Half marathon number 6 — the Smuttynose Rockfest — is officially four weeks away. Cue the nerves and excitement.
I will say training has been going pretty well so far. I’ve been averaging around 20-22 miles per week, and am up to 12 miles on my long run. I am also doing a couple of things differently this time around: speedwork on Wednesdays with my track club when I can make it, and long runs with my training buddy (and fellow Smuttynose runner and sub-2:00 hopeful).
My plan over the next three weeks is to increase my mileage to closer to 25 miles per week, with a decrease just before the race. Here’s an example of what I’m looking at this week:
Monday: REST
Tuesday: 5 tempo miles (AM); barre class (lunch)
Wednesday: Body Pump (AM); 3 miles of speed intervals (lunch)
Thursday: 6 miles (AM); barre class (lunch)
Friday: REST
Saturday: 10 miles as part of the ZOOMA Training Run in Cambridge (come join us — it’s free, there are 5 and 10 mile options, and you don’t have to be registered for ZOOMA to run with us!), with an addition 2-3 miles tacked on afterward.
Total mileage: 26 miles, give or take
I know some people will frown on the double workout days. Trust me, they’re not my first choice, but least I’m not running twice in one day, which I know my body could not handle!
But the reality is that I had an opportunity to take barre class at a crazy discounted rate at work during my lunch hour twice a week for six weeks, and I couldn’t pass it up. And I want to be sure I’m keeping with my weight training (a la Body Pump) at least once a week. However, I’ve also learned that I need a rest day both the day before, and the day after, my long runs. So this is the result.
Our long run yesterday started out nice and cool at 7:30am, but got warmer and warmer as our run went on, and we were feeling it toward the end. On the bright side, we kept a consistent 9:30 pace for the entire run, hills and all, which is right around where we need to be on our long runs, according to our training plans, in our pursuit to break two hours.
By the time we said our goodbyes post-run, I was hot and sweaty and thirsty. Lucky for me, there is a Dunkin’ Donuts on my way home so I decided to stop by to try one of their new smoothies, courtesy of my friends at DD.
I admit I was initially skeptical about a Dunkin’ Donuts smoothie, figuring it would be super sweet and high calorie, a la the Coolata. But I was pleasantly surprised by my strawberry-banana smoothie, which is made with low-fat yogurt, costs $2.99 and has 250 calories (sans whipped cream). It does have a more sugar than I’d like, but it was a cool and refreshing treat after a long and hot run.
If you haven’t checked out the new Dunkin’ Donuts smoothies yet (which also comes in tropical mango), here’s your chance. Thanks to the gang at Dunkin’, I’m giving one $25 Dunkin’ Donuts gift card, along with some DD swag, to one KMS reader. Simply enter using the form below.
This one ends a week from today, Monday, Sept. 14 at 12:01am ET. Good luck!
Disclaimer: I received a Dunkin’ Donuts gift card and prize pack to facilitate my review, but all thoughts and opinions are, as always, my own.
Elena says
My favorite flavor is strawberry
Mary says
Strawberry-banana smoothies are my favorite.
Sara hammeR says
i am definitely interested in trying that mango smoothie! Is the strawberry one very sweet? I don’t like it when things are too sweet or fake tasting…
Jessica says
Definitely not super sweet but I’d say it’s probably sweeter than a smoothie you’d make at home.
Christa Jones says
I’m loving banana mango smoothies right now. I love mango anything!!
Nicole MacLennan says
Strawberry banana!
DJ says
I love peach mango.
Rosie says
I keep trying different kinds – so far my fav is to mix in the blender frozen tangerine chunks, 2% milk, a little honey and vanilla protein powder. It tastes like a creamsicle.
Gina M (Wild Orchid) says
I like strawberry smoothies.
Entered the Rafflecopter as “Wild Orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 AT gmail DOT com
Cheryl says
My favorite smoothie flavor is triple berry.
Jeffrey says
I like banana flavored smoothies with a bit of nut butter.
Elle P. says
I love strawberry banana smoothies.