Sunday, June 21, 2020

Ice Age Trail 50k Training Week 3

Training felt real this week as I hit my highest running mileage in years! With the mindset of running for distance instead of time, I don't feel as intimidated with my training plan as I did in past years training for my marathons. I cannot stop marveling at how refreshing it is to just run and to even take walk breaks when I need them. I'm not saying that it's easy but training for a trail ultra is a whole different mindset. 

I'm still feeling tired but for the most part, I'm sleeping better this week. I continue to worry about the unrest in our country and the COVID hotspots but I've really limited my news time and that seems to have helped me a lot. 

Saturday's trail 10
Weekly Rundown
Monday: strength and Yoga with Adriene
Tuesday: Run 5 miles
Wednesday: Trail run 8 miles (10k for the Uncanceled Project)
Thursday: strength
Friday: rest
Saturday: Trail run 10 miles
Sunday: Trail run 10 miles

Running
My main focus right now is getting these runs in and I have to say that running on the trails is still something wonderful for me. But on Tuesday, I did my 5 miles in my neighborhood with the sunrise. It was a cool morning and my legs and heart responded nicely. I finished this run in a little over 48 minutes and only stopped once to snap a selfie. It was a good reminder that cooler weather makes running a pleasure. 


Marcia gave me an 8 miler on Wednesday. Oh, the mental gymnastics I had to do to try to figure out how I could get 8 miles done on the trails and make it to work on time. Somehow, I managed, even avoiding a near wipeout on a bunch of tree stumps in a treacherous spot. When I first started out, I spotted my friend the deer munching on some leaves; she paused as if to greet me! I also saw a fawn in the woods. This run was my final '10k' for the Uncanceled Project. While I enjoyed the weekly motivation to get those runs in, after 12 weeks, I was definitely ready to be done with this virtual challenge. 

I woke up early Saturday morning for my first of 2 back-to-back 10 milers that were on the plan for the weekend. It was hot and humid and I knew I was going to struggle. I considered trying out the Camelback for hydration but nah, it's 'only 10 miles' right? For this run, I drove to the Des Plaines River Trail. The first couple of miles of my out-and-back on this trail, it is pretty shady but the last couple of miles are open and the sun was shining. Before this run, I reset my watch face to show me only heart rate, distance, and time and that was very helpful. I'm getting a good feel for my comfort zone and when I need to slow down. It's a work in progress!

Double your pleasure, double your fun? Sunday's run was my second 10 miler and while I wouldn't go so far as to describe it as pleasureable or fun, I certainly enjoyed it much more than Saturday's 10. For one thing, I ran it on the Deer Grove Trails where I have been doing so much running this year. It was shady and dare I say it felt cool? The humidity was off the charts and I was glad I decided to trial the Camelbak on this run. I ran the loop twice, turning around at 5 to run back in the opposite direction. There was a lot more walking on that back half, since my HR didn't want to stay down. I developed a few new blisters on my feet--I need to figure that out! It took me 2 hours to finish this run but this run felt much more satisfying to me than the 10 I ran yesterday. Funny how that happens!

Strength training
As I did last week, I only did strength training and no bootcamp workouts. With the increase in miles, I'm definitely feeling more fatigued on my non-running days. I'm still working out at home--hoping to get back to the gym soon!

On Monday, I did banded side steps, barbell hip thrusts (55#), and reverse DB flys (10#); that was followed by snatch practice. Those overhead squats (35#) are my nemesis, but I landed all of them this time! I finished this workout with banded face pulls, skull crushers (25#), and some balance work. 


Thursday's strength workout was a little different--Sammy Jo is having me work on more stability and smaller-muscles groups to help me with running on the trails. I did RDLs (20#) using this new cool KettleGryp that Debbie recommended. I liked it a lot! My glutes, not so much. I also did lateral box step ups, bringing my knee up to my chest. I don't have a box, so I used a step stool. Then she had me do 5 sets power cleans (I built to 70#!) x2, followed by push presses x2. I finished up with 3 sets of banded lunges, banded lat pulldowns, and mountain climbers.


And this...
Since I'm not running much with music these days I'm much more aware of my surroundings, so I'm noticing all kinds of interesting things on my runs. No deer or other creatures on my weekend trail runs, but on Saturday I was greeted by this balloon advertisement at a street crossing.I found it so odd. This is a residential area.


I am loving all the painted rocks I find in my neighborhood park. Creativity, inspiration, and artistic talent for the win!


On Sunday's run, I spied this psychedelic orange mushroom on the ground near a tree! I've never seen one like it before.



How was your week? Are you struggling with the heat? Have you ever trained by heart rate? Any suggestions for blister prevention--and I've tried Trail Toes. Any interesting sightings on your runs?

I'm linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Rundown.


40 comments :

  1. How did the Camelbak work out on your second 10 miler? How are the bugs in Deer Grove? I really need to get back up there soon.

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    1. I was glad to have the Camelbak; it's my son's. I'm not 100% sure about it yet. I may go with a vest.

      The bugs are as bad as you'd expect! I spray with Off (they have a sport version) and it is very effective, even with all my sweat!

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  2. Not on the run, but there was a deer on our lawn this morning. First time in the 11 years we've lived here.

    I walked yesterday. Partly by design, and partly because I didn't want to die, LOL! It was right up there with some of my hottest races & I've had plenty.

    I definitely regretted not taking my larger water bottles on sat, too!

    Sounds like so far, so good Wendy -- you're off to a great start.

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    1. I'm really happy about my training so far, although I'm really tired...

