I waited until the very last second to pack my suitcase, like always. What is it about packing that brings out the complete procrastinator in me? I frantically started throwing things into my enormous piece of rolling luggage (which no human in their right mind should try to pull, lift or hoist anywhere … just ask my husband and every taxi/Uber driver I’ve met in the past 14 days). I was headed on a two-week adventure that would include five different airports and six different hotels. It would include hot weather and cool weather. Fancy dinners, outdoor hikes and everything in between. I was packing costume jewelry and peep-toe pumps alongside outdoor jackets and every Brooks Running tank top, pair of socks and shorts I own. When I realized my bag weighed more than 50 pounds (which manic packing most certainly always guarantees), my husband insisted that I did not need three pairs of running shoes for this trip and counseled me to leave a pair behind. You can see where my priorities are.

I’m finally back in Florida after a wonderful and whirlwind trip that looked a little like this: Tampa, to Chicago, to Atlanta, to Portland, Maine, to Bar Harbor to Boston and back to Tampa. It has been a little while since I’ve shared a training update, and now you can clearly see why. My running has felt as chaotic as sleeping in a different hotel bed every two days, but it is the constant thread that joins the days and cities together.

Here’s what my past two weeks of training looked like.

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 July 27

• Monday: Ran 4 easy miles in Portland, Maine, along the Eastern Promenade Trail and through downtown with Mr. rUnladylike; we followed up our run with hours of walking around Portland

• Tuesday: 1-mile warm-up run in Bar Harbor followed by a 25-minute strength workout with Mr. rUnladylike in our hotel gym that focused on arms and abs
• Wednesday: 4-mile hike through Acadia National Park

• Thursday: 4-mile trail run in Acadia National Park

• Friday: REST
• Saturday: Ran 6.2 miles in Boston along the Charles River Esplanade with way behind Mr. rUnladylike; we then spent the rest of the day walking the Freedom Trail. My iPhone said we walked an additional 8 miles that day!

• Sunday: REST (spent the day flying back to Tampa from Boston with a layover in Atlanta)

In case you missed it, you can read all about my adventures in Maine here.

Week of July 20

• Monday: 1 hour of strength and interval training at Bodyssey
• Tuesday: 3 easy morning miles … my last miles while living at our beach condo
• Wednesday: 45 minutes on the stationary bike in my Chicago hotel before a long day of meetings
• Thursday: REST (I had every intention of going for a run through Chicago, but I woke up feeling terrible and couldn’t even think about running.)
• Friday: 1 hour of restorative yoga for runners as part of a running bachelorette party I planned in Atlanta for my friend Elizabeth

• Saturday: Back to School 5K in Atlanta as part of the running bachelorette party (I ran with one of my coaching clients at her pace … such a fun morning)

• Sunday: Ran 8 easy miles in Atlanta … it was so nice to be running with such a great group of ladies again!

What I’m Most Proud of

Exercising almost every day while on vacation/traveling and running in some incredible new places.

Where I Struggled

On every run. Seriously. I’m not sure if it is the heat or lack of miles or reduction in other cross training activities like cycling, but running is kicking my ass these days. I am slow as a snail. I haven’t run this slow on so many consecutive days than I have during the past three months. I haven’t had a breakthrough run in ages, although my trail run through Acadia was pretty wonderful. I also have a minor case of plantar fascitis in my right foot, which flares up often and makes everything less enjoyable. I am waiting and waiting and waiting to regain or find my mojo again, and it feels like I’ve been waiting an eternity. No matter what, I will continue to get out there every day and keep trying.

Thought for the Week Ahead

“We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.”
― Jawaharial Nehru

How was your week last week? How did your training go? What are you most proud of? Where were you most challenged? Feel free to share a link to your most recent training recap in the comments below.