Happy Monday! I can’t believe we’re nearly halfway through September. I started getting pretty excited about Christmas a few days ago – yep, CHRISTMAS! I’m that person. A big reason is that Christmas is my favorite holiday (and my birthday) and I’m super excited because I think Siena may actually understand some of it this year. Last year we tried to take her to a few festive events and most of the excitement was lost on her – I’m hoping some of that Christmas magic works on her this year! (Plus I may not know what I’m getting myself into but I’m excited to bust out the Elf on the Shelf!)
I haven’t been doing weekly training updates for my upcoming trail half marathon, but I’m still here, training away! I have been enjoying taking a step back from high mileage and have been pretty much cruising at a weekly mileage of around 25. I’ve had the opportunity to do a lot of runs with friends, as Asia is back in town, I’ve been doing weekly Monday morning beach runs with my friend Kelly and I’ve met up with my other friend Kelley a few times as well.
I’ve been adding in Beachbody workouts, though I haven’t committed to any certain program. I thought I might do P90X3 with Mike but it’s been tough to get our schedules synced up enough for us to do it together. So I’ve done several P90X3 workouts but I’ve also done a handful of other programs, averaging 2-3 a week, which is less than I’d like.
I decided that I’m going to start another (modified) round of Shift Shop starting today – I do SO much better when I’m following a plan instead of just choosing random workouts when they sound good. However, instead of following the workout calendar, I’m going to aim for this schedule, with a strong focus on the strength training workouts:
Week 1: Strength 25, Strength 35, Strength 45 & Speed 25 + 4 runs
Week 2: Strength 25, Strength 35, Strength 45 & Speed 35 + 4 runs
Week 3: Strength 25, Strength 35, Strength 45 & Speed 45 + 4 runs
I’ve been keeping my long run mileage at about 10 miles on average but I want to get in one more 12 miler before the race. We have a lot going on right now – as you may have seen, we bought a house (YAY!)- and packing and moving is happening all in the next few weeks. We also have our 4 year wedding anniversary at the end of this month and we’re heading up to LA to see Hamilton (CAN’T WAIT) so I’ll have a few potential roadblocks in my way to achieving these goals but I know having my challenge group there to keep me accountable will help!
My next challenge group actually doesn’t start until next week, September 18th (I still have 2 spots left if you want to join!) but I decided to start Shift Shop today becuase I want to give myself the week before my race off of the program and that’s how the timing worked out. I’ll probably just do yoga or whatever sounds good that week.
I’m looking forward to doing Shift Shop again – I have missed Chris Downing! He is such a positive trainer and I really enjoy his workouts. Even though they are tough and I had great results last time, the workouts themselves don’t leave me super sore which means I don’t feel like it impacts my running too much. 
As for actual TRAIL running – oops, I’ve been doing less than planned. My coach usually has us doing a least half trails on our runs but lately there has been less of it. I’ve been running on the trails near my house at least once a week. The good news is, the trail race I’m doing isn’t super technical so it shouldn’t be a big problem.
Are you excited for Christmas already too? How has your training been going? What mileage do you usually aim for when training for a half marathon?
I’m so happy to be running together again! I’m going to start Shaun week this week and then do a hybrid of Shaun T workouts when I start your challenge group next week! Also running and yoga, of course.
I have not tried any of the shift shop workouts yet. I’ve increased my run mileage to about 20 miles a week and 3 strength training workouts I can’t seem to fit in more workouts. Moving is so stressful and with a little baby it’s even harder!
I haven’t tried any of the workouts yet but I’m definitely interested!
Right now I’m coming up on the tail end of marathon training so I am logging a lot of miles but I look forward to decreasing my mileage after the race is over so I can focus on other types of exercises, specifically strength training.
I’ve barely thought about Thanksgiving yet (we’re hosting) and the only thoughts I’ve had about Christmas is whether the house we were supposed to get together at in Naples is still standing. All the best with your new workout plan!
Half marathons are my favorite distance. I have never trained longer than a 10-mile long run, and I usually have 2 or 3 other runs anywhere from 3-5 miles each (averages to be about 13 miles per week plus the long run each weekend). Gosh…it’s been awhile since I’ve done that, though LOL
Ha, I can’t even think about Christmas yet! We’ve got a busy September (including a double race for me) and Thanksgiving to think about first in October (Canadian). Christmas with kids is SO awesome!
Have fun with your training … I love running on the beach. That picture is amazing!
Christmas?! I think it’s too early to think about Halloween! haha
I can’t see past all of the things planned for September and October to think about the holidays yet! Good luck with your move!
Your little is such a cutie patootie!
Great workouts, girl!!
Aw thank you!
I usually try to run a 10 and maybe 11 mile long run for a half. I think I only did one 10 miler with my last one. I like Christmas but not quite ready yet!!
I love that family photo1 Congrats on the new home – packing and moving are workouts in themselves!
Thank you! And yes, totally, moving is a lot of work!
My birthday is on Halloween, so I don’t like all the fuss about Christmas until MY holiday is past…then I’m all in! It’s so fun when the kids are small and start to get into it. This will be a fun year for you!
That’s a really fun birthday!
Christmas? I’m figuring out all the September birthdays right now! LOL. I guess i better start planning…
Haha! I”m not actually planning much yet, just anticipating. It’s just as fun! 🙂
Excellent pictures. Keep training and inspiring! Which beach body exercises have you been doing?
Thanks! Lately I’ve been doing Shift Shop! It’s a fun full body workout and the workouts range from 25 minutes to 45 minutes so you can pick what works best for you based on your time availability that day!