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My next marathon is getting very real. I'll catch a flight in just 25 days. With Mother's Day, high school graduation events, a trip or two to the lake, Memorial Day... it's practically here. Where did the time go? I feel very good about my April training. I stayed on track with my long run mileage and also ran two half marathons.
Most of this week was about recovery. I suspected it would be. It is why I opted to run back to back long distance runs of 16 and 17 miles in the two weekends prior to my steep downhill, extra recovery inducing, half marathon. I was afraid I may not be able to run long the weekend after. I was very shocked and pleased with my finish time on tired legs and hope it bodes well for the marathon... I digress.
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Little happened during the work week except for a short yoga routine Tuesday and 60 minutes of cross training on the mag trainer Wednesday. I enjoyed a few Epsom Salt baths and spent the week wearing compression sleeves under my work slacks. A short 3 mile run on Thursday morning told me loud and clear, my legs needed more time. Alrighty. No mid-week marathon race pace run for me!
By the weekend the legs were feeling fresher, although I wouldn't say 100%. I wanted to do my long run on Saturday to get it over with. But, the humidity was extreme so I decided to stay in bed a while longer. I eventually got out for 7 easy miles.
Sunday morning, we were blessed with lower humidity. I hit the street just before 6:30 a.m.and it was pretty pleasant for the first two hours. By the last hour, I had lost most of my shade and it was hot, but I got in my long run done. Only one more long run remains for this training cycle. WHOOT.
And that's a wrap!
Tell me, do you finally have Spring weather? Or Summer, perhaps?
What is your favorite way to recover after a strenuous race?
That's amazing...back-to-back 7-miler and 18-miler! In the heat, none the less ;-) You're a beast (but in the nicest, sweetest way possible).
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks. I'll take that compliment. LOL.
DeleteMan, I just went back and read your race recap and you crushed that half! Congrats on that PR!!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite way to recover after a strenuous race is by doing nothing. Maybe walking. But definitely not doing anything tough for a few days. I think you played this week very well.
Thanks, Jennifer. It felt good to run speedier for a change!
DeleteNice work, my friend, and great job listening to your body. No need to push yourself to an injury at this point!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been repeating that over and over lately. Where's my bubble wrap?
DeleteHaha I've also worn my compression socks to work. Smart! ANd we finally had a hint of spring this week! It was warm and sunny all weekend long
ReplyDeleteI kinda hate it's the season for capri or cropped pants. The compression socks definitely wreck that look! LOL.
Deleteback to back long runs are impressive! We had summer for a few days but looks like we are back to spring. I need a few weeks to adapt to the heat before running in it. I've come to love the cooler running temps
ReplyDeleteI have never adapted to the heat. I wish I could! I just suffer...and whine.
DeleteNice job with your workouts! Your race is approaching quickly. We jumped to summer this week but it does look like it might be a little more tolerable next week. I like the warm weather but Im also not training for a marathon!
ReplyDeleteThese last weeks of marathon training have not been easy in the heat. I thought I would be finished by the time we got to our brutal heat. Not so lucky.
DeleteI've used Epsom salts to help recover from my long runs too. Sounds like a lot of running, and your marathon will be here soon!
ReplyDeleteI bought a huge bag of Epsom salts recently and am still enjoying those soaks!
DeleteI love Epsom salts! I don't know if its just mental or they actually help, but I enjoy them nonetheless :)
ReplyDeleteWow- your marathon is coming up quickly, how exciting! Minneapolis jumped to summer this week with 80 degree temps. It was fantastic though I didn't get to enjoy it with running... just some walk with the dog.
Thanks for hosting the link up, it's wonderful!
It's probably just mental, but regardless it is a nice soothing treat.
DeleteWe had all three seasons like a ping pong this week! But I enjoyed running in some skirts. Finally.
ReplyDeleteSounds to me like you're going to rock your marathon. I know you & Teresa will have fun no matter what!
I look forward to a fun adventure with Teresa in Colorado!
DeleteYou've trained like a champ and you're going to race like one too. Yes, finally spring here. You might even say summer. I'll take it!
ReplyDeleteAfter the winter you've had in Chicago, you definitely deserve some warm weather.
DeleteThe crappy thing about hot weather: Can't wear compression socks under pants when it's too hot for pants. The temps are warm here in SC but still nice enough to enjoy the weather. I'm injured and not running and would still do anything to run even if it meant my runs had to be in 100% humidity.
ReplyDeleteYou had a good recovery week! Glad you got out at the end of the week, and an 18 miler is pretty awesome. You're going to rock the marathon.
Thanks for hosting the linkup as always!
Yeah, the compression socks definitely ruin the cropped or carpi look...unless you want to start a new fashion trend. LOL.
DeleteIt's summer here already and I'm A-okay with that! May is indeed a very busy month. You are doing a good job staying on track with your training!
ReplyDeleteMay is definitely a crazy month for me too. But, I'm not sure June will be any better. Maybe July? August?
DeleteOne more long run? Wow, you'll be ready and we'll be cheering you on. I enjoy reading about your training! We definitely have spring/summer weather here. It depends on the day. :) One day it is 98 and the next it could be 58!
ReplyDeleteI wish we still had a few cool days sprinkled in! Enjoy them while they last!
DeleteGosh, your marathon is coming soon, but you still have time for some tapering and recovery! May is such a busy month! I hope you get some good water skiing in.
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm definitely looking forward to water skiing!
DeleteIt's definitely summer weather here (triple digits all week!). Your training sounds spot on. Smart to take some cutback/recovery time after your races.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine running in your heat! I don't know how you do it.
