However, I do still plan on running a 10K here next weekend and - unless we already have wintry weather conditions - the trail half-marathon here in the middle of next month. So that means the half-marathon that I had intended to use as a training run has become my only 13.1 of the season and that just three more weeks will be left in this training cycle.
This past week was relatively solid and has given me confidence that I will be able to complete the trail half in 3 weeks and possibly even post my fastest half-marathon time of the year.
Monday - scheduled 3.5 miles hills. Actual 3.5 miles hills. I hopped on the treadmill and gutted this one out. My thighs were burning the entire time.
Tuesday - scheduled yoga. Actual yoga. I went to a 90 minute open vinyasa class. We did a lot of warriors and lunging poses.
Wednesday - scheduled 4 miles easy. Actual rest. It was day one of what a friend euphemistically refers to as the "lady holiday" and I felt pretty blah.
Thursday - scheduled yoga. Actual rest. We were a little bit late getting home in the evening and my month of unlimited yoga had expired, so I ended up taking the evening off from working out.
Friday - scheduled rest. Actual 3.5 miles with hills but at an easy pace. It was such a beautiful morning that I had to get out and run. Conditions were perfect and I just enjoyed being out there. (I stole this picture snapped at the beginning of my run from my 365 Blog.)
Saturday - scheduled 11 miles LSD. Actual 2.5 miles with hills but at an easy pace. I struggled on this run because the wind picked up right before I went out, and I was feeling emotionally turbulent as well as I was working through coming to terms with my decision not to run the half in Ohio.
Sunday - scheduled 3 miles recovery. Actual 11 miles LSD. The amazing sports psychologist I was working with before my injury last year won the Omaha Marathon on Sunday morning and another friend was running a half-marathon in the DFW area. Whenever things got tough, I thought of them and kept putting one foot in front of the other. My average pace was just over an 11 min/mile.
Total scheduled miles: 21.5
Actual miles: 20.5
Cross training workouts: 1
Because I'm running a 10K on Saturday, I'm deviating from my original training schedule a fair amount this week. Here's my plan for Week 6:
Monday - scheduled 3 miles recovery.
Tuesday - scheduled yoga.
Wednesday - scheduled 4 miles 800s.
Thursday - scheduled yoga (short home practice).
Friday - scheduled rest.
Saturday - scheduled 10K race.
Sunday - scheduled 3 miles recovery.
Have you ever made a decision that you thought made sense only later to realize it was really pretty foolish? Are you training for any fall races? How's it going?
Oh, my dear. I'm sorry to hear about the change in plans. Even if it is for the best, I can imagine your disappointment, as racing is such an important part of the running experience for you. You have my sympathy.
ReplyDeleteBut hey, a 10K and a 13.1 trail run sound awesome! Good luck with those 800s this week and have fun at the race on Saturday. I'll be thinking of you and sending good running vibes your way :-)
Thanks, R! You know me, my desire to race leads me to do foolish things on occasion, but I'm feeling really at peace with this decision to reduce the number of stressors in my life over the next few weeks.
DeleteA very good friend of mine tacked a half marathon onto a Thanksgiving Disney World trip and I think it turned out to be a little too stressful, ha ha! He completed it and then same day had to drive 13 hours or so back home with the family. I've kind of viewed that notion as perhaps a little too much for me to take on. I like the idea of breathing room with racing :-) Perhaps you can find a different one when you return home to take its place? I think a lot of people bag races ... not an uncommon thing!
ReplyDeleteMan, I'm sorry you had to bag the Halloween Half. But that DOES sound inconvenient, at best, trying to make it happen. Good call, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteI've just had to mark a race off my list, too. I had a half planned for November 10, but work interfered yet again! I have to work that day, so it's a no go.
Yeah, I think I am superwoman and over-plan things all the time. Like tomorrow, I have to prep a lab for my students AND I'm doing a lecture in a colleague's class. How did that happen?
ReplyDeleteThat's a solid week! I know what you mean about over planning! It's exciting to PLAN things and so sometimes we don't think about the execution of said plan! I want to run ALL the races, every weekend, and might try if my budget didn't object!
ReplyDeleteBummer.
ReplyDeleteIt's always disappointing to change course on a race goal, but sometimes it's for the best. Bright side? This puts you in a great training place for another half later this year or early next year! :)
Oh yeah! I can't think of an example right now, but I've definitely modified or completely let go of plans that seemed as if they would work until it got close enough to see how much effort and expense that would take. Yours sounds like a smart decision.
ReplyDeleteI'm trying to decide right now whether or not I really want to stretch my resources enough to do a formal Half Marathon this fall. After all, I'm putting in the distances, know I could do it (I ran 20Km on the weekend), and wonder why I need to pay to prove it again. I know I like the excitement of running with others once in a while, pushing my time, etc., but I also know that life during term is tough and to add another stressor is maybe not the best idea. . . still, hard to let go . . .
Flexibility is key to any training program. Good for you for recognizing that this particular race isn't the best fit right now. I know it might be disappointing but you there will be other races with better timing and circumstances. And you'll be super ready for your 10K!!!
ReplyDeleteI kind of feel like my life has been a study in making plans that seemed reasonable at the time. For instance, my purchase of a Groupon for a sewing class that expired in August when I had a baby in April. That expired unused, sadly. Or the time I registered for the Disney Marathon to be run 7.5 months after my older kid was born. That was probably my most ridiculous plan that didn't happen. So, I can sympathize. And it sounds like you're making a wise decision on the OH race.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you made the choice, and you still have a half marathon in your immediate future. But it would be nice if life would be more accommodating about our running plans, wouldn't it? :)
ReplyDeleteYes, signing up for the Get Lucky 1/2 (which as you know I did not run) was a horrible idea. between CFA studying and recovering for my surgery, I do not know how I thought I could handle that! OH well. Live and learn!
ReplyDeleteI think sometimes we just have to recognize that races aren't possible. traveling is a whole new beast for you now due to your geographical location so I understand why you had to change plans!!