Well, hello there, new training cycle. I am back at it, having picked my spring goal race – now that I know that I am headed to Berlin to run the marathon in the fall, I have decided to chase a half marathon PR this spring. Since 2017 will involve a relatively expensive trip, I’ve decided to stay local for my spring half marathon and run the B&A Trail Half Marathon. This is actually a rails to trails paved path – not a technical trail race. It’s in late March and the timing works on great for me. I have enough time to train and then will have some down time before jumping into marathon training over the summer. I’m excited about my plan and about this race and will be sharing my training recaps each week. Each week during this training cycle, I will share how my training went and what the week looked like. I do this because: 1) I love reading about how other folks train and 2) itβs great for me to have a record of what I did each week. Also, honestly, it helps keep me accountable when I know Iβll be writing about it. I also post almost all of my runs on Instagram as well. I’m starting a weekly link up for Training Recaps β let’s support each other as we train this winter! Please do link up!
Monday: Rest day – I switched rest days this week because I had a fun Holiday Lights Run planned for Wednesday.
Tuesday: Speed work! This was my first workout since before Chicago. 8×600 at 5k/10k race pace plus a warm up and cool down. A total of six miles and I hit all my workout paces! Hard but glad to finish strong.
Wednesday: 3.8 holiday miles with gals on the Oiselle team. Super fun and we met Elizabeth Warren while getting burgers after. Win!
Thursday: Tempo Thursday! Three tempo miles – 8:27/8:27/8:33 – that was hard! I was lucky that Caitlin joined me on the trail. Those warm up and cool down miles were so good. The three in the middle were a bit rough!
Friday: Easy freezing five miles + Pure Barre class.
Saturday: Six easy miles with my running group.
Sunday: Easy three to end the week.
Total mileage for the week: 29.9 miles
Total mileage for the year: 1338 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 29.9 miles
Are you training for a race? Link up your training recap!

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Always exciting kicking off a new training cycle! I am training for a half in February and need to get my butt in gear post-vacation. I think I’ll start doing a weekly training recap as well! Thanks for starting the link-up.
Yes – do a recap and link up. I LOVE reading training recaps π
Sounds like fun! I have a half in a month and with all the snow we are getting it is becoming more difficult than I expected. I wish you all the best with your training!
Thanks – how are you handling the snow?
It’s rough! I am going to have to change my strategy to run by time vs miles. It took me the same amount of time to run 4 miles today as it would a 5 mile easy run.
I think that’s smart – you are getting extra core and form work running in snow, though!! Bonus!
Did you love Elizabeth Warren? I think I would!
But of course! She’s awesome π
I am looking forward to read about your half marathon training again!
Thanks – it’s fun to be working towards a goal again!
So excited about Berlin, Courtney! 2016 was such a great year for you, and I can’t wait to see what you’re able to accomplish in 2017. I have no doubt that you’ll be able to PR again.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Wine and Dine Half Marathon Weekend β Day 3 β Little Manβs Diaper Dash!
Thanks Kathryn – I’m excited about 2017 as well! π
Let the spring training begin! I look forward to following your training cycle as always! I’m starting mine in January. I’ll definitely be linking up!!
That holiday run sounds like so much fun! What a great way to get your miles in and have some fun too!
Heather @ 3 Black Cat Co. recently posted…Dopey Challenge Training β Week 24
Did you get to see what Elizabeth was eating haha? Love the training linkup idea, I’ll start posting my training recaps in the new year π
Yay – so happy you will join!
Sounds like a fun race! I’m debating one if the Denver races in May so I could visit my daughter too – the Urban 10 sounds interesting.
Oh! Bolder Boulder – are you considering that? It’s been on my bucket list forever!
I didn’t hear that you got into Berlin! Awesome! Congrats! So we will have the same schedule with HM training in spring & full training in fall. Cool! I start training this week & will definitely join your linkup. Here’s to a great training cycle!
Here’s to a great training cycle indeed, lady! I’m excited that we’ll be doing the same schedule again π
OH! I’m delighted to see that you’re doing a weekly link up for training recaps; you may just motivate me to start writing these again! I’m excited about your Berlin entry and can totally agree that a local spring race is a good choice. This sounds like a good one and great job on getting back into training!
Tara recently posted…2016 CASA Half Marathon