Training Goals: 1 Month Follow-up

Posted on June 28, 2012 by Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter

Woah! That first month flew by. I figured this would be a good time to check in on my goals.

5 Goals:

Do at least 2 OW swims a month. Done! I successfully completed 4 open waters swims this month. I started swimming with the Mad Dogs on Wednesday nights and am really enjoying it. I’m slowly conquering my uneasiness with open water.
If I need to rest, I will rest. Last week was a great week to remind myself of this one. The beginning of the week required a bit more rest than normal for me, so, I rested. It’s so easy for me to get caught up in the “plan” and not listen to my body. I hope I can continue to make this decision.
Add distance to a few long runs, when I’m feeling up to it. I have not yet begun to add distance for my November marathon. The run distances in this training plan will gradually increase through September and I don’t plan to add any additional miles until the last few months.
Get at least two good wetsuit swims in. I’m still struggling with how I am going to work this in. To date, I’ve only been able to wear my wetsuit once. Does anyone have any suggestions for wetsuit training in warm weather?
Have FUN! No problems there! I’ve said it time and time again, I am really enjoying this plan. I really hope the positive energy sticks around for the next 14 weeks!

This is the first time I’ve put goals down on paper before starting a training plan and I’m so glad I did. While they’re minor in the long run and easily attainable, they’ve given me the opportunity to have smaller accomplishments along the way.

Another thing I’ve noticed is that, over the last few weeks, I am constantly finding myself conquering fear. Fear of open water, fear of the bike, fear of trying something new. There really is no time or place for it anymore, and I’m tackling it head on.

I’m only one month in but I can already tell, I’m building a lot more than just my endurance with this training cycle.

Ironman 70.3 Augusta Training Recap: Week 4

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter

After the busy week I had last week the beginning of this one required a little more rest than normal.

I also wanted to take it easy so I was rested up for a big weekend of racing. Tropical Storm Debby only allowed 2 of the 3 races I had planned to happen but, an extra rest day every now and then isn’t always the worst thing in the world

Monday:

AM- 1000 meter swim at YMCA
PM- REST

Tuesday:

AM- 1-hour spin class
PM- 3 Mile Run

Wednesday:

AM- REST
PM- 1000 meter swim at YMCA

Thursday:

AM- 1-hour spin class
PM- REST

Friday:

AM- REST
PM- Sunsets at Pier 60 5k

Saturday:

AM- Shape up for Summer 5k
PM- REST

Sunday:

REST (No race due to tropical storm)

Overall, it was another good week. That’s one whole month of training done. This plan is 18 weeks so I still have a ways to go. I am going to follow-up on my goals later this week!

Race Recaps: Sunset at Pier 60 5k & Shape up for Summer 5k

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter

Well, the forecast certainly wasn’t wrong. This was one heck of a stormy weekend in Florida. There is a lot of St. Petersburg that is still flooded. It’s amazing I made it outside at all.

Sunsets at Pier 60 5k

Friday was the Sunsets at Pier 60 5k that I participated in with my company. The weather was questionable all day and started to rain just as I left the office. I made my way for Clearwater Beach after work in hopes that the race would still happen.

Everyone was huddled under the Pier 60 pavilion to stay out of the rain. Shortly after I arrived the rest of my co-workers got there. Three of them were running their first 5k ever. It was fun to run a race with a group of people you normally only sit in meetings with. I’m also lucky to work with some great people.

I also ran into my friend Shawn who I met at Croom a few months ago. I love seeing her at races. Her overall passion for running is absolutely contagious. Shawn is training for her first 100-miler!

The dark clouds were daunting but the rain let up just before the 7pm start. This race was 1.5 miles out on the shoreline and 1.5 miles right back. The entire run was through the sand. Some people went barefoot but I chose to wear shoes. There are just too many sharp shells at the shoreline for my bare feet.

The wind was at our backs for the first 1.5 miles. It was awesome… but we all know what the means on an out and back. The back half was straight into the wind. You can tell from my splits.

Mile 1- 9:31
Mile 2- 10:33
Mile 3- 11:25
5k- 32:34

Running in the sand is not as bad as I thought it would be. The rain held out for the entire race which was an nice surprise.

Shape up for Summer 5k

Saturday was the Shape up for Summer 5k in Tampa at Al Lopez Park. It was sprinkling as I drove out there but I had decided to suck it up and run rain or shine. I ran into a few friends from Running for Brews group as I waiting in line for my timing chip.

I wore my No Meat Athlete shirt for this event (the back says “Runs on Plants”). I love all the comments I get from other runners when I wear it. It’s like you have an instant veg-head connection with others on the course.

It sprinkled for pretty much the whole race and the overcast from the storm kept it the sun away. Overall, it was pretty decent weather for Florida race in the summer. I’d take that any day over the blazing summer heat.

Mile 1- 10:33
Mile 2 & 3- 23:06 (I missed the mile 2 marker somehow?)
5k- 33:39

Beth and Ben did a great job of creating a lot of excitement around this inaugural event for their company. Last I heard there were somewhere around 600 people registered. There were a ton of volunteers, a well-marked course and a great post race celebration. I definitely had a great time!

Unfortunately, Tropical Storm Debby made it impossible for the Morton Plant Meese Triathlon to take place on Sunday.

Florida is under there somewhere!

Source

I found out about the cancellation when I was about mid way to Sand Key Park on Sunday morning. Being in the pouring rain and 5am, in a spandex onsie, and finding out your race was cancelled is just as sad as it sounds.

Even though it was a bummer, it was definitely the best decision for the safety of all the athletes. Debby was one heck of a storm and a lot of the area is still recovering today. I really hope they reschedule.

I had a really great weekend with Friends and Family. Thank you all for your Birthday wishes and support. I am truly blessed.

3 Races, 3 Bridges, 1 Weekend

Posted on June 21, 2012 by Tori @ In Love and Peanut Butter

I seriously thought about running a marathon for my Birthday this year. 26.2 for my 26th? It just seemed so appropriate. Unfortunately, my 70.3 training just didn’t allow for that to happen. But that’s okay, there will be more marathons in my future.

Instead of the marathon, I’ve planned to celebrate by racing a couple of fun, local, much shorter races.

A few months back, I organized a Corporate 5k Challenge for my entire company. We have offices in three states. This weekend each office will participate in a local 5k. The office with the most participation wins, along with bragging rights, a healthy lunch for the office.

My office is running the Sunsets at Pier 50 5k tomorrow night at Clearwater Beach. The 5k runs through the sand and should definitely be a really fun time with co-workers.

For my actual birthday on Saturday, I’m registered for another 5k that I’m really excited for. The Shape up for Summer 5k, organized by one of the Tampa Bay Lady Bloggers, Beth of Discom-bob-ulated Running.

Then finally, Sunday, I’m racing the Morton Plant Mease Sprint Triathlon also in Clearwater. I decided to do this race for the beautiful course with the 3-bridge challenge. It also fit well into my training plan.

These all happened to fall on this weekend and I can’t think of a better way to celebrate. My plan is to just enjoy all three at a comfortable pace. I’m just thinking of them as training runs with no reason to push myself.

I’m using my Birthday wish for sunny skies because the forecast doesn’t look promising.