Week whatever out of ?? ambiguous training for something or not

This week...Eh...

Monday: REST

Tuesday: Progressive 4 miles followed by 6 miles on the stationary bike

Wednesday: REST

Thursday: REST

Friday: 3 Miles

Saturday: 4 Miles with the pup, followed by a half assed speed sesh of 2 miles.

Sunday: 5 Miles, 36:50. Finally a speed sesh! Alternated one song fast, one song at 8:00 pace. (Speed songs were at 6:48, 6:48, 6:39, 6:39, 6:31)

6 miles cycling
18 miles running

Tuesday morning I woke up and my neck was hurting a lot. I must have slept funny since I do not recall any specific trauma. My neck was quite uncomfortable during work Tuesday and even more so during my run Tuesday evening. Wednesday and Thursday I was going out of my mind with the pain in my neck, and aleve wasnt helping it at all. I could barely function at work so running was absolutely out of the question.  A few epsom bath soaks later, Friday I woke up feeling much better.

Saturday I ran with CB then went shopping. I bought some nice stuff to wear in Paris and Copenhagen as well as springtime here, whenever it gets a bit warmer.

Sunday I did a moderate speed sesh since my neck was still a tad janky & because CB wasnt feeling well. I called the vet to see if I could take him in, but they were only accepting dogs with flu symptoms (which he does not have thankfully) but I have to keep an eye on him and hopefully not have to find another vet. He does seem much better now (Sunday evening) than earlier Sunday.
                                         
Me and my bear. I love him so much. Monday I got to see some wonderful ladies for a nice chat and dinner. It was awesome catching up with Anne, Emmers and Erin. Tuesday I voted. CB said he voted many times earlier in the day while I was at work.
Sunday I bottled my Russian Imperial Stout which has been fermenting for 2 months! I had to open one of my old IPAs for the bottle (because I only have 12 total!), and surprisingly it tasted much better than it did in January. I also bottled one bottle of the Belgian stout I made 3 weeks ago. The rest of the Belgian stout will be seconday fermented with coffee. I just need to cold brew some first.I think this Belgian stout is going to be amazing.
Looking forward:

Since there are no "good" 5ks that fit in my schedule before my vacation, I am unsure if I want to continue focusing on 5k prep- or maybe change it up and start running longer since the weather is nice. I'd love to smash my stagnant half marathon PR this year (it's been nearly 2 years since my last 13.1!!!).On top of that, I am really enjoying running/cycling/lifting weights and my continued PT exercises and am not really excited to race. At least right now.. I'm sure that will change soon. I want quality performance over quantity races this year and know post vacation, I'll be itching to take advantage of the good weather and let my legs fly.

Up next:

Throw back posts of my trip to Europe 2002, because my daad found some photo cds I had of half of my pics from the trip. And because I found my journal from that trip. And because I am super excited to return to Europe after 13 years!!!


-Xaar

Mikkeller Run Club Chicago #3

This past Saturday, April 4th was our third Mikkeller Running club run in Chicago!

We met at our wonderful clubhouse, The Northdown for our run and post run beer.


We were also lucky to have Ryan, from Mizuno on hand with shoes for us to try out!


Once again we were lucky to have great weather!

Despite it being Easter weekend, we still had a great turnout of 30 people!

After some photos, we started our run.

Our run is slightly over 3 miles and has minimal intersections.



MRC Runners in action!

MRC runners waiting at a stoplight.


MRC runners at the Montrose turnaround.



More MRC runners having fun.

And more!


We have a lot of fun on these runs.

After our 3 miles, we had the Mikkeller Spontanrosehip to quench our thirst.


We like to get fit through running while enjoying delicious beer and foods.


Mikkeller Running Club is for everyone. We are a chill group that enjoys running and drinking beer. Bring your friends.


Come join us for our next run on May 2nd! RSVP HERE

Week 10 of ?? Sub 20 5k training AKA: Friends > Running

Another "meh" training week. Although I don't really care because in the grand scheme of things one off week won't impact me much. Plus, I had a lot of fun this weekend and wouldn't trade spending time with friends for a run.


Monday: rest

Tuesday: 5 mile progressive run, 5 miles cycle

Wednesday: 4 miles on the lakefront with my boys

Thursday: rest

Friday: rest

Saturday: 10.3 miles total. AM: 7 miles containing 1x 1 mile @ 6:22, 2x800's @ 6:07, 4x 400's @ 5:52. Felt really good. Followed by MRC #3 an easy 3.3 miles.

Sunday: Rest.

24 miles total for 3 hours.

I felt crappy Thursday and Friday and decided not to prolong the crap feeling by running.

Saturday morning I did a nice little speed sesh and felt fab. My "cool down" was running 3.3 miles with the Mikkeller Running Club a few hours later.

I'm itching to run a 5k and see where I'm at but nothing is really looking good until May. I want low hanging fruit- basically something easy to get to, a flat fast course, and good weather. The Race that's good for life is on my radar and I'll have to decide very soon if I'll run it this weekend. (I just don't want to ride the el for 45 min to get there!!)  I've heard really good things about it and the course looks great- minimal turns, basically one big loop. Decisions decisions.

Cb celebrated Easter earlier this week with Fido.



Wednesday I got to run on the lakefront with my boys. It was so gorgeous out!


Saturday was our 3rd Mikkeller Running Club run out of the Northdown. Despite it being Easter weekend, we still had a great turnout! (More on that in another post)


Post MRC we had a bottle share with friends. I don't think I've stayed up that late in a long time. But it was a ton of fun!


Sunday we went to another friend's house for Easter/ goodbye party for a friend L has known for over 10 years who is moving back to Croatia. We had a blast hanging out with him and his friends, drinking beer and eating really delicious foods.


Looking forward:

Must decide today or tomorrow if I'll register for the 5k this weekend.

Need to continue reading my Paris and Copenhagen books to see if there's anything we really want to see while there. Since we aren't into touristy stuff, I'm mainly looking for restaurants and cool places to walk around.

I really hope to run outside with CB dog again this week. His happy face melts my heart.