This was technically my second week of the taper, but it was the first week that felt like a lot less. I ran 5 days instead of 6, with just 1 workout. My long run was only 10 miles. And next week will be even less, until the weekend that is! It was another week of ups and down. I feel like every week I am questioning if this race will happen. I won’t know for sure until I’m there doing it. Let’s take a look at this week’s workouts.
Monday: 5.1 Miles Easy With Strides
It was nice to start out the week with just an easy run. However, my legs were tired! I think I was still feeling the effects of Saturday’s hard 16 miles. The weather was great though!
Tuesday: Strength Training
No running, just lifting. And lifting was light. It almost felt like an extra rest day!
Wednesday: 8 Miles with 6 at MGP
This was my last workout before the race. Of course it was 70 degrees with 97% humidity! After two days of nice weather I wasn’t excepting this. I struggled with my pacing again but got it done. I’m so over the humidity!
Thursday: Strength Training + 3 Easy Treadmill Miles
We had heavy rain and storms so it was a good day for an indoor workout. After an easy lift, I ran 3 miles on the treadmill. My power flickered a little and I was worried my treadmill would stop! But I made it through the run without any issues.
Then after an awful commute to daycare drop-off and work in the rain, I got a call an hour later than Grayson was being sent home sick. He had never really stopped coughing since being sick the week after Labor Day (so a little over 2 weeks) and I had actually called the doctor to see if I should bring him in. But his school felt like his cough was worse so he had to go home for at least 24 hours and needed a COVID test or Drs. note to return. Which meant I would be home with him again on Friday too.
Friday: Rest Day (Walk)
The weather was beautiful so we went out for a morning walk. Once again Grayson had plenty of energy for someone who is supposed to be sick. And I swear when he coughs, he aims it right into my mouth. Thanks, buddy.
Saturday: 10 Miles
I was expecting this run to feel great, but it didn’t. I haven’t really been able to figure out why. The weather was great, my legs were pretty well rested, but they just didn’t want to move. I am really just hoping I got this bad run out of the way and race day will be better!
The good news was that we got Grayson’s negative Covid test back. We had been planning to see my family, including my sister’s family who was visiting from Texas who we haven’t see since January 2020. It was close timing with getting the test back at around noon on Saturday!
Sunday: Planning for 3.6 Miles
For the past few weeks I’ve added a little extra mileage onto our Sunday runs, but this week I’ll just do our 3.6 mile loop and keep it as easy as possible. Then next week is all short, easy runs!
Training Reflections
I really can’t believe this training cycle is almost over. I finally got my first race E-mail this week. It started with “We have some changes to announce” so of course I thought they were going virtual or something. It was the same day MCM cancelled. But the only changes I noticed was wearing masks at the start and finish. Whew!
For some reason I can’t shake the feeling that something is going to get in the way of this race happening (either for the entire race or for me personally.) At this point it seems like it will happen, so I’m trying to wrap my head around actually doing this thing!
You can find my other weeks of training here:
The Return of the Heat (Training Week 14)
Surviving the Peak Week (Training Week 13)
Welcoming September (Training Week 12)
Embracing the Treadmill (Training Week 11)
Trying to Outrun the Rain (Training Week 10)
Back to Reality (Training Week 9)
Staycation 2021 (Training Week 8)
Closing Out July (Training Week 7)
Lower Mileage and Lower Temps (Training Week 6)
Runstock 2021 (Training Week 5)
Focus on Effort (Training Week 4)
Making Adjustments for Heat (Training Week 3)
Training for a Fall Race: Start Where You Are (Training Weeks 1 and 2)
How were your workouts last week?
Do you like to got for walks on rest days?
Ever lost power while running on a treadmill?
I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down!
I have had lots of race anxiety too with everything canceling lately. We are both going to be fine! Grayson is going to have one heck of an immune system once he hits kindergarten! Enjoy your taper week
I hope so! His dr. keeps telling me its totally normal for him to get sick every 2-3 weeks being in daycare for the first time. It just seems like so much!
Walking…I’m a huge advocate (but you probably already know that). I almost always walk on rest days (and, on occasion, do some easy cycling). Those tough runs-that-should-be easy are SO mentally exhausting. Some times the “elements that be” just don’t line up for us. They certainly make us appreciate all the great runs, though!
So true. I really expected it to feel good since the weather was so nice, so it was frustrating when it just wasn’t my day!
