I like to think of myself as someone who doesn’t {usually} make excuses. Sure, I have those days like we all have where an hour in front of the TV or an extra 30 minutes of sleep is what I choose over running and working out. But the vast majority of the time, I make my training and exercise a priority.

This past week, I felt like a fish out of water. I chose NOT to exercise for 3 consecutive days. Everything was out of whack: no writing in my training journal, no logging miles on Daily Mile, no tracking my meals. Was I being lazy and making excuses? Or was it something else?

I spent the first half of last week in Chicago for a work trip. Chicago, people – one of my favorite cities to run. The place where I had a breakthrough marathon and qualified for Boston for the first time.

And I chose not to run.

I had every intention of running. I had packed three running outfits, my trusty Brooks PureCadence, ear buds and even gloves and ear warmers in case the weather was too cold.

And I didn’t run.

Instead, I chose to sleep in. I’ve had a lot going on the past few weeks and I felt like I’d been hit by a Mack truck. I could have gotten up before the sun rose, but I didn’t. I could have made different choices and fewer excuses, but I decided my body was trying to tell me it needed a break. I haven’t been training anywhere near the levels I was last summer and fall, but I needed a few moments to be lazy, eat what I wanted and to give myself permission to disconnect.

I did. And now I’m back. Since returning from Chicago, I’ve had solid, strong workouts and feel motivated and re-energized.

Sometimes, all we need is a moment. Or in my case, 3 days.

Here’s what the past 2 weeks looked like.

Every week (or every other week) I share my weekly training and how I’m taking action against my 2015 goals. I also share the one thing I’m most proud of from the week and the one pitfall that has challenged me the most. Then, I invite you to do the same. There is a place at the bottom of this post for you to share a link to your weekly recap for others to come and cheer you on or offer you support. If you don’t have a Web site, simply share about your week in the comments section.

Getting Sweaty and Stronger

My fitness goals for 2015 are to stay in half marathon shape year-round (20-30 miles of running per week and long runs of 8-11 miles) and get stronger (2-3 strength training and cross training workouts each week).

Week of March 30

• Monday: REST (took two complete rest days after the Savannah Half Marathon the previous Saturday.)
• Tuesday: 45 minutes at Flywheel (23.7 miles)
• Wednesday: Easy 8-mile birthday run with Elizabeth from Running for Bling. Hello 33!

• Thursday: REST
• Friday: 1-hour restorative yoga at Exhale
• Saturday: Ran 10.3 easy miles at an average 8:40 pace (Later that day, we drove out to Lake Oconee for a wedding and Easter weekend with family friends.)

• Sunday: 30 minutes of strength training at Lake Oconee (5 rounds of: 25 squats, 25 push-ups, 25 sit-ups and 10 burpees + post-workout yoga and stretching on the dock)

Week of April 6

• Monday-Wednesday: Nada (see above … blah, blah, blah)
• Thursday: 1-hour at Orangetheory Fitness with Mr. rUnladylike, including about 3.4 miles of speed and hill work on the treadmill + 700 meters of rowing and strength training (I wore my new Brooks PureFlows that I got from Road Runner Sports during all the fast/uphill running, rowing and training. They feel really good, but I don’t think they are better than the PureCadence. I’m going to a VIP ladies night event at Road Runner Sports in 2 weeks and I’m going to run on the treadmill in my PureCadence, which they were out of last time I was there, to see if I can confirm my hypothesis that the Brooks PureCadence are the ultimate shoe for me. I’ll also be writing a review on the Ravennas and PureFlows very soon.)

• Friday: 45 minutes at Flywheel with Mr. rUnladylike (21.8 miles)
• Saturday: Ran 9.6 miles at 8:08 average pace, with 8 of the miles between 7:52 and 8:02

• Sunday: 1 hour of TRX at Fit: To Be

Eating Clean

My nutrition goals for 2015 are to cook most days of the week, limit sugar and bread intake, track my food daily and focus on eating clean(er).

Given all my travel during the past 2 weeks, I haven’t tried any new recipes lately. I have a great meal plan created for the week ahead and can’t wait to try a few new dishes, including an enchilada slow cooker soup and some teriyaki pork chops. I’ll share them during my next training recap if they pass our taste bud test. You can keep up with recipes I’m pinning on my recipe and food Pinterest board.

What I’m Most Proud of

I’m proud of my “long” run this week. My friend Elizabeth needed to run 10 miles at marathon goal pace (8:00/mile). I wasn’t sure if I could keep up with her given my limited running this week, but we had a strong run. I ran 8 out of the 10 miles between 7:52 and 8:02 and ran two easy miles toward the end before picking the pace back up with her to finish.

Where I Struggled

I’ve been reading a number of running books lately from both elite runners and sports medicine experts (read my recent review of Meb for Mortals here). One of the things that has really dawned on me is that I need to be more religious with stretching and injury prevention exercises, more intentional with my strength training and that I need to build in running form drills regularly. It’s the little things that keep us healthy and differentiate good runners from great runners. My goal for this month is to commit to doing the small, daily things that will keep me running stronger longer.

Thought for the Week Ahead

“Any day I am too busy to run is a day I am too busy.”

~John Bryant

How was your week last week? How did your training go? What are you most proud of? Where were you most challenged? Share your comments and/or link up to your weekly recap post below.