Liz Runs Reston

This blog is kinda a mishmosh of all the things I am interested in. Sometimes I post my styleblog stuff, sometimes my running, sometimes just silly things that pop in my head. I love Reston and literally run it, step by step I cover a few miles a day (when I'm not trying to make friends with a treadmill). I'm also involved in running Reston, as part of the Reston Association. Don't worry... I'm not just going to talk about running and Reston, I've got too many other interests! *archive

[missylizzylucy]

#FBF to 2014 • my 4th marathon • my 4th MCM in a row • my first time breaking 4 hours! . . I had an amazing plan in 2014. I PLANNED on taking it out easy. I planned on around a 1:58 half with a slight fade, and a 2:00 back half. I planned to stay with the 4:00 group. But things didn’t go as planned. . . During the first mile, the 4 hour group went left and I went right.... I lost them. Then I went to split my watch (timex) at mile 2 and it had stopped it self. Two miles in and I had NO IDEA my pace!! Then I remembered MCM has great 5k markers, so I ran 5ks, trying to keep them under 27. It felt easy! Then I hit the half with a PR 🤦🏼‍♀️ 1:51:13. I made an intentional decision to slow down and go for a 2:08 second half. . . The weather cooperated and I got to see my boyfriend at the time and my puppy 🐶 ❤️ around mile 18 (I think!). I finished the second half with a strong 2:05:57 for a finish time of 3:57:10. It took 4 years, a cool day, and the right mindset for me to break 4 hours. In fact, I didn’t do it again until Chicago 2017! (In 2016 I was 4:01:40) . . The marathon is a fragile beast. You can train perfectly and have the day go wrong - humidity, nutrition, illness- or you can have an amazing day that’s not backed by any kind of intentional training (2014 MCM and 2017 Chicago for me were both “surprise” PRs). But one things for sure, you have to respect the 26.2 distance and keep your mind POSITIVE!! . . #marathon #runwiththemarines #marinecorpsmarathon #goldenretriever #teamintraining #inspiringrunners #runningmotivation #runwalkrun https://www.instagram.com/p/BpZdC2JFDOS/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1i7svslf5zq3j

[missylizzylucy]

An hour of PT, a plan of action, and 🤞🏻I’ll be marathon ready in 5 weeks! Thanks, Danny from @vtfc11800 for reaching out to me to help me get back to my sport!! . . Honestly, I’m a big fan of physical therapy. It’s been the one thing that always been able to get be back to 💯! PT’s do manual therapy, cool things like hot lasers, dry needling, and they figure out what imbalances caused the injury to help make sure it never happens again! . . #physicaltherapy #reston #inspiringrunners #runningmotivation #marinecorpsmarathon #runwalkrun #injuredrunnerproblems #injuredrunner (at Virginia Therapy & Fitness Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpSir3pF8md/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=12ye6gb2vad0y

[missylizzylucy]

Sunday afternoon pool time! @breakfastofmarathons26.2 and @manda_k_runs did some aqua jogging (living that #injuredrunner life) while I goofed around in the water like a 6 year old! . . I fully intend to enjoy my two weeks of recovery until MCM and my next mini training cycle begins!! . . #marathonrecovery #inspiringrunners #runningmotivation #runwalkrun #teamintraining #swim #poolrunning #aquajogging (at Reston Community Center) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo7WVvPlw75/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1oayhk8svtecb

[missylizzylucy]

#TBT the #chicagomarathon finish line, hand up, just like we practiced at the @myteamintraining #inspriationdinner! . . I promise I’ll eventually stop talking about and sharing photos from the Chicago Marathon, but not today!! I had such a great time running with #teamintraining and can’t wait to pick another event to do with them!! . . #inspiringrunners #runningmotivation #runwalkrun #gallowaymethod #teamsparkle #curecancer #outforblood #grateful https://www.instagram.com/p/Bozcb7Ll_jo/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1js7z1087lf6i

[missylizzylucy]

