Hello! I’m back with a weekly recap of training. My next marathon will be Vienna (Austria) on April 23 (same as the London marathon).
The Vienna marathon is 20 weeks away- a bit too far to say I’m “marathon training” already. Instead, I’ll consider this period my off-season, with running (of course) and a bit more strength training.
I hope to do some shorter distance racing between now and Vienna, starting with a 10k that I did today (read on for more!)
(Also, if you missed it, I shared a recap of our long weekend trip to Budapest, Hungary!)
Here’s how this week went in fitness and life!
Monday: 5.2 mile run around Primrose Hill (with a bonus lap UP Primrose Hill- never gets easier!)
Per Jenny’s recommendation, I’ve started the Iron Strength weight training program with Caroline Girvan on YouTube. I’m still keeping my Peloton digital membership, but I was attracted to the idea of a program to follow, vs. hobbling together my own strength plan on Peloton. I am still trying to do daily 10 min of core on Peloton, but for at least the duration of this program, I’ll be heading to YouTube for my strength (and its free, which is a great price!) I may still fit in Peloton classes where it makes sense, but I’m enjoying the change for now.
Today’s Iron Strength was quad-focused, about 30 minutes. Lots of lunges!
Tuesday: 8 mile run around Regent’s Park.
Wednesday: Run commute with my colleague Tina; she lives nearby in a neighborhood called Kentish Town, so we met up at the Chalk Farm tube station (about a mile jog for me) and ran into the office.
We took a more direct route than I normally would, so it was just 5.25 miles total. Apparently, there is an even more direct route that would be around 4 miles. Good to know!
Tina is a Brit; she’s done 11 marathons and has lots of tips on the local running scene (I hope to check out her running club soon!)
That evening, I did the Iron Strength shoulders and triceps class, about 30 minutes. Triceps are still sore!
Thursday: 8.5 mile run with some 400m repeats in there; most of the 400m repeats I did on the outer circle of Regent’s, but then I did a few of them on a cinder track right by Regent’s (open to the public.) I should have probably done all of them on the track as it was a bit more fun!
The Parliament track to which I bought an annual pass, which is right by our flat, is not lit up during the winter, so I haven’t been going there. I could probably try with a head lamp…but this cinder track is a nice option and is about a 2 mile jog from our flat, so its light enough there by the time I arrive plus there are nearby street-lamps.
I also saw the giraffes (at the London zoo, some parts you can see from the road) while running Regent’s this morning! Always a treat when they are out and about.
Thursday was a late evening of work (about 10 pm.) I’m technically working London hours at my job, but unfortunately it often turns into US hours as that is when a lot of the action takes place. I don’t mind it …occasionally. 🙂
Friday: Finally a wfh day. Ruth and I did a quick 3 mile run to burn off some of her energy as we had a plumber coming over to fix our outdoor water (so we can finally have our garden cleaned up!) The plumber hates our dogs, so I knew they’d have to stay in the office with me while he was here. As much as London is overall dog-friendly, I have still encountered a number of people who really dislike dogs, more than I knew in Minneapolis. This guy specifically has said he won’t come over if our dogs are out, and well, that’s the plumber our landlord wants to use, so we will accommodate.
The Iron Strength class today was glutes focused- lots of hip thrusts and RDL’s.
Saturday: 5 mile run with Dustin and Ruth, followed by some time at the Heath for both pups to run around, then a walk to the UPS store to mail a big package for a friend. She had something mailed to me from a company that wouldn’t ship to the US, so then I mailed it to her. It was a big & sorta heavy package- walking the 1 mile carrying the box counts as strength training, right? Ha!
That evening, we met up with some new friends to watch the US/Netherlands football game at a pub. Sad that the US is now out of the World Cup as its been fun to cheer for them.
Sunday: A 10k race at Regent’s Park! Dustin and I jogged to the start (2.7 miles), ran the 10k, and then jogged home (2.7 miles) for just under 12 miles total. Definitely my longest run since the Porto marathon 4 weeks ago!
The 10k is part of a winter series put on by a local running club, the Mornington Chasers. They will host the same 10k every month until March. I definitely hope to do another one!
I was happy enough with my time, which was a 47:30, or a 7:42 min/mile average. It will be fun to see if I can improve that time on the same course in the future.
They handed out reindeer ears at the finish, which was cute. And it’s quite nice for this Minnesotan to be running in shorts in December! Look at that green grass.
They served non-alcoholic beer (by a brand called UNLTD) and mince pies after the race.
It was a nice, well-organized, flat 10k. Glad we did it! Dustin ran a 38:36 and was pleased with that time, (6:15 min/mile I believe; not a PR for him either but a solid workout!)
Summary: 46 miles of running, 3 Iron Strength classes, daily 10 min core on Peloton
Other updates on London life? Let’s see…Ruth is still loving her weekly adventures at Bruce’s Doggy Daycare! She isn’t having any trouble making new friends, ha!
(That’s her in the front, and a different vizsla in the jacket!)
Matilda keeps a slower pace in life, with lots of naps, but she does love running off-lead at the Heath (almost every day, even after work when its dark!)
It rains a lot in London in the winter, but I appreciate not having to stress about snow/ice, at least not so far. The forecast does show temps below freezing next week, so maybe things will get a little slick out there.
I have noticed that the sun sets earlier here than Minneapolis in the winter. It honestly starts to go down around 2:30-3 and then its pitch black by 4. I look forward to that changing back in the spring! It does help with morning runs though, as I generally don’t need a head lamp (or head “torch” as they call it here!)
