Hello fitness friends! Here’s my recap, as usual, of training for my next marathon, which is the Dingle, Ireland marathon September 6th.
I somehow got a week behind, so here’s a recap of 7 and 6 weeks out!
7 Weeks Until the Dingle Marathon!
Monday: 7 solo miles before work, physio at Purus over lunch (to stay on top of the ankle tendonitis.)
Tuesday: 4×12 minutes at marathon pace with 4 minute jog in between for 10 miles total before work, and then we had a social office run after work, 3 miles, so 13 miles on the day. Big day! I also had personal training over lunch.
Wednesday: Much needed rest day from running, though I did do a Heartcore pilates reformer class after work.
Thursday: 2×20 minutes at marathon pace with 4 minute jog in between, 8.6 miles. Second personal training session of the week over lunch.
Friday: 8.2 miles with friends before work.
Saturday: 18 mile long run, with friends for 13 and solo for the last 5, which made it tough!
Sunday: “Summer League”- our run club is in a circuit with several other London run clubs of free races hosted by each club (only for registered club members). This one was a 10k in Regent’s Park; since I had run 18 miles the day before, I didn’t plan on racing it, but I did push myself a little bit harder than easy. With the jog to get to the park + the 10k I had 8.6 miles total.
Summary: 1 pilates, 2 PT sessions, and a high mileage week with 63 miles (that Tuesday double definitely helpd with the big miles.)
6 Weeks until the Dingle Marathon:
Monday: Much needed rest day after the big week; I did do a Pilates reformer class after work
Tuesday: 5×6 minutes around 8:15 min/mile, with a 2 min jog in between. My friend Kelly joined me of the session; 8.7 miles total.
Loving these Bandit tops! I hope they come out with more colours.
Personal training over lunch- my normal trainer was on a surfing trip in Portugal, so she booked me in with one of the other female trainers at the gym named Ezgi. I think Ezgi was trying to prove that she’s “harder” than Becky, so she pushed me very hard! But it was a really good session.
Wednesday: Some soreness from the heavy lifting the day before; I decided to run home from work the long way, through Hyde park and Marylebone, ending in Primrose park before Hampstead where I ran into a 4-month old vizsla puppy! So cute. 6 miles total.
Thursday: I combined a run commute into the office with my second ‘session’ of the week, which was 3×15 minutes at marathon pace. I did have a backpack with my laptop in it for the first 4 miles (and first 15 minute session) so it felt amazing to make a quick pitstop at the office to drop the pack off and head out for the rest of the run so much lighter! Guess that’s how it feels after you lose some weight – so much easier. 8.5 miles total.
Did I mention it was also pouring rain this whole run? I was worried about my laptop in my backpack, but it stayed dry somehow in my Ultimate Direction pack.
Friday: Early run with Ruth, 7 miles.
That evening, Dustin and I went to see Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Bridge Theatre; we had tickets for the floor/standing, which was immersive and very cool. 11/10 theatre experience! Highly recommend.
Saturday: I had plans to do my long run with a group on Sunday, so Dustin and I had a more casual Saturday morning with a jog down the canal to Towpath Cafe in De Beauvoir, a neighborhood on the east side of London. We brought Ruth along and she was pretty patient/well-behaved while we enjoyed a delicious post-run brekkie.
We met yet another vizsla while we were there who looked like Ruth’s twin! Her name was Ruby. First pic is Ruth, second is Ruby!
Getting to Towpath Cafe was about 7 miles and we brought our running packs with dry/warmer clothes, and then we took the tube back to Hampstead.
Sunday: First 20 miler of the season for Dingle! 4 solo, 15 with friends, 1 more solo. Not terrible.
Summary: 1 pilates reformer, 1 personal training session, and 57 miles of running. Less than the week before, but still a big week of marathon training.
In other news, the company I work for is doing work-from-anywhere August; August is a huge month for holiday in Europe and a few of the partners go back to Italy or Spain for the month. However, its not just a Europe thing, they are offering this to our US offices as well. Unfortunately with our house closing coming in Minneapolis, the only trip we have planned is a week back there to clear out out house (putting some things in storage, selling some things, donating the rest.)
