How was your weekend? Did you have crazy hot temperatures like we did in Philly? If you found some time to hang out in a swimming pool, I envy you…
I’m now heading into my third week of marathon training…and yes, saying that I’m training for a marathon hasn’t gotten old yet! The summer heat and humidity continue to make things really tough, but I’m still pushing through…
Every Monday over the next several weeks, I’m sharing my marathon training recap and giving a report card for each week!
I’m joining in the Weekly Wrap with Holly and Tricia where women share their health and fitness activities, successes and challenges!
Last Call – don’t forget to enter my giveaway for a free subscription to PlateJoy where you can get customized, healthy meal plans online! The giveaway ends on Wednesday!
[bctt tweet=”This week wasn’t nearly as fun as my first…marathon training continues! #weeklwrap” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Weekly Wrap: Olympics and Block Party
Olympics Inspiration
I’ve really been enjoying the Olympics this year and have lost quite a few hours of sleep trying to enjoy as much of it as I can! It’s been fascinating to see how certain athletes have completely dominated their competition: Katie Ledesky, Michael Phelps, Simone Biles. When you’ve got IT, you’ve got it!
And being a Black woman, it has been extremely inspiring to see my fellow sisters win gold in their sports and make history like Simone Manuel for swimming and , Michelle Carter for shot put! Congratulations to them!
On top of that, have you seen the bodies on some of these athletes?! I’ve definitely been inspired to work a little bit harder on my fitness!
Weekend Block Party
Much to my surprise, the block right behind our house was hosting its annual block party on Saturday afternoon and we were invited! We’ve been in our house for less than 2 months, and unlike Bret, I really hadn’t met too many people in the neighborhood. So I was excited to finally get to meet the neighbors!
They really did a great job! There was a ton of delicious food and the drinks kept flowing, including the alcoholic variety! It was SUCH a hot day, but we still had a really fun time hanging out. There are a few couples that aren’t far from our age bracket so that was definitely nice. We even found a neighbor likes to throw Halloween parties, so I’m excited about that!
Oh, and they even had free massages at the block party. I took advantage and had an amazing massage – my hamstrings and calves thanked me!
Really tasty food at the Block Party!Philly Marathon Training Week 2:
Monday 8/8: Rest day.
Tuesday 8/9: Fartlek workout totaling 5 miles..this didn’t go so well. I was supposed to do my fartleks at an 8:50 and 9:10 pace. With the humidity and heat, it was just impossible for me to get to that pace. But even worse, I went on a random route in the neighborhood and had no idea where I was going. Next time, I’m going straight to the track to handle this type of run.
Wednesday 8/10: HIIT Barre class at a nearby studio. I’ve taken a few barre classes over the past few years, but not with any regularity. This class was even more intense with various breaks of high-intensity workouts like burpees, plank moves, and plyometrics. Ironically, it was the traditional barre moves that were the toughest for me! My hips were crying! I signed up for a monthly membership for barre and yoga, so I look forward to the challenge!
Thursday 8/11: Rest day.
Friday 8/12: Did an easy 3 miles before work. Nothing special about this run – it went by in a blur since I was in a rush! After work, I did a 1-minute plank, 10 pushups, and some clamshells.
Saturday 8/13: Long run, 11 miles. It was absolutely miserable. There were so many times when I wondered if I’d even be able to finish. The real feel outside was around 110 degrees. It was extremely slow, but I’m glad that I got it done.
Sunday 8/14: Kept things nice and easy with 30 squats, a 1-minute plank, and 10 pushups.
Week 2 Report Card:
None of my training runs left me with a smile on my face this week. Week 2 really kicked my butt. My confidence took quite the beating as I continued to struggle with running in the humidity. At the same time, I refuse to take it indoors as long as I can avoid it.
The good thing about Week 2 though is that just about every day I did some kind of exercise. The planks seem to finally be getting easier, and I’m glad that I added pushups to the routine. My consistency has definitely improved. I’m also excited about adding yoga and barre to the mix. I hope to go to class twice a week, but this week will be tough since I’ll be celebrating my birthday!
I’m going to give this past week a B. I really hope that Week 3 goes a lot better and my 8-miler doesn’t take too long to complete!
Also linking up with Annmarie, Nicole, Jen, and Michelle for Wild Workout Wednesday!
How were your workouts this past week? What’s your favorite fitness class?
The block party sounds like it was a blast – how fun!
Congrats on completing another week of marathon training! This weekend was brutal so kudos to you for completing your 11 mile long run!!
Thanks a lot, Kimberly! I’m just so glad that run is behind me!
So – here’s my tip when judging how your week has gone, marathon training-wise. With this weather and just with the intensity of marathon training in general, I would not judge based on how you feel. Because, in all honesty, you might feel like blah most of the time (I rarely feel GREAT for any whole run – bits and pieces here and there). BUT I recognize the progress and the work put in and that is how I judge. All that said -good week and block parties are fun!
