Countdown to the NYC Marathon

The countdown is on to the New York City Marathon–40 days until the big day! I knew this training cycle was going to be short, and I’m already sad it is going to be over before I know it. This will be a much shorter build-up than I would like, but the logistics came together so nicely for this race, I couldn’t pass it up.

long sleeve shirt (similar) | shorts (similar) | Tracer360 Vest | sports bra | shoes | watch

I upped by lighted-game this year and recently purchased a Tracer360 vest. As far as I know, this is the best there is for making yourself as visible as possible during early morning or late night runs. There are blinking lights, a reflective stripe, and neon colors all the way around your body. The vest is very customizable for size and really lightweight. I’d highly recommend getting one for yourself. I got mine at Skinny Raven Sports if you are local.

Here’s a look back at my workouts from this past week. I feel like I hit a new level of fitness this past week, and I have been feeling really fit and strong! (I’m sure the lower temps are contributing as well. 😉 ) I ran 67 miles this past week with one workout, one double day, one weight lifting session, and a long run with a workout inside it.

Monday

8 miles | easy run – hilly route | 8:22 average pace

I could tell I didn’t recover very well after my long run the day before, so my legs felt pretty beat up during this run. Instead of relaxing after my long run, I spent the day unpacking and cleaning my house. I also did a poor job refueling and paid for it with some tired legs. I spent some extra time foam rolling and stretching, and I also took an Epsom salt bath.

Tuesday

6 miles | easy run | 8:06 average pace

My hamstring/glute still didn’t feel great this day, so I went in for some PT and dry needling on it. It is that time of the year when I am starting a run in the dark, running during the sunrise, and finishing when it is light. . . .my FAVORITE!!

Wednesday

10 miles | workout – 3 x 1 mile | 7:28 average pace

40 minutes of weights at the gym

I nailed this workout! It wasn’t the bulk of five mile repeats I had a couple weeks ago, but I thought I might race on Saturday (I ended up not.), so I didn’t want to overdo it. I’ve been doing some of the workouts I did last year for my Twin Cities Marathon build-up, and this was one of them right before I ran a 1:24 at the Skinny Raven Half Marathon. I wrote in my notes last year that the paces came easily, so I’m hoping I’m close fitness-wise to where I was last year.

Thursday

AM run – 8 miles | easy run – hilly route | 8:12 average pace

I have been trying to incorporate hillier routes into my training since NYC is not a flat course. Most of the routes that I run are fairly flat, but I do have one that is hillier, so I’ve been trying to run it once or twice a week.

PM run – 5 miles | easy pace | 8:07 average pace

I went out for this second run once Craig got home from work since Cullen didn’t want to do a stroller run. It was a really nice fall afternoon, and I felt good, which made it even more enjoyable.

Friday

10 miles | easy pace | 7:59 average pace

I love this 10 mile loop I do. There is a paved path the entire way, and I rarely have to stop for traffic. Every time I run it, the time goes by really fast, and I get some good views of the mountains. I felt especially strong and fit on this run!

Saturday

Off

I took this day off since I had run 6 days in a row, and I’m trying to be smart and take breaks since my body isn’t conditioned to run 10 – 14 days in a row quite yet.

Sunday

20 miles | 2 x 5 miles @ GMP (goal marathon pace) | 7:13 average pace

Splits:

1st set – 6:50, 6:50, 6:44, 6:46, 6:42

2nd set – 6:51, 6:50, 6:47, 6:46, 6:42

I was so incredibly happy with how this went! I could not have asked for better splits, and I felt good all the way through mile 20. My friend, John, joined me for 16 of these miles, and it made all the difference. The weather was perfect (a little windy running south), but otherwise a picture-perfect fall day.

Total: 67 miles

shirt | shorts | shoes

I don’t know if it is just the cooler temps and lower humidity, but I feel like I’ve hit a new level of fitness this last week. Things have been going really well, and I’m getting excited (albeit nervous) for the NYC Marathon. Cullen and I leave in about a month, and it will be here before I know it! Let’s hope this nice fall weather sticks around through October as well!