Well, I made it through my biggest week of training for the Atlanta Marathon, which will be here on March 1!
Marathon training in February in Minneapolis definitely isn’t easy. But having the biggest week behind me is a relief; even if I have to do a lot of runs during the taper on the treadmill, I think I’ll make it!
Here’s how training went this past week!
Monday: 9.5 miles on the treadmill before work, 9:15 min/mile. One nice thing about the treadmill is that it requires a lot less layers! I was able to test out a new top from Rabbit; I thought it might be a good one for the marathon. It’s the “Speedeez” top, with “laser cut with bonded seaming construction for maximum comfort and reduced weight. Made from our new ultra- light, superior mechanical wicking, fast-drying rabbitSPEED fabric.”
It was very light, but a bit ‘stickier’ than I expected when sweaty; that could be because I was running on the treadmill with no breeze or air circulation to dry it out. I wish I could test it outside instead!
I had a Discover Strength session after work. At Discover Strength, there are “Iconic Trainers” which are a higher level/more experienced; though I like nearly all of the trainers I’ve had, it’s always a treat to get an Iconic Trainer as I feel like I push myself just a tad harder, so I was excited to have a session with David, one of the Iconic trainers, this evening. Great workout!
Tuesday: Easy 7 miler before work with the Tuesday morning run club, 9 min/mile.
Wednesday: Workout Wednesday! I feel lucky to have a dedicated friend like Christie who is willing to meet before 5 am to get in our miles. My workout was 3 miles easy, then alternating 600m at 7:45 and 1k at 8:15, for a full 10k of work, i.e. recovery at marathon pace, then 2 mile cool-down for 11 miles total at an 8:45 min/mile average. Done before work!
I parked at Christie’s condo downtown, but then got ready at the gym in my building. 11 miles complete and at my desk by 8 am!
Thursday: I managed to meet up with the 5:30 am run club while still making it work with a run commute. 9 miles total. Discover Strength after work.
Friday: Bonus run! I joined the group of guys at my office for a 6 mile lunch run. What a treat! We ran through the University of Minnesota campus, which always is a bit nostalgic for me.
Saturday: One final 20 miler…and this one was another doozy!
The temperature was below zero (I saw anything from -1 to -4 on different apps) with a real feel of -15. Sooo cold. I did about 2.5 miles before the club met, then had company for 16, then another 1.5 miles home for a full 20. By the last few miles I was really dragging- i.e. +10 min/miles. Running in that kind of cold is hard on the body; I feel like it takes a lot of energy for the body to stay warm enough, plus all those layers are heavy! I felt pretty beat up afterwords. Dustin took the pups to the dog park and I took a nap…I felt a lot better after that!
What does one wear for 20 miles in temps like that?
- Oiselle Flyout tights. These tights are pretty warm, but my one complaint is that they don’t stay up very well.
- Patagonia Capilene Air Crew base layer. This is THE best base layer for winter running and it’s on sale right now!
- Athleta Furry Balaclava Hoodie
- A final wind breaker layer, which was a coat I bought at the Indianapolis marathon
- Craft gloves
- A face mask
- A warm hat
- Smartwool socks
- Kahtoola nanospikes (and I wore them the right way this time!)
We ran a route that passed by a local community center a few times so that we could get water to take with our gels. I took 3 gels- one Spring and two Maurten gels- over the 20 miles.
We had a guest runner join us from Texas. She was quite a trooper to run in those temperatures too! But she’s an inspiration; she only started running marathons when she turned 50 and will be running her 8th Boston in a row this April. Amazing!
I love that running allows me to build a new friendship with a 60-year old woman from Texas that I probably would have never met otherwise!
Saturday night, we went to dinner at Bar La Grassa (one of my all time favorite Minneapolis restaurants!) with my sister and brother-in-law, to celebrate her passing her medical boards in Addiction Medicine. So proud! She’s so smart.
Sunday: Well, we woke up to about 6 inches of fresh snow, so I did my run on the treadmill. 7.5 miles easy while watching the documentary “The Pharmacist” on Netflix. Pretty good so far!
I did test out a fresh pair of Brooks Ravenna’s; this is my first pair of the 11’s. The Ravennas are my standard trusted shoe for many years, but this edition has a new lightweight, single-layer mesh upper. Felt great!
Summary: 70 miles of running- big week! 2 strength training sessions at Discover Strength.
Speaking of snow, I coach a few athletes who live in Atlanta, one of which sent me a picture from her long run on Saturday, which included a few inches of snow! What the heck! I thought I was going to Atlanta to escape the snow, ha!
I’m linking up as usual with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner as part of their Weekly Rundown. Check it out!
I know that last 20 miler felt good, even if in the cold.
Yes, I still love the long runs! That’s why I keep this whole thing up 🙂
Props to you for getting out in the sub-z for 20 miles! I runfess part of that run might have been done on the mill if I were in your shoes. My daughter told me about the snow in Atlanta but mostly she complains about how rainy it’s been. Enjoy your taper!
