Well I got through unlucky (or lucky?) week 13 of training for the Chicago Marathon. I’m happy to report that I didn’t feel as fatigued as I did last week. I was also able to get in two strength training workouts and a spinning class in addition to my 4 runs. All in all, I would say it was a good week!
Monday 8/14
6 miles to kick off the week + PT exercises (15 minutes). I needed my most colorful pair of socks for a Monday run.
Tuesday 8/15
Body Works + Abs class (45 minutes) + PT exercises (15 minutes). I haven’t been able to make this class in about a month so it was great to be back!
Wednesday 8/16
3.1 miles for Summer Strides Virtual Run Series + Boot Camp (60 minutes). I love having a little fun with my training runs!
Thursday 8/17
7.5 mile run + PT exercises (15 minutes). This was supposed to be a tempo run but I just wasn’t feeling it that day. It was still a super sweaty run.
Friday 8/18
Say it with me…REST DAY!!
Saturday 8/19
18 mile long run. I was happy to complete my first “really” long run done. It surely wasn’t pretty (hello crazy humidity), or easy, but it’s done!
Sunday 8/20
Spinning (60 minutes) + PT exercises. I had some chafing from yesterday’s run in areas I’d rather not mention by name, so that made today’s class…interesting (LOL).
Total Weekly Miles – 34.6
Total Training Cycle Miles – 306.4
Grade – A
I gave myself an A this week because I was able to get in all my workouts plus lots of PT exercises and foam rolling/stretching. I also noticed that I have passed the 300 mile mark for miles run during this training cycle. Does anyone else find it crazy how many miles we log just to prepare our bodies to run 26.2 miles?
Earlier in the week I had my first appointment with a dietician. It went really well and she gave me a list of things to work on, including getting more protein into my diet. I’ll start working on that this week, including logging all my meals so I can actually see what I’m eating. If anyone has any ideas for high protein meals/snacks, please share! 🙂
Overall this week’s workouts felt good. I turned my tempo run into a regular run because I knew my legs didn’t have any speed in them that day. It’s hard for me to do these longer tempo miles.
I was anxious about my 18 mile long run all week (what’s new?) but it was okay even though I felt really tired. I didn’t have the best night’s sleep on Thursday or Friday, and I didn’t eat a good enough dinner the night before, so I’m sure that added to that tired feeling. Chewing on a piece of Run Gum definitely helped wake me up during the first few miles! As soon as I finished my run I ate breakfast, rehydrated and took an ice bath. This is my third week in a row for ice baths and I’m a believer – even if it feels like torture! While my legs felt good this morning, I also discovered 3 mosquito bites (2 on my arm, 1 on my leg) I received on yesterday’s run – ugh!
This upcoming week is a cutback week and I will welcome that with open arms. My awesome coach even dropped down my 12 mile long run to 10 miles to give me a little more of a break. Thank you Abby!
Did you have a good week? What was your best workout this week?
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s guest host is Madhuri 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
My Physical Therapy Routine
Chicago Marathon Training: 5 Fuel and Hydration Products
I am covered in bug bites after being away last week! I think I got them from sitting out on our balcony at night. Looks like you had a really great week! Awesome job getting in all your runs and PT stuff!
Thanks Lisa! Bugs..just another reason why I hate summer (besides the oppressive heat), lol. I have no clue how I got the mosquito bite on my leg as I was wearing compression socks.
Ooh the chafing! I never can get why it happens sometimes and not others. A little gold bond cream and some baby powder helps me. Seriously impressed by how well your training is going!
Right?! I don’t understand how I can wear the same capris and get chafing one week and not the next, it’s crazy. I did use Body Glide but it obviously wore off with all the sweating I was doing in the humidity. Thanks for the tip on the gold bond cream and baby powder!
Great job! Glad you felt better this week.
I am also working on getting more protein in to my diet. An easy snack is 1 cup of fat free greek yogurt with 1.25 cups of kasha (I believe it’s 30 grams if not a little more of protein). Or if you have a TJ’s 1 sweet apple sausage link, 2 eggs, 1 slice of eziekiel bread is 26 grams. Or smoothies with protein and hemp seeds. 1 serving of hemp seeds adds 10g of protein. I hope that helps!
