Hey guys! I know many of you like seeing these comprehensive marathon training weeks in review, so here we go! Here’s how this week has looked so far, plus my plan for the rest of the week.
As you guys know, even when I’m marathon training I only run 3 days per week – and I’m a really low mileage runner compared to others, too. I prescribe to the Run Less, Run Faster approach – it works for me! I also make it a big priority to do cross training – it really helps me to not get burned out. This is a lower mileage week with less cardio cross-training than usual though since my right lower leg has still been feeling a little weird – didn’t want to push it!
Marathon Training Week in Review
Sunday – rest day, light walking (my 16 mile long run was on Saturday)
Monday – evening yoga class at LavaBarre via ClassPass (<—affiliate link for $20 off). I’d never been to LavaBarre so it was nice to mix it up, and the studio is gorgeous, but I didn’t love the class I took. I’ve been spoiled by amazing yoga instructors at my faves Epic Yoga (great for more calming/spiritual classes) and Edge Yoga (great for a fast flow and sweat in a welcoming, low key environment) and while the instructor at LavaBarre was fine, I found it a bit boring/not creative at all. I also didn’t like that there are mirrors on all the walls in their yoga space (which doubles as a barre studio, so hence the mirrors). I find it super distracting to have mirrors in yoga – makes it harder for me to zen out and focus inwardly. Oh well – I never regret getting in a stretch!
Tuesday – track workout! Mile repeats were on the agenda – SO HARD. At least my “Will Run for Bacon” tank came into play for the occasion – and it was a gorgeous, slightly cooler, lower humidity morning – finally!
I only did 3 mile repeats (others did 4 to 5 but since I was doing my long run for the week on Thursday my coach told me not to push it), but I got in about a mile each for my warm up and cool down so it ended up being 5 miles total.
Wednesday – stretching and mobility session with Paul from Capital Energy Training. As always, these sessions help so much with keeping my body feeling good when doing lots of running! I had good energy this week so we focused on more active stretching and some strength building for running-related support muscles, too. While I was doing some hip strengthening moves (standing on one leg and slowly bending at the waist and touching the ground with my other leg out behind me, then coming back up), Paul held a band just above my knee and pulled gently outwards – I tend to collapse inward at the knees when doing strength poses so this helped me to focus on correcting it. I’m definitely getting stronger – my hip mobility and strength has gotten a lot better through our sessions!
Thursday – long run for the week. Got this in early since I’ll be out of town this weekend and didn’t want to deal with it while traveling!
My coaches wanted me to do at least 10 to 12 miles, but since my right leg (on the outside right of the calf area) has still been feeling tender I didn’t want to push it, especially since I just did 16 miles on Saturday. I probably need to start wearing compression sleeves when I run again – I think it would help the situation – but I don’t love wearing them when it’s warm out! Maybe next week…
My friend Heather and I met up for the run this morning, and we had slightly cooler weather for the occasion, too. I’m also excited because sunrises are happening around 6:30 now so I’m out there in time to see them – so beautiful!
I felt a bit tired on this run but it ended up being a good one – better pace than I realized! Heather and I had a great chat, too – loved catching up with her. I hadn’t run down on the National Mall in ages, either, so it was fun to check out my favorite city! 🙂
We arrived back at our starting point at 8 miles – good enough for me for this week. Not trying to be a hero and injure myself – I’ll fit in a real long run next week.
Here’s the plan for the rest of the week/weekend:
- Friday – planning to hit a morning yoga class via ClassPass before leaving town in the afternoon.
- Saturday – another yoga class! I’m all about the yoga this week – hoping it helps my leg! I was able to use ClassPass to sign up for a class in the city I’ll be in this weekend – perfect! Love that flex location option.
- Sunday – shorter casual run with my friend I’m traveling with – thinking 4 to 6 miles.
For those of you also training for fall races, how has your training been going this week?
- This cooler weather has definitely helped, although the temps are creeping back up from today on!
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