DeleteKnock on wood, we are finally getting spring like temps. Good job staying on track with your workouts.
ReplyDeleteThose first few spring days you spend doing something outside are always so enjoyable!
DeleteWow 25 days? You got this! May (well March and April too) has been super busy here too and next week is 38 weeks pregnant so I know baby will be here soon bringing some new challenges! It was springlike here and I loved it.
ReplyDeleteYour pregnancy has flown by (at least for us!). I hope you are feeling well and enjoying the nice weather.
DeleteIt sounds like you made a good decision to move your run to this morning. It's amazing how one day can make the difference. Today was pretty cool here, in fact, it was 20° cooler than Friday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the linkup!
I look at way too many weather apps and spend way too much time making these kinds of decisions! LOL.
DeleteOne more long run? Wow! This training cycle flew...or at least for me. Hahaha. Great move on taking it easy to recover.
ReplyDeleteIt really was a fast cycle. But, technically I only trained using a 14 week plan since I was already half marathon ready. It felt quick.
DeleteIt's amazing how the sun can change the feel of a run. Great job getting your 18 miles done.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate a little cloud cover. It makes a huge amount of difference. I don't feel like I'm "baking".
DeleteIt's feeling pretty summery around here! I can't believe you're only 25 days out! This year is flying by!! Great job taking a recovery week... and still getting in an 18 mile run.
ReplyDeleteI don't want to think about how fast this year is going by. It's scary.
DeleteGreat recovery week! I think you'll do awesome on your upcoming marathon! I like to wear compression socks after hard workouts at work too.
ReplyDeleteI've got a extra tight pair that really seem to help with shin splits and calf soreness. I wear them all the time (when I can get away with them not showing!).
DeleteNice work with the back to back long runs and listening to your body! Looks like you’re nearly ready for that marathon. It’s on the very warm end of spring here in Atlanta but I know summer will be even more hot and humid, so trying to embrace it.
ReplyDeleteSince I'm in the south, I like to take an off season during the summer...at least for part of it. I have been known to start marathon training in August. That's pretty brutal here.
DeleteIt's funny how weeks fly by when you are in training for something big!! So looking forward to your Marathon - you've put in such good solid work. But first I need to get my first Half Marathon out of the way - only a week to go now. Eeeek! Yes, where did all the time go?!?!
ReplyDeleteThe taper time is feeling much slower than the training time. Funny how that works! I'm so proud of you and your marathon performance!!
DeleteSolid week of work! Great job on your long run today and I'm glad that it wasn't too humid.
ReplyDeleteIt's freaky how a slight change in humidity can make such a difference in the way the temperature feels.
DeleteYou're going to do great at your marathon! And it's always smart to take a little bit of a rest if you need it. Better that than risk an injury, right? It's definitely summer (and humid) here. No spring for us!
ReplyDeleteOur spring is usually the first week in February. Then it's over. LOL.
DeleteFlorida still can't decide what it wants the weather to be like. Last week it was in the high 60s and got up to the 80s, pushing 90 during the day and this week it seems to be back down to the 50s in the morning and 70s during the day.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like you've had a good training cycle! Good luck on your race!
I don't mind the hot afternoons...just give me a chilly morning. Is that too much to ask? {Apparently. LOL}
DeleteIt has certainly seemed to jump straight to summer! Thankfully it looks like we'll get back to more reasonable 70s this week in my neck of the woods. Thanks to the overcast yesterday, my tempo run was actually pleasant! Great job on your recovery this week - I'm a fan of compression sleeves and Epsom salt baths as well!
ReplyDeleteOvercast skies definitely help me from feeling like I'm baking out in the heat. My shady neighborhood helps too but I have to time that just right - it loses shade at a certain point.
DeleteWow, you are close! After that last long run you can taper on down hopefully through the craziness of May. We had a heat wave last week but this week looks beautiful. Now I just need my knee to recover 100% so I can get out and enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteWell, as you know, tapering has it's own craziness. I hope your knee is better!
DeleteI'm back to early morning long runs. This past weekend I was out the door and running by 6am!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's always been my favorite time to run. But this year, I'm really struggling to get up. I don't know why!
DeleteReally impressive on those back to back long runs!
ReplyDeleteThanks! Sometimes you have to juggle the schedule around to fit what's going on in life.
DeleteThis heat and humidity os for the birds...no one has time for summer heat in the spring!!
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid it's going to be a long summer...
DeleteYou have been doing awesome with your training! I have no doubt you'll do great with your marathon!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Michelle. I hope I can have a strong race.
DeleteEeks so close to race day!!
ReplyDeleteWe went straight from winter to summer. I'm sad lol.
Post run, I like to use deep blue rub, compression socks, and take an Epsom salt soak!
I haven't tried deep blue rub. It's certainly worth checking into.
DeleteSounds like you had a good April! Wow your next marathon is coming up close. I just read your Tear Drop Half recap, congrats on your PR!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I was completely surprised by that PR. It was almost 6 minutes faster than my last try on that course. The cool weather helped.
DeleteHeck yeah for getting closer to the end of your training - and to the start of your marathon, woohoo!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so ready for this training cycle to be over. The heat has taken its toll, unfortunately.
DeleteYour marathon is so close! Well done on recovering from that race and then doing an 18 miler!
ReplyDeleteThe race is getting scary close. I hope I can stay healthy until race day.
DeleteHoly smokes your marathon came up fast!!! Great training, Holly and sure hope for nice race day weather for you! We had an 87°F day and now it’s back to 60°F. Make up your mind, weather!
ReplyDeleteYour marathon will not be far behind! I hope you have great weather for your race.
Delete