Week 8 of marathon training is in the books! This week was…challenging. All my workouts just felt “off” for lack of a better word. My legs felt heavy during all my runs this week and I even skipped my run on Tuesday. My knees were really not happy with me at all this week so that’s concerning me a little bit. I may just need an extra rest day here and there to feel better – I’ll figure it out! Now onto my week or workouts!
Monday 7/10
6 mile tempo run. I usually do my tempo runs on Thursdays but switched things around this week.
Tuesday 7/11
Body works + abs class (60 minutes)
Wednesday 7/12
Boot camp class (60 minutes). Before class, I volunteered with my job at a mobile food pantry. It was a great experience but it was super busy! Between that and the boot camp class, I was beat!
Thursday 7/13
5 mile run, nice and easy pace.
Friday 7/14
This was a much needed REST DAY!
Saturday 7/15
14 mile run. This was my longest run since the NYC Marathon- can you believe that?!
Sunday 7/16
Skipped my normal Sunday workout to give my knees some extra rest. 1 mile walk + jumprope + PT exercises + corework + foam rolling and stretching. I was nice and sweaty by the end so I call that a win-win.
Total Weekly Miles – 25
Total Training Cycle Miles – 161.8
Grade – B
I’m giving myself a B this week. Like I mentioned earlier, it was a hard week for me. I didn’t enjoy any of my runs or workouts this week. It just seems like no matter what I do (foam rolling, stretching, icing) my legs still feel heavy and my knees are still sore. My gut it telling me I probably have a small case of runner’s knee in my right knee (hopefully it won’t get as bad as it did last year), but I’m trying to not to worry too much about it or I’ll drive myself crazy. I skipped my 2 mile run on Tuesday hoping that would help a little bit but it didn’t really make a difference.
Saturday’s long run was another struggle. I feel like a broken record at this point, but of course, it was hella humid..AGAIN!! Like 100% humidity to be exact. Luckily the temperature was in the lower 70s so I was thankful for that. I’m putting out a prayer to the weather gods to just give me one Saturday without humidity. Is that too much to ask? LoL.
But besides the weather, the run wasn’t great. I only hit my paces for 3 of the 14 miles (boo), my knees were sore and my legs felt like bricks. I ran at a slower pace than normal just to get through the run, but I was proud of myself for finishing. I wanted to quit at mile 7, and then again at mile 10, so I guess I need to call this run a “win” since I did actually finish! I took am epsom salt bath after my run and that seemed to help with some overall soreness.
Going into next week, I might take an extra rest day, or skip a run – I just don’t know yet. I have “longer” long runs coming up (16 and 18 milers) so I need to make sure I can get through those runs this month and next month. I still have 3 months left of training so I know I need to train smart to get to the start line of the Chicago Marathon.
Before I go I just wanted to say congratulations to everyone that rocked Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago this weekend. I had serious FOMO looking all the posts on social media. I LOVE that race so much and was bummed to miss it this year, but at least I’ll be back in Chicago in October!
Did you have a good week? Are you currently training for any races?
I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap. This week’s guest host is Janelle 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!
Have you seen a PT? It sounds like maybe you have some imbalances that are causing your knees to hurt – like a weak glute or weak hips. I say this because I had the same thing last year. Anyway, I think you should maybe see a PT just to get a medical opinion so you can nip it in the bud? Especially if what you are doing isn’t helping. It’s time for you to have some good runs, lady! You deserve them!
You read my mind Courtney. I actually talked to my doctor that does my ART treatments and he gave me some more PT exercises and foam rolling techniques to try out so I’ve been doing those for the past few days. I’m hoping that if I’m consistent with these exercises and foam rolling, I will feel some relief soon!
I love that treadmill photo of you super cute! Congrats on another great week of training
LOL, thanks! I love my bitmoji because it really does look like me, haha
I agree with Courtney on seeing a PT. Hopefully, you can get your knee under control before it turns into a thing.
Definitely. I have some new PT moves that I’ve been doing this weekend so I’m gonna keep doing those daily. Hopefully that helps!
Another great week of training even though you had some speed bumps. Glad to hear that you are going to get it checked and getting exercises to help with strengthening. I hope that helps you stay healthy for the rest of your training. I feel like I’ve seen so many updates this weekend with runners having tough weeks….kinda weird that so many people are hitting a rough patch as the same time. Sending you good vibes for a quick recovery!
