Last week finally made me feel like I was training for a marathon—in a good way. With the craziness of the holidays behind me, I felt like I fell back into more of a workout rhythm and regained the focus that had scattered between Costa Rica and New Year’s. And with several weeks of training behind me, I’ve now started making pace a consideration during my shorter training runs. With the long runs, to be completely honest, my goal is still just to survive (LOL). I’ve run 12 miles three times in my entire life, so on Monday, I didn’t stress over how long it took me, I just focused on finishing. With the shorter runs though, I’m now seeing mid-range distances that I’ve done before, so I’m making it a goal to improve on my time and push the pace a bit.
MONDAY | 12-mile Run
I’ve been dealing with Raynaud’s Syndrome since high school, so you’d think I would have been better prepared for this 12-mile run in 20-degree weather. Nope. I made the really bad decision to wear thin gloves thinking that my body temperature would be high enough to keep my circulation in check, and paid for it. Luckily I was fine the first 10 miles and it wasn’t until the final stretch that my hands started to freak out on me. Lesson learned–I’m wearing heated ski mittens next time it’s below freezing on a run day.
Circulation issues aside, I can’t believe I was able to build up to 12 miles so quickly. I pretty much went from zero to half marathon in a month. Whaaat? The run was slow, but I did it!
TUESDAY | Yoga
I did this 40-minute power flow from the Yoga with Adriene YouTube channel. I’ve been sticking to at-home yoga lately, but just saw YogaWorks in the Back Bay has a Gilt deal running so I’ll probably buy a discounted package and start going there again. I love the instructors at that studio and it’s the next block over from Btone so it’s really convenient.
WEDNESDAY | 6-mile Run
I went back through the RunKeeper app (I have it synced to my GPS watch so that all my runs are stored in there) to see my stats for the 6-mile run I completed a couple weeks ago: 55 min 44 sec with an average pace of 8 min 43 sec. For the first time since I began marathon training, I set a pace goal for this run, wanting to improve on that previous time. Success! 
THURSDAY | Strength Training (Btone)
This workout almost didn’t happen. I got really sucked into blog work and next thing you know, I look up at the clock at it’s 5PM. I typically don’t like working out in the evenings, but I needed to move and am so glad I took the walk to the studio and did a class.
FRIDAY | HIIT + Yoga
Sometimes I get so focused on creating new workouts for the blog that I forget about the archives of routines I’ve already published. I decided to revisit an old workout and did this 20-minute bodyweight tabata workout. You replace the rest intervals with an isometric hold so it’s super challenging (especially the mountain climbers and push ups–WOOF). I’ve been trying to improve my triceps push ups (push up with your hands in close to your body rather than wide) so this forced some great practice. Afterwards I did this 30-minute Yoga with Adriene YouTube that focuses on stretching. It’s a gentler practice than the one I did on Tuesday.
SATURDAY | Strength Training (Btone) + 3-mile Run with Hill Repeats
Talk about a productive Saturday! I did a Btone class in the morning and as I was walking home, stopped at the Nike store to get a much-needed new pair of running shoes (more on those later on in the post). Feeling ambitious and wanting to test out the new kicks, I went for a 3-mile run from my apartment to the North End and then did some hill repeats on Charter St. Google Streetview doesn’t do this hill justice. From Commercial Street up to the graveyard on Charter Street is a short but steep hill. Just walking up it will leave you out of breath. I did 3x repeats, running up and jogging down three times in a row, resting and then repeating the set a total of three times. The plan was to then run home to Back Bay but f**k that noise. I took the T home like the dedicated athletic warrior that I am.
SUNDAY | Rest
This was not an active rest day. It was a sit-on-the-couch-and-binge-watch-Netflix kind of rest day. And I loved it! I did do a little foam rolling during my 11th episode of Sons of Anarchy though … if that’s at all redeeming. 😉
Week 4 Summary
What’s Working
- Rich Roll Podcast | Thanks to a recommendation from my BFF, I’ve started listening to the Rich Roll podcast, which I highly recommend. He’s an alcoholic-turned-ultra-marathoner and has equally inspiring guests on his show. I’ve only listened to a few but my favorites so far are the ones with Kahlil Rafati. Kahlil went from being homeless on the streets of LA addicted to heroin and cocaine, in and out of jail, battling psychosis, to completely turning his life around, now owning a popular chain of organic juice and smoothie bars. I could have listened to him talk all day! My 6-mile run on Wednesday flew by because I was so engrossed in the interview. Kahlil also just came out with a book, I Forgot to Die, which I’ll 100% be reading.
