This is around the time in my training that is usually the most difficult, mentally. I still have a long way to go ( 9 more weeks) but I have already been training for quite some time. I still have many long runs ahead of me but my legs are already starting to feel the effects of training. However, things are still going well so I’ve gotta keep pushing through!
Monday: 5 miles easy, hip and core exercises
Tuesday: 8 miles with 4 x 1 mile repeats.
I was very intimated going into this workout as it’s been over a year since I ran mile repeats, plus I did them on the track. When I was living in the city I was able to do them on a flat stretch along the harbor which is mentally easier for me to get through. I survived and hit all my paces, but I was glad when it was over!
Wednesday: Strength training and hip/core exercises
Thursday: 5 miles easy, hip and core exercises
Friday: 6 miles with 4 at MGP
Saturday: 16 miles
Sunday: Rest (I did some really easy yoga and foam rolling to help loosen up my tight legs, and also went for a walk.)
Total: 40 miles! A new milestone for this year.
It’s been tricky finding places around my new neighborhood for the longer runs and even the early morning runs. I’m slowly getting used to it and realizing I will just have to suck it up and run routes that I may not prefer (such as circling the same areas several time or driving somewhere). It’s definitely been good to get in more hill training than ever before!
How were your workouts last week?
Do you have good places for long runs where you live?
What is the hardest week of marathon training for you?
Linking up with HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin for the weekly wrap!
I’m not a fan of circling a route for long runs! But I think once you get used to a route it gets easier – it’s all mental. Having a lot of hills is not a bad thing at all for training!
I was able to trick myself by doing some hilly laps at the end of my long run- I was only at like mile 8 but mentally I thought about how I only had 4 laps left. It helped, although those laps did not feel easy!
Its always tough finding new places to run, we are having the same issue, but I found the most beautiful trails yesterday, so keep looking, I am sure there are hidden gems around. Way to go with your track workout, you are getting stronger 🙂
I actually think there are a lot of nice places to run around where I live, unfortunately though I would need to drive to them. That will take some getting used to for me!
I think I am lazy when it comes to running routes because I basically run the exact same loop every morning, just extending it a bit for longer runs. I don’t know, it doesn’t really bore me much and makes my life easy because I just step outside my front door lol. It’s nice to find a new neighborhood though, especially when I crave a change (which isn’t often! ha)
I do think there is some comfort in doing the same route every day! When I lived in the city I had 3 routes that I always ran, so it was nice to not have to think about where to go every day!
I did that circling thing on Friday night when I ran and it was awful! I’m way more of an out and back person. I love those. Nice job on your week. You’re doing great!
Out and backs are great! If I’m gonna do loops they better be big enough that I am covering some good distance with each lap.
Mile repeats are my least favorite speed workouts! The hardest weeks for me during a training cycle are those last few right before the taper…probably the same for most people 🙂
I do all of my runs on our trail system – I love it. I used to get annoyed that I had to run there and I used to run out of my house sometimes to get to the trail, but would always end up wishing I had driven and ran on the trail more. Now I’m used to it and it doesn’t phase me.
I’m sure it will only get harder as I build my mileage, but at least then the taper will be in sight! Right now it feels far away. I have some trails nearby but only one small one that I can run to. I love the Lake Fayetteville train and I would run there all the time if I lived there!
Great week of training! I’m guilty of running the same loop around my neighborhood. It can get boring especially on long runs, but it’s nice being close to home so I can stop and refuel or use the bathroom.
I have a feeling I will be doing that more and more as my mileage builds and it stays darker for longer in the mornings!
That is a fantastic week of training! I hit the same mileage, actually, but it was another peak week over here. I’m now in taper 😀 I honestly feel like the hardest weeks are the ones that are cutbacks–trying to figure out what NOT to do and making yourself be good can be as hard as doing the harder aspects.
I agree that those cutback weeks are tough too, as well as the taper, when you know you should be doing less but it’s tough to find the right balance.
We have good long run routes in NYC, and I just discovered a new one in my CT hometown – it involves miles on a gravel rail trail, a quaint Main Street, and very hilly side roads so you get a bit of everything 🙂
I bet NYC is a great place for long runs!
I also don’t have good places for long runs here. I basically have a good 12 mile route and that’s all. It’s really great that you’re getting to do more hills though!