Thanks Sara! I’m hoping that my weekly wrap post will be more positive next week 🙂 You are so right about other runners having a rough week. I’ve seen that a lot of Instagram and on blogs. Maybe the heat/humidity just really got to use this week. Who know, but we’ll all have a great upcoming week!
Way to get your workouts in despite not feeling like it. Not easy to do. I wore that exact RnRchi shirt today! Love that one!
Thanks Marcia! Definitely not easy to do but I knew I just had to suck it up and get it done.
That RnRChi shirt is one of my favorite race shirts too!
I’ve been seeing the same thing from other runners about struggling this week–it’s got to be the humidity. Even tho RnR Chicago was cool, it was 80% humidity and that was a killer!
The humidity is testing my patience – big time, LOL. I think that RnRChi had the same type of weather last year – it was overcast but super humid!
Thanks for linking up with us! We all go through tough weeks, but way to stick with it and still get in the miles. I hope you feel better this week!
Thanks so much Jessie!
I had Chicago FOMO as well…..but am hoping to return in 2018. I just gotta get back for that! I don’t remember much of your knee problems from last year…did you ever wear a compression sleeve for it? I don’t know if that would help the issue or aggravate it (?)
Last year I woke up one morning with a really swollen knee – it came out of nowhere! I had to go get it drained a few days before I left to run the Rock n Roll San Diego races. It was crazy but I was able to run/walk the race. I just ordered a knee sleeve from Amazon that should be delivered tomorrow so I’m hoping that might help as well.
I read an article in RW years ago about doing leg lifts to help with runner’s knee – straight up and then with toes turned in and then turned out. Maybe that’s already a part of your PT. Anyway, I hope that your knee starts to feel better soon and that an extra rest day is just what you need.
Slogging through the humid runs will make you a stronger runner come October, right?! 🙂
Luckily those leg lifts a part of my PT routine! It takes me about 15 minutes to get through all the PT exercises but I know they are all worth it.
The humid runs make me appreciate my runs in the Fall/Winter.
Ah sorry to hear about your knee. 🙁 I hope it recovers and feels better soon. Way to get that 14 miler in too! Hoping you will have a less humid long run soon! I won’t be in training mode until after I get back from our road trip so until then I am enjoying the outdoors and if I can get a run in, I will. Hope you have a better week!
Thanks Sharon – I’m hoping that it starts to feel better soon. I just order a knee sleeve from Amazon and it will arrive tomorrow so I’m looking forward to trying it out.
I hope you have a great road trip to the Parks this week!
The humidity has been rough lately! I hope your knee starts to feel better.
It’s been so hard, and it’s not getting any better this week – sigh 🙁 Luckily I feel like the summer is going by quickly so at least i know I’m one day closer to the Fall, lol
Yeah, I was going to mention the doctor too. I had/have (??) runner’s knee and I had to do some exercises too. It is not 100% better but it doesn’t hurt like before.
I’m glad to hear that your runner’s knee pain subsided after doing some of the exercises – that’s what I’m hoping for as well. If it doesn’t feel better this week then I’m going to make an appointment to get some x-rays. I just want to be able to make it to Chicago as healthy as possible.
I’m sorry your training was tough this past week. Sometimes nagging issues can escalate to something serious so I agree – getting checked out by a doc now could avoid something worse much later!
I find it hard to be too upset about slower paces in the heat and HUMIDITY – 14 miles is no joke in any weather, I still think you did great!
Thanks Janelle! If the extra rolling and PT exercises don’t help this week, I’ll make an appointment to get some x-rays. I remember when my running was painless and carefree, I wish I could go back to those days, lol.
This definitely is the time to take care of your knees! Yes to an extra rest day, but I’m not sure jumping rope counts!! You do have plenty of time to step back, take care of your knees, and build up again. You’ll figure it out!
LOL I kind of thought about the whole jumping rope thing, but I only did it for about 2 minutes so hopefully that was okay, haha
Take care of that knee! A couple extra says off now can save you later. That might help that blah feeling too.
That’s what I’m thinking/hoping as well!
PT exercises are crucial. I’ve done mine every day, along with other exercises to target my muscles. I change up my routines, but the PT exercises stay. Since my chiropractor has gone through the same thing I have, I listen, and I do what she says.
