Happy Wednesday! Somehow the weeks keep getting longer and longer, lol! My last post was about going back and time and reflecting on my best race ever. Now I’m back in the present and talking about training for my next race: The 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Half Marathon. I’m linking up with Workout Wednesday, hosted by Diatta at Femme Fitale Fit Club and Sheila from The Frugal Exerciser!
[bctt tweet=”Week 3 Half Marathon Training Recap! #sweatpink #wowlinkup”]
1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Half Marathon Training Week 3:
Wednesday 4/29: Boot Camp and Softball really kicked my butt (and abs, and chest, and back, and arms, and legs!) so I needed to take a rest day.
Thursday 4/30: 5 miles featuring 3 miles of speed work. The goal was to run them at a 9:45-9:50 minute pace. I was so doubtful I could keep up, but my splits ended up being closer to 9:20! I felt overall pretty good but I was struggling to keep up in my last half mile before cooling down. The humidity and pollen were fierce! I had continued DOMS so I’m glad I was able to do as well as I did! Then I made sure to do a thorough foam and foot rolling (finally!) plus some squats.
Friday 5/1: I needed the rest! I even skipped Cardio Kickboxing since I was just so tired (lack of sleep) and didn’t need to add any more pain.
Saturday 5/2: 11-mile run…it was absolutely brutal. I didn’t start until 1 pm, which was dumb, but oh well. It started out okay and after mile 3 I just kept feeling worse and getting slower. The weather was warm but felt hotter than it actually was.
Sunday 5/3: 3-mile run followed by strides. I was nervous that I wouldn’t be able to handle it but I felt really good! Then I went and watched the Broad Street Run for a bit and cheered on a few coworkers and City Fit Girls. It was my first time going out to watch the race – it almost tempted me to sign up for the lottery next year!
Monday 5/4: Rest day!
Tuesday 5/5: I was all ready and set to go to Boot Camp and softball after work, but I was in a meeting until late so no workouts. I did do a lot of walking in the city looking for ways to celebrate for Cinco de Mayo!
Training Report Card
I have to be honest…I haven’t been as gung-ho about training for the 1/2 Sauer 1/2 Kraut Half Marathon as I was for Cherry Blossom, and it’s been tough to break out of it. My Saturday long run didn’t take place until 1 in the afternoon because I “didn’t feel like” starting any sooner. I loved doing the speed work, but that was before the weather jumped into the 80’s. So I’ve been a bit whiny lately about the weather, which I hate!
However, while I am a bit backed up – I have to essentially run Wednesday (hopefully), Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday – I am spending more time with my foot roller and foam roller and going back to the basics with hip strengthening exercises. I also need to do more squats, lunges and core work because once a week is not enough. I actually miss using the Nike Plus Training app because it was so easy to get into a routine and the time passed quickly, so I need to crack it open and squeeze in a good 30-minute workout!
With all that said, I’m giving myself a B-. Hopefully, I can go shoe shopping this weekend because I’m approaching 300 miles on my Adidas Supernova Glide 6’s and I’m interested in trying something new (this was my second pair). Any recommendations for a neutral running shoe that doesn’t have too high of a heel-toe drop?
How’s your race training going? Do you celebrate all of these May holidays?
I headed into last weekend’s half feeling like you do…not as enthused as I had been for my races earlier in the spring. Truth be told, I just wanted it over with. Physically, I was prepared. Mentally, I really had to push myself to finish strong. But what a great feeling to know that I could do that!
You got this!
Thanks Wendy! The mental toughness is a big challenge for me, but I think I’m slowly getting out of this rut! I think the extra warm weather makes me grumpy, but I’m getting it done! 🙂
I have those wanna moments, and they’ve been coming right before vacation. I want to be good and keep going until vacation because I know I’ll get a break then.
I think you had a great week! Good job on getting in 11 miles when you felt crappy at the beginning. Those are the worst, but helps build up mental toughness!
For shoes, you might like the Brooks Ghost 7 (http://www.brooksrunning.com/en_us/brooks-ghost-7-womens-running-shoes/120161.html). Hope you can find a great pair!
Thansk Gretchen! I had Brooks Ghost 5’s that I wore a few years ago that weren’t bad!
That’s a great week of training!
You may want to check out the New Balance Fresh Foam Zante shoe. I think it has a 4ish mm drop while still being a normal neutral shoe (instead of the lightweight ones like Brooks Pure Project or New Balance Minimus line).
Ooh thanks for the tip Jess! I don’t know a thing about shoes so this helps a lot!
I’m not a runner but do I ever admire the commitment and determination it takes. So awesome! Good for you.
xoxo
I hear you on the motivation front. Sometimes I just do NOT have the drive to get myself out for a long run. Usually I’ll let myself do half the distance and see how I feel. If I somehow get motivated, I keep going. But if I’m not feeling it at all, I don’t push further. If you’ve got time to make up the long run later in training, sometimes it’s best to just give yourself a pass on it for the time being. I think you had a great week of workouts still! 🙂
Looked like a productive week! Glad to see a couple rest days in there 🙂
Ah yes rest is so needed, though sometimes I do feel guilty when I pick certain days to rest and move all my runs around!
Nice training week!! I’m also in the market to get some new shoes. These puppies are getting a little exhausted. Are you planning to stick with the same ones or change it up? I don’t think I’ll ever do anything besides my Brooks. 😀
I’m looking to try a new brand – the Adidas were great, but I’m open to moving on to other brands, as long as they feel right! I’m not quite a brand loyalist yet!
Good week – especially that 5 miler! I also dislike getting “backed up” for the week.. its almost a marathon of running (sometimes it adds up to it).
Thanks Jennifer! Yes, that is the worst! I can only handle so many days of running in a row, lol!