Another week of winter running complete…It wasn’t my strongest week, but here’s the recap:
Monday: 6 miles at an 8:58 min/mile pace outside. This was supposed to be my rest day, but it was warm outside (in the 30’s!) so I moved my schedule around so I could take advantage. I probably shouldn’t have though, as my IT band was SUPER sore and I struggled. I had to stop a lot to stretch and was stressed about it…
Tuesday: Rest. I had an appointment at Orthology and they did some soft tissue work; the doctor said I could still run afterwards, but I decided to take this as my rest day after such a rough run the night before. Ugh, darn IT band…
Wednesday: 10.5 miles at an 9 min/mile pace. Again, I ran after work since this was such a long one. I had 1200m repeats; they didn’t go very well due to the IT band, some stomach issues, and overall tiredness/out-of-shapeness…this was a disheartening run, but I got through it. I don’t want to worry too much since Antarctica won’t be a PR marathon, but I still need to be in good enough shape to finish it!
Thursday: Orthology again; this time with a different doctor (Justin?) who did Graston and a TON of soft tissue work on my leg and it helped SO much- amazing! But I was pretty sore afterwards. I did 5 miles on the treadmill. 9: 15 min/mile. I was supposed to do 8 but was too sore from treatment and cut it short.
Friday: 5.5 miles on the treadmill. 8:44 min/mile. My leg felt better; I think the soft tissue and PT exercises are helping.
Saturday: 13.1 miles on the treadmill, 8:57 min/mile. This was mentally tough; I had to split it up into 4 mile increments, taking water/nuun breaks after each. I started watching Alias Grace on Netflix, which is pretty good so far.
I had to quickly shower after I finished to jet to St. Paul to watch my niece compete in a gymnastics meet. She did so great! I was very proud.
After the meet, Dustin and I ran some errands, including picking up our ‘discovery box’ (a wine program at 44th/France) with Tilda tagging along. We decided since we were out and about with her that we’d stop by Fair State Co-op (brewery) in NE to check off another brewery on our Sidewalk Dog’s “Indoor Brewery Pup Pass.”
She was tired from the dog park earlier in the day and seriously just cuddled up on our laps while we enjoyed a pint.
There were quite a few other dogs there too. I love all these dog-friendly breweries!
Sunday: 4 miles outside with Dustin, then 4.3 more miles inside on the treadmill.
Dustin had the flu this week (it was awful, but so far I have avoided it!) and was finally feeling good enough to run again. It was pretty chilly (single digits and ‘feels like’ of around -10) and pretty slippery, so we only did 4 outside and then I finished up my run inside.
Summary: 48.5 miles of running. No cross training except PT exercises.
It was a pretty boring week- no social commitments, no extra workouts other than running. Just work and running!
I did finish this book on my bus commute and I have to admit, this marathon sounds like it will be harder than I was anticipating…it’s much more of a ‘trail’ marathon than just a cold marathon on gravel/packed snow. The route passes over a glacier twice and apparently some years, runners sink into knee deep snow on the glacier and have to pull their legs out with each step, hoping they don’t lose a shoe! Yikes! It’s also super hilly…
Man…am I really up for this??
Well, that’s it from me! I’m linking up with HoHo Runs and Taking the Long Way Home for their Weekly Wrap link-up, check it out:
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25 Comments on "Weekly Recap: 8 Weeks Until the Antarctica Marathon"
That marathon sounds like an adventure of a lifetime! I’ll have to see if my library carries that book. Great job this week. I hope your IT band feels better soon.
Thanks Catherine! The book was a good read, even if you never plan to run Antartica 🙂 A quick read too.
I’m glad the Graston helped. I always felt better when I have a PT that really digs in rather than babies it. I know someone who did Antarctica and his biggest adventure was the trip there and back rather than the race. It was warmer and easier than he expected. It all depends on the weather.
Very interesting to hear! I think so much of the difficulty depends on the weather. Was it the Drake Passage that was tough for his travels?
I’m a big believer in PT’s and soft tissue work where they really work out the issue. It hurts at the time, but helps!
Look at your niece’s beaming smile!! Well done to her. As for the Marathon – it looks so intimidating right now, and me coming from HOT Botswana in Southern Africa can hardly comment on such a race. LOL. But it looks like the opportunity of a lifetime and I know you are going to thoroughly enjoy it. What a phenomenal challenge. Hope the IT Band starts to feel better real soon – it sounds like you are in safe hands though.
Thank you Shathiso! I suppose I should be a bit more acclimated to Antarctica running than someone coming from a climate like yours! I have one friend who ran Antarctica who lives in the Cayman Islands and it was tough for him for sure 🙂
The weather we’ve been having makes me feel like I”m training for the Antarctica Marathon! At least you’ll be acclimated. I sure hope your ITB calms down!
Thank you Wendy! Yes, I suppose it’s better that this marathon is in March when I’ve been dealing with winter running for awhile, rather than in our summer 🙂
Sorry to hear about your IT band 🙁 I’m glad that it was feeling better later on in the week. Graston always seems to help my IT band issues too.
Graston hurts so good! It really helps though. 🙂
What a great training and mileage week despite the issues with your IT Band. Hopefully, the continued PT and Orthology will do the trick. I would love a brewery that allows a dog inside. Is that a typical thing? It’s not around here? Thanks for linking!
Dog-friendly breweries have become a lot more popular in the Twin Cities lately! As long as they don’t have a kitchen, then it isn’t a health hazard so (well behaved) dogs are allowed. We usually only bring her if she’s already had plenty of exercise as then she does’t mind just chilling while we have a brew 🙂
Nice recap and still 48 miles on an “easy” week. Are you socializing the idea of suspending your 4-hour rule for Antarctica? It would be a shame to have to go back!!
I don’t think the 4 hour rule will apply in Antartica when the winning times are often just around 4! I’ll be better off hoping to keep it under 5, I think 🙂
I can relate to your treadmill run where you had to take breaks after every 4-mile increment. I cannot go farther than that either…I made it to 6 miles (I think), ONCE. I just cannot do it LOL
Ugh, it is pretty hard mentally! Occasionally I am able to zone out on it and focus on what I’m watching on TV, but sometimes I am just counting down minutes…
What an adventure the marathon is going to be. You’re definitely up for it! Fingers crossed the IT band resolves soon.
Thank you! Antarctica will definitely be an adventure…I think I need to toughen up and run outside more to prepare 🙂 But the treadmill is so much more inviting than the cold Minnesota winter…..!
Whew! Running in Antartica! I can’t imagine. ITBS is no fun….glad to hear that it seems as though the PT and graston are helping you work through it! Your dog 🙂 so cute! And really fun that you have dog friendly breweries. We have a few dog friendly places here but I think the pooches have to stay on the outside patio.
Running the Antartica Marathon sounds pretty amazing. I’m looking forward to following your journey!
You can do Antarctica! It might be challenging, but you’ve gone through so much (as documented on your blog!) This is just another adventure waiting for you!
Wow, that does sounds like an intense race. But also such an amazing experience! Can’t wait to hear about it!
Wow, that marathon sounds like it will be challenging, but Im sure it will be an amazing experience! Great job with your training and Im glad the treatment is starting to help.
Wow what an experience. I cannot wait to read the recap of your next marathon! I hope you have a blast and dont lose a shoe (or two!).
Antarctica sounds like a marathon for the ages! It sounds like it could be tough, but you have such tremendous training and skills that you will do great! Also, love all your photos of Matilda!