Training Week 98
I am training for the Milwaukee Marathon on October 2nd.
Day 680 | August 29, 2011: rest
Day 681 | August 30, 2011: 4 m run
I ran 4 miles with Steven’s brother, Andrew (in Kansas City on a trail by their dad’s house). Andrew and I are shoe twins! He just got the Asics Cumulus 12s. We wear different sizes though, ha ha.
The run was hilly and humid. But I got to see new parts of the trail, and I think hills are almost always good for me… even if it’s a 100 foot hill.
Actually, the hills in Kansas City kind of scare me – it even hurts to run down them. I guess I need to get better at running downhill.
I had fun running with Andrew! He isn’t training for anything right now, but plans to run the Corn Maze “5K” again when he visits in October.
Distance: 4.0 | Temp: 75° | Time: 42:20 | Avg Pace: 10:34 | 1: 9:58 | 2: 10:54 | 3: 10:53 | 4: 10:32
Day 682 | August 31, 2011: 5 m run
I was too tired to get out of bed early for this run, so I went out close to 10:00 am, when it was already in the 80s. So… the run was hot and hard. The intense sun and heat kind of made me feel like I was going to throw up. I am ready for that part of summer to be over!
The cool thing is, running 5 miles this morning brought my August mileage to 170.3 – that is my highest monthly mileage ever!
Distance: 5.0 | Start Temp: 80° | End Temp: 88° | Time: 52:48 | Avg Pace: 10:33 | 1: 10:26 | 2: 10:20 | 3: 10:33 | 4: 10:40 | 5: 10:43
Day 683 | September 1, 2011: rest
Day 684 | September 2, 2011: 12.4 m run + 9.66 bike (includes 1 m run at end)
Since our long runs together have been going so well, Erin and I decided to meet again this week to get our long runs in. The only problem is that we could only meet on Friday, and the high was in the mid 90s. We decided to tough it out. We survived Chicago, right?
We met at Waterfall Glen, an almost 10-mile loop crushed limestone path I have been wanting to check out (it’s about an hour from my home). The first 12 miles (my portion of the running) flew by. I hadn’t seen Erin in four. whole. days. and I had so much to say (ha ha)! We took walk breaks every 2 miles, and I did my normal water and GU thing (drink a ton of water, GU every 4 miles) and even carried an extra water bottle because it was so hot.
Waterfall Glen was beautiful!
Then I got on the bike so Erin could finish out her last 10 miles. The hills got hiller, and the sun got hotter (it was in the 90s)… it was tough! She said it reminded her of how awful the Chicago marathon was (heat wise and dead legs). I tried to be encouraging, but I am not sure how much I helped. I got off my bike and pushed it so I could run the last mile or so with her.
And she finished – 22 miles! With goosebumps and very sore legs. I was mean and wouldn’t let her sit right away – fluids, ice packs and food first – then a pseudo ice bath standing in the stream (which required some maneuvering to get to, but felt oh so good).
Then we finally sat in our cars as we drove to get a late lunch.
It was a really hard run for Erin and not ideal temperature-wise, but she toughed it out and did great. I’m proud of her!
And like I told Erin, now that we bought matching tank tops for our October 2nd marathon, it’s guaranteed to be cold (too cold to wear them)!
Distance: 12.4 | Temp: 80° | Time: 2:12:24 | Avg Pace: 10:40
Bike Time: 1:57:38 | Distance: 9.66 (ran last mile) | Avg Speed: 4.9
Day 685 | September 3, 2011: rest
Day 686 | September 4, 2011: 9.2 m run
My plan was to wake up early and run around my college campus (I was in Ames, Iowa). I did wake up early, but I never made it to campus. I had a bathroom emergency and had to run back to the house. So… 3.5 miles in.
Oh, I should point out it was in the mid 50s. That’s almost 40 degrees cooler than when I ran on Friday!
Anyway, I wasn’t sure if I would get any more mileage in, but I asked Steven’s uncle if he wanted to bike with me, and he said yes. So we ran a mile and a half to a lake path (just under 3 miles) near their home, then ran back.
I wish I would have run more in college – this path was completed during my last few years of school but I never used it – this was my first time there!
The run was easy and the cool weather was refreshing. The bathroom issue was annoying though.
Distance: 9.2 | Start Temp: 56° | Start Temp: 60° | Time: 1:31:12 | Avg Pace: 9:54
Week Summary: 31.6 miles
Ugh, this week did NOT go as planned (too many rest days!) and I am trying to be okay with that. I ended up going to Kansas City unexpectedly on Monday, and that ate up my day. I got two runs in there, then was really busy at home on Thursday and traveling all morning Saturday then at a wedding the rest of the day. I really should have gotten up early (4:00 am) to run Saturday but was too tired. Oh well. I need a step back week! I’ve got my 22-miler next weekend! And it’s potentially going to be kind of crazy.
Themocracy
How great of you to encourage Erin on her run!! I miss Waterfall Glen! My husband was there this am and said it was perfect.
Wow, I’m super impressed with your mileage, especially considering how busy you were. Good luck with the 22-miler next weekend!
Um hello! You still ran more than 30 miles, even WITH a crazy schedule! Sometimes life happens – I’m always impressed at how you manage to get your miles in even while travelling…
Thanks. I feel like I should have more time when I travel (after I get to the palce) because I am not wasting time commuting, but sometimes I just don’t!
Sounds like you and I both had great months! Highest mileage ever for both!! You’re going to crush your marathon!
I didn’t have the best week either, but glad you made it to Waterfall Glen! I’m usually run there 2x a week. too bad I wasn’t there on Friday 🙁
Aw man! That would have been awesome to see you! Do you usually run an out and back there?
I honestly can’t thank you enough for being there for me for the rest of my run. I hope I didn’t freak you out too much with my emotional outbursts!
I think you had a great week. You needed a step-back week and you got one. And you still got mileage in while traveling which is always impressive.
I think you will be ok with a step back week! I do that every other week kind of and it does help to make you stronger! Keep it up! Well done on the 30+ mile week!