A Gutsy Girl

Heal your gut. Heal your life.

Workouts

Half Marathon Training Confusion

Filed Under: Fitness, Inspire, Love, Workouts Tagged With: , , ,

I’ve entered a little half marathon training confusion.

Week 2 of my Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Training was a success! But like most successes in life, it didn’t come without road bumps along the way.

Workouts from last week

  • Monday = 3 miles + strength
  • Tuesday = 6 * 800
  • Wednesday = 3 miles + strength
  • Thursday = 45-minute tempo
  • Friday = 8.35 miles
  • Saturday = stretching + light abs
  • Sunday = off

I wanted the whole weekend off from running – two full days to rest, relax and recover. I tackled the 8-miler on Friday night. I began around 4:30 pm, and I figured this would be great because it would allow me to see how I adjust to running at that time of the day. I am an early morning runner, but the Rock ‘n Roll is at night this year. I’ve never run a half at that time of the day. (Anyone with Colitis knows this could present problems.)

The run as a whole was a success. I ran outside and actually ended up slightly over 8 miles since I was running outside (I mean c’mon, like my Nike shirt says, “How am I going to get home if I stop running?”).

Half Marathon Training Confusion

And now for the confusion: Miles 1-4-ish I have a major lack of energy. It takes all the mental energy I have to continue on. But then around mile 5, I get a huge burst of energy. I’m barely breathing heavily, and I could soar. And then issue #2 settles in –> my legs get so sore and achy and that slows me down. Finally, upon finishing these longer runs, I feel nauseous for about an hour afterward.

I am left to wonder….is this just weakness leaving my body?

Half Marathon Training Confusion Brazen Trail Racing sarahkayhoffman.com Bear Creek Trail Running Sarah Kay Hoffman
 

It’s all very bizarre.

Question: Does this happen to you while training? What do you do? How do you train for and around it?

Updated in 2017: This image was taken from my Brazen Racing passion.

Xox,
SKH

Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon

Filed Under: Fitness, Inspire, Love, Workouts Tagged With: , ,

On August 8th I took myself off the running circuit. It’s been about 3 months (I was not running before August for about a few weeks). These past few months have been amazing for me, physically. I have mostly focused on walking, yoga, stretching and light weights. And like magic, I’ve had no pain! And also like magic, my craving to run has grown ten fold, more than before soooooooo Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon anyone?! A few weeks ago, I started walking/jogging. My workouts have looked similar to:

A few weeks ago, I started walking/jogging. My workouts have looked similar to:

  • 2+ mile walks first thing in the morning with Ryan and the dogs
  • 2-5 miles later in the day, alternating between 2 minutes jog/30 second-to-1 minute walk
  • strength/yoga/stretching on random days at night

I haven’t talked much about my gradual return because I was trying not to get my hopes up. And then this past week (Monday through Saturday) I completed a total of almost 30 miles. Each day that went by I nearly screamed because the pain was still gone!

Saturday came, and I did 6 miles – all running – slow and gradual, finishing with an 8:45/mile pace. I was sweating profusely, but I had the biggest SMILE on my face. It’s been so long. I told myself that if I could run 6 miles nonstop sans-pain on Saturday, I would enter the Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon.

And so I did.

And here I am, ready and preparing for my 2nd Rock ‘n Roll Vegas.

Crazy? Maybe. But I’m taking the plunge.

5 Reasons I’m Running the Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas 1/2 Marathon

Click HERE to save this post for later.

11-Week Half-Marathon Training (Week 1) via www.agutsygirl.com #Running #FitFluential

  1. I hate you, Mr. Colitis. Remember, this race is for Crohn’s & Colitis. Most of you know my story. If not, here is more on Colitis. And because I make solutions, not problems – this is all a part of the solution. I run against Colitis. Because I can.
  2. Finish Line. Life is about crossing finish lines; multiple ones. This will not be a sprint for me. I don’t expect to PR since I’m so late to the game and I’m still (very much so) cognizant of the pains that could resurface. For me, this is about running because I love it and running because Colitis is not currently holding me hostage.
  3. It’s Vegas and it’s Rodeo. Love Vegas, always have and always will. I love the lights and entertainment. And what makes this weekend even better is that the National Finals Rodeo happens. This, of course, means there are country acts everywhere, making the time spent in Vegas uber exciting! Last year we saw Jake Owen and Ryan and I went to the big Country Convention. It just rocked, and I can’t wait to do it again.
  4. Fearless. Every time I hear Taylor Swift sing, “Fearless” I can’t help but get chills. I’m not sure why because the truth is that I’m not a huge Taylor fan, but something about the song gets me. And then this past weekend I read, “Be Fearless. Be Free” by the one and only Amy Jo Martin. Amy ran the Nike Women’s Marathon this past weekend in San Francisco. Her story is amazing – I had no idea. And that’s just it….people struggle with things each day, things that are bigger than my own problems. Amy’s post was a nice reminder to me to be fearless. Fearless with my Colitis. Fearless with crossing finish lines. Fearless in life.
  5. Training. I love running outside in the fall. The air is so crisp and cool (well at least in the mornings it is – remember, I’m in California – it’s still hot here)! There is something so completely freeing about running in the peace and calm of the morning. For me, it’s the zen that is running. 

Let It Be Fall sarahkayhoffman.com

 

Bottom line….I’m super excited! Today I officially start training, though my long run will already be at 7 miles this weekend.

(I will try to post my training schedule as often as I can, or perhaps even in one lump. Would you benefit from it?)