- New sneakers | I’ve been running in the Nike Free 3.0 for several years now, but it’s not meant for distance running. There isn’t much cushioning to it, so distances beyond 5-6 miles can be hard on the feet. I’ve known this for a while, but stuck with the Free 3.0 because I have ZERO achilles tendonitis flare ups with this sneaker (hallelujah!), and haven’t done much distance running. But my trusty Frees have holes in the toes and are giving me achy feet so it was time to upgrade. I went with the Nike Zoom Pegasus 32 because they still have the lightweight feel of the Free but with the added sole support I need for long distances. Nike gives you 30 days to try them out, so I’m going to see how the ol’ tendonitis is after a couple weeks. If I don’t have any problems, they’ll be a keeper!
What’s Not Working
- My current cold-weather hand gear | I mean clearly. Look at that picture of my hand up above!!! Not ok. Last year for Christmas my dad got me battery-powered heated gloves for snowmobiling and I’m going to dig them out the of the closest for cold runs.
- The RunKeeper app’s voice | Does the RunKeeper audio cue voice haunt anyone else’s dreams or am I just losing my mind? She over-pronounces everything to the point where I’m not sure if I’m listening to a fitness app or Rosetta Stone. SssssICKs poinnnt ZEE-ro miiii-ULS. Bitch, spit it out, I’m trying to listen to my damn podcast.
On that note, I don’t think it’d be a bad idea for me to incorporate more yoga into my week. Being zen clearly does not come naturally haha.
Any podcast recommendations for me? (I’m obsessed)
Anyone else run in the Nike Zoom Pegasus? Thoughts? Other sneaker recommendations for someone who likes the barefoot feel but needs some cushioning?
You can donate to my marathon fundraiser benefiting the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired here. I’m giving away awesome prizes over the course of the next few months as a thank you to donors! Next one is coming up Monday. 🙂
Hey there! I'm Nicole, a group fitness instructor, healthy lifestyle blogger (you probably figured that one out by now) and Certified Personal Trainer living in Boston, MA.
I use runkeeper, and I’ve turned off the pace cue because her voice was so annoying. I like to know how long and how far I’ve been running, and since I’m not concerned with speed I didn’t care about my pace. Love the heated gloves idea, I need them for everyday, surprisingly on my runs I usually take my gloves off because my hands get too hot, yet walking into work they’re completely frozen…
After you posted that horrifying picture of your hand, I saw this article on Runner’s World and meant to send you the link: http://www.runnersworld.com/ask-the-sports-doc/help-i-cant-feel-my-fingers
Check out the running on om podcast w/ Julia Hanlon. She has so many great podcasts..a few of my favorites are 152 and 168 w/ Nicole Antoniette and149 w/ Lauren Fleshman, but I could list a ton of others. Julia also interviews Rich Roll in 162 and his wife Julie Piatt in several episodes. Good luck!
Yay I have so many new podcasts to listen to now!!
Hi Nicole. I have Raynaud’s as well. I feel your pain as it sure makes outdoor sports (running and Nordic skiing) a lot less enjoyable for me, too. A buddy of ours is a PA and he was visiting last week. He just learned of a cream for Raynaud’s. I’m going to make an appt with my family practitioner very soon so that I can give it a whirl. I’ll leave you a link. The prescription he mentioned is the first one on the list under calcium channel blockers: nifedipine. Best wishes…and good luck with your marathon! http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/raynauds-disease/basics/treatment/con-20022916
Thanks for sharing this! 🙂
Run to the Top (through runner’s connect) is a really great podcast! The guests change every week and always have a different point of view.
I’m training my first half marathon and here in Finland we have quit difficult weather conditions at the moment. Last week it was -20 degrees (about -28C) and this week we have so much snow that it is hard to move 😀
Yikes! As much as I hate treadmills, that might force me onto one haha. Good luck with your training! 🙂
Those hands! I have Raynaud’s too… really bad. Like holding a cold smoothie for 5 minutes and there goes my circulation bad. But, I recently funded a Kickstarter for self-heating gloves (http://zondo.co.uk/zondo-astec-self-heating-products/) and am waiting to get them in the mail! I’ll keep you posted on how well they work – good luck with your training!
