October has arrived, and I’m less than 2 weeks away from the Tough Mudder Philly! This is a frightening prospect but also a relief because I’m getting closer to the starting line, meaning that the finish line isn’t too far away!
This week I’m sharing my workout recap as part of Tuesdays on the Run, hosted by April of Run the Great Wide Somewhere, Erika of MCM Mama Runs, and Patty of No-Guilt Life!
[bctt tweet=”Hurricane? What hurricane?! A ton of variety this week for Tough Mudder training! #toughmudder”]
Tough Mudder Training Workouts:
Wednesday 9/30: I was invited to The Wall Cycling studio in Manayunk. Check up my write-up of my experience and interview with owner Julie Sabella later this week! After spinning class, despite the rain, I went on my 4-mile run that evening. The rain wasn’t too heavy and thankfully my pace was right on point.
Thursday 10/1: Weight training class! To prepare for Tough Mudder, I worked on some plyometric moves – so I did squat jumps to lunges while holding 12 pound dumbbells in each hand. It was tough, but I eventually figured it out! I also did a lot of work on the triceps with 6 pound weights…it doesn’t take much to feel the burn!
Friday 10/2: Started off the morning with pushups, bicycle crunches and V-ups to compensate for Thursday. It was rainy all week due to a Nor’easter, so I had a 6.5 mile run on the treadmill after work. I had the gym all to myself! The speed work portion of the run consisted of 3 sets of 1-mile at 9:30 and 0.5-mile walking. Thank goodness I had House Hunters to distract me!
Saturday 10/3: 4-mile run with Bret in the morning. My softball games were canceled for the week due to worries about Hurricane Joaquin, so it was the only real workout I had, in addition to the usual pushups and sit ups!
Sunday 10/4: Time for the long run! I ran 9 miles in 55-degree weather, my first time running so long in well over a month. It actually went really great! Somewhere after mile 5, I picked up my pace and never looked back. I finished my last mile sub-10…crazy!
Monday 10/5: I originally planned to go to Runner’s Cross Training, but after a long day of work, I just wasn’t in the mood for the workout. It was probably good to have this as a non-running day because otherwise I would have been active 5 days in a row – no thanks! I did a few easy exercises – sit ups, donkey kicks, hydrants, more pushups – before going to bed.
Tough Mudder Week 6 Report Card:
This was another solid week of working out! While the rainy and cooler weather tried to throw me a curve ball, I made it through all of my runs – I really have no complaints!
I always feel like I haven’t done enough cross-training, but I have to trust that I am making the effort that will help me get through the course. I’m not trying to beat anyone at the Tough Mudder, I just want to be able to do my best and feel prepared for the physical challenges.
I’m still really scared that I’m going to injure myself, so I need to do some last-minute shopping for knee pads, gloves and compression wear so that I’m properly protected. I’ll give you all the deets as soon as I figure it out!
Because all of my runs went so well, I am happy to grade Week 6 an A!
Were you affected by stormy weather or Hurricane Joaquin? How do you work out in tough weather conditions?
Sounds like your training is going well. I know I’d need to do a ton of upper body work to do one of those races!
The cross training is going to benefit you on the road as well as for this race! Do you think you’ll continue doing it after the race?
We had a very windy week and they say it was in part due to Joaquin. Funny how an east coast storm affects the center of the country!
I don’t miss being on the eastern seaboard with a hurricane/noreaster moving in. Of course, now I live in Texas, where everyone panics about snow. Great job on your workouts.
luckily the hurricane bypassed us this past weekend but we still were hit with a n’oreaster that brought rain and cold. I signed up for a Tough Mudder once but something happened and I ended up not doing it (can’t remember). Good luck with the rest of your training – sounds like you’ve had a good week!
Sounds like your training is going really well! I’m not one to run in rain – I’m pretty much a wimp.
Great week!
We got some storms and winds from Joaquin, but nothing too major. In fact, the hurricane has blown in some cooler weather and we have been enjoying mornings in the 60s!
You are going to do so great!
Your storms have been nuts! Ironically our weather has been gorgeous, go figure. Wow can’t wait to hear about your Tough Mudder!
Isn’t it nice to feel that cool, crisp fall weather to run in? It’s like heaven!
You’re doing great with your training.
I kind of get a kick out of adverse weather since it forces me to get creative with my workouts.
Congrats on giving yourself an A for wk 6. Your training has been going well. I don’t think I’d ever want to do a tough mudder. I love running but getting dirty while running doesn’t appeal to me.
Sounds like you had a really strong week of training! I also find myself falling into the “am I doing enough cross-training?” mindset, but I believe that if we are trading some cross-training for some quality rest, we are doing our bodies a favour 🙂
when I ran the 5k mud run this past summer, getting injured was my main concern too. I did fine but was so paranoid about twisting my ankle or something haha. I’m sure you will do great!
Looks like a great week! I don;t think you are a wimp for not running in the rain, I am just starting to enjoy running in the rain but that is because it has been so hot and humid.
All your hard work is SO paying off! You look great and STRONG!
Great training week. You’re going to be ready for the Tough Mudder!