Hey Hey it’s Sunday! Just 8 more weeks until the Chicago Marathon….yes, just 8!! I feel like now is the time where I’ll really be counting down the weeks until the big day! Although I struggled this week, I’m happy to complete another week of training. Let’s discuss!
Monday 8/7
5.5 miles to kick off the week + PT exercises (15 minutes)
Tuesday 8/8
3 miles + a little strength training + PT exercises (15 minutes)
Wednesday 8/9
Boot camp (60 mins)
Thursday 8/10
7 mile tempo run + PT exercises (15 mins)
Friday 8/11
REST DAY! But I did do some extra foam rolling and stretching after work.
Saturday 8/12
16 mile long run
Sunday 8/13
PT exercises (30 minutes)
Total Weekly Miles – 31.5
Total Training Cycle Miles – 271.8
Grade – A-
The theme for the week was “running while fatigued”. I told my coach that my runs/workouts just felt “off”. A 3 mile run felt like super hard, my boot camp class felt like it took forever, and let’s not even discuss my 7 mile tempo one – ugh! Yes the workouts and runs got done, but they were far from enjoyable or pretty.
I did some extra foam rolling and stretching on Friday to prepare for Saturday’s long run. I was dreading this long run all week. When my alarm went off at 4:30 am on Saturday morning, I wasn’t feeling it and hit the snooze button. I finally rolled outta bed by 5 and started to get ready for my run. It was still dark outside, so I did a few miles on the treadmill and then moved outside for the rest of my run. Overall the run was pretty decent except for the last 2 miles when my legs felt super heavy. I was just super happy to complete the long run!
Even though I did an ice bath yesterday, my quads were pretty sore when I woke up this morning. My spinning instructor is out of town today so I knew I wouldn’t be able to do her class, but I had planned on doing a HIIT workout at home this morning. Honestly, I just wasn’t feeling it. Between being sore and still feeling tired, I opted to do 2 rounds of my PT exercises. It was low impact and helps strength my hips/glutes, so that’s a win-win in my book!
Hopefully I’ll have more energy next week as I have an 18 miler on Saturday!
Did you have a good week? Any tips on training through fatigue?
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s guest host is Michelle so show her some love!
I’m also linking up with the Jess’s (Jess Runs Atlanta and Jess @ The Right Fits) and Courtney for their Training Recap Link Ups!
This Week’s Posts
How to Survive a Long Run on the Treadmill
You continue to crush it and are right on track for the marathon. Really inspiring keep it up girl!
Thanks Deborah! I really hope the marathon goes well in a few weeks!
Great job this week! Sometimes that is just how you feel and you bounce back the next week. It doesn’t seem like nutrition would be an issue for you. You have a lot of grit to push through all those hard workouts when you might not feel like it. I’m not always able to muster up the determination to push through when I’m not feeling it. Hopefully taking it easy today sets you up for a good week!
Thanks so much Sara! I agree – I hope taking it easy today will pay off for my training next week.
You have gotten in some great workouts, but it makes sense that your legs would be fatigued at this point in training- it will only help you to feel stronger on race day! But great job focusing on your PT stuff and recovery. Sounds like your training is going really well!
Thanks Lisa – I sure hope so! I felt the same way when I was training for NYC last year so I guess that’s a good thing? LoL
Hey, I think you’re entitled to rest & feeling sore if you’ve run 16 miles! And in the summer, too! Good job, Kim!
Sometimes short runs can feel more challenging than a long run, too. No tips other than to just do it.
It’s so funny how the short runs can just seem SO long, lol.
I think you are doing all you can (PT stuff and consistent foam rolling/stretching)…fatigue just is a reality with training (especially 26.2 training LOL). I think you’re doing great!
Thanks Kimberly! I do think that the PT exercises are helping even though they can be a pain in the butt sometimes.
Kim, you’re killing your training! Given all you’ve been doing, I don’t blame you for being a little tired. Hope you can get a little extra rest in this week before your 18 miler!
Thanks Michelle! This week I’m going to try to just focus on the workout I have each day, instead of freaking myself out and thinking about the long run on Saturday, lol
Woohoo on that 16 miler! I was TIRED this week too, but don’t have as good reasons as you do! Hopefully this week will be better.
Thanks! I hope that this week will be a little better.
I think fatigue is part of marathon training. You’re getting into the real heart of it now. I would expect you to be tired. Chicago and I have unfinished business (like not falling). I’m a little envious of you and others who will be in Chi town for the race.
Definitely agree. I think it just totally caught me off guard for some reason lol. I hope that you get back to Chicago one day.
You’re doing great! I’d feel tired too, and I’d adjust too. I’m not much on HIIT training since it’s not my favorite, but I do a lot of focus on my trouble spots. If I’m feeling tired, I’ll work on my core to at least do something, but it’s low impact too.
The only reason I like HIIT is because you can get a lot done in a short amount of time, but it’s always a total sufferfest, lol
You are killing it – of course you are tired on easy runs. You are supposed to be at this point in your training. You’ve earned that tiredness, lady! xx
Thanks so much Courtney! I had to remind myself that I felt this way training last year too.
