Hi everyone! Sorry things were quiet around here yesterday but I was instructed to keep my hands off the blog while my website guru worked his magic. I kept myself busy with things like teaching yoga, a girl’s brunch and my long run.
Let’s talk about running. My half marathon is less than two weeks away and I am READY! I am following an 11 week training program and it’s just too long. I had already built a strong base before the plan started and I think 11 weeks was overkill. I was gangbusters about it for the first 8 weeks or so and then lost steam.
I have followed the plan pretty closely and I’ve really enjoyed the structure and being pushed with the tempo/speed work but I feel like I peaked a couple of weeks ago and now I’m just kinda forcing myself to get the runs done. Don’t get me wrong, I am LOVING running strong and healthy again and I don’t want to stop running by any means, I’m just ready for the race and to be done with the official plan. Next time I’m going to try an 8 week plan (again from a strong base) and see how that goes. (And yes, there will be a next time. Again, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be running like this again. It’s good for the soul.)
So back to the training…I got all of my runs done this week but had a rough tempo run. I was supposed to run 6 miles with 4 at 7:30 pace and it wan’t happening. After three miles I abandoned my prescribed pace and just ran. I ended up doing just under 7 at an average 8:04 pace. Not bad and sometimes done is done. I didn’t beat myself up over it. I joked on Instagram that at least my outfit matched.
Here’s a recap of the week in workouts:
Monday
3 mile easy run
Tuesday
CrossFit
This workout was hard! Try it! (Here is a video of a burpee box jump.) It finished in 18:56.
Wednesday
7 mile tempo-ish run
Thursday
REST
Friday
3 mile easy run + abs and strength circuit
– Stability ball abs circuit
– 3 rounds of 10 push press, 20 back squats (65# bar for each), 10 deficit ring rows and 10 ring push ups
Saturday
Yoga
Sunday
11 mile long run
I don’t usually do my long runs on Sundays, much less Sunday afternoons but it was the only time I could fit it in this weekend. My Saturday was jam packed and the weather was gross. It was 40 degrees and raining. Not my ideal running conditions. I held off until Sunday afternoon and it was lovely. Around 50 degrees and sunny. I knocked out 11 at an average 8:34 pace.
I am in DESPERATE need of some yoga today!
Are you training for a fall race? How’s it going? What is your ideal training plan length?
You’ve probably already mentioned this, but do you run with your compression sleeves on? Or just put them on afterward?
I run with them occasionally but not always. I only wear them when my legs feel like they “need it” during or after a run.
(and FYI, this is Jen logged in under my developers account!)
I ran a half marathon yesterday in 1:35 (not my PR but I was happy with it.)
I actually decided to run the race about 3 days before so I didn’t follow a training plan or anything like that (I have a strong base, which helped!)
liv – that is incredible! you are speedy!!! congrats.
I’m thinking about picking up some 5ks soon 🙂
Love your new site design! It’s so clean and easy on the eyes!
I’m training for the Miami Half Marathon on January 25th. I’m doing a 12 week training program but that’s because my baseline isn’t super strong! Haha.
thank you! that’s exactly how i wanted it to feel so good to hear.
good luck with your training!
and sorry…that was me commenting under my developer’s login!
You are strong and in such good shape that 11 weeks would be too long for me too and I would feel a little antsy and just ready to RUN. I’d be worried I would burn out. I think 5-8 weeks would be good. I’m hoping to do a few more this coming Spring and maybe one in the winter…but we’ll see! 🙂
i think i’ll probably hold off until spring as i am NOT a fan of running in the freezing cold! 🙂
Those are some awesome paces, you are going to kill this half marathon! Really love the blog’s new look too.
thank you so much!
What time do you normally do your workouts?
any time i can get them in! in general, i avoid early morning unless it’s a saturday long run. i don’t feel my best super early and i’m always training clients anyway. i love to run before lunch or late afternoon before going back to the gym to teach/train. i also get to the gym early or stay late often to do strength/crossfit. (4:30 p.m. or 7:30 p.m.) and yoga is just whenever i can make it to a class.
and sorry…that was me commenting under my developer’s login!
The blog looks great!! 🙂
Thanks Tracy!
