Blergh Week.

Monday
Scheduled: rest
Did: yep
Well, all of my children were exposed to COVID at school last week... this'll be fun :/

Thought about working out this evening, but ultimately just decided to scrap it and go to bed.

Tuesday

Scheduled: 10KTuesday

Did: nope

After unknowingly running with COVID last year and dealing with that for almost a full year after, I played it super safe and didn't run today. Everyone tested negative, but littlest had a horrid barking cough overnight, so I was up, anxious that we were about to have another round of COVID run through the house... and didn't even get up to do a workout. 

Had a horribly full day of driving ~3hrs for work stuff, having a sick kid (not COVID) need to be taken to the doctor in the middle of the day, and then running around to multiple places to get all the required medicines.... Thought about working out because I knew it would improve my mood, but opted to eat crap and watch Netflix instead. 

Wednesday

Scheduled: MBF Legs and Core 1

Did: MBF Week 3 Total Body, 20min yoga, 6.22mi stroller run @ 10:03/mi avg
I feel like we're over COVID scares, but still need to test tomorrow to verify. I was home with my sick little one (pink eye), so we went out for a stroller run. It was slow and easy, but it was nice. 

Thursday

Scheduled: 4-5mi

Did: nope

Got up, but my training partner was ill so I just bailed completely.

Friday

Scheduled: MBF Core 2

Did: 2mi WU, 5x400/400, 2x400/200, CD = 6.16mi @ 9:09/mi avg

I felt so good during this run. It's the first time in a long time that I completed a speedworkout and felt great during it... well, except for this bit of sore right arch/PF stuff, that I definitely aggravated with my last few intervals. Ugh. At least it's normal running stuff, though. 

1:59

2:02

2:03

1:54

1:57

1:50

1:44 :D

Saturday

Scheduled: 8-10mi easy

Did: MBF Week 3 Core Day 2

Scrapped the long run today in favor of letting my arch rest up a bit. It hurt a little during MBF, but rolling it over a frozen water bottle and ibuprofen seem to have helped. 

Sunday

Scheduled: easy run 3-4mi

Did: 5.08mi @ 9:53/mi avg

I'm pretty certain I shouldn't have been running today, but I really, really wanted to. I'm glad I did, and think I was able to tape myself up well enough to not do too much damage. 

Total Weekly Mileage: 17.46mi

Week-ending Thoughts:

• Well, so much for this 20mpw thing... Heh. 

Recovery Week?

Week-beginning Thoughts:
I am still riding the high from this weekend's mile PR. Man, that's a GREAT feeling.

I've already got my next few endeavors planned:

1) Do another round of Miler Method, actually enrolled in the Boot Camp this time, with my teammate beginning September 7. Goal: 6:00 or better

2) Between now and then, do 10 days of 10mi, with that same teammate. Another teammate of ours did that challenge this month and "it seemed fun". 

3) Focus on my core. Do 10min of ab work at least 6/7 days each week.

Monday

Did: 2mi run @ 9:27/mi avg, 10min HardCORE

This morning felt too peaceful and nice outside to miss out on a run, so I got in two short miles around an outdoor mall area that I haven't been to since pre-pandemic times. It felt nice to be somewhere "real", even if there weren't any people around. 

Kicked off my self-driven abs challenge with a short Beachbody workout after the kids were in bed. Especially when I'm working from home, I feel like I shouldn't have any excuses not to execute a ten minute workout.

Sidenote: ten minutes of ab work is no joke. Either that, or my core is super weak :P 

Tuesday

Did: 10KTuesday @ 10:10/mi avg, 10min Trainer Abs

I felt like something different this morning, so I ran down a big hill (and then ran up it) for 10KTuesday. It felt nice to go out and just "enjoy the run". 

Then hit up Tony Horton's 10 Minute Trainer for an ab workout. Again, it's "only ten minutes", but that's a SOLID ten minutes. I was already wondering when I'd be done two minutes into it :P Guess that means this'll be good for me, eh? 