Thanks, Courtney. Big picture, I’m definitely happy with the way things are going…I guess the summer humidity has taken a bigger toll on me than I expected!
Great job on your training! I remember running on Forbidden Drive and the shade was so nice. I loved seeing Simone Manuel’s face when she won!
Thanks, Sonia! Yes…Forbidden Drive is amazing! So glad to live so close to it!
Great job on your workouts for the wk! That block Party sounds fun. We have had them before as well but never a free massage there. Score!
Thanks a lot, Lacey! It was a great massage too lol!
Obviously, my workouts were nonexistant this week!
I think you really need to cut yourself some slack — the weather was just atrocious last week & it’s going to effect you.
How amazing to have a block party, much less massages at it! Scoooooore! We’ve lived here 7 years, and I only know a handful of neighbors. But then I’m an introvert.
Hope you’re feeling better, Judy! You’re right, I’m way too hard on myself. I’m just glad those runs are all in the past! I’m an extrovert, but on the less extreme scale. I was happy to meet new people 🙂
Great job on training this week! This humidity is BRUTAL everywhere and honestly, just getting it done and safely at that is worth an A grade. See you this weekend! Are you going to the Friday event?
Thanks, Mar! YES – I plan to go to the event on Friday, will you be there? I can’t wait to meet you at last, it’s gonna be so much fun 🙂
YES!! i’ll be there. coming into Philly Friday afternoon.
Oh, I think you get an A+ for slogging through 11 miles on Saturday1 Yay on the block party and meeting more neighbors. It can be hard to do when everyone is holed up inside staying cool and watching the Olympics.
Thanks a lot, Coco! Yes, the block party was at a perfect time – I finally got to meet the neighbors! If it wasn’t so hot I think we would have had even more fun!
Sounds like you had a great week to me. I agree that consistency is so important and it not all the running, but the other exercises that help also. I would give you an A !
I love watching the Olympics but with the time difference its a bit crazy and its only one one channel, so I am dependent on what they want to show.
Thanks, Karen! I was definitely happy to get in all the other cross-training. I think I’m recovering well after each long run so I guess I’m doing something right!
Oh yeah that’s understandable about the time difference…I wish there were more options for us and Primetime because I like swimming, but after awhile I wanted to see something different!
I feel your pain – I also did 11 miles in the heat this weekend. Though I hate running in this heat, I’m trying my best to enjoy it as much as I can because the summer has gone so fast! We’ll be running in jackets and gloves before we know it.
Congrats on hitting 11 miles this past weekend too! So tough! I can’t wait for gloves though, I actually prefer running in the winter (call me crazy)!
It’s hard to watch the Olympics without getting inspired right!
A block party sounds wonderful! I use to envy my friends who lived in a subdivision who threw block parties. Well for that anyway. I live in the country and couldn’t imagine someone being right on top of me.
What massages at the party? This is way more awesome than I thought!
I’ve lived on various blocks over the years but it’s been a long time since I’ve lived in what felt like a community, so the block party was really nice! I was NOT expecting a free massage though…it was fantastic, though she accidentally kicked over my beer LMAO!
When we lived in our first house, our entire street used to get together for parties. We were all about the same age and had so much fun. Our second house? Sadly, everyone was much older. This heat and humidity is just something we have to get through. It’s definitely not about pace right now. It WILL make you a very strong endurance runner though. Remember, if it felt easy — everyone would do it! 😉 The Olympics have been very inspiring. I love the bio stories they run on the athletes. Thanks for linking, Janelle!
Always fun linking up, HoHo! We have quite a few couples in the neighborhood around our age, so it’s pretty nice and I hope we become good friends :). I really, really hope this summer running pays off in a few months lol!
I’d keep on running outside. Pushing through these tough temps might be tough but you are tougher! You’ll need that mental toughness to fall back on when you’re in those tough late miles in the marathon!
You’re right…I just gotta suck it up and deal with it!
I am impressed that you are getting your long runs in with this heat. I’ve been dying lately!
I’m trying, Deborah!! The humidity is really what makes it so miserable for me!
I’ve also been super inspired by the Olympics and have been watching it during my indoor workouts to push me to work harder. And there is no getting around it Sat was MISERABLE x100. I wanted to quit like 200x. Hopefully the weather this weekend will be better!
I hope it’ll be nicer this weekend…even low 90’s would be a miracle, lol! I just wish I could watch the Olympics earlier in the day…usually I’m ready for bed when the good stuff is on!
I love that you had a block party. It seems so rare to see those these days.
Barre is so tough, but so good for runners. Glad you’re adding it to your regular training.
I hadn’t been to one since I was a kid. They seem to have them a lot in my neighborhood, I love it!
The heat and humidity have been killing me, too, but it sounds like you’re still doing great! And a block party – so fun!
Thanks, Nicole! It was a fun time!