Thanks so much for the recommendations Sara! I do live close to a TJ’s so I’ll have to stop there this week. That sweet apple sausage sounds amazing 🙂 I do love my protein smoothies (I use Vega) and usually add in chia seeds but I’ll get some hemp seeds too!
Congrats on running 18 miles!!! Great job! Glad to hear this week went well for you. 🙂
Thanks Zenaida! It did feel good to bounce back from last week. I was still a little tired but not exhausted/fatigued.
yay!!!!! I knew you’d have a great week coming soon, and you totally spanked this one. Doesn’t it feel great? 😉
It did feel good! I still felt a little tired but not as fatigued so it was a win-win.
You kicked butt!! What a week. I am liking the run gum too, I swear it gives me a boost!
I would welcome a cut back week to after all that activity 🙂
I thought about all the miles when I was training last year, it does seem crazy lol but it works 🙂
Thanks so much Karen! The run gum is great. I used it last year but didn’t use it for a few months. I then re-discovered it this month and I’m loving it.
What a great week! I don’t usually have ^^issues^^ during spinning class unless we do short “jump” (sit/stand) intervals. I need more time to sit down gently. 😉
LOL, there was a lot of sitting down gently today 🙂 Chafing is just so darn annoying!
You are killing it! I agree with eggs as easy protein sources. I made up an egg hash yesterday morning that I’m having for dinner tonight. It’s super quick and I just throw in chicken sausage and whatever veggies I have on hand!
That’s a great idea! I do need to eat more eggs as I know it’s such an easy source of protein!
Haha, I totally had that sweat dripping in the eyes feeling this week on my 6 mile run! That was probably my best workout this week cus I ran far and I know I sweated enough to burn off a lot of calories..haha
LoL it’s the worst right?! I think the humidity just made me sweat way more than normal.
Hooray for an A! You definitely had a great week! 18 miles is awesome!
Thanks Marcia!
Trail Toes. Put it anywhere and everywhere you might chafe. Trust me on this one. 😉 Protein suggestions: greek yogurt, cheese, Zone Bars, eggs. You had an excellent week. I can’t imagine running 18 miles in this heat.
Okay I will definitely try it! I used Body Glide but it was obviously not enough, lol
I have those same compression socks! I try to get more protein in my diet, especially with breakfast. Breakfast is so carb heavy, I get Greek yogurt every now and then. I don’t want to get tired of the same thing every day, but it’s hard to get protein in that meal.
Those are probably my favorite Pro Compression socks! I’m also trying to make my breakfast less carb heavy.
Sounds like a great week of workouts! Nice job! Love the Gibbler socks! Enjoy your cut back week!
Thanks Sherry!
Yay for not feeling as fatigued as last week! Sounds like a better week minus the chaffing! Hate when that happens and finding out in the shower is the worst!
Definitely! The shower is the true test of how bad the chafing is, lol
Thanks Kimberly for continuing to link up with Jess and me! I really appreciate it 🙂 I always enjoy reading your recaps.
Very strong week! Way to go on the 18 miler…and in the humidity!
I have the same rainbow socks and they make me smile 🙂
Ugh, that kinda chafing is the WORST. Not that any chafing is good.
Thanks Jessie! I love reading your recaps as well and am so impressed by your dedication to your marathon training while in India.
That was a great week! I really need to focus on some strength training – ASAP!
It’s so hard to fit in the strength training with all the running that we’re doing!
I’m born on the 13th so I am calling it a lucky week! Lol! I’m glad you gave yourself an A this week – you did so well!
Thanks so much Shathiso!
I love following your training because it mirrors mine. It’s nice having a fellow blogger post updates about training for the same race!
I didn’t get my tempo run in either because I needed an extra rest day. I struggle with longer tempo runs in this heat and humidity. Since I’m not really going for a goal time I don’t mind the fact that I’m not doing as well on those as I want to.
I did my first ice bath of this training cycle this weekend too and I think I will continue! It feels amazing!
