Happy Sunday!
We just got home from a fun-filled weekend of camping in Northern Minnesota, and now I’m here with my weekly recap of training for my 30th marathon, the Houston Marathon on January 20th!
Here’s how training went this week:
Monday: Run commute home; I added on a bit to make it 7 miles and ended up running into Dustin out on his run; he took this pic of me with my run commute gear!
Tuesday: I took a 5:30 am ALTR class (50 minute HIIT/strength class) before work. After work, I joined the Oiselle Volee for their bi-weekly “Flight Club” at Surly Brewing. We ran 6 miles and then had a post-run pint.
I’m so glad I joined the flock! It’s a fun group of women.
Wednesday: Another run commute in the rain. This time about 8 miles.
Thursday: My speed workout of the week was 6x800m repeats with a 2 minute recovery jog in between. With a 3 mile warm-up and cool-down, I ended up with 9.8 miles. Thank goodness I could combine it into a run commute or I would not have time for that much! It was POURING by the time I finished; I was completely drenched but managed to shower and look presentable in time for an 8 am meeting!
Friday: We had plans to head to Itasca State Park this weekend to camp. I was up very early Friday to do my long run. After the run, I worked a half day from home and then took the afternoon off so we could hit the road to get to our campsite before dark; it’s about a 4 hour drive to Itasca.
My long run was 40 minutes easy, 60 minutes ‘moderate’, and 20 minutes easy; I did the first part with Matilda, dropped her off at home and picked up Dustin who did the 60 moderate with me, and then I did my 20 minutes at the end alone while he went on to finish his long run.
2 hours of running equaled 13 miles- my longest run post-broken leg!
It felt like a significant accomplishment to hit that milestone. It has been 7 months since I ran that far!
My leg has been feeling pretty good. Though my paces are still slower than they used to be, I’m grateful to be able to run that distance comfortably. It makes me SO happy to have running back in my life ‘full-time’; for the social, for the convenience, for the runner’s high, for ALL OF IT.
P.S. I used a Spring gel for this run- it was good! The texture was more like applesauce than the GU brand gels that I often use; it was more like the Huma chia gels, but a bit more filling. I think I like it!
Saturday: Rest day. Camping at Itasca State Park!
Man, it got COLD overnight! I think the low was in the upper 30’s. BRRR! It did warm up close to 70 during the day, but it was definitely a brisk fall camping weekend.
We ended up doing a ton of hiking at Itasca State Park; I didn’t track it but I’m sure it was a lot! The park is huge with tons of beautiful trails.
Itasca State Park is actually where the headwaters of the Mississippi River are located. It was pretty cool to check it out- a bit of a quintessential Minnesota bucket list item!
Sunday: 5 mile run with Dustin and Matilda (our dog) back to the headwaters from our campsite in the brisk morning (48 degrees!). We had the place to ourselves at that time of day!
Summary: Almost 49 miles of running, one strength class at ALTR, lots of hiking.
49 miles may seem like high mileage, but training for Houston is officially underway- 17 weeks to go!
I dread the day that it’s any bit slippery outside as I know I will be on the treadmill A LOT later in the training, but I’d rather run the treadmill than break a leg again (and miss Antarctica AGAIN.) But before I get too far ahead of myself, I’m going to enjoy a few months of the BEST running season, FALL!
Thanks so much for reading and be sure to check out all the other great weekly recaps that are a part of HoHo Runs and Taking the Long Way Home ‘s weekly recap link-up!
Congrats on another running milestone! It’s hard to believe that January is 17 weeks away. It will be here before we know it.
I know! Seems crazy that the end of January is looking just a marathon-training-season away!
Wow, 49 miles! Are you feeling it in your ankle? Or do you feel pretty much back to normal?
Funny, yesterday my hubs and son went to 5 taprooms in Chicago and my son asked me about Surly brewing. Is it a Minneapolis brewery?
Yes! Surly is a popular Minneapolis brewery- great beer! What fun you and your family must have had yesterday in Chicago! It’s amazing how many small breweries have popped up.
