After my work schedule threw a wrench in my training plan last week I was really nervous to see if I could progress this week! While I'm very thankful my schedule at work is starting to fill up, I really, really am wondering if I made the right decision to run a full marathon right at the beginning of the springtime hiking season. Here's how my week in training went:
Monday - 20 miles. HOLY CRAP! Yes, 20 miles. And I ran them. All of them! I was really scared to run these miles honestly. I've done 20 mile days before on trail, but they took quite a few more hours to complete! I kept reminding myself to take it slow in the beginning and not stress. I actually turned my Garmin face down so I wouldn't keep looking at it and wondering how much further I had to go! At miles 15 and 18 I needed to do a walking/stretching break for tight hips, but other than that I am really happy with how the miles turned out. I can't believe how much I am capable of doing!
Tuesday - guide training and 3 recovery miles. I did an easy 2-mile, 4 hour walk today in the Smokies and then came home to run my three easy recovery miles before dinner. I definitely needed a shakeout after my 20 miler yesterday, but I'm really impressed at how NOT SORE my body is today.
Wednesday - Recovery day. I had two separate hikes scheduled for today, plus a meeting with a blog follower regarding her future AT thru hike plans. I took the day as recovery and am bumping my run plans back a day.
Cataract Falls on one of my hikes today.
Thursday - 5 miles with strong finish. By the time I got home from work I was starving! I decided to put off my miles until a few hours after my late lunch/early dinner. Well, it started raining! Thankfully we didn't get the forecasted thunderstorms, but only sprinkles with a few minutes of downpour. I made great miles and ran 8:50 for my last mile - 25 seconds faster than the fourth mile! It felt great to be out in the rain and pushing my legs for the last time.
Friday - 3 easy miles. I worked a lot longer than anticipated today and NoKey was coming back home from Syracuse today. If I wanted to have dinner with him and talk to him for a few minutes before he went to bed, that meant I wouldn't get my miles in until late. At 9 p.m. I was finally able to get out and get moving. The town I live in doesn't have much in the way of street lights I was surprised to find out. When I headed to our "greenway" (a wide sidewalk on a 6-lane road), I was shocked to discover there were no street lights. I ran my way over to a tiny condo complex and ran about 12 laps around it since they had a few street lights. I was definitely happy I was able to get my run in.
Saturday - 10 miles taper. I ran this by feel and I'm shocked at how fast I was going. I didn't feel like I was even putting in any effort at all. Since I'm supposed to be tapering I'm nervous how it's going to affect me, but my legs are feeling amazing. I also got my brand new customized Spandits in the mail today! I ordered a longer short with an outside pocket for my hiker wallet (read- Ziplock baggie with my important stuff). When I hitchhike I want to keep my wallet on me and this outside pocket is the best way I could think of to do just that. I'm super excited about my new shorts!
I'm thinking this might be my new favorite outfit.
Sunday - Rich Mountain Loop hike. Even though there were thunderstorms predicted for today, I've been dying to get out with my friend Shannon for a hike again. As a bonus - NoKey will be coming with us! Check out my Instagram over the next few days for photos!
Total mileage: 41.2 (running)! Damn! Now I'm one week out from the biggest event I've ever tried to tackle. I can't believe all my hard work is finally about to be put to the test.
This week wouldn't have been possible AT ALL without the amazing Abby from Back At Square Zero! She has been an absolutely amazing coach and been incredibly supportive of me, even when I feel like I've been a bit flaky or not trying hard enough. My work schedule is definitely not easy on my body and it's been really, REALLY hard to train for a marathon when I'm getting in so many miles on my feet every single day. Her method of easy/hard days for training has really clicked with me. She's challenged me and supported me and I honestly don't know if I would be feeling this confident for my first marathon without her. Check her out, especially if you're looking for a running coach over at BackAtSquareZero.com!
Are you training for any big events? I'd love to hear about them! Leave me a comment below or find me over on Facebook or Twitter to let me know how your week went.
I'm linking up with the Women's Running Community Share it Saturday!
