I had planned for this to be a cut-back week, and the timing couldn’t have worked out better. The weather was just relentless and it was hard to get in a lot of miles, especially with the stroller. Overall it was a stressful week so it was nice to not really think too much about running. Even walking was tough in the heat, especially because our afternoon walks usually happen around 2-3 pm. I did get in a virtual stroller race on Monday which I will talk about later in the post. First, let’s wrap up the Race Across Maryland Week 4.
Weekly Run Down
Monday: 3.85 Stroller Miles (including 5k) + Core Work + 1.8 Mile Walk
Tuesday: Rest Day + 3.5 Mile Walk
Wednesday: Strength Training + 3.7 Stroller Miles + 1 Mile Walk
Thursday: 3.7 Stroller Miles + Hip/Glute Exercises + 1.8 Mile Walk
Friday: Strength Training + 3.5 Stroller Miles + 1.8 Mile Walk
Saturday: 8 Miles with 5 x 800m repeats + .5 Mile Walk
Sunday: 3.5 Stroller Miles + 1.2 Mile Walk
Weekly Run Miles: 26.25
Weekly Walk Miles: 11.6
Total Race Across MD Miles: 166/250
Run Happy Family Virtual Stroller Run
I joined this free virtual stroller run with some other runners on Instagram which sounded like a fun challenge. I never run hard with the stroller so I had no idea what I could do. It didn’t help that every day this week the temps were in the mid-70s (at their lowest) with humidity in the mid 90s. It didn’t seem like one day would be better than any others, so I ran this on Monday.
My pace for the 5k portion ended up being 8:14, which I was pretty happy with. I rarely run under 9 minute miles with the stroller and the heat was definitely a factor. Also, the area where I run has no shade and lots of little (or big) hills and turns. Especially at the later time of day (7am) there are more cars out and we avoid busy roads. So there were literally times where I would run down a street and then do a complete 180 to turn around. Doing this with the stroller is not easy and definitely adds on some time.
800 Repeats
In preparation for a 1 mile race, I’ve been trying to do speedwork once a week. I decided to do it on Saturday of this week to give myself plenty of time to recover after my stroller race. With this being a cut-back week, I was only planning to do around 8 miles anyway so I figured I would build the speed work into my workout. I ran a 2 mile warm up, then 5 x 800s with 2:30 recovery intervals, and a 2+ mile cool down until I reached 8 miles.
Even though I did this run early, I think the humidity felt worse than it did the rest of the week and the dew point was 71. I adjusted my workout goals and decided to run mostly by effort, but I also wanted to run negative splits so I figured I would start on the slower end and aim to get faster with each repeat. The good news is that I think doing these repeats helped the long run go by faster. The bad news is that it was hard!
During the end of my run all I could think about was ice cold drinks. I decided I needed to make Sangria, so this happened a few hours later.
Getting a New Phone
My Monday morning was off to a great start last week when my phone decided to stop working. The battery was not staying charged (even though the “battery health” was good), certain apps wouldn’t open, my E-mail wasn’t pushing through unless I restarted my phone. I had issues with phone calls and text messages too. This was a really annoying problem to have when working from home with a toddler! I do lots of E-mails on my phone because it’s easier than always having my laptop in front of me.
Long story short, I got a new phone on Wednesday afternoon. I had some issues getting it set up, but by Thursday night I was in good shape. This whole experience made me realize just how much I rely on my phone! Also, it’s kind of stressful to not have a landline and be home all day not knowing if you could make a call if there was an emergency.
We have a climber
Ok, so we have had a climber for a while now but this week was pretty intense. In our family room area we have the entrance gated off so its supposed to be a safe area where he can play and I can walk into the kitchen for a second if I need to (I can see the family room from there) and not worry that he will get into trouble. Well this week all he wanted to do was climb on the couches. Once up there he would jump and roll around. He reaches for all the cords and electronics that are on tables that were once out of his reach. We had to clear off our sofa table behind our big couch because he was grabbing everything on it. I literally need to be next to him all the time with one hand ready to catch him when he jumps the wrong way. It’s been exhausting and I hope this phase passes quickly! Oh and let’s not even talk about his sleep. I’m blaming the 18 month sleep regression and I’m ready for it to be over!
So that’s what’s been going on around here this week. Lots of stroller runs, lots of heat/humidity, and just trying to take care of a wild toddler while working from home!
You may also like:
Race Across Maryland Week 2 (Miles 40-83 )
Race Across Maryland Week 3 (Miles 84-128)
How were your workouts last week?
