Weekly Workout Recap #14

April 3 - 9

Well, we all know it was marathon week (because who didn't know, right?) and despite feeling super great on Sunday and Monday post-race, I didn't want to schedule anything during this week so I could enjoy a true recovery. Aside from yoga, nothing was scheduled and I did as I pleased. Isn't that what recovery is all about? Thus why all the days were scheduled for "rest" and then I sort of did as I felt able throughout the week leading up to Saturday's 5K.

My Phoenix Marathon race recap is here if you'd like to check it out! It's a strange feeling to be happy with not meeting A or B goals, but trust me, it does a world of wonder for your psyche and mental state heading into another (better) cycle of marathon training!

Sunday | 5 miles 
After getting home super late from Ragnar (like 11 pm) on Saturday night, and after those 22 miles from Ragnar, I decided Sunday was a totally worthy rest day. I woke up and headed back down to where our vans were to get them cleaned and returned, came home, did Ragnar laundry (the worst, right?) and later in the afternoon we headed down to Doug's parents' house for Easter, Part 2. A totally lazy, totally awesome Sunday.

Monday | 5 miles + strength
5 miles after work. My legs were tired, but not terribly so, but I recall nothing special about this run whatsoever! I ran up to the dog park while waiting for Doug to make his way home; he picked up Molly and brought her up to the park. As it was getting just dark enough, I finished my last two miles running around the "track" at the conjoining park. Pretty easy, pretty wonderful.

5.01 miles, 48:13, 9:37 pace

Tuesday | 10 miles
I allowed myself a little sleeping in on Tuesday but then got really disappointed when I realized it was a #tenmiletuesday kinda day - otherwise, I would have gotten up and done some miles before work because ten miles on a Tuesday evening is hard. So by the time I got home (never mind that it was like 90 degrees at 6 pm), the last thing I wanted to do was get this run in. But weekly mileage makes marathon mileage all the better, right? Right. I mapped out a route and got to work - I knew it was hot, I knew it'd be slower than normal, but time on your feet still counts.

At the end, it was quite wonderful as it felt like I was out at Ragnar again, chasing the sunset near some secluded vineyards. Pretty fantastic. I planned my course to end at Doug's high school so I met him after football practice and got a ride home. Total win! I was disappointed in not hitting all ten, and at the same time... totally okay.

9.11 miles, 1:31:11, 10:00 pace

Wednesday | 5 miles + yoga
After Tuesday's run, I was totally drained. I felt the heat and felt just totally blah, and even ended up leaving work an hour early to get home and pass out. I almost didn't get to yoga, but I knew I'd need the stretch after Ragnar. You only regret the workouts you never do, right? Right.

Yoga, 60 minutes 

Photo credit: Veronica, our instructor! 

Thursday | 8 x 800
I made it from work actually really amped up about getting this run in - I wanted to get outside but I'm still working on finding a track to get some speedwork in on and since it was on and off raining, I figured that a treadmill would at least get me consistent paces and I could build that way. I love speedwork and miss it so much from when I did every week in Georgia - but this is as best as it got! 1 mile warm up at 9:30, 8 x 800 at 4:14, 4:19, 4:11, 4:09, 4:01, 4:01, 3:59, 3:52 and 1 cool down mile at 9:49. Heck freaking yes.

6 miles, 53:42, 8:57 pace 

Friday | Rest
Happy end of the week! I was going to get in some easy miles to make up for not running on Wednesday... but opted for a later alarm clock and a casual dinner with my parents after work and some family friends in from Canada. Happy Friday!

Saturday | 15 miles 

I ended up moving my log run to Sunday this week, because Doug and I ended up signing up for the Angels 5K again earlier in the week. Despite some gray and drizzly weather, there was still a huge turnout and we had a blast - easy 5K, done. Productive Saturday around the house... bring it on, 15 miles. I'm probably out running as you read this, so send some positive vibes!

Angels 5K, 3.11 miles, 34:29, 11:05 pace

How was your week? Make sure you link up below!

Join the link up each week and join in the fun! I'm hoping to hold myself more accountable to my training plan and I know that putting it out there each week is going to help me do that! Join in, link your recap and connect with other friends to hold us all accountable too!

Oh! And we have a winner from Monday's Convertible HDL prize pack giveaway! Kasey, you've been sent an email and have 48 hours to respond with the information requested. If I do not hear back, I will select the next winner! Good luck! 

Friday Favorites #16

1. #StripatNight
Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas registration opened on Monday!

Both the half and full marathons are on an early bird rate of $125, so you better jump now if you're going to! Register today and let me know if you're going to be running the #StripatNight in 2016. I'm registered thanks to the Rock 'n Blog crew, but will need to make decisions on travel (and/or doing the 5K on Saturday?!) over the summer and figure out a plan. Wanna be roomies?

