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Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Marathon Training Monday - Week 9


Here's another edition of "my foot hurts a little but I can't tell if it's a big deal or not so I'm going to take it easy BUT not totally give up running yet". This week was similar to last, in that I ran 2 days instead of the typical 3 and did mostly cross-training at the YMCA. It definitely was not all rest and relaxation---but my weekend post- long run sure was! 

Monday: 1 hour gym cross-training (cardio + core)

Tuesday: 1 hour, 30 min run (9.5 miles)
Wednesday: 1 hour gym cross-training (just cardio)
Thursday: 1 hour YMCA vinyasa class (very low-key) + 30 min swim
Friday: 1 hour drills and water run (SEAL Team PT)
Saturday: 2 hour run (13 miles!)
Sunday: OFF
TOTAL MILEAGE: 22.5

I tried to start last week off strong by heading to the gym after work on Monday. My date with the YMCA included 45 mins on a cross-training machine and 15 minutes of abs/arms. I've started reading Once a Runner, on Garland's recommendation, so that kept me from getting too bored or creepy on the cardio machine. Is it just me, or is it really hard not to stare at people and evaluate their workouts? I can't help but note people's form (good/bad), wonder why they aren't (or are) pushing themselves harder, how many intervals or sets they're doing and what their motivations are...


My foot felt fine on Monday and during/after my gym date, so I decided to do the Tuesday AM long run with the team. We had 9 miles on the schedule, so many people started 15 minutes earlier than normal, at 5:00AM. Garland's still resting his Achilles, so I was on my own for waking up and getting there on time...so I chose to sleep in the 15 minutes and kill myself during the hour and a half to make sure I got to 9 miles. We did tempos over bridges again (my fav), which helped me make the goal distance plus some (9.5 miles). Looking back at my run by mile was a little crazy; my average pace is n-e-v-e-r under 9 min/mile! Total time: 1:24:51; average pace: 8:55; fastest mile: 8:10; slowest mile: 9:37.

Wednesday and Thursday were YMCA days again. I need to work on adding more core and arms into my workouts, in addition to learning to take better gym selfies... 



Saturday's long run start location was 25 minutes outside of town at Robious Landing. I was tricked into thinking it'd be a flat run during the first 15 minutes...then we went up, up, down and up. There was no speed work, just fun with hills! The Richmond Marathon is fairly flat with probably only 2 inclines (not hills), so practicing hills during training might seem a little unnecessary. Personally, I think running up hills makes me faster when running flat; and last year, it was fun to tackle those inclines while everyone else struggled! Total time: 1:58:35; average pace: 9:07; fastest mile: 8:40; slowest mile: 9:53.

I was spoiled and got brunch twice this weekend! Before Saturday's run even began, I had my heart set on PANCAKES. A friend and I drove to the SOTJ farmers market right after the run where I spent so much worthwhile $$$ on local produce and meat: tomatoes, zucchinis (only a few more days/weeks until they're done!), eggplant, spaghetti squash, potatoes, onion, garlic, NY strip steaks and a Boston butt. Needless to say, I was starving afterwards so after a quick shower Garland and I rushed over to Dot's Back Inn for a pile of these babies.



BUTTAHHHHHH.



We spent most of Sunday cleaning, grocery shopping, meal prepping (me) and reading/studying (him). It didn't give my foot a good rest---it was noticeably tired last night. And this morning both my foot and shin feel a little stiff and sore. Today, I'm thankful for a desk job so that I can give it a break before evaluating it for tomorrow's run. I'm curious to see what this week holds...I'm thinking it'll be more of the same cross-training > running. 

*Don't get injured, don't get injured, don't get injured*

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