It’s hard to believe that it’s already October. I think many of us have said this before, but this really has been the fastest and slowest year ever. If you’ve been following along with my training for this spring/summer you may have seen that I’ve been very gradually building my mileage. In the spring I was running about 25 miles per week and this week I got up to 38 miles. For many runners this isn’t terribly high, but it’s the most I’ve done in several years. I’ll start by wrapping up last week’s workouts and then talk more about my October running plans.
Building Mileage and October Running Plans: Weekly Run Down
Monday: 6.5 Miles with 6 x 400m at 10k pace + Core Work
Tuesday: Strength Training + 4.3 Miles
Wednesday: 6.5 Miles Easy
Thursday: Strength Training + 3.7 Miles
Friday: 12 Miles
Saturday: 1.5 Recovery Miles + Walking
Sunday: 3.8 Miles
Total: 38.3 Miles
Last week’s workout routine
I felt like I was back on track after being all thrown off last week. However, Rob threw me a curve ball on Thursday when he told me he had to go into work on Saturday morning and was going to head in early, like leave the house at 5:15. But he also wanted to run with us on Sunday. So I negotiated and asked if I could get my long run done on Friday, and if he could plan to stick around until about 6:30 that day before going to work. So at the last minute I ended up running my long run on Friday!
I did half of it on the treadmill and half outside because it was raining. After a few miles on the treadmill I was over it, plus my iFit was all messed up because my internet connection in the basement has been terrible lately. Switching to running outside worked out well and 6 miles in the rain was the perfect amount.
10k Race Prep
I’ve been talking about how I’m signed up to run the virtual MCM 10k this month as a part of the Brooks’ Run Happy Team. We have until November 10th to complete it, so I decided to push it back a few weeks. Initially I was planning to do it the first week in October but I just don’t feel ready. I eased back into a workout this week with 6 x 400m at 10k pace. While this is not a very demanding workout, it made me nervous thinking about running that pace for 6.2 miles! Oh, and the 100% humidity didn’t help things with this workout.
#Rundestober
Des Linden is planning to run a mile for each day of the month in October and has invited everyone to run along side her, doing whatever running goal they want. I’ve never done an intentional run streak, but since I’ve already been running 6 days a week consistently I am going to try adding in a very easy mile on my recovery days this month. If I feel like it’s too much then I will go back to walking on those days.
I’m hoping to hit 40 miles/week this month if all goes well. The weather has been pretty good which helps alot. It kind of depends on how Grayson tolerates stroller runs. Some days I can get to 5 miles with him, but other days he is done being in there after 3. I’ll probably need to focus on making my solo runs a little longer, since I have some more control over those distances.
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What are your running plans for this month?
Have you ever done a run streak?
Would you rather do a long run outside in the rain/dark or on the treadmill?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
The best thing about virtual racing is being able to move the race date according to your needs. Usually I don’t run more than 3 days in a row but because my schedule was a little different this week I’ve gone 5 days in a row. It’s Ok but for where I am right now in my fitness I really get a lot out of my rest days. You know my answer on outside vs treadmill: rain is outside but dark is an automatic inside for me. I’ve only split a run between the treadmill and outside once, but it worked well and I can see doing more of it as the days get shorter.
While its kind of annoying to split up a run, sometimes its the best option. I’m not sure why but right now it’s been harder for me to run on the treadmill. I think it’s because I haven’t been doing it as much lately.
I think it’s fantastic that you have been able to slowly up your mileage. Those miles count double bc they are often run with your stroller! Enjoy our amazing weather!
Thanks! If it weren’t for stroller running I don’t think I would be able to run this much!
I saw Desi’s run streak and because it’s Des, i wanted to participate. I just can’t do a run streak–I need to give my legs a break. With CF and my runs, I actually end up running about 5-6 days per week, but those CF days aren’t much more than 1/2 mile usually. Excuses, excuses, I know…
I think alot of runners (including myself) really need a rest day. I am hoping that for just 1 month I can do this, as long as one day is super short and easy.
Well, 38 miles is a lot of weekly miles in my world LOL Thankfully, my body tolerates the low/moderate numbers well with my training (that is, WHEN I’m actually running ). Good luck with the run streak! I hadn’t even thought about it until now, but I usually do the Runner’s World winter run streak, but not sure if my podiatrist will approve of that. It’s almost two months away, so we’ll see how things progress in the next month or so. I think I’d choose a long run in the rain (or in the dark, which has happened before) over the treadmill.
I guess it will depend on when you can get back to running and how much you can do at that point! Either way, I’m sure you will find some sort of a fitness streak to do!
I’m planning to ramp up my long runs — which got pretty short recently — but not my mileage. 40/week is fantastic!
That’s a good plan! I haven’t really thought about increasing my long runs too much. The most I’ve done is 13.1 and I probably won’t do much more than that if I’m not training for a marathon.
Good luck on the run streak! I remember seeing the post but then lost track of time (end of September and beginning of October). Time is going by too fast.
I think you are ready for your 10k. You’ve been doing really well in your workouts.
Thank you! Time really is going too fast!
September was a hard month for me but I feel like it went by quickly.
Good luck with your run streak! I have no doubt that you’ll complete it because you’ve been so consistent with your workouts, especially running, all year.
Thanks! I just want to be smart about it. There’s no point in doing it if it leads to injury or burnout.
Running streaks have not worked in my favor when I’ve tried them. I need a rest day! I’d for sure take the treadmill run 🙂 5 miles seems like a long distance for a stroller run and to keep Grayson entertained. Good job at that!
Thanks! There are lots of stops when I run with the stroller. He usually makes it about 25 minutes with no problems and after that its all about trying to keep him entertained and seeing how long he will last.