Happy Tuesday! As the first “official” day of Summer is Friday, there’s no better time to discuss our summer running plans. If you’ve been following this blog for a while you know that I’m no fan of summer. In fact, it’s my least favorite season by far. Every year I suck it up for 3 months and just pray that Fall comes quickly.
When I sat down to write this post I realized that I actually do not have any specific summer running plans, which is crazy! I normally have at least two race cations plans (usually RnR Chicago and RnR Philadelphia) but I’m not doing either of those races this year. Although I’m not currently signed up for any races, I will be doing my far share of running this summer.
This week’s Tuesday Topic: What are your summer running plans? You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post. Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida and the bottom of this post!
This summer…I’ll be Marathon Training
Next month kicks off the start of marathon training for the Chicago Marathon. I cannot believe I am doing this again. In 2017 I swore off Fall marathons because a bulk of the training takes place in the summer. If I didn’t want to go back to Chicago for redemption I would have been content just running for fun this summer but that’s not how things played out. I’ll be doing a few things differently this time:
– Shorter training cycle! Last time I trained for Chicago it was a 20 week program and that was too long for me.
– Earlier morning long runs! I will most likely start my long runs at either 5:30 or 6:00 a.m., depending on the amount of daylight.
– Virtual support group! Luckily Renee and Michelle are also training for Chicago and it will be nice to check in with them over the next few months for support.
This summer…I’ll be trying new running fuel
As a BibRave Pro I get to periodically try out products. This summer I’ll be testing out a few different varieties of the Science in Sport (SIS) energy gels during my long runs. I will admit that the consistency is very different than I’m used to, but I did like the flavor of the apple gel I used over the weekend. The gel didn’t give me any tummy issues either which is always a good thing!
This summer….I’ll participate in the Stamford City Challenge
The City Challenge Obstacle Race is coming to my city, so of course I had to sign up! I haven’t done an obstacle course race is a few years. The last one I did was a Spartan Race at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Although it’s not a road race, we will cover about 3 miles of obstacles. I’m sure it will be a challenge, but also a lot of fun too!
This summer…I’ll be enjoying Orange Theory Fitness classes
I had my first class last week and I’m already hooked! I hope that by going consistently (2x/week), I’ll see some improvement in my endurance and running. This couldn’t have come at a better time as I needed something new to mix things up.
Tell me: What are your summer running plans? Do you have any races scheduled?
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I’m also linking up with Marc from Train With Marc and Debbie from Coach Debbie Runs for Coaches’ Corner!
This summer, I have a few short races on the calendar. I do have a half but most likely I’ll drop down to the 5k. Unless the weather stays cool like this–then I could probably do it!
I always did a 12 week training cycle for the marathon. I usually had a pretty good base leading up to the marathon and 12 weeks was just fine. I agree with you, a 20 week cycle is just too long!
When I trained for Shamrock I had a good base going in so 12 was great. This time I don’t think my base is as strong so I may want to do a 14 week training.
You have a pretty amazing summer planned! Yay for Orangetheory, too!
Thanks Karen!
It’s gonna be an exciting summer! A lot of us are 26.2 training…we need to come up with our own hashtag 😉
I am training for a fall marathon too this summer – the Marine Corps Marathon. I first have to get myself half marathon ready, because I have been focusing on shorter races lately and I have a half coming up in August.
The Stamford City Challenge sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck with that and with your shorter marathon training cycle!
That’s how I feel too. Although I did a half marathon a few weeks ago, I still want to solid longer runs before diving into marathon training.
IMO 20 weeks of marathon training is physically and mentally abusive. 16 weeks is all I can handle, not to mention it’s plenty. I wish you a fabulous redemption in Chi this October! Summer running? What’s that? haha! I won’t be doing to much of that. Although if it stays cool like it has been, marathon training will be awesome for you!
Thanks Marcia! I totally agree about the 20 weeks – I just felt so drained by the end of it. I’m looking forward to going back to Chicago and seeing you this Fall (hoping we can all meet up for brunch).
I’m right behind you. My first will be Nov 3. I gave a few short summer races and a half Sept 8. Then it gets real. Gulp.
Yeah when people ask me when my next race it feels so weird to say it’s Berlin ….
I totally get it! I feel like I need another race in between now and Chicago.
I am not doing any summer races this summer either! So unlike me. That obstacle course looks like an blast and no mud which is a plus. Should be really fun!
Yes, the only way to get me to do an obstacle race is with no mud lol
You have a good summer plan.
Mine is: 2 races each month and preparation for a half in September.
But the main plan is: on the beach with my grandsons.
Sounds like you’ll have a little bit of everything this summer!
This summer, I’m running the Texas Bud Heatwave on July 4 (5 miler) and the Lunar Landing 5K on the 21st. I’m mostly just rebuilding my endurance after a series of unfortunate events.
Good luck this summer with your races!
Well, all I can say is thank heavens for virtual training partners! 🙂 I feel about summer pretty much the way you do – it’s too bad there isn’t another way around it for fall races.
The Standford City Challenge looks like a lot of fun! I’ve never done an obstacle course race but they always look like such a good time!
Yes! Having virtual training partners this time will be awesome! 🙂
Those are some great summer goals! Just like you are deep into OTF, I’m doing the same with 9Round and hope to see so much more consistency over the summer, especially since my runs are going to be slightly shorter until cooler weather prevails.
I loved your write up on 9Round – seems like an awesome workout!
The obstacle race sounds fun! I’ve never done one. I also don’t have a race planned until October (unless I add one on) though I’m traveling to San Diego to spectate my husband triathlon next weekend. I gave up fall marathons about 20 years ago. It’s just too hard to train in the desert heat.
I think this will be my final Fall marathon because I agree – summer running just isn’t fun!
It sounds like you’re going to have a very fun and busy summer of running! I haven’t done an obstacle course in ages but they are so much fun, I’m sure you’ll have a blast! I look forward to following along with your marathon training!
I am looking forward to the obstacle race and hoping I don’t get injured, lol
I so could have written this, especially re: waiting for fall to come. Part of why I was so hesitant on NYC is the summer training, but it’s NYC and how can I not?
After Pride next weekend, I don’t have any races on my schedule until September’s NYRR 18M training, and I think I’ll keep it that way. I have my 9+1 should I want to repeat this silliness next year and my possible training group meets Saturday mornings so…
Totally agree – I think everyone should be NYC at least once, even if it requires summer running.
I may not be marathon training but count me in for support! So fun you are coming back in the fall.
Yay!
That obstacle course race sounds fun! Summer marathon training sounds a little less fun. I guess technically I am summer training for a race that will take me longer than a marathon, but at least I’m up in the mountains for my long runs.
I’m always so jealous of the great views you get to see while out on your runs!
My summer plan is to get through the few weeks until Race to the Stones then have a good long time (forever) of no racing. Once the race is out of the way (one more long training run on the weekend on the actual route, then resting!) I am going to have a rest then work on my sleep, snacking and strength training from August. I’ll see if I’m in London marathon in October and then take it from there. Good luck mara training!
A summer of no training sounds amazing! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for both of us to get into London!
I have NOTHING planned in terms of races. I want to get back to regular running and adding lots of pushups and planks to my routine.
That sounds like a great plan for the summer!
It sounds like you will be doing plenty of running even without racing. Another upside of Orange Theory is the air conditioning. 😉
Yes! The air conditioning has been amazing there since I sweat A LOT!