The goal of training last week was keeping my mileage high. I struggled a lot throughout the week with motivation, but I was able to get quality mileage in. Right now, my goal is to start and finish the Big Cottonwood Marathon healthy.
Training through the summer has humbled me more than any other training cycle. There have been a lot of days I questioned whether I wanted to run Big Cottonwood. I do, but ask me if it’s more enjoyable to run 17 miles in 60 degrees or 85…the answer is easy.
Anyway-
| Monday: | Easy 30 minutes |
| Tuesday: | Easy 60 minutes |
| Wednesday: | AM: 5X1000 with 90 seconds recovery (total mileage 11) |
| PM: 5 Easy downhill miles on the treadmill (elevation drop 650) | |
| Thursday: | 3000 Meter swim |
| Friday: | Easy 60 minutes |
| Saturday: | Personal 5k: 20:43 Total mileage: 8 |
| Sunday: | 17 mile Long Run |
Week 1: Hello Humidity
Week 2: Half Marathons and Workouts 57 mpw
Week 3: Travel and More Travel 53 MPW
Week 4: Training: Beach Runs and Long Runs 52 MPW
Week 5: Training: Workouts and 10ks 46.5 MPW
Week 6: Firecracker 5ks 47 MPW
Week 7: Swim Races and Running for Toilets 56 MPW
Week 8: It’s Very Hot 58 MPW
Week 9: Tetris Runner 56 MPW
Week 10: Long Week and Personal 5ks 54 MPW
Thoughts:
As I mentioned, training the last week has humbled me. I’m in the part of training where I seem to question myself and wonder my “why.” My goal is to start and finish healthy. I’ve got a strong enough base for that. I don’t have a time goal for the marathon because it’s downhill, and I can’t compare the weather here in NJ to weather in UT. I will be happy to finish healthy and strong.
Workout Wednesday: 5X1000 with 90 seconds jog
I averaged about 6:45 pace for the 1000s which is not where I would like to be. I was happy to accomplish the workout and felt heavy the entire time. When I checked the weather (after the fact), the dew point was 74. I did 5 miles downhill on my treadmill in the afternoon. Since Big Cottonwood is a downhill marathon, I know I need to work more on that. During the Pheonix marathon, the downhill shredded up my quads.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0lh-L6gu4z/
Swimming:
It was my first time getting in the pool in two weeks, so I was happy to get back to it. Not much else to say,I’m happy to get back into the pool again.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0oDeuJF9hI/
Personal 5k (20:43, 6:51, 6:40, 6:34)
Life got busy last week, and on Saturday, I wasn’t able to make it my 5k. Instead, I decided to run a solo 5k. When I hit the first mile in 6:51, I was somewhat defeated but was able to pick it up and negative split. I’m happy with my effort and making the best of the situation.
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0tqt50FhZG/
Sunday Long Run: 17 miles averaging 8:14
I decided to take a field trip into Philadelphia (to be fair, it’s 10 minutes away). I like running around the Schykill because it’s 8.4 miles around and I know I have bathrooms, water, etc. I also do better with “loop” or “out and back” runs. Despite the heat, I was able to negative split and my last 2 miles were my fastest (7:46,7:47).
In all, I’m happy with the week. I did what I wanted despite hiccups.
Posts from the Week:
Sea Legs Shuffle 10 Miler (1:13.03)
Finally, have you subscribed to the LOLZletter? It’s a free newsletter that comes out each Monday. In the newsletter, I share running industry trends and things relevant to the sport. This week is all about recovery+a giveaway.
Questions for you:
How was your week of training?
When is your favorite time to train?