WRD: Jumping back in with Intent

I imagine some of you are suprised to “hear” from me again in this capacity, but I feel like with the decisions I’ve made lately, I want to not only be accountable, but also show my intent! And joining the weekly run down is such a good way to do that, also get involved again more with others, and give and receive support!

So here I am!

So what are the decisions? Well I basically mentioned here in the Fit Five Friday – TLDR: I’m going to build up again to run a Half Marathon in October.

I’ll make this short and sweet – here’s my Weekly Run Down

Weekly Run Down Blogger Linkup
Join us for the Weekly Run Down!

Deborah and Kim are the amazing hosts for the Weekly Run Down! Feel free to join in as well to wrap up your week in fitness!

WEEK 31

Plan vs. Actual

Monday – 3.25KM walk, GLI gym 1 hr intake – no workout (appt w/different PT), 3.5KM biking
Tuesday – 3KM walk (office day) to and from train station
Wednesday – 3KM walk, W6R1 run, 6KM, GLI 1 hour, gym 55 min
Thursday – 2.22KM walk, gym
Friday – 2.75KM walk, W6R2 run , gym 55 min
Saturday – 2.5KM walk, parkrun in Alkmaar 5KM, 17/17 Dutch parkruns done!
Sunday 2KM walk, long run W6R3, 1.4KM w/u walk, 10KM run (!!!)

WEEK 16/2023

Monday – RPM 86, 3.5KM walk
Tuesday – 2.4 KM walk
Wednesday – 5KM run, 1KM walk
Thursday – 3KM walk
Friday – 5 KM run, 1KM walk
Saturday – 4.4KM walk
Sunday – 5KM run, 4.5KM walk

Some of you may not know I have a new job, which means a couple of things: I arranged a 1 hour lunch break Mondays and Fridays, as normally we only have 30 min, but that means I have to start work a half hour early as well.

I now work 4 days, 9 hours a day and my new day off is Wednesday. I had Fridays off for so long, it’s been quite interesting how difficult it’s been to switch! Also I have to go into the office at least 1 time a week, when I first started it was 2 times, now it’s Tuesdays. So basically Tuesday will never be anything more than just a walk-at-lunch day, because I have to travel to Amsterdam (I’m on the 6:30am train to be at work by 7:45am).

The last couple of weeks have been great as I now can exercise again during lunch! it’s making a huge difference!

Oh yeah and parkrun is still going strong! We just had event #81 on Saturday. The last time I participated in the WRD it was our first event!!!!

Highlight of the week

I’d say definitely today, Sunday! I changed my run intervals to 500m/100m after several weeks of 3min/1min and finally getting under 41 minutes on Wednesday. On Friday it was again over 41 minutes, but the difference of course was our hill in Sonsbeek park. Today we went out to my favourite running place in town, Meinerswijk. It’s a mostly flat 5KM round. I shaved 33 seconds off my Wednesday time. Definitely pushed it at the end but felt like I had it in me! I’m really feeling good about running again – it was pretty hard in the beginning and I really felt like maybe I should have just thrown in the towel.

Coming up Next Week

I will continue my 1km min per day walk streak (today is Day 113) in any case.

Monday – RPM, walk
Tuesday – lunch walk
Wednesday – intake new gym, run + walk
Thursday – King’s Day (big street party, likely only walking)
Friday – lunch run
Saturday – parkrun (participating)
Sunday – depends on weather and whether I have a program ready at the gym

That’s a wrap!

How was your week? Did you see Sifan Hassan win the London Marathon?? We were going out of our minds here!!! (When she is in the Netherlands, she lives here in Arnhem)

Comments

  1. Jenny says:

    I think a half marathon is a great goal! It’s good to put it out there on social media- I know for me personally it gives me accountability.
    Wednesdays are my day off and I love it. I love breaking up the week like that, and I love being able to run errands and schedule things you can’t do on weekends (like dentist appointments, etc.) Your work schedule sounds like it will definitely give you the time you need to train.

    1. Renée says:

      Hey Jenny! Thanks! I think it is a good way to have accountablity too. Perfect way to come back! I’m still getting used to the Wednesday, trying not to plan too much so I also have the down time that I need.

  2. Debbie says:

    Welcome back, Renee, it’s great to hear from you again! I look forward to following along on your journey as you train for your fall half marathon!

    1. Renée says:

      Thanks Debbie! Great to jump in again!

