Happy Sunday! Well this is is – my last week of training for the Cleveland Half Marathon. I didn’t do anything too intense this week as it was race week. I kept my weekly mileage low in anticipation of race weekend (8k on Saturday and half marathon on Sunday). Let’s discuss!
Monday, May 14
3 mile run + 15 minute strength workout (including a 3 minute plank).
It felt good to kick off race week with a run and some strength training. I’m still keeping up with Rachel’s challenge for May as well.
I also tried the cauliflower gnocchi from Trader Joe’s for dinner and it was SO good!!
Tuesday, May 15
No workout, but I did do 60 push-ups for the monthly challenge. I was getting ready to go to my body works + abs class but a few minutes before I left, the sky turned almost black and it started pouring and the wind was fierce. I decided to skip class, but Tuesday was a great day because we celebrated my dad’s birthday!
Wednesday, May 16
2 mile run + 70 burpees.
The buprees almost killed me.
Thursday, May 17
No workout, but I did my 3 1/2 minute plank for the monthly challenge. This was also the sixth day in a row of rain and I was SO over it.
That morning a super painful charlie horse in my right calf woke me up out of my sleep. It’s 3 days later and it’s STILL sore!
Friday, May 18
Travel Day. The day started off rough as we missed out 6:30am flight because the TSA security line at LaGuardia Airport was ABSURD. So many people missed their flights. Thankfully Delta was able to book us on a later flight and we arrived in Cleveland before noon.
I also volunteered at the Expo that afternoon and attended a VIP dinner reception for all of the Cleveland Marathon race ambassadors. It was a super fun, but busy day!
Saturday, May 19
Cleveland 8K (race recap coming soon). It was a decent race. No PR for me as it wasn’t a flat course as advertised, but my mom won 3rd in her age group!
Sunday, May 20
Cleveland Half Marathon (race recap coming soon). Definitely a hard race for me today, but I didn’t DNF or drop down to the 10K (even though I wanted too)! Around mile 5 I skipped over a pothole filled with water, came down wrong on the landing and felt a tweak in my hamstring. Ugh – so it was pretty much game over by then and I just ran when I could, walked/shuffled when I couldn’t. The course measured super long for me (13.6 miles), which was a little weird.
I was happy to finish the Challenge Series (2 races in one weekend)!
Total Weekly Mileage: 23.6
Total Training Cycle Miles β 152.1
Grade β A
Another half marathon training complete! I can’t believe that I finished my 35th half marathon this weekend. That’s so crazy to me considering I HATED running a few years ago. This race weekend was super busy but also a lot of fun. I’m so happy that I was able to meet Rachel in person and all of the other Cleveland Marathon ambassadors!
My next race is the Rock ‘n’ Roll Chicago Remix Challenge (5K and Half Marathon) in July. I’m going to take a break from “traditional” training for now as I’ve got a few issues going on between my calf muscle and hamstring. I’ll be focusing more on strength training vs. running for the next few weeks. I also feel like I need to give my body a break as I’ve been “in training” for a race since Christmas!
Do you take breaks between training cycles?
Wendy says
Congrats on finishing that half! I hope your hamstring is ok. I’m looking forward to your recap.
I’ll be joining you in the working on strength training thing too. Time for a little break from running. Not a complete break, but just easy runs for a few weeks. We’ve got RnR Chicago coming up!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Wendy! Yes, not a complete break, but a decrease in mileage for sure. Chicago is going to be SO much fun!!
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says
Congrats to you on finishing both races! Those potholes are really dangerous especially when filled with water. I hit one on my bike today and it freaked me out. Hope that hamstring is ok. Looks like they really took care of the ambassadors. Interested to read your recaps. congrats to your cool mom too!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Deborah! The race course was nothing but potholes and uneven concrete. I spent most of the race looking down. My hamstring feels better today, thankfully!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
Congrats on both of your races! How stressful that you missed your flight but Im glad you made it there. Great job with all those burpees!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Lisa! I totally flipped out when I missed my flight but thankfully they were able to get us on the next flight to Cleveland.
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
Congrats on #35! Sorry to hear about your hamstring – hopefully, time off from running and more strength training will do the trick.
Looking forward to seeing you in Chicago!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Michelle! I still cant believe I’ve done 35 halfs and I hated running not too many years ago, haha.
I didn’t know you were going to Chicago too! That’s awesome!
Becca | Rabbit Food Runner says
Congrats to your mama for the age group and to you for 35 half marathons! What a great running resume you’ve got!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Becca! It was an awesome weekend, but tiring, lol
Jennifer @ Fit Nana says
Looking forward to your recap! I hope your hamstring was just mad but gets over it quickly. I think focusing on strength for a bit is a good idea! Plus, it might give you a nice mental break, too.
