This was another week of working from home, parenting, and running. I am at the point where I pretty much lose track of what day it is. I only know when it’s the weekend because Rob is home on those days. Otherwise the days and weeks just blend together. I feel very grateful to have running to take my mind off of everything! Also, blogging gives me something to focus on other than work and the coronavirus. I guess you can say these days I’m training for life and virtual races.
Weekly Run Down
Monday: Strength Training + Foam Rolling
Tuesday: 5 Miles
Wednesday: Strength Training + 2 Miles
Thursday: 20 Minutes Yoga
Friday: 8.5 Miles with Rambling Runner’s Virtual 10k
Saturday: 6.5 Miles
Sunday: 4 miles
Rambling Runner’s Virtual 10k
I did another virtual race this week, this time a 10k. My past 10k was in April 2016. Based on my recent 5k and other workouts I’ve done lately I was aiming to run around a 7:30-7:40 pace. I wanted to get this done on Friday, but it was really windy out. My first 2 miles had some hills and between the hills and the wind those miles were in the 7:40s. I got frustrated but figured I had already put in 2 miles and I should keep going.
Once things flattened out more I settled into a steadier pace. I ran some laps around a block which meant I only got a headwind in certain directions, so I got a break pretty often. I was able to really push it at the end, with my last mile at 7:06. This meant my overall average pace came to 7:29.
Somehow my time was 46:28, which is about 30 seconds faster than my PR. I looked back on my recap of that race and at the time I had said that I was long overdue for a 10k PR. I sort of felt that way again after 4 years. This is a distance that I can run pretty well in training runs but it doesn’t always go well in races.
Yoga
This week’s yoga practice was focused on backbends. It felt good to open up my back and hips after working from home for the past few weeks. I have just been working wherever is convenient- the couch, the kitchen table, dining room table, etc. I haven’t been in my office because I am on so many calls when Grayson naps and the office is right next to his room, so I don’t want him to hear me.
Strength Training
This was week 2 of following a new strength workout from Lift Run Perform. I’m still liking these workouts and they feel effective. Now that I am used to the exercises I need to work on increasing my weights.
Weekend Running
I was planning to run 7 miles early on Saturday. I got up at 4:30, and Rob was getting up too and told me he was going to go to the grocery store at 6. I didn’t think I would have enough time to get ready and be back before 6 when he needed to leave, so I decided to run after feeding Grayson and after Rob got back.
It took forever to get out the door but I finally started my run at 7:45. I needed to be back to feed him again before his nap at 9, so I figured I would just run for an hour. This got me 6.5 miles. It definitely helped me to loosen up my legs after the previous day’s hard run.
On Sunday I ran 4 easy miles early and it was nice to see the sunrise.
What’s Next
The next race of the Rambling Runner’s Series is a half-marathon the weekend of 4/17-4/19. I am not sure if I will run a half on my own or not. I am also considering doing another 5k or 10k with my local running store, Charm City Run, as a virtual race These aren’t free but you pay the cost of the distance ($5, $10, or $13) and it’s all donated to the Maryland Food Bank or University of Maryland Medical Center. Doing one of those races would allow me to repeat once of the distances I already ran and really focus on my speed for now. On the other hand, I love long distances so I wouldn’t mind doing a half, I just think it will be really hard to “race” a half on my own.
Also, as a Brooks’ Ambassador I have access to a group training plan for a half-marathon in June. I’m thinking of following along with that loosely so I can virtually train with some of the other ambassadors. However, I’ll need to modify my training if I do any other races.
So that’s about it for my week! It’s been great have running to (sort of) take my mind off of everything else thats going on. It seems like I’m not the only one!
How were your workouts last week?
Have you done any virtual races?
Are you using running to take your mind off everything else right now?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
Great work on the 10k, especially considering the wind and hills!
I’ve been doing the Uncancelled Project virtual races – I think they’re great fun! 😊
Thank you! I considered doing the Uncancelled project but I figured out virtual race series was enough:)
Congrats on that 10k PR! I’d claim it! Sounds like everything you’re doing is working for you.
Luckily I was already at home, so I’m used to it, and for the most part, the days don’t run together. Now, don’t actually ask me the date . . .
For me, right now, I think it’s more a time to take things somewhat easy. But also trying to stay prepped for a real half if it actually happens. It’s a fine line!
I never get myself out that early, funny what having a baby waiting for you will do for you. 🙂
I know what you mean about taking things easy but also being ready for a half at some point. Its hard to figure out how to pace our training with so many unknowns!
Nice week of running and wow! for that 10k PR. The 10k distance is so hard to race and you crushed it. Something tells me you will do just fine racing that half on your own!
I’m mostly concerned about finding a route to run that far that I dont be near other runners/walkers and that isn’t too hilly. I think I would lose my mind doing 13 miles around my neighborhood! But I may do it, we’ll see.
Great pace on that 10k! All your hard work is most definitely paying off. I agree “racing” a half virtually would be tough mentally.
Thank you! I really don’t think I will be able to push myself as hard in a virtual half as I would in a real race. But I may still try it just because why not?
wow impressive pace on the 10K. Nice job! I am enjoying the motivation of the virtual runs too. Some days it’s more of a walk run but I am ok w that right now. Thanks for linking up and have a good week
Thanks! Its fun to have something to work towards and its nice to follow other runners who are doing similar challenges.
I totally understand what you mean about the days blending together. Right now I’m lucky if I know what day of the week it is. For the actual date? I need to check the calendar, lol. I was happy to see that we’re already 6 days into April, lol
I’m going to start doing some virtual races too. My first one will be a virtual 10k this Saturday.
It kind of makes me sad that its April because I feel like we are doing to “waste” these nice spring months being stuck at home. But on the other hand, at least the weather is nice enough and we can get outside!
Good luck in you virtual race!
Great week!
I am so grateful to have fitness right now. I thought I wasn’t going to be able to walk on Sunday because of the rain, and I legit felt like a caged animal. That being said, I am out of mind that I can’t actually run yet, and I can’t wait to work myself up to it.
I bet you will be running before your know it! And your walks have been going so well!
That’s an amazing time for a 10K, congrats! Isn’t it crazy all the virtual races right now? They certainly are filling a void for us 😉 Thankfully, my stress level(s) haven’t been affected much with all the COVID-19 stuff. Things are still pretty low-key in Iowa, but I’m well aware that could change without much notice. One day at a time….
Thank you! The virtual races have been great.
Hopefully things stay low-key for you! Our governor keeps saying we are 2 weeks behind NY, so thats not good.
I went back and forth about doing a half on my own, in the end I decided to do it b/c I haven’t run very many halfs so it’s still a new experience and I can very likely PR without much of an effort. After that I won’t run 13.1 until I can get back on a race course. Congrats on your PR, not only did you get it but with all of that wind that wasn’t helping you. I’m really happy that I did the Rambling Runner virtuals and I’ll definitely be working on my virtual 5k and 10k game this summer.
These races have definitely made me more motivated to get faster in the shorter distances! I think the most annoying part about doing a half will be finding somewhere to run, especially in these circumstances.
Woohoo on the 10K! That’s great! My husband is retired, and I’m really messing up his schedule this week. I swapped a few days at work (Thur, Fri instead of Mon-Weds) so he keeps thinking it’s Monday. LOL!
Haha! Well I guess its better that way than the other way around (thinking its Thursday but its actually only Monday). Then again, if you’re retired does it even matter?