Just like that, it’s race week! On April 23, I will toe the line of my 41st full marathon, the Vienna City marathon in Austria. (Well, hopefully! As I learned with the Amsterdam marathon, the time that I tested positive for Covid the day of our flight from London to Amsterdam for the marathon, you just never know what will happen! But, running Vienna in a week is the plan!)
My last marathon was my 40th one (read the full list all of the marathons I’ve run HERE), the Porto marathon in Portugal (catch up HERE.) It was my backup plan when Amsterdam fell through due to Covid. I loved Porto and am actually glad I ended up running there, though the temps were pretty warm and I barely snuck in under 4 hours.
At Vienna, I would love to get a good-for-age time for London (sub-3:50), but if I don’t get it here, we are running the Dublin marathon in the fall, so I will just try for it again then! My primary goal is to have fun and enjoy the experience.
Anyways, here’s how this past week went in training!
Monday: We were still up in the Lake District in northern England; we awoke to pouring rain, but I was determined to get in a short run before sitting in the car so I headed out solo for a short 4 miler. I was soaked…but hey, we lucked out on the weather the rest of our visit, so one rainy day on the drive back to London is no big deal!
The picture doesn’t do it justice, I was DRENCHED.
When we returned home, I did an Iron Strength session on YouTube focusing on arms & abs.
Tuesday: 7 mile run before work with 15 minutes of tempo in the middle. I meant to go into the office, but our laundry machine is broken, so I had to stay at home to be there for the handyman. Turns out, the machine is totally broken and the landlord has to buy a new one; ah, the joys of renting! We may have to go to an actual laundromat soon, as between Dustin and me, we accumulate a lot of running laundry! We aren’t sure how long it will take to obtain a new machine…
Wednesday: Run commute to the office, 4.7 miles. Regent’s Park is blooming!
Then another 3.3 miles for a work social run.
After work, I did some core and barre on Peloton; I’m stepping back from Iron Strength for now as I approach the race and doing just the bare minimum for strength training until after the marathon.
Thursday: Rest day from running; I found a great new PT/sports massage place that is very close to my office, so I was able to step out over lunch for a 30 minute appointment to work out my legs. I’m dealing with some weird knee pain that the PT believes is IT band related, but it’s not in the normal location but rather the outer bone below the knee. The soft tissue work really helped (plus a rest day from running!)
Still plenty of walking for the day (maybe 3-4 miles between the commute and dog walks) + a little bit of core and barre on Peloton after work.
Friday: 7 miles of running with Ruth before work.
I had to laugh at this blurry sign at Primrose park that reads “Sorry this area is muddy;” honestly, the whole city is muddy. We are constantly cleaning off muddy paws!
Ruth was doing great on the run, until we ran past a little kid holding a croissant and she literally just snatched the croissant out of the kid’s hand and kept running! I was so embarrassed and stopped to ask if I could pay for the croissant or go buy another one, but the mom said “oh, don’t worry, she’s just a puppy.” Except…she’s not. She’s 3 and is obviously not well-trained. Argh.
Followed up the run with some core and stretching on Peloton.
Saturday: A very short long run- just 10 miles! A highlight is that I saw the actor Brian Cox from the show Succession in Primrose Hill. Apparently he owns a house there and is often hanging out at a bakery on that street. (Anyone watching Succession? Episode 3 of the most recent season was so intense. But so good!)
Afterwards, I had a haircut/color and then some time at the Heath with the dogs. Saturday evening, we met up with a couple of Americans we have met here (they are from Seattle) for dinner at the Lady and the Grape in Covent Garden followed by Cabaret, which was a fun show. One of the actresses, Aimee Lou Wood, is from the Netflix show Sex Education (I only watched the first season of that show, should probably come back to it.) Lovely evening in London with some new friends!
Sunday: Slept in a bit after a later night at the theater before Dustin, Ruth, and I went for a 6 mile run.
Summary: 40 miles of running.
And now its race week; I’m looking forward to seeing 42km of a new-to-me city, Vienna! We are spending a few extra days there after the race as well. If you’ve been to Vienna, please share your tips or must-sees!
I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner; check out their blogs to connect with other fitness bloggers for workout ideas and inspiration!
Sorry, I am laughing at Ruth’s croissant swipe! I’m glad the family was understanding!
LOL on the mud warning. Looks like all that rain has made for pretty flowers in the park.
