Speed as in fast running… not drugs!
This morning I kicked up my standard five-mile run a bit with negative splits!
I set out to run all five miles under nine minutes and committed to running each mile a bit faster than the previous one.
In the end I finished my run in 43:37. Not too shabby for me!
I am beginning to think incorporating some speed work into my running might make running more fun for me and offer me a new challenge. Even though I’ve never been one to care about my time during races, I do enjoy beating previous race times and noticing improvement in my speed is very motivating.
We’ll see how Saturday’s half marathon goes, but I’m already itching to sign up for more races which is definitely a new feeling for me. I typically do a race every now and then and rarely book a bunch of races in a row.
But then again I’m also itching to stop all this running business and concentrate on more circuit workouts, yoga and strength training. Perhaps I need to rework my exercise regimen so make room for everything?
Breakfast
After my run, I was ready for a cold breakfast!
Last night I combined the following:
- 2/3 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/4 cup soy milk
- 3/4 cup Chobani 2 percent Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
I added another splash of soy milk to the oats this morning because everything was almost too thick this morning.
I loved the creaminess that the 2 percent Greek yogurt added to this mix!
Last week I received two of the new 32-ounce containers of Greek yogurt from Chobani and was pumped to see that they’re now selling their yogurt in even bigger containers! Anytime I can buy my favorite foods in larger containers to save on cost and packaging, I’m all about it. As someone who eats an inordinate amount of Greek yogurt regularly, the 32-ounce containers are right up my alley.
Now I’m off to the garage to drop my car off to get it fixed. Ryan is meeting me there and we’ll be a one car family for the next few days until I have my car back!
Claire @ Live and Love to Eat says
No such thing as too much Chobani! 😉
Bethany @Bethany's Befuddled Brain says
I love Chobani! It’s my favorite Greek yogurt along with Fage, but it’s whichever is cheaper that I buy.
I’ve been wanting to do speed work in order to improve my running time, but I’ve been feeling nauseous during my runs so I’m afraid to try something new at the moment.
Anna @ Food Fitness Frolicking says
Yay for a giant tub of greek yogurt!! I buy the jumbo chobanis too and they’re gone in no time!!
Have you ever tried full fat greek yogurt? It’s SO SO good!!
Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat says
Nice job on the workout Julie! I don’t love speed workouts, but I do love how they leave you feeling so victorious and hardcore after!! 🙂 Have a wonderful day!
briana says
That’s fast! I am slow and usually come in around 47 minutes on average for 5 miles. I love 2 percent greek yogurt!
Hope says
Those oats look so yummy! I had no idea that Chobani came out with jumbo size! Awesome! 🙂
Good luck with your car!
Meg says
You can never have more than enough Chobani 😉 Enjoy your day!
Kate says
your overnight oats look delicious I seriously am addicted to the creamy texture of them hot oats just dont do it for me anymore.. even in the winter overnight oats & iced coffee 🙂
Janine @ThePurpleGiraffe says
Mmmm Chobani – I loooove Greek Yogurt. I only wish that there were Organic options that came in large containers!
Emily says
I love speed work! I think it’s beneficial to add to your workout regime! Good luck being a one car family for a bit:)
Khushboo says
My mentality with speed is exactly the same: I am more bothered about finishing than my overall time but I get such a buzz seeing my times for a particular distance decrease over time!
Courtney Moore says
I just read the greatest article on the positive benefits of negative splits, hah! 😉 that is a great time for a 5-miler and I’m sure it got a little more of the blood flowing! 😉
Heather H. @ Run Eat Play says
Awesome job on the positive splits. When you first starting running were you as fast or have you becam faster over time? I always struggle with my time even though I’ve been running a while.
Joelle (On A Pink Typewriter) says
That dog pic is HILARIOUS.
It’s wet and dreary here so I wanted a warm bfast! This weather here makes me sometimes wish i was in FL too. 😉
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health says
Haha I love that you clarified what you meant by speed ;). And I enjoy speed work in the sense of doing intervals, but I hate it when I’m trying to do it for more distance running! And chobani is seriously amazing…now if only they could get the strawberry-banana flavor in the big containers 🙂
Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife says
I love playing with speed too–makes runs FLY by, and it is so much fun to have a goal to kick around 😉
I totally love Chobani. SO delicious!
alyssa - fashion fitness foodie says
were you running outside or on a treadmill this morning? i think running outside is so much easier!
Jacqueline says
Cross training is a valuable part of marathon training. The yoga, circuit workouts, and strength work you want to do now, you can, and it will benefit your run and probably help your speed and endurance. I wrote a few articles on this on my site. Anyways, if you want, shoot me an email and I can help. I just trained a 53 year old woman who only started running in June to run a half in 1:57:13 this past weekend. She was only running 3-4 times a week.
Melissa says
The pic of the dog…too funny! Being able to enjoy a run outside sounds nice!
Andrea @ Onion in My Hair says
I love following your half marathon training.
I signed up for my first one next year, and I’m really excited to formulate my game plan.
Good luck this weekend!
