Long Run Report: 12.03 Ratchet Miles

I was soooooo over this run Friday night, but I laid out my stuff to roll my ass out of bed at 4:20am on Saturday, to meet the crew at 5:15am. When my alarm went off, I swear I had no idea where I was and why my alarm was going off so damn early on a Saturday. It hit me when I was about to hit snooze that in fact it was long run Saturday and that the pile of stuff at the end of my bed is what I needed, to get out of the door. Did I mention how over it I was at this point?

Well on my way to meet the crew, I received a text message from Sister Bernice, to turn on the radio because our jam was on. I instantly got hype when I heard my man Ye say "bow on arrival." After hearing my jam, I was somewhat up and ready to kickstart my run. Here's what I learned:

1) Ain't nobody fresher than my clique! My marathon crew is the BUSINESS honey! They are too live at the crack of dawn and that's what you need to get motivated to hit the pavement when you're not in the mood. Always a good time with these ladies.

2) My marathon crew is crazy! Only Sister Odell would have us run the Dreaded Druid Hill Route at 6:18am before the sun rises. Good thing Sister Bernice had her headlamp. We were so terrified we ran part of the hills with are arms locked together since we were terrified of what was hiding in the woods. Mind you, the zoo animals are gated in part of the area we were running. SMH!!!

3) It was a nice and easy run. We had no expectations going into this run and we had a ball! We chatted and laughed the entire time. With all this training and trying to hit every goal over the last couple of months, it felt really good to be reminded of why I LOVE to run and why I LOVE running with the crew. Good times.

4) Fall weather is fabulous for running. Even though I was still a salty mess, I didn't feel sticky and in dire need of a shower when we finished. Anybody training throughout the summer can appreciate my sentiments.

5) Vegan pancakes with smokey maple tempeh bacon drenched in syrup is the greatest breakfast of all time!

*next week is the last official long run before the taper begins. 22 miles of fun. Stay tuned*

Get Right Get Tight: Week 15 of MCM Training

It is so hard to believe that in 5 weeks I will be running my first marathon! *faints* Time is definitely going at warp speed but hey I'm ready. I survived the 20 miler Saturday so I need to chill and trust my training. Over the next 5 weeks I want to focus on strength training, speed work and stretching. 

M: Rest 

T: Total Body Conditioning (am), 3-5 miles easy run (pm)

W: 8 miles

Tr: mile repeats/tempo run (am)

F: Yoga 

S: 12 miles 

Sy: Spin, Functional Interval Training (F.I.T.) and Yoga

Music Monday #MM

Outfit of the Day: Long Run Worthy

Sun Runner LS

I bought this in lilac. This top is amazing. The design is fabulous and functional! It's light weight and  soaks up all the sweat without you even feeling it, but allows your body to breathe. Perfect for Summer/Fall transition and yoga!!! The top is sold out online but I'm sure you can find it in your local store. 

Run Inspire Crop II

Hands down, these are the best crops I've ever ran in. #getintoit 

Long Run Report: We Ready! #20miles

WOO CHIIIIIIIIIIILE! Banked 20 miles today along the Baltimore Run Festival preview route. When I finished running, this is how I felt despite looking a salty mess literally! 

Here's what I learned from today's run:

1. I'm ready. The theme of today's run is this intro

2. A year makes a difference. I ran part of this route last year and I felt every hill and felt like passing out. This year, not so much. I took on those hills like it was nothing. I found myself knowing I was on the hill but didn't feel the hill. Yeah I'm feeling myself. 

3. I love running Baltimore. The crowd support even on a training run is amazing. Within the first mile construction workers were clapping and cheering from their post. Along the route there were so many cheers from the community ranging from, "Go get 'em," "looking strong and keep it up" to "looking good." Baltimore gets a  lot of negative press but we are more than the Wire. 

4. I am one salty runner. My face was sooooo crusty *sigh* #thedefinitionofstruggle 

5. Waffles are the best thing for a pre-run snack. I ate a plain toasted vegan apple cinnamon waffle on the way to the route. Usually I get hungry by mile 6 but today, not so much. That waffle held me down. #salute 

6. Cliff Shot Bloks are like crack. I LOVE the fruit punch flavor. I force myself to wait till at least mile 13 before I have one. Today I waited till around mile 15 to pop 2 and then when I got to mile 18 I popped one more. These are the best energy gels on the market! #thankmelater

7. Bladder is under control. I was so worried about having to go to the bathroom on this route because it was 20 miles and hydrating is key but I was good. No "spot a pots" for me! 

8. I get spurts of energy to pick up the speed after mile 13. Each spurt lasts for about .25 miles. It is the weirdest thing to me. I think I may zone out and end up picking up the speed and then I realize that I'm going too fast so I chill out. 

9. 13 miles is a breeze now.  At 15 I feel good. After 18 is when i start to feel it and the race begins. I banked 20. The next 6.2 will be a surprise party that I'm ready for. 

10. Training is the hardest part. 5 months of training for 1 day. Racing will be easy. 

Getting Over That Hump

"So you say you want it as bad as you want to breathe, then it's showtime...it's time to test your will, your endurance, test your heart, to test your limits..."

Get Right Get Tight: Week 14 of MCM Training

YES LAWD! I am soooooo ready! I'm amped! #letswork

M: Rest day 

T: 3m easy run and strength train (mankofit quick workout)

W: 5m pace run 

Tr: 7 x hill repeats and strength train 

F: yoga

S: 20m

Sy: Cycling 

Music Monday #MM

This is THE official theme song of my MCM run crew. "Bow on our arrival." Get into it!!! 

Happy Hump Day!

I think Wednesday's get a bad rap. Instead of complaining about hump day, turn on your fave song during your morning workout and just start jigging. Be inspired to let loose like your parents did back in the day!

Get Right Get Tight: Week 12 of MCM Training

Last week was an awful training week! Week 12 of training started off great. I completed my two-a-days on Tuesday but Wednesday is where it all went downhill. I started a new contract on Wednesday and found out about it Tuesday night so I was not prepped at all for the workload. Needless to say, training went out of the window once I started working 11 hour days. 

Although I only ran once during the week, I managed to still muster up enough strength to run the big gusto of the 18 mile long run and I survived. I felt strong once I finished and decided that week 13 will be better! #No excuses Here's the plan:

M: Rest 

T: 4m run 

W: 6 - 8 m pace run 

Tr: 6 x 800m repeats (am), strength training (pm)

F: Yoga

S: 13 m

Sy: Cycle and strength training (F.I.T. Class).  Maybe yoga later. We'll see. 

Fitspiration Friday: Make Yourself...

Outfit of the Day: Rock 'n Roll VA Beach Edition

Today I am running the Rock 'n Roll VA Beach Half Marathon! I wanted to rock something comfy, bright and fun that somewhat matched my shoes. Not only am I racing but I have to tack on 4 miles to get in 17 miles for my long run. Wish me luck! 

This is Lululemon's Optimal Tank. I got this tank in hot pink and the racer back part is metallic silver. This was on sale in the store. It's lightweight and breathable. 

This is Under Armour's Women's Kick It Short. Under Armour is my go to for workout gear even before Lulu. This is my first time running in them but UA is tried and true for me. They always have fun colors and prints. 

Of course I'm rocking my colorful Mizuno Wave Precision 13's.