Today’s Workout – Tempo Workout
Total Mileage: 12.25 miles
Total Time: 1:43:22
Average Pace: 8:26 min/mile
Can you believe it is Monday already!?
I had a wonderful weekend of running and spending some quality down time with the husband, but now it is time to get back to it!
I am hoping to have more positive news this week – keep your fingers crossed!
I always start Monday’s off with a tempo run, and EVERY Monday morning when I wake up I think there is no way that it is going to happen. I don’t know why I defeat myself before I even start!
Today I didn’t have a plan for my tempo run until right before. My husband came home from his rotation and suggested I just play around with the tempo each mile.
The thing about marathon training, especially when you are trying to get faster, is you need to give your body different stimuluses. It is important that your body doesn’t get used to one thing, so I always want to try to switch it up.
This is the workout I ended up coming up with. My paces were as follows:
Mile 1 – 9:40
Mile 2 – 8:57-8:25
Mile 3 – 8:13
Mile 4 – 8:00
Mile 5 – 8:06
Mile 6 – 7:53
Mile 7 – 8:13
Mile 8 – 8:00
Mile 9 – 8:06
Mile 10 – 7:53-7:41
Mile 11 – 8:49
Mile 12 – 8:57
I finished it with a 0.25 mile cool down at a 9:30 pace just to shake out my legs at the end.
I honestly was very surprised at how well my body responded to this workout. I felt really strong the whole time.
I was so proud when the workout was done. This was one of those days I could have kept going but cut it at 12.
I did try out my new Nike Lunaracer shoes on this run since it was a speedier day.
I was surprised how light they felt on my feet. They did great!
It is going to be a very hard decision when the day comes to decide which one will be my marathon shoe, between this and the Mizuno Ronins. Thankfully I have a lot of time to test them both out some more and come to a final decision.
I love that the are light weight but still feel like they have padding in them. I didn’t have an blisters at the end of a workout (which is a HUGE plus) and it helped that the workout went awesome as well!
Okay now it is time – I need YOUR help!
Wes and I had a store credit to Bed Bath and Beyond that we had been wanting to use for a while. This weekend we went by and finally decided to buy a Ninja blender!
Isn’t it so beautiful!?
I always told myself when I got a nice blender I would incorporate many more healthy smoothies and drinks into my diet. Now I don’t know where to start!
Tell me – What are some of your favorite healthy smoothie/drink recipes?
Great job on the run!
Here is a fun smoothie I like … Banana peanut butter flax smoothie.
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/peanut-butter-banana-smoothies-50400000107394/
Oh that look delicious! I will definitely be trying it!!
Do you guys already use ground flax seed? It is great here, and I also use it as part of light breading for stuff like chicken or pork. It is really good stuff I’m glad I found out about … and goes over better than quinoa with my family 😉
I have flax seed but currently mostly use it yogurt and things like that. I have never thought to try it on chicken – that sounds interesting!! I also thought about putting it in the smoothies and after your suggestion I think I will!
excellent run! I love hearing about training runs, especially those that go well and don’t feel like death haha.
Hahaha yes I know that feeling all too well! I love when training runs go as planned and you feel strong! Doesn’t always happen that way!
hahah. I wish! Keep it up, your blog is getting me pumped up to start my training for the BQ next year
Awww thanks you’re sweet! thanks for stopping by! Hopefully we will both be getting a BQ time next year!!