As I’m gearing up for three big fall races, I’ve bumped up my training, and in doing so, I’m enjoying being outdoors as much as possible.
Monday
I stuck with my promise to myself and lifted weights on Monday morning early before my first client arrived. I was also able to sneak in a 4.65 mile walk at a 14:21 pace in the middle of the day.
Tuesday
Tuesday morning started bright and early when I met one of my friends for a two mile warm-up prior to our hill repeats. This doesn’t make sense to beginning or non-runners, but to an experienced runner it makes all kinds of sense. An easy warm-up gets the heart pumping, blood flowing, and muscles warmed up, making it easier for the body to move through the rigorous workout you’re about to do.
After our warmup we met our MRTT friends for our hill repeats. I ran a total of 8 miles, including 12 hills. My total run lasted 1:15:37 (9:27 pace).
Once I got home, I ran/walked 2 miles with a client 27:51 (13:46 pace). If you remember last week her pace was 16:39, so I was thrilled with her improvement. Her runs stayed the same pace, but with a lot of encouragement I got her walk pace must faster.
Wednesday
Again on Wednesday, I managed to get up and lift weights first thing in the morning before I got busy. That’s becoming the only way I can get it done, which is unusual for me.
Later in the day I went for a hot and humid 4-mile walk at a 15:09 pace. The blue sky was a complete contradiction to the temperature.
Thursday
Sadly on Thursday, our MRTT group ran with our friend Mary for the last time before she moves to Colorado. We’re thinking road trip to Colorado for a relay next summer! I did a 3-mile temp run in the middle of our 6-mile run (8:25 overall pace).
Once home, I ran/walked 2.66 miles with my client, and we finished in 38:55 (14:38 pace).
Thursday night we blew out our hair, put on makeup, and nice clothes (no ponytails and running clothes allowed), and met at a local restaurant to properly say goodbye to Mary. It happens to be the same restaurant pictured above where we park on Tuesday mornings when we run hills.
I ordered the petite filet, and it was really good. I was very disappointed because I’m pretty sure the grilled corn was canned and not fresh… Perhaps not, but it sure tasted like canned.
And since Erin’s ravioli salad looked both beautiful and delicious, I had to take a picture of it!
In addition to the ambiance, this restaurant gets bonus points for leaving a pitcher of water at each table.
Friday
Some days it happens, and Friday was one of them. It was a total rest day… no weights, no running, no lifting, and even no stretching.
Saturday
One of our MRTT chapter leaders is moving away, so we had a goodbye breakfast for her after our run on Saturday morning. I ran 12 miles in 1:55:45 (9:38 pace). Our run was a little different than usual in that we met after our run. Our goal was to start our individual runs at whatever time would have us finish our planned mileage at 8 AM.
Chapter leaders Erin, Amanda, and Elizabeth
Later on Saturday I decided to go on a second run in preparation for Ragnar, but quickly realized I was too tired after my longer morning run. I ended up walking 3.4 miles at a 17:56 pace.
Sunday
I rarely miss an opportunity to run with my BRF, so when Susan texted to see if I could go for a run, I didn’t hesitate. We ran 5.5 miles on our favorite trail at a 10:36 pace, which was a great recovery pace for me after my busy week of running.
Total weekly workouts:
Running – 29.5 miles
Run/walk – 4.66 miles
Walking – 12.05 miles
Lifting – 2 hours
- Questions:
- How was your workout week?
- Who raced this weekend?
- When is your next race?
Didn’t know you logged so many miles a week! Impressive! I did a 10k in Aspen last weekend it was a killer with the altitude but so beautiful.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Aspen Race for Cure 10K-Got O2?
I can only imagine how difficult it would be running at higher altitude when you’re just there on a short visit. We were in our early 20’s when we moved to Utah and then Denver. We hiked right away, but didn’t run for a few weeks after we had acclimated. I’m sure I’d notice it a whole lot more at my age now.
Wow – you had an incredible week of training!!! Way to kill those hill repeats!!! Love the way y’all celebrate your friends!!
Kim recently posted…The Good and the Bad = Life
I don’t love them when I’m doing them, but I love the way I feel when I complete my hill repeats!
I’m happy we were able to bid both MRTT friends a good farewell! They will both be missed!
Nice week of working out! I never could get our MRTT group launched here. No one ever could meet up! But I keep trying… I had a lousy week with ZERO weights. Boo on me. But hoping for a better week this time. My next race is Savanna Rock n Roll marathon! Training to BQ, hopefully!!
Jess@FlyingFeetInFaith recently posted…IRun4 Buddy Match: A Higher Meaning To Running
I hope your training goes well. Love chasing that BQ! Hope you catch it!
If mary is moving to Denver/boulder and needs running buddies, you know where to send her! I think your extra walks combined with two solid runs this weekend are good for Ragnar! We always end up with ridiculously hard legs in our mtn relays so at least one of the runs I did was an easy run. I will never forget 4 miles and 1000 ft gain at two pm in about 90 degrees on a dirt road with vans kicking dust in my mouth as one of the hardest and most rewarding runs ever. Because I never would have chosen to do it, you know? This was back in 2011.
Yes, Mary is moving just south of Denver to Castle Rock, I believe. I’ll send you guys an introductory tweet when I get a chance! I think I linked you up on Instagram last week in a comment, too. She’s great!
I have the second hardest leg in the DC Ragnar. I’m happy it’s my first leg so I can get it over with!
Glad you’re enjoying your outside time… preparing for big races is a great excuse 😉
There is a widget (ad) that keeps showing up while I’m reading your blog… I wouldn’t mind ~ but it covers up the words 🙁
[email protected] recently posted…Running News ~ Going for it!
Thanks for letting me know about the ad. I’m still trying to find a new theme that I like since my old one crashed, so my blog is still a work in progress. I’ll try to fix it this week…