Happy first day of spring! We made it. It was a rough winter; it was definitely a rough winter for runners in Minneapolis! But there’s a light at the end of the tunnel and brighter (less icy!) days are ahead.
Here’s how training went for the Boston marathon this past week:
Note, I’m always recapping the previous week, or 5 weeks out, but technically Boston is just a month away, or 4 weeks from tomorrow. Exciting!
Monday: Intentional recovery solo run before work, 9:40 min/mile average. It was rainy/sleety/snowy (nice stingy ice pellets in the face!) which made the trails a bit slippery, so I was happy to slow things down.
Only had time for a 10 min core + 10 min arms on the Peloton app after work.
I’m back in the office 3 days a week. I much prefer work from home, but we did have a lovely view of the sunrise from the office this week!
Tuesday: Short speed workout- 20 min warm-up, 5x(1 min hard, 1 min jog, 1 min hard, 90 sec jog, 1 min hard, 2 min jog), 10 min easy. Trails were a bit better- some icy spots, but I could tell where the ice was to avoid it, even in the dark hours of the morning (with a headlamp.)
8 miles, 9:15 min/mile average. 10 min core + 10 min barre on Peloton after work.
Wednesday: I met my friends Isabelle and Sarah for easy miles before work; the temperature was above freezing (37, I think?) but that actually didn’t work out as well as we had hoped as the trails were crazy icy. All the melt from the day before was so so slippery.
We ran Bde Maka Ska and Cedar lakes, and Cedar Lake was a mess- lots of walking & tip-toeing across very slippery sections or huge puddles. Disappointing, as we all thought it would be a better morning!
8 miles, 9:35 min/mile average.
10 min core + 20 min upper body on Peloton after work.
Thursday: Busy day at work, but I had time to get away from my desk around 2 pm- so I was able to run in the sun in shorts!
30 minutes easy, 3 miles progression (7:40, 7:39, 7:15), 5 min jog, 1 mile ‘fast’ (7:19), 10 min cool down.
9.2 miles total, 8:10 min/mile average. Great run. Ruth did part of it with me- we had to run in the road through the neighborhoods as the sidewalks were still a wet/icy mess!
10 min core + 20 min barre on Peloton later in the evening.
Friday: Rest day from running! I actually had been experiencing some tightness in my right hamstring; I want to stay on top of it before it turns into something worse, so I made an appointment at Integrated Sports Chiropractic and Rehab to see Dr. Melissa Hennes; I used to go to her when she was at Orthology. She’s so great and I trust her. Her new practice is female-owned. All treatments are out of pocket; they don’t go through insurance, but it worth it to me (cheaper than a massage and better results!) She did a lot of soft tissue work and then some cupping on my hamstring and its feeling so much better already.
I’ve actually done all of the things for various injuries over the years- dry needling, A.R.T, Graston, EST (shockwave therapy/ electro-shock therapy), but hadn’t actually done cupping before. It was a little uncomfortable, but nothing like shockwave therapy. I’m a little bit bruised from it, but my hamstring felt SO much better after seeing her.
No running this day, but I did take the dogs for a walk and then did my daily 10 min of core; busy day at work too, which is no fun on a Friday, right?
Saturday: A big long run: 21 miles, 9 min/mile average.
I met up with my friend Christie, but we only did 5 together as she had a workout and my run was all easy. So for the 16 on my own, I listened to some entertaining episodes of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. It was 29 degrees when I started, but warmed up to 45 by the end. I had hoped this would be a 20+ miler in shorts, but 29 at the start is still a little too chilly for shorts for me, but I saw people out there running in them!
I did a loop of Bde Maka Ska, Lake Harriet (twice), and out to Lake Nokomis on Minnehaha Parkway; the parkway still had some icy spots- any of the wetness you see in the picture was actually ice, but easy enough to pop into the road to avoid it.
A route out Minnehaha Parkway meant a visit to Peter Cottontail on the Trail, who was showing his support for Minneapolis teachers (who are currently on strike.)
Daily 10 min of core, no other strength work, though we did a 2 mile walk with the dogs. Definitely got in my steps this day!
That evening, we grabbed dinner at Sidebar, the little restaurant connected to Surdyk’s Wine & Cheese shop. It was the perfect opportunity to wear the Lux Mock Neck Jumpsuit from Oiselle. My cross body bag is Oiselle as well. Yes, I love Oiselle for running apparel AND a dinner outfit! Honestly, the jumpsuit is so comfortable, I’m going to be living in it whenever I can.
