Wowsers…it has been a busy week or two for The Running Couple! Just to update you on what is happening behind the blog/Twitter/Facebook…we’ve signed on to Athletes HoneyMilk to work as part of their social media team (super excited!), Lee and some friends just put on a huge CrossFit competition at the Dallas Convention Center, and this week Lee and GSX CrossFit are starting a 6-week CrossFit Endurace Training Series with Luke’s Locker. Needless to say…we are running a little behind with everything being so new. Don’t you worry though…we’re getting things organized and will be back on track by the weekend.
Well, this week is half over! The last couple of days have been filled with CrossFit workouts and sprinkled with a little yoga (Isis). We’ll show you what we’ve done so far…and what we plan on doing the rest of the week.
*We will be putting on some additional miles throughout the week. These runs are always done at a very easy pace and we will not be tracking the mileage for those.
We have included our workouts below. Most of our paces are calculated for a 4:10 marathon time from the McMillan Running Calculator.
Monday: 3 Rounds For Time Of: 10 ground-to-overhead @65 lbs, 200m run (Isis)
Tuesday: 7 Rounds For Time: 200m run, 10 kettlebell snatch, right arm @ 1 pood, 10 kettlebell snatch, left arm @ 1 pood, 5 L-Sit Pullups (Isis) Chelsea -- Each minute on the minute for 30 minutes of: 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, 15 squats. Workout is over when you cannot complete the series of movements within a minute. (Lee)
Wednesday: 4-mile tempo run (morning) CrossFit Endurance workout at Luke’s Locker (afternoon) Box Back Squat 3 x 3 @ 85% (180sec rest), Rest 5 min, Sumo Deadlift 5 x 3 @ 85% (180sec rest) (evening)
Thursday:Jackie -- For Time: 1000 meter row, 50 Thrusters @ 45 lbs, 30 Pull-ups
Friday: Yasso 800s -- recovery jog for the same amount of time it took to complete your 800 (Our target is 4:00 -- 4:10 for each 800. Once we can’t finish in this time we will stop the workout)
Saturday: Morning run in St. Louis with Jenn and her TNT team!!!
Running is a sport that can definitely be done alone. As you can tell from our blog title, we prefer to run together as a couple. What can be even more fun than running with each other is getting a large group of friends together for a group run.
Prior to starting my running venture, I was super intimidated to join a run group. I always thought that I’d be the slowest person there and that every runner would be an elite athlete. If I was just going to be left in the dust, run groups were too expensive to be a part of and I didn’t want to pay hundreds of dollars to do something that was virtually free.
All my views completely changed after I started running with Lee and through doing races, saw the many organizations with run groups. Our first jaunt with a run group was with Luke’s Locker in Dallas, and it changed our run group lives! It probably has something to do with the fact that we absolutely love this run company and that the leader, Perry Skidmore, welcomed us with open arms.
Below are some great things they did that might make you feel a little better about joining a run group:
They started at the same time every week. They valued your time and were consistent.
There were all levels of runners, from marathon runners to walkers.
Everyone finished at the same time. Walkers only went half the distance to make up for time. The more advanced runners would wait until everyone came in.
Once everyone was accounted for, we would all walk back to Luke’s Locker for refreshments and good conversation.
Things I hear far too often and the honest truth behind it:
I’m so slow…I only do 10 minute miles. – That is the average pace! And you better watch it because you might offend me, as that is my pace and I think I am a rockstar
I don’t run. – Don’t you think its time you start?
Can I bring my dog? – For the most part yes, unless they are not trained to run beside you. It would be terrible if a runner was tripped by your dog and you were to blame for them missing their race.
Is joining a run group free? – Yes and No. There are many free run groups out there like lululemon Fort Worth, for example. They have a free run group every Monday at 6:30pm. Luke’s Locker and Fort Worth Run Co also have free “social runs”. These runs are for the novice runners and those athletes that want a fun and easy run. There are also paid run groups or programs you can join when you are training for a specific event and want specific results. They are worth the money for the coaching alone. I happen to have the best free coach there is to find…but I would still invest in a paid run group if I wanted to enhance my speed and actually compete.
What if I cant run the full distance? – I was very hard on myself on this one too, but now I say…WALK! Why is everyone so afraid to run/walk? It doesn’t make you any less of a runner….at least in my eyes. We happen to walk during aid stations when we are doing half marathons and I might even walk a little in the full marathon! How else do you get water down your esophagus?
I don’t think I can do it because I need to find a babysitter. – I say if your baby is small enough to put in a stroller, bring him/her with you. Mommy joggers are hot and the rest of the group will go gaga over your little pride and joy. If your kids are a little older, I understand a run group might not fit in your schedule at this time. If your kids are in their teens, use the run group as bonding time!
I’ve had the longest day and the last thing I want to do is run. – Totally understandable, but the runners high you get after you run is totally worth it and running is a stress reliever. At least try it once.
I could probably go on and on with what I hear concerning run groups. Bottom line is, its so much fun to get together with the community and share a common interest. If you don’t love running now, you will when you are surrounded by fellow runners.
What is keeping you from joining a run group? If you are in a run group, is it beneficial to you?
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