Those gloves sound so cool!
ahh! that picture of your hand is scary! I didnt wear gloves at all the other day on a cold run and it felt like little needles were stabbing my hand the last 2 miles. i dont have running gloves but am righting that wrong STAT! i used to run in the Adidas energy boost shoes and loved them, to me they felt really light weight but had enough cushion for my knees. i used to run in nike but i would kill them too quickly
I’ve heard great things about the boost–it was a toss up between those and Nike but I guess I’m a creature of habit. 🙂
That’s my favorite Yoga with Adriene video! She’s doing a 30-day Yoga Camp right now, so it’s been fun to try some of her new videos, too 🙂
I’m new to her channel but LOVING it so far!
Besides Serial (of course), I sometimes listen to Runners Connect Run to the Top podcast. It’s hosted by Tina Muir, an elite runner for Saucony, and she interviews experts and other elites on all sorts of topics (training, nutrition, injuries, sleep, motivation…). Sometimes podcasts help me get my mind off of my run, especially if I’m trying to take it easy.
I’m so going to try a Yoga with Adriene video! I’ve been looking for more ‘at home’ yoga options 🙂 During my 5-6 mile runs I’ve been listening to the Serial podcast and my goal is to finish my distance as the episode is getting over! They’re like 42-46 minutes so it’s perfect!
I suffer from Raynaud’s as well. Lululemon Totally Toasty Mittens are amazing! Good luck & great job so far!
Thank you! Looking into those mittens now… 🙂
Just LOLed at your comment about RunKeeper’s voice. I know you were listening to Serial but don’t know if you started Undisclosed. It’s based off of Serial but goes more in depth of the loopholes in the timeline. I loved it!
I’m starting it this week–so excited!
I love the podcast Get Up On This. It’s two guys in California who tell you about music, movies, shows, books, etc…before they become popular. My friends also swear by the Hardcore History podcast.
I’m going to look into those! I LOVE history so that second one sounds right up my alley 🙂
I just got given an opportunity to run London marathon, am reading this and am seriously considering entering. But really I just wanted to say that the comment about the runkeeper voice just absolutely cracked me up! Hilarious!
Do it!! Granted, I’m only a month in, but the training has been much less daunting than I thought it’d be–it’s been a wonderful experience so far!
If you’re looking for some comedy podcasts, I HIGHLY recommend anything on the Maximum Fun network (maximumfun.org). I’m a huge fan of Jordan, Jesse Go!, My Brother, My Brother, and Me, and Judge John Hodgman. MBMBAM definitely has your comedic vibe to it I think.
Those shoes are awesome. I’ve been eyeing those same ones online for a while, but can’t quite bring myself to buy them full price quite yet. Good to know that Nike lets you try them for 30 days too! Do you know if that goes for online purchases or only in-store?
I *think* online as well, but I’d double check. And thanks for the recs! I’m looking into those now 🙂
Kudos to you! I remember training for my full and half’s and it’s brutal. Traveling etc, while training? Crazy-talk. I’m also a NASM CPT, I read your review on the test. I found the exam to be difficult but only because of the way they ask the questions!
XO, Nina
Awesome job Nicole! Your hand though, OMG! And I am looking to incorporate more yoga into my training regimen so thanks for the video links!
Wow so motivating! Love the Rich Roll podcasts. Have a post up about some motivating work-out gear. Good luck with your glove situation:)
http://www.thedomestic.squarespace.com
You’re going to love the Rich Roll podcast. The two year-in-review episodes he did at the New Year were a great roundup, but I’m not sure if that was because I’d listened to those episodes in their entirety throughout 2015 (so that might be a great place to start or not). Make sure you put these episodes on your list: Robynne Chutkan, Sailesh Rao, Garth Davis, Andy Puddicombe, Robert Ostfeld, Dan Buettner, Gene Baur, Sharon Palmer, and Bryant Terry.
My husband and I both work in medicine in Boston – I showed him your Raynaud’s photo and we both agreed that’s the most impressive photo we have ever seen of it! I have 4 friends running this year so I’ll be there to cheer for you 🙂
My favourite running podcast is This American Life — ideal to get me through those long, slow runs where you’re supposed to keep your heart rate loooooow. I like the variety they have in their stories, and although each podcast is about an hour, they seem to have separate but slightly related stories in ’em.
I have a list of fave podcasts on my blog that you might enjoy. I need to update it, I keep finding more! (I agree Running on Om is good – found it through listening to the Lauren Fleshman ep, which was terrific – now I seek out podcasts with her)
http://readeatwriterun.com/tag/podcasts/