I hope you’re having a great day so far! Tapering for the New Jersey Marathon has officially begun. It’s hard to believe that there’s a light at the end of this tunnel!
Overall I had a pretty solid week and while work was intense, I made it through and was able to enjoy some beautiful days over the weekend! Racing season is in full effect and it’s been exciting seeing everyone earn their medals! I didn’t race this weekend, but I still had lots of running to do, let me share with you how it went!
I’m joining HoHo and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap – it’s always great to see what my fellow running/fitness friends are up to! I’m also joining Courtney for her Weekly Training Recap linkup and Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run!
[bctt tweet=”Another solid week of training for the @njmarathon in the books – now less than 2 weeks away! #bibchat #njmarathon” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Weekly Wrap: Cat Sitting Drama and a Warm Weekend
My sister was out of town on business and instead of just dropping in to feed her cat Charlie over the weekend, I brought him over to my house to stay. Did I mention that I have two cats, Rocket and Rosie? Three cats in one house is definitely a first for me! While these ladies are usually very charming to people, I learned that they do NOT like other cats on their territory! Rocket, who normally acts like the alpha cat, was cowering and hiding whenever Charlie was around and Rosie, who is normally sweet and docile, was constantly growling and hissing at poor Charlie! Fortunately, Charlie didn’t seem too bothered by it all, but I felt so bad! It was clear that the three were not going to be curled up together by the end of the weekend, so we had to keep them separated as much as possible. I think they were intimidated because Charlie is a big boy – not overweight, but tall and lanky! In any event, I think he had fun running up and down the stairs and playing with some cat toys. He and Bret really bonded 🙂
From Thursday to Saturday we had some really awesome weather, such a breath of fresh air! Weather up to 80 degrees, say what?! It’s been such a cold April and it was great to finally enjoy spring, especially since so many flowers are blooming! Everyone was out and about trying to soak up this temporary respite – we were back to chilly weather and rain on Sunday. On Friday afternoon I was able to enjoy some sunshine and Bret and I went out to our favorite spot for dinner. On Saturday afternoon, we went out for a late lunch al fresco, then headed to a nearby beer garden. We drove past my favorite ice cream spot and of course the line was down the block – including the drive-thru! It sure was nice while it lasted!
Workouts for the Week:
Monday 4/9: I could only eke out a quick yoga class on Youtube after work. I tried a stress relief class from Yoga With Adrienne. It was okay, but I needed a little bit more of a workout, lol.
Tuesday 4/10: Tempo Tuesday! This was a repeat of the workout from 2 weeks ago: 1-mile warmup followed by 4×1 mile at tempo to half marathon pace with 1-minute breaks in between before cooling down. Those tempo miles were lightning fast for me and I ended up finishing my 6 miles in a little over 58 minutes! I felt really good!
Wednesday 4/11: I made it to yoga/barre fusion class and it was just what my body needed. Crystal’s class is always challenging so the time at the barre was torture, but I love! Since work has been so stressful, the time on the mat was really valuable.
Thursday 4/12: Easy 4 mile run. This run was much speedier than I anticipated…I did have an evening event to attend so I think that helped quicken my pace.
Friday 4/13: Rest day!
Saturday 4/14: Long run – 14 miles with the last 4 at moderate pace. I’m finally tapering, folks! The weather was beautiful but awful for a long run! I stayed on Forbidden Drive as much as possible to avoid the lack of shade on the Schuylkill River Trail, but it didn’t help as much as I hoped. They didn’t even have the water fountain running, so I had to use sink water to replenish my bottle…at least it was cold, smh! I could smell the sunscreen on fellow runners as we passed each other…so it begins. I didn’t wear any KT tape this time and my knees and feet were miserable, including temporary pain in my right arch, ugh!
Sunday 4/15: I ran 4 recovery miles in the evening. I’m liking these Sunday night solo runs, though I have to remember that I still need to wear my reflective vest – I had my Knuckle Lights and a car almost ran me over! I also did a ton of Runner’s Knee and Core/Hip work before going to bed.
