This week has been a little crazy. Some good, some bad, but that’s how life goes right?
Let’s take a look at some of the recent happenings in my sliver of the world.
Birthday Boy Turns 29
Starting off on an AWESOME note, Tuesday was my husband’s 29th birthday! Now we are officially both in the last year of our 20’s.
Of course, Wes doesn’t seem to care because as he always says “your 30’s are your prime running years.” I’m just going to take his word on that!
It’s hard to believe I’ve been with him since his 19th birthday. This life is crazy, beautiful and messy all at once but I still am proud to spend it by his side.
Happy Birthday Wes! I Love you!
Listening To My Body
I guess when I finally take my own advice and listen to my body that means I’m growing up right? It’s about time!
Last week was pretty grueling. The highest mileage week yet, 58 miles, and between the heat and humidity I was pretty dead on Monday morning. I completed my easy 6 but felt absolutely off all day. I was dreading Tuesday morning’s tempo and I was really getting down on myself.
What did I do? I took Tuesday off.
It’s really unheard of, and not something I want to make a habit of every time I’m tired but I could tell it was more than just me being tired. If I didn’t want to burn out, I need a quick break.
I’m feeling a Tempo Wednesday coming on though!
Wes Hired a Coach
I’m really excited about Wes taking the next step in his running. I don’t know how much I’ve shared about his history and running story (maybe a guest post from him should come) but to make a long story short Wes started running in college at the encouragement of his dad.
His first marathon was a 3:40 and he has now worked it down to a 2:29. He’s worked very hard through medical school and now residency and I’m very proud of him.
He’s never followed a training plan and has always done his own thing, but at some point you realize it’s time to get some help.
Every minute off his marathon time at this point is a ton of work, so having someone there to help him and take a lot of the guess work out of it is especially important.
Wes finally decided on a coach on Monday! I’m really excited to see how this helps him get to where he wants to be! Olympic Trials he’s coming for you.
I’ll be sharing more as I get permission.
Stress Reduction
I’ve got 9 weeks left until Chicago. To say that terrifies me is an understatement, but I can only do what I can do and I am trying to focus on that.
It’s no secret that I’ve been very stressed out this marathon training season. I’m not sure why, but it hasn’t been good and it’s affected a lot. This blog is called Loving on the Run because it focuses not only on my running but on my relationship as well.
To be honest, the stress that training this season has been tough on Wes and I. We both have demanding work schedules, his more than mine, we both run a lot and have high goals. It takes a toll after a while.
My goal for the next 9 weeks, aside from putting in the work I can, is to stop stressing. After all, at the end of the day this is my hobby. It’s a big hobby but it’s not the end of the world. I have to let my overall mental health and well-being come before running.
Weight Training
Just like with a lot of training cycles, as the intensity picks up my weight training gets put on the back burner.
It’s got to stop. I’m making a commitment to myself to go to the gym AFTER work at a minimum of 2 days during the week. I’d like to do 2 plus a 3rd maybe just not as intense but I’m starting with 2.
Tell me a happening for you this week!
Have you ever worked with a running coach?
good for you for taking a day off! sometimes it really is the smartest move. wishing you a great run today.
The only happening for me is that they found out that I have a stress fracture in my third metatarsal… It all happened so suddenly and that just left me so heart broken… I did every single thing right this training cycle: kept up with strength training, ate well, increased mileage very gradually… yet it happened and I will have to kiss Chicago good-bye. I applaud you for listening to your body and taking a day off on Tuesday. The reason I like your blog so much is that we are so similar: I wouldn’t skip a workout for the world. However, I learned the hard way that listening to your body is the #1 running rule. Hope things will improve for you and your training! When I feel down about having to miss Chicago, I cheer myself up thinking that would have been a rehearsal for the big one: BOSTON!
Oh no Martina!! I am so sorry to hear that. Sadly as runners we take a risk every day of getting injured. I wish you a very speedy recovery and look forward to being there with you in BOSTON!!
I can attest that he is absolutely correct about prime running years. In almost every single ultra marathon that I’ve run, the winners are in the 30 – 39 AG. I had just begun winning my age group and that was the ONLY thing I was a bit bummed about when I turned 30 a couple weeks ago. It’s going to be awhile before I see a podium now hahaha
Great job listening to your body! Training for my Nov. 14th marathon is going well, I think, and I definitely appreciate the guidance of other runners and my coach from Runners_Connect. It’s the first time I have had that kind of support and it makes a huge difference. You can totally decrease the stress level, but take it in small steps. Go for it – you are an inspiration to me and that is not going to change.