It’s really hard to believe things are going to happen, isn’t it. I have a good few friends doing London marathon next weekend who really didn’t think it would – but there it is, going ahead (but without me travelling down to cheer). Have a good taper week!
I think the last year and a half has really made us start to doubt everything! Thanks!
I sure hope your race isn’t canceled! I had not heard about MCM. I’d be so sad if I’d trained for a marathon and it was canceled. I don’t think yours would be at this late date. Take it easy this week!
I agree that now its so close I would be really surprised if they canceled. Plus mine is super small which is why I picked it last spring when I didn’t really know what the fall would be like.
2 rest days is taking it easy?? Lol
And yes, walking is my preferred rest activity. Hiking fits the bill too.
Phew!! Glad to hear that your race is still on. Can’t wait to read your recap. You are going to crush it!!
So far my half is scheduled for next Sunday!!
I really have no idea how I am going to do! It’s been so long since I ran in a live race. I tend to get so anxious at races that sometimes I just can’t do as well as I should be able to.
What a stressful way to train for a race- not knowing if it’s even going to happen, or if you’re going to get sick, or if Grayson is going to be sick, is he going to daycare, are you going to work… you deserve an EXTRA SPECIAL MEDAL when this one is over! I hope you have an uneventful week coming up and get some time to rest. Good luck!
At uneventful week would be wonderful! Part of me is kind of glad he got sick last week since he tends to get sick every 2-3 weeks so if he wasn’t sick last week it would be this upcoming week. And since I haven’t gotten sick yet from whatever he had I’m hopeful that I’m in the clear!
Happy tapering! I hope your race goes off without a hitch, but I do understand that feeling where you’re just waiting for the bad news to come. I was so disappointed to hear that the MCM had gone virtual and felt for everyone who has been training for it and looking forward to running it live.
I hope Grayson is feeling better. It’s got to be extra tough having him in daycare with all the normal things kids pass back and forth to each other, and then having to show a negative Covid test for every cold or cough.
It must be so frustrating to put in so much work and have your race canceled! At least this year there are some other options to choose from.
Yea, this is quite a year for it to be his first year in daycare. I feel so bad that he’s had to have so many covid tests already.
I hope the race worries are just a sign of times and not a premonition. You have trained hard for this – and through so much with Grayson’s daycare illnesses and covid testing rules! Chances are the weather will be cooler at least!
I am feeling pretty good about the forecast! This training cycle has been interesting for sure. Hopefully everything will go smoothly from here on out!
Wow I sure hope your race is not canceled this late in the game. That would totally suck. I’m so sorry G keeps being sent home and keeps needing the COVID test. A royal PIA for sure. I do hope you got the “bad” run out of the way and you’re going to rock your race!
Thanks! I don’t think it will be canceled at this point now that its just a few days away. It was kind of weird that we didn’t get any E-mails or information about it until Friday!
Awwe poor little guy 🙁 So sorry that he wasn’t feeling well this week.
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that your race isn’t cancelled. I know some Fall races have been cancelled but some of the larger ones are still on so I think the odds are in your favor.
Yea it seems like more of them are being held and just a few have been canceled. I think at this point it will go on since its just a few days away!
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you that you get to run the race. Cancelations definitely seem to be on an uptick.
Poor Grayson – he’s had such a tough time with being sick. I hope he’s feeling better soon!
Thanks! Its stressful to see some of the races being canceled but it seems like plenty of them are taking place.
First of all, poor Grayson! Sweet boy needs a break!
Secondly, please try not to worry about the race! These past years, it’s really easy to get caught up in the what ifs, but I hope you are able to just enjoy the experience. Your training cycle has been great and you deserve to reap the rewards!
Thank you! I hope I can do that. I just need to make it to the start line and then I’ll believe that its actually happening!
One week closer! You’ve been dealing with a lot, with Grayson sick so much, but since he has lots of energy — it’s a good sign, right?
Fingers crossed the race happens!
You know my treadmill woes. The latest fix my husband tried didn’t work at all (but didn’t involve me having to run). So the research has to begin in earnest because Winter is coming!
He just keeps getting colds, so luckily nothing serious, but of course his daycare needs to take extra precautions right now, which makes sense. I just hope he stops getting sick so often at some point! But yes I’m sure lots of energy is a good sign.