It’s the last weekly recap of 2019! What a year it’s been…I hope to have time for a reflection post on running through the year, but for now, it’s on to the weekly recap of training for the Atlanta Marathon, which is on March 1!
Monday: Easy 9 miles in the morning; the trails around Bde Mka Ska (i.e. Lake Calhoun) were a little icy on the way to the meet my friends, but once there, we ran on the Greenway, which was mostly clear. 9 miles/9:20 min/mile average.
I had a few 10 minute miles in there on the slippery parts of the trail. Best to take it slow and be safe!
Discover Strength after work; I started a new “card” (i.e. every 15 or so workouts, you do a progress assessment and then get a new card of workouts). I was very sore afterwards!
Tuesday: Christmas Eve! Christie and I had the same workout, so we met up to do it together.
3 miles easy, 2 miles at marathon pace (8:00-8:15), 3 minute recovery, 5×2 minutes at 5k pace (7-7:15 min/mile), 2 minute recovery, 1 mile at half marathon pace of 7:45, 2 mile recovery. 10.5 miles total on Christmas Eve!
It was so great to have a friend with whom to conquer this workout; we had fun! The weather was in the upper 30’s and felt amazing. I was glad to have the big workout of the week done as well, so I could do easy miles on Christmas day.
It was just Dustin and me for Christmas this year, though my sister Cresta did come over for dinner on Christmas Eve (she’s a doctor and was on call over the holiday.)
I made a hearty chili and cornbread.
For dessert, I ordered the ‘crack pie’ from Milk Bar (in NYC.) It was good, but quite sweet- maybe too sweet for me.
After dinner, we played a few board games and then Cresta headed home.
Dustin and I always buy each other pajamas that we open on Christmas Eve. He gave me the Oiselle quilted yeti– it’s SOOO comfortable. I don’t ever want to take it off!
Wednesday: Dustin and I ran 7 miles together when we woke up. There were way more people out walking or running than we expected on Christmas morning. Lovely run, 7 miles at 8:50 min/mile.
After the run, we enjoyed some homemade caramel rolls and then opened presents. A low-key yet enjoyable Christmas day.
Thursday: Rest! I was pretty exhausted so took an unplanned rest day.
Friday: 7 solo miles before work; solo except for a visit from my foxy friend! I love seeing him.
I also ran past this sign on Lake of the Isles!
Discover Strength after work- always happy to get in my two strength sessions per week.
Saturday: I had plans to meet up with a few friends for a long run, but we woke up to freezing rain and very icy roads. The newscasters were warning everyone to stay inside because the roads were that terrible. With that, I opted to move my long run to Sunday and just did 6 easy miles on the treadmill.
Sunday: Long run, second attempt! I had 15 miles total with some work in there- 5 miles easy, 3×2 miles at marathon pace with 1/2 mile recovery between each set, then easy to get to 15 miles, 8:50 min/mile average.
I met up with 3 friends who all did the workout with me. It was amazing, even when it started to rain/sleet on us. Still fun. 🙂
Post-long run, I enjoyed the NormaTec recovery boots that Santa brought me; they are amazing! Technically, Dustin bought them as a present for me, but they are definitely a present we both will enjoy!
Nothing like a cold pint of Nuun and NormaTec recovery boots post-long run.
Summary: 55 miles of running, 2 strength days, 1 full rest day. A solid week for 9 weeks out from Atlanta!
Unfortunately I think all this rain is going to freeze and this week will be a lot of treadmill miles again, but hey, at least this week I was outside for all but one run. Not too bad for late December in Minneapolis; I’m grateful for that!
I’m linking up as usual with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner as part of their Weekly Rundown. Check it out!
Oh I would love a pair of those Normatec boots! I keep hoping they will go on a major sale. Always great to have a friend or 2 along for workouts. Looks like a great week all around
They were discounted a bit on Cyber Monday…definitely makes more sense for us in a two runner house! But yes, a bit pricey for sure.
Wow, those Normatec boots are great! I’m sure you will get a lot of use for them with all the long runs you do. LOL, I guess we all know how that person feels about the President. Your pooches are so cute by the Christmas tree!
So far, I’m loving the boots!
The Normatec are a great gift. And I love the Yeti one piece. Great tradition.
That sign. Amazing
Hehe, yes, that person was putting their views out there!
Is Ruth already about the same size as Tilda? Or is that just the way they’re sitting? Gosh, her growth sure happened quickly! It looks like it really got cold up north….it’s been so unseasonable warm “down here” in Iowa. Those NormaTecs are a great gift for a runner!
I’m loving the NormaTecs! I think our household will get a lot of use out of them!
Ruth looks bigger in that pic, she’s still a bit of a peanut, especially compared to Matilda. I think she’s going to be a small vizsla. She’s 7 months old already!
Oh, so jelly about those Normatec boots! Wish I could justify them but I really can’t. I also can’t believe how big Ruth is now! Wow! It goes so fast.
A low key Christmas sounds good (as does that chili & cornbread — hmm, I think I need to make some once I get to be at home a bit again).
How cool to see the fox! The Yeti PJs, let’s just say I need the bathroom to often to bother with that!
Yes, Ruth grew quickly! She’s still a wild puppy though 🙂
Eek on your weather. We had a warm spell here last week but it’s only going to be a matter of time before we go back to normal winter weather and yes, all the treadmill miles. Congrats on a great week of training.
Thank you Becket!
Did Ruth grow overnight and I missed it? LoL
Another great week for you! Glad that you had such a good time at Christmas and I love that Oiselle onesie – it looks so warm and comfy 🙂
haha, everyone is commenting on how big she is!
Great running there and I love the onesie and recovery boots! This is how it’s done properly! Happy Christmas and a good 2020 of lovely running for you! Thank you for being such a good role model to those of us who can only marvel at what you do, but can still draw inspiration from you!
That is so kind of you to say Liz. Thank you!
Your pups are just the cutest!
Great job with all your miles! I love the idea of chili and cornbread on Christmas. My family is pretty regimented on menus: we do Chinese on Christmas Eve for my father in law and Italian on Christmas. Period. The end. Not complaining, but I do like to mix things up sometimes.
You are so ready for atlanta!
We don’t have any set traditions with food…the chili was a hit!
Looks like Justin hit it out of the park on gifts this year. How fun to have Normatec boots! I’m afraid that snow/ice finally arrived here on high winds. We had such a great run of mild weather but it had to end sometime I guess. Happy New Year!
some good holiday miles! I love the Oiselle onesie!!! OMG it looks so comfortable! Fingers crossed the weather is not too bad this week!
Happy NYE and here’s to 2020!!
Another great week for you! Love that yeti! I’ve seen so many people post pictures and am wondering if I should get one too. I hope you programmed your Christmas Eve workout in the Garmin app. So confusing! 🙂 I think you and I have the same Brooks top?
I also ran on Christmas morning for the first time and thoroughly enjoyed it! There were very few people out though. I had big plans for Boxing Day especially as that’s my husband’s birthday but after a hectic Christmas Day, we were semi-comatose the whole of the 26th! We did manage a trip to the cinema with the kids to watch Frozen 2, so not all was lost, LOL! Wishing you and Dustin (and of course the doggies) a fantastic 2020 with lots and lots of healthy miles 🙂