2. New Sparkly Things 
I told you a few weeks ago that Sparkly Soul had just released the bridal collection of their headbands (seriously, they're so good, what timing!) and even better, they sent me a special engagement present! Thanks, Dari! I love being an ambassador for Sparkly Soul and the company Dari and Pamela have started! Now to see if I can get the other two passed off... ;)

3. RAGNAR!
I'm cranking out these Ragnar recaps as quick as I can and hope to have the full recap done next week! For now, revel in this year's new bling: 

I love the Ragnar cutout logo, LOVE the new shirts. When's the next one, y'all? Kidding - Ragnars are a once-a-year adventure, but seriously can't wait to add a 2017 sticker to my collection!

4. Lexus Lace Up Series
I am way super excited to be able to announce that I've been asked to return to the 2016 Lexus Lace Up series ambassador team. I absolutely love this four-part series, all throughout Southern California and cannot wait to begin spreading the Lace Up love! A great race crew, and though they're small productions, they go BIG with amenities and offerings to runners! Their races are in Irvine, Ventura, Palos Verdes and Riverside again this year; check the website for details and dates and let me know where I'll see you this fall! You can check out my recaps from Irvine and Palos Verdes from 2015 and see why this race series is one of my growing faves around the area.

What are you loving this Friday?

PRRacer Announcement - The Convertible HDL!

I'm totally living in #ragover life over here - oh, Monday, why you gotta be so cruel? I've got tons and tons of photos and fun to share, but I'm excited to share something else cool first. In fact, so cool, I wish it existed already and then I could have used it at Ragnar this weekend because it's pretty much everything I could have ever wanted/needed/not-needed-but-carried-anyway on my runs through Southern California this weekend.

The Convertible HDL from PRRacer is a runner's dream come true: a headband that converts to a skull cap, carries a high definition camera and an LED headlamp that can illuminate even the darkest of runs (see! Ragnar perfection). While headlamps and cameras like this aren't new, the Convertible HDL brings them all together in an easy to use, comfortable to wear way!

Now there's no more stopping mid-stride to get that essential mid-morning sunrise photo, no more fidgeting with your phone while you run (totally guilty), and now you can carry all your gadgets in one tool rather than in your waist belt, pocket and armband - it's all in one! 

From PRRacer themselves:

The Convertible HDL offers three distinct features, each designed with the runner in mind:

• Convertible: This is the lightweight, moisture wicking, fashionable headband that converts to a skull cap. Perfect for any climate, it is the Convertible that is the base of our new technology.
• HD: The camera allows you to capture your run in FHD (1920x1280) or HD (1280x720) format with still photo capability. In addition to video, you can take photos using single shot, burst mode, or time-lapse mode. In addition, the camera carries a GPS, altimeter, and accelerometer to capture all the vital statistics from your run.
• L: The headlamp shines at more than 400 lumens, ensuring your path is clearly lit, during even the darkest runs. This high-powered light also makes it possible to catch clean video during dawn, dusk and nighttime runs - something no wearable camera offers.

Check out more about it:

How freaking cool, right? But there's one catch - like I said, this baby isn't available yet BUT their Kickstarter campaign launches TODAY! So now you can help get in on the action and make this amazing headgear come to life - I know I'm jumping at the bit to get my hands on one. The first 50 people to purchase will get 50% Off retail pricing!  There are three levels of pledges for the Convertible HDL ($149, $179, $199), so jump quickly. The first two levels are limited quantities so click and buy early!

But - while we wait for this amazingness - PRRacer is cool enough to let me giveaway some awesome stuff in the meanwhile! Lucky you, right?

• Either a Convertible HDL t-shirt or RUN t-shirt
• A RUN hat
• And performance decals for 5K, 10K, 13.1, and 26.2 distances.
• Winners would need to provide the state they would like on the RUN t-shirt (if chosen), state they would like on the RUN hat, and finish times for the race decals

Are you in?

a Rafflecopter giveaway Contest runs 10 am Monday, April 4 through 11:59 pm Friday, April 8, 2016.

No purchase necessary.  Void where prohibited. 1 winner will be selected via the Giveaway widget.  Open to Residents of the US only 18 years of age or older. Winner must have a valid email address.  

Winner will be notified via email (if available) and/or blog post and/or Rafflecopter display, and will have 24 hours to claim prize via email.  If original winner does not claim prize within 24 hours, an alternate winner(s) will be selected via Rafflecopter. All winning entries will be verified as completed. If a winning entry cannot be verified as completed, a new winner will be drawn.  Winner will be provided the prize directly from PRracer.

This post was sponsored by Fit Approach and PRracer but all opinions are my own!

Weekly Workout Recap #13

March 27 - April 2

Join the link up each week and join in the fun! I'm hoping to hold myself more accountable to my training plan and I know that putting it out there each week is going to help me do that! Join in, link your recap and connect with other friends to hold us all accountable too!

