Sunday, August 16, 2015

Marathon training week 4: It's just one of those days

Another great week of training. I thought this was maybe a step down week, since I had that bike ride on Sunday and a rest day on Monday. Think again.

Monday: rest day.

Tuesday: 8 miles at race pace. Actually, Becky didn't specify anything on the plan for this run. I had to get up early to get this one in before work. But once my legs loosened up, I wanted to fly, and fly I did. I was pleased and surprised by this run. What a great way to start the day!


Wednesday: Yoga. Kathy told us we were going to do "shoulder floss". The class was dedicated to opening our shoulders, with Pincha (forearm stand) as our peak pose. Shoulder openers never felt so good.

Thursday: I had speedwork again--mile repeats x 5. My goal is to be faster than the week before. I slept late, and was upset because I didn't beat the heat. Miles 4 and 5 were tough. I stopped for water after mile 4, and an elderly man approached the drinking fountain. We talked briefly, and he told me how he stopped running last year. He told me I looked great and should keep going. Which I did! You can get encouragement from unexpected sources.


Next up was CrossFit with Becky. She had me first pulling the sled, with 40# plates on the back. I pulled for 2 minutes, then did 5 burpees. I did 5 rounds of this. Hello, hamstrings! We headed back inside for kettlebell squats (32kg) x 16 alternating with the evil roller x 8. I sweated so badly, I apologized, and was rewarded with 5 burpees. Ok, then. Repeat x 3 rounds total. Finally, she had me finish with a balancing exercise of forward bends on one leg 10 times x 3 rounds on each side.


Either I'm getting stronger or I've just given in, but I'm hating burpees less and less.

Friday: rest day. I went kayaking with my friends. While it was a blast (I'm recapping it on Tuesday), we did kayak 10 miles for 6 hours. Not sure if it qualifies for rest, but it was all upper body work.

Group workout!
Saturday: I had 5 miles on the plan, and I was more tired than I thought after Friday's adventure. But I didn't want to skip it. Around mile 4, I had thoughts of dropping to a walk. But I heard Becky's voice in my head, telling me to do burpees, so I pushed on. The run turned out well, and I got another RP run out of it. Besides being tired, the heat and humidity were a killer. I didn't feel great after I finished. Since I had to go to work, I made sure to eat well, and I drank water all morning. I took it easy the rest of the day, since I had a long run on the plan for Sunday. With a predicted high of 91, I was going to need every ounce of strength I had.




Sunday: I had a 12 miler on the plan. I woke up early, had my pre-run breakfast of cheerios, orange juice, and coffee, and got ready to run. I checked the thermometer, and it was already 72 degrees and 90% humidity. That got in my head, and from the moment I hit the pavement, I was already done. I tried really hard to refocus myself and get in a positive frame of mind. I watched my pace and tried to keep it around 9:30 min/mile. By mile 3, I needed to stop for water. Some a**hole stuck a stick in the drinking fountain and the water shot straight up in the air. I didn't mind so much, because I was so hot, the spray felt good. But still. I hated on that person for a while as I slogged on down the path. I passed other runners who were as equally as sweaty as me. I kept trying to turn this thing around. But I felt so crappy that it was really tough. Mile 4, there was a portapotty stop. I was ready to call it quits right then and there. But I gave myself a pep talk and I pushed on.  I started sipping my Tailwind around mile 5, hoping for a lift. The Tailwind helped me go farther, but at mile 8, I called it quits. My phone overheated at mile 7, and I had no music. My shorts were dripping with sweat. There was chafing. There was a stone in my shoe. I felt like vomiting. I felt like crying. And I was mad. I called my husband to come pick me up. As I did the walk of shame and waited for him, I reminded myself that I hadn't quit on a run in a very long time. One bad run does not kill marathon training. Next week will be better. This run was so hard, that I made the decision to move Monday's 6 miler to Wednesday, and make Monday a rest day. I think I need it.

Hot, sweaty, and unhappy
God, I hope the weather isn't like this on race day!

There was one song on my playlist that put a smile on my face. It truly summed up this run. Don't worry, it's all in good fun...



Here's the plan for this week:
Monday: 6mile at MP rest day
Tuesday: CrossFit
Wednesday: 6 mile at MP and yoga
Thursday: mile repeats x5 and CrossFit
Friday: rest day
Saturday: 5 miles at MP
Sunday: 14 miles

How was your week? Is the weather affecting your training? What do you do to beat the heat?

I'm linking up with Holly at HoHoRuns and Tricia at MissSippiPiddlin' for their Weekly Recap! Check out what everyone else is up to!


76 comments :

  1. I am definitely praying for a cool race day. Oct in VT . . . seriously, you just never know. I'm actually praying for no snow, too. Could happen, hoping it doesn't.

    I thought I had chafing going on sat but thankfully I didn't.

    It will get better!

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    1. Absolutely! I haven't had a bad run in very long time, which I feel so grateful for.

