Monday - 18 miles. I had to make up the miles from my long run I missed Sunday due to so many circumstances! I got a few stomach cramps, at miles 11, 12, and 17, but each time I took a minute or so to rehydrate and stretch out, so I was able to rally. I also almost got run over by a car in a crosswalk. It was a Mercedes... so maybe I should've just let her take me out!
Tuesday - Hiking with clients. I had a guided hike today, so my active rest day included a slow and gentle hike in the Greenbrier Section of the Smokies.
A sunny hike to a waterfall!
Wednesday - 8.5 progression miles. Damn, it was hot this morning! I headed out to run at 10:30 a.m., but it was in the high 70s in the blazing sun by the time I got to my speedy miles. At the very end of the run I had a half mile "all out" run and while I hit a 7:45 pace, I also hit what I call "the tinglies". It was super hot and I was really probably a little too dehydrated. I had taken my running hydration belt with me for this run, but decided against it at the last minute since I'd be doing speed work at the end. Big mistake. I won't be doing that again! In other news though, I HIT A 7:45 PACE!
Feeling strong despite dehydration!
Thursday - 3 miles slow. I started a little too fast and ended up logging a 9:35 for my first mile, but progressively slowed down throughout the run. I went out at 10 a.m. and felt like I was going to melt to the pavement of the Greenway. I had a guided hike in the afternoon and when I came home it was 82 degrees in my house. Yeah. What happened to spring?!
Friday - Active rest day. I walked my dog and did a Zuzka Light Bunny Slope workout, followed by a slow vinyasa for runners to keep my legs stretched out. I really needed the rest day today and got to spend lots of time writing!
Saturday - 18 miles. Now that I'm back on track with my training that means I had to do a second 18-miler this week. Unlike earlier in the week though, it was already hot when I started and I knew this was going to be a slower run. I ended up running through a race on my route, a 10-miler, and got to see the winner with his motorcycle escort just before he turned the corner to cross the finish line! By the time I made it to mile 4 it was sweltering. After the half marathon mark, I had looped back around to my car and needed to refill my Nuun. I went in to the restaurant where I was parked and bought a huge cup of ice water off them, as the water I brought and left in the car was pretty warm. Since I was already moving slow, I decided to drive over to the other greenway and finish my run there hoping there would be more shade. There wasn't. The sun was blaring and the temperature outside said only 70 degrees. When I finished up my run, the thermometer in my car said 84. My legs were shaky and my stretches post run were probably hilarious to watch. In fact, at mile 17 I actually yelled out loud "WHY AM I DOING THIS?!" It wasn't funny at the time, but it is now that I'm looking back!
Sunday - Rest again! After hiking, dog walking, and running, I had a 55-mile week. i honestly really would rather be out hiking in the cooler temps and misty rain today, but I know my body needs the rest.
Next week is my final big mileage week and I'm so nervous! I'm really hoping the temperatures back off a little bit for the big race on April 3rd. Also, because I'm a crazy person, starting April 5th I'm headed back out for a week on the Appalachian Trail starting at Springer Mountain! While I'm excited to be back out for a section with a client, I'm again wondering what in the world I'm doing only 18 hours after finishing my first marathon! Hiking season is already here!
That was my week in training and I can't believe my first ever marathon is only a few short weeks away. I'm so nervous now! Do you have any advice for a first-timer? How did your first big race go? I'd love for you to leave me a comment or find me on Facebook or Twitter to get the conversation started!
I'm linking up with the Women's Running Community for Share It Saturday!
