It was another solid week of training, and I’ve been feeling pretty good for the most part. There definitely were some challenging runs this past week, but I hit 60 miles, which I am really happy about because I attempted the previous week, but it didn’t happen. So I tried again this past week and made it happen!
Monday
6 miles | easy run with the stroller | 9:33 average pace + 30 minutes of weights at the gym
This was a miserable, miserable run. I opted not to wear my Icebugs, which was a big mistake–so many slippery spots, which caused me to run at a snail’s pace. Plus, we started running in the rain, which turned to sleet, and then ultimately snow. Cullen was cold and unhappy by the end, so we were both glad when that run was over!
Side note: this vest was amazing for the elements, and this long sleeve shirt is my go-to when the weather is in the upper 30s/low 40s.
Tuesday
AM – 7 miles | interval workout | 10 x 200 meters
PM – 1.5 miles | interval workout | 10 x 200 meters
I did not intend on doing 20 – 200s this day! I coached the Raven Run Club in the morning, and their workout was 10 x 200 meters on a relay team of 3 people, so each person took their turn running half of a lap. I joined the workout to make a full team since they were short people. I didn’t time all of my 200s, but I think most were right around 37 – 38 seconds. I wasn’t planning on doing another 10 – 200s that evening, but one team was short one person again, so I hopped in for another round of 200s. I didn’t run these quite as fast. The fatigue and soreness had already set in from this morning.
Wednesday
10 miles | easy run | 9:20 average pace
I opted to sleep in Wednesday morning and did an easy 10 miles in the evening. I ran to The Dome, coached our Intro to Running group, did a couple miles with them, and then finished up 6 miles afterwards. I got home at 8:30 p.m. that night, went to bed at 9:30 a.m., and then had to get up at 5:00 a.m. the next morning to go back to The Dome to coach again. Phew!
Thursday
AM – 6 miles | easy run | 9:10 average pace
PM – 6.5 miles | easy stroller miles | 9:28 average pace
So after sleeping less than 8 hours, I was back up running to The Dome again. (Thankfully my co-coach is back this week!) I felt okay running this morning, but my run in the late afternoon was miserable! Maybe one of the hardest runs I’ve ever done. My body was just done after 22 miles in less than 24 hours. It also didn’t help that I had a sizable lunch right before running, so tried legs + tired body + upset stomach + wind + loose snow + pushing the stroller all made for a tough run. I made it, but it wasn’t pretty.
Friday
7 miles | easy run on the treadmill | 8:26 average pace
I would have taken today off, but I wanted to be able to sleep in Saturday morning instead of getting up at 5:00 a.m. to fit in a run before work, so I ran these miles on the treadmill at the gym after dropping Cullen off at the child care. I listened to Ali on the Run podcast (which is one of my favorites!), and her interview with Emma Coburn. Afterwards I lifted, stretched, and did core for 45 minutes.
Saturday
Off – MUCH needed!
Sunday
16 miles | long run | 8:59 average pace
I was not feeling too confident about this workout, especially since Thursday was really tough! Overall, the run went okay–much better than the previous week, so while it wasn’t fast, it was more about putting in the miles.
That’s a recap on my training. I am thankful I was able to run the miles I did, and I am constantly motivated by doing well in races this summer. I’m targeting my usual summer races of Heart Run, Trent/Waldron Half Marathon, Twlight 12K, Women’s Run, possibly Anchorage Mayor’s Half Marathon (although that would be 3 races in 3 weeks, which is a lot), Hightail Half (formerly Her Tern), and Run Fest. Come on spring!
On Monday, Craig had the day off from work, so we spent the day together as a family since we rarely get an entire day together as Craig works during the week, and I work on the weekends.
I ran 8 miles in the morning–in the daylight! I felt good, and it wasn’t terribly cold out. I also wore my new Adidas Boston shoes, which I really liked!
After getting ready, we went to lunch at Bear Tooth Grill. I swear they don’t make a bad meal here.
I ordered the AK Sunrise Wrap, which was so good! Reindeer sausage, eggs, crispy potatoes, and kale in a spinach wrap. It was a lot of food though, and I only had a couple of snacks for dinner because I was stuffed the rest of the day.
After lunch we watched Fuller House and browsed around at the mall for a little while. It was the perfect low-key day and exactly what I needed.
Last, but not least, I have to give a shout-out to my athlete, Sam, who ran a massive PR at the Austin Marathon on Sunday. He cut 16 minutes off his time running a 3:20 and being that much closer to his big, dream goal of running Boston!
