Another week of training for the Charles Street 12 is complete! And now it is less than a month away. I finally registered for the race this week, so I guess I’m really doing it!
This week was similar to last week but instead of speed work I did a hill workout on the treadmill. I also got out with the stroller during the week (rather than doing an early morning treadmill run). The heat and humidity was annoying over the weekend, but nothing unusual for Maryland in August.
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Strength Training
Wednesday: 5 mile hill workout
I did this on the treadmill which I think worked out well. The workout was a 10 minute warm up, 5 x 2 minutes hard uphill, 10 minute cool down. I think it would have been tough to find a hill outside to run up for 2 minutes (at least one close by home). This workout felt hard but I do think I could have pushed a little more. By the last few intervals I was able to pick up my pace a bit and I think I could have done the same on the earlier ones.
Thursday: 3 stroller miles
My training plan has me doing an optional 3 mile run on Wednesdays and a harder run on Thursdays, but I switched things up this week. I decided to do a stroller run on Thursday. This was my first time taking the stroller out by myself without Rob to split it up with. I was able to run the full 3 miles with it, but I wouldn’t say the run was “easy”!
Friday: Strength Training
I was really tired and glad I was strength training and not running!
Saturday: 10 miles
I switched my schedule up once again and did my long run on Saturday instead of Sunday. It was nice to get it over with and then I felt less pressure to get it done on Sunday. It was hot and humid again but what else is new? I was supposed to do the last mile around half-marathon pace and I ended up doing it in 8:10, which seems about right for my fitness right now. I think I drank 20 gallons of water throughout the rest of the day.
Sunday: 4 mile stroller run
Rob ran with the stroller for the first 2 miles and I did the second 2 miles. I’m still having a hard time steering. I feel like I just can’t seem to get the front wheel going exactly straight ahead!
I’m feeling like I am glad this is a relatively short training cycle and that I don’t have anything planned beyond this race. While I am really enjoying the process of training again, it’s pretty exhausting! I also think that is due to just being generally stressed/busy with life and not getting as much sleep as I used to. This plan feels like a good balance that will get me to the start line ready for the race without overdoing it.
When is your next race? How far ahead do you start planning for what’s next?
Are you used to the summer weather yet? Ready for fall?
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Sounds like a solid week and so glad to see you training for a race again. I’ve started doing hill-work on the treadmill as I don’t have any “long” hills nearby. I have found it works quite well although I do prefer being outdoors for my runs.
Yep totally agree! I think its good to be able to have the option to run longer hills. I dont mind the treadmill as long as I’m not on there too often or for too long!
A really solid training week for you! Glad your son does not mind being in the stroller. You are really coming back strong! Thanks for linking up
He is getting better about being in there! I’m surprised he hasn’t fallen asleep while I’m running yet. If I start doing longer runs with him I’m hoping he will learn to sleep in there!
Congrats on a great week of training Lisa!
Thanks Kim!
Great week for you! I wasn’t a runner when our kids were stroller-bound, but I did lots of power walking with them (single stroller and double stroller). I can’t imagine having to run with all that resistance! I just registered for a 5K last night, but this will not be one to “race” because it’s SO crowded with lots of families (and many, many walkers)….but it’s for a great cause 😉
I think with races like that its all about going into it knowing you won’t be “racing”. I get frustrated when I line up to a race and then realize that with all the families (and kids lined up in the front row) that it will be challenging to navigate.
Great job on another strong week of training! Summer training is always more tiring – it feels like it can take all day to feel normal after a hot and humid run.
Yes that is probably a big part of it too! Hopefully the cooler weather will be here soon.
great week Lisa! I’m really tempted to do my hill training on the treadmill because of the time needed to go uphill – what sort of incline did you use, do you remember? I think eventually you’ll get the stroller running down – not that I have any experience with that!
My next race is a Half Marathon in Helsinki. I planned that as a training for the Chicago Marathon but in september I also have the Bridge to Bridge Run (which is local, and I do it every year but I haven’t decided on the distance yet). After Chicago I don’t know what I’m doing yet. I am leaning towards switching to 5 and 10K’s next year to work on my fitness and speed. I feel like I lost a lot of endurance just in the few short months I was off running after my foot surgery and it’s not always “fun” doing my marathon training. The long runs suck to be quite frank!
luckily our weather is “normal” again so quite pleasant. I love late summer / early fall in the Netherlands because if it’s not raining, it’s generally really nice. So yeah, I’d be ok if summer were over 🙂
For the hill repeats I used a 5% incline. It felt hard but manageable! I think about 4-6% would be good for hill repeats.
Sorry your long runs haven’t been going well! Maybe it will be good to take a break and focus on shorter distances.
Congrats on the solid workouts. I tried to push the stroller while away with my brother, kids last week and yeah – it doesn’t do straight
So ready for fall.
Besides an 18M supported training run in September, I have nothing on the books until the marathon and haven’t raced since June. I don’t miss it, although I’ve still been out every Saturday with my run group. I have two Halfs on the books in Jan, Feb and will likely register for a 15K between the marathon and the first one
Sounds like you will have a busy fall and winter! Sometimes its nice to take a break from racing. I rarely ever race anymore, although I would like to start doing some shorter races more regularly to challenge myself.
and work is crazy for me then. I think that’s why I’m taking a racing break. Too much else going on