I have a couple race recaps coming your way- the TC 1 mile and the Citytrail Loppet 10 miler. It was a busy week! But I don’t want to get behind, so here’s my quick weekly recap of training. Only 5 weeks until Grandma’s Marathon. I’m getting excited!
Monday: My parents were in town for a visit, so I had the day off of work. That didn’t stop me from getting up early to get my miles in! 8 miles easy before my parents had even woke up.
Tuesday: Parents were still in town- no work again! I could get used to this…I ran an early 8 miles with 12×1 minute “fartleks.” Later that evening, I did 3 easy miles with Matilda before dinner for 11 on the day.
Wednesday: 6 miles easy in the morning.
Thursday: 3 mile warmup for the TC 1 mile, race, and about 1/2 mile to cool down. 4.5 miles total.
Friday: 7 miles easy in the morning with my friend Lindsey, 5.5 miles easy after work for 12.5 miles on the day.
Saturday: 20 mile long run with the Calhoun Beach Running Club. My coach had me do 10 miles at goal marathon pace in the middle of this run. Those miles went okay, but I was really struggling during the final 5 miles of the “cool down.” The heat and humidity were a big factor, I’m sure, but this run sort of knocked me out for the day. I was really tired afterwards. It’s strange, because I ran 20 miles last weekend too and felt just fine afterwards, but this time it took a lot out of me. I may have to rethink my goal marathon pace- especially if its hot and humid, that’s for sure.
That afternoon, I took quite the nap before meeting up with my cousin for a few drinks downtown (Hi Kate!) She was in town to receive an award for her quilting store in Shelbyville. Check it out HERE!
Sunday: Dustin and I joined a few friends for the CityTrail Loppet 10 mile trail run. I knew I wasn’t going to race this, since I had such a full week already. My schedule from my coach just had 10 “very easy recovery” miles for the day.
This trail race was SO. MUCH. FUN. Stay tuned for a full race recap soon, but I have to say it definitely had some challenging terrain (where did all these hills and trails come from??) but I just enjoyed the course, which ended in the Sculpture Garden downtown. Loved it!
Summary: 71 miles! AH! I have never run this much. Some of you may be thinking, whoa, that’s too many for a middle-of-the-pack runner. I understand your concern. I know that high mileage doesn’t work for everyone. But I also know that low mileage (Run Less, Run Faster) doesn’t work for me. I tried that, and it didn’t work (read about it here)…. Who knows, when June 20th comes around, I might be saying that high mileage doesn’t work for me either! But for now, I’m willing to listen to my coach with the hopes that his plan and his knowledge of marathon training will work for me come June 20th. It does seem that a lot of success stories from my fellow run club friends involve higher mileage, so I’m sticking with it! 🙂
Other than running this week….We are dog sitting the cutest golden retriever this weekend. It has been a blast! It makes me want to get a second dog…
I hope you had a great week in fitness and/or fitness fashion!
Don’t forget to sign up for my giveaway of two Kat Perkins tix and Q.Cumbers picnic HERE!
I still have never done a trail race, but it’s definitely one of the next things on my to-do list! Nice job getting in your 20 miles — my husband just did his today and got caught in the rain.
There are so many trail races to choose from now, but this one is definitely one of the top ones!
Nice work to your husband- 20 miles in the race is not easy!
Wow!! That is some impressive mileage! Way to rock it! The heat and humidity have gotten to me too – felt pretty lethargic on a few easy runs. They say it takes a week or two to adjust, but I know I need longer.
I’m just keeping my fingers crossed for COLD weather at Grandma’s 🙂 I know from my Singapore training that I am not a humid/hot weather performer!
Nice! Great mileage! I’m excited to hear more about the trail run. Once I’m back to running – after baby #2 comes in July – I’d like to find some good trail races. I’ve never done one – beyond my CC days that is.
Oh, your due date is coming up so fast! I hope all is going well 🙂
If you were a cross country gal, you’ll love the trail runs in the Twin Cities!
Congrats on the mileage PR, Jessie! That’s incredible! I once got up to 67 miles while training for the Mankato Marathon a few years ago, and I loved it. I’m definitely am a higher mileage person, too. I got massively injured (ironically) when I tried the “Run Less, Run Faster” FIRST plan.
I can’t wait to read your City Trail race recap! I was unable to do it this year, but definitely want to try it next year!
That’s really interesting to hear Sara, that higher mileage worked better for you too! Thanks for sharing.
LOVED the CityTrail Loppet. Hope to run it with you next year!
[…] first. Let me recap last week’s training. It was a cutback week from last week’s super high miles. I think I’ll have one more big week before it’s taper time for Grandma’s […]