Do you remember how much rain there was after Prince died? Did you get a ton of rain? It felt like FOREVER! Thankfully, we haven’t reached those levels yet but still …. So. Much. Rain.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Jennifer! Yes I think my hamstring was just angry as it seems to be about 80% better this morning, thankfully! I’m going to reduce my mileage but still keep up a good base.
I’m so glad that the “week of rain” is over!
Kimberly Hatting says
Your CLE weekend sounded so fun! What a bummer about your hammy, though! Hopefully a few scaled back weeks will do the trick. I’m SOOO looking forward to Chicago! (and a huge congrats to your mom!)
kookyrunner says
It was so much fun! Cleveland has a lot to offer and I was pleasantly surprised.
I cant wait until Chicago – just two more months!
Jessie says
What a fun filled weekend! I hope your hammie is okay- that sounds painful!.
Congratulations finished two races in one weekend- you’re a machine!
kookyrunner says
Definitely a busy, but fun filled weekend. Thanks Jessie!
Lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Congrats on your race challenge! I really like gnocchi but try not to eat it because it is not the healthiest. I never knew there was cauliflower gnocchi. I will have to try that out. Sounds good!
kookyrunner says
The cauliflower gnnocchi is so good – definitely try it out and let me know what you think!
coco says
Ugh on the hamstring, but glad it didn’t keep you from finishing. Huge congrats to your mom. Glad the TSA backup didn’t derail your day. Lines can be so unpredictable.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Coco! I am glad too that it wasnt horrible and that I was able to keep running/walking. The TSA lines are just way out of control now!
Marcia says
Congrats on #35! I hope your hammy calms down. My dad’s birthday was on the 17th. It was a dad kind of week. π Usually I change things up after a training cycle. It does a body (and mind) good!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Marcia! I still can’t believe that number – 35, wow. My hammy feels better now so I think it wasn’t anything too serious, thankfully.
It seems like it was definitely a week for dads last week!
Chaitali says
Congrats on finishing those races! That sucks about missing the flight, but I’m glad that you were still able to get there on time π A break from formal training sounds like a good thing.
kookyrunner says
Thanks! Missing the flight was super stressful but luckily we were able to get on the next plane leaving later on that morning.
HoHo Runs says
Congrats for completing the challenge! And, congrats to your Mom on her age group placement! I just recently had a steroid shot in my elbow joint so the mere mention of any amount of burpees makes me light headed. I can’t imagine 70! You’ve trained a lot lately. You definitely deserve some time off. Thanks for linking!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Holly! You know I always love a good challenge and extra bling, lol. Ouchie to the steroid shot in your elbow, but I hope that it gives you some relief.
Jenny Albertson says
depending on what the race is and how hard I’ve trained, I take breaks. Sometimes a week or two, sometimes a month.
kookyrunner says
That’s good to hear Jenny. I think I’ll reduce my mileage but still try to keep up my good base.
Anna @ Pipers Run says
Oh dear sorry to hear about your hamstring! That’s not fun. I rolled my ankle 5k into my half yesterday. It’s sore but not horrible. I usually take breaks between races and am signed up for zero races at this point!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Anna! My hamstring is feeling better today so I’m happy about that. When I read your post I felt so bad to hear that you had rolled your ankle so early in the race π
Angela says
Congrats on finishing the half! And way to go to your Mom!!! 35 races are impressive!! I hope your pains arenβt serious – we all need some rest sometimes!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Angela. My hamstring is feeling way better today, but I’m still going to keep monitoring it.
Stephanie says
Wow congratulations! This is awesome and hope your hamstring starts feeling better π
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Stephanie!
Jenn says
So cool! Congratulations!
I don’t really take off. I reduce my miles a bit, but I keep the training going. it seems to be easier on me to keep a solid base than to back down and have to build back up again.
I really wish I could run Chicago this summer. I love that city, but it’s always a tough time to get away.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Jenn! I’m definitely going to reduce my miles a bit in the next upcoming week, but like you mentioned, I still want to keep a solid base.
Hannah says
Congrats on the races! I hope your hamstring recovers quickly.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Hannah!
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder says
Congrats on another half! I’m just like you…I hated running 4 years ago so it’s insane how many races I’ve run since then! I heard from friends who ran Cleveland that the roads were terrible with potholes and uneven surfacing so I hope you didn’t injure yourself too badly.
kookyrunner says
Yeah the roads were really bad, like the worst I’ve ever run on in a race. It just sucks because the race organization is so well organized but the City of Cleveland just doesn’t take care of the roads.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
I’m sorry about the pothole accident. That just sucks! Glad you managed to finish out the race (and hope the hamstring is feeling better).
I definitely have some FOMO with your meeting Rachel. π But I also knew I wasn’t half ready right now. 13.6? Wow. That is really long!
Sometimes I take breaks between training cycles and sometimes I don’t. Just all depends on how the races shake out!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Judy! It was a little annoying and scary but I’m happy that it wasn’t anything much worse.
Rachel is AMAZING! I was really happy that I got to meet her in person because she is a sweetheart.