Wednesday

Did: 9.17mi double stroller run @ 10:24/mi avg, 10min abs

Kid has been asking to run to school for the longest time. Since I was off work today, I decided to make it happen. We ran with the double up hills so steep I had to walk them, but I had a couple happy campers when we arrived at school. The great thing about pushing a double stroller full of child on the way TO school was that the back half of the run, pushing a double stroller empty, felt a ton easier, despite the hills. 

Also did an ab video that CRACKED ME UP, because the trainer reminded me of 

Thursday

Did: 3.03mi run @ 9:32/mi avg, 10min abs

Family run this morning ended juuuuuust before a torrential downpour. 

Friday

Did: 4.12mi run @ 10:00/mi avg, 2.63mi stroller walk, 10min abs

Got up and ran solo before the sun this morning, then followed that up with a stroller walk and ab work later in the day.

Saturday

Did: 10.11mi family run @ 9:55/mi avg

Enjoyed a cool(er) run with the family this morning along the greenway. Good thing I got the run in, too, because today had ten kinds of stress afterwards, not the least of which was a f l a t tire in the parking lot of Total Wine while I was doing a curbside pickup (yay, they have these now!) with my older kiddo in the car. NOT the day to be wearing a dress out and about... especially when trying to change a flat. UGH. 

the "You Got This" sign along the greenway always makes me smile

Had some soreness in my right central arch in the evening-- not sure what that's all about. 

Sunday

Did: 5.33mi run @ 9:49/mi avg, 10min Hard Corps Core 2

Broke up this family run with about 2mi out, 1/2mi running with the oldest, and 2mi back. Arch felt fine during. Got my abs in pre-run.

Total Weekly Mileage: 40.1

Week-ending Thoughts:

• PEOP is about halfway through Illinois on our Virtual Relay Across America. It's been fun to have that to "check in on" throughout these months of pandemic life. I mean, y'all, it is AUGUST. 
• It's super fun to share running with my family, and I'm both saddened by the thought of my oldest phasing out of stroller runs but excited by the idea of running alongside him biking or even running with me soon
• I can't believe I PRed last weekend. Time goes by so slowly, but so quickly at the same time.
• This "abs challenge" thing I'm doing is harder than I thought. My right side core is definitely weaker (I notice it a LOT in side plank hip drops), so it'll be fun to build up over the next few weeks. Even just ten minutes a day is SO LONG. I'm struggling to keep the energy level up for that long, but know it'll be rewarding to see the progress each week. 

Postpartum: Week 11

Week-beginning Thoughts:
Kinda feeling like I need a goal race.. or a goal something... but not really wanting to commit to anything or train for realz. 

Monday

Did: 3.2mi double stroller walk, Strides 360 = 1.97mi run total @ 8:07/mi, calf stretches
Didn't really feel like executing at 360, but make it happen, and I'm glad I did. 

Tuesday

Did: 2x anti-inflammatory gel, calf stretch x 2, 6.26mi @ 9:52/mi avg, 10mi weight lifting

Did a little bonus lifting in the afternoon... but probably should have stretched my calves instead.

Wednesday

Did: 1mi WU, 4x400/400, 0.5mi CD = 3.5mi @ 9.24mi avg, 1x AI gel, 2x calf stretches

Planned on Stroller Strides 360, but class was rained out. Opted for a treadmill run instead (hooray for having one of these-- baby happily played next to me while I ran), and decided to try some intervals to mix it up a little. Hooray, first post-partum "speedworkout". 

Splits: 2:08, 2:04, 2:03, 2:01

Nothing faster than an 8min/mi, but still glad to have pushed a little for a bit. :)

Thursday

Did: 3.13mi @ 10:09/mi avg, 1x AI gel, 2x calf stretches, Stroller Strides

Got up to join some teammates at the YMCA hill (didn't do any repeats myself, though) and enjoyed a brisk morning with capris and arm sleeves! Followed it up with Strides and, wait-for-it, FOUR calf stretches. Considering I've been prescribed 6-8/day and averaging under 2/day, this is progress.

