I am joining the Weekly Wrap hosted by Holly from HoHo Runs and Tricia from MissSippiPiddlin. The Weekly Wrap is a blog link up where bloggers share their active lifestyle and other exciting things weekly. To find out more, click on the image below. Feel free to join in on the fun.
I am currently training for my second marathon at St. Jude Memphis this December. I just completed Week 8 of Hal Higdon's Novice 2 Marathon Training Plan. I will recap my training here in the Weekly Wrap.
Monday, September 21st
Monday was a scheduled rest day on my training plan. I had a challenging day back at school after the two days out for training. I had already planned ahead for this week, but I still felt unorganized and unprepared. I wound up staying late at school to prepare extra activities for the week.
This is my seventh year teaching, but only my second year in the multi-needs unit. I absolutely love my students, but this year has brought new challenges and I just can't seem to get in the groove. We added 4 new students to the unit this year and we lost one paraprofessional, which puts us at 16 students and 3 paraprofessionals. I try my best to stay positive, but I feel like I'm not able to devote enough time to each student. I know what they're capable of since most of them are return students from last year, but I'm struggling to provide the one on one support that each one needs and deserves. I try my best and take it one day at a time.
Tuesday, September 22nd
On Tuesday morning, I ran 4 miles at an easy pace.
Wednesday, September 23rd
Wednesday was supposed to be my semi-long run of 7 miles, but I didn't wake up in time to get it done before school. I swapped my runs and did the 4 miles scheduled for Thursday.
When I got home that afternoon, I had a package from St. Jude on my doorstep. My training shirt and training log arrived plus some samples from Nuun Hydration and Juice Plus. It was a nice surprise! I love running as a St. Jude Hero because it's about much more than finishing a race, it's about helping families and saving lives. This is my third year fundraising as a St. Jude Hero. I've exceeded my fundraising goal the past two years, and I'm hoping to exceed my goal again this year. So far, I've raised $770 for St. Jude. Visit my fundraising page today to make a donation or follow my progress: http://heroes.stjude.org/DebraWeldon.
Thursday, September 24th
I had to drag myself out of bed, but I couldn't put off doing my 7 mile semi-long run any longer. The mid-week long runs are supposed to be marathon pace. My main goal for my first marathon was to finish, but deep down I wanted a sub 5:00. I finished in 4:53:46. Although I'm proud of my finish and time, I feel like I chose a conservative goal for my first marathon. I want to improve my time this year. I really hope to run a 4:40-4:45, a 10:40-10:54 average pace. I struggled to reach marathon pace on this run.
Friday, September 25th
Friday was a scheduled rest day on my training plan. I was exhausted after school, and I wanted so bad to go home and go to bed. My niece was nominated for freshman homecoming court, so Michael and I went to the game to see her being recognized during half time. We grabbed a quick bite to eat afterwards. It was 11:00 before I got in bed.
Saturday, September 26th
I did my long run of 15 miles. It was overcast and breezy. I practiced refueling every 5 miles alternating Honey Stinger waffles and pretzels. This strategy worked well for me last year, so I'm hoping it will continue to work. I felt great and kept a consistent pace.
Later that afternoon, Michael and I went to my parents house to watch the Bama -vs- LA Monroe game. I was struggling to stay awake since I didn't get an afternoon nap. We looked better this weekend, but we still have a lot of room for improvement on offense. I'm hoping Bama gets it together during practice this week before heading to Athens next weekend to play against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Later that afternoon, Michael and I went to my parents house to watch the Bama -vs- LA Monroe game. I was struggling to stay awake since I didn't get an afternoon nap. We looked better this weekend, but we still have a lot of room for improvement on offense. I'm hoping Bama gets it together during practice this week before heading to Athens next weekend to play against the Georgia Bulldogs.
Sunday, September 27th
I was extremely lazy today. It was cloudy most the day and it sprinkled off and on. I woke up and ate breakfast. Then, I fell back asleep on the couch. I slept most of the day before finally waking up, getting dressed, and taking Allie for a walk. The fresh air did me some good. I got the house cleaned and the laundry caught up this evening before writing this post.
I hope everyone had a great week of training. I can't wait to read your Weekly Wrap posts.
Great job with your marathon training, especially your 15 miler!! I have yet to try a Honeystinger Waffle on a run. Sounds good though, since I've sampled them before at Expos.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've tried the original and chocolate flavors, but I'm tempted to get a sample box to try the other flavors. I've heard the caramel is really good. I'm afraid to try gels because I've heard that they can cause GI distress, and I have a very sensitive stomach.
