This week was odd. Not in a bad way, it just seemed a bit disjointed.
It all started on Monday morning. This was the first week I’ve had Wes home at nights again. Don’t get me wrong, I love having him home. Monday morning it was pouring rain. Not just drizzling, pouring. Wes had a workout and he gets up about an hour before me (3:30 AM).
I could have run outside, and maybe I had a case of the Monday blues, but I could not drag myself out of bed to go and run in the terrential down pours.
I ended up having to head to the gym after work to fit in my run. This week has officailly confirmed that I have transformed into a morning runner. Never again. It was HOT in the gym, I had to fight for a treadmill and I had no energy. Therefor, my 8 miles that had been originally planned turned into 5.
I wasn’t upset really, because I knew I had a workout in less than 12 hours and I really didn’t want to over do it.
Here is a look at a run down of my week:
Monday
5 miles
Tuesday
2 mile warm up
6 x 800 (7:03 with the last at a 6:56)
Roughly 2 minutes rest between each
2 mile cool down (with 8 x 10 second strides)
9 miles total
Wednesday
8 miles
Thursday
2.5 mile warm up
6 x 20 second strides
30 mintute tempo (7:30 pace with a “burst” of 6:50 pace for 30 seconds every 5 minutes)
2 mile cool down
9 miles total
Friday
Off
Saturday
13.62 miles
Sunday
8 miles
Overall, not a bad week at all. Just a weird start. I don’t know why but sometimes when the week gets off on the wrong foot I just feel a little off.
My workouts this week went great! It makes me feel much better that my legs are finally back after the marathon. It took a couple frustrating weeks to feel like myself again, but I can tell my body appreciated taking it easy.
I threw a tempo back into the mix this week. Here was a break down of my workout:
2.5 mile warm up
6 x 20 second strides
30 minute tempo
2 mile cool down
For the 30 minute tempo I stuck to a 7:30 pace for a majority of the run. However, every 5 minutes I would do a 30 second “burst” at around a 6:50 pace.
If you are ever nervous about a tempo run, try adding in 5-6 strides BEFORE your tempo run begins. These are done faster than your tempo pace and for me it made the 7:30 pace seem much easier.
Oh, and I highly suggest when you have your day off from running to bake some Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed S’mores Bars!
Yes, they were as good as they sound. For a few of you who asked on Instagram, I used this recipe. Thank you Pinterest!
On top of running this week, I’ve also spent 3 days in the gym doing weights and core work. It hasn’t been easy and some nights I so badly just want to go home instead of going to the gym but I am already noticing a difference so it is well worth it!
Saturday’s run was my longest run post-marathon. It felt really good and it was a beautiful day! Finally a weekend where it doesn’t rain the entire time!
I’m sure people looked at my like I was crazy. It was in the upper 30’s when I started and I was in shorts. For some reasons my legs don’t get cold. I wore an ear warmer and gloves with 2 shirts and it was perfect.
Yes, I still have a few Christmas decorations up. Don’t judge me.
Finally, I leave you with Maroon 5’s new song (if you haven’t already heard it) that I downloaded right before my run Saturday. I love it!
Enjoy!
I’ll be back in the morning with an awesome giveaway, so make sure to check back!
How did your running go this week?
How many days a week do you weight train? I am aiming for 3 and then I do core week every day.
You definitely seem to be back and very speedy! I haven’t added speed back since my last marathon just from lack of motivation to, and I have a half marathon next week with no clue what to expect. I don’t do any weight training but for almost 2 months I’ve been doing yoga and I’m now up to 5-6 times per week.
Great running week!
I wear capris when it’s in the mid-30s or warmer (but not warm enough for shorts), and I’m surprised by how many people wear full-length tights in that weather. As long as my hands and ears are warm, I’m happy!
I own running pants but typically only wear them when it’s freezing out. That doesn’t happen much here in SC. I wear gloves before long sleeves even, it’s crazy!
You had some great workouts this week. I typically strength train 2x per week and stretch every night. I run 6 days a week too. But, I’m taking it easy this week after Saturday’s half marathon race.
I don’t like tights, so I run in shorts almost exclusively. I do own a couple pair, but they stay at home. It was in the upper 20’s on Sunday and my legs were just fine on my 10 mile run. My feet, hands and ears weren’t that comfortable, so next time I will wear a hat.
~Run with joy!