Sunday: 7 miles with Dustin and Ruth, 8:34 min/mile average. It was 38 when we started, but warmed up quickly to mid-40’s and that sun was warm! I actually felt overdressed in a long sleeve (crazy, I know.) This Minnesotan had to strip to her sports bra for the first day of spring!
From negative temps last weekend to a sports bra run today!
Summary: 60 miles of running, daily core, and bit less strength on Peloton due to time constraints, but I did my best to fit it in, as I think it is very important.
Have you heard of runner’s feet getting wider and wider as they age? I used to wear an 8.5 shoe, then I switched to a 9 in most brands, and now the 9’s I’ve been wearing have been rubbing SO much on my pinkie toe as though the toe box is way too narrow now.
I’ve done a little online research, as well as asked my coach and other runner friends, and YES, your feet do keep growing as you age (as well as your nose and ears- look at how big they are on some older people!) My biggest issue is on the right foot, which is the broken leg side- maybe it swells up a lot when I run? But I honestly can’t ever wear my size 9 Saucony’s anymore, they hurt so badly during my 21 miler.
I ended up buying a MEN’S size 8 in the exact same shoe as their shoes are wider. I was worried that it would be wider all around, but I wore them on the 7 mile today and they felt so much better. I guess I’ll be wearing men’s running shoes from now on!
Having a good fitting running shoe is so important, but its crazy how quickly my foot seems to have changed. I will be donated some ‘gently used’ running shoes that just don’t fit anymore.
Anyways, on a different note, a friend on social media reached out to me that there was footage of Dustin and me on a promotional video for the Louisiana Marathon. How fun!
The Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge was lovely- except the wind of course, ha! Read my recap of that marathon HERE.
And that’s a wrap on life and training for the Boston Marathon!
I’m linking up as always with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner as part of their Weekly Rundown. Check it out!
Interesting on the feet/shoes. I haven’t noticed mine changing recently, but I feel like they did after I had kids, so maybe they did their growth spurt then.
I used to be the same way about Athlete as you are with Oiselle — loving their stuff for running and work (they used to make nice enough dresses) — but I haven’t been loving their lines as much recently. Having to go into the office definitely cuts into my workout time. ~sigh~
My ‘research’ (google and asking friends) told me that pregnancy changes your feet, but I don’t have a reason why my feet are getting so wide- and quickly, as size 9’s seems to be fine before!
I still have some Athleta items that I love for more ‘daytime’ than running- I have a jumpsuit that’s pretty similar actually, but from Athleta. Maybe I’m just a sucker for jumpsuits, as its so easy to get dressed. Ha!
Great week! We had a lot of slick spots yesterday, from all the rain we got on Thursday & Friday. Most melted, though after the first few miles but still scary! That’s interesting about feet, but I’ve been downsizing recently because it seems like the toe boxes are getting wider with my Brooks Adrenalines. Even with my thick socks, my feet feel like they’re swimming in there, LOL
Those slick spots need to spot already! Time for clear pavement please
Interesting that the toeboxes are getting too wide for you and too narrow for me!
I’ve been meaning to ask you your motivation tips for how to get out of bed and on the road when the weather is not nice. It’s nowhere near as cold here and we rarely get ice at all, but the thought of getting out of my warm bed to go outside is not appealing. What is your morning routine and how do you get out to freezing temps in the dark first thing in the morning?
Hi Elizabeth! I have been asked that before and I don’t know if there is one answer, except that I always feel so much better if I start the day with a run. Getting out the door is the hard part and even the first 1-2 miles can feel like a slog, but I let myself take those miles super easy and before you know it, it starts to feel good! I should write a post about my morning routine, but essentially I get everything ready the night before. I rarely eat before a pre-work run, only because I don’t… Read more »
Wow- what a week! I’m super interested in the cupping on your hamstring. I’ve never tried it before (and I don’t think it’s the right treatment for my foot) but it sounds like it really helped. Yes, I’ve heard of people needing bigger shoes. Birchwood Pie blogger always wears mens shoes. I need a really wide toe box- i’ve never tried mens shoes but maybe I should. I’m VERY excited to watch Boston! I “know” several bloggers who are running it. I always request Marathon Monday off of work (although I don’t tell them why I’m requesting it, ha ha,… Read more »
I don’t know if cupping would work on a foot since there isn’t a ton of surface area to work with, but maybe? Interesting to know about Birchwood Pie- glad to know I’m not the only one wearing men’s shoes now!
How fun that you’ll be cheering for Boston from Florida!
