My latest week of training almost didn't happen. I took Monday as a rest day (per usual) and ended up taking Tuesday off as well. When I headed out for a run late Wednesday night I didn't know if I would even make it through 2 miles. I contemplated making it a cutback week, but once I started running, I didn't want to stop. Running is my crutch for dealing with difficult emotions.
On Tuesday I said goodbye to Mouse, my sweet old man cat. It's too painful for me to write anything more, so I am going to jump right back to talking about running. Maybe when the grief is not as fresh I can tell you about what a wonderful kitty he was.
Wednesday
Distance: 10.0
Pace: 9:36
My pace was actually all over the place during this run. Sometimes I felt like running hard other times I stopped to walk and text my husband. The magic combination of adrenaline and endorphins seemed to run out at about 9.5 miles so I was kind of a crying mess during the last little bit of this run.
Thursday
Distance: 13.1
Pace: 10:02
I just could not get into this run. I ended up running 4:00 and walking 1:00 for the first 7-8 miles. Finally things started to come together and I was able to finish the run feeling alright. I was planning on 12 miles, but decided to bump it up to the half marathon distance when things started feeling better.
Friday
Distance: 9.0
Pace: 9:23
First run of the week that actually felt normal. I guess Thursday's slow pace payed off because my legs felt great during this run!
Saturday
Distance: 3.0
Pace: 10:31
I don't usually run 5 days in a row so I wanted to keep this run as easy as possible, especially since the turn around time between a Friday night run and a Saturday morning run is less than a day AND I had 20 miles coming up the next morning.
Sunday
Distance: 20.0
Pace: 9:18
The first 15 miles I actually averaged 9:35, which is much more in line with my current abilities than 9:18. I ran the last 5 miles at goal MP, which is still just a vague goal. For this run I figured if I could get the pace under 9:00 for the last 5, that would be good enough. I was actually faster than I thought, averaging 8:31 for those final miles. Feeling that strong at the end of a long week of running? Yeah, major confidence booster right there!
Total: 55.1 miles
So sorry about your loss! Losing pets is really rough. I've been there. May your kitty rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteNice job this week! 55 miles, amazing! I love fast finish long runs. I always felt on top of the world when I could finish my 20 milers at goal pace but man it was HARD. Glad it felt easy for you!
Thank you, Hanna.
DeleteOn top of the world is exactly how I felt when I finished my 20 miler! I was definitely tired and working hard for those paces, but couldn't believe how strong I felt.
Sorry about losing your cat :( It's so hard to lose animals...I know that when Selma's time comes I'll be SO devastated. I love her so much!!
ReplyDeleteIt's great to use running as a type of therapy during hard times. Even though your week was up and down you still had a really quality long run and lots of miles. Great job sticking with it! Can't believe you only have 8 weeks left!
Thank you, Gretchen.
DeleteI can't believe there are only 8 weeks left, but after this week I feel like I will actually be ready for it! Just have to stay healthy!
I am so sorry for your loss - I know how much it hurts.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Cris.
DeleteMouse is so handsome. When my first cat, Leo, passed away for a while I would still talk to him every morning (in my head). It sounds crazy but that made me feel so much better to keep the connection alive.
ReplyDeleteSending a big hug your way.
I am so impressed with your training. I can't believe how many miles you run every week ... every day!!!! Dang! You are superwoman!
I don't think it sounds too crazy. I've been doing something similar, mostly just acknowledging to myself that it is okay to feel sad and it is okay to really miss him.
DeleteI'm pretty darn impressed with my training too! I still remember when running more than 3 miles felt like a big deal, so it is hard to believe that I have come this far!
I'm sorry to hear you lost your Cat. Pets are like famiily. :(
ReplyDelete55 miles wow!! Which program are you following? Or do you have a coach?
No coach for me. I am following one of plans from Pete Pfitzinger's Advanced Marathoning book. It is an 18 week plan that tops out at 55 miles/week.
DeleteIt is a pretty intense plan. I actually had to reduce some of the intensity since I found I could not keep up with the increasing mileage and the speed work each week. I'm back on track with the mileage now, so I am starting to play with adding in a bit of speed work. Probably not as intense as the workouts prescribed in the book, but maybe a few extra miles at MP or HMP. I'm hoping at some point in the future I'll be able to follow the plan as written; it gets a lot of positive feedback in the marathon forum on Runner's World.