Xox,
SKH

Off the Running Circuit

Filed Under: Fitness, Love, Workouts Tagged With: , , ,

I’ve taken myself off the running circuit – for the moment, for awhile and perhaps even beyond that.

People have been asking when my next race is, what I’m training for and in general how goes the running. The answer has been a constant, yet steady hesitation leading to a mostly wishy-washy one.

But here’s the truth (because I feel honesty is the best policy and I’m a fairly open book): For personal reasons I am physically unable to run. The pain typically hits me about 1-2 miles in. I have tried to push right on through it. And I did push through it, 13.1 miles to the finish line at the Las Vegas Rock ‘n Roll Half Marathon last December (this has been going on over a year now). I have spent many-a-runs in pain thinking, “Am I going to throw up? How much longer before this run is over?”

Recently, the day came when I decided it was time to stop pushing. I love running. I love the “life” that used to come to me around mile 7. I love the running community. I love the sense of accomplishment. I love training hard for a race, knowing that the finish line will be waiting for me. I love watching my times drop. I love sprinting. I love hills. I love running outside in gorgeous Northern California.

So this is not easy for me. It is not ideal. And I’m praying that this isn’t forever. I am the first to admit that when it comes to pushing myself to the limits I am stubborn! I don’t know when to stop, and I don’t know how to “let up.” This applies to my professional life, food life and fitness life. But something needs to change.

I preach a healthy lifestyle. Part of that is this whole idea of listening to our bodies and adjusting workouts if need be. Just because you don’t run a half marathon frequently, or workout 7 days a week for 2 hours at a time, does not mean fitness can’t be a part of your vocabulary. 

Off the Running Circuit A Healthy Lifestyle Reigns One Step In the Right Direction Healthy Lifestyle Wellness sarahkayhoffman.com

Still, this has not been easy for me, but I have slowly and surely been doing this. I have taken baby steps.

Off the Running Circuit

The first step was in departing with running for now. (Recently)

The second step was in realizing that my uber-intense workouts (spinning, circuits, kickboxing, etc.) were not any better for my body at this moment. (Very recently)

And the third step? Here I am. (Yes, this idea of “listening to my body” has transpired very quickly.)

My third step means figuring out what workouts will work for me. With my colitis and food I’ve always said, “Solutions, not Problems.” I intend to take that very same approach with my fitness. So far I have 3 solutions:

  1. Walking. Daily. And standing at my desk. Always!
  2. Weight training, but just not vigorously and with circuit-training programs.
  3. Yoga. Om!

I am still working on more. But I am confident they are lurking around the corner, anticipating my arrival.

Like everything else in life, you do what you can with what you’ve got and you count your blessings (not once, but a hundred times) for all beautiful things life gives each day!

And I still love you, running.

Until we meet again….

Xox,
SKH

Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas Here I Come

Filed Under: Fitness, Love, Workouts Tagged With: , , ,

Rock ‘n Roll Las Vegas here I come!

Dear Colitis:

Because

I hate you so much, I am running against you.

You are not on my team.

We are running to fight you!

Forever and Never Yours,

The (Mis) Fit Foodie-Fitness Junkie

Life doesn’t always go the way I want it to go. I’ve been reminded of that several times this year, and once again very recently. But that doesn’t mean we can stop what we’re doing, stop living life and stop doing the things we love the most in the world! So I’m practicing what I preach….a smile, positive energy and doing one of the things that makes me happy – running!

I’ve been on a running hiatus for a couple of months, for many reasons but mostly because of my achy feet. I have been feeling better, but not 100% so what I’m about to do I certainly may regret. No, never mind. I will never regret it, I might just wonder, “what was I thinking?!” And then, I’ll remember and I’ll be proud!

Before I dive into this all again, I spent an hour last night getting a pedicure and a much-needed foot massage. I relaxed, enjoyed and entertained the idea that I’ll surely justify getting these 1-2 times/month during the next few months! They can really make a big difference. Now I’m almost ready – once again – to run! 

On December 5th, I will be running my second 1/2 Marathon. But this one might just be even more special than the last. This one benefits Crohn’s & Colitis Research. I have Colitis, and I have various family members who have more extreme versions of it as well. I could not be prouder to run for this cause!

I will never forget my first 1/2 Marathon! There was no better feeling than crossing that finish line. And ever since, I’ve been searching for a (workout/fitness) feeling that parallels. I have not found it!

My training begins on Monday, but I will begin some “baby steps” immediately! I have much less time to train than I did for my first 1/2 Marathon, so I’m not expecting to beat my 1:48 finish time. I’m expecting to train hard, work hard and run because I’m passionate about it and its cause! I’m working off of a 12-week program, in which I only have 11-weeks before the Race.

I will be sharing with you my training schedule, successes, good days, bad days, food, tummy-running-fun, tips, tricks, music, and of course passion through it all! I hope you’ll follow all that is to come in the next couple of months! (*See below on social media.)

This weekend I will be thinking about and deciding on:

  • Running Shoes.
  • Final Training Program.
  • Training “Tool” (probably will utilize NikePlus again)
  • New Playlist music.
  • Running apparel.
  • The best “feet remedies” post-run.
  • Cross-training/strength workouts.
  • And of course booking a flight, hotel, and the other “goods:)”

*Because of my cross-passions of fitness, food & health mixed with social media, I will be blogging, tweeting, facebook-ing, twitpic-ing, videoing and more! Therefore, I’ll be planning this out this weekend, too! WOW! That makes me so excited!

If you would like to know more about any of these or have an opinion, advice, comments – please feel free to contact me!

Xox,
SKH