Hiya mates! 🙂 Just popping in with my regular weekly recap of training for the Dingle Marathon and life in London!
We’re five weeks out now from marathon 48! This was a big week…here’s how it all went down:
Monday: 7 easy miles before work, about 30 minutes of strength and core at home after work.
Tuesday: 3×2 miles at slightly below marathon pace, 4 min jog in between. 10 miles total.
Personal training at Nordic Balance over lunch (yes, we’re allowed to wfh in August, but I’m generally going in at least twice a week for PT! <– what Brits call personal training.)
I am loving PT! We always start with pull-up work (I can do 3 in a row now!) and then today we really focused on lower body. It was tough!
That evening, I joined some friends to see Sean Hayes (from Will & Grace fame) in the play “Goodnight Oscar” at the Barbican. Not my favourite play…wouldn’t recommend.
Wednesday: Sore from PT; 6.5 miles over lunch (stunning day, what a treat to do a lunch run!)
Heartcore pilates after work.
Thursday: Another marathon pace session before work, 3×20 minutes at marathon effort. The first one was tough as I turned it into a run commute and had my heavy pack (yes, WITH my laptop as always!) but I dropped it off at the office and went on to do the second two sets feeling light and faster! 10 miles total.
While running through Green park by Buckingham Palace, I couldn’t help but notice all the litter/rubbish. You know I love London, but I don’t love how much people litter here! Its so sad…
Second PT (personal training) session over lunch, this time upper body focused.
That evening, we met up with some high school friends of Dustin’s from Tabor Academy (he went to boarding school in Massachusetts) with their two kids at Bombay Bustle in Mayfair for some Indian food. It was so lovely to see them! They were in London for a few days, then the Isle of Skye in Scotland (one of my favourite trips since we moved here) and then to the Cotswolds. Such a fun trip they have planned!
Friday: Total rest day, though Dustin and I did go for a quick swim in the ponds. And our walk there, we spotted this guy in a tree! It was definitely someone’s pet. The owner was nearby and took him to the Heath on a little adventure. So gorgeous!
Saturday: 8 mile run with Ruth and Dustin.
Saturday evening, we went to Ria’s in Notting Hill for some Detroit style pizza! Just like in the US 🙂 It was actually quite good and not super heavy. I also had to note the book in their little decor by our seats- What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami!
Sunday: Another 20 mile run! I joined a Mornington Chasers group to run to Battersea Park for a 10k that was part of the run club Summer League. I did a few miles solo first, then about 10 with the group + the 10k to get to the full 20 miles. Uffda!
Then we took the train home; while walking to the station, there were people giving out these wine drinks. It is always striking how they just hand out alcohol samples to people with no concerns about how old anyone is?? Not that we looked under 18 (the drinking age here) but they didn’t seem to care either way.
After a long walk with Ruth, we walked up the steep hill to the Highgate neighborhood to the Gatehouse for a Sunday pub roast. Ruth was a good girl, resting on her little mat! It helps when she’s fully exercised before we bring her to a pub for a meal…
Summary: 63 miles of running, 2 PT sessions, 1 pilates class. That’s a wrap!
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!
Were the drinks good? I am a fan of wine spritzers so they look good to me! Although mine are always white wine. That’s great how you have so much flexibility to fit your workouts in before work and on the commute to work! I didn’t realize Detroit style pizza was a thing outside of the US. I do love it!
I brought mine home and put in the fridge to drink later and they were pretty good! Low in alcohol and rather refreshing. There was a red wine and a white wine version.
I like Detroit style more than Chicago style!
Awww, Ruth is such a good girl staying on her mat while you eat.
That garbage is really bothersome. Is the problem that the trash containers aren’t emptied often enough? It looks like they’re overflowing.
Honestly, it’s a bit of both. Not enough rubbish bins, those that exist aren’t emptied enough, and also there are so many people from various parts of the world who think littering it okay?? It is so gross sometimes especially early morning after a weekend night.
That’s a solid week! You guys have a lot of visitors. I hope I get to London while you’re still there. I’m not sure I’d like a canned wine drink, but I’d try a free one!
Haha, free has a much lower threshold 🙂
Another great week of training! Ruth looks so cute 😉 Again, I’m amazed at your run commuting with the laptop (I think I mentioned it last week? Or recently?). I was just given such a backpack at my new job…and though I do a lot of walking with the 15-pound weighted vest (and this backpack is definitely much lighter), it’s SO bulky, LOL.
My running pack is pretty well constructed to to stay in place. Its Ultimate Direction brand and it was a little expensive but totally getting my money’s worth!
Um even if it’s a pet, seeing that bird out in London would be so wild! Also, LOVE that Haruki Murakami book! Nice week. Hope training continues to go well.
Its a great book right??
Yes, that parrot was just gorgeous.
You did have a big week! I’m especially impressed with the strength training you did- sessions with a trainer are always so hard. But it sounds like it’s paying off- you can do three pull ups!!- and if your lower body is getting as strong as your upper, it should translate to some great running.
I love that photo of Ruth on her mat : )
I am REALLY enjoying the personal training! I guess its b/c I haven’t had one before, so its motivating me to push myself and I’m seeing results!
Ruth is really such a good girl. I love that you can include her in so many of your outings.
I’m sorry you didn’t like the play. Regular plays are low on my list live performances. I love musicals, operas, ballet and symphonies… then I’ll see a play.
Your August sounds like a great balance of rest and productiveness. I love it. All the litter is unfortunate. I wish people were better about their garbage.
Great idea to split up your 29 miler that way…
Time is flying by. Almost Dingle time… I have a friend who just got married there.
Musicals are my favorite so I might like that show either.
Great week! And three pull-ups, I’m seriously impressed!