“Whooah, we’re half way there
Livin’ on a prayer
Take my hand and we’ll make it, I swear
Livin’ on a prayer”
Y’all…I’m halfway through training for the Chicago Marathon (cue the party music)! I can’t believe that training has gone by so quickly this time. This was a cutback week (thank you sweet little baby Jesus). My body needed a little break, that’s for sure. Mother Nature provided much cooler weather during the beginning on the week and that made me a very happy runner π Let’s see how the week panned out.
Monday 7/24
3.5 mile run + PT exercises (15 minutes). A really great run because of the beautiful weather!
Tuesday 7/25
2 mile run + PT exercises (15 minutes). I also saw the movie ‘Girls Trip’ after work and it was SOOO funny! I highly recommend it!
Wednesday 7/26
Boot camp class (60 minutes) + PT exercises (15 minutes). I modified a lot of the squat/lunge moves during class, but it felt good to be back.
Thursday 7/27
5 mile “tempo” run + PT exercises (15 minutes). This run was funny because my “easy” miles were faster than my tempo miles, oh well! It was just one of those runs where you just have to laugh at yourself.
Friday 7/28
10 mile long run. I took the day off work so decided to get my long run out of the way before the weekend.
Saturday 7/29
Rest Day! I planned on taking a body work + abs class in the morning, but sleep won and I’m okay with that.
Sunday 7/30
Stationary bike (30 minutes) + PT exercises (15 minutes). I volunteered at a Back-To-School event in the morning so I missed my normal spinning class. The stationary bike was a great compromise – I might use it more often!

I really enjoyed volunteering this morning at the Back-To-School event
Total Weekly Miles – 20.5
Total Training Cycle Miles – 211.8
Grade – A
Friday’s long run was brutal. Again, high humidity (98%) and I was sweating like crazy. For some reason my heart rate was going absolutely bananas during this run and I had to stop a lot to get my heart rate back down. It was very strange as that’s never happened before. It was probably just a mix of not getting enough sleep the night before mixed in with the crazy humidity. I also tried Generation UCAN on the run (tropical orange) and I was not a fan. It just had a weird taste to me. I don’t think I have any other new brands to try, so I’ll stick with Tailwind for the rest of the training cycle.
Can I just say how great it was to sleep in on a Saturday? I don’t think I’ve done that in months! IF felt good to get my long run done on Friday and I wish I could do that more often.
Back to higher mileage next week. I’m kind of dreading it, but I know it’s absolutely necessary!
Did you have a good week? How are you dealing with the hot and humid weather?
Iβm linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s guest host is Deborah so show her some love!
Iβm also linking up with the Jessβs (Jess Runs Atlanta and Jess @ The Right Fits) and Courtney for their Training Recap Link Ups!
This Week’s Posts
Tunes Tuesday 7.25 – Lincoln Park Tribute
My Post Run Stretching Routine
Join Me for July Runfessions
Great week! Woohoo 10 weeks in! Have you noticed any difference with the PT exercises yet?
Sleeping in is the best….seriously! I try to do that once a week just to make sure that I am refreshed for the week. Have fun with the last 10 weeks of your training. Race day will be here before you know it!
I have noticed a little difference with the PT exercises. My knees don’t ache as much so that’s a definite plus!
I always wonder whether I love running or hate it!! Thanks for linking up today
LOL it’s a question I ask myself monthly, especially during training.
Thanks for being the guest host for the link up this week!
Back to school event? What??? I hope you’ve got good weather for your training this week — looks like we’ll have a good start at least.
Yup! Back to School already, lol. It was actually a great event and the kids were able to select backpacks, school supplies, clothing, sneakers, a winter coat and accessories. I was happy to be a part of it.
10 weeks already? It’s hard to believe that it’s only 2 months away. You’ve been doing a great job with your training–I think you’re going to do really well. Training in the heat and humidity will prepare you for that back half of Chicago, which has little shade and can be a bit toasty…
I know, it’s crazy right?! The first 10 weeks went by really quickly!
I think I might cry if the weather is really, really hot for Chicago π
Great job on a good strong week. I know that feeling to finish off your long run before the weekend. Priceless!
Thanks so much Madhuri! You’re so right, I loved having that long run done before the weekend!
I (accidentally) slept in on Saturday…I see a trend happening LOL The heat and humidity actually felt good to me this weekend (though it was mild compared to earlier in the week), it was SO nice to feel sweat running down my back and in the crook of my arms (which couldn’t happen with the PICC line).
Sleeping in on Saturday is a trend I can get behind after my training is over!
Can’t believe you’re already half way through training! That’s awesome! Looks like you had another good week. You’ve been really diligent about your PT exercises – how’s your knee feeling?
It’s crazy how fast the weeks go by during training! The PT exercises are going well and I’ve noticed less pain in my knee, so I’m happy about that!
Any miles in 98% humidity is brutal …but 10??? That’s just life-sucking brutal! I enjoy the stationary bike on occasion as well. Although, our gym has a couple of spinning bikes out on the cardio floor for use anytime, so I usually opt for one of them.
Great week of workouts Kim!
Thanks Teresa! Yeah the humidity is just…blah π That’s the best word to describe it lol.
That’s awesome that your gym has spinning bikes on the cardio floor.
I slept until 9am on Saturday! It was crazy! I can’t believe you are half way through training already!
I think sleeping in on Saturday must have been a theme for the weekend!
We definitely had a break in the heat & humidity last week, but it won’t last long. And I’m not really ready for summer to be gone yet!
I’ll just bet that cutback week felt great. And running the easy miles faster than the tempo miles? Never gonna happen to me!