Alyssa @ Life of bLyss says
I’m so conflicted about race training vs. workout freedom. I love that I now feel like I can take exercise classes without worrying about how sore it may make me, but I also miss the challenge of tackling a killer mileage on the weekends.
and I’m definitely on the speed training train again… gimme those intervals! 5ks and 10-milers coming up have me totally changing up my routine from what it has been. 🙂
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Nice job on your speed work! I’m very much a goal oriented person, so with a challenge/goal in mind, I always work harder and have more fun with it. Way to go!
Cat @Breakfast to Bed says
When I was trying to get pg, I switched from fat free to 2% yogurt. I can’t go back. It’s too good.
Michelle says
This IS how running becomes addicting you know 🙂
Mandy says
Eating a peach chobani right now! definintely my favorite flavor 🙂
Kelly says
I am also a big Greek yogurt fan but I am a Fage girl.
Nicole says
I was just thinking the same thing about adding speedwork to my training plans. And tempo run. I HATE tempo runs.
Or maybe I need to become a cyclist.
The Kidless Kronicles
Jessi says
Love, love Chobani. I’ve tried other brands but always come back! I’ll have to keep an eye out for the bigger containers…we go through insane amounts every week!
I have a completly random question, but where did you get your bridesmaids spa robes? A girl I work with is getting married, and she is having a really hard time finding them. Yours were so cute!!
Gen says
Yuum!!! Those oats look awesome!!!
That run sounds tough!
Lena @ Fit on the Rocks says
I’ve been feeling the same way about running. I love it and am starting to really improve, but I feel like I’m not getting in enough ST. Must find more time in my days.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun says
Uh-oh! You’re beginning to sound addicted like me. 😉
I think its completely possible to work a bunch of variety in. I know I have to so I don’t go insane. And I too find speed work oh so fun.
Maggie says
did you run outside this morning? I want to run outside but it’s dark when i wake up!
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
i could never go back to 0% greek yogurt after trying the 2%. the creaminess is out of this worth… and totally worth a few extra calories!
Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie says
So glad your car is getting fixed!! That must be a huge sigh of relief. And I need those big tubs of chobani in my life! I already buy bulk size containers of hummus and it works out great.
Casey @ Pocket Full of Sunshine says
Great job on the run, Julie! I feel the exact same way—noticing an improvement in time is a great feeling and really motivating!
Leslie @ Body Won't Break says
I did SO WELL with eating Chobani daily for a while. I need to get back into it. And start buying it in bulk to save money. I usually eat the 0% but I might have to try the 2%.
And I love intervals. I can’t do them a lot since I am still just starting out with my healthiness journey, but it’s great to see a mile finished just that much faster.
kate says
i will say bigger containers doesn’t always mean less $$ per oz or gram or whatever. I usually try and look at the “price per” number on the tag rather than the cost of the actual item bc i’ve noticed with a lot of stuff (from ketchup to toothpaste), the most stuff for your buck is often one of the middle sizes. Prob not the case w yogurt since there arent’ as many sizes but just thought i’d share!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
I’ll have to keep an eye out for the extra-large Chobani!
Katie @ Peace Love and Oats says
I’m really getting into distance running, but I also want to up my HIIT workouts and strength training. There just aren’t enough days in the week!
Alexis says
Chobani is my favorite! I love the “fruit on the bottom”. My favorite Greek yogurt that always seems to go unnoticed. Hope you enjoy! Congrats in your new excitement for running! I’m envious! I tried the speed thing but was sore for 3 days. Been too scared since then.
Rosa - Fitness, Food, Fulfilled says
Speed work is definitely worth the results that you get. I got lazy doing it in the last few months, but when I did incorporate it regularly, I was able to shave about 20 seconds off my pace within about 6 months. So rewarding!
chelsea says
Wow that’s an amazing 5 mile pace non-race mode! I can’t go that fast unless I’m at a race haha. I try so hard when I’m on the treadmill, but I always end up hoffing off on the sides *sigh*.
Hilliary @ Happily Ever Healthy says
I have been wanting to make overnight oats for something different for breakfast, but with Minnesota’s cold mornings I just cannot bring myself to make them! Hope you have a wonderful day!
Amber K says
I only ever buy Chobani in the large containers, plain and vanilla FTW!
I love making overnight oats with it exactly because of how thick they get. Anytime my oatmeal is thick enough for me to eat with my hands is a good time!
Kait @ One Love Run says
I just did a half on Saturday and got a pr and my training was mainly yoga and strength training and maybe two runs a week! You really can make room for everything in your excercise program!
Tami says
When you figure out a way to strength train as much as you do and keep up with your running, please let us knew….I love to do both and it really messes with my schedule…..
Bee Goes Bananas says
That dog looks similar to my Zekey!!!
Charlie- The Runner Beans says
I’m trying to work on my speed work too although I have trouble pacing myself- every time I look at my Garmin my speed seems to vary dramatically! Guess I need to practice on the treadmill then hit the streets. Well done with the negative splits, that is fast for 5 miles!