I made it through the biggest week of marathon training for Indianapolis- woohoo! I’m really excited for marathon 33 (state #23) in three weeks!
My coach doesn’t have me step back too much yet; I still have an 18 mile long run next weekend. But the overall intensity and mileage are on the decrease over the next three weeks. Taper time!
Here’s how training went this past week!
Monday: 8 miles easy, run commute, 9:25 min/mile pace.
Monday was my 38th birthday; birthdays on Mondays are kind of boring, right? Dustin and I did go to dinner at Pizzeria Lola, one of my favorite local pizzerias. But overall a pretty low-key birthday.
Tuesday: 6 miles easy, run commute.
Discover Strength after work.
Matilda spent the day at the University of Minnesota veterinary hospital, getting more testing done related to her melanoma. We won’t get the results for awhile, but we’re staying optimistic.
They sent us the sweetest picture of her making friends with the hospital staff!
Wednesday: Workout Wednesday! 20 minute warm-up, alternating 2 minutes at tempo (7:30) and recovery minute at 8:40, 20 sets. 10 minute cool down for 10.5 miles at an 8:40 min/mile pace before work, run commute.
I was so sad to see that the water fountains are turned off for the season. It’s that time of year.
Thursday: Dustin was traveling for work, so I actually did not run in the morning. Instead, I left work right at 5 pm and ran home, covering the 5.5 mile route, letting out the dogs and feeding them dinner, and then headed out for a few more miles to get to the 9 miles on my schedule.
Then, more walking with the dogs.
It’s tough being a single-dog mom, especially with a wild puppy like Ruth! She loves to chew…She needs lots of exercise to keep her happy!
Dogs are a lot of work, but I love them.
Friday: 7 miles before work with my friends Christie and Julie; not a run commute for once! Discover Strength after work. More long walks with the dogs.
Saturday: 22 mile long run!
This will be my longest long run of the Indy training cycle. My friend Christie did a ton of coordination to plan for the small group of runners from our run club to do what we call a “Capitol Run” which is basically a point-to-point long run from the location of our club (the Calhoun Beach Club) to the state capitol building in St. Paul. This is essentially 22 miles of the Twin Cities Marathon route and is something our club has historically done for Twin Cities marathon training, but it’s a fun change of course for non-TCM runners too. Lots of fun and big thanks to Christie for planning it.
It does take coordination, as some runners have to drop their cars off at the capitol early and then get rides back to the start at the club, to be able to have drivers to take us all home afterwards. Christie also coordinated three awesome volunteers to host support stops for us along the way; thank you Sarah, Anne, and Isabelle! It was so great to have those amazing support stops along the way.
Of course, at one of the support stops, I forgot to turn my Garmin back on afterwards, so I missed a full mile…but I know from running this route a million times that it’s 22 miles.
22 miles at a 9 min/mile pace!
I was pretty tired afterwards, but Dustin was still gone, so it was up to me to exercise the pups. We went for TWO two-mile walks that afternoon; I covered a lot of ground in one day!
I didn’t mind being outside so much as it was a beautiful fall day, sunny and nearly 70 degrees. What a change from last week’s snow, right?? Amazing.
Sunday: Since Dustin was traveling, he didn’t get to participate in our run club’s capitol run. Instead, he had to do his 22 miler alone on Sunday. I ran the first few miles with him before he zipped off at his long run pace (7:15 min/miles- I can’t keep up with that!) and I headed home on my own, covering 7 miles total, 9 min/mile average.
It was such a beautiful sunny 65 degree October day. The trees have all changed colors and Minneapolis is gorgeous right now.
Summary: Another 70 mile week, 2 strength sessions.
That’s it for this week!
I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner as part of their Weekly Rundown. Check it out!
Wow you did have a pretty stellar week! Your run to the capitol sounds really fun (except for the 22 mile part ha) It’s always motivating to run somewhere new. Congrats on a great week!
Haha yes, 22 miles is a long way, but it was fun to do a less common-to-me route for that long of a run!
The Capital run sounds awesome! One of our local running groups coordinates a Boston Marathon preview each year that sounds similar. It’s a lot of planning but it’s awesome to run on the course with the help of some homemade aid stations besides the ones set up.