  3. Glad to have you back for the weekly run down. They are always my favorite posts to read and write. Sounds like you have a great new schedule to dive into!

    1. Renée says:

      Thanks so much Deborah. So glad to be back!

  4. Yay!!!! Welcome back!!! I also think a half marathon is such a great goal race. It’s along enough distance that one needs to really train for with endurance and fueling. It’s not too long of a distance, though, that the long runs are terribly time-consuming and your body doesn’t take such a beating from excess miles on the feet. Wishing you a fab training cycle ;-)

    1. Renée says:

      Thanks so much Kim. I know back in the day when I was more fit and running often Half were pretty “easy” to do. Now it seems like a big deal but if we don’t have a big hairy goal occasionally. where is the challenge in it? Am I right? ;-)

  5. Coco says:

    It’s always good to hear more from you. :-)

    It’s great you’ve got your work schedule worked out to have time for your workouts.

    I’m so impressed by “your” Parkrun, but really, you did that!

    1. Renée says:

      Thanks Coco! And sometimes I look back on photos and videos I’ve taken of parkrun and I think “wow, I actually DID this!!!” It’s an amazing feeling. More and more people are coming and connecting with one another!

  6. Susanne says:

    Hi there and nice to meet you! Lovely to get back to running after some time away from it. Several weeks with the same intervals is probably a good way to do it (I strayed away from it, made mistakes, and now I’m likely throwing in the towel myself). It looks like you’re doing well, and exercise during lunch break must be a great way to relax from work.

    1. Renée says:

      I did find your comment in spam! nice to hear from you. it’s slow going sometimes but we can only press onwards no? the lunch break exercise is making a huge difference!!

  7. Wendy says:

    Glad to see you back in the Weekly Rundown–it’s my main place to post my blog. Keeps me accountable and positive!! Even when things aren’t going well, knowing that other people are going to read my post helps me find the good in every workout. I hope your training goes well.

    1. Renée says:

      Thanks Wendy, it’s good to be back and I’m definitely thinking more about what I’m doing to report back on it.

  8. Shathiso says:

    So, happy to have you back here! This link-up is such a great accountability tool. Sifan did amazing and I thought of you when I heard she was from the Netherlands, but I didn’t realise she was from the same town! That’s wonderful – such an inspiration.

    1. Renée says:

      Thank you! it really is great for accountability! Unfortunately we don’t see much of Sifan anymore as she trains and lives in the US right now, but maybe one day we’ll “run into” her on the track again :)

  9. Cari says:

    That’s great that you’re able to bring in flex time both on your day off and lunch. My dad was offered Wednesday off and I couldn’t believe he didn’t take it, I’d love not having to work more than two days in a row – even though I love what I do. Glad to see you back here since I suck at the weekday ones.

    1. Renée says:

      There are definite advantages of having a day off in the middle of the week, but to be totally honest, I really miss my free Fridays. Glad to be back on the WRD. Slightly suck on the weekly ones as well haha!

  10. Marcia says:

    It’s great to see you back Renee and ramping up for a fall half sounds like an exciting goal! All the best with your training and congrats on the new job!

    1. Renée says:

      Thanks so much Marcia, really appreciate it!

  11. Jenn says:

    Welcome back! And I love your blog’s new look!

    1. Renée says:

      Thanks Jenn! and thanks for noticing!

  12. Michelle says:

    Great to see you back here! I think it’s great that you’ve been able to shift your schedule so you can get some lunch workouts in. Good luck with your half marathon training!

    1. Renée says:

      Thanks Michelle. It’s definitely helping to have the extra time. I honestly don’t know why these guys want to only have a half hour break with a 9 hour work day. It’s nuts to me.

  13. Liz Dexter says:

    Welcome back, lovely to see you here although I obviously see you on FB! A half sounds like a good plan. I have put in for the London marathon ballot so might need to get from 10 mins walk/run now to marathon by next April!!

    1. Renée says:

      Hi Liz! Wouldn’t it be wild if we both got into London? Now there’s a scary thought haha!

      1. Liz Dexter says:

        Oh it would be BRILLIANT!

  14. glad to read your posts again…

    I’d love to run London but it’s obviously cheaper to stay in the US so I’ve decided on NYC again.

    I’m happy on days I WFH because I can squeeze in a run… priorities!!

    1. Renée says:

      so you are going to do the marathon again Darlene??

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