#transformationtuesday from my first marathon to my fourteenth! . . I’ve run 14 official marathons. 14! And out of 14 marathons, I’ve only run personal bests 5 times, and not for lack of trying! That’s like a 35% success rate! . . After 14 marathons, I’ve learned to respect the distance and know that nothing is ever given. My progression, hasn’t really need a progression at all. It’s been huge time drops even when the training wasn’t there to back it up, and small plateaus when training predicted better outcomes. . . But after 14 marathons, I’m in a long term relationship with this distance. I see the day in my future when I’ve got more mental grit in the last few miles to not give up on my pace. I know that this isn’t a distance of progressive drops. I went from 4:31 (2011) to 4:09 in two years, to 3:57 (2014) the following year in the course of 4 marathons, only to not break 4 again until last year in Chicago, my 10th marathon- 3:44:45. And now, with a new PR, 3 minutes and 32 seconds closer to my goal, I’ve set my sights high. I’m still chasing the BQ, but I won’t stop there! Who knows, maybe by marathon 28 I’ll be another 49+ minutes faster!! . . #marathon #runchat #biggoals #runningmotivation #inspiringrunners #gallowaymethod #runwalkrun #teamsparkle #chicagomarathon #marinecorpsmarathon #grit https://www.instagram.com/p/BovBpFMFGI4/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=z48kenr601ah

[missylizzylucy]

#medalmonday my new marathon PR from the incredible #chicagomarathon! . . It’s still a mix of emotions. I’m BEYOND proud and excited for my #teamintraining team! A lot of best times, second best times, and first timers yesterday!! And we worked together and raised over $22,000 so far!! I’m so grateful for the race I was able to run. I’m proud of my PR in less than ideal conditions. But I know I was trained for faster. I know I gave up mentally. I didn’t want to be running alone. I wanted @naomi_gal to be there with me, excited by the time at 20 miles, and encouraging us both to keep digging. . . Now comes some tough decisions... do I try again before Disney? Or do I take a break from chasing the Unicorn? This training cycle feels like it’s been a year long endeavor... . . Today - I’ll celebrate, focus on the good, nurse my sore muscles, and enjoy some tacos tonight! . . #intervalrunner #runningmotivation #gallowaymethod #runwalkrun #teamsparkle #inspiringrunners #womensrunning @myteamintraining https://www.instagram.com/p/BorRokflLDf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s5xnlzdk46fd

[missylizzylucy]

Chicago. On Sunday. At Public House. . . This means one thing: Sunday Funday! https://www.instagram.com/p/BopvnKTlI7B/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=nw9uwtmcwuhd

[missylizzylucy]

Not the race I wanted today, but a HUGE PR! I’m grateful for the race I was able to run today. . . My only regret - not being mentally tougher on the back half, but that said - conditions were tough today, I ran my fastest back half ever by over 2 minutes, and I finished with the three Galloway Goals: ✅upright ✅smiling ✅wanting to do it again! . . 3:41:13 - still chasing that unicorn! 🦄 . . #chicagomarathon #teamintraining #runwalkrun #gallowaymethod #teamsparkle #intervalrunner @myteamintraining @jeffgallowayolympian #besttime #pr #marathon (at Chicago, Illinois) https://www.instagram.com/p/BopE8ohldOU/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bgc4q1709tgz

[missylizzylucy]

This team is ready! . . #outforblood #teamintraining #chicagomarathon #lls #llsnatcap #teamsparkle #gallowaymethod #runwalkrun #intervalrunner https://www.instagram.com/p/BonO4K6lUQW/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jboykqc7hujo

[missylizzylucy]

Over a thousand miles of training together culminates this weekend! 29.3 miles of fun planned in Chicago this weekend! . . We hit the expo today and now we’ve got the 5k, taco brunch, inspiration dinner, and then we’re running our A race - chasing that unicorn! . . #outforblood #teamintraining #intervalrunner #coachedbyjeffgalloway #runwalkrun #gallowaymethod @jeffgallowayolympian @naomi_gal @chimarathon #chicagomarathon #teamsparkle (at McCormick Place) https://www.instagram.com/p/BokryOal7vR/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=15j4a3qaqvk9d

[missylizzylucy]