I’m so glad to see you thawing out! I was pleased on my long run today to see that there was no snow or ice. But when I started out this morning, the road and path were a little slick with ‘frost’. Glad it thawed quickly!
I had heard that about feet, nose, and ears. I’ve noticed it with my nose and it bothers me a lot! I see it in my cousins too. Getting older is SO MUCH FUN.
Have a great week!
We hit 65 degrees today! But of course it gets chilly again later this week…that frost can be slippery too!
The snow looks like it’s melting and the days look warmer! Yay!
I’m so glad the cupping helped with your hamstring. Super smart to get on top of it.
I’m very quick to go in for treatment- I’ve learned my lessons over the years!
Interesting about your feet changing sizes. I think I am having a similar problem and ended up switching to a wide size in the same size. I am still feeling a little bit of rubbing mine is on the inside near the big toe. Have you ever tried wrapping or taping your feet? I might try that. Super cute jumpsuit!
Hi Deb! I haven’t wrapped or taped my feet/toes- it seems like that would take up more “space” in an already tight shoe, ha! The men’s shoe seems to be working so far.
Thank you for the compliment! Jumpsuits are the easiest outfit to put together, ha!
A good week, and the view from your office is amazing! My husband is going back to the office one day a week from early April, which I have to say I’m looking forward to, guiltily. Hope spring sticks where you are now and no more slippiness.
Well, my husband is back hybrid as well, which means we had to hire a dog walker again, as the pups aren’t used to long days alone! They would probably be fine, but it makes me feel better knowing they get a nice long midday walk in
Ugh! Your weather! My sympathies. Even up here (where I wasn’t, LOL) last week was quite lovely weather for the most part. Glad you were able to get in a shorts run by the end of the week!
Fun to be in the promotional video.
Sorry about having go back into work, too. But the sunrise was lovely!
Yes, the weather was all over the place! It’s 65 today, but back to snow in the forecast by the end of the week!
I love that Peter Cottontail is always up to date on current issues. One of my co-workers is dealing with the teacher strike right now so her 5 year old son joined a few of our team calls last week
So glad that your hamstring is feeling better after the treatment. Definitely smart to deal with that now before it got any worse.
Peter Cottontail on the trail always takes a stand! I appreciate his awareness.
I’m sorry for your co-worker, I’m sure its tough to manage working and having kids at home again with not even virtual school as a distraction!
Looks like another great week!
I’ve used cupping in the past with great success – I wish I could find someone in my area that offered it.
You’re not alone on the change in shoe size – I’m wearing a half size bigger than I used to.
Apparently you can buy your own cupping kit and learn to do it! But I probably will stick to the specialists for now, ha!
Wow 4 weeks! Boston is getting so close! I’ve noticed older people with giant ears. So far I wear the same size running shoe I always have but I have become less tolerant of shoes that don’t fit perfectly. No time for any discomfort. Love the Oiselle jumpsuit!
No time for discomfort! I never wear heels anymore. Unless it’s a very special occasion but even weddings I’d prefer comfort!
Looks like Ruth was running you!
What a gorgeous sunrise! Is that the Mississippi or one of the lakes? You work eastern time zone, right?
Glad you found a shoe solution. Shoelution? Feet are so weird. My “dress shoes” size dropped when I lost weight, but yeah I went from an 8.5 to a 9 in a running shoe. I don’t understand it, but they feel good.
Haha yeah, I supposed she was out in front! Better than when she’s all over the place. I don’t work EST- I have direct reports in our NY office though. I think I kinda work all time zones some days
Shoelution! Love it
Early spring sports bra runners unite! I couldn’t believe how quickly I warmed up on my long run this weekend, too. Even got a bit of a shorts tan line!
My feet didn’t change after pregnancy, but I do notice that the same shoes differ across color runs. The pair of Cliftons I had prior to this one were great, but this pair has been meh.
Awesome week of running, Jessie! Solid 21-miler! Will you do another before Boston? Excited to see you there!
It was crazy how warm I got on Sunday and of course didn’t have a tank on under my long sleeve. I love the warmth after so much cold!
That will be my only 21 miler! I have a cutback this week (only 2 hours of running), and then maybe one more 18-ish, then just 10- then the race!
I’ve never tried cupping but I have tried ART. Very painful but hey it worked so I am sold. Hopefully I won’t need it again.
Yes yes on the feet. I keep sizing up but because my feet get flatter. I have tried so many shoes. They are great until they are not.
Lately it’s Topos… not sure how long I will stay with them.. so far so good.