It’s funny how a simple phrase, a powerful quote or a song lyric can stop us in our tracks. How is it that someone we don’t even know can capture exactly what we’re feeling in a completely different context? As I finished my first full month of training last week, the words of Vincent van Gogh (of all people!) spoke to me: “I am seeking. I am striving. I am in it with all my heart.” After many months (and years) of running without a true North Star, my training feels fresh, strong and full of purpose.

As I’ve continued to build a strong foundation for increased speed and mileage, here is what the past two weeks of my training have looked like.

Week of February 5

• Monday: 4-mile easy run (9:12/mile average pace) pushing Baby rUnladylike in the stroller (Is running while pushing a stroller ever easy???)
• Tuesday: 5-mile treadmill run with 2 x 10 minutes during the middle of the run at tempo pace (7:30/mile) with a 3-minute recovery between each + a 60-minute sports massage
• Wednesday: 45-minute crazy hard strength training class called Hot Cardio Sculpt that is a HITT style workout in a 90-degree heated room … all I can say is HARD and HOT!
• Thursday: 5-mile easy run pushing Baby rUnladylike in the stroller that felt anything but easy (9:25/mile average pace)
• Friday: 45-minute spin class at 6 a.m. + 20 minutes of foam rolling while watching the Olympics
• Saturday: 11-mile run with friends at 5:30 a.m. (8:59/mile average pace)
• Sunday: REST

Week of February 12

• Monday: 3.25-mile easy run pushing Baby rUnladylike in the stroller (9:00/mile average pace)
• Tuesday: 4-mile progression run (in 98% humidity, sigh) with the first two miles easy and the last two miles at half marathon effort (9:41, 9:20, 7:45, 7:38) followed by 15-minutes of runner-specific strength training exercises
• Wednesday: 50-minute circuit training class alternating fast bursts of speed on the treadmill with strength training (1.2 miles of running total during the class)
• Thursday: REST (up at 3:30 a.m. to fly to NYC for work and in meetings until 9:30 p.m.)
• Friday: 4-mile easy run (9:12/mile average pace) at 6:30 a.m. along the Hudson River in NYC (It was raining and 53 degrees and glorious!)
• Saturday: 10 miles at 5:30 a.m. with friends (8:49/mile average pace) + 15 minutes of foam rolling and stretching after the run
• Sunday: 1-hour barre class + epsom salt bath + 10-mile evening bike ride with Mr. rUnladylike and Baby rUnladylike to the park and dinner

Find more of my daily training updates on Instagram.

What are you training for and how is your running going right now?