Welcome to another weekly training update, marking the end of an exhilarating Week #9! It’s hard to believe how quickly the weeks are flying by on this incredible running journey. Before diving into my latest progress and the often-chaotic world of spring break workouts, if you missed it, please take a moment to read Rob and Sheila’s inspiring story from last week. Their resilience and dedication are truly remarkable and served as a powerful source of motivation as I tackled my own challenges.

This week brought a unique blend of triumphs and hurdles, primarily shaped by the spirited energy of spring break. Juggling family time with dedicated training proved to be an exercise in flexibility – both physically and logistically! From early morning runs with my enthusiastic kids to unexpected cross-training sessions involving household organization, every day presented a new opportunity to push my limits and redefine what a “workout” can be. Join me as I reflect on the past seven days, share some key insights I’ve gathered, and look ahead to the final stretch before my upcoming 10K race.

Weekly Workout Rundown: Balancing Training and Spring Break Fun

Week #9 proved to be a dynamic mix, with spring break adding an extra layer of spontaneous adventure to my rigorous training schedule. Here’s how my workouts unfolded:

Monday: A Family Affair on the Pavement

Spring break officially kicked off with an unexpected but incredibly heartwarming 4-mile run. My 11-year-old, Jackson, and 9-year-old, his younger brother, proved to be little rock stars, rising early with me on their very first day of vacation. Jackson was particularly eager to hit the pavement after his younger brother’s impressive 5-mile run last week garnered a lot of attention. Despite facing pretty hefty winds that pushed against us with significant force – making me feel utterly spent – they powered through. Every time someone considered stopping, Jackson’s determined voice would cut through the wind: “We started this together, we are finishing together!” And true to his word, we did. It was a powerful lesson in perseverance and teamwork, reminding me that some of the best motivation comes from the smallest, most determined voices.

Tuesday: When Life Happens Instead of Laps

Today was a scheduled cross-training day, but the universe, or rather, my five kids on spring break, had entirely different plans. My intentions of an active recovery workout were swiftly replaced with a different kind of strenuous activity: an epic cleaning spree! Instead of planks and lunges, I found myself navigating through closets, rummaging through bins, and crawling under beds with the boys. The result? Three bags of trash, four bags of donation items, and a throbbing headache. While it wasn’t the workout I had planned, it certainly required physical exertion and mental fortitude. Sometimes, the most demanding tasks are not found in the gym but within the daily rhythm of family life.

Wednesday: Track Time and Early Morning Grit

Determined to get back on track, I headed out for an early morning run. This was my first time running on a track, a decision prompted by my friend, Deb, who is over 30 weeks pregnant with her eighth child! She walked around the track while I ran, an attempt to motivate each other for those notoriously difficult early morning workouts in the pitch dark. As I approached my 16th lap of a planned 4-mile run, I truly wanted to give up. I felt sluggish, low on energy, and frankly, a bit miserable. However, the commitment to getting it done “first thing” propelled me forward, and despite the struggle, I was incredibly glad to have completed it. There’s a unique satisfaction in conquering a workout when every fiber of your being just wants to crawl back into bed.

Thursday: PiYo Power and Flexibility Focus

My grand plans for an early pre-kids strength and yoga session were once again derailed by the delightful chaos of spring break. By the time the kids were finally tucked into bed, I had to literally bribe and drag myself to the bonus room for a PiYo workout. I chose the 45-minute “Drench” workout, which masterfully combines yoga, strength training, and muscle-killing intensity into one dynamic session. As much as I had dreaded the thought of it all day, the post-workout feeling was surprisingly good. You know, if “jello-legs” can be considered a good thing! I genuinely love PiYo and similar dynamic yoga workouts because they significantly improve my flexibility. By the end of a session, my muscles feel incredibly loose and limber, which is a huge deal for someone like me. I honestly believe I’m the least flexible person on the planet; touching my toes remains a distant dream, and I am not exaggerating in the slightest. Any progress in this area feels like a monumental achievement.

Friday: Four-Wheeling Fun and Unconventional Exercise

Instead of a formal workout, Friday was dedicated to an afternoon and evening of exhilarating outdoor adventure with friends. We spent hours four-wheeling and RZR-ing through challenging terrains. If you consider driving a RZR through gullies and ditches, combined with enthusiastically throwing a ball around for Maggie (our dog) a few times, then yes, I absolutely got my exercise in! It was a fantastic way to engage my core, test my agility, and get some fresh air, proving that fitness doesn’t always have to happen within the confines of a gym or a structured run. Active recovery often comes in the most enjoyable forms.

Saturday: The “Pride Run” with Brian – A Marital First!

Saturday, as is often the case, turned into another whirlwind of activity, leaving me feeling increasingly stressed about fitting in my scheduled run. I was particularly desperate to avoid a 5+ mile treadmill run. To my absolute astonishment, my husband, Brian, who famously detests running more than almost anything (though he has been making a huge sacrifice by running with the boys for their upcoming 10K), offered to join me! I nearly passed out from shock. I believe his motivation was threefold: a) to be supportive, b) to help me get out the door, and c) to quell my incessant complaining about finding time to run.

I didn’t give him a chance to back out. I did, however, issue a stern warning: I wasn’t going to be chatty or friendly during the run, so he better grab his iPod and earphones. In my defense, this wasn’t an act of unfriendliness; it’s simply that running is challenging enough for me. The mere thought of trying to hold a conversation *while* running makes me feel like I might keel over on the spot. So, with a clear understanding of our silent pact, we set off.