I can’t believe you have 8 weeks to go!! It is normal to feel tired at this point of training.
I know! I’m really starting the countdown now, lol 🙂
Well done for getting that 16 mile run done!! Wow!! I had a 1 hour long run planned on Sunday. After 25 minutes I thought, “How on earth do I still have 35 minutes left!!!?” Luckily I finished. So I am in awe of you, well done!
Thanks so much! It’s so funny because this week the 16 miler felt a little easier than my 3 miler earlier in the week, LOL
Don’t even tell me you have 8 weeks left because that means I have less until Berlin. I’m blocking it out. Haha! Kim you’re doing great. Feeling fatigued at this point is natural and expected. Keep listening to your body and doing the best you can.
I’m SO excited for you! I know the injury sucks now, but I have no doubt that Dr. Miracle will have you back to running soon!
I can’t believe you’re officially in single digit weeks. Crazy how time is flying. Your training has been fantastic.
I need to step it up with my foam roller — thanks for the reminder!
The foam roller and I are currently in a fight, but he always wins, LOL
I wasn’t feeling my workouts this week either- I moved away from my training group and had to do most of them solo so I was lonely and bored. At least you got your miles in- I pulled the plug a few times on runs and I’m mad at myself for doing so.
It can be hard to do the long runs solo. I struggled with that last year but I think I slowly got used to it.
Cut yourself some slack for last week. Sometimes we need to shorten the runs and that’s okay. You’ll bounce back this week!
Great job on the 16 miles Kim, what it’s only 8 weeks until Chicago? I have seen so many that are participating this year, I am jealous but I’m also liking the fact that I’m not training for a marathon in Mississippi this time of year!
Weeks like this though make you push forward on race day! Great job and good luck on your 18 next week!
Yes, only 8 weeks – can you believe it?! Oh there is no way I could train in the Mississippi heat. I complain about the heat in CT but I know it has nothing on the heat in the south!
I think your fatigue is most likely due to all of the hard work you’ve been putting in with training! Sometimes we have those days/weeks where we don’t quite feel in sync. But you’re definitely doing all the right things…you’ve inspired me to take my post-run stretching more seriously!
Great job, can’t believe the marathon is so close!
Awwe, I’m happy to hear that! The stretching can be annoying, especially when you just want to shower and eat, but it does help!
My quads are killing me this last week as well. Oh, I’ve been foam rolling a lot and it’s saved me for my long run as well. As for fatigue, I try to focus on have a really good nights sleep – extra sleep if you must. Go to be early one – two nights a week, at least that’s what I’ve tried to do this last week.
Sometimes I don’t sleep that well the night before a long run, I think because I’m so anxious about it. That’s something I definitely need to work on!
Your socks would indicate that you are a Steelers fan! Love it!
I do prefer the Steelers over the Eagles, but I’m a true Giants fan at heart!
I know I’m not doing the running, but it seems like training cycle has gone really quickly! You’re doing great and I know you’re going to have a great race.
I agree – Overall it seems like the last few weeks are going by super quick!
That’s an awesome long run! I haven’t seen that kind of mileage in quite some time, but I have to start building now that school is back in session and i can get back on my schedule.
Best of luck with this upcoming week!
Thanks so much Jenn!
I’ve been following your training and you are truly are dedicated to your training. Kudos on your 16-mile run. I’m sure with loads of positive vibes from within and around plus all the training hard work, you’re going to kick-ass at Chicago.
Thanks so much Madhuri! I try to stick with the training schedule as much as possible. That way on race day I know I did the best I could do in order to get prepared, although you never know what will happen on race day!
Pushing through fatigue is always tricky…you want to push and check it all off but sometimes it is better to just take the recovery time if you really need it. The long ones are crucial so I say save yourself for the next one! Skipping spin was a good call 🙂
The heat is tough on long runs too, I think they zap you a little more. You got it all done, great mileage great week!
It’s definitely tricky! The long runs are the most important runs of training to me so I try to make those a priority over everything else.
You are doing amazing and going to crush Chicago!
I love Chicago marathon, one of my favorites!
I’ve heard nothing but great things about Chicago – I’m very excited!
Kudos to you for getting that long run in. I was supposed to do 15 on Friday, but my son came in for the weekend and I cut it down to 5. Some is better than none, right?
Definitely! I always say 1 mile is better than no miles 🙂
I’m a CPT and not a running coach but honestly, my advice for training through true fatigue is…don’t. Give your body rest/recovery if that’s what it’s yelling at you that it needs. I guess many marathon runners might disagree with me on that though! 😀
I always say that if I feel too tired to walk, that means I definitely won’t run, lol. There are certain times when I definitely do not push it.
Great week! I was exhausted this week too and backed off on my cross/strength training – way to get it all in!
The same happens for me – I always end up backing off the strength training when I’m tired, which I hate!
Way to get your workout done even though you were feeling fatigued. Sounds like your body needs rest though. Hope this week you’ll have more energy.
Thanks Sharon!
Great job getting it done! Your training seems to be going very well, excited to see how Chicago goes!
I can’t believe how quickly summer is going…only 8 weeks until October! Crazy.
Thanks Jessie! I’m getting really excited for Chicago 🙂