I only ran twice last week, but both times were good. I was lazy this weekend and procrastinated my run, so I’ll be doing my long-er run today!
12 miles is pretty good! I guess if you had to run longer than that you could just tack on a few miles somehow or repeat part of that route. Glad to hear you are back to running!
I don’t mind doing runs 15-16 miles where I live, but because it’s city traffic, anything further than that I prefer to drive home and run a more scenic route. I am usually pretty fatigued by week 10 in training… longer runs, higher milage have been accumulating so I definitely start feeling tired over all. But this week is a cut back week which is MUCH appreciate 🙂 Hope you have a great Monday!!
I think the next few weeks will be full of a lot of ups and down as I continue to build mileage and do harder workouts! I think I will be more than ready for the taper when it arrives:)
If I run loops, I try to make the loops as big as possible so I don’t have to do too many of them. There’s a loop near me that’s 4 miles even – I clocked it in my car.
Agreed that bigger loops definitely make it better! I wouldn’t want to do 1 mile loops over and over! That is also why I am not a big fan of the track.
Great week of training! I can get intimidated by certain workouts prior to doing them too but its a great confidence booster when you’re done! I am lucky to live in a big subdivision so there are a lot of routes to take. I can also head into town more and run around the river which I love. Its nice to mix it up! Have a great start to your week!
Those sound like some great running options! I am mostly limited by areas without sidewalks that are not well lit. But I have found a route that is about 10 miles, so I just add some sections onto that when I am doing longer runs.
I am kind of stuck doing loops around my neighborhood too since I can’t be far from Paul. It does get annoying! I used to be able to venture across the highway and do beautiful back roads for 12+ milers. That stretch you are doing at the track… LOVE that stretch!
I could see that getting boring but its awesome that you do it for him. And I love that stretch too- feels so good on my tight hips!
Wow! 40 miles this wk. That is impressive. There is a loop that I do from my house that is about 5. If I plan to do a long run I have to drive to a trail. It just makes it easier since I don’t have to wait for traffic. I have heard mile repeats are a great workout. Maybe I should try them.
A 5 mile loop is a decent size, but your trail sounds nice too! It’s always nice to not have to deal with cars.
I once did 20k on a 400m track. LOL, yes I was very crazy trying to finish up my half training last year. Loops aren’t so bad if you can mentally tune it out
Mentally tuning it out is definitely key! I guess it’s kind of like running on a treadmill, which I also don’t like:)
I had a great week training. Congrats on your milestone week!!!! I do have a lot of great places to run around, unfortunately most of them are rolling hills. I really just don’t follow any plan. I just run and hope that “my training..” is good enough. Have a great day
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As long as you are out running that’s what matters, right? Glad you had a good week as well!
I think I would really struggle with repeating the same loop over and over again. Great job on the mileage! I was proud of myself for running 10 last week (ha!).
It is definitely tough to run loops! And 10 is awesome! It’s all relative to our personal goals, right?
I’m like you I don’t have many places I can run around my house not the time I’m running now. I mostly have to drive to them. I am just starting my marathon training so I have lots more mileage to get in. Your 16 mile long run had a great pace! You will do awesome in your race! Tell me what you do for hip exercises. I hope you have another great week of training and appreciate you linking up with us again this week!
My hip exercises include things like clams with a band, side-lying leg raises with a band, side steps, and single leg squats and deadlifts. My coach gave me a list of exercises and I do about 4-5 of them 3 days a week. Thanks for hosting the link-up!
Congrats on hitting 40 miles! You had another really strong week of training and I am getting so excited for you as your marathon approaches. I have a similar situation – I either have to drive to go run (but it’s a 30+ mile trail that’s scenic) or run around in circles and up and down hills in a nearby neighborhood. I can handle that for up to 7 miles, but anything over an hour gets boring!
I managed to do my 16 mile run from my house but I did a 1.5 mile loop 4 times at the end! It was a hilly loop which was good, but tough to get through the first few knowing I had a few more to go!
Yikes Mile repeats on a track! You are a mentally strong person. I have done them but it is hard. I have a mile stretch near my house that I can use. Sometimes it gets messed up because I have to stop at an intersection but I’m okay with that actually. I alternate 800 repeats, mile repeats, tempo run in my run speed work so I’m rarely on a track these days. Keep it up!
