not just for warmer weather (and it better be warm, do you hear me Central Florida?), but for a few days away. I like to have trips scheduled in the winter to break up the cold and grey weather.

Currently training for:

• Enchanted 10K
• Princess Half
• Star Wars Dark Side 10K
• Star Wars Dark Side Half

Monday
Scheduled: Rest or Cross Training
Actual: Pure Barre

Tuesday:
Scheduled: 4-7 miles easy
Actual: Rest

One of my best friends who lives in Philly was in town and we met up for dinner.

Wednesday
Scheduled: Speedwork - 1 mi 20-30 seconds under GHMP, 15 minutes tempo (10 sec over GHMP), 800m hard plus WU and CD
Actual: 6.0 mi, 58:26
Paces: {Mile} 8:15, {Tempo} 8:50, 8:55, {800m} 7:15

This was a weird workout. It seemed an odd combination of distances and paces, but I am sure it had a purpose. I am please with my times though - right were they should be!

Thursday
Scheduled: 4-7 miles easy
Actual: 5.14 mi, 46:20, 9:00 pace

I ran this one with the Oiselle Volee during Flight Club. It was a little faster then I would have run an easy one, but it still felt good!

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Saturday
Scheduled: 8 miles easy
Actual: Rest

I was supposed to do my long run this day, but I woke up with an upset stomach. It just felt off all day, so I mostly slept and pushed my long run until Sunday.

Sunday
Scheduled: 3-6 mile easy
Actual: 8.02 mi, 1:16:02, 9:29 pace

My long run today felt really good. The pace was comfortable and I felt strong the entire time.

Total Miles: 19.16
Total January Miles: 92.96
Total February Miles: 19.16
Miles to Goal (1,270): 1,157.88 

Goals: January/February

 

Is it just me or did this month just fly by? It was a crazy month, with lots going on. However, January over means one month closer to summer.

I think I did pretty good on my goals this month! Didn't accomplish all, but did pretty good.

1. Run 100 total miles (B+). I ended up with just under 97 miles. This is my highest mileage in a long time, so that is good! If the Disney Half hadn't been canceled, I would have been well past 100.
2. Sleep a minimum of 7+ hours a night (A). I did really good on this one. According to my FitBit, there were only 4 nights in January were I didn't get 7+ hours of sleep.
3. Focus on following a meal plan and not eating junk (B-). Eh, I didn't do great on this one. I did meal plan each week, but also had a lot of nights out with unhealthy food. Win some, lose some.
4. Cross train at least 4x a week (C). Did not do good with this one. There was only 1 week this month in which I accomplished this.
5. Take 2 bags of stuff to Goodwill (A). I took two full bags of stuff to Goodwill! And I also have another bag half full. 

 Now onto February goals!

1. Run 100 total miles. Same as last month. I don't think this will be a problem, but you never know.
2. Drink 70+ oz of water daily. For a long time, I was really good at drinking enough water each day. But the past couple of months I have not been drinking enough (at all). And I can tell the difference. My goal is to get back on track with this.
3. Make smart choices with food. This is a tough month with a lot going on, so I want to focus on making smart/healthy choices.
4. Cross train 4x a week. Want to focus on this. I know cross training will only help my running, so it's important I get back to it.
5. Take 1 bag to Goodwill. I already have half a bag of stuff and with my "1 in, 2 out" policy, I should be able to finish filling it. 

What are some of your goals for February?

Training recap week of 1/23

If I had to describe this week in training in any way, it's be okay. My runs went okay. I did okay getting most of my workouts in. I did not do great in terms of cross training, but I did go to a Pure Barre class, so that was good.

What was good about this week was I got another set of back to back runs in and my legs felt much better this time around vs. last time. Also good, one more week of winter is behind us 😃 Can you tell I am over winter?

Currently training for:

• Enchanted 10K
• Princess Half
• Star Wars Dark Side 10K
• Star Wars Dark Side Half

Monday
Scheduled: Rest or Cross Training
Actual: Pure Barre

Tuesday:
Scheduled: 4-7 miles easy
Actual: 4.4 miles, 40:07, 10:03

Wednesday
Scheduled: Speedwork - 2 miles (1 above goal HMP, 1 below goal HMP) x 2 (with a 3 minute rest in between), plus WU and CD
Actual: 6.11 mi, 56:48
Paces: {First set} 8:54, 8:34; {Second set} 8:34, 8:52

The first set was tough, but for some reason the second set was easier.

Thursday
Scheduled: 4-7 miles easy
Actual: Rest

I had a work function this night, so no run for me. I tried to set my alarm to run something pre-work, but my bed was too warm and it was too cold outside for me to get up.

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Saturday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy
Actual: 4.0 mi, 40:17, 10:04 pace

Sunday
Scheduled: 11 mile long run
Actual: 11.0 mi, 1:45:41, 9:36 pace

Not my best week, but not my worst week!

Total Miles: 25.18
Total January Miles: 92.96
Miles to Goal (1,270): 1,177.04