My tempo run was so crazy, I have no explanation! LOL
Congrats on halfway! It sneaks up fast doesn’t it? Long runs in the heat have been my nemesis this time around. We can’t seem to catch a break. Good for you for getting in that 10 during the week!
It really did sneak up on me! For some reason I think this summer is way worse than last summer!
I find that I tend to be a running hater in the summer. Day after day of 85+ degrees and humidity, even at 5:30 starts to wear you down. Though I must love it if I keep doing it anyway, right?
Great training week!
I’m definitely a summer running hater, that’s for sure! Hopefully next summer won’t be as bad because I don’t plan on doing a Fall marathon so the runs should be less mileage!
Yay for cut back weeks and being halfway through the training cycle π
I really appreciated it!
BOOM! Way to get it in along with your PT. You’re rocking it!
Thanks girl – I’m trying!
Love your party song!! Bon Jovi has gotten me through so many runs, haha. Keep rocking–you’re doing a great job!
Bon Jovi is a must on any playlist!
Wow, halfway through already?! That must feel great! Yeah, sleeping in on weekends is definitely one of the things I’ll miss in my training.
I can’t believe I’m already halfway done! It was great to sleep in this past Saturday. I probably won’t be able to do it again for a few months lol
Halfway already? I was thinking this weekend about how fast this year has gone by, and here’s further proof. July was hot in Boulder, but we have a break for a little bit, even though 90s is typical for August. We had some rain Friday and Saturday, and now our temps are in the 80s for now. I’m enjoying it.
I agree! On a whole, this year has gone by very quickly!
Oh those cutback weeks are always right on time, right? Great job! Everyone seems to love Girls Trip, I haven’t heard a bad review yet!
Now that I’m back in training mode I’m coping with the summer weather…I think trying not to internally whine about it like I usually do has helped make it more tolerable, haha!
They are totally always right on time! You should definitely see Girls Trip if you get the chance. Just be warned that it’s pretty raunchy!
Great job! The heat made my runs this week made my heart rate crazy high this week too. PS – I have the same Run Rest Repeat tank top!
It’s crazy how the heat can affect basically everything!
I love Old Navy for workout gear!
Sleeping in on a Saturday sounds heavenly! Great job with your workouts this week!
IT was awesome!
Woot woo! Congrats on being half way through your Chicago Marathon training!
Like you, we had a break from the heat for a few days earlier in the week. I also lucked out with cooler temps on Saturday’s long run when I headed out between rain storms.
Thanks Debbie! I wish I could bottle up that weather from Monday/Tuesday of last week!
How awesome of you to volunteer!! was it for school?
Humidity is this heavy itchy blanket that nobody wants to have in the summer, but we all have to carry it around!! but I’ll be missing it in the winter snow!
It was a volunteer event where children could go shopping for bookbags, sneakers, school supplies and clothing, all for free. I was happy to help out with the morning shift!
I love you description of humidity lol
What a great week! YAHOO for half way!
Thanks! The weeks are flying by π
Nice work this week! Halfway already – the race will be here before you know it!
I can’t believe just two more months until race day.
Well hopefully the second half of training will bring some cooler temps for your longer runs!
I sure hope so – fingers crossed!
I also enjoy long runs during the week. It frees up the whole weekend! But my midweek runs are about to be double digit so I don’t think I’ll be able to do long runs during the week anymore.
We had a babysitter the other night and I really wanted to go see Girls Trip but I realize my husband may not like it as much as I will. Lol! But I’m glad to hear you liked it because now maybe I can convince my girlfriends to go with me!
I totally agree! It was nice to not have to worry about the run on Saturday morning.
You should definitely go see Girls Trip, but be warned that it’s pretty raunchy, LOL
Awesome week of training! Those less-humid days are such a blessing! Half way there…woo hoo!
Oh they were such a blessing!!
Yay for a great week of training! The Bon Jovi lyrics are a great way to celebrate such a productive week. Here’s to a great second half of training!
Thanks Kathryn!
Sounds like a great cutback week! I’m so glad I haven’t had to deal with humidity like yours last Friday!
The humidity has been brutal, but that just comes with the territory with summer running, lol
Solid week for you! I was on vacation but got in a few good early morning runs, was loving them in the cool weather. Back to heat and humidity this week.
That’s awesome that you were able to get in workouts while on vacation – I know that can be difficult!
Yay for being halfway through training! You are doing great!
Thanks Sharon!
Great week, though I hear you on the humidity. Only a few more weeks til we start getting some relief!
YES! I can’t wait for those cooler temps to come.
Wow, how cool that you are halfway through your training plan! Before you know it, you’ll be done and crossing that finish line in Chicago.
I know, it’s crazy to me how time is flying!
Congrats on half way there! I hate it when the weather just doesn’t cooperate, it makes running so much harder – especially when following a training schedule too…
Thanks so much Isabel! The weather has definitely been a factor in my training but hopefully race day will be much cooler.
Great week – before you know it, it will be taper time π I can’t wait, personally!! π
Same here! I like the taper period!
High humidity will send my heart skyrocketing… I sweat like a dude too lol summer is all about survival π
Getting the long run done early is a good accomplished feeling! I have done a few times in training and it is like having a hall pass LOL
Lunges/squats are tough, I can always feel them on my next few runs!
Nice job getting it done π
Me too! It’s amazing how much I sweat – it’s so gross!
So nice of you to volunteer at a back to school event.
You have been doing great with your training so far and I love how dedicated you are to your PT work as well!
Thanks so much Abby!
Awesome week Kimberly!
Kinda sad though…halfway to Chicago basically means summer is nearly over π I complain about hot weather running as much as anyone, but still don’t want to think about winter.
Thanks Jessi! I actually prefer the colder weather for running, even though it requires layers of clothing, lol