I feel the same way! I love connecting with other bloggers/runners that are also running Chicago 🙂
The longer tempo runs are really hard for me. It’s just hard for me to run at a hard effort for almost an hour, lol.
Great runs this week! You are killing it.
Thanks so much Ivanna!
Great job pushing through on that long run! I’m impressed you made it to spin class the day after, especially with the chafing.
Me too! It actual felt way better on Sunday so that’s the only way I able to make it to the spin class. I was also very gentle on the bike, lol
Looks like you had a solid week of training. Spinning class the day after an 18 miler is impressive! Some protein options could be nut butter w/ banana, edamame, cottage cheese, protein powder smoothies or I like adding Vega to overnight oats. Enjoy your cutback week!!
Thanks Cyndi! Thanks so much for your food ideas. I use Vega for my smoothies but never thought of including it in overnight oats!
Awesome job fitting everything in! The long runs get all the glory–and 18 miles is no joke, so congrats–but I feel like everything else involved in training deserves kudos too. It’s not easy to fit in the cross training, strength training, stretching, foam rolling, ice baths and everything else that needs to happen, especially when you’re so far into training and tired. Nice job!
Thanks so much Jennifer! You are so right – I would love to do strength training at least 4x a week, but it’s so hard to fit that in with all the runs, etc.
I think you’re doing great. I needed a down week last week, and I definitely took it (even though it wasn’t in the plan). Marathon training is hard!
Definitely! Sometimes I struggle with following the plan and taking it a little easy.
Ouch on the chafing! That is never fun!
I had a great long run this week -I really wasn’t expecting to get in so many miles, but I felt fabulous and so I just kept going. Yay.
Nope – always painful! LoL
Congrats on your great long run! I love when you have a great run that is totally unexpected!
You are killing your training! Great job on getting your 18 miler done!
Thanks so much Michelle!
It does sound like you had a great training week. Congrats! I can’t believe how quickly our fall races are going to be upon us!
It’s crazy right?! I feel like the race will be here before I know it.
Nice week and good job with the strength training!!! My favorite workout this week was a morning beach run I did with a friend!
Thanks Nicole! That beach run sounds like fun!
Great job, you definitely deserve an A for your training! The PT exercises are so important to make routine. I’ve been doing a better job of using my stick to roll out my shins and calves…I like to tell myself it’s working lol.
And great to hear about the dietitian, I find them to be extremely helpful and recommend to everyone!
That Spongebob pic is TOO funny…been there, lol!
It totally makes such a difference! I can tell how my body responds when I don’t do the PT exercises or foam rolling!
That SpongeBob pic still makes me laugh! I feel like I might have the same issue today since it’s super humid and hot – ugh!
I HATE THAT CHAFING! Seriously, that particular chafing is the worst! and how does it even HAPPEN!? of ALL places!?
I feel your pain. I’ve FELT your pain. Great week, glad you are doing well!
Exactly! It’s happened to be before but a long time ago. I was like “What is this?!” LoL
I never have chafing issues either and I am chafed in the same spot. It is like my Body Glide just decided it was too hot and phoned it in.
You have had an amazing week and I am so proud of you for nailing your pace goals on that 18 even though you were feeling a bit tired.
I try to use lean meats, low carb protein bars, low cal/high protein string cheese, and low sugar/high protein Greek yogurt for most of my protein.
I believe that’s what happened to me – Body Glide just wasn’t enough, lol. Thanks so much for the protein recommendations. I try to eat greek yogurt everyday so at least I know that’s helping, lol.
Kudos to you for getting in all of your workouts, and then some, last week. And congrats on completing your 18 miler! What will your longest training run before Chicago be?
Thanks! My longest run will be a 20 miler (I’ll run it as part of RnR Philly). I’ll have another 18 miler as well.
Amazing job on the 18-miler!! Reading your weekly recaps tempts me to sign up for a full marathon. Someday in the future. Thanks for joining in the weekly wrap series. It was fun to guest co-host this.
Thanks Madhuri! I hope that you sign up for a marathon one day. The training it hard but the reward is crossing that finish line!