I Will Go the Distance… just not very fast (Comments welcome!)

[nancipants]

Yes! This is also on my list of options, but it feels like there are a LOT of people in that group. How can it possibly be optimized for each individual? Also, when I used the Galloway plan, I never did the full mileage. It was just TOO much time commitment, and I feel like that's a non negotiable for them. Also, if I'm just one of a group, will it be too easy for me to excuse myself from a workout or not push as hard as I should because I can kind of hide in the crowd? EDIT TO ADD: I'm so so glad it's working for you! I just know my tendencies and have doubts about myself in that setting.

There are a lot of people, but I never feel like I'm not getting personal attention. The zoom calls are enough accountability for me, plus he can see our workouts on their training platform. But if you need more accountability, I get it! And I get not wanting to do the full mileage. I don't mind it because it gets me out of the house for alone time.

 

[col1]

Sorry little bit late to the conversation, I can only talk from what I think would work for me and why, but if a was spending $125 a month and I had someone holding me accountable on a 121 basis my chances of doing what I said I would increase exponentially. Also if you trust your coach when you lay out your goals and plans they will be focussed on getting you there.

To paraphrase “You got some power in your corner now Some heavy ammunition in your camp”

That last bit was in jest but if your really want to go for it I think a coach is the way to go, I would definitely consider doing the same if I got within striking distance of one of my long held goals.

Good luck with whatever option you go for

 

[The Expert]

This past weekend, I decided to jump in with team training and signed up for Badass Lady Gang during their annual discount promotion. So far, so good. I immediately got access to a platform with social feeds and tons of content. There's a lot of info on cross-training, nutrition, physiology, fueling, strength workouts, yoga workouts, training philosophies, the works. The social feeds are a bit quiet, but that could also be because most members were training for Chicago or NYC. And as discussed previously, I get most of that here anyway.

I immediately got an invitation to book an intro call, which I set up for Monday. I wasn't sure if this was just a generic call with a random coach or what, so I was pleasantly surprised to find myself meeting one-on-one with Kelly Roberts herself! (I've been following her since she went viral running the NYC Marathon like 10+ years ago, and she's trying to BQ at the WDW marathon this January.) We talked for about 45 minutes, she ran me through the platform, asked and answered a bunch of questions and set up my initial plan. We customized a few things like number of days I want to run, if I want speed work or hills, cross-training and strength. All the runs are by time rather than pace, which I love. She is totally open to me using a treadmill as often as I want and intervals if I want to keep doing them.

She assigned me a time trial and explained exactly how to approach it. I was to start out with a warmup, take a break, then start. I did one minute at conversational pace, then each quarter mile I made a push, until the last quarter mile was all out as fast as I could go. I'm happy to report that I was able to follow it spot-on, even running straight through.

My time trial mile was 9:03 minutes!!!!! Holy , I had no idea I had that in me!

I was able to get on one of the small group calls the same afternoon to share my excitement and talk about training paces. The training includes Zoom calls multiple times a week, where Kelly leads a round robin of (looking back at recordings) usually 5 or fewer people. Everyone can ask questions, give reports, or get advice, and Kelly pulls up their specific schedule to make adjustments or point out details. Each call is set up by which training you're doing, but anyone can join any call. And at any point you can email Kelly or ask for a 1:1 call.

I realize I'm in the honeymoon period, and also that most folks aren't actively training (though she does have an rD MW training group), but it's honestly way more personalized than I anticipated at this point and I'm VERY happy with it.

 

[The Expert]

Since I'm officially on a training plan, I better start posting about it!

Training Plan Week of Nov 9
x Sunday 11/9: 6 miles easy (from my previous plan) -- Tried out 2/1 intervals and it went well.
x Monday 11/10: Intro call with my new coach; Strength train -- Weights in my home gym.
x Tuesday 11/11: One mile time trial. I wanted to this outside but it snowed (6+ inches on top of ice). I did it on the treadmill and KILLED IT with a 9:03!

Wednesday 11/12: Cross-train and strength train. I have Pilates scheduled, which counts as strength. Need to figure out cross training. (Does snow shoveling count??)
Thursday 11/13: 40 minute conversational pace run
Friday 11/14: REST
Saturday 11/15: 90 minute conversational pace run

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Congrats on the mile time!

Need to figure out cross training. (Does snow shoveling count??)

If it gets your HR up, I don't see why not.

 

[The Expert]

I honestly wasn't sure this was a real status on Garmin. I guess this means my new training is working!

 

[Herding_Cats]

Scrolling through Pandora's black friday sale and saw an Oswald bead that made me think of you.

 

[The Expert]

Scrolling through Pandora's black friday sale and saw an Oswald bead that made me think of you.

Thanks for the heads up! I actually bought him when we were at the parks last month.