I definitely considered the treadmill, but knew I would have company if I went to run club, so I bundled up and toughed it out!
Holly told me they had snow in Alabama yesterday, so go figure. They’ll be back to the 70s in no time. I give you major props for training for a marathon in the winter! It is so hard to get long runs in when it is so cold–you nailed it when you said how hard it is to run and stay warm; how exhausting it is! My 10 this morning wasn’t it bitter cold but with the east wind off the lake, I was toast when I was done. It just wears you down! Curious about your run commuting–do you… Read more »
Yes! I have a shower in my building. It takes a bit of planning as I generally leave the clothes for the next day in a bag at the office the day before. I’ll alternate between driving to work and taking the bus so that I can run in when possible. It’s my favorite kind of commute!
My 7-miler yesterday felt kind of tough, due to all the layers. Isn’t it crazy how much we work to stay warm…and then how sweaty we get in the sub-ZERO feels-like temps LOL All of those long runs before work…WOW!! YOU certainly are a trooper to winter training 🙂
I like to get the runs done before work- leaves less to chance if I get stuck at work late!
Talk about being dedicated to your training! You really had some obstacles thrown your way with the weather but you did a great job at getting in all of your runs. I’m so excited for you to run Atlanta in less than a month!
I really love that Rabbit tank and I bet it will be less “sticky” when you wear it outdoors!
I’m hoping the same about the Rabbit tank- I love the pattern and was hoping it would be a good one for a day-after-the-Olympic trials race in Atlanta 🙂
Your description of running a 20 miler in sub zero temps for marathon training gave me chills…literally. I still feel the chill from having to run ALL of my 20 milers from my last spring marathon in single digit or sub zero windchills. Spring marathon training is tough! Way to get it done!
20 milers are hard enough without the crazy cold!
Wow you really do have to be super dedicated to train in Minnesota in the winter time! Very impressed with that 20 miler! Thanks for linking up and have a great week ahead
I can’t wait until spring!
Congrats on getting that 20-miler done! Might have to check out those tights if they were the only bottom layer you needed…I always need an insulated skirt when it’s <0.
Oh, I haven’t tried the insulated skirts, but I see a lot of runners wearing them!
Oh, man! Atlanta is going to be such a change in weather for you. That top looks cute, but sticky sounds icky. I’m sure a breeze would make a difference.
Fingers crossed for some sunshine in Atlanta!
Yay for getting you final long run behind you for this training cycle! Let’s hope the weather in Atlanta is perfect for your race. BTW, Atlanta got the snow we were supposed to get this weekend. The front stalled south of us and that’s all she wrote! So far we’ve only gotten about an inch of snow all winter. ;-(
That’s crazy! One inch all winter…
Congrats to your sister! And congrats on that tough 20 miler! That is challenging, for sure. Luckily it was in the teens for me yesterday, but sunny and not windy, so not bad. My last mile was actually my fastest, but those middle miles . . . and only 8, thank God! I lived in TX a long time. It can be cold in the south, it can snow — which totally paralyzes everything — but it’s rare. The snow is really rare. The cold happens every year, but the average temp in the Winter is 60, so usually the… Read more »
Thank you Judy for reading and commenting!
I love how running and blogging brings so many new connections and friendships you never would have dreamt of! Congrats to your sister! That’s just awesome 🙂
It really does bring together people who would have never otherwise connected…I love it! I will pass along your congrats to my sister! I’m very proud of her.
you really are my hero for doing that 20miler in those conditions. I’ve become a real wimp it seems!!
so, are you now tapering?
Sometimes I definitely wimp out! But having friends to meet for the run definitely helps.
Ha ha if there is snow in Atlanta, you will be the best trained athlete there to deal with it! Good luck Jessie, race day is so close and you’ve had a great training cycle.
Haha, good point 🙂
I hope there isn’t any snow on race day! Hills and snow? No way! Which headlamp do you use? I see it is a Black Diamond which I also have but mine is different. Kudos to you for running 11 miles before work. I am shooting for 7 tomorrow but we’ll see how I do. I’ve never run in the Flyout tights but love the Moto Lesley tights. Great job on your 20 miles and yes running in that weather is exhausting!!
Hi Zenaida- its the sprinter headlamp. I love it!
Eeek! Three weeks!
You’re looking strong and doing great! Is the heat going to be a huge adjustment for you?
I love the Ravennas. I will have to be refitted in a few weeks, because my injured foot is starting to supinate. I may be switching to neutrals and that will be a whole new ball game.
Interesting…I didn’t switch shoes after my injury, but I suppose that is pretty common!
The heat could definitely be a challenge- though I get pretty warm and sweaty on the treadmill. Hopefully that helps a little!
Way to go Jessie. You’ve done great training over a tough winter for running!
Winter running is not easy!
Great week! And good to know about the Pharmacist. Always looking for things I can watch on netflix (especially now that I’ve officially cut the cord!)
I love a good documentary!
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