Week 15 Report Card:
Total Miles for the Week: 28.0
Total Training Miles for NJ Marathon: 394.06
I think this past week consisted of some really solid running. The tempo and easy runs exceeded my expectations. While the 14-mile run was absolutely miserable, when I looked at the data, my splits weren’t too horrible. I had a little bit of time during mile 8 where I had to walk, and I did pause a few times, but I’m glad I was able to finish as well as I did, though it wasn’t easy! In the grand scheme, things are going well. I just really hope that my race doesn’t happen in 65-75 degree weather, or I’m screwed!
I continued on with my injury prevention workouts but I NEED to foam roll more! I don’t know why I find it so hard to just do it, but I’ve been avoiding my foam roller for whatever reason! This is what I really need to focus on as I’ve been feeling tightness in my quads, hamstrings, and IT band. Oh, and shins too, lol. Can someone just force me on that thing? I also need to spend more time with the CTM Band that I’m reviewing for Bibrave. I seem to keep avoiding that too, smh.
I will give Week 15 of training a B+. This weekend I have a 9 mile long run and the Run for Clean Air 5K…it’ll be nice to take it easy!
How was your weekend? Do you enjoy running in the heat, despise it like I do, or are you somewhere in-between?
I’d take the heat over cold and wind any day. That is just great training for your upcoming marathon! I hate that the water fountains don’t stay on all year.
You remind me that I need to foam roll at all! I used to be so diligent about it. Until I wasn’t.
Great week of training for you! Hello Taper!
I know I need to foam roll more too. I know how useful it is. BUT I too struggle!! Well done on all your training this week – you are so close to the end now!
The water fountain thing drives me nuts 🙁 But it sounded like some really solid running for you this week! The kitty drama sounds like a pain but at least it was temporary and Charlie had fun 🙂
Taper!! Yay! Ugh, I’m so not ready for the heat and humidity that is waiting for us around the corner. Fortunately, I should be done with my marathon training before it gets too hot …then I can switch to cycling more. That trail along the water looks beautiful ..do you run there often? Good luck Janelle!
It’s so hard to adjust to running in warm weather when the weather keeps changing! Looks like you had a great week. Hopefully with lighter runs during the taper you will have some more time to do things like foam roll!
Awwe that’s a shame about the cat drama 🙁 Animals can be so particular when it comes to their turf!
Glad you were able to get in some solid runs last week. I think that Saturday was a rough day a lot of runners and I’m sure that the change in weather didn’t help.
Welcome to the taper!
I think those really good runs this week is a very encouraging thing! But get on the damn roller already! And tape. If it’s hurting, tape it, that’s my motto (as long as it’s not actually interfering with the run)
Cats can be very social creatures, but it ain’t gonna happen in a few days. So the fact that no one got attacked was a good sign. 🙂
Simba was a very muscular cat with really long back legs. He was 14 lbs of muscle in his heyday (he’s been gone 5 years). So they can definitely be solid without being fat.
80???? I am so envious. I need a *little* of that.
I think it sounds like you’re going to rock your marathon!
It’s taken a bit of interaction, but my cat and my parents’ cats get along pretty well now. They just needed multiple times to be with each other, and then when I looked after all 3 last August, for more than a week, they really got comfortable with each other.
Happy taper Janelle! I think that’s my favorite part of a training cycle. The hay is in the barn. Bummer your kitties weren’t too fond of Charlie. Heat and I don’t mix well, although seeing what they ran through in Boston yesterday is really horrendous too.
Isn’t a great relief to make it to taper! Sorry those 14 miles were so tough, but you still made it through. I don’t mind the heat like most people. I know it’s gonna slow me down some, so I just go with it. AS you probably know, I’ll take the heat over the cold any day LOL
Warm weather. What’s that?
You are so ready. You are going to have s great marathon
The count down is on
Warm weather. What’s that?
You are so ready. You are going to have s great marathon
The count down is on
Yay for taper time! I am so bad about rolling – I’m either all in or I fall off the wagon. Hope your knee behaves!
Your training has gone so well – now get on that foam roller!