One week!!! I’m so excited I can’t stand it!! (Right now) This taper has been a roller coaster of emotions. . . Feeling a little defeated by a nagging pain in my leg, then empowered by my last long training run, then bummed out by the BQ change, now excited about the pink glitter vinyl that I’ll use to put my name on my singlet. (@naomi_gal and I will be styling!) . . Taper madness is real!! 😂😂😂 . . But realistically, the worst case scenario for next weekend is that I finish my 14th marathon having helped to raise over $20,000 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! Not bad, not bad at all!! . . #taper #chicagomarathon #tapercrazy #running #thoughtsonrunning #teamintraining #gallowaymethod #racephoto #llsnatcap #outforblood #intervalrunner #bqorbust #runwalkrun https://www.instagram.com/p/BoXcXNiFhWV/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=140m7e9wamuxb

[missylizzylucy]

Happy birthday, Jenny!!! @creativejennyius @jennyskinner https://www.instagram.com/p/BoUuahzFgc7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7v11ml15te7e

[missylizzylucy]

Who’s ready for #tapertown!? We are!! Anyone else doing a two week taper? . . @naomi_gal and I crushed our last workout - 20 miles with 12 of them at or below goal pace - in the pouring rain 🌧 ☔️! . . I can’t tell you how excited I am to begin our two week taper! We’ve both made the mistake of peaking too early or pushing miles too close to goal races, but this year it’s all coming together! Two weeks to let the magic of sleep heal our beat up from training bodies, with short tempo runs to instill confidence in what we’re capable of! #chicagomarathon - we’re coming for you! . . #twoweektaper #runwalkrun #gallowaymethod #bqorbust #chasingboston #bestrunningfriends #teamintraining #womensrunning #earlyriserrunningclub #psirantoday #irunthisbody #playgoodr #goodr @goodr #latergram https://www.instagram.com/p/BoEr-iilkzp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=o6tsqvbovac9

[missylizzylucy]

A little over a year ago at the #richmondmarathon . . I’m having fun looking back and thinking about last fall! @naomi_gal and I crushed the Richmond Marathon on a COLD day in November. We had no pressure on us, and in fact, Naomi even tried all the new things on race day! It was her first run as part of #teamsparkle, the first time racing in compression socks, get first time running intervals, and her first time under 4 hours! . . Okay, enough time down memory lane, now it’s time to crush my last workout before taper!! . . #biggoals #runnergirl #runchat #intervalrunner #runwalkrun #gallowaymethod #chicagomarathon (at Richmond, Virginia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoEJ5GHFBWM/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1pxs55mbqbdhf

[missylizzylucy]

Came to see one of my nieces ROCK the end of her biking class!! She’s a two wheel master now!!! . . @naomi_gal @rei #reibikeclass #bike #cycling #goals #crushedgoals #twowheeler (at REI) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoCkqj0lZmp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1jv6ywrigcowi

[missylizzylucy]

#FBF to last years #chicagomarathon I can wait to run again in just over two weeks! This training cycle has been the hardest I’ve ever been through, both physically and mentally. But it’s nothing compared to battling cancer - that’s why I’m proud to run with #teamintraining again! #somedayistoday . . #chicagomarathon2018 #training #marathon #bqorbust #racephoto #irunthisbody #marathontraining #runnergirl #runchat https://www.instagram.com/p/BoAYFDXlp21/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zze1kjq5582f

[missylizzylucy]

Do you use races at training runs? We did today!! . . @naomi_gal and I hit the trail at 3:50am and ran from Vienna into DC to the start of the @nafhalf! The whole run was 29.2 miles of fun! (Or at least I’m going to choose to remember it that way!) . . When we started I literally wasn’t sure I’d be able to run at all. I was feeling everything that cramped up yesterday at the 8k. Luckily, Naomi had my back, kept me calm and distracted, which is what I needed, and by mile 7, it was all gravy! We easily found Lauren when we got to DC, dropped our packs, hit the potties, and finished up our pre-race 16 miles! . . The race was controlled and smooth. We probably should have run a little slower, but all in all it was a great day! 2:10 on the first half, 4:15 for a full, and 2:06:47 (by my watch) for the race! . . #nafhalf #marathontraining #gallowaymethod #teamsparkle #irunthisbody #runnergirl #celiacrunner #veganrunner #runwalkrun #overdistancetraining #ultrarunners #runnersofinstagram #womensrunning (at Washington Monument National Monument) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bnyk9ZulduX/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=oerf238fon4n