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  2. Wow, you killed every workout! Don't sweat shortening your long run - after a week of training like that, sometimes it's better to listen to your body rather than slog through and risk injury. (I feel like every time I've pushed myself when I haven't been feeling it is when something gets pulled or strained).

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    1. I just hated quitting on myself but there was no choice. I felt pretty bad out there. :)

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  3. You and me both!! I so hope it is cool race day morning. The heat and humidity have been awful here too. I ended my run today with 86 degrees temps and something awful for humidity. That was at 9:30am?! It's just about doing what we can safely. You ran smart and never apologize for cutting a run for safety reasons. Your body was screaming and you listened. Very smart running!

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    1. I know, I know...it just feels bad to quit on a run! I'm over it and ready for next week!

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  4. I think it looks like you had a great week of training. I know having to throw in the towel on that run was hard but there will be better runs ahead and that bad run will make you appreciate those good ones even more!

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    1. That's what I keep telling myself! I haven't had a bad run in such a long time..I was well overdue.

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  5. I had a very similar experience on my 15 miles yesterday. At mile 10, the heat and humidity got to me and wanted to throw in the towel. I dug deep and continued, barely at a jog. Mile 13.1 brought tears to my eyes and started doubting myself that I was going to finish. I walked for .1 and ran sloooooow for .4. I did finish 15 mi but never again do I want to have such a torturous run.

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  6. Is the weather affecting my training? Mmmmm....I've been waiting all summer for a positive effect. The heat and humidity literally feel like they are pressing down on me. I looped around my house for about 5 miles and then I put on my Camelbak for the other 12. And THAT extra weight almost did me in. It became much harder both physically and mentally. Don't apologize or feel bad about cutting it short or taking a rest day. It's about being smarter now than we ever were.

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    1. You are so right! But it just doesn't feel good to quit on a run, no matter what!

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    2. Also, thanks very much for link up with us today!

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  7. Wow, you impress me! The heat sucks!! You're definitely getting stronger and you're being smart about listening to your body. And yay for the kayak adventure!

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  8. Awesome workouts this week! It's so hard to run in this heat and humidity we've been having lately, but you've been kicking some serious butt! I'm sure you'll kill it on race day.

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    1. I hope so! What doesn't kill me will make me stronger, right?

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  9. We had an unusually hot weekend in LA here....and every time it's really hot I think about all the runners out there who run in heat and cold and I am just amazed by you guys....next week will be better no doubt! How about those awesome kayaking pics!!! I'm jealous of that !!!

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    1. That kayaking adventure was one of the highlights of my summer! And it was a much needed diversion from life.

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  10. You had a great training week with some nice workouts and great paces! Don't worry about Sunday's run. In high heat this stuff happens. I had to cut my run short on Thursday, too. At first it hurts to quit a run, but sometimes you have to. August has been really hard for running.

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    1. It's hard to quit on a run, especially since it's been a long time since I had such a tough one! But yes, August has been tough!

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  11. I can run in the heat and humidity (like I have a choice, haha), but I can't do it when the sun is out...that will beat me down so fast. I know it's hard to quit a run but sometimes you just have to call it. No harm, no foul, and here's hoping for a cool front (ha!).

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    1. I should have gone even earlier. Like you said, once that sun is up, arrrgh!

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  12. Great week! You're going to have such a great marathon. Love that you did an epic kayak day with friends--so fun!

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  13. You gotta learn to stop apologizing at Crossfit! Lol

    The weather is killer here too. The last 2 days it was already 95+ by 6 am. And today suddenly the humidity is back. Ugh. I think you did a great job this past week in spite of rough conditions. As they say, what doesn't kill us makes us stronger! :-). Oh, and I love that picture in the kayak. Cute girls!

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    1. That kayak day was the best day I've had in a long time! Love old friends...

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  14. Great training week for you! Don't let that last run affect you so much! You are doing lots and getting stronger with each workout. The body needs rest too, so good call on that.

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    1. It was a good training week, but you know how hard it is to call it quits on a run! I'm over it, tho...

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  15. Sounds like a great week despite tough conditions. I am not training for a darn thing, and with all the life stuff I have going on I have barely been able to run 1-2 times per week. I've lost my running mojo, but hope it comes back soon!

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    1. I hope your running mojo comes back too! Mine is struggling in this heat.

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    2. I lost it after Grandma's I think...that race mentally and physically sucked the love for running out of me. I hope to find it again. <3

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  16. The weather this weekend was brutal for running. Take a mulligan and let that 12 go. It's not going to make or break your training. Pressing on when you felt that bad would've been far worse than bagging it.

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    1. I like that, take a mulligan for the 12. I think the plans are built for an occasional mulligan. Moving on!

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  17. I think you're doing great! I struggle through 3 miles and it isn't half as warm here.

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  18. The kayaking trip looks like the most FUN thing! I am looking forward to reading about it.

    You CRUSHED your training again this week... have another great one!

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    1. It was the best day ever ( in the words of Sponge Bob....)! Really, really fun.

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  19. I admire you for being able to kayak for 6 hours. Maybe it's because I've only been twice but it was an intense core workout for me and I was having a rough time after about an hour or so, haha.

