Is winter coming to an end? I sure hope so! I’m ready for spring…and for the Boston Marathon in nine weeks!
Here’s my recap of marathon training:
Monday: Still in Big Sky. Dustin and I ran 7 hilly miles outside before hitting the slopes one last time (about 9:10 min/mile.)
Tuesday: Our flight from Bozeman to Minneapolis was at 5:45 am- eeks! After we returned home, I crashed for a few hours before heading downstairs to the treadmill. The temperature in Minneapolis was in the upper 20’s, but the trails were VERY slick so I opted for the treadmill. 2 mile warm-up, 6 miles at a 7:35 min/mile, 2 mile cool down. 10 miles total at an 8:18 min/mile average. This workout was incredibly hard for me; I had to take a water break/breather halfway through the fast miles.
Wednesday: 8 miles in the AM on the treadmill (9 min/mile) and another 5 miles after work (8:45 min/mile). 13 miles on the day.
Thursday: 9 miles on the treadmill (9:15 min/mile). So much treadmill!
Friday: I slept in so I had to do my run after work. Not ideal, since that meant less than a 12-hour recovery period before the long run, especially since I had a workout: 2 mile warmup, 6x800m at a 7 min/mile pace with a 2 minute recovery, 2 mile cool-down. 8.25 mile total at an 8:35 min/mile pace. Tough workout- several of the 800’s were a bit slower than the goal.
Saturday: 18 mile long run with the Calhoun Beach Running Club, 9:15 average. It was a really nice (well, really nice for Minneapolis in February) morning, mid-40’s and sunny. Clear trails! We followed the run with a scrumptious brunch at Tilia (my favorite neighborhood restaurant!)
Like my sweatshirt? I bought it here.
Later that evening, we headed over to St. Paul to the Fitzgerald Theater for Prairie Home Companion. We have attended this live radio show several times back when the host was Garrison Keillor. I was excited to check it out now that the host is Chris Thile.
Chris Thile was fantastic. Such a fun evening.
Sunday: 9 miles in the morning with my friends Christie and Lindsey at a 9:22 min/mile average, another 4 in the afternoon at an 8:45 min/mile average (I had Dustin with me for a few miles of this run; I usually don’t have doubles on Sundays, but I missed one earlier in the week).
13 miles on the day. The sun was shining and it was so nice get that dose of Vitamin D!
I just bought this vest at Run n Fun– 50% off! I love it.
Summary: 1 day of snowboarding, 78.25 miles of running. So close to 80 miles (I have never hit 80!) I was tempted to add on 1.75 just to hit that elusive 80 mile mark, but I took an epsom salt bath instead 🙂 ha!
Lots of running, but not a lot of strength training/cross training other than snowboarding one day. I hope to get back to my regular routine of strength training this week now that I’m back in town.
JANUARY PLANK CHALLENGE:
So my January plank challenge is over and the winner was Eric Roling (from this guest post!) He donated his $100 prize to the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA). This organization is dedicated to finding a cure for these inflammatory bowel diseases. He selected them because his daughter has Crohn’s disease, and he hopes that a cure can be found so that she does not have to suffer for the rest of her life. He and his family participate in the annual Take Steps for CCFA walk each June- if you’re interested in supporting this cause, check out the link HERE.
Speaking of fundraising for a good cause, my friend Jess from Jess Runs ATL knitted me this awesome hat in Boston Marathon colors. If you’re interested in your own custom handmade hat, check out her Etsy site here. She’s making these hats to raise funds for charity (read more here). She needs your support!
In unrelated news, poor Matilda somehow injured her paw. We don’t really know what happened- it could have been anything, maybe playing with another dog at Pampered Pooch Playground while we were traveling, who knows? Unfortunately it got infected and caused an ‘abscess.’ We took her to the emergency vet on Thursday night after it swelled up quite a bit. She’s now on antibiotics, pain meds, and has to wear the ‘cone of shame.’
The worst part is she can’t go for walks or runs- she can only go outside to go to the bathroom. An injured vizsla is like an injured runner! She’s going stir crazy as she’s obviously feeling better and has all her normal vizsla energy, but no way to burn it off…We’re all anxious for her to heal!
I’m linking up as always with Jess at Jess Runs ATLwith our weekly recaps. Join us! Details below.
Thanks again for your generous donation, Jessie! We really appreciate it!
So sorry that Matilda is stuck with the cone of shame! You really feel for dogs when they are stuck with the cone.
Great job with the runs this week. Almost 80 miles – amazing. Can’t believe we’re only 9 weeks away. Hoping for an early spring – I am ready to be done with tights!
So done with tights- time for shorts please! Maybe this weekend if the forecast holds up- 50 degrees!! Woo-hoo!
I don’t know if I’ll hit 80…maybe this week!
I feel so sorry for Matilda! I really hope her foot heals up quickly. I imagine she must be going crazy, poor sweetheart! Keep us posted!
Oh, and awesome week of running! I bet the epsom salt bat was worth it! Who needs an 80 mile week anyway… 😉
Thanks Katie- Matilda and I appreciate your support 🙂
I thought it would be fun to ht 80 just to do it, but there will be more opportunities. Need to stick to the schedule from my coach. What if the 1.75 miles would put me over the edge? Epsom salt bath instead :)!
What a solid week! Very inspirational, I really hope that I can get my millage up close to yours! I hope Matilda heals up quickly =)
Thanks Beth! It’s the highest I have ever been…Just need to be careful to do the easy run easy 🙂
Wow, almost 80 miles!!! You’re rocking your training! Hope Matilda heals up quick. Love the Boston-themed beanie. As always, I enjoy seeing what your training is. I just started back with coaching today.
You’re back with Antonio- yay! What are you training for? Fargo, right?
It’s so fun to connect with other athletes that train with him…Do you see a lot of the same workouts? Dustin just had the notorious 15-10-10-5 today- I feel like Antonio is famous for that one 🙂
Yes! It is so nice not having to figure out what runs to do. :). I’m trying the Lake Wobegon Marathon this year which is a week earlier than Fargo.
You have a lot of double runs and more mileage for sure. My paces are pretty tough. Oh yes, the beloved 15-10-10-5…yikes!! I cannot wait to see how Boston is for both of you! What other races are you doing this year?
So he gives me tons of miles and gives you faster/harder paces 🙂 What is your tempo pace? Whatever he gives you, it must be working!
I have heard great things about the Lake Wobegon Marathon!
Other than Boston, I might pace my sister again at Grandma’s, but I wouldn’t train with Antonio for that. In the fall I am going to do New York (through Marathon Tours). That’s all I have planned at this time…maybe a half or two? And the Hot Dash 10 miler in a few weeks!
So my tempos are at a 7:00 pace. Tomorrow I have a 16-mile run with the last 4 @ 7:00. That is going to be brutal! Your high mileage must be working for you too. :).
I’m also pacing a friend through Grandmas this year as it will be her first full. Then I’m doing Chicago this fall. I’ll look for you at the Hot Dash 10-miler as I’m doing that one as well. 🙂
Jen- I might pace my sister at Grandma’s! YAY~ 🙂 I’ll see you there and we won’t have the pressure of racing it ourselves. Though pacing has its own set of ‘pressures!’
WOW- you are FAST! 7 min/miles at the end of a long run is crazy fast. Good for you!