I was blessed with a cutback week and it was much appreciated! Sometimes you don’t know how much you need a break until you get one. My workouts actually felt enjoyable this week due to much better weather and less achy joints. This was probably one of my strongest weeks this training cycle!
Monday 8/21
Ahh, the “exciting” solar eclipse. It was kind of cloudy so the whole event wasn’t that exciting, but I did get in a 4 mile run + my PT exercises, so that was good!
Tuesday 8/22
Body Works + Abs Class + PT exercises (15 mins). This was a great class and I was “feeling the burn” in my arms and abs for a few days.
Wednesday 8/23
3.1 mile run + Boot Camp. I used this training run to complete the last virtual run in the Rock’n’Roll Virtual Run Summer Series. It felt great to get a good sweat in boot camp class too.
Thursday 8/24
5 mile tempo run + PT exercises (15 mins). This was my best tempo run so far. I actually ended up running the tempo miles faster than my target pace and that has NEVER happened before.
Friday 8/25
R-E-S-T D-A-Y π
Saturday 8/26
10 mile long run. The weather was absolutely perfect for this run. It really felt like Fall and I wish it would stay like that from now on!
Sunday 8/27
One hour spinning class + PT exercises (15 mins). I REALLY enjoy my Sunday morning spinning class! The music is always great and the instructor is super sweet.
Total Weekly Miles – 22.1
Total Training Cycle Miles – 328.5
Grade – A
I loved everything about this week. I know that the next few weeks will be intense as I’m only 6 weeks from race day. I feel that this cutback week will help me tackle the hard weeks ahead.
My strength workouts felt great this week! I’m still modifying most of the squats and lunges but I feel like I’m getting my strength back when it comes to all of the exercises that use free weights.
My long run yesterday was awesome! It was around 60 degrees and only 77% humidity. This was a vast improvement from last week’s long run where it felt like the humidity was sitting on my chest. I also think that knowing I “only” had 10 miles made the run more enjoyable. I did have a little problem with my right knee (it felt a little sore on the run), so I will make sure to ice it more this week. It was doing so well for weeks and I don’t want it to start getting mad at me again!
I’m looking forward to getting all my runs done in the morning next week as I’m on vacation. Well, actually a staycation since I’m not going away, but it will still be nice to be off work.
I have a lot of vacation time to use up before the end of the year, so it was the perfect time to take off for a week. I plan on running some errands, reading and going through some of my cookbooks for new recipes. It should be a good week!
What was your best workout this week? Do you look forward to cutback weeks?
Iβm linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s guest host is Teresa 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
Packing Tips For Your Rock ‘n’ Roll Racecation
Join Me For August Runfessions
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner says
Looks like you had a pretty amazing week!! Really inspiring
kookyrunner says
Thanks Deborah!
Jennifer @ Dashing in Style says
I love staycations because everything feels more relaxed, including being able to run whenever you want. If I get to sleep in a bit before I run, it’s the best thing! Enjoy your week off and your training this week!
kookyrunner says
Definitely! There is no schedule to follow, so staycations are very nice.
Jessie says
How wonderful to hear that you had such a good week! What a difference cooler weather makes, right? And to go under your planned tempo paces is so awesome!
Thanks for linking up with Jess and me!
kookyrunner says
Totally! The cooler weather and I are best friends, haha π
Kimberly Hatting says
I’m so glad your week was so stellar! That had to give you a huge confidence boost as you finish out your 26.2 training π
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Kim! I’m ready to take on the next few weeks of training!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
So glad you had a great week! The weather has been amazing and Im sure everyone training for a marathon is appreciating it. Enjoy your time off from work!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Lisa! The weather has made a big difference, that’s for sure! π
Teresa says
Don’t you just love those first ‘fall-like’ days after a brutally hot and humid summer??? They make you feel like you can run forever! It sounds like you not only needed a cut-back week but also took advantage of it, regrouped and are ready for the final push to that starting line! You’ve got this girl!
Thanks for linking Kim!
kookyrunner says
Oh I’m totally loving this weather! I definitely needed this week to re-group and get back my energy so that I can take on the rest of my training!
Thanks so much for guest hosting this week!
Sara says
Great job this week! Getting your tempo miles in under goal pace is awesome!
My best workout this week was my track workout. I was pleased that I could keep my splits under target after struggling the last couple of weeks. And I always look forward to a cut back week! They are the best lol
kookyrunner says
Thanks Sara! The tempo run was a pleasant surprise this week, that’s for sure!
Great job on your track workout this week and keeping your splits under your target pace!!
Coco says
We had a muggy start to the week, but it’s been amazing since Thursday. I’m a fan of staycations – although I like to get away too. Having free time at home can be nice!
kookyrunner says
Same here! The cooler temps are continuing into this week and I couldn’t be happier!
AmyC says
I love when the weather turns cooler after hot summer days! Enjoy your staycation!
kookyrunner says
The weather at the end of last week was just awesome!
courtney @ eat pray run dc says
Great week. I hope you enjoy your staycation. I always want to do that. What do you have planned?
kookyrunner says
I’m just planning on catching up on sleep (finally!), running some errands, doing a little cleaning, reading and trying out some new recipes for meal prepping.
Meranda@Fairytalesandfitness says
My viewing of the eclipse was much like yours! I feel like I missed out on the awesomeness the rest of the country saw..lol
kookyrunner says
Yeah I felt cheated, lol. But it was cool to see photos of the eclipse form other parts of the country that had move coverage.