September and October, however, will have some really fun travel though that I’m excited about! And selling our house is a one-time thing that will be a big relief when it’s all done, so even though we had hoped to fit in a beach holiday, we’ll focus on the house stuff and be done with all that.
Back to work-from-anywhere August: I still plan to go in Tues/Thursday when I have personal training sessions, as it’s right by the office and I occasionally have evening plans near the office as well. Honestly, I kind of enjoy going in, more than I did in Minneapolis- probably because I don’t have to drive! I also like the lunch options near the office, I like run commuting, etc. But I am happy to have a bit more flexibility for the month and will definitely be working from home a bit more than usual. It will make things easier for fitting in higher mileage!
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!
You’ve kept busy! Looks like your training is going well 😉 When I walk with the weighted vest (15 pounds), it doesn’t feel that heavy anymore. But when I walk the next time without it, I feel so “free,” LOL.I definitely wouldn’t want to run with it, though.
The laptop isn’t that heavy but it starts to feel very heavy after awhile!
Great job with your training! And can we talk about all the puppy pics? So sweet! That little one is TINY!
It sounds like such a better work system and work-life balance where you are. I am so glad you had the opportunity and were able to transition over there.
And of course, that performance looks amazing! You always find the coolest things to do!
Sometimes its a better work-life balance, but since most of my direct team is US based, it does mean LOTS of evening calls and meetings.
Look at all those vizlas!! Good weeks for you and hope the tendonitis has gone. I’m maintaining my calf stretches for my achilles, which I do seem to have beaten, but I’m taking my comeback very steadily!
Good luck with the comeback!
I love the photo of Ruth-she looks all business! What is that little beige box on her collar? And are you getting puppy fever?
Congrats on selling your house! I’m sure you have mixed feelings, but if I were you I’d stay in GB as long as possible. One of my patient’s father is a physician and he is applying to move to Canada. IYKYK
It’s called a “tractive” GPS device! She’s off lead quite a lot here on walks in the Heath, and we also like to know where all her dog walkers take her! It’s fabulous.
It seems like you’re flying it with your marathon training! Is your ankle completely back to normal now?
Those pups are so cute!!!
I am staying on top of the tendonitis with all the physio exercises!
I love your run commutes — I’m so jealous! I have a 45 highway min drive so that would be a long run ha! The immersion theater experience looks so fun! As always nice workouts. Enjoy work from anywhere August!
Thanks Melissa! I love that I can run commute as well- I did it in the US, but its even easier here.
Wow, you run commute with your laptop in your backpack? That sounds hard! Yes, it probably feels amazing to take it out and then run without it.
i love the “work from anywhere” month! It sounds like the whole month will have a laid-back vibe, even though you will go into the office two days.
Good luck with the house! That sounds like a big job. I hope it all goes smoothly, and you’ll feel so good when that is over!
Yes, I always have my laptop in my backpack when I run commute.
Work has still been surprisingly busy, but it helps to be at home more!
What a great (and busy) two weeks for you! Too bad working from the beach won’t be an option for you this year. Maybe next August? I’m looking forward to where your September/October travels will take you!
Yes, I hope this work from anywhere month is a success and they allow it again!
Great job with these high mileage weeks. Sounds like August will be a little more chill for you work wise-enjoy!
Its been quite busy at work so far, but it helps to be at home more!
Holler if you want some running company when you’re in MPLS – would love to see you!
yes please!
That’s very cool that your employer has the flexible time for holiday! You were quite dedicated for that Thursday run with the workout/rain/laptop! I’m glad your running is going well and it sounds like you are being smart getting prehab work in. I always slip with that aspect of my training when things are going well. Lots of pups in this post. Do you think you’ll get a second dog again?
Well, its not exactly flexible time for holiday, its just working from places other than your main offie!
Yes, we are getting a puppy in December of this year.
When you are back for your house closing, you should remove the drywall mural from your treadmill room to preserve it. :^) I know it’s probably painted right on the drywall, but it would be such a shame to let it go.