What goes up, must come down…..

Last week was my highest mileage week to date and while week 12 was meant as a cut back week, life made it a cuuuut back week. Not by much, but I’m known for being over dramatic 😀

Marathon Goal– 3:50
Marathon Pace/Tempo Runs– 8:45
Easy Runs–9:40-10:40
Long Runs–9:30

Monday, September 19th —3.65 Easy Miles @10:02 avg. pace

This was supposed to be a five miler but a little over half way through my run, my husband texted me that he was at a burrito shop near where I was running. U-turn, run shortened.

Tuesday, September 20th–1 mile WU, 1.5milesx4 @8:35 target (w/400R), 1 mile CD

This run was a little faster than it should’ve been but I was kind of in a hurry to get this done in my 2 hour kid care time frame, lol.

1. 8:04
2. 8:31
3. 8:20
4. 8:16

Wednesday, September 21st–Rest Day, 10k Steps

I took my kids to the track again so I could get my 10k steps in. I signed up both my daughter and son to the fall season of the Healthy Kids Running Series and I told them they needed to start training.

Thursday, September 22nd–1 mile WU, 9 Tempo Miles, 1 mile CD

Holy cow, this was a hard run. I know the paces don’t show it as they’re faster than my 8:45 target but it was so ridiculously humid, I was fighting for each mile and by the time I got close to the end, I just wanted to get the whole thing over with.

At 4:15 a.m.!!!!

Friday, September 23rd–2.32 Easy Miles

I woke up at crazy 0’clock again to meet my hill running buddies. I was on the road at 4:30 a.m. but I could barely drive. Why? I woke up with pink eye!!! I had my glasses on and between that discomfort and my sensitivity to light, it was a scary drive.

But I made it. Our group started and I lagged behind, slowed down by my 11 tempo miler the day before, lack of sleep, and motion sickness from the bouncing of my glasses. Before I knew it, I lost them!! I got to the end of the road and my group was nowhere in sight!

I ran back to my car and sent a text to our leader asking where they were. He met me back at my car and I burst into tears apologizing for inconveniencing him. I think I was just overwhelmed by….everything. I seem to reach a point each training cycle where I feel this way. It felt good to just let it all out. I was done with the run and drove back home.

Saturday, September 24th–10.5 Long Run @9:14 avg. pace

After the previous day’s fiasco run, I went to a doctor for eye meds and thankfully, I started feeling relief right away. On Saturday morning, I met up with my NYC Marathon buddies and ran a good 10 miler without my glasses on (I held them). It was a blind run, but despite not being able to see, I ran comfortably.

It was 57 degrees at the start! Brrrr!!!!

Sunday, September 25th–6 Easy Miles @10:32 pace

I ran with my glasses on because it was dark for the entirety of my run so it was slow and not so fun but I got it done (a lil rhyme diddy there for ya!)

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Even though there were some undone runs in there, it was a good week at 42.5 miles . My SOS (Something of Substance) runs were on point and that is what ultimately matters so I’m happy with week 12 🙂 Next week, I’ll be running in much cooler temps while I visit my family in the midwest. For this Arizona gal, it’ll be freezing!!!

–Does the cold bother you? It bothers me! I complain about the heat but would prefer that any day, lol!

–Ever get pink eye? 😦

–How was your running week? Do you ever get emotional during a training cycle?

Week 11 brought some big milestones–my highest weekly mileage to date and I REACHED MY FUNDRAISING GOAL!!!

Yiippeeee!!

Two burrito sales, one raffle, and countless pleas for help (lol!), I was blown away by the generosity of my family and friends (both close to me and those I only know online). Thank you SO much to those who generously donated to this important cause ❤

Marathon Goal– 3:50
Marathon Pace/Tempo Runs– 8:45
Easy Runs–9:40-10:40
Long Runs–9:30

Monday, September 12th–5.5 Easy Miles @10:19 avg. pace

This was an easy run around my ‘hood. It was hot and humid.

Tuesday, September 13th–1 mile WU, 6 Strength Miles @8:35 pace, 1 mile CD

I was determined to get in a full warm up and cool down as I’d been slacking on ’em on my Tuesday runs. This brought the first “Strength Run” (10 seconds below race pace) of the plan and what will be every Tuesday from here on out.

There was supposed to be a 400 recovery between each mile and that’s where I slacked. I just did all the miles straight. Afterward, I felt fine but after talking to a buddy, we both agreed that I should keep them in the plan as that’s additional mileage I’m supposed to have and I could def use the recovery even though I may feel fine (it was also 95 degrees and humid out when I did this). I don’t want to jeopardize anything so far in.

Wednesday, September 14th– Rest Day (but, 10k steps)

No running, but I met up with my run club and walked with some friends to get my 10k steps in.

Thursday, September 15th–1 mile WU, 8 Tempo Miles @8:45, 1 mile CD

I’m always nervously excited about tempo days. I actually like them and they really help build my confidence, but at the same time, I still can’t take in that I’m going to try and do this for 26.2 miles.

Another run with stellar splits ❤

I’ve been really lucky to have friends to run these tempo miles with me because the miles just fly by. Next week, the tempo distance goes from 8 to 9 and I’ll do 9 tempo miles for three weeks before moving on to 10. Hopefully, my friends still want to run them with me, lol!!

Friday, September 16th– 6.5 Easy Miles @10:08 pace

Easy miles around my ‘hood. It was hot.

Saturday, September 17th–16 Long Run Miles @9:23 pace

I moved my long run to Saturday because later that night I’d be going to a bachelorette party and yeah…I didn’t think I’d be awake enough Sunday morning for a long run, lol! I didn’t drink any alcohol, but I’m really not used to staying out late (I was home by 10 but that’s late for me jaja!!!).

Me and the soon-to-be Mrs. 😀 We were college roommates! ❤

Anyway, my run that morning started at 4:30 a.m. and wowzers…..it was cold out!!! Yes, you read that right!!! It was 65 degrees and I was chilly at the start lol!!

We (I was running with my NYC Marathon buddies) immediately felt the difference running in colder weather. The miles were cruising by us and we were going faster than we usually do. After mile 5, every mile was below my long run pace—oops!! Luckily, everything averaged out to be pretty close to my 9:30 target pace.

“Warm-up 5” lol

In addition to my tempo runs, my long runs have been super confidence boosters. This was my first “Hanson’s 20” (longest run of the plan) and for it being such a high mileage week, I felt so good on this run. I have 3 more of these 16ers and I was happy to cross one off the plan 😀

Sunday, September 18th–5 Easy Miles @10:14 pace

Easy miles around my hood. These were nice and slow because I was so tired from my early morning long run and night out the day before.

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Highest weekly mileage ever at 51 miles !!! I never thought I’d run so much and I’m just so thankful I’m doing well and feeling good 🙂

–How was your running week?

–When is the last time you went to a bachelor/bachelorette party? (It’d been a looong time for me, lol)

–What is your highest weekly mileage?