Happy Sunday! I’m writing to you today from the surface of the sun. Seriously, I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say I will be so glad when this heatwave is over. I think we’re supposed to get a break from it on Monday/Tuesday of next week. I hope that you’re all staying cool and hydrated!
Week 2 of marathon training is in the books! Here’s how my workouts went this week:
Monday, July 15
Spinning (30 minutes) + Strength for Runners (30 minutes) + core work (10 minutes).
I kind of made up this workout as I went along. I knew I need some strength training since I only had 1 OTF class this week. Then I decided to throw in some cross training too.
Tuesday, July 16
4 mile run + core work (10 minutes).
Pretty normal/uneventful run – just how I like it. I’m also trying to be better about getting in my post-workout protein and these Vega shakes are great.
Wednesday, July 17
OrangeTheory Fitness – Endurance Strength Power (ESP) Class (60 minutes) + core work (10 minutes).
I was hoping for a strength day, but got the next best thing! I think this may have been the hardest class that I’ve taken there. Between the fast paced strength work on the floor and the alternating between the rowers and the treadmills, I was beat!
Thursday, July 18
6 mile run + core work (5 minutes).
Because of the impending heatwave, I originally thought I might be able to move my long run to Thursday morning. But of course, the weather had different plans. I woke up to rain, and not just a few raindrops, it was buckets of rain the lasted off an on throughout the day. There was no way I could do the long run, so I just stuck to the planned 6 miles I had on the schedule.
Friday, July 19
REST DAY IS THE BEST DAY! Lots of foam rolling and stretching since my body felt tired.
Saturday, July 20
12 mile run through the depths of Hell + core work (10 minutes).
Look, we all know it was HOT, so I’ll spare all those details. I was up and out the door before 6 am. The cloud cover really saved me on the run – I only had to deal with the direct sunlight for the past few miles. I made sure to take in water after every mile. Besides dripping in sweat, the run actually wasn’t that bad as I didn’t have any joint pain. My stomach felt a little “off” when I finished so it took me a few hours to eat anything post-run (which is rare for me), but besides that, I was glad that I actually got through the run.
Sunday, July 21
Spinning (60 minutes) + core work (15 minutes).
I had a little chafing on my inner thighs from yesterday’s run so that made this workout a little bit painful – I’ll leave it at that, LOL.
Total Weekly Mileage: 23 miles
Marathon Training Miles: 43 miles
Summary: 4 runs, 3 spinning classes, 2 strength training workouts, 6 core workouts
Grade This Week ā A
I tried something a little different this week to prep for my long run. I ate a bigger carb meal for lunch on Friday and had a light dinner. I usually eat a bigger carb dinner before a long run but sometimes that leaves me feeling a little bogged down. I’ll try this again over the next few weeks and see how it goes, but so far, so good!
Speaking of long run prep, I’m not sure if it was thinking about the mileage or worrying about the weather, but my pre-long run anxiety was sky high on Friday night! I can handle all my workouts during the week but the long run always messes with my head. I usually deal with a few nerves the night before a long run, but Friday seemed worse than usual. Do you have any tips for dealing with pre-long run anxiety? I would really appreciate any pointers as I don’t want it to get worse throughout the summer.
Next week I’ll be in Philadelphia from Thursday night to Saturday night to celebrate a friend’s graduation. I’ll have to get in my long run sometime during the week. I’ll probably aim to get it done on Thursday morning. It should make for an interesting week. As always, marathon training is all about being flexible. Oh, and did I mention I’m doing an OCR type race on the 28th? I’m such a smart runner, LOL.
That’s it! I hope you had a great week š
Iām linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.
In Case You Missed It
Tuesday Topics: What New Running Products Have You Tried This Year?
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
Wow, good job getting in that long run! The cloud cover has really been the only saving grace from the weather lately.
I actually find I do better with limited carbs at dinner, so I usually have my more carb heavy meal at lunch, too. It seems to work just fine for me. Then again, I’m not training for a marathon — or anything!
