Gretch Runs

I'm so excited today to be sharing a race recap- which has not happened in a LONG time. I've run a few small races in the past year, but all have been for fun with not goal in mind. For this one- I followed a training plan and had some goals so it felt very different- scary but also good to be back in that mindset of pushing myself. The race was in Charlotte, which is an easy 2 hour drive from Raleigh. I went with a bunch of friends from my run club, and we rented an amazing house together! I think it helped with my race day nerves a lot to have so many people around to help distract me, and also to pump me up before the race. On Saturday morning, parking was really easy at the race and there were lots of porta-potties ready to go. I got my bag checked quickly and was off to the starting line before I knew it! The weather was absolutely perfect for the race- clear and 34 at the start that warmed up to mid-40s by the end. It was really sunny as well but felt great since there wa...

And just like that...it's race week. I can't believe that I'll be lining up on a start line in just a few short days! It seems like it's been forever since I executed a training plan and went in feeling confident about racing. I'm so excited and this week just capped off an amazing few weeks. It's hard to believe this, but this was my first time that I've ever trained for a race and not skipped a single run or workout. Go me! Now- let's take a look at how the week was! Monday 3 mile Run + Yoga Woke up and did some yoga right away, then did my run at lunchtime. It was pouring down rain so this was faster than I had planned, but it felt great. The rain was FREEZING though! Tuesday 6 mile Run + Yoga Early morning run with Erica. We met up at the Old Reedy Creek trailhead and ran into Umstead. It was kind of spooky and foggy in the morning so I'm glad I had my headlamp on me! Everyone else out there at 6AM did not have lights, and I have no idea how they...

Race day is just around the corner, and this was another solid week of training! I can't believe how quickly the race is coming up, which I feel like always happens to me. I'm still feeling great though and my week was full of fun runs with friends. Here's how it went- Monday 3 mile Run + Yoga + Core Had a later run than usual because I was going with some friends! We met up at Bottle Theory in Apex and ran along the White Oak Creek Greenway. The highlight was our Girl Scout cookie and beer pairing, which was perfect after a run.  Tuesday 5 mile Run + Yoga Early morning run with Erica! I tried drinking Ucan before the run as a pre-workout and it worked so well. I didn't have any bananas on hand so this was all I had before running and my stomach felt great the entire run and I felt energetic too! Very happy with that and enjoyed this easy run with a friend. When I got home I finished my final day of 30 Days of Yoga! Wednesday 3.2 mile Run + Yoga + Core Run club! Fun and...

Another week has come and gone, and we're finally in the last day of January! This month was LONG and I'm excited for it to be February and race month! Hard to believe that race day is almost here, but I feel so ready for it and can't wait to see how I do. Here's how the week went! Monday 3 mile Run + Yoga + Core Convinced Dan to run with me today (trying to make it a weekly thing with him) and we did two miles together and then one solo. It warmed up after a cold weekend so I was happy to break out my shorts for this run. I also started my day on the right foot with a morning yoga flow with Erica on Zoom! She's starting to do a weekly class and I'm excited to add that to my schedule as well. Tuesday 4 mile Run + Bike + Core Morning run with friends at the Art Museum! We missed a few weeks with the colder weather but were back at it again this morning and it was awesome. In the evening I joined a live Peloton class with Cody- who always plays the best throwback ...

This week felt so long to me- just finishing up this post on Sunday night and looking back through what I did feels like it happened sometime last month. I guess that's what happens when you have all four seasons within a few days! Our weather was all over the place which changed a lot of my workout plans, but somehow I got it all done. Here's what I did- Monday 3 mile run + Yoga I had the day off and slept in- which has not happened for a while and felt great! I had a very lazy day and just went outside for a quick run with Dan, and a walk with Selma. I squeezed in my yoga at the end of the day because- like I said- I had a very lazy day! Tuesday 6 mile run + Yoga I was heading out for my run at lunchtime and just got a new pair of shoes delivered! Great timing so I could try them out on my midweek long-ish run. I ended up really liking them (they're the new Brooks Ghosts) and had a great run! I ran around my neighborhood and made a fun loop that included some greenways an...

Welcome back to another week of training! This was the halfway point of my plan, and I felt like things are really starting to click into place. I felt strong and great for almost every run, and also figured out a good morning routine for important runs! I'll try it out a few times and then share what's working with me since it's taken me a while to figure out.  Here's how my week went- Monday 3 mile Run + Core I honestly did not feel like getting up and running in the morning, but today that was the only option to get it done. Once I actually started I was so happy to be out there- I felt fantastic the entire run. It was a bit windy out but the temperature was perfect! I love runs like this, when you just feel free and the miles come easy. Tuesday 5 mile Run + Yoga I met up with Erica for an early 6AM run at the Art Museum. I donated blood last night so I still felt a little off, so we took the run really easy. It was a tiny bit chilly out but luckily there wasn't ...

Happy Monday and welcome back to another week of training! This was a really great week with my first test race and some crazy weather changes. One day was snowing and other days I was in shorts- it was insane! During the week I also kept up my 30 days of yoga challenge, and started a new program in Peloton. Here's how the week went- Monday 3 mile Run + Yoga Today's run was very special, because it was my first snow in North Carolina! We had a pretty big snow flurry around lunchtime, so I was excited to get out and run in it. It was pretty windy but not too cold so I enjoyed the run a lot! I also did day 2 of 30 Days of Yoga in the morning with Dan. Tuesday 4 mile Run + Yoga No snow today, and we had bright blue skies again. It was a tiny bit chilly, but once I started to run I warmed up immediately. This run felt so good and was a great mid-day workout! My day was filled with meetings so it felt so good to get outside and clear my mind a bit. Wednesday 3.2 mile Run + Yoga Fun ...

It's been a while since I could say this, but I'm officially training for a race again! I have two races coming up- a 15k in February, and a 10 miler in April. I'm really excited for both of them because the races seem really fun, and the distance is perfect for me.  I started following the Hal Higdon Intermediate plan a few weeks ago, and I just completed week 3. Just like I used to do, I'll be recapping my training week and letting you all know how everything's going (and also keeping myself accountable to keep going!).  Here's how this week went- Monday 3 mile Run/Walk I got Dan to run with me this morning! We went out first thing in the morning and did a loop around our lake. I finished up with a mile solo on the trails. Tuesday 10.5 mile Bike Ride It was a gorgeous day out, so we headed out for a longer bike ride. It's been a while since I've ridden outside and I missed it so much! I also finally oiled my bike chains and it made such a difference- ...