CHECKpoint! Jan 24

The Ultra is 8 weeks from today!  I'm getting mileage in but I'm not even close to ready.  I might feel more prepared if I would have been able to get last weekend's long run done outside.  Hopefully next weekend... 

To complicate things, I have been distracted... which makes it extremely hard to stay focused!

Observations from my long run: Most of my mileage is done outside, with no flat ground (constant hills up & down).  Sunday afternoon, with a fresh snowfall, I ran my 12 miler at the gym. 

When I'm not on the trail, I'm usually on my treadmill at home where the incline doesn't go below 1.5 and I'm often wearing a weight vest.

Setting the treadmill on manual with no incline, my run felt effortless.  I also realised that my casual walking pace is now 4.3 mph (13:48MM) - really?!! This explains why people say I walk fast :)

Most of my run was done at 5.8MPH but I did play with speed, going as fast as 7.4MPH for a song's length (anything to get a long run done faster right?).

Conclusion: I think I'm getting stronger.  

My Checkpoint! for the week:

Fitness challenges/goals:
- Get back to gym (3-5 times a week)
- Run EVERY day in 2012 (366 days)
- 100 consecutive pushups (prep for Tough Mudder)

Events:
- NJ Ultra March 24
- PA Tough Mudder May 12

Accountability:
- Last week: 35 miles last week, 99 miles in January
- Running: 25 consecutive days
- Pushup goal of 100: I can do 36 consecutive push ups!

This week:
- Stretching: I have a new yoga video for my iPad (I have a yoga 'space' upstairs). I hope to try this a few times this week.
- Ultra training distances: 4, 4, 6, 10, 15 = 39 miles

How was your fitness last week? 

This is a weekly post through the Tough Mudder in May (maybe longer). Leave a comment with an update on your week or leave your blog/post link below. I will cheer you on!