Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links

 

Reston Century Goal Met

The week started with the Reston Century and in addition to having fun and not getting injured, I had one goal for riding this year’s Reston Century and that was to increase my average speed to above last year’s 15.1 MPH. I finished at 15.2 MPH and was thrilled. I watched my average speed drop from around 16.4 MPH to 15.1 after hitting the 3 significant climbs late in the course, but by pushing hard the final 10 miles I brought my average speed up to 15.2.

 

Overview of the Week

Before discussing each day’s workouts, here’s an overview of my workouts from this past week. Scroll beyond the infographic for daily details…

 

Sunday

Cycling: 101 miles
• Average speed: 15.2 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 5,341 feet
• Start time: 5:47 AM
• Location: Fairfax and Loudoun Counties, VA
• Weather: 69° and overcast, gorgeous sunrise, climbing to 80° and cloudy with 2 short rain showers
• What I wore: bike bibs and s/s jersey

I completed my second Reston Century under very similar circumstances to last year: overcast skies kept the temperature down for late August and my knee started hurting badly enough to have to stop and take Advil at mile 52. And just like last year, a mile or two later it felt fine. Unlike last year, we had two short rain showers. Overall it was a super fun day and I love that my husband and I do this together. I hope to get a recap written later in the week.

 

Monday

Strength training: 1 hour of total body

Walking: 2 miles
• Average pace: didn’t time it
• Start time: 7:02 PM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 70°
• What I wore: shorts and short sleeve shirt

I walked laps around my basement while chatting on the phone with my brother, but didn’t wear my Garmin (affiliate link) or get on my treadmill (affiliate link). I guesstimated the distance based on my pace and the amount of time I spent walking.

 

Tuesday

Cycling: 20 miles
• Average speed: 15.4 MPH
• Bike: LifeFitness Lifecycle Spin
• Surface: NA
• Elevation gain: NA
• Start time: 6:55 AM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 69°
• What I wore: bike shorts and jog bra

Walking: 1 mile
• Average pace: didn’t time it
• Start time: 7:34 PM
• Location: basement
• Weather: 70°
• What I wore: shorts and short sleeve shirt

Up early, I hopped on my spin bike (affiliate link) for an easy shakeout ride to loosen up my legs. Later in the day I walked laps in my basement, this time while chatting with my mom.

 

Wednesday

Running: 2 miles
• Average pace: 10:16
• Start time: 5:39 AM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 63°
• What I wore: shorts and tank

Walking: 1 mile
• Average pace: 14:39
• Start time: 6:01 PM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 63°
• What I wore: shorts and tank

Strength training: 1 hour of total body

Rolling: 10 minutes

Stretching: 10 minutes

Even though I had time later in the day, I decided to beat the heat and avoid the sun with an early morning run. After 2 miles of running on lead legs, I decided to walk the final mile.

 

Thursday

Cycling: 36 miles
• Average speed: 14.4 MPH
• Bike: Specialized Roubaix Comp
• Surface: paved
• Elevation gain: 1,375 feet
• Start time: 6:37 AM
• Location: W&OD Trail Ashburn / Hamilton loop
• Weather: 66° and sunny
• What I wore: bike shorts and s/s jersey

Two miles into my ride, I came up behind my friend Angela running on the W&OD Trail. I slowed and rode alongside her for a half mile as we chatted. Eventually, she turned off the trail and I continued on eastward to meet my cycling friends who were riding toward me from the east – they thought they’d missed me since I was much later than expected. Once we were all together, we headed west for our usual weekday loop minus the two side road hills.

 

Friday

Strength training: 1 hour total body

Balance and stretching: 45 minutes

Walking: 1 mile
• Average pace: didn’t time it
• Start time: 7:15 PM
• Location: neighborhood circle
• Weather: 84°
• What I wore: shorts and short sleeve shirt

Just before dark, I walked two neighborhood laps while chatting with my mom.

 

Saturday

Cycling: 32.6 miles
• Average speed: 12.1 MPH
• Bike: Cannondale Topstone
• Surface: gravel
• Elevation gain: 2,090 feet
• Start time: 9:10 AM
• Location: Bluemont Recreation Center
• Weather: 72° and sunny, climbing to 80°
• What I wore: bike bibs and s/s jersey

This ride started out rough and at two miles in I wondered how I would make it to 32 miles. Even though I’d eaten a bagel and a few bites of a protein bar before leaving home,  I wondered if I was low on fuel so I popped four Honey Stinger chews (affiliate link) and ate another few bites of my bar. Within minutes I perked up and by the halfway point I had not only caught up with the guys, but I was leading at times. Never underestimate the importance of fueling!

 

Yep, we rode gravel!

 

Last Week’s Blog Posts

In case you skipped checking in on my blog this past week, here’s what you missed…

 

Questions:
  • • Would you have reset your Garmin after riding so slowly for a half mile (or if you’d been running and had slowed to a walk for a half mile)? ~ I considered it, but didn’t.
  • • What was your favorite workout of the week? ~ Even though I had a blast during the Reston Century, my favorite workout was riding the last half of Saturday’s gravel ride.
  • • Did you run in a race this weekend?

 

And that’s my rundown… Have a great week!

 

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I’m linking up with Deborah at Confessions of a Mother Runner and Kim from Running on the Fly for their Weekly Run Down. Be sure to check out not only the hosts’ posts, but those of the other great bloggers joining in on the fun!

 

Disclaimer:  This post contains affiliate links which means if you click on the blue product link and then make a purchase, I will receive a small commission for referring you. You will pay no more or less for the product; however, Amazon will show their gratitude for my referral by paying me.