Friday

Did: Stroller Strides, Calf Stretches x 2

Oops. Regression...

Saturday

Did: 10.4mi @ 9:48/mi avg, Big 5, Calf Stretches x 2

Finished up this run juuuuust before the rain started-- win! 

Sunday

Did: 3.02mi stroller run @ 10:08/mi avg, Calf Stretches x 2

Didn't super feel like running this morning, but opted in for a short run with my oldest... because it's fun to run with my kiddo. Nice and easy, and enjoyable. 

Total Weekly Mileage: 28.29mi

Week-ending Thoughts:

• I suck at stretching. The one perk of pregnant running was having the relaxin hormone assisting in relaxing the muscles around my pelvis for me, without stretching. :P
• Achilles is still doing relatively fine, though I need to be grateful for this and keep up with my exercises if I want it to stay that way.
• I've had a little PF in both feet, probably just from mileage and, obv, not stretching like I ought to

Atlanta Marathon Training: Week 8/18

Week-beginning Thoughts:

Let's do this. 

Monday

Scheduled: rest

Did: 4mi @ 9:33/mi avg, Big 5
Couldn't pass up the chance to run in low 50s with a singlet and shorts. 

Tuesday

Scheduled: 7mi hill repeats

Did: 6.23mi @ 9:33/mi avg, Big 5, Resolution Run = 8.78mi total @ 9:16/mi avg
It's taken me until my early 30s, but I've finally figured out the best way to spend New Years Eve: splitting a bottle of sparkling grape juice with my husband and toddler, and then going to bed at 7:30pm. It was EPIC. 

Plus, it made getting up at 4:00 for the first 10KTuesday of the year suuuuuuper easy. :) 

At first, having 61 degrees for our 5am run seemed amazing.... and then, half a mile in, we remembered how awful running in the humidity was. Blergh. Bring back the 30s! 

After a shower, some peanut butter and banana toast, and a little nap, my family headed downtown for Round 2 of our New Years Day running: the Atlanta Track Club Resolution Run. 

Wednesday

Scheduled: 4mi easy

Did: rest

Thursday

Scheduled 1mi WU, 6-8x800/400, 1mi CD

Did: as scheduled = 7.74mi @ 8:39/mi avg, Big 5
Today was the first day I actually felt like I'm marathon training. I've been dealing with a suuuuper dull ache in my right PF since Tuesday, and had a lot of mileage on the schedule today. I told myself six repeats was a bare minimum, and any more would be bonus.

The first few repeats were fine, and on point. I had a teammate running pretty much stride-for-stride with me through the first three, and that helped a ton... and then she stopped for water and I continued. 

#4 was tough, and I could feel myself fatiguing. Wooo, marathon training-- where you're tired halfway through your workout. #5 and #6 were easier, knowing I was past the halfway point, and #7 felt like a victory lap. Yessssss.

1) 3:52
2) 3:49
3) 3:50
4) 3:48
5) 3:48
6) 3:44
7) 3:33

Friday

Scheduled: strength + yoga

Did: 30min yoga
Just wasn't feeling the strength part today, but I did a whole yoga YouTube and really committed to focusing on the practice, instead of spending the whole time thinking about my day. That was nice. Also had a few miles of walking between my car service place and the bus stop to get to/from work. 

Saturday

Scheduled: 15mi easy

Did: 15.13mi @ 9:58/mi avg, Big 5
Coming home from this run, I had The Greatest Showman soundtrack blaring "We are bursting through the barricades, reaching for the sun. We are warriors, yeah, that's what we've become" at about 80%, almost happy crying because I am so freaking proud of myself.