 

[The Expert]

Training Plan Week of Nov 9
x Sunday 11/9: 6 miles easy (from my previous plan) -- Tried out 2/1 intervals and it went well.
x Monday 11/10: Intro call with my new coach; Strength train -- Weights in my home gym.
x Tuesday 11/11: One mile time trial. I wanted to this outside but it snowed (6+ inches on top of ice). I did it on the treadmill and KILLED IT with a 9:03!
x Wednesday 11/12: Went to Pilates but did not get in official cross-training. I did shovel snow for about 20 minutes.
x Thursday 11/13: 40 minute conversational pace run on the treadmill.
x Friday 11/14: REST, which is good as I'm starting to get a little cough.
x Saturday 11/15: 90 minute conversational pace run We ended up with a super busy day around the house, and I was starting to feel a bit fatigued, so I pushed the run to Sunday.
x Sunday 11/16: 90 minute conversational pace run on the treadmill. I felt good and hit my paces, even after more snow shoveling that morning. But by the time the Chiefs game ended (ugh) I was feeling pretty zonked. I'm definitely trying to come down with something, so I'm tackling it with vitamins, liquid IV and Airborne in hopes I don't have to climb on a plane to London on Wednesday feeling like this.

EDIT TO ADD: I'm still doing 2:1 intervals and I'm really liking them!

So my first full week went really well, and my watch is showing Productive still. I'm very motivated and actually enjoying the runs so far! On deck this week:

Monday 11/17: Strength training. I was going to go to Pilates class but don't want to expose everyone to my germs, so I'll do something on Youtube or iFit at home.
Tuesday 11/18: Hill repeats --10 minutes warmup at conversational pace, 6 x 50 sec @ Hills repeats, 2 min recovery, 10 minutes cooldown at conversational pace. I moved this from Monday as my coach doesn't want hard workouts the day after long runs. I'm going to check with her again today to ask if I should attempt it if I'm still feeling sick. We're getting more snow, so this will be on the treadmill most likely.
Wednesday 11/19: 50 minute run at conversational pace. Again, I'll see how I feel, but I should have time as our flight doesn't leave until 5pm.
Thursday 11/20 - Sunday 11/23: I'll be in London to see HERCULES: The Musical on the West End! I'm supposed to try and get a strength workout and a 1-hour run in while I'm gone. We land Thursday morning, see the show that afternoon and go to an early dinner. My plan is to get a run in on Friday morning in London before we train out to stay with friends for a few days. We fly back Sunday afternoon.

 

[jmasgat]

Wow that is a short London trip. Hope the flights cooperate and you can stay awake for the matinee. Have fun!

 

[The Expert]

Wow that is a short London trip. Hope the flights cooperate and you can stay awake for the matinee. Have fun!

It definitely is! But that's the bonus of living way east now, I guess. The time change isn't too terrible (it's only 5 hours right now) and we're upgraded going out so I'll be able to sleep. We land about 9am and the show is at 2:30pm, so fingers crossed.

 

[Mr_Incr3dible]

As an aside, I keep thinking that there should be Team Not-so-fast t-shirt.
I'm picturing on the back:
Team Not-So-Fast
The Back's Where It's At

Yeah, I have too much time to think about stuff....

 

[The Expert]

As an aside, I keep thinking that there should be Team Not-so-fast t-shirt.
I'm picturing on the back:
Team Not-So-Fast
The Back's Where It's At

Yeah, I have too much time to think about stuff....

I have just enough design skills and Canva knowledge to make that happen! I love "The Back's Where it's At"!

 

[col1]

Training Plan Week of Nov 9
x Sunday 11/9: 6 miles easy (from my previous plan) -- Tried out 2/1 intervals and it went well.
x Monday 11/10: Intro call with my new coach; Strength train -- Weights in my home gym.
x Tuesday 11/11: One mile time trial. I wanted to this outside but it snowed (6+ inches on top of ice). I did it on the treadmill and KILLED IT with a 9:03!
x Wednesday 11/12: Went to Pilates but did not get in official cross-training. I did shovel snow for about 20 minutes.
x Thursday 11/13: 40 minute conversational pace run on the treadmill.
x Friday 11/14: REST, which is good as I'm starting to get a little cough.
x Saturday 11/15: 90 minute conversational pace run We ended up with a super busy day around the house, and I was starting to feel a bit fatigued, so I pushed the run to Sunday.
x Sunday 11/16: 90 minute conversational pace run on the treadmill. I felt good and hit my paces, even after more snow shoveling that morning. But by the time the Chiefs game ended (ugh) I was feeling pretty zonked. I'm definitely trying to come down with something, so I'm tackling it with vitamins, liquid IV and Airborne in hopes I don't have to climb on a plane to London on Wednesday feeling like this.

EDIT TO ADD: I'm still doing 2:1 intervals and I'm really liking them!

So my first full week went really well, and my watch is showing Productive still. I'm very motivated and actually enjoying the runs so far! On deck this week:

Monday 11/17: Strength training. I was going to go to Pilates class but don't want to expose everyone to my germs, so I'll do something on Youtube or iFit at home.
Tuesday 11/18: Hill repeats --10 minutes warmup at conversational pace, 6 x 50 sec @ Hills repeats, 2 min recovery, 10 minutes cooldown at conversational pace. I moved this from Monday as my coach doesn't want hard workouts the day after long runs. I'm going to check with her again today to ask if I should attempt it if I'm still feeling sick. We're getting more snow, so this will be on the treadmill most likely.
Wednesday 11/19: 50 minute run at conversational pace. Again, I'll see how I feel, but I should have time as our flight doesn't leave until 5pm.
Thursday 11/20 - Sunday 11/23: I'll be in London to see HERCULES: The Musical on the West End! I'm supposed to try and get a strength workout and a 1-hour run in while I'm gone. We land Thursday morning, see the show that afternoon and go to an early dinner. My plan is to get a run in on Friday morning in London before we train out to stay with friends for a few days. We fly back Sunday afternoon.

