Goals, Deals, Weekly Recap and a Thunder Shirt!

While I enjoy reading the "November Goals" posted on all of the great blogs that I follow, I haven't posted! Why?  Because I am so focused on my new training plan that I can't even begin to think of any other goals to set for myself.  The title of my blog really says it all for me...I want to run the Boston Marathon one day before I die!  I am very goal oriented but Boston occupies so much of my running goals that working towards it will remain my main goal until I finally get there. 

Super Great Deal:

I am excited to share that I scored another great deal this week!  A local mall near my house just opened a new Sports Authority so they sent $15 discount cards out to all of the local residents.  Well, I have been wanting to buy a hand held water bottle for a while now but just could not get myself to spend $20 on one.  I mean it's a plastic water bottle with a little piece of material on it!  When I saw this discount card, I headed down to Sports Authority to see if they had what I was looking for and they did so I finally have one and I paid $5.00 for it!!  Sometimes I don't feel like wearing my hydration belt and just want to carry water in my hand but water bottles are just too complicated to hold. 

  

Week Three Training Recap:

This week was a very productive week for me in terms of sticking to my planned workouts.  I was able to complete all of my workouts and meet all of my target paces.  I am still having some issues with sticking to the planned paces on my long runs because 9:30+ paces on long runs can take forever to complete.  I guess it's all part of building endurance so I have to get better at sticking to the plan.

Monday: REST DAY

Tuesday: Speed Work= 6 miles...these workouts are challenging the heck out of me but I am starting to kind of like it now. Beside the fact that I feel like passing out and calling 911 during the workout, I think speed work is going to make me a stronger and faster runner.

Wednesday: XT#1: 45 minutes on stationary bike (hills plus workout)= 12.3 Miles 

Thursday: Tempo Run=7.4 miles

Friday: XT#2: Spin Class-great workout and I was sweating like crazy!! I also did some weight training and focused on my arms and legs while waiting for the class to start.

Saturday: 17 miles= It was 44 degrees out there and I had to force myself out the door.  This was the first time I have needed to wear pants and a jacket on a run in a long time!

Sunday: MUCH NEEDED REST DAY/CUPCAKE DAY!

Total Mileage=42.7 (30.4 of those miles were running)

On Sunday I rewarded myself for a productive week and ate cupcakes!!  One of my favorite cupcakes is Vanilla Almond Salted Caramel and it is to die for!! These cupcakes are like heaven in your mouth and and I could live off of them!!  

My plans for next week include a 20 mile run and my first 10K so we will see how my 10K goes especially now that there is a 60% chance of rain in the forecast!  I have no goal in mind but just want to see where I stand at this distance so that I have a goal to work towards.  How should I dress for this race? Any advise?

The Thunder Shirt!

Totally unrelated to running but Buster is still living with us.  I have been told that I should buy him a "Thunder Shirt" to help him with his separation anxiety.  It is supposed to be like wearing a giant hug to relieve some of the anxiety that is associated with many types of disorders that dogs suffer from.  Has anyone ever tried a thunder shirt, as pictured above, on their dog?  I really want to help Buster before he destroys my entire house!  I don't have the heart to take him to the animal shelter because I am such an animal lover.

Did you have a great week?  Congratulations to everyone who was lucky enough to run the NYC Marathon!  Did you participate in any other races this weekend beside NYC?

Source

Vanilla Almond Salted Caramel Cupcakes!