After a couple weekday eight-milers (or close to, at least), a longer speedwork session, and a 15mi long run, full of hills, marathon training feels real today. I'm actually doing it, and doing it respectably well. I remember my first fifteen mile run: it was a struggle- mentally and physically- and, after I was done, I was stunned by the idea that I'd have to do that, and then ELEVEN MORE MILES to complete a marathon. I remember the first time I trained for a half: finishing that ONE 13 mile run was so touch, and now I'm doing that every weekend, like it's NBD. I feel like a flipping unicorn- a mystical creature that can't possibly exist. And it feels amazing. 

I am so glad my husband told me to sign up for a marathon last fall. It's been the best thing I could have done to help myself get over the crap-tastic year of 2018. It gives me something to work at, physically and mentally, and provides me with a sense of empowerment like nothing else. Thank you, running. 

Sunday

Scheduled: 5mi easy

Did: 5.5mi @ 9:39/mi avg with stroller, Big 5
The Running Mamas opted to chance Riverside this week... and it did not pay off. Within half a mile, we hit a puddle. After "fording the river", we found our boardwalk completely inundated and unpassable. 

We turned around, at a bit of a loss for where to go, and ended up running on the road for a bit, which was NOT ideal. Thankfully we had one non-stroller runner with us, who kind of took the lead and did his best to ensure our safety, and we only needed to be on a road with traffic for about a half mile. 

The run itself felt surprisingly good. I'm feeling strong and awesome. No soreness, and no real fatigue from the past week (or even past day) past the first mile. #winning

Total Weekly Mileage: 41.16 (yasssssssssss)

Week-ending Thoughts:
Unicorn status = engaged.

Thanksgiving Half: Week 2/11

Week-beginning Thoughts:

So, I've been averaging 150+ miles a month for the past few months.

basically, I've been running the crazy out

That's pretty amazing. I can still remember the first time I hit 100 miles in a month, or 10 miles in a week. All of these little milestones (ha) that used to seem impossible... Now I'm doing them on a regular basis. 

Monday

Scheduled: rest

Did: rest

I've got a tender spot on the bottom of my right foot again, just south of the ball. This is the same spot that bugged me earlier in the year when I stepped on something during a 10KT run. I can't remember anything that might've triggered this, but I do remember the doctor saying I probably irritated it more last time by being so aggressive with massage. For now, I'll still to ice and hope it goes away. 

Tuesday

Scheduled: 8 ONB

Did: 8.23mi @ 9:06/mi avg (first half avg=9:45, back half avg=8:19), Big 5

Well, there's no ambient improvement in my foot, but it doesn't hurt any more to run. I started off the day saying "if it hurts when I'm running, I'll stop", but had forgotten I even had something wrong with my foot until I got out of my shower after the run. This bodes well.

We started early to get the extra 2mi in, and took it conversationally easy for the first half... and then my watch beeped 4.0, and it was "go time". One of my teammates, who literally just got back from running the Berlin Marathon at 2:30am (and STILL came to #10KTuesday because "it's not optional") called over his shoulder, "what pace are you going for?"

Uhhhh... idk, bro. I hadn't really thought about having a pace target, but it's probably best for me to have one; otherwise, I tend to slack. 

"8:30-45," I called back.

Despite letting him go out ahead of me, our first mile was an 8:18. Oops? 

I'm still learning what these "out and back" runs are supposed to be, and will probably follow up with my coach to get a little more guidance. Like, should I be running closer to 5K race pace on the back end? A tempo pace? How fast should I be going? I could have certainly gone faster today, but am still learning my limits. Then again, you'll never know your limits until you push hard enough to find them, right? 

My teammate was amazing today. He ran ahead of me the whole way, subtly encouraging me to keep going with questions of "are we stopping at the turnaround, or just a 'turn and blow'?", holding right-turning cars from going to let me cross driveways uninhibited, and calling out a "let's push this last mile together" as we came into the last fast mile, which contains the largest hill on our course. So grateful for him. 

I felt good throughout the run. While I definitely had times I wanted to slow down, it was muscular (I was FINE to carry on a conversation at our 8:15/mi pace up the hill) and mental. Not sure how to combat that, but I think these longer workout runs will help for sure. 

