Balls vs Cookies: 6/25 – 7/1 Weekly Wrap

~ Chocolaterunsjudy

I sort of feel like I didn’t train as hard (or maybe that’s just as long) for this half and yet I feel totally prepared at the same time. And I’m still recovering from runs with all the sweets — which may or may not be a wise decision.

I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Wendy @ Taking the Long Way Home to share how I’m getting it done with my peak half marathon training weeks.

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Workouts update

  • Monday: Dogwalk, 20 minutes swimming, YFPR Knees & Hips
  • Tuesday: 6 miles (4 @ tempo), PB Kettlebells (38 minutes), YFR Foundation
  • Wednesday: 4 miles easy, Dogwalk, Pilates Stretch
  • Thursday:  Dogwalk, 5 miles Reverse Ladder Speed Intervals TM, Iron Strength Abbreviated
  • Friday:  Dogwalk
  • Saturday: 10 mile even hotter, more humid miles than last week’s long run, PB Core & Glutes (25 min)
  • Sunday: Dogwalk, Cooling off in a friend’s pool

Mileage: 25 (-4)

JY = Jasyoga
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*

*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links

Running Updates

Tuesday
Why did it feel so hard to get my legs moving — it was perfect running weather! Cool and low humidity and a nicely shaded path. Yet I struggled to hit my paces. The first two intervals were close, although I could’ve sworn mile three was faster than mile two but it wasn’t. Then mile four was way too fast, and mile five was about perfect. Just call me Goldilocks.

Wednesday
I ran fasted again. I felt so slow, but it was a normal pace and negative splits, too. Maybe because Bandit didn’t want to run. I came back to pick him up, and he just looked at me like “you want me to do what?”. The minute I asked him if he wanted to go for a walk, later, he was all over that.

Weird dog.

I have to admit I’m not super thrilled with the backside view, but I’m sharing it anyway

Thursday
Oh so humid. Chance of thunderstorms (they didn’t materialize). An afternoon run. Looking forward to getting back to my normal-ish running routine next week and no more three days in a row. Yes, I took it to the treadmill. I was seriously in no mood to tackle the mugginess outside. I’ll have enough of that on my long run Saturday!

Wildflowers always keep me entertained on the run

Saturday
Despite the dire heat advisory warnings, this 10 mile run was actually faster than my 10 miler 2 weeks ago. By four seconds, LOL. I am still shaking my head over the fact that I ran 10 miles in almost exactly the same amount of time  two weeks apart.

This time I got out there pretty early and either I was dressed right (probably) or I just had the right frame of mind because it really didn’t seem that bad. I am looking forward to those low dew points in Boise . . .

Cookie dough brownie was as good as it looks

Favorites of the week
This brownie. Thank you, Baking You Crazy. It may have been the highlight of my week, which is saying something about my week.

Power cookies in the background

I also experimented with some new home made running fuel — Power Cookies from ROAR (Amazon Affiliate link) and Enduro Balls from Rocket Fuel (Amazon Affiliate link).

Enduro Balls: made of nuts, seeds, dates & more! Yum!

The Enduro Balls won out — very tasty, relatively easy to take on the run and to travel with, and worked well on my long run. Mr. Judy liked the Power Cookies as just a cookie, and I liked them too, but on the run the Enduro Balls won out.

Blog posts that caught my eye this week:

link-up-badge

This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.

Let’s get the conversation started:

Ever run the same distances in the same time (without trying to)?

Do you a go-to for post run breakfasts?

What was the highlight of your week?

41 thoughts on “Balls vs Cookies: 6/25 – 7/1 Weekly Wrap”

  1. I feel like Bandit! You want me to do what??? I predict you’ll enjoy those low dew points and have a wonderful half! It’s pretty amazing you ran both of those ten milers so close together in time! Thanks for linking!

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    1. It really wasn’t at all bad the day Bandit declined to run. I would have been mad, because I go out of my way to come back for him, but I needed more water anyway. 🙂

      Those low dew points are looking damn good right now. We’re pretty much rivaling your weather, but at least for us it doesn’t last all summer long!

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  2. I run fasted a lot–most of my short runs are fasted. I think it’s good for the metabolism and helps your body learn to use fat for fuel. At least that’s my thought…

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    1. I used to run fasted a lot more often but the accumulated stress of the last few years have just worn me down & I don’t want to get out there first thing when I get up! Or I’m out there walking the dogs because the heat is really too much for them later . . .