Sunday | 20 miles 
Monica and I had planned a few weeks back to make this a long run day together, since she's training for Eugene (also May 1) and our training schedules are more or less in sync. Meeting at 5:30 am was a doozy, but as soon as we were out, we knew it was going to be an amazing. Bunnies everywhere (appropriate for a sunrise Easter morning run), though it was humid! Monica was planning for 16-18, and with Ragnar coming up for me with 22 miles Friday-Saturday, I decided 20 wasn't in my best interest and we went for 16 instead. Perfect miles, feeling totally accomplished... a full day later we were still talking about how good we felt throughout the run and afterwards. Success!

After our run, Doug had made me pancakes (I think I'll keep him) and I went to the kiddie pool in our complex for a quick 10-minute ice bath. Perfection. A few hours' of naps later and then we were off to my parents' for Easter and a last Sunday Funday at Mad T at Disneyland with Jacky and Darrell.

16 miles, 2:37:44 / 9:55 pace

Monday | 5 miles + strength
I was all pumped on Monday throughout the work day - still on the high from the 16 the day before - and by the time I got home, I totally crashed. I didn't quite get the answers I was looking/hoping for on some health stuff and it got to me more than I expected. After work, I took a 30-minute nap and then got up and got my time in on the treadmill. Better late than never, right?

5 miles, 48:23, 9:40 pace

Tuesday | 6 miles
On my way home out the door from work Tuesday night, the sky opened up and all HAIL broke loose! It was pouring - and naturally, I didn't have my umbrella, so used one of my two jackets as a makeshift umbrella. Ran to the car, and as soon as I got on the freeway, it started hailing - so loud, I swear it was raining rocks, not ice. Terrifying! I finally made it home and wouldn't you know, my home area (all of 15 miles away) was sunny and dry, with one large stormcloud looming over. I wanted to get some miles outside, so I changed quickly and sprinted two miles through the neighborhood before I hopped on the treadmill for the rest. Done and done!

2.07 miles, 17:37, 8:30 pace
4 miles, 37:03, 9:15 pace 

Wednesday | 5 miles + yoga
I was up at 2:30 am on Wednesday morning, totally restless, and tossed and turned for a while. My alarm was set for 5:15 to get these miles in anyway, and at 4:50, I finally gave up and got to the gym before my alarm even went off. 5 miles done before the sun even woke up!

Yoga didn't happen this week only because it was the Mad T Party band's last night, last show EVER, so I took off from work, bolted to Chino and Jacky's and we bee-lined our way into the parks for one last night of dancing and singing along to my favorite cover band ever. Yoga next week will be great to keep stretching out post-Ragnar!

5 miles, 50:16, 10:03 pace

Thursday | 45 minutes tempo
Though I had a 45 minute run written in, given my long run on Sunday, and heading in to Ragnar weekend, I opted to make this a rest day instead! Lots of last errands and chores to do, so this was a good move on my part!

Rest! 

Friday | Rest
Well, we all know I didn't rest on Friday - it was the first day of Ragnar! Squee! I was runner 11 in Van 2 this weekend, so my first miles weren't until 4 in the afternoon. 7.5 miles of some hills through south  Orange County and just gorgeous!

7.5 miles, 1:11, 9:23 pace 

Saturday | 6 miles

We also then knew that this weekend brought a lot more than 6 miles on deck! Good thing I was scheduled for 12 today, so I made up for it all really early in the weekend instead. ;) My second run was through Vista and San Marcos (northern San Diego county) at 1 in the morning. No better way to wake up than to get 5.8 miles in on the day! My last leg (womp womp) was 8.7 miles from downtown San Diego all the way down to Chula Vista - on what I'm calling the ugliest leg EVER - but at least flat and fast and easy, even though on tired legs!

We did it! Just wait for the recaps in the next two weeks. You won't wanna miss 'em!

5.8 miles, 52:02, 8:58 pace
8.7 miles, 1:26:41, 9:32 pace 

All in all, that's a 53.98 mile week, making it my HIGHEST weekly mileage EVER - badass, if I do say so myself. I call that a great marathon training week. :)

How was your week? Make sure you link up below!

San Diego or Bust!

Goooood morning! As of 5:30 am PST, we are officially en route to San Diego, via miles and miles of road, sidewalk, beach trails and highway shoulders through an adventure called Ragnar So Cal. 

Team #SWAGNARstrikesback got started with Marco, one of our first-timers (!), leading us off. I'm in Van 2, so I have time to chill and cheer people on as we get set. I'm also runner 11, so even once Van 2 starts, I've got a bit of a wait ahead of me. I've been in Van 1 enough that I'm used to having the fun early on in the day, so this will be a challenge in controlling my antsyness in wanting to get started already! Yipes!

Follow the team along at #SWAGNARstrikesback  + cheer us along! Be sure to also follow me for all the in-between fun too: @runmeganrun // @__MeganJohnston // Run Megan Run