I would definitely prefer to do them on the street if I could! I guess the track wasn’t so bad, or maybe I am just getting used to it:)
I totally know where you’re coming from with running out of places to run. I have no running buddies so I run alone the majority of the time, which for me at least, rules out trails. I have gotten pretty used to doing multiple loops around the neighbourhood, which isn’t my favourite but it definitely beats the treadmill!!
Congrats on a great week of running! Those 4 x 1 mile repeats look deadly, so you are a superstar!!
There is one trail I have gone to that I feel comfortable running alone (there are lots of other runners on it all the time) but I want to explore some other places so I need to convince my husband to come with me! But for now the neighborhood loops will have to do.
Wow! 40 miles already? That was my peak week 😉
I’ve always looped around my neighborhood for convenience sake. It doesn’t really bother me. I actually find comfort in it. And it’s hilly, so there’s that. I’m guessing the hardest weeks of training will be the ones coming up…the taper weeks, wondering if I’ve done enough, and second guessing everything.
Have a great training week and thanks for linking up with us!
It’s hard to believe I still have to continue increasing my mileage! I think my coach is having me peak around 50, which is what I did last time around as well. I do think the taper weeks are tough in their own ways!
I totally feel you about this time in training – the mid way point – being the hardest mentally. In both of my marathon training cycles, the honeymoon ended right around week 8. Hang in there. It’s slow and yet, it really does go by so fast.
I live about a mile from Lake Michigan where there are excellent trails, so I’m blessed with a great place to do long runs. But it does get boring running on the same trail over and over. It’s not as pleasant to run on city streets, but I can, and sometimes it’s nice to shake things up.
I did mile repeats several times during my last marathon training. They are such a HARD workout but they are also immensely satisfying. I can’t think of any better speed work to prepare one for a marathon!
It definitely does go by fast! I have a feeling I will be wondering where the time went when it is race week. Mile repeats are SO tough, but definitely a great workout- especially for marathon training!
I think this week (my peak mileage week) for my Chicago marathon training was my toughest. I’m pooped. And looking forward to heading into the taper.
I’m sure I will be complaining even more during those peak weeks! Congrats on making it to the taper!
Great week Lisa! I totally get what you’re saying about being mentally and physically exhausted. I reminded once again how tough marathon training is. I’ve got pretty good routes around here. I’ve added some new areas on this cycle too, which is always nice.
I think that all the challenges that come with marathon training are part of the appeal, I just forgot what it felt like since I haven’t trained for a marathon in a year!
Lisa, I did have a time during my marathon training last year when it began to feel like a grind; you’re doing great and all of your hard word is definitely going to pay off in a few weeks. Congrats on such a strong training week and a great speed workout – woo hoo! I’m very fortunate to live close to the Arkansas River Trail; I do have to drive to get there, but it’s worth it. I do get sick of running in the dark…ugh.
I didn’t realize how spoiled I was when lived in the city and it was so well lit!
I think week 7 must have been the hardest week for me, too. Mentally, and physically my legs were feeling fatigued. I just pushed through anyway and last week for the first time I started feeling better, even though I hit the highest in my mileage. I have certain routes I prefer for my long runs. Running along water is always the best. Mile repeats are the toughest workout for me. I plan on meeting my group for those tomorrow, because I tend to slack of with them on my own.
Great running week for you. Congrats on hitting 40 miles in total, that always feels good, doesn’t it?
I definitely think that part of the process is adjusting to the mileage! Good luck with your mile repeats:)
I have just 3 weeks left until my marathon, and to be honest I am done. I am at a point where running is kind of not fun anymore-boo!-i need more mental strength at this point than physical for sure.
Hopefully you have reached the taper and maybe that will help your to refocus for your race!
I am lucky we have so many amazing trails here in NOVA and DC, there is never a worry on where to run! Great week with the 40 miles!!
Thanks! I love running in the DC area. The trails there are so nice!
I am doing so many of those PT exercises also!! NICE on the 40 miles this week!
It’s been so fun to see you progress and get stronger! You are going to kick butt in your marathon 🙂
1 mile repeats on the track are hard!! I think they are harder than doing them on the road. Good job!
Thanks! Its always nice to see that your hard work is paying off- I am sure you can relate to that feeling!!