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    1. We didn't go fast, so it wasn't too intense. My hands probably felt it the most!

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  20. Love that headstand photo. And burpess are a funny movement, I feel like they are all about mental strength for me and I have definitely noticed an increase in my ability to put my head down and grind them out. Looks like you had a great week!

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    1. I think she makes me do burpees because mentally, they are such a tough exercise!

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  21. I love that Limp Bizkit song! You had a great week of training. I went kayaking for the first time in Maine and now I wanna go again and again - so fun!

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    1. Oh, yay, it isn't just me who likes the angry adolescent music! LOL!

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  22. That yoga shoulder floss sounds amazing! I spend so much time sitting a desk, hunched over, that shoulder opening-work sounds fabulous. Yikes on your phone overheating during your run, on top of everything else adding to the challenges! Good for you for having the flexibility to change your run and your workout schedule when it got to be too much. It's important to know the difference between pushing yourself versus going overboard - and it sounds like if you had kept going, it would have been too much. Training is definitely not about any one run - it's about the months and months of cumulative hard work. Next week WILL be better.

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    1. I need to hang out with you, you're such a positive person! Thanks for all the good vibes!

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  23. This past weekend was definitely a hot and humid one. Kudos to you for sticking it out to 8 miles yesterday. Its always hard to not give up, but it sounds like you made the right decision based on the conditions.

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    1. I felt so crummy...there was no choice but to stop. I wasn't very happy about it!

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  24. Sorry about that last run. The heat and humidity is killer! I'm happy you listened to your body and cut the run short - better that then get injured or overheat. I woke up at 6am on a Saturday morning to get my long run in before the temps could rise too much. I still ran MUCH slower than my usual pace because of the heat, but I'm glad I got it in before it hit 95!

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    1. Yep, I waited too long. I should have gone much earlier to beat those rising temps. Lesson learned!

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  25. Wow so motivating to see you keeping up the pace with this heat! Love the handstand photo too. Have a great week

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    1. I'm hoping that Mother Nature delivers a cool day for the marathon!

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  26. It was so hot for my run on Sunday! I also went out later than usual, and was recovering from being sick. I made it 8 miles but this weekend really should have been a 13-14 mile run. Hopefully it cools off a bit soon! I feel like we will have a few day of good weather and then it gets really hot again.

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    1. I was looking ahead to next weekend, and it looks like another scorcher! Ugh....

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  27. I get up early to beat the heat... and then when I was done with my 11 miler on Sunday, I jumped in my mom's pool... clothes in all! Awesome pace, you are killin' it. Oh and I am diggin' that headband!

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  28. This weather is killing us all! UGG! how do our undies get so wet and yes, let's not talk chaffing! You are still amazing! The hubby and I got n some more khaki on Sunday since I decided it was safer on top of the water and I think I have talked him into buying one for the house, I do live on lake, I love it! Do you know that CATCHA thing on your comments thing does not allow me to comment from my cell phone :( didn't know if you knew that. It was a no laptop weekend! Happy Monday!

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    1. I didn't even know I had a CATCHA thing on my blog! LOL! I'll have to check that out.

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  29. Sunday was not a day fit for running. I somehow ran/walked 15 miles and was overjoyed at finishing that one. I think I am still recovering. Anyway, your picture reminds me, I want to buy a kayak! I live a couple of blocks from the river, so I could paddle downtown or up to Evanston. That is, if the current isn't too strong and I get my upper body in shape! :)

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    1. I'll have a post on that epic kayaking day because we did 10 miles up and down the mighty Fox! It was a good workout for the upper body.

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  30. I requested shoulder openers in every yoga class last week. Ahhhhh. Feels so good to release the tightness and tension.

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  31. I am excited to hear your kayak recap because Paul and I want to borrow our neighbor's kayaks and do 6-7 miles in a really beautiful creek near our house- except we have never kayaked before and I have no clue what to expect!

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    1. I've had to reschedule the recap to Friday! but it was so much fun, I keep rereading the post and smiling! You'll love it!

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  32. That pace is serious and so is the heat. I know I wouldn't be able to do 8 miles at that pace but a girl can dream can't she? Great job.

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  33. Wow, that sounds like a tough run. Glad you cut it short. I find it's worse if you slog through that mentally and it's hard to recover. But we all have bad runs and it's normal!! And sounds like you are getting stronger! No way to like burpees ;)

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  34. Although i don't work out, i find your journals very inspiring.

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  35. I would love to be able to do a hand/head stand! I need to get back into yoga. I'm also going to a lake this weekend so hopefully I'll get to do some kayaking!

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  36. When I ran my first Chicago marathon, the weather was HOT and it was really hard. I don't do well in the heat.

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  37. I do hope race day is cooler for you. I have to say that I saw the strain in some of your pictures and was glad to see you relax a bit while Kayaking with friends... Props for taking Monday as a rest day. You earned it lady!

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  38. I love that the threat of burpees is the voice you hear in your head. :) It'll get cooler soon!

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