Wednesday

Scheduled: 5mi easy

Did: 5.07mi @ 9:14/mi avg, Big 5
This felt like such a struggle of a run. Funny how that happens the day after I start considering a spring marathon. :P Right foot is still hurting, but no worse for wear when running. In fact, when I'm running, I notice it a lot less than when I'm just sitting. 

Thursday

Scheduled: 1mi WU, 10x400/200, 1mi CD

Did: as scheduled, 5.77mi total @ 8:17/mi, Big 5
Days like today make me dread marathon training. The idea of "having" to do speedwork, repeats, hit paces, etc. is not appealing, and I haven't felt like running's been an obligation at ALL the past few months... until today. It's all a mind game. :P 

Today's workout was 10x400m repeats. A quick look at the indicator chart told me I should be around a 1:40. Easy peasy, I thought. Eh... actually it turned out to be just the right pace. I hit each 100m pretty much dead on for the first few, and then relied only on a quick check at the 200m mark for the latter ones. 

1:40, 1:40, 1:38, 1:39, 1:38, 1:40, 1:40, 1:39, 1:40, 1:37 (pushed)

I couldn't have gone much faster on these. This is the first workout I've done in awhile without walking the recoveries (though I did let myself have 50 paces of walking after splits 7, 8, and 9 before resuming a jog), and I felt it. I also went a it too fast on my recoveries for the first few (9:30/mi is NOT a recovery pace for me yet). 

This was a hard workout, and I'm really proud of myself for getting it done. I had a lot of moments where I was reminding myself it was just one lap, and that I was X/10 through.

Foot is still wonky, but, again, it starts feeling a ton better after a half mile of running, so I'm banking on the fact that running isn't aggravating it. 

Friday

Scheduled: strength + yoga

Did: 15min strength, 7min yoga
Couldn't sleep last night due to cramping in my right foot. Ugh. Such a pain. Got up and did some light weight lifting, ab work, and yoga. Amazing how much I can get from just seven minutes of focus. 

Saturday

Scheduled: 10mi easy

Did: 3mi @ 9:34/mi plus 8.61mi @ 8:38/mi = 11.61mi @ 8:52/mi avg, Big 5
Another sleep-lacking night. Kid fell out of bed at 2:30, cried out for me, and I never got back to sleep. Probably should have just gotten up and done something productive at that point instead of making futile efforts to sleep. 

Met a friend for an easy warm-up, and then I headed out with my 8-9min/milers for our training run. I found myself running a bit faster for the first mile than I wanted to keep the whole time (8:17), slowed down, and settled into closer to an 8:40 for the rest of the miles. 

What up, Ponce City Market

No problems with my foot during the run, but still felt it before and after for a bit. I'm glad I went to the doc last time and feel confident that this is a minor tendonitis or strain, and the best medicine is ice, not flipping out and compulsively rolling it on a lacrosse ball, and time. 

Sunday

Scheduled: 5mi easy

Did: 4.56mi with stroller @ 9:31/mi avg, delayed Big 5
Hrm. I think I definitely have some PF going on in both feet after yesterday's run. This is likely because my average pace has dropped by about a mile a minute in the past two weeks. My cardio and my legs can handle it, but my feet seem to be a little less agreeable about the new normal pace/stride. Been doing a fair bit of frozen water bottle rolling, and that seems to keep it at bay. Might try to slow my pace for next weekend's long run? 

Today was awesome. I thought I was just meeting up with my normal Running Mamas for a stroller run and playground time, with a little bday celebration for one of the kiddos. Turns out, it was actually more of a surprise birthday party for me. So grateful to have all these amazing people in my life. <3 

Total Weekly Mileage: 35.21

Week-ending Thoughts:
1. Running friends are the best friends. <3 
2. Little nervous about the potential for marathon training if my feet are going to rebel like this... but if I opt not to push pace, maybe it'll be ok? 
3. I'm amazed at how far I'm running and how dropping my pace into the 8s for most runs has been so easy. Hooray, fall!