Five and a half miles later, I can honestly say that running together was a monumental first in our 13+ year marriage, and in a strange, “we’re dying but enjoying it” kind of way, it was really fun. I never thought it would happen. On one hand, I was incredibly proud and impressed that Brian, with minimal training, could just go out and run 5.5 miles, a distance I’ve been diligently working up to for nine weeks. On the other hand, a small, mischievous part of me wanted to playfully kick him in the shin precisely *because* he could just go out and run 5.5 miles when I’ve poured nine weeks of effort into reaching that milestone.

The final report, however, speaks volumes: Brian can’t walk today, and I can. And if it makes me a bad wife to feel a tiny bit smug about that, then so be it! He’s actually peering over my shoulder as I write this and declares that he now refers to Saturday’s expedition as his “Pride Run.” Apparently, his sheer pride was the only thing that kept him putting one foot in front of the other.

Consulting our trusty loaned Garmin, we maintained a pace between 9:30 and 10:30 minutes per mile, stopping only once to stretch halfway after summiting what our kids affectionately call “Ticklebottom Hill.” It’s the biggest hill in our town, and I swear, as we ascended its steep cliff face, it felt like scaling Mt. Everest. I have an unverified theory that the air actually became thinner at the top! Of course, it probably had nothing to do with the fact that my legs and lungs haven’t encountered a truly formidable hill like that in a very long time during a run.

Running Insights, Questions & The Week Ahead

As I reflect on Week #9 and look towards the upcoming 10K, several thoughts and questions have emerged. This journey is as much about learning as it is about physical endurance.

Mastering Pacing: Finding My Running Rhythm

Pacing continues to be a major puzzle for me. My primary concern isn’t about running fast, but rather about maintaining a consistent, steady pace throughout my runs. Brian observed during our Saturday run that I constantly speed up and slow down. While it’s not always obvious to me, the Garmin clearly reflects these fluctuations whenever I check it. For experienced runners out there, do you strive for a perfectly steady pace the entire time, or is this faster/slower oscillation a normal part of running? I’m also quite paranoid about starting out too fast and burning out, so I tend to begin my runs at a deliberately slow pace. However, in longer runs (those over 3 miles, like Saturday’s), I often find a burst of energy in the last mile or two, allowing me to pick up significant speed. Should I try to slightly increase my overall pace from the beginning to utilize this energy more evenly, or is it better not to overthink it and just run by feel? I’m truly at a loss when it comes to effective pacing strategies and would welcome any tips!

Pre-Run Nutrition: Fueling for Performance with a Sensitive Stomach

Many of you have offered invaluable advice on eating or not eating before runs, and I’m so grateful for the input. There are two main reasons why I typically avoid eating beforehand: 1) My morning runs often coincide with my medication schedule. Due to a past cancer/thyroid history, I must take medicine on an empty stomach and avoid eating for 45 minutes to an hour afterward. 2) I have a somewhat sensitive stomach and have been hesitant to risk experiencing “issues” while out on a run. So far, this hasn’t been a significant problem, as my runs have generally ranged between 3-5 miles, and I’ve felt fine without pre-run fuel. However, knowing that this will change as I increase my mileage, I decided to experiment on Saturday. I brought along a pouch of applesauce (conveniently abundant since Brian works for GoGo Squeez!) and ate it halfway through the run during our stretching break. I genuinely believe it made a substantial difference, providing a noticeable boost of energy for the latter half of the run. This could be a game-changer for my longer distances.

Hydration On The Go: My Love-Hate Relationship with the Water Pack

For my last few runs, I’ve started using the water pack Brian gave me for my birthday, strapping it around my waist. While it does tend to twist a bit on me during the run (and if I cinch it any tighter, I literally can’t breathe!), I have absolutely loved, loved, loved having water readily available. It’s made a world of difference, not just for me but also for my kids when they’ve joined me on runs. Whether it’s a placebo effect or genuine physiological benefit, having instant access to water makes me feel more energized and sustained for longer periods. Despite the minor twisting inconvenience, the benefits of staying hydrated on the move are undeniable and far outweigh any small discomforts.

Persistent Hamstring Tightness: Seeking Solutions

My left hamstring continues to be a source of frustration, feeling consistently tight all.the.time. I’m diligent about foam rolling like a monster, and it certainly provides temporary relief. However, I’m starting to wonder if my running stride might be slightly off, contributing to this persistent tightness. It’s a concern as I ramp up my mileage for the upcoming race. Any specific stretches, strengthening exercises, or form checks that might help address this stubborn issue would be greatly appreciated.

The Road Ahead: Gearing Up for the 10K

This upcoming week will be critical for my training, with a plan to run 4 miles on Monday, another 4 miles on Wednesday, and a challenging 6 miles (yikes!) on Saturday. I’ll also be incorporating some cross-training and flexibility work to support these distances. I’m now less than two weeks away from the 10K race I signed up for, and the anticipation is building. While I feel increasingly confident that the distance itself will be manageable, I must admit, I’m experiencing that classic nervous-excited feeling about running a real, live race. The thought of the atmosphere, the other runners, and the finish line is both thrilling and a little intimidating. It’s a significant milestone on this running journey.

How was your week? Did you hit any milestones, overcome challenges, or discover new insights into your own fitness journey? I’d love to hear your reports, tips, and experiences! FILL ME IN!