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  3. Fantastic!! And Back To Back Double Digits Is No Joke. Crushing It There Little Lady. Be Proud!! Love That Painted Rock. Our Heat Is Coming Tomorrow And Have Used Heart Rate Training For Years. Very Useful Tool And Often A Swift Kick In The A$$. Thanx For Including All The Reindeer Games. Big Hugs And Stay Strong This Week Ahead.

    Cheers
    P.S. Hubby NEEDS To Rub Those Feet. Wont Help With The Blisters But So Worth It.

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    1. I've used HR training in the summer before but never have I completely ignored my pace. It's a little unsettling for me, since I'm so competitive! But it's also very freeing and I'm enjoying training like I never have before!

      It's a no go on the foot rub!

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  4. Props for back to back double digits! Great idea to set your Garmin so that it's only giving you the information that's useful in your workouts. I saw 2 baby deer this week but no mushrooms;-)

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    1. Looking at pace would totally mess with my head! I'm so used to pushing myself to hit certain paces. Changing my watch face is all a mind game and it's working.

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  5. Well look at you with 2 back to back 10 mile runs! Nice job adapting to those so well. It is funny the things you notice when you run alone! Nice week and thanks for linkingup

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    1. I was starting to have my doubts about finishing today--the humidity was making it really hard! Since I was in the middle of the woods, I couldn't phone my husband to pick me up lol...

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  6. I’ve seen deer quite a few times recently on the trails.

    That us a lot if miles with this hot weather. You are rocking it.

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    1. The mornings have been decently cool which has helped a lot!

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  7. I have changed my watch’ display too. I only see my heart rate now and it's very relaxing. And with slow running, I feel much less tired after a run. Well done on your double long run!

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  8. Way to go on those back to back 10 milers — great start to summer! I only took one of the bottles for my fuel belt on Saturday and drained it over only 8 miles. It was a sweaty one! Lucky for me I don’t tend to get blisters, so unfortunately I have no advice for you.

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    1. I've never gotten blisters before. I think it's my trail shoes--they don't breathe.

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  9. Great work on the back to back 10s in the heat! Love that the second one felt better than the first. I knew SJ would come through with some good stability stuff for you and she has. Yay! We had a doe and fawn in our neighborhood last year and I'm hoping to see one this season but so far nada.

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    1. SJ messaged me--we're going to be able to start working together again. I think that is going to help a ton! Thank you for the plan so far.

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  10. I love the painted rocks - I wish I could find some of those out on my running adventures.

    You totally rocked your training this week and AMAZING job on your back to back long runs this weekend!

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  11. It sounds weird, but have you tried deodorant on your feet for blister prevention? Depending on where the blisters are forming, athletic tape may help. We had major humidity here this weekend, too. I'm glad yesterday's run was mostly in the shade!

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    1. I've heard about that deodorant suggestion from other runners--right now, I'll try anything!

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  12. I have only gotten a few bad blisters when I wear different shoes, so by the time it happens its too late to figure out how to prevent them. (and I just stop wearing those shoes) It's definitely been harder to run in the heat but I love it compared to running in the cold. Great job with your training, especially those back to back long runs!

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    1. I'm pretty sure that the blisters are from my feet sweating in my trail shoes. They have GoreTex and that means they don't breathe. Sigh. I have to figure out what to do for prevention.

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  13. Wow, well done, back to back 10 miles is pretty hard-core! I wonder if your feet are slipping around more on the trails and you need thicker socks?

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    1. Good question! I'm thinking it's my trail shoes--with the GoreTex, they don't breathe like regular running shoes. My feet sweat like crazy!

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  14. Sounds like the training is going really well! I love those painted rocks :)

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  15. I always find neat things on my runs. Today, I wasn't paying attention, and on my way back home on my walk, I almost tripped over a dead snake. I have no idea how I missed it when I first passed it. Gross.

    You are doing a lot, especially with your bump in miles. No wonder you're feeling a little more tired. You've got this, though. Your training cycle is going great!

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    1. I'm grateful that snakes aren't something we have a lot of here! Ewwww!

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  16. Isn't it a relief when we get a cool run in now and then this time of year?!

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    1. It really is! Although at least in the shade on the trails, it helps me avoid the direct sun beating down on me!

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  17. Love the deer sightings <3 when you first said back to back 10 milers I thought you were doing that all in one day! Yikes! it is amazing how the same mileage can have a totally different feel a day later but I'm sure that's something to do with the trail.

    Strange about the blisters. Where are they? toes? ball of foot? somewhere else? are you wearing toe socks? are your shoes a good fit? Tied properly? You really shouldn't have blister issues if your shoes are fitted well. It's odd. hope you figure it out!

    I'm not surprised you feel more tired especially bumping up your mileage!

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    1. I'm sure that the blisters are from my trail shoes, indirectly, because they are made from GoreTex which isn't as breatheable as regular running shoes. My feet sweat a lot in them. I didn't have any issues with them in the cooler weather, so I need to figure out how to lube up my toes.

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  18. Great job on your two 10 mile runs this weekend!!! Sounds like training is going well for you. Of course you'll be more tired than usual.

    Oh boy, those nasty blisters. Have tried using different socks? I like SmartWool and Balega and don't get blisters.

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    1. I may have to break out some different socks--and really lube my feet up with vaseline!

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  19. Way to go on those back-to-back 10-milers! I'm glad to hear training is going well for you.

    That balloon ad is so odd!

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    1. I thought so! It was a strange place for it. I think it was a realtor trying to attract customers but the only people going by were those on the trail.

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  20. Way to go on the back to back long runs! I've heard that's the key for ultras; my husband did a lot of them for his 50 miler training! I can imagine you need to ensure you're fueling quite well over weekends like that!

    Awesome week for you!

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