This week brought the start of July and it certainly felt like it! A few weeks ago it seemed like every few days we would get a little break from the heat, but not anymore. Lately it has felt like each day is hotter than the one before. I’m trying to just enjoy it (if that’s possible) but the heat has definitely slowed me down. I really notice it on the stroller runs because we go out after the sun is already up (plus I’m pushing the stroller). All that being said, it was still a pretty good week! Let’s take a look at the Race Across Maryland Week 3.
Weekly Run Down
Monday: Strength Training + 4.6 Stroller Miles + 1.3 Mile Walk
Tuesday: 6.35 Miles (with 8 x 400s) + Hip/Glute Strength + 3.2 Mile Walk
Wednesday: Strength Training + 4 Stroller Miles + 1.6 Mile Walk
Thursday: Rest Day + 3.4 Mile Walk
Friday: 4.2 Stroller Miles + Core Work + .6 Mile Walk
Saturday: 10 Miles + 1 Mile Walk
Sunday: 3.6 Stroller Miles + .9 Mile Walk
Weekly Run Miles: 32.7
Weekly Walk Miles: 12
Total Race Across Maryland Miles: 128/250
Walking
Due to the heat even walking was a struggle this week. I found myself breaking them into shorter walks because we both couldn’t handle being outside in the middle of the day for too long. Last year I was able to use a fan on the stroller, but this year I can’t figure out anywhere to put it without Grayson being able to grab it. At least this year I can give him cold water to drink while we are out, assuming he doesn’t toss it out of the stroller.
Speed Workout
On Tuesday I did a speed workout as I am prepping for a 1 mile race at the end of July. I ran 8 sets of 400s, aiming for around my 1 mile pace. I didn’t quite hit my paces, but the effort was certainly there. It’s been awhile since I did short, fast intervals like this and I felt them in the heat.
Long Run
Long RunSaturday’s long run was such a struggle. Even before I got outside it was one of those mornings where nothing was going right. I realized my contact was torn and had to go change it shortly before getting out the door. The night before I froze a little water in my hydration pack but due to the way I had it in the freezer the water was frozen through the straw. I crossed my fingers that it would start working once it got warmer from being outside and started melting.
Even though I started my run at 5:00 it was already 77 degrees. Initially I had been thinking I would do 11 miles this weekend, but knowing it was so hot I ended up adjusting my goal to at least 8 miles, thinking more realistically I would do 9-10. By mile 5 my hydration pack started working, but it was also really hot by that time. I ended up making it 10 miles but it wasn’t pretty.
Supplemental Workouts
I’ve been keeping up with my strength and core work regularly, and trying to include more foam rolling and mobility in my weekly routine. Stretching after my runs is such a struggle. When I run alone early I do try to give myself a few minutes to get it done. But when Grayson is with me we get home and its on to the next thing- I’m lucky to be able to take a shower and eat something. (He gets a second breakfast, so he doesn’t really mind that part).
Sometimes when he is playing I can get in a few minutes of stretching, but for the most part he interferes with that. Like he thinks that when I lay on the floor that it means I want to be tackled. Not sure where he got that idea but I don’t like it! He also doesn’t want me to foam roll because he thinks they are his toys. I guess we need to work on sharing.
Race Across Maryland Week 3
Overall it was a decent week. I felt good about getting in my miles despite the heat. I’m thinking next week will be a cutback week since I’ve been slightly increasing my mileage for a few weeks now. I’m also supposed to do a virtual stroller race this week. Honestly I really won’t be “racing” it. It’s just a fun challenge with some other runners on Instagram. I’ll push myself a bit but I can’t imagine I will be able to go very fast pushing the stroller in the heat!
You may also like:
Race Across Maryland Week 1 (Miles 0-39)
Race Across Maryland Week 2 (Miles 40-83 )
How were your workouts last week?
Have you been running earlier lately to beat the heat?
Do you ever freeze your water before bringing it on a run?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
Oh yes. So hot. I can’t remember the last time it dipped below 70 overnight. I’ve definitely been icing my running drinks. So funny (but not, too) that G likes to tackle you and considers your roller his toy! Haha! Great miles this week!
Thanks! Yea, the foam roller thing is kind of annoying. I mean I’m sure for a kid his age it’s hard to understand why a grown up would roll around on something like that:)
It sounds like Saturday was hard for a lot of us! I really felt like I did ok on my long run but not so much the rest of the day…and yesterday..and believe it or not, I still feel yucky today. Hoping it moderates a bit.
I think day after day of the heat can be really rough. Today felt super hard and I think I’m going to move my rest day to tomorrow. Hopefully later in the week will be cooler!
I got spoiled last spring by being able to start my runs later in the morning when it would be a little warmer out, and now it’s been a hard transition to get out there earlier. Temperature and sun wise it makes a ton of difference to start my run at 6 as opposed to 7.
Yep, the earlier the better this time of year! Although the humidity can still be awful even in the middle of the night.
The humidity was insane this week and it’s so draining. You are almost halfway to your race across Maryland miles already. I really enjoy the walks right now as well. It sure is a struggle to fit in any me time when you have a toddler!
Lately its even really hot for walking. I felt like the last few days I had to cut them shorter because I was sweating after just a few minutes.
The humidity seemed to hit all of us runners hard this week. I have been taking water along, even for my shorter runs. I even had water with me for my 5K on Saturday, since they didn’t have the usual water stands along the route, and I’m glad I had the forethought to do so!
Oh thats really smart! When I was running in the heat on Friday I told myself that I needed to remember water on Saturday!
I think you did a great job, especially in this heat and humidity! I’m sure stroller running is especially hard.
Thanks! Yea I definitely notice a difference between pushing the stroller and also getting out later in the morning.
You did great in spite of the heat! Torn contacts are the worst. This reminds me that I have to order more of my own.
You are getting across Maryland! Whoo hoo!
I was so annoyed to have to go change it, but I know better than to risk irritating my eye by wearing it like that!
I have to freeze my water! Hot water is the worst! But luckily my top or skirts have enough pockets that I can carry the water in bottles — especially as I’m not running that long. And I definitely make an effort to get out early — although I won’t lie, it’s beginning to wear on me. I just feel as though as long as I can run outside, I should, even though my treadmill is in the coolest part of the house, LOL!
It’s got to be very difficult to try to do anything with a young child!
Good luck with your stroller “race”! Can’t wait to hear how that goes.
I have been really tempted to run on the treadmill too but I keep reminding myself I waited all winter for the warmer weather!
Wow, such a jam packed week for you – well done on all of your workouts!
The weather was pretty yucky last week – so much humidity. I think today is the first time we’ve gotten a break in the humidity in a while.
The humidity has been crazy lately! I hope it cools off for a bit soon.
Great job on your mileage this week! It seems like it’s been HOT all over the country. Ugh, I cannot stand it. I know I said I wasn’t going to complain about the weather but this is just too much.
I like freezing my water for my long runs on Saturday. It is the best thing to do during the summer. That is weird that the straw was frozen.
I also said I wouldn’t complain about the heat when I was so sick of the cold! But lately its just been brutal. We need a little break.
I agree our weather had been brutal! We had a bit of a break yesterday morning after Monday night’s storms, but the humidity was back full steam today! Maybe Grayson needs his own foam roller to play with while you use yours. 😉
Haha he probably goes! I had so many gadgets that I’ll give him one to play with while I use another, but that only lasts so long before he just wants the one I’m using:)