I can’t believe I have officially been in marathon training for 13 weeks. Some mornings, when my alarm is going off at 4:00 AM, I just want it to be over. I want to get up and just go for an easy run and not put in a tough workout or tempo run. However, as I look back on how far I have come it makes it all worth while.

This week was a bit different after running my half marathon last weekend. I knew I needed to change a few things to allow myself to properly recover.

Here is a look at my runs this week:

Monday (10/13)

6 miles easy

 

Tuesday (10/14)

1.5 mile warm up
4 x 1.5 mile repeats with 800 recovery
1 mile cool down

10 miles total

 

Wednesday (10/15)

6 miles easy

 

Thursday (10/16)

1.5 mile warm up
6 mile tempo
1.5 mile cool down

10 miles total

 

Friday (10/17)

Off

 

Saturday (10/18)

11 easy miles

 

Sunday (10/19)

10 easy miles

 

This weekend we were in Norfolk, VA. It was a nice break from the routine. On Saturday we got up and decided to head into Virginia Beach to check out a local trail we had heard a lot about.

I got to try out my new Mizuno Wave Rider 18s! I look forward to reviewing them for you soon!

This was by far the best trail that I had ever run on. The first 4 miles I ran on the road, and then headed into the trail to run the rest. I did trip and fall once, but besides that it was a very peaceful and easy run on my legs.

I ended up doing just over 11 miles. It was a run that I kept having to slow myself down on. I don’t know if it was because I was running on soft ground, but my legs just finally felt fresh.

After we finished our runs, we walked across the street and spent some time taking in the beauty of the beach. It has been almost 2 years since we have been on a beach like this. It was the perfect weather, slightly cool but there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. Would it be okay if I just went ahead and moved here?

 

Best Run

Honestly this week I will have to give my best run to my tempo run on Thursday. I was still feeling fatigued so was worried how I would respond, but my body seemed to respond well.

I enjoyed the change of pace, it made the run go by much quicker. Plus that was the best morning of weather that we had all week. I was really happy with how it turned out.

 

Toughest Run

My toughest run this week was my workout on Tuesday. It was my first quicker run since running the half on Saturday and I could tell that my body wasn’t completely ready to start a workout.

I eventually did get into it, but it was much more of a struggle than some mornings. Some days just aren’t I day, but the important thing was that I completed it. I kept good form and I completed each of the intervals. No matter how hard it is, as long as I can keep proper form and push through then I am ok.

The moment that I realize my form is changing is when I make the call on quitting early. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case this week.

 

I’ve got a few crazy things going on in life right now, which makes looking ahead to a tougher and higher mileage week a little more difficult. I think that is when it becomes even more important to remember to take things ONE DAY at a time. When life gets crazy it is easy to let running go the way side. However, I find that many times running is what keeps me sane. It is the one thing that I can always count on day in and day out.

Hoping to go into this week with positive thoughts and make it happen!

 

How did your week go?

Where would you like to live if you had your choice?