Week 8 is over which means I am halfway through my training! This was a good week, with some solid workouts and an 18 mile long run. Things got moved around a bit because of a Friday night wedding. Here is how the week looked.
Monday: 6 miles easy, core and hip exercises
Tuesday: 7 miles- this was supposed to be a 2 mile w/u, then 7:20, 8:10, 7:20, 8:10, and c/d for 1 mile. I ran this on the roads so pacing was a bit tricky, especially for the 7:20 miles, but I came pretty close.
Wednesday: Total Body Strength and core/hip exercises (with a 4 minute plank at the end! It’s been awhile since I held a plank for that long)
Thursday: 6 miles easy, core and hip exercises
Friday: 18 miles (slower start, faster finish). My pace for my long runs should be around 9:00-9:20, and this one ended up at 9:22. Rob and I ran 10 miles together and then split so he could run 2 miles home and I could finish up my 18.
Overall this run went well- we definitely started out slower and I think that helped me to still feel strong at the end. It was a little annoying to be finishing up around 8am when there were lots of cars on the road for rush hour and I had to stop at lights quite a bit.
I also learned my lesson regarding body glide. Let’s just say I wore a pair of shorts that I have never done a long run in before and I definitely paid the price. #rookiemistake
Saturday: Rest- traveling back from NY
Sunday: 7 miles with middle 5 at MGP. The middle miles ended up being faster, which isn’t necessarily a good thing because I am supposed to be teaching my legs to become familiar with MGP. I did this on hills for the first time and I’ll need to work on pacing for that. I also expected my legs to be tired from the long run + lots of dancing on Friday night and traveling all weekend, so I was surprised that they moved as well as they did. A little bit of rain also felt really good!
Total: 44 miles
This upcoming week will be a cutback week which should be nice. I’ll “only” be running 13 miles next weekend!
How were your workouts last week?
What is the longest you could hold a plank for right now?
Do you find it challenging to hold marathon goal pace?
Linking up with HoHo Runs and MissSippiPiddlin for the weekly wrap!
I feel like my goal pace runs are always a little bit under or over, I used to do them faster thinking that was better but I’m not sure it works that way. The thing that’s hard is realizing that’s the pace you want to run the whole way 😉 great week and I’m sure you were so relieved to have the 18 done before you left 🙂
Its very intimidating to think about running that pace the whole way! Its definitely not better to do them too fast, but I have a tough time keeping them on target.
Wooo! Its closing in! Glad you got a fast finish run in, those really help with race prep! You are gonna be ready to go, we are all rooting for you!
Thanks! It’s definitely moving along quickly.
I love when we say ONLY lol. I am glad you got your 18 miler done on Friday – you know I prefer getting it done in advance if the day has to be switched 🙂
I was glad too- especially on Sunday because I really couldn’t imagine running 18 after such a tiring weekend!
My longest plank ever was 7 minutes. I dunno if I could do that now. Likely not. It is one of those things where sometimes I can do planks for ever, and sometimes, 2 minutes is a struggle!
I think my longest ever was 5 minutes or so- but I used to plank alot more often than I do now. I agree that some days it feels harder than others!
Awesome week of training! Great job on your 18 miler and 7 miler @ MGP! Hope you enjoy your cut back week! I always look forward to those!
Thank you! Cut back weeks are always a nice little break.
Great week Lisa! 18 milers are no joke and you rocked it. Yay for half way!
Thank you!
Congratulations on your long run. At least you wore something new for only a training run and not an actual race. You are so dedicated in your training. Getting up so early to get your mileage in. If that was my only option, it wouldn’t happen for me. Good job!
I was very glad it wasn’t a race! I am definitely a morning person, so I don’t find it too hard to get up and run:)
Great week of running AND planking!
I’m sure the rain didn’t help with the chafing situation on your long run. Ugh! I really think chafing is the worst thing that could happen to a runner. It’s on par with missing a PR by 1 second!
It’s the worst!! I never want to deal with that again.
I am still recovering from chaffing I acquired last weekend from y hydration pack! I need body glide. I don’t think I ever bought it. But guess what I DID buy? The alarm you have! I told Paul now at least if someone kills be they should be able to find my dead body.
HAHA well that is a good way to think of it! I have gotten chafing on my shoulders from my hydration pack too, but usually Im ok. I usually just use vaseline but I think I want to get body glide so I can bring it with me in case of emergency.
I said the same thing about “only” running 12 during my cut back last week. Marathon training skews our perception! Awesome week for you 🙂 I *think* I could do at least 3 minutes of a plank, but now I probably should try and back that up.
It definitely skews our perception! I hadn’t help a plank for as long as I could in awhile, so this was a good little test.
Oh, I feel for you with the shorts issue :/ I tried running in a new pair for a 10K recently and it was fine in that it was just a 10K, but I can’t settle on a new kind after my old trusty Nikes started to fail me in the chafing arena.
I really hope that the rest of my shorts don’t cause me this problem- these were just shorter than the other ones I wear.
