Hi there!

How are you? Are you training for an upcoming race? Are you also training for the WDW Marathon? We’re deep into the training season and this is when it’s really starting to get challenging. But guess what? When times get tough, remember we’re all in this together! YOU. CAN. DO. THIS.

I have to say, after my disappointing race weekend a couple weeks ago and a full week off, I had a complete resurgence and sense of purpose in my training. The moral of the story is, sometimes it take a bad race or performance to truly focus. Don’t dwell! If I had just given up, I would’ve never known that this week would be SO much better.

Here’s what my week looked like:

WDW Training Week October 16 – 22, 2017

Monday: PowerStryde (speed + strength) I love MyStryde treadmill studio, and I love this class. It is challenging and empowering. I am forced out of my speed comfort zone and am seeing speeds I never thought possible!

After class I met with my marathon training coach for an initial consultation. I told her about my current weekly mileage and she put together a great training plan for me. I plan on reaching out to her once a week (for now haha) around the same time I write these posts to fill her in on my progress and provide me with some helpful pointers!

MyStryde Studio, Boston MA

Tuesday: 5 miles. This week I’ve been busy at work planning a large seated dinner fundraiser, and was definitely happy at the end of the day when it came time to run. It’s a great time to collect my thoughts and “relax.” My coach told me to make Tuesdays the “easy” day. I started easy, and my legs got progressively faster anyway. It was a great redemption run.

Wednesday: MyStryde Endurance class. I’m incorporating some more speed into my workouts. I just can’t motivate myself on a track. I prefer an instructor advising me over a microphone when to do my intervals. Especially being surrounded by other strong runners, I’m motivated to work just as hard.

Thursday: Rest. Does eating a burger and fries with a friend/coworker count as psychological and emotional wellness? Because it really does feel good.

My favorite burger in Boston: Tasty Burger

Friday: Strength Training: Barre class. I didn’t add a couple miles this time, but did wake up early and took this class before work. It felt great knowing I was done for the day before 9:00am!

After work, Tommy and I went over to one of my best friend’s house for a Diwali party. We celebrated with Bollywood music, Indian takeout, and her homemade Rangoli artwork! It was so much fun. Of course I had to leave early to prepare for my long run, but was glad we went.

Rangoli is an artform originating in India, in which patterns on the floor are thought to bring good luck on holidays like Diwali! My friend, Rachael, made this!

 Saturday: 15 miles. After taking last week off, I decided I’d jump from 13 to 15 miles to get a head start on the scary mileage. I decided to start REALLY slowly knowing I went out too fast for my race. This works wonders. I literally started so slowly I contemplated why I was even bothering to shuffle along. But mile after mile, my pace picked up and I was seeing numbers I had wanted to see.

This weekend, there was also plenty to look at- it was the 2017 Head of the Charles Regatta! Crew boats from all over the country were getting ready for the races. I knew I had to make my way around the river early and avoid the crowds.

2017 Head of the Charles and a great view of the Skyline from the Esplanade

Overall the run was great. My legs started to feel like lead around mile 14, which is usually around where I start to get cranky. I’ll have to check my fueling and have emailed my coach to see what she recommends. In the meantime, I have to say: after a long run, and a shower, this “legs up against the wall” technique is amazing. My legs didn’t feel sore AT ALL.

You guys. If you don’t do this after your long runs, try it. It makes your legs feel like new! 10-15 minutes tops.

I’m so thrilled I tackled this distance and knowing I only have to add 5 more – my training plan will only go up to 20 miles before the taper. I’m really feeling like I can do this!

Sunday: Rest. And clean my house, do laundry, get groceries, etc. So much for a day of rest!

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Have a great rest of your weekend, friends! Next week I am heading to Walt Disney World Resort for the Food & Wine festival, and to celebrate Halloween at the Magic Kingdom! Being in Walt Disney World will make things feel even more real as we lead up to January! Can’t wait to share my adventures with you all.

Keep calm and Will Run for Disney!
-Gina