Dopey Challenge Training Week 5

Another week has come and gone in the quest for Walt Disney World's Marathon Weekend and Dopey Challenge! Here's how my week went:

Currently Training For:

• Dopey Challenge 2018 - Walt Disney World
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon 2018 - New Orleans, LA

Saturday - 6 mile run
Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - Rest Day
Tuesday - 3 mile run
Wednesday - Squats/Lunges/PT
Thursday - 3 mile walk
Friday - Cross Training

This week, I began to have some tightness in my left hamstring which concerned me a bit. It began towards the end of Saturday's run, then again towards the end of Tuesday's run. I took Sunday and Monday off, thinking it would help...I also took it easy the remainder of the week and added in some foam rolling, ice, and massage.

The morning sky was very picturesque during Saturday's run, although the humidity was at 94%! YUCK!
 

I had the opportunity to stick around after Saturday's run to talk with some of my running group friends which was nice! You have no idea how much I miss the camaraderie of a running group. We have about 12 or so of us now which I'm very grateful for, but I still miss the way things used to be. *sigh.

Instead of my Saturday post run ritual of Starbucks, I went home and make breakfast for us instead! Yum!

I spent the last half mile of Tuesday's run walking back home. I didn't want to push my hamstring and do any crazy damage, so I took it easy. Hopefully resting, foam rolling, and icing will help!

For Thursday's miles, we went on a 3 mile family walk around the neighborhood!

If you saw my insta-story rant during Thursday's walk, let me explain. So, one of the major roads out of my neighborhood has been closed since April 24. It was set to open back on June 16. Well, it's July 21 and the road still remains closed because we've had SO much dang rain. I, however have taken advantage of this road closure and made it a new-ish running route which is fresh and new and nice for me since I've been running the old route for 8+ years. Once the road opens again, I won't be able to run this route any longer due to the business of the road.

Construction is ALMOST complete but it's not quite there yet and the "Road Closed" signs still remain. However, some crazy people have taken upon themselves to interpret the fact that because black top has been poured, they can drive on the road.......even though it's STILL closed to through traffic.

Their driving on the road doesn't hinder me or affect me in any way, I guess I've always been a "follow the rules" kind of girl and it just irritates me a bit, especially when I have to move out of their way because they are having to drive around "Road Closed" signs.

My annoyance at the crazy people didn't hinder my enjoyment of the gorgeous sunset on Thursday night! We spent a bit of time outside as a family and had a great time together! 

I plan on attempting another long run on Saturday if my hamstring allows! I'm going to start the run  slow and see what happens from there!

Last but not least, although it has nothing to do with running related things, I just have to share a picture of my little man and his adorable outfit from the Disney Store! He was all dressed and ready for church on Sunday and this outfit was a HIT! Everyone loved it! 

That's it for my week! I hope you all have a great weekend!! Stay safe and hydrated! :)

Fitness Friday - Dopey Challenge Training Week 3

This holiday week really flew by! Having a day off of work in the middle of the week helped the remainder of the week go by really fast. Doubled with super busy post-holiday days at work, I'm happy for another break this weekend!

I'm currently in week 3 of Dopey Challenge training. I realized that I forgot to mention a few things - yes, I realize I should be on week 2 since I'm following Jeff Galloway's plan, but there's a couple of reasons for that. For starters, it's hurricane season and you never know what that might bring. If I have to lose a week of training due to some crazy storm, I don't want to end up too far behind. Secondly, I'm impatient and couldn't wait any longer to begin training. That one speaks for itself. Last but not least, we are going on our 10th Anniversary trip this fall and I plan on missing two Saturday long runs while we are away. I want to be able to fully enjoy our trip and not worry about getting in a long run on a treadmill out in the middle of the ocean. So yeah, there you have it - my reasons for beginning Dopey training a week early! :)

Currently Training For:

• Dopey Challenge 2018 - Walt Disney World
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon 2018 - New Orleans, LA

Saturday - 5 mile run
Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - Squats/Lunges/PT routine
Tuesday - 4 on the 4th - Race Day & PR!
Wednesday - Rest Day
Thursday - 3 mile run
Friday - Cross Training with the Tone It Up Girls

I relived my Saturday struggle city run in my weekend recap. It was a tough stroller run and I struggled big time, but I realized after running Tuesday's race that my stroller runs are really helping my overall strength and endurance! Bonus!

Saturday's goal was to finish all five miles beneath a 10 minute mile pace. Mission accomplished!

We enjoyed "swimming" this weekend and the cool water was a nice getaway from the summer heat!

On Tuesday morning, I ran a local 4 miler (solo, no stroller).

Like I mentioned earlier, I think my stroller runs have really helped my endurance because I managed a 30 second PR on a super hot day!

Last night, I took Brayden out for a 3 mile run around the neighborhood.

About halfway through the run, I noticed that he was zonked out! Must be nice!!

It poured right before our run, but the rain gave way to a gorgeous evening!

Also, my favorite juice place in town had a special yesterday where all of their smoothies and cold pressed juices were on sale! I decided to be brave and try a few - I really liked all of them except the blue one (it has cayenne pepper in it and boyyyy is it spicy)!

This time I tried a green smoothie made with peach, banana, coconut water, kale, ginger, and honey smoothie. Brayden enjoyed it, too....guess I'll have to get him one of his own next time! :)

I hope everyone had a great week and has an even better weekend!

Three Things Thursday

Since it's Thursday, why not?

#1

 
Our 10 year wedding anniversary is this year. TEN YEARS. Where has the time gone?! We've tossed up lots of ideas for a ten year getaway but are coming up short on ideas. We've already traveled to New York/Canada with DCL and Alaska on a cruise. There's no where else we feel like we really want to visit except Hawaii (I've been, Jason has not). After looking into Adventures by Disney, nothing is jumping out at me. We did consider going to California for the Tinkerbell Half Marathon Weekend (since I'm also running Princess this year and could get the pink Coast to Coast Medal) and combining it with a Disney Cruise out of San Diego but I dunno. There's just nothing sticking out to me at the moment. Any suggestions on amazing places you've visited and would recommend?

#2

 source

Jeff Bagwell has made it to the Hall of Fame. Part 2 of my favorite Houston Astros duo is now also being elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame and I couldn't be more excited! Is another trip in our future? Maybe...maybe not. Our first trip there was an absolute dream and something I could mark off of my "to do" list. Is another trip to New York feasible? We haven't quite played all of the logistics about this one out just yet!


#3 

 
Guys. I'm actually considering running Dopey's Challenge in 2018. After 5 years, I finally feel as if I'm ready to tackle Goofy's Challenge again and I was prodded by a friend of mine that if I can run Goofy, what's an extra 5K and 10K? Well, I might have agreed and this is possibly in the cards for January of 2018!! I am so excited!!

 I hope you have an amazing Thursday!