Time to run the holiday weekend off! At least that's what my alarm said this morning at 6am. My long run was delayed to this morning this week, as the 4th of July festivities around me begged to differ with my training schedule. Nonetheless, I woke up and ran the 7 miles I owed this morning, and might have sweat out a bit of the holiday cocktails we enjoyed at the river this weekend.
Sitting by the river and enjoying just being able to sit and be still...
My run was actually awesome this morning. The rest of my week leading up to the 4th of July was a great week of training, and I can feel my runs getting stronger step by step. I took some of your advice and let go of my faster pace on the long run, and kept my short runs quick with a few hills. Although running uphill hurts in the moment, once you push through, your pace feels almost stronger and easier.
With the summer heat starting to weigh in, I have found that I have to run early in the morning or at dusk to find any comfortable weather. Staying at the river this past weekend, temperatures reached as high as 120 degrees fahrenheit, which is about 49 degrees celsius, and so running wasn't an option during the daytime. Though I vowed to delay my long run for the sake of not dying of heat stroke, we found a way to sneak in workouts by hiking trails along the river at dusk, and swimming downstream and then hiking to the top of the river to float back down again and again. Although it was definitely a "vacationer's workout", it felt good just to be moving regardless of it's impact.
Enjoying the moments and the loves in my life down by the river.
At the end of the week, instead of feeling defeated by delaying my run, I felt pretty amazing. I was able to train strongly all week and indulged in a few holiday treats without feeling horrible about myself. I was actually excited to hear my alarm this morning, and headed out of my front door with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step.
In all honesty, this holiday weekend was a great reminder of how important it is to enjoy the people in your life, even at the sake of your perfect half marathon training schedule. I even added a few country songs to my running playlist this morning to remind me of the family and friends I had the pleasure of being with this weekend, I think it even made the 7 miles easier. So go enjoy the moments, the memory of them makes your struggles uphill that much easier. Namaste.
This week’s training mileage total: 19 miles!
Longest run: 6 miles with a pace of 11:10 (a bit slower, but very comfortable and no pain today)
Cross training: 3 Jillian Michaels workouts
Wore on my long run: I Just Wanna Run Tank and Run:Team Spirit Crops (both so comfortable and quickly wicked up my sweat)
Favourite song on my run playlist: "Cowgirls Don't Cry" - Brooks & Dunn (Featuring Reba McEntire)
7 weeks until race day! Here is my training schedule for the week:
Monday: 6 miles (delayed due to the holiday)
Tuesday: Barry's Bootcamp + Hot Yoga
Wednesday: Jillian Michaels Workout + 3 miles
Thursday: Barry's Bootcamp + Yoga
Friday: Jillian Michaels Workot + Yoga
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 7 miles!
P.S. Anyone have any good recovery drink recipes? I've been living on coconut water, but I am just waiting for someone to tell me that chocolate milk really is good for your muscles to recover...
