20 days, if we are being exact!
I missed recording last week’s training, but it was similar to this one – 70 miles with a 20-miler and a midweek workout with miles just a bit faster than MP.
I am getting excited for the race and also very much . . . ready for it to be here. I now feel like I am trained enough and am just hoping I can make to the starting line feeling good — even at this point, there is no guarantee!
M: 10 mi with Jacy, 8:51/mi average (6 x 20s strides at end)
T: 5 x 2 mi @ (MP – 10-15s). I am training with 8:10/mi in mind for MP, so I was aiming for ~7:55 ave here. Weather was meh, 73F and fairly humid. My splits for the miles were: 7:37, 7:46, 7:55, 8:04, 7:48, 7:59, 7:53, 7:55, 7:44, 7:53 – each 2 mile set had 3 minutes of jogging between. Total was 13.67 mi / 8:27/mi. I accomplished what I set out to do, AND it felt pretty hard.
W: 8.4 mi @ 9:05/mi. Ran this one in like 1.75 mi loops because the weather was threatening but luckily I never saw lightning (the storm had passed just prior)
R: Relaxed run, 9 mi @ 9:41/mi. Definitely needed a therapeutic slower run.
F: 9 mi @ 9:05/mi, and this was a humid one. GAHHH is summer here? (No, this is just what May feels like here. Sigh.)
S: 20 @ 8:31/mi average – 6 warmup, 8 marathon pace, 6 cooldown. Similar to Tuesday, I am very happy with my splits but a little nervous about how much effort I had to put in to get them! That said – it was the end of a 70 mile week and it was warm and humid (74F / “feels like” 77F, with portions in the bright sun).
I tried out my impulse buy race outfit! The verdict:
SHORTS are perfect. I can stuff a million gels in there and they did not ride up, zero chafing in 20 miles, (!) and nothing was bouncing around. Combo of these plus the zippered FlipBelt is great.
The top fit, but felt too constricting. It did not have a built in bra and somehow the top PLUS a bra felt like too much and the higher neck also bugged me, so I will wear my trusty blue Rabbit tank (that one has a built in bra) with the shorts. Matching is far less important than comfort!!!
IF it’s cold like below 55F (which would be awesome) I’ll wear some throwaway long sleeve over the top and get rid of it if I need to. If that happens I guess I will pin the bib to my shorts!? 55F and above at start I think I’d just wear the tank and shorts.
After this run I was useless for a bit and then took G to a birthday party and then spectated 2 gymnastics performance (both girls did great, and it was so cute!). Today I feel pretty decent considering!! Off to TJs and to clean up a bit around the house . . .
12 Comments
Happy taper! It isn’t usually very warm in the mornings in the upper Midwest so if it’s a normal day, it will likely be cooler than 55. But we can always get oddly warm weather systems so that isn’t a guarantee. But I am crossing my fingers for normal weather for your race. Then you will REALLY great since you’ve trained in such different weather! I have raced with my bib on my shorts and it’s not too bad. I feel like wear it I the side of my shorts is better/more comfortable.
Yes I think “average” start time weather is 49-50 but there were a couple of recent years (2018/19) that were REALLY hot. I think last year it was like 39 – 50s!! I guess in that case I might even leave a long sleeve on. I do not have much recent experience dressing for cool weather running/racing. . .
oh, and my taper does NOT start this week – I have another 70 mile week with a 20 next Sat! It’s a shorter taper. But I’m fine with that.
CORRECTION – I guess it sort of starts in that the total looks more like 65 mi, but still have a tough speedwork and my last 20. After that though definitely significant taper!
Don’t start overthinking. Like you said, you ran a HUGE number of miles this week… it should have felt harder this week; your legs have to be a bit fatigued! Once you’re rested and tapered you’ll be all set!! You can absolutely run that race pace, I know it.
For starts in the 30s-40s, I like separate arm sleeves that I can toss if/when I get warm. And also stretch gloves I don’t mind tossing. Then I can still pin my bib to my top. Mid 50s might be fine to just wear a long sleeved shirt to the start and toss it before you run. Obviously personal preference on all of it. Hope you get amazing weather!
I’m so paranoid about it being warm that I can’t wrap my head around the idea that I could actually be cold – but arm sleeves are a great idea!
I hope you like TC- as a Michigander, I LOVE TC! It’s the best in summer. If you need any restaurant recs let me know!
I’m seriously SO impressed by your mileage and speed! I just ran a 5k with Hailey and it felt like a huge victory for me to make it across, trailing behind her by a few minutes…) in 31 minutes, ha. So excited for you and your upcoming race!
aww thanks! I am getting excited too!!! I’m impressed with H, A could not be convinced to do that even though she will happily attend hours of dance or gymnastics!
WOW, 70 miles!
I think race day is going to feel much easier for you than this 20 mile run- you’ll be tapered and the weather has to be cooler (right???).
And, I just read your response to a comment where you said “I’m so paranoid about it being warm that I can’t wrap my head around the idea that I could actually be cold.” THAT IS WHAT RUINED MY RACE IN FEBRUARY (well, and the sprained ankle of course…) I was so convinced I would be hot, I didn’t plan for the actual weather and ended up freezing. So- keep in mind that it COULD be cold, and since you’re not used to it, you could end up really uncomfortable. Bring all the layers- you can always discard them.
YES I guess this is the downside of being a FL runner – cold is kind of like “what do I do!?!?!”. You would think I would remember from my NC days (and my 2009 marathon was like 29 degrees!) but at this point it’s kind of ancient history. I guess I will know closer to the day!
always be prepared for cold or rain, I bring throw away cloth and big trash bag. snacks, toilet paper, come handy too. 🙂