This was the final stretch of the Race Across Maryland for me as I completed 250 running miles (since June 15th) this week. It was a cutback week which I needed after a few weeks of running higher mileage. This felt like it was such a long week. I’m struggling to even summarize what happened because Monday feels like it was a month ago!
Weekly Run Down- The Final Stretch of the Race Across Maryland
Monday: 6 Miles + Core Work
Tuesday: Strength Training + 2.3 Miles
Wednesday: 4.1 Stroller Miles + Hip/Glute Exercises
Thursday: Rest Day
Friday: Strength Training + 3 Miles
Saturday: 8.4 Miles with 5 x 1 mile hard/.5 mile easy
Sunday: Yoga + 3.6 Stroller Miles
Weekly Run Miles: 27.4 miles
Total Race Across MD Miles: 253.6/250
Running
There was less stroller running this week due to the weather. Almost every day there was a “chance of storms”. If I really wanted to run and didn’t want to risk having to skip it due to storms, I got it in early knowing I had the treadmill as an option as needed. Luckily I only used the treadmill once this week after my strength workout on Tuesday.
Even though we got quite a bit of rain it continued to feel humid. However, the temps were slightly cooler than previous weeks so that was a win!
Long Run
Since it was a cutback week I planned to run around 8 miles for my long run on Saturday. I’ve said before how sometimes I like to add intervals to make the run go by faster. I started with a mile warm up and then alternated 1 mile hard with .5 mile easy. It definitely made the run go by faster!
It’s weird because lately almost all of my runs have been easy and my pace has been slower than usual for me. (Probably due to higher mileage, the heat, and often the stroller). But when I give a little push the faster paces don’t feel terribly hard. Not sure if that even makes sense. I think my body just takes advantage of really slowing down for easy runs these days.
August Challenge
This month I’m try to stretch, foam roll, and/or do yoga for at least 10 minutes a day. Mostly this comes in the form of stretching spread out throughout the day. I’ve also foam rolled a little more this week and even did about 20 minutes of yoga on Sunday morning! My other challenge this month is to plank for 2 minutes a day. I’ve been splitting this up as well. Sometimes I do the full 2 minutes at once but as soon as I start to lose my form I take a break. Other days I will just plank for 30-45 seconds whenever I have a chance throughout the day and just try to do it enough times to add up to 2 minutes. I think its good to work on my core engagement throughout the day and not just when I do my formal workout.
Fall Running Plans
Now that I made it through the final stretch of the Race Across Maryland I’m starting to think about what I want to focus on next. As I shared on Friday, I have the option to run my May half-marathon virtually or defer it to 2021 or 2022. I think I’m going go for the virtual option with so many unknowns in the future. However, if I don’t feel like running a virtual half, I just won’t run it. While they are focusing on September 5th as the virtual race date, it can be completed on any date so I can really wait until the weather cools off and I feel ready.
For now I am just going to run whatever I feel like for awhile until I get the itch to focus on something more specific again. I’d like to start working on some speed in the fall once it cools off, which many mean less mileage at that point. We’ll see!
You may also like:
Race Across Maryland Week 7: Caving to the Heat
Race Across Maryland Week 6 (Miles 212-253)
Camp Run Happy Weekend and Race Across Maryland Week 5
How were your workouts last week?
Do you have have fall running plans?
Have your faces been slower this summer due to the heat?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
I am also planning on more stretching and yoga daily. It’s always a challenge for me to fit it in but I am so happy when I do. Nice job getting out there this week. I was thwarted by the weather a few times we had lots of rain. Thanks for linking!
The daily stretching is one of those things that I need to be really intentional about. I either need to do it right after my run or set aside time later in the day to get it done!
One of my goals for August is to do yoga at least 2x/week. I don’t love yoga but I know that doing it somewhat consistently should hopefully help with some of my aches and pains, and make me more flexible as well.
Totally agree about the yoga. I go through phases with it and right now I’m just not in the mood for it. But it always feels good when I take the time to do it!
This past week felt super long to me as well. I’ve been doing well with the foam roller but I so need to get some yoga back in my routine. 10 minutes a day sounds perfect!
I know that a little bit of yoga goes a long way, but sometimes its still hard to get it done!
Nice job conquering Maryland!
I have no race plans LOL! Just running along, doing my thing. That’s all I can do.
Since you posted, I have tried to be better about stretching. It’s so good for us.
Nice job with the stretching! Its nice to see other people doing it too because it reminds me to do it and keeps me motivated.
Summer is just always soul sucking to me, and this one was particularly hot & humid (and not over yet). Although we did have a couple of really nice days after Isaias blew through!
I am embracing my treadmill again, and oddly for me, that helps. I don’t love it, but I don’t loathe it either.
Thank you for reminding me I had planned to try to do some more foam rolling today! Although first I need to go film a video, so I might forget again, LOL!
I don’t hate the treadmill either. Sometimes its a nice break from running outside when the weather is intense! Hope you made some time for foam rolling!
I do have a few virtual halfs as well as that live one (we’ll see if that happens) for the fall. Right now my motivation is low to train for them. Maybe if it cools off–that might help.
I definitely think I’ll feel more motivated if it ever cools off. I’m just not sure when that will finally happen!
Congrats on finishing Maryland! I’m sure that you’ll run 13.1 sometime this fall so the virtual is a good choice. I’m probably looking at too many long races in October so I may end up skipping one. Don’t get me wrong, I will run the miles, but if it’s too much to “race” all at once then I’ll collect the medals now and “earn” them later.
That makes sense! There’s no reason to push yourself too hard all at once.
Yay for planking (and stretching/rolling as well). My Run Across Iowa ended yesterday & I totally forgot about it due to the Derecho storm. We got all the wind but not much rain…and we really need rain.
Sorry about the storm! I could see myself forgetting about the official end of this challenge now that I’ve met my mileage goal.
Congrats on completing those 250 miles! The morning rain last week really threw me off. Your stretch/yoga/foam roll goal for August is a great idea. I’m sort of floundering without a goal.
I definitely like having goals to work on, even if they are small. Its hard to go so long without any races to train for!
I like the plank idea! Last week I started doing 10 minutes of glutes strength workouts 3 times a week. This week I am adding workouts for my arms. I know I can do more but for now this is enough and more than what I’ve done in the past (which is nothing).
Great job on your challenge! I have about 40 miles left to do in mine. I don’t know what I will when I am done. I mean I will continue running but I feel like I need another challenge. I know I don’t want to do a virtual race. We’ll see what happens.
I know what you mean about needing something else to work on! I’m not sure about a virtual race either. I might do a 10k (and maybe the half from May) but I don’t know how much I’ll really train for them.
Congrats on getting your goal! A challenge for the 10 mins of self care sounds great. I have been running and biking a lot more. I’m sure it would be very helpful for me! I’ve got no virtual races in my future, but we did just start a training plan with a goal of a half marathon at the end. They are still not sure if it’s happening, but it’s nice for everyone to be running with a plan again.
It must be so nice to have a plan! I kind of want to start following a training plan even if I dont do a race at the end.