Yes, very similar to the Boston marathon preview, but on the TCM course 🙂
Great workouts this week! It’s always so much better to coordinate a group for a long run. We have a few groups that do a similar kind of thing for their long runs, although I usually just stick with running solo so I can run whenever I want to!
For the extra long runs, company is nice, but I totally get the upside of flexibility!
Happy belated birthday!
Wow, what a super busy week for you, with tons of miles! I’m glad that you will see a decrease in miles over the next 3 weeks – I’m sure your legs will appreciate it!
That photo of Matilda is just too cute!
Matilda definitely won over the hospital staff!
Wow! Another 70-mile week for you. That’s a lot of miles. You are gonna have a great race. Your Capitol run sounds awesome! I didn’t realize that dogs could get melanoma. Wishing for the best for your pup.
I know, who knew that dogs got skin cancer. It’s nuts! Thanks for the well wishes though.
Oh that Capitol run sounds fun (though the 22-mile aspect seems a bit daunting…especially at that pace!). Our leaves are slow turning this year, but are now just starting. It’s always so pretty 😉 The temps were SO perfect for my race this morning, and the sunshine was amazing…now that’s the kind of fall weather I can embrace! Congrats on a great week!
So pretty this time of year, and the best running weather 🙂
Wow! Amazing week for you! I look at that 22 mile route map and all the memories of the TC marathon come flooding back! I believe i ran that one the year before I ran Indy. It’s a great one and everyone was so super nice to us. That pic of Matilda at the vet is too cute! That had to make you feel good about having her there. Omg Ruth is such a sweetie too!
I’m so glad you had such a positive experience in my city for TCM!
Another 70-mile week – wow! And what a great 22-miler!
Belated happy birthday 🙂
Thank you Michelle!
So many miles, I could never do that! I love that you know your 22 miler so well, that’s very cool. I hear you on the logistics, too – just getting Jenny a 4 miler in the middle of our eight that returned her to her start point and in time for yoga was enough for us yesterday!
Love the pic of Matilda at the vet’s office and hope she’s OK. Love and strength to you.
Thanks Liz!
Uh, oh. What did Ruth get into? She is so cute. Looks like Matilda has the vets charmed for sure! Glad the logistics for your long run worked out. I hate when I forget to restart my Garmin!
Haha, it was a birthday gift that she chewed up 🙂
Congrats on a great week! One of my favorite parts of my long runs is taking our dog for a cool down walk afterwards.
I should change my mindset and think of it as a great cool-down/leg stretch, thanks Becket!
Happy belated birthday! Run logistics sund crazy. It’s similar )although much shorter!) when I do the Fort Lauderdale fun run. They shuttle us from the hotel and then at the end back to the run store from the hotel (which hosts the post-run beers) where some people park. The regulars are always happy to welcome the hotel guests to join for dinner, but then there’s no easy way to get back. I think you posted it to Insta or somewhere, but I loved Matilda lap dog. Fingers crossed you get the best news about her What is / was that… Read more »
The Fort Lauderdale run sounds like a blast!
Thanks for the well wishes for Matilda!
Ruth chewed up a birthday gift:)
If you’re ever in Fort Lauderdale for work or fun http://runningwild.com/funky-fun-run/ is awesome. The guy that organizes is great, it’s a small business and there’s free beer. Any better of a win win?
Ugh on the lost gift
That looks like a blast!
Oh yes, dogs are a lot of work, especially as a “single parent” — and especially as a puppy!
That photo of Matilda is precious (although I wish she didn’t have to be there).
22 miles + dog walking. Wow.
Happy Birthday! I gotta say you do NOT look 38 (then again, I could actually be your mom).
Aww, that is so sweet of you to say. Thanks Judy!
Happy belated birthday, Jessie! And sending all the good energy Matilda’s way <3
Much appreciated Erin!
Happy belated birthday!!!! Sounds like another solid week of running!
Thank you Eri, hope you are well!
Happy belated birthday! Your long runs sounds fun. I love knocking off a long run with a group of friends, especially when it becomes a tradition.
I hope you get good news from Matilda’s lab results.
Thank you so much Debbie!