I do miss my Minneapolis friends and my family; it was weird not being with my family for Thanksgiving, as that is generally our big family celebration, and it was the first since my mom passed. I am enjoying London, but I will be honest that not every day is a pure joy; life anywhere never is, is it? I try to focus on the things I really like about living here, but there are definitely things that were easier in Minneapolis- I’m tempted to write a post about it, but I feel like it would come off as ungrateful, so I’ll put a pin in that one for now… 🙂
I’m linking up with Running on the Fly and Confessions of a Mother Runner; check out their blogs to connect with other fitness bloggers for workout ideas and inspiration!
Great job on the 10K! It’s nice that it’s a series so you have the option to repeat & test your speed. I live Peloton, as you know, but P90X was my intro to strength training. I’ve thought about doing a similar bait & switch, as you’re doing, just to mix things up.
I never did try P90X! I know I’ll be back to Peloton full time, just switching things up during this off season for a bit!
I’m sure you’re feeling homesick–it was all so new and exciting in the beginning, right? I envy how you and Dustin are settling into a routine there. You’ve really found your footing (pun intended) there. Before you commented on how you are feeling, I was thinking how you’ve made running friends there already! I’m enjoying reading about your life in London. And as you know, there’s already snow in Minnesota and it’s been ridiculously cold and windy here in the Midwest!
Take care!
Yes, exactly. The holiday didn’t help with homesickness. Or the short dark days here!
I am trying to find a community but it’s not the easiest thing to do.
You 2 are speedsters! That is a great opportunity to be able to run the same course multiple times for training. Wow those are some early sunsets! It is hard to have so little sunlight this time of the year. One of my running buddies is doing those workouts today and is trying to get me to give them a try. Maybe when I am traveling next week. Would be fun to compare the 2.
Yep! I’m excited to do the 10pm again in January!
Boo on the early sunsets. But a lot of exciting things to see and do. I mean a giraffe on your run.
We have a local running club that sponsors winter races. I hope to do them.
True! The giraffe is a joy to see!
Nice 10K! The sun setting made me think of when I visit my family back in NY – it sets so much earlier there than here in Ohio. Nice job keeping up the base, I may need to look into that strength program. What kind of equipment do you need?
Interesting, I would not have exited a big difference between NY and Ohio! Def a diff here. Kind of tough!
Also, for Iron Strength you need dumbbells. She uses a band but it’s optional.
We’ve had opportunities to do temporary assignments in other countries, and much as I enjoy travel, I don’t want to live in another country. But you do have many new and exciting things, too! I’m sorry you couldn’t be with your families for Thanksgiving, though, I know that can be hard.
Love the sweet photo of Ruth & Matilda.
I think it’s just the holidays and short days that have me a bit more down!
I would be very interested to hear about what you like/don’t like about living abroad. I have not ruled out an international move and am curious about what challenges you are finding.
Love that you are having so much running fun! And the girls seem to be having a blast!
I will draft a post. There are the logistical challenges of actually moving across the ocean, particularly with dogs. But there are other challenges. However there are also so many perks and positive things! And they still outweigh the challenges, just have to be honest that there are things that are easier in the US!
I would definitely like to hear about what’s harder about living in London. Like you said, no place is going to be perfect. But it’s fascinating to hear about your life there.
Glad you’re enjoying the Iron Series! Yes, I like having a program. Although I’m now going to the gym… but I’m going to finish the Iron Series and then decide what I’m going to do. Will I get to the gym twice a week? We’ll see.
Glad the dogs are enjoying life! And congratulations on that 10K- you and Dustin both had great times.
Thanks Jenny! I’m glad you introduced me to Caroline Girvan. The moves are all pretty simple but effective! I like it.
Good job with all those miles and the 10K on top of that! So you’re American but moved to the UK? Long-term? I’m Swedish but moved to Ireland almost 4 years ago. I hope it will be long-term for me, I can’t imagine moving back, I love my life here and the only thing (besides family and friends) I miss here is a real forest (which probably exists in the midlands). You’re doing the right thing by focusing on the positives! That’s the way to go.
I’d agree on following a strength training program, it really helps!
Yes I am here long term, just moved in July. I haven’t found any forest here in London but our dogs love Hampstead Heath!
So cool that you have already selected your next marathon!
Awesome job on the 10K. I love how you and Dustin have embraced the area and the racing culture in London already!
Thanks Kim!
Great write-up and I’m eager to hear more about what you miss about Mpls if/when the time is right. And… Dustin’s 38:36… sigh. I can’t even say “someday” any more!!!
Maybe I insinuated that it’s mostly negative here but definitely not the case! Just being open that there are things that are easier in Mpls!
I should put you in touch with my friend Mary Ellen, who just moved to Madison, WI, after living in England for years – she likes the lighter evenings but is cross not to get tea breaks with biscuits at work now! Well done on your race and loving seeing your adventures.
Congrats on your great 10K time and how fun that they gave out reindeer antlers at the end. 🙂
I can certainly understand being homesick, especially during the holidays. I remember sobbing during the entire Christmas Eve mass the first year we lived in Utah and couldn’t make it home for the holidays.
[…] Rest from running after the 10k the day […]
Don’t mind me playing catch up.
I love these normal bits of life, like dog v. plumbers. Glad the pups are also transitioning well
Love the reindeer ears,congrats to both of you on a solid 10K