We were in London last week and saw Hercules on our Last night, it was fantastic!!

Have a great time

 

[The Expert]

We were in London last week and saw Hercules on our Last night, it was fantastic!!

Have a great time

Don't tell my friends, but it really is the reason for the trip! I nearly went when it was in Germany, but I figured it was doing well enough it would get an English production soon. And with the recent extension, I'm feeling good about being able to see it again in NYC in a year or two!

 

[col1]

Don't tell my friends, but it really is the reason for the trip! I nearly went when it was in Germany, but I figured it was doing well enough it would get an English production soon. And with the recent extension, I'm feeling good about being able to see it again in NYC in a year or two!

It’s great , only thing is the price of the merch, was going to get a magnet $25

 

[The Expert]

It’s great , only thing is the price of the merch, was going to get a magnet $25

I figured as much. Honestly, prices for merch at Broadway shows in NYC are about that level.

 

[The Expert]

When last we checked in, this was on the plan:

Monday 11/17: Strength training. Gym at home as I was fighting off a cold.
Tuesday 11/18: Hill repeats --10 minutes warmup at conversational pace, 6 x 50 sec @ Hills repeats, 2 min recovery, 10 minutes cooldown at conversational pace. This was HARD but I did it!
Wednesday 11/19: 50 minute run at conversational pace. Got this in before we flew out to London!
Thursday 11/20 - Sunday 11/23: I'll be in London to see HERCULES: The Musical on the West End! I'm supposed to try and get a strength workout and a 1-hour run in while I'm gone. I did not end up doing a strength workout (though we were plenty active through the trip). I DID do a one-hour run around St James Park on Friday morning. It was in the 30s and beautiful!



And yes, Hercules was great! Not amazing, but worth making the trip for, though I had notes. The new songs fit in well and the show did not feel padded like a lot of the Disney stage musicals can be. But the first act was overly long and the second felt a bit rushed. The casting is really key for Meg (fab), Herc (just okay), the Muses (incredible) and Hades (too physically hammy for my taste). I look forward to seeing it again when it inevitably ends up in NYC.



We spent the weekend with friends down in Kent and flew back Sunday. I had to rely on airplane wifi to watch the Chiefs/Colts game and WOW was that a doozy! Because we weren't there that long, the jetlag wasn't terrible and I was able to jump right back into my plan with the following:

Monday 11/24: Rest day or light strength training.
Tuesday 11/25: Speed work! 10 minutes warmup at convo pace, 10 x 200m at repetition pace (for me about 62 seconds to do the 200m), 10 minutes cooldown at convo pace. THIS WAS HARD but fun! I ran out of time and only got 6 of the 10 repeats in.
Wednesday 11/26: Strength train. I went to a Pilates class.
Thursday 11/27: 40 minute conversational pace run. I did a Turkey Trot on iFit on the treadmill. I'm going by feel and covering up the numbers, and I realized at the end of this that my 2 minute run intervals were .5 mph faster than previous runs! I'm still doing 2 minute run, 1 minute walk and I'm really enjoying getting into stride a bit on the run intervals.
Friday 11/28: REST. But really we got out all the outdoor decorations and lights and put them all up. Oops!
Saturday 11/29: 20 minute conversational pace run. This was originally scheduled for Sunday and the longer run for Saturday, but we ended up going to DH's office to decorate for their holiday contest so this was a better fit for the day.
Sunday 11/30: 1 hour 40 minute conversational pace run. I had a few GI issues that morning, despite having our usual breakfast. I suspect the veg-heavy leftovers the day before is what caused it. After some Pepto, I was feeling okay and jumped on the treadmill. I had no issues during the run and was able to use my Untapped to practice some fueling. I hate to say it out loud and jinx it, but I'm really enjoying running right now. I'm not sure if it's excitement over the new plan and coach, the impending MW trip that feels close now or what, but these conversation-pace runs actually feel good! I'm also running faster and my form feels better, so maybe my body is finally (after 10 years) figuring this thing out?

Coming up this week:
Monday 12/1: Strength train.
Tuesday 12/2: Speed work -- 10 min warmup, 6x400m at interval pace (should take me 2:10) w/ 2 min recovery, 10 min cool down.
Wednesday 12/3: Pilates & cross train.
Thursday 12/4: 50 minutes conversational pace.
Friday 12/5: REST.
Saturday 12/6: 1 hour 50 minutes conversational pace.
Sunday 12/7: 30 minutes conversational pace.

 

[jmasgat]

I ran in St James's Park in August.....a nice loop (also, who decided that the "s's" was the way to spell that!) I am going to try and enter the Royal Parks Half Marathon....any excuse to go back to London!