Ever run a race (real or virtual) with a stroller?
Do you rely on your cell phone a lot throughout the day?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
I just love the stage Grayson is at–but I’m not living with him, lol! It’s so fun how curious they are, but it is exhausting. Their curiosity is incredible. I can’t imagine working at home with a toddler, tho.
You had a great week of training, as always. You amaze me with all that you get done!
It is a really fun stage! But yes, exhausting. Now that he climbs everywhere its harder to keep my laptop out of his reach.
Nice job on that virtual stroller run!
I can so remember when my boys hit that climbing phase – it is exhausting! You have to be on your toes constantly. Thankfully, this too shall pass 🙂
Thank you! Yep, I know it will pass and I’m trying not to wish the time away because he’s at a really fun age. I just think it stresses me out to need to have my eyes/hands on him constantly when I’m also trying to work!
Those are some fast miles! Nice job on all of those stroller runs too in this heat. Grayson is at such a fun age but gosh I do remember how hard it was to keep up w my son at that age. I was exhausted chasing after him. I had to lock him in the bathroom w me to take a shower. Ah motherhood! Have a good one
Haha I do that every day! He learned how to open doors a few weeks ago so now the bathroom door gets locked when I shower so he can’t escape. Its only a matter of time before he figures out how to unlock it and I need to put something else on the door to keep him in.
I rely on my phone more than ever now that we’re WFH. The landline is nice for that one time in a thousand that I leave my phone at work (oh wait not an issue right now) or forget to charge it. I love building speed work into long runs. Congrats on getting some serious workouts in on a tough week!
Thanks! When we moved into our house 5 years ago it never even crossed our minds to get a landline. I don’t think I would have used it at all, but it would be kind of nice to know its there!
That is such a cute, fun age but yes, totally hands on every minute! No stroller races here. That’s gotta be tough! Especially in this crazy heat.
It was hard but I kept thinking about how its hard no matter what to run with a stroller in the heat- why not run faster and get it done faster? Haha, my logic only lasted about 5 minutes before I wanted to slow down.
It was a horrible week weather-wise for a virtual race, so you did great! I especially love the photo of you guys high fiving.
Even though I’ve never had a kid, once they start walk (or climbing, or whatever), yeah, your life is kinda over. Until you can reason them. Like, maybe at age 20. Good thing they’re cute, right?
Last week was just really tough because of the weather. Glad for a slight break in it this week!
Haha I wonder when I will be able to reason with him! 20 sounds about right!:)
Great week for a cutback week. I am just so over the relentless humidity!
That sangria looks yummy!
I definitely needed a cutback week. It was so tough out there every day!
That’s a great stroller 5K time! I was just noticing how much Grayson looks like a little boy now (and not a baby anymore). Isn’t it crazy how much energy they have, and how quickly they can get into mischief? We still have a landline. I just can’t make that break…but that’s where the majority of political calls come in on, so my cell phone stays pretty “clean” LOL.
It’s crazy how much he has changed in the past few months! Even just since this whole COVID thing started he seems like a completely different person. And yes, so much mischief!
That’s a good reason to have a landline!
I can’t believe how speedy you are with that stroller! Pretty soon, G will be riding a little bike next to you! They grow up so fast.
No landlines for us. We are on our cell phones quite often for work and communication.
That’s crazy to think about! Yes, they do grow up so fast!
It never even crossed our minds to get a landline. I rarely even talk on my cell phone other than for work!
The humidity was brutal last week. So far this week is better. LOL at your little climber. Lunging after him will keep you active all day for sure. I can’t imagine stroller running in this weather. You are dedicated!
He sure does keep me active these days!
Kudos to you for working from home and taking care of a toddler. Just working is exhausting!! 🙂
I also rely a lot on my phone. I’ve been able to do some work on my phone too using Google Classroom, etc.
Yes its so nice to be able to do some things from a phone, especially while working from home!
Keep up the good work – it’s not easy with a toddler! As I’ve mentioned before, if jogging strollers were a thing when our sons were little, I never heard of them or saw one. I tried running with a regular stroller, but it just didn’t work well enough to be worth the frustration.
My husband has been having similar problems with his iPhone. He researched and read that the new IOS update is doing that to older phones (he has a 6S). I have the 11-pro and have had no issues.
I had a feeling the phone issues were related to the updates. I had a 7 before so it was about 3 years old. I guess thats about as long as you can really keep them these days!