DeleteSounds like a good week ! I haven't thought too much about nutrition yet for my marathon. I have never tried gels, but pretzels sound like a good idea. Do you like them because of the salt ?
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried gels either. A lot of people swear by gels, but I've heard they can cause GI distress and I have a sensitive stomach. I've always liked pretzels, and they are good to replenish sodium, I tried them for my first half and have eaten them on the run ever since then, In my first marathon I ate a honey stinger waffle at Miles 5,10, and 15, but by 20 I couldn't stomach another one but I knew I needed to eat something, so the pretzels were a nice change up.
DeleteSounds like a good week to me! Although I am a Florida Gator, I won't hold the Bama thing against you! :) It is tough getting training miles and work done, 7 miles before work would be hard for me! I try to stick to around 4. Have a great week! I am visiting from the link up
ReplyDeleteY'all had a great comeback against Tennessee this weekend. That was some game! The mid-week semi long runs before school is tough, I think I dread them more than the weekend long run sometimes. I have to get my miles in before school though or I won't get them done.
DeleteSunday is cross training on my plan, but I've really been slacking in that area. I'm so exhausted by then all I want to do is nap. Being a special ed. teacher can be challenging, but also very rewarding. I love my students!
ReplyDeleteWe listened to the Bama game on the lake and watched later (I can't believe the hubs suggested it!). I usually wear headbands and I love the one you have on in that last picture. We still had humid mornings last week and I know I struggled with that. I wish I could actually eat something like pretzels during a long run but I can't seem to chew anything. Thanks for linking with us today! I look forward to following your training for St. Jude.
ReplyDeleteI tried pretzels during my first Chicago marathon, and while I could chew them, I could not swallow them. It was a long time before I could eat pretzels again after that!
DeleteYou're right! Our mornings were still very humid last week. I love Sweaty Bands. They're the only headband I can wear that don't slip. The one in the last pic was from their Headbands for Hope collection, a portion of the proceeds goes towards childhood cancer. I've only ever trained w/ pretzels or the Honey Stinger waffles. I figure if it works, why change it? You have do what works for you. Everyone is different.
DeleteNice job with your training! Lazy Sundays are the best...especially when the weather isn't nice. That looks like a nice package from St Jude!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I find myself being very lazy on Sundays. I need to get better about cross training. It would definitely help with recovery. Besides supporting a great cause, I love all the goodies St. Jude offers to the runners who fundraise.
DeleteYour marathon training is going great! Keep up the good work. It has to be hard to train in that humidity!
ReplyDeleteThank you! The humidity can be rough at times, but I guess it's all in what you get used to. It definitely helps to get my runs done early in the day.
DeleteI often wind up with rest days on Mondays, but I do love when they happen on Fridays. I always need the mental break and sleep after a week of work and workouts. That's great you are training with St. Jude. What a great cause!
ReplyDeleteThe plan I'm following has rest days on Monday's and Friday's with cross training on Sunday. I admit I need to be more consistent on the cross training days. I look forward to the rest days, especially on Friday. St. Jude Memphis Marathon weekend is a wonderful experience. I think every runner should run St.Jude at least once in their lifetime. To me, no other race compares.
DeleteTeachers like you who take so much pride in their work and changing lives of our little ones are becoming few and far between. Thank you so much for the love and care you show to those kids! Debra I'm so glad your doing great in your training, I don't think you'll have any problem reaching you goal in Dec. Gosh Dec will be here before we know it and I'm so excite we'll both be in Memphis together, we'll have to plan to meet! I was getting nervous about not receiving my St. Jude package but it was on my doorstep Friday! I love the shirt and all the stuff! Hope you have a great week. Our started pretty sloppy with the rain, guess yall will be getting it today!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think my students have probably impacted my life more than I have theirs. I can't wait until December! I look forward to meeting you! Glad you received your package from St. Jude. It's rainy here, too. It looks like it might be set in until Wednesday.
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ReplyDeleteWhat a great organization St. Jude is! Love the training pack they gave you--so well done. Strong week Debra!
ReplyDeleteSt. Jude is wonderful! The St. Jude Memphis Marathon weekend is a huge fundraising event and has raised up to $8 million for St.Jude Children's Research Hospital. If you've never ran in this event I would highly recommend it. It's an unforgettable experience!
DeleteSounds like a great week! Way to go on your 15 miler! I love honey stinger waffles! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I've only tried the original and chocolate flavored waffles. I want to try the caramel, but everywhere I got they're sold out. They must really be good! I'm tempted to order the variety pack online.
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