I hope you have a great time in Vienna — when do you head to Austria?
I am SO glad the family didn’t get upset, I was really embarrassed, but Ruth was very proud of herself.
We leave for Austria Friday (tomorrow) and come back on Tuesday!
I can only imagine the landlord saying something like: “Oh bullocks I have to buy a laundry machine for the Yanks” lol
Haha the croissant story is so funny!
It sounds like you are ready for Vienna! Good luck to you!
Ha, you’re totally right! Our landlord is British but is living in Dubai. He’s very responsive though considering the time difference. Our new machine is working great!
Is your laundry machine one of the combined washer/dryers that are commonplace in Europe? If so, what do you think of them?
Hi Eric! Yes, it is one of the combo machines. I hate it! If there’s one thing Americans do well, its laundry machines, ha! The dryer function doesn’t really dry anything, unless its a VERY small load, so bedsheets and towels are tough. We bought an electric heated drying rack and we essentially use that for all drying. The wash function is…fine, but again, the size makes our American machines look MASSIVE!
I wan in Vienna after college graduation decades ago! I do remember how beautiful and hilly it was. Can’t wait to see your photos. Hope you have a fantastic time!
Hilly! Oh boy 🙂 Glad you found it beautiful, I’m excited to explore it!
Cheers to race week! Omg I’m laughing so hard about Ruth snatching that croissant! Lol! Glad the parent was a good sport about that. I remember seeing a wonderful performance by the Lipizzaner horses in Vienna. Also the coffee and desserts were amazing!
I’m so glad the parent was not too upset. Ruth was very proud of herself and she snarfed that croissant up real fast…
I have read about the horses! And I’m excited about the coffee and desserts (post-race!)
I’m excited for you! Vienna is an incredible city, and what better way to see it than to run a marathon. i can’t wait to hear all about it.
That’s a funny story about Ruth. Er, yes, let’s say she’s just a puppy! I can picture the whole scenario.
Good luck and have fun!!!
Thank you Jenny! I’m glad you have such a positive view of Vienna, I’m excited to experience it!
Go Jessie! Looking forward to hearing about your race and seeing inspo for our future trip with our daughter Vienna
Hi Ellen! Thank you! Yes, I will share all the details of our trip, though I already know it won’t be quite enough time, especially with the race being a big focus of it. At least we’ll get a good intro to Vienna!
Yay for getting to race week! I love the story of Ruth and the croissant – too funny 🙂
That Ruth..she’s a rascal!
Wow, Jessie, race week! I wish you all the best and especially no Covid or other nasties! Regent’s Park looks absolutely fantastic with all the trees in bloom.
Enjoy Vienna and the marathon!!
Thank you so much Susanne!
Ok, I’m cry-laughing at Ruth and the croissant. And I concur, she is just a puppy! Who loves croissants. So relatable.
That’s a lot of mud!
Yay for race week! I feel like it is absolutely time for you to get out there and kick some butt!
Oh, Jenn, thank you! you’re so kind.
Yes Ruth.she loved that croissant. There was no chance of taking it from her, she snarfed it down whole!
I just spent a week in Vienna last October for my 20th wedding anniversary. It’s a stunningly beautiful city! Visit St. Stephen’s cathedral, Schonbrunn Palace, and try to catch a classical music performance at St. Peters. Also an odd little attraction was the clock museum which I loved and nobody was there! I guess you have to be into clocks but I loved it!
Thank you Katie! These are amazing tips. I’m excited to see it all!
41st?! Wow!
I hope this one turns out the way you planned.
Enjoy the week and Good luck next weekend!!
Can’t wait to hear how it goes.
Thank you so much Darlene!
Let’s not think about any last minute crisis happening again! I am looking forward to seeing all the pictures of Vienna! Have an amazing trip and race day. I’ll be cheering you on!
thank you Lisa! Good luck to you this weekend as well!
That was so funny how Ruth snatched the croissant! I know it must have been embarrassing for you but I just pictured this really cute image of Ruth running with a croissant in her mouth 🙂 I hope it was yummy!
Hehe, Ruth was very proud of herself with that croissant, and yes, she thought it was very yummy 🙂
Oh no, the croissant story, that’s hilarious! How embarrassing! Enjoy the marathon, I’m on blog post catch-up still but getting there.
Haha yes Ruth is a naughty pup!