I lived my best runner's life this week with temperatures in the (very) low 50's. I've heard it said that training in heat and humidity is "poor man's altitude training" and I feel very much like I went from 10,000 feet to sea level. 30.5 miles of running and the bare minimum in the weight lifting department.
Monday: the first day of the cold spell and I eagerly lapped up 5.25 miles.
Tuesday: I went to the "track" a.k.a. the flat walking loop and increased my long repeats to 1.5 miles. 1.5 miles warm up, 1.5 mile repeats w/0.25 miles recover x 2 and then 2 miles cool down for 7 miles total (and since it's just you and me, the last mile of the cool down was purely for bragging rights).
Wednesday: I knew that I needed a rest day and I took it, but man it was the coolest day of the week and it was so hard to pass up a run. I mean, I still got my walking in but...
Thursday: oh NBD just another 7 miles. 2 miles warm up, 4x400 w/400 recover, 3 miles cool down. And since it's just you and me the last two miles of the cool down were somewhere between showing off and genuinely having fun and not wanting to stop.
Friday: was the day that I made another long time dream come true. I've always wanted to get my long run done on a Friday and the schedule worked out this week. Normally I like to take my sweet time on long run day and have coffee and treat myself to a nice breakfast beforehand, usually something sugary like waffles or French toast. As it was I had a quick slurp of coffee, a Cliff bar, and a glass of UCAN and was out the door for 8 miles.
My biggest goal for this run was to do it without stopping since I've gotten in the habit of taking breaks on my runs over the summer. That was easy enough (I never said that the goal was to get through the run without wanting to stop😁) so then I added the secondary goal of a fast finish and busted out my final mile in 10:45. Next week the goal will be to do a fast middle and a fast finish...oh wait according to the forecast the goal next week will just be to run at all since it's going to be hot again.
Saturday: rest due to a family party.
Sunday: I was torn between taking a rest day yet kind of wanting to run so a run it was. 3.3 treadmill miles. The temperature is back up...sigh, I guess the dream can't go on forever.
I'm not sure exactly what the plan is for next week, but with the forecast back to 🔥, I may try combo treadmill/outside runs just to help myself out a bit. Or I might suck it up and just do shorter runs in the heat. TBD.
Athlete Crush of the Week
Jeannie Rice. I'd heard of her before and I know I heard her on some podcast at some point, but the memory was refreshed when Darlene recommended this podcast episode. Jeannie is 72, started running at 35, has never had a running injury and "only" has 7 National Records and "only" got a 3:24 at the Berlin marathon last year. I could listen to her talk all day.
Also of Interest
As much as I am "over" summer running, I also got a lot out of this episode of Run Eat Repeat.
Happy Running Everyone!
Look at you! All those miles you put in this summer are paying off. So awesome. And yes, Jeanie Rice is my she-ro. She's amazing.
ReplyDeleteI know. I want her to be a guest on all of the running podcasts. She is so interesting.
DeleteOh wow low 50s is music to this runner's ears! Glad you were able to take advantage and get some good runs in. The heat is building back here as well. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteOof we got ours again this week. Last week was just so good with the weather....
DeleteThe cooler temps always make all the difference for me as well. Way to go on getting in those runs this week and loving them. Send some of that cooler weather my way!
ReplyDeleteI will, but can you do something about all of the hot weather that we got back this week;-)
DeleteLow 50s is my ideal running weather, but I’m not ready for that yet! @e got down to the upper 60s this week and that felt pretty nice! Your running is really taking off this summer!
ReplyDeleteIt was a perfect week! Still pretty warm during the day but cool in the mornings. Sign me up for that anytime.
DeleteGreat job with your running this week! I'm jealous of those temps in the 50s although I'm not quite ready to completely say goodbye to summer just yet.
ReplyDeleteI just want to live in a universe where it's 50 degrees in the morning and then 70-80 for the rest of the day. It's not too much to ask is it?
DeleteThe cooler temps were amazing this week! Unfortunately we're back to the hot and humid weather this weekend but I enjoyed the few days of Fall-like weather we had. But if I could pick ideal running weather it would also be low 50's!
ReplyDeleteIt's the perfect temp, warm enough for shorts and a tank but cool enough that I don't feel like I'm dying.
DeleteDang, girl! You are busting out some serious miles! Awesome job!!
ReplyDeleteOh man with weather like this it's easy! It's every other week of the year that's hard.
DeleteWow, what a great week! That weather sounds so lovely. You are doing such a great job with your running, it's fun to see. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jess, running is just plain fun in general. Even more so when the weather isn't trying to freeze us out or melt us.
DeleteYou are crushing it! How awesome for you! And I love that you have such gorgeous weather! It's just oppressively hot and humid here. Keep it up!
ReplyDeleteIn FL my standard run is 3 miles on the beach and then straight into the ocean. I can't wait until we can travel again (or should I say until it's smart to travel again) and then we will be putting in some serious beach time.
DeleteGreat job on your runs! You are doing so well and cannot wait to see how you do in races. Crossing my fingers for next year because I also want to race too.
ReplyDeleteYou know that the Shamrock Shuffle is high on my list! Someday we'll run it together.
DeleteGreat job this week! Gotta love a fast finish! I am wondering how my stomach would feel about having a meal like that before my run. Yikes, it would not be good. I would gladly eat it afterwards though!
ReplyDeleteYes, for the long runs I need the extra fuel. I'm not talking about going to IHOP and stuffing myself, just a normal home sized portion of waffles or French toast.
DeleteYou're on such a roll with your training!!! Wow! That Thursday run had me smiling from ear to ear, well done! Whenever races open again, you'll be more than ready.
ReplyDeleteRacing sounds really amazing right now! We'll be ready when it comes back.
DeleteWow- that weather sounds amazing. You've been working really hard all summer so it's no surprise it's paying off!
ReplyDeleteIt was a great week. I can't wait until this fall to really bust out some miles.
DeleteLow 50s is my ideal running weather! You had an awesome week of running!
ReplyDeleteMine too! We're hot again this week but I keep telling myself that it's the last hot spell.
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