Hi everyone! Guess what: I’m halfway through this half marathon training! And it was an AWESOME week!
Monday: 3.1 mile run
Tuesday: Rest day
Wednesday: HTH speed training day! 5:00 tempo, 35:00 easy run, 5:00 tempo. Both tempos were equal!
Thursday: I was home sick, so I did some easy yoga and stretching.
Friday: Twilight 12K – my first 12k ever and I KILLED it! Full recap coming soon!
Saturday: I walked in the Anchorage Pride Parade with my coworkers and it was not only an amazing experience getting to show my support, it was a great workout too because we were walking around the city all morning 🙂
Sunday: We hiked The Butte out in Palmer. It was only like 2 miles but the views were amazing!
That white thing in the top middle is the Knik Glacier!
Overall I feel great and don’t have any of the pain that was bothering me while I was taking Pilates. Yoga is definitely my body’s favorite cross training! I’m hoping to get to some more yoga done next week – I do about 10 minutes of yoga after every run, but I’d like to take another class this week. I’m also thinking about adding in a day or two of strength training now that my body is feeling better.
Now time for some big news! You may have heard me hinting about signing up for a new race. As you know, I’m trying to run a race in all 50 states. My company is sending me down to Denver the first week of August for a conference, and I was looking for a race to run while I was down there. And you won’t believe what race is happening in Colorado on August 7&8:
I have always wanted to run a Ragnar, but didn’t know how to travel to one with my non-runner husband and I didn’t know how to find 11 other people to run it with me. But here was my perfect opportunity to make it happen! After asking around online, I found a great group of girls who needed another runner. So I will be running with team Cirque De Sore Legs in my very first Ragnar! Fun fact: it’s super hilly and has crazy high elevation, so I’m pretty sure I’ve lost my mind. But I’m so excited about it! Runner spots #2 and #3 are still available and I’m trying to decide which one I want to be. Which would you choose?
Have you ever run a Ragnar relay? Bonus points if it was Colorado! What tips/advice would you give me for training and preparing for the race? Am I crazy for doing this, especially with a bunch of strangers?
Mom in the Mtns 
No ragnars/relays for me yet, but they sound like so much fun! If I were to train for one, I would try to incorporate a few doubles. Something like Saturday AM, Saturday PM, and Sunday AM to get used to running three times in about 24 hours. Good luck!
Ooooh good idea! I’ll definitely add some easy doubles into my training plan in a few weeks!
O fun and exciting!!! Relays always seem so fun when I read the recaps!
I know! I’ve been dying to run one forever but just couldn’t figure out how to do it logistically. I had to do this one since I’d already be there!
Ah that’s so cool! I really want to do Ragnar Cape Cod next year.
Let me know if you do! I’m sure I’ll want to do another one so if you need teammates hit me up!
Fun! Can’t wait to read your 12K recap – you are getting speedy my friend! You will have a great time running Ragnar.
Thanks! I really do think those tempo runs are paying off!
AHH I’m so excited for you!!! 🙂 I LOVED the Cape Cod Ragnar. I don’t really have any particular training tips, apart from just keep running! My mom and I were in half marathon shape when we did Ragnar, and that worked fine, so I’m guessing you’ll be good too! I would say – pack a blanket you can have with you in the van so you can just zonk out whenever you want. That being said, I wouldn’t count on getting too much sleep! 10 miles marked as ‘very hard’ at altitude sounds a little scary to me, so I think I would pick runner #2, but that’s just me. 🙂 can’t wait to read your recaps!!! Take lots of pictures!
Okay that’s good to know about training. And yeah, I’m not really excited about the lack of sleep, but I do plan on sleeping when I can. I’m so excited and nervous!
I’ve been wanting to do a Ragnar relay! So cool!
Thanks! We’re looking for another runner FYI… 🙂
When running a long distance relay such as Ragnar, it is HIGHLY PREFERABLE to do it with a bunch of strangers. Once you do this one, try organizing a second one with your IRL friends and you’ll see why. 😉 I’ve done quite a few difficult (course wise) LDRs but not this one. I’ve heard the altitude kicks your ass pretty good, though. I would definitely try to squeeze three 4 or 5 mile runs into a two day weekend sometime and see what your body feels like/ what you need to do to get yourself going for that third run. For example, a Saturday morning, Saturday evening, and Sunday morning run. You’ll be so excited during the race, though, that your adrenaline and team spirit will carry you through the glorious blur of awesomeness.
Haha well I’m glad I went with strangers then! I’ll definitely have to try doing a few workouts in one weekend to see how I feel. Thanks for the tips!
That is awesome news! I have to admit I’m jealous 🙂 I’ve wanted to run a Ragnar forever but the time location never works out. One day!
Thanks! We’re looking for another runner if you’re interested in taking on Colorado!
This is so exciting that you get the opportunity to do this! Good luck! I’m excited to read about it!
Thanks! I’m so excited but so nervous too!
I’ve only heard about Ragnar races from friends but they sound awesome!