This past week was a cut-back week, and I was happy about that for a few different reasons! First off, it was nice to have a break from building up my long runs. I had also been building up my easy weekday runs since early August, and those were cut from 6 to 4 this week. And then there was the weather. What a strange week this was! Monday was foggy, Tuesday was hot and humid, and then by the end of the week it was cold, rainy, and windy. Welcome to fall, I guess! I’m just hoping we get some more nice running weather before winter hits us.
Monday: 4 miles easy, core and hip exercises
Tuesday: 10 miles (2 mi w/u, 4×1.5 miles @ 8:10 pace with 1/2 mile recovery, 1 mi c/d) I did this in a hilly area which made it a bit challenging, along with the humidity which decided to come back and visit.
Wednesday: Total body strength training and core/hip exercises
Thursday: 4 miles easy, core and hip exercises
Friday: 4 miles easy
Saturday: 13 miles with 7 easy, 5 at MGP, 1 easy
I had been really nervous about this run because I had no idea what would happen with the weather. I was hearing it could potentially be extremely windy and we still had flood warnings. It ended up raining in the beginning but tapered off by around mile 10. The wind was bad at times but not constant, and didn’t really interfere with my run.
Sunday: Rest/recovery (foam rolling and took a walk)
Total: 35 miles
Now it’s time to build back up again! This will be a big week and then I have the Baltimore half-marathon the following weekend. 7 weeks to go!
Congrats to everyone who raced this weekend!
How were your workouts last week?
Would you rather run in heat/humidity or rain/wind?
Do you find that if you get nervous about a run that it ends up going better or worse than planned?
Linking up with HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin for the weekly wrap!
I don’t mind running in the rain but I do despise running in the wind! The wind definitely affected my race on Saturday but there’s nothing I can do about it. It was a great race anyway 🙂
I think the combo of wind, rain, and cold can be pretty rough, but each on it’s own isn’t too bad. I can’t believe how windy it was in NY! Terrible timing for your race but at least you still had a good time:)
If I’m nervous, a run usually goes better, but I wish it weren’t that way! The easy nothing-special runs sometimes feel tough because no adrenaline is pumping! You had a great week!
Agreed! I wish I didn’t psych myself up so much for the more important runs. And the easy runs usually drag.
Glad to hear your long run of the week ended up going better than you thought it would considering how the weather could’ve been. I actually really enjoy running in the rain. However wind and rain is just torture. Haha!
Thanks! Yes, rain on its own isn’t so bad but the wind makes it much worse!
Girl, we ran through a wind tunnel and splash zone in Chicago here on Friday. It better not be like that for the marathon!
That sounds pretty awful! Hopefully Chicago got that out of it’s system before the race.
I’m not a big fan of wind or humidity for that matter. When I’m nervous about a run, nothing happens and it goes off without a hitch. But then you have your run-of-the-mill (ha ha) runs and something goes wrong. Like my foot. I wonder if I could heal in time to run the Route 66 half? It’s tempting because my Sister lives in Tulsa. Good luck as you head into a build up week. And, in your half marathon too. Thanks for linking with us today!
That would be great if you could do the Rt 66 half! It’s still 7 weeks away! Crazy how those runs we are nervous about can go well while the easy runs can cause all sorts of problems.
I’m definitely not a fan of heat/humidity or rain/wind! And I had both last week, too.
In fact I was so chilled for hours after my “long” run saturday. It’s too early for this! And the forecast for my half is all over the place: first it was rain, then it was rain in the afternoon but a low of 35!!!, now it’s rain ending by midday.
I also know that forecasts are often wrong & I believe it will be better than forecast, but I’m almost clueless about what to wear.
Good thing we’re driving, not flying.
This time of year can be so tricky with how to dress for a race or long run! One day Im in shorts and a tank top, the next Im in tights and a jacket. I hope fall weather sticks around a bit longer before we jump into winter for good!
Awesome week! I hate running in the rain and will almost always surrender to the treadmill, so kudos to you for running outside!
My three runs were good, especially my long run. I’m so so exited for the Baltimore Half! It’s so close!
Thanks! I don’t have a treadmill to run on these days so I had to force myself to go outside. But I would take an outdoor run over the treadmill any day!
I don’t mind heat, but don’t love humidity, and don’t mind rain, but hate wind, so I’m not sure how to answer your question. 🙂 I guess if I had to pick between the two combos, I’d rather run in heat & humidity.
It’s a tough choice! I think I hate wind the most but it definitely depends on the temperature.
Your cut back week is one of my normal weeks. Love it. 🙂 Your Tuesday workout looked hard! Great job! I have never done 1.5 mile repeats.
Even though this was a cut back week it was still more miles than I ran most weeks this year! The workout was tough but not impossible- you should try 1.5 mile repeats sometime!
Ugh, I guess I would choose rain and wind over hot and humid. I think the wind makes it worse though! Congrats on toughing out the weather!
Thanks! The wind definitely makes it worse.
Great job last week!! I finally was able to build up some real mileage coming off my injury, so I was excited about that. We had the same weird weather all week, but the weekend was totally rainy and windy which was no fun. I need to try out those socks… I hate getting blisters between my toes!
Thanks! Thats awesome that you were able to build up your mileage this week. So far I am liking the socks, you should try them!
Way to go this weekend. I would’ve stayed inside and used the treadmill instead of getting out in the rain. I don’t know which weather I would chose, but maybe humidity. Nothing is worse for my run than when my shoes and socks are soaked.
I don’t like when my feet get soaked either! I’ll run in most weather over the treadmill:)
Hey, what a great week! Good job. I hate running in wind. Haaaaaate it. I take it personally. I’d rather run in heat and humidity ANY day.