Totally agree. The PT exercises are super important. I’m hoping that these new exercises will be helpful!
I was just commenting on another blog about lack of sleep and rest days. I’m all about taking a rest day if I’m beyond exhausted. I need rest more then I need those miles 🙂 Hope your knee is alright.
Very true. I think we often underestimate the value of rest 🙂
I won’t make suggestions on what to try, since it seems that was already covered. As another runner who has struggled with her knees, I hope they begin to cooperate with you! And I am so with you on the darn humid saturdays.
I’d give you more than a B. Sometimes we’re just off, & there’s no reason why. But for every bad run there’s a good run somewhere!
Thanks Judy! I’m keeping my fingers crossed about my knees. It’s just weird because I’ve never had this many issues with them before.
I feel you with that humidity girl. It was swampy here last week. Hopefully it’ll be nice for both of us this week.
How many days of complete rest do you take? Maybe you just need to add a day to give your body time to recover. Just a thought.
The humidity can leave at anytime, lol. I usually use Fridays as my rest days, but you’re right, another day might be necessary.
The humidity is the worst! I hope your knees start feeling better (although as I read this, not sure jumping rope was the rest they needed – ha!).
Thanks so much Vicki. Yeah in hindsight, the jumping rope probably wasn’t smart but I wanted a boost of cardio, lol
That graphic is hilarious but right on. I have to admit that I’m scared at the thought of doing really long runs in this heat and humidity! Hang in there–the weather is bound to get better, right (trying to convince myself here too!)
LOL I love that graphic so much! I still get nervous about my long runs in any type of weather, lol. I just try to run the mile I’m in so I don’t get overwhelmed.
Way to battle through the humidity and knee problems. There’s definitely a fine balance. Hoping for a better week for you next week!
Thanks so much – I’m hoping for a much better week as well, although I think it will still be hot and humid this week lol
You still had a good week of training, Kim. Sometimes it’s more satisfactory than others? Are your knee issues related to the IT band? Doing all the hip and butt exercises to strengthen (I think I know the answer to that…)?
I totally had FOMO too. My second US home town…wish I could run it every year. But we’ll be there in October, woot!!
Humidity is the worst thing to train in if you ask me. I skipped intervals Monday and am planning on doing them Wednesday but my husband said “but you know it’s going to be hot and humid Wednesday, right…?” May need to reconsider!
I’m training for RnR Dublin. Doesn’t always feel like it’s going great. I just want to run non-stop but seem to have a bit of a niggle in my foot again. So, nipping that in the bud and seeing the podiatrist AND the ortho this week!!
Thanks Renee. I’m doing every hip and glute strengthening exercise that I know of, lol. I hope that your appointment with your podiatrist goes well this week and that the foot issue isn’t too serious
So happy we’ll be in Chicago in October and that we will hopefully get to meet IRL!
Man, I totally feel ya. The runs are so hot and humid! I also wanted to quit (at mile 8 and 12 respectively) on my 14 miler this weekend and ran MUCH slower than I normally would. So I wasn’t super happy with pacing but glad to get it out of the way. I think for this summer it’s going to be less about pacing and more about just making sure to get the workouts in. I’ve also found it hard to motivate myself to get up and train this week! I didn’t get up this morning so that means I’ll have to run after work!
It’s good to know that others are having the same reaction to these long runs in this weather! When I looked at my overall pace I was “damn” but after a few minutes of being bummed, I was just happy that I finished the long run. I usually do all my weekly runs after work but I’m going to try to do at least one before work!
Great week training! So true about the humidity… I ran a marathon a couple of years ago and it was 60 degrees, but 100% humidity…total misery!!
The humidity is so deceiving sometimes – you don’t realize how much it zaps your energy!
Try to not beat yourself up too much about your pace during your long run. Summer running is hard, but pushing through, no matter how slow it might be, will help make you that much stronger on race day. Keep your chin up, and hopefully this week is a better week for you.
Thanks so much for the encouragement!
I did a workout 2 days ago before starting my road trip to Berlin. Now, I am riding a bike while exploring the city which is a great way to stay fit. What time of the day do you usually workout?
That sounds amazing! Exploring a city by foot or bike is an awesome way to stay fit while sightseeing.
During the week I normally workout in the late afternoon after work.