Love the new site! I don’t really follow training plans. I just keep up with my weekly mileage and when a half is approaching, adjust the last week so that I taper and rest a bit more.
thanks meredith! i decided to follow a training plan for this half because i wanted some structure and to finish in a certain time but in general, i much prefer your method!
Hey! Can you tell me what running shorts you’re wearing? How do you like them for longer runs?
Thanks!
Hey Molly! They’re the Lululemon speed shorts and they’re the only running shorts I have worn for the last few years. I love them!
and sorry…that was me commenting under my developer’s login!
I am out for racing this season, since I am still recuperating from an ankle surgery. Trying to slowly get back into running, and I want to run a Turkey trot 10K by Thanksgiving
I am thinking about training for a half soon. Where do you find the plans that you follow? I have a good base, but I like the structure of a plan and having something to stick to.
I’m using the “Coach” portion of the Nike+ app and like it for the most part. I think it’s a bit much to run 13 miles 2 weeks before the actual half-marathon, but this is my first half, so maybe I’m not the person to dole out advice!
I know how you feel. Same story with my last half. Came in with a strong base from a healthy previous half a few months prior and then took on a (too long for me) training plan and definitely peaked too early. Although, I ended up with a stress fracture so I had to bail on my two fall and winter halfs 🙁
I just read a quote from Steph Rothstein (now a Oiselle athlete – seriously love them), about her training philosophy, “Train at 90%. All runners work really hard and usually think more is better. Showing up to the starting line healthy and a bit undertrained is a far greater accomplishment than running on fumes. Leave some in the tank for race day.” So much truth in this (when a sub 2:30 marathoner says it, I listen 🙂
I’m training for my first half-marathon on a 12-week plan. I’m in Week 8. I’m using the Nike+ Coach which has me doing a 13 mile run during Peak Week! I think that’s a bit much. I plan to go up to 11 miles, but am open to tips from others… Doing 5 run days, 1 cross training day, 1 rest day. It’s definitely intense, and if I decide to do another half-marathon I think I need to cut back to 4 runs per week. It’s a time crunch to fit in 40min – 1hr+ runs during the weekdays and I feel like all I’m doing is sleeping, running, working, and eating. No time for side projects at all 🙁
I am currently not training for any race, but I wanted to comment on how lovely your site looks! I thought it was great before, but I like the updated look 🙂 CONGRATS!
Even though I’m not running any races myself, I just love seeing everyone else getting ready and then accomplishing their goal! So happy and inspiring!
(P.S. The blog looks lovely! So clean and simple! I LOVE IT!) XOXO
Your blog looks AWESOME!
Love the new design! Really clean and great color scheme!
BTW, have you ever thought about submitting your blog to The EveryGirl? I was reading it this morning, like I do every morning, and thought it would be a great fit with all the topics they have on there (career, fitness, etc). Just a thought! And I’m in no way affiliated with them. 🙂 Just a reader of your blog and theirs.
Hey Jen !!
Glad to hear you’re catching the running bug. Long distance training can be a lonely endeavor so I really recommend joining a club/group or just finding a girlfriend to crush out the Sunday long runs with.
As far as Fall training for me goes… we’re a week away from OCAA Nationals in Calgary, Alberta for cross country. (Women run 5km, men 8km). Afterwards, I’ll be switching gears a bit and reaaally upping the mileage to train for RunDisney in January (I’m doing the dopey challenge so I race Thurs-Sunday 5k,10k,half marathon, full marathon each day !! It’s going to be intense !
I think training programs and structure is great to encourage you to run fast and run often but never let them outrun the joys of running !! Good luck for your half ! Be conscious of the day and be proud of the 11 weeks of effort you’ve added to an already super active lifestyle.
🙂
What type of compression calf sleeves are you wearing in your picture? I’m looking to try some but they all look the same to me.
Awesome job on your run!! I finished up marathon training about three weeks ago when I ran the Chicago Marathon. For marathons I train for 15 weeks and for half marathons I train for 8. I’m taking a little hiatus from races. My next will be the NYC Half in March. Time to work on getting faster!
Hey – I just found your site. I think it’s really inspirational. I’ve just been getting back into running and sometimes the motivation is hard to come by. What keeps you going even on those days like you described, where it’s just tough?