This week has been all about attempting to get on some type of schedule - sleep schedule to be exact. In bed by 10pm and up at 5:15am on the week days. This may not seem like a lot of sleep to many but it is a lot for me. My track workouts were really challenging this week. I just feel like they are so much harder than they should be. I am running at my goal paces but I am putting a lot of pressure on myself knowing that I should be running faster. Ending the week on a high note with a great long run always helps though and keeps me going!
TOTAL: 51.60 miles
TOTAL: 51.60 miles
2/13 (Monday) - Pool Running 1.5 hours
I really wanted to run on land this morning. I have some anxiety that I am not getting in enough land running miles, but decided not to switch anything up at this point. I need to take a day off and Monday should be the day.
2/14 (Tuesday) - Intervals AM
We were doing anywhere from 6 to 10 - 800s this morning. Even though I got a good night of sleep, these were tough. According to the pace chart, I should be running the 800s in 3:22. I ended up doing 6 in 3:18; 3:14; 3:12; 3:09; 3:18; 3:20. I did a 2 mile warm up and cool down, ending up running 8.5 miles for the day but I kind of felt defeated as I left the track and I am not sure why. The training cycle is a roller coaster, I know. I came back strong after my break. Like stronger than I expected, so now I am seeing a little dip in my performance and it's frustrating but I am giving 100% and will continue to give 100%.
2/15 (Wednesday) - 8 miles EASY PM
2/14 (Tuesday) - Intervals AM
We were doing anywhere from 6 to 10 - 800s this morning. Even though I got a good night of sleep, these were tough. According to the pace chart, I should be running the 800s in 3:22. I ended up doing 6 in 3:18; 3:14; 3:12; 3:09; 3:18; 3:20. I did a 2 mile warm up and cool down, ending up running 8.5 miles for the day but I kind of felt defeated as I left the track and I am not sure why. The training cycle is a roller coaster, I know. I came back strong after my break. Like stronger than I expected, so now I am seeing a little dip in my performance and it's frustrating but I am giving 100% and will continue to give 100%.
2/15 (Wednesday) - 8 miles EASY PM
I had 6-8 easy miles on my training schedule today, so I arrived at the CAR Fun Run a little early to get in a quick 3 before the regularly scheduled 5 miles. There were just a few of us tonight but the the weather could not have been better. It was around 50 with no wind. Perfect.
2/16 (Thursday) - TEMPO PM
Whoa. Two evening runs in a row. I am going to visit some family in Indiana on Friday morning, so had to get my Tempo run in tonight. 4 miles. It was tough again - mentally and physically - I am not going to lie. The thing is - I don't know why. I should be running my 4 mile Tempo run (according to the pace chart and my 3:30 marathon goal) in 29:28. I ran it tonight in 28:59. Mile splits: 7:19; 7:18; 7:14; 7:08. That is faster than my goal, but I just feel like it was harder than it should have been. It was also pointed out to me that I am shuffling again. I need to work on being more explosive. I definitely feel like that would help me, so I will be more diligent in doing some drills through out the week to help me in that regard.
2/17 (Friday) - OFF
I traveled to Indiana today, therefore took the day off. I wanted to get 6 miles in but could not fit it in.
2/18 (Saturday) - 18.10 miles LONG RUN AM
2/16 (Thursday) - TEMPO PM
Whoa. Two evening runs in a row. I am going to visit some family in Indiana on Friday morning, so had to get my Tempo run in tonight. 4 miles. It was tough again - mentally and physically - I am not going to lie. The thing is - I don't know why. I should be running my 4 mile Tempo run (according to the pace chart and my 3:30 marathon goal) in 29:28. I ran it tonight in 28:59. Mile splits: 7:19; 7:18; 7:14; 7:08. That is faster than my goal, but I just feel like it was harder than it should have been. It was also pointed out to me that I am shuffling again. I need to work on being more explosive. I definitely feel like that would help me, so I will be more diligent in doing some drills through out the week to help me in that regard.
2/17 (Friday) - OFF
I traveled to Indiana today, therefore took the day off. I wanted to get 6 miles in but could not fit it in.
2/18 (Saturday) - 18.10 miles LONG RUN AM
Today was one of those days that I just want to bottle up. It was perfect. I was well rested; I was proactive in eating gels the entire run; It was 45 degrees and sunny; I started slow (8:45 first mile) and finished faster (7:47 last mile). There is something so charming about the Midwest. I loved running on the peaceful country roads. It was beautiful and I feel a real connection. This is where I was born and have wonderful childhood memories spending summers here. I don't think I could ever live in such a rural place, but certainly can see why it is appealing to others. Everyone is so friendly. Even though I did not see one other runner the whole weekend, every car that passed waved at me which gave me a little push.
2/19 (Sunday) - 9 miles EASY AM
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| I drove the route later in the day to get capture these shots. I can't carry a camera when I run. |
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| Long country road in Linton, IN. |
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| Peaceful and quiet. |
Another beautiful morning. I did just a nice and easy recovery run. The miles flew by.
I so agree about that great feeling of running where you grew up. Sorry you felt some of your runs were tough but you met all your goal paces and it sounds like your training is going fantastically!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a great location for a long run!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that it's feeling harder than you think it should feel. :)
ReplyDeleteThose pictures look like where I live! Can't complain about the elevation profile, haha
Training's a process -- if it was always easy, would you enjoy it as much? And I really like the even slight progression of the tempo :)
ReplyDeleteI guess I am a bit confused, though. You feel a bit defeated because you feel like you're straining too much in your workouts, but at the same time, you're running them faster than the prescribed targets? Wouldn't it make sense that you'd feel like the workout was a bit too tough if you're running faster than you've been told to run?
I have to agree with Cris. Why not try to match the pace chart? It might not seem like a 3:12 for a 800 is that much faster than a 3:21, but it is! That's a 6:22 pace vs. 6:42. When you multiply it by six, it's a lot! Plus, remember George's email about not going all out on the track workouts anyway? You're doing a fantastic job, especially given your travel and move. Just let it come to you. :-)
ReplyDeleteDrills have helped my form so much. I do them at least every time I'm at the track/a workout, and try to fit them in more often. It was great to see you today!
ReplyDeletesounds like normal ups and downs of training to me - and your long run sounds fabulous and perfect, so hang onto that in your brain and let the speed stuff go. it'll all come together on race day.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your week. I think your times are great, but on what you are saying - I will only note that I really try to focus on how I feel and not the time, as sometimes there are factors we can't see at work. I think in your patience, you will reap your rewards soon enough!! :) Good to see you today!!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a good week to me timewise, but I know what you mean about things sometimes feeling a lot harder than they should. Hopefully your body is just adjusting to all the hard work and the paces you're running will start feeling more "normal" soon.
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