That is a huge milestone! Congrats on hitting the half marathon mileage mark. To me, that sounds pretty cold overnight to be camping but it looks like a gorgeous area. Plus, you had Tilda to help keep you warm, right? Ha — I’ve seen the other end of the Mississippi River. Thanks for linking!
It was cold! I wore all the layers and zipped up tight in my sleeping bag. Tilda has a “bark bag” sleeping bag for dogs but she preferred to squeeze into either Dustin’s or mine, ha!
How exactly did you stop at 13.02 and not run the extra 0.08 miles?!?!
Is that still a borrowed watch? Or did you replace your Fenix yet? Inquiring minds want to know!!
Haha, I know, I didn’t realize how close I was, I was so focused on the 2 hour time frame my coach gave me 🙂
I replaced my Fenix 5s with the same one. So far, it’s been a lot better than the last one. I think that one just a dud!
Congrats on that big milestone! Your mileage amazes me…I ran 31 this past week and that seemed like a lot LOL
Run less, run faster works for you! That’s awesome 🙂 Different plans work for different bodies!
Congratulations on your 13, that’s brilliant, and what a lovely strong week. You must be so relieved and happy! Love your pics esp the one wrapped up warm with Matilda, very sweet.
Thanks Liz!
Congrats on hitting 13 miles! That must feel great after all the work you put in to get back to running. Your camping weekend looks like a lot of fun, but I can’t believe how chilly it was at night!
I know! It was so surprisingly chilly! But better for camping than a really HOT day, right?
Congrats on your long run and longest mileage since your injury! You also ran so many miles this week!
I love that you are able to incorporate running into your morning commute to work.
Thanks Kim!
I so want to visit the Mississippi headwaters and that sign, but not if it involves camping.
Completely agree with you re: full time role of running and how many roles it fills.
What kind of headlamp do you wear? Apologies if you mentioned brand previously, I don’t think I saw it.
Haha, well, I’m not an avid camper, but I enjoy it every once and awhile. Always appreciate my soft bed afterwards!
I use the Black Diamond Sprinter head lamp. It’s the best! Rechargeable, super bring, doesn’t bounce! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CS9PH7J/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=thrifi-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B07CS9PH7J&linkId=f6428c32e0f04fed9360aa104e8b1f25
Thank you!
You’re very welcome!
Tilda looks so cozy wrapped in a blanket. Congrats on your longest yet so far! Sounds like a fun weekend!
Thanks Lacey!
Totally agree, hands down, fall is the best running season
It sure is, thanks for stopping by Erin!
Congrats on your longest long run for this training cycle! Great job.
The park looks divine. Only we are not campers. We’d have to find somewhere to stay outside of the park. 🙂
Thanks Judy! There was a lodge at Itasca that probably would have suited you 🙂
It sounds like you had a fun weekend camping and brrrr, high 30’s sounds cold when we’re used to summer temps. I don’t blame you, I’m sure I’d be unbelievably cautious running outside during the winter after what you went through last winter. Keep up the great work!
I know..I’m going to be so nervous any time it might be a little slippery!!!
Upper 30’s was chilly, even for sleeping.
Congrats! I had a stress fracture last year and I know how weirdly relieving it is to get back into double digit runs after an injury!
Definitely! I missed it so much 🙂
I love Spring Energy too! No boo-boo belly during or after my long run. #Houston #oiselle #commuterun
Hi Kelli- are you running Houston as well?
Houston is on my bucket list – it’s held on or around my birthday so I’d like to run that the full as well. Soon, I’m running the International Detroit Free Press Half. I enjoyed reading about you and your sister staying at the Marriott at the Renaissance Center…we will stay there too. Keep up the awesome work. #headupwingsout
How fun! Good luck at the half, enjoy the Marriott!
wow look at you back to 13 miles already! That’s fantastic. I cannot wait for cooler nights and chilly mornings
Fall is the best! Just not what comes after…
So I am declaring you are my hero this week – for that run commute on Thursday in the rain, in the morning, and still being ready for an 8 am meeting! Wow!
Also that 13 miler – you have come so, so far, well done!