The wind can be so cruel! Like it makes me angry. The humidity is rough too but I can usually deal with it.
Fabulous week! I am so not a fan of the wind… it is my least favorite condition to run in. I usually end up sticking to the treadmill if it’s too blustery out. I always get nervous about certain runs, occasionally I think I psyche myself out, but usually they go better than anticipated! Hope you have a fabulous start to your week 🙂
When there are really strong gusts of wind it can make running so tough! Not sure what it is about those runs we are nervous about going well:)
You cutback wk looks like my high mileage weeks….haha.Great job! I much prefer to run In heat and humidity. I’d rather be wet from my sweat instead of getting wet from the rain. How did those socks work out? I have never tried the toes socks.
I have worn them twice so far and like them! I was worried they would be uncomfortable but I don’t even notice that I am wearing them.
Your training is going so well! I’d rather run in the wind and rain than heat and humidity – I just am such a wimp when it comes to heat! I tried to not psych myself out for runs this training cycle and just focus on each mile, which helped me do those hard runs.
I find that just taking it one day at a time helps. For some reason as I get closer to the weekend I start to get nervous about my long run!
I am not a fan of the cold, rainy runs either, but I think I would take them over the hot and humid ones.
It looks like you had a good week, running wise, and hopefully the weather will cooperate for you in the next few weeks.
I definitely hope so! I’d love some nice fall running weather:)
you had some great times on your 13mile run with all the weather conditions you were dealing with. I think i would rather have rain/wind then hot/humid i find it much harder to run when im hot and cant cool down.
Thank you! The heat and humidity are definitely tough too.
Yuck don’t like running in either but done both. I guess I’d pick heat an humidity cause I do run in that most often in MS. I love your socks I’m not sure the toes would work for me maybe I’d get use to them. But if they work I’d get over it. You had a great week of training looks like. I was really nervous I’m my last half but it turned out to be a great run. Thanks for linking up with us!!
I was nervous about how the toes would feel but once they are on I don’t notice them at all
I am not excited about these cool, dark mornings either… but I guess we’d better adjust! Great running week. I’m excited to see how this marathon goes for you!
Thanks! It’s crazy that fall is just beginning and I already feel like I am always running in the dark!
Way to get it done, Lisa; that was a great week of training! These are tough questions you have posed to us today – ha! Hmm, I’m going to have to go with rainy, I think?? I just hate the heat and humidity SO much and they slow me down SO much – ugh. The wind is what makes the rain so bad, though; way to push through and get your miles done. I have a tendency to do better, most of the time, when I’m really nervous about a workout/run. I got in 40 miles last week and I’ve got to make sure I keep up with my PT exercises; hope your week is off to a great start!
Congrats on your 40 mile week! I agree with you about the rain- its not so bad on it’s own but the wind is what makes it really rough. Have a great week!
Wow – great productive week. How did you like the iniji socks? I think they are cute but super annoying to put on / take off. I go with the slop on some vaseline method which is less time consuming.
I run in heat and humidity all the time (Miami). So I love to run in cool and windy which we never get. I’m happy to run in the rain but starting a run when it’s raining is not something I’m good at actually doing. Weird, huh?
They do take a little longer to put on but it’s not as bad as I thought it might be!
I don’t like starting a run in the rain either…it’s fine when it starts raining when I am already out running though!
Rain is fine with me, but NOT sheets of it. I can deal with drizzle, not a deluge and 20 mph winds! Although extreme heat is also not so fun. I guess I’m a wimp at heart, even though I am a crazy person who runs outside almost no matter the weather and just whines before and after.
I’ll run outside in just about any weather too! Anything to avoid the treadmill:)
After my last marathon training being 75% in the rain, and then marathon morning it POURED I have since built a hate relationship towards rain, LOL. You are doing GREAT with your training!
I understand! I ran a marathon in the rain and wind a few years ago which made me hate it for awhile…I am kind of over it now but I still really dislike strong winds.
I have the same shoes!!!! How were the Injinji socks? I am looking for some socks that prevent blisters. I have tried Feetures and Swiftwick, however I still get blisters. You are doing such a great job.
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I haven’t tried too many other socks but I think the injinji socks are good so far! But I’ve only worn them twice.
I had two cut back weeks so far as well. I was worried at first, but the additional rest actually helped me to prevent some injuries. You had a great training week!
Way to go on a great week and getting in five miles at MGP during your long run!
I find that when I stress about a run it either goes WAY better than I expected or way worse than I even thought possible! Usually it goes way better than expected, but sometimes the fulfilling prophecy of a bad run happens!
I sometimes get really nervous about a long run, but it always feels better knowing that its done. Even if it’s a tough run the feeling of accomplishment outweighs everything. Cut back weeks are the best!
Amazing job on your long run! That’s fantastic. How did the Injinji socks work?
There are certain runs that I get really nervous about before running them – usually tempos and mile repeats. Sometimes they go much better than I think they will but not always. And I think I’d prefer to run in rain/wind than heat/humidity. Though really, why can’t it just be nice out all the time?!
I agree, I wish it could be nice out all the time!
The socks have been good so far! Comfortable and no blisters.
A great week! I think I would prefer rain over heat and humidity. I ran in it all weekend at Ragnar and it wasn’t that bad!
I agree, the rain isn’t too terrible! I think when its rainy and also cold and windy that can be kind of rough.
Great job pushing through your long run despite the wind and the rain! I hate running in those conditions. I do love cut back weeks! I’m in my cut back week now.
Your 13 miler went awesome! Rain is never fun for that long of a run, but at least it didn’t end up being full force hurricane. I will rain, cold, wind, anything over heat and humidity lol
You do really well getting your core and hip work in. I have been trying to do that more frequently this training cycle.
I love my injinji socks!