Zenaida Arroyo says
A staycation is always fun! Great job this week! You are definitely getting stronger. It is always a great feeling when you have a great tempo run. π
kookyrunner says
I think the tempo run might have been my favorite run of the week, lol
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
Great week for you! The humidity finally broke here on Friday – fingers-crossed it lasts! Enjoy your staycation π
kookyrunner says
I couldn’t agree more. If this weather could stick around perfectly, I would love that!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
You had another great week! I hope your knee is feeling better! Mine were talking to me yesterday after my long run on Sunday, ugh! I hope you enjoy your staycation to the fullest!!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
Oh and the tempo run…well done!! I have a 5 mile tempo this week and I’m terrified!
kookyrunner says
My knee is feeling better – thanks! I just wish it would work with me and understand that it needs to act correct for at least two more months lol.
Good luck on your tempo run this week!
Clarinda says
You’ve been working so hard this training cycle and definitely deserved this cut back week. That’s a cool strategy – scheduling in cutback weeks. I think it will really help you tackle the next few weeks! You are rocking this training cycle!
It was super cloudy here for the eclipse, too, but it was fun to see it on TV.
Enjoy your staycation this week!
kookyrunner says
The cut back week is definitely needed both physically and mentally. I felt really good going into this week and had a great run this morning!
Lesley says
I do look forward to cutback weeks. I extended my training plan for my next race by one week so I could have a couple cutbacks weeks in place. My body needs time to build mileage, and then cutback and recover. If I don’t have those, and the mileage ramps up too fast, I’ll get injured.
kookyrunner says
That’s a really great idea. You will definitely appreciate those cutback weeks when they come!
Lourenza says
I love those setback weeks and good weather makes a good combination of a good run. Keep it up, you are doing good.
kookyrunner says
Definitely! Good weather is always much appreciated!
Ivanna says
You’ve been killing it so yes a break is nice. I love reading these because it inspires me to get my butt running!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much!
Tricia@MissSippiPiddlin.com says
I’m nowhere near deep as you with my training but I too had a cut back week and boy did I embrace it! I think almost more mental we do need them!
Great week for you! You always get in a nice variety of workouts during your week!
kookyrunner says
I agree – I do think it’s more mental! During cutback weeks I often wonder why I’m training for a marathon instead of a half marathon lol
Chaitali says
Great week! That cooler weather and humidity must have felt really nice. We had more Fall like weather this weekend too and I definitely enjoyed it.
kookyrunner says
The runs are just so much more enjoyable when the weather is cooler!
Shathiso says
Looks like your body needed a little “break”! What a great week you’ve had! I love staycations – I always say it’s the best way to reset the brain and just “regroup”! Enjoy xx
kookyrunner says
Definitely! My body loved the break this week and it’s ready to tackle another week of training.
Jennifer @ Fit Nana says
Nice job this week! Cutback weeks are the BEST. And so are staycations. π I love reading through my cookbooks to find recipes I haven’t made yet. Good breakfast reading material. haha
kookyrunner says
Thanks! Yes I agree that cutback weeks are the absolute best!!
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Awesome job, Kim! Wasn’t sat just the best? It was my best run of the week, too.
Enjoy your staycation — that should definitely make training a little easier.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Judy! Saturday was just awesome. The weather was perfect and I was done with my run before 9am – a total win win-win!!
Elle says
Sounds like a really solid week! Nice going on the speedy tempo run!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Elle!
Sherry says
Congrats on a strong week! Way to get under your target pace on your tempo run! Love cutback weeks! Cutback weeks = more sleep for me, at least most of the time. π
kookyrunner says
Thanks Sherry! I did get some more sleep last week so that was great!
The Accidental Marathoner says
What a wonderful week and yay on the great long run! Here’s to 6 more great weeks of training!
kookyrunner says
Yes, here’s to 6 more weeks of great training for Chicago!
Rachel says
Have a great vaca. You deserve it. You’ve been kicking butt this training cycle!!!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Rachel!
Jessie says
Enjoy your stay-cation! Just a few more weeks until Chicago!
60 degrees sounds like perfect running weather…hopefully the same in Chicago too!
kookyrunner says
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for good weather in Chicago!
Marcia says
You are spanking these weeks of training Kim! Isn’t it SO nice to get a break in the weather? Aaaaah! Running is a different animal when it’s cooler!
kookyrunner says
I feel like the cooler weather is an early Christmas gift, lol
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running says
Yay for a cut back week! Those always seem to come up on the schedule when they’re most necessary. Hopefully you’re feeling rejuvenated for this week.
kookyrunner says
Thanks! I’m definitely feeling much better this week!
Sharon says
Great week! Cut back week’s are always nice ! Hope you are enjoying your staycation!
kookyrunner says
I am enjoying it so far – thanks!
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures says
Ha! Love the eclipse graphic. So true. It was super weird though because my family all felt like we had damaged our eyes from peeking at the sun – but it was just the lack of light causing the issue. So odd. But still, I was expecting more!!
kookyrunner says
I was definitely expecting more but it just wasn’t meant to be here in CT!
Karen Bayne says
It is always interesting when 10 starts to feel like a short distance to you lol marathon training really changes things.
It feels so good when that humidity lets up! Great job last week π
kookyrunner says
Definitely. I had to laugh at that fact myself π Whenever I say 10 is a short run, I know that I’m in the midst of marathon training.