Another strong week of training for you! I had a hard time settling into marathon pace early in training and was always a little fast, but after a while I got closer to it. When I read your posts I feel inspired to add more core and stability work- you’re so good and diligent about those!
I am hoping that MGP gets more comfortable as I practice it more!
I had a cutback this week with my LR being 15 (half marathon race with 1mile w/u and 1mile c/d). My core leaves something to be desired, so I think I’d max out around 1:25 for a plank! Great week of training – half way there woohoo!
It sounds like you had a solid long run with your strong race! And 1:25 plank is pretty good!
Nice job on the training! And a 4 minute plank? Wow!
I think you’re going to do really great!
Thanks! So far, so good…but there is still a long way to go:)
Wow, 4 min plank is impressive! Great week of workouts for you! I’ve been working on marathon pace runs as well!!
It’s tricky to run that pace but so important to practice!
I’m planking during pure barre, and they have as tucking and other stuff during the plank. That’s quite the challenge, and though I feel strong before the class, I struggle with some exercises.
Those planks during pure barre are not easy!!
Awesome week of training and you’re getting close! And a 4 minute peak is impressive!
Thank you! It’s moving right along!
Great week of training! It’s funny… I don’t think I’ve ever noticed chafing which is shocking because everyone always talks about how awful it is. I’ve had minor cases of it but never enough to need bodyglide. Pretty amazing that you got 18 miles in before 8am! I don’t know if I could do that!!
You are very lucky you haven’t had bad chafing! The worst I had it was from a marathon when it was pouring rain- under my arms where my tank top was rubbing, and I was seriously crying in the shower.
Super week!!!! I am hoping to be able to hold a plank for three minutes.. My goal is seven so I am halfway there. I am glad you had a great time at the weddding
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Three minutes is great! And the wedding was alot of fun- thank you!
That’s great that your Sunday run felt so good! Especially after Friday’s 18 miler. Awesome. I have a hard time holding MGP too, without crapping my pants! HA! No seriously though. The first couple miles are okay, like it feels tough to hold back a bit but then my legs start feeling it.
Why is MGP so much harder in training? Running is so confusing.
Good job! Aren’t you glad you did your long run on Friday morning? 😉
I’m also so impressed you hold yourself to your ab/hip exercises too. I have such a hard time mustering up the motivation to do that when I’m on my own!
My coach puts them on my schedule so that really helps! And I was very glad I had my long run done on Friday:)
4 minute plank, oh my geeze that hurts me just thinking of it. I did a 3 minute but I rested a few seconds in between. Your training is going great and half way there yay! Appreciate you linking up with us again this week! 🙂
3 minutes is still really good! And I distract myself by playing on my phone:)
Wow great job this week!! And look at you with your 4 minute plank… that’s really impressive!
Thank you!
Glad you were able to get your 18 miler done pre-trip and it’s cool that your legs felt good on Sunday. And, you know that I’m impressed by that 4 minute plank!
I was actually a little tired on my easy run today, so I think all the running and dancing caught up to me:)
you know your a long distance runner when you say things like “oh im only doing 10 this weekend” like its no big deal lol. I love when its slightly drizzling on a hot day, not enough to be annoying but enough to cool you off. more of that please 🙂
That kind of rain feels so good! There is alot of rain in our forecast over the next week, but I hope its nothing too bad.
Sounds like you had a great week of training, Lisa; you’re going to have a fantastic race, I think, based on the work you’ve put it this training cycle and I’m very excited for you! Um, planks are super tough; probably not more than about 90 seconds – ha! Way to go!!!
Planks are not easy at all! I have to distract myself by playing on my phone:)
I’m jealous of all of the people who are running fall races!! I should check one out.
You should! Its a great time of year for racing.
Congrats on your 18 Miler, plus 7 miles shortly after and that impressive 4 minute plank (!). Great week of training!
Thank you!
I hate to admit how long it’s been since I’ve held a plank. I need surgery on my elbow so I gave them up! I’m serious, even though it sounds like an excuse. Four minutes is incredible! I like the idea of doing 7:20 and 8:10 splits. Mine wouldn’t be that fast obviously, but I guess it trains you to push but then not back off too much? Enjoy your cut back week! It’s funny how 13 get an “only”. HA. Thanks for linking with us!
That makes sense that you would have to avoid planks with an elbow injury! There are plenty of other good ways to work the core:) That workout was a good one- my coach gave it to me and it was tough but manageable.
Great miles for your training! My week went well. Got in the workouts and tomorrow I’m getting the hubby in on some running.
Thanks, and glad you had a good week too! Always good to get in a couples workout:)
nice training week! That is a lot of miles! A 4 minute plank is very impressive! Enjoy the shorter mileage this week 🙂
Thanks! Im looking forward to a little break.
Haha I’ve learned that lesson before with shorts too! Thank goodness for body glide. Still have to go with crops 99% of the time because of those problems! Running in the rain is so therapeutic 🙂
I think Im gonna have to switch to crops for awhile until this heals:/ I love a good rainy run!