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    1. I don’t really care if it was faster but it just kind of amused me that I could be that close — just by chance!

      I started that long run at 6:30 (which is really early for me!). I can see that happening a lot in the next month, though. But we will cool down, at least!

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    1. That’s so awesome that you’re successful doing something you love. As much as I do love to bake, a) I’d eat to much if I did something like that and b) I really love variety, so doing the same stuff all the time drives me nuts!

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  6. Awesome job rocking your 10 miler on Saturday! It was so hot and humid even early on in the day. Og the joys of summer running!

    OMG that photo of the cookie dough brownie made me want to run out and buy a box of brownie mix. I can only imagine how yummy that was!

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  8. Looks like you had a really solid training week! I’m sure you’ll be prepared… fingers crossed the weather cooperates. Thanks for the link share!

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  9. Strong week! You are definitely prepared for your half. Those power balls sound delicious, I love having that sort of thing on hand to grab for a quick fuel bite. Thanks for sharing the recipe!

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    1. Usually I need to walk the dogs first, so I often just don’t have the opportunity (and sometimes the desire) to get out there right away. I used to do it more when I first started running. I think life was less stressful then.

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  12. You probably know I’m a fasted runner (except for my long runs). That’s interesting about your two 10-milers being practically the same finish time. My first two marathons were literally within seconds of each other…like by 4 seconds, I think. And they were two very different courses. Good job on your great week!

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  13. Most of my runs are actually fasted runs, except for the long ones. I do better with no food in my stomach – less queasiness. Sounds like your long runs are going great! Even though your second run was just a little bit faster, it was still an improvement. And those brownies!!!!!

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  15. I have never run fasted and I don’t plan to. I like my pre-run meals or snacks.

    I don’t time my runs so I have no idea if any are the same. Doubtful since I run with different people, different routes and different weather condition.

    I definitely disagree about Sat’s weather but maybe it was a race so I was running faster and started at 8 pm. It was very humid. Al of the runners were drenched at the end.

    This experience has me revising my summer racing schedule. I am not running my usual ones. Glad I didn’t sign up for Firecracker!!!

    As usual, you are very dedicated to your plan. Kudos to you. You should rock that half marathon. 15 mi in 3 days would kill me. That’s what I run in 7 days.

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    1. It wasn’t easy getting in the runs last week, for sure. But I know that it’s not fun for me if I’m not trained, and right now I’m feeling good & running well so you do what you got to do. Happy I won’t be running 3 days in a row this week!

      I started at 6:30 on sat. Huge difference between 6:30 and 8. And yes, it was a long run so not pushing the pace — very different!

      My 2 10 milers were at different locations & different weather, too. It just happened & amuses me, that’s all. Not like I was trying to do that — or even would have remember what I’d run previously without looking it up, which I didn’t.

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      1. It depends where you want the fun and the pain. During the training or the race. I choose pain for the race. It’s only once. I think you choose trainings.

        It’s not the days in a row for me. It’s the number of miles on each run. I don’t usually run more than 3 unless it’s the weekend.

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      2. Of course I am also not driving all over the state all the time (or traveling all over it). That makes a difference, too.

        My races can be a literal pain if I don’t train. That’s what motivates me.

        You’re doing just fine with what you’re doing.

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  18. The brownie, but that salmon! I would live on it if I could.
    I find those crazy same time runs to be the most fun — it’s like our bodies really do learn. When is your half?

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      2. I prefer wild, but this tastes so damn good I don’t care!

        I am a sushi girl too. If I could, I’d probably eat it daily! We took a sushi making class for my husband’s birthday last fall, and he continues to make me sushi every once in a while. 🙂

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  20. That sounds like a great peak week for a half! The cookie dough brownies look like the perfect treat after running in that weather. Boise can be hot, but at least it’s not as humid as where you are.

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    1. Yeah, Boise is super hot right now, but I’m hoping that heat pushes off when we get there. 🙂 OTOH, I’ve done a half in Phoenix, so I know about hot & dry — not to mention at 6200 ft it should definitely feel pretty cool at the start!

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  21. The highlight of this week was getting to cross off another state for my 50 races in 50 states challenge! Yay, NC!

    That brownie looks yummy, but so does that salmon! I love seafood.

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