That’s one of the things I like about the fact that I’m just running 6 miles on the weekends. No need to eat anything on the run.
I wish I could help you with the anxiety. Maybe just remind yourself that you CAN do this because you already have done this in the past. Think about all those hard runs you’ve conquered — you’ve got this, Kim!
kookyrunner says
I don’t think I’ve ever been so thankful for cloud cover, lol. Right now, the sun is out in full blast and it literally feels like scorched Earth outside.
Thanks for the advice Judy! You’re right, I know I can do it, so I have no clue why I’m such a bundle of nerves.
Kimberly Hatting says
I hear ya on the long run anxiety!! Well, I think mine is more “dread” than anxiety…but it’s stressful stalking the weather and fueling properly a few days ahead, etc. Barb is not doing a marathon this fall, so I’ll be doing a lot of my super long runs without her to keep me company. I expect she’ll want to run some of the distance with me, but definitely not the ENTIRE length of them. SO, that’s my challenge…to strategize how early I start out and when/where to meet up with her mid-run. Not a crisis, but will definitely take some planning and luck with the weather! I’ll be doing those with you (virtually), and with several other gals who are 26.2 training as well. We need a hashtag!!!! š
kookyrunner says
That’s a good word for it – “dread”. Because I do feel like I think about it all week so I dread it all week, lol.
When do you officially start marathon training? I love the idea of a hashtag and maybe we can even do a group chat on Facebook messenger. I know of at least 2 other runners that would probably love something like this for motivation and support!
Liz Dexter says
I know what you mean about long run anxiety. I think you just have to accept it, ride it out, move on, let it pass, like with all the other rollercoaster emotion stuff about marathons. I try to “bank” good experiences in my memory and bring them out to play back and remind myself I am strong and I can do this. Great work this week and that dog picture is totally me. I actually had sore HAIR on Monday from pushing my buff back over damp hair that was getting bigger and bigger and more and more tangled!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Liz! That’s really good advice about ‘banking’ the really good experiences. I think that’s something that I need to do as it will help me focus on the positive!
Oh, I didn’t even attempt to wear my hair down this week. I kept it pinned up because if not I knew it would be a giant puffball LOL.
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
OK, that meme totally cracked me up – at this rate my hair is going to stay up until September!
I hear you on the long run jitters – I think Kim said it best…there’s definitely some dread mix in. I wish I had some great advice on how to overcome it. I do take some comfort in knowing some of you all are out there getting it done too – we do need a hashtag! LOL!
You had a great week!
kookyrunner says
Right?! I laughed so hard at that meme!
I also take comfort in knowing other runners are out at the same time as me, logging their miles for their long runs. I think if I focus on that more and have the “we’re all in this together mentality” then I may not get as anxious!
Laurie says
You got an amazing amount of fitness activities in this week. Good for you! I know what you mean about pre-long run anxiety. I would rather do a track workout or tempo run than a long run any day. I find that breaking up my long run into shorter loops works well for me. This week, I did 4 (3.5-mile) loops from our rec center for my mong run. I stop for a drink and/or bathroom break after each loop. That way I don’t have to carry food or food.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Laurie! I also try to break up my long run into loops which is definitely helpful!
Deborah @ Confessions of mother runner says
I really love how you can mix up your workouts with Peloton and make a combo that works. Best purchase ever! I am impressed that you got in that 12 miler with this heat. I picked a great few days to be away
kookyrunner says
I totally agree! There are so many options with Peloton to make a killer workout š
You definitely picked a great time for a weekend getaway!
Coco says
Wow on that 12 miler. I can’t imagine a long run in this weather. Luckily it should break before your next long run. Yikes on the chafing though. I don’t have any tips for the anxiety, but I get the same way before some group bike rides. Performance anxiety? But why?
Sometimes I think every OTF workout is the hardest. š
kookyrunner says
I hope to never do a long run in those types of conditions again – I was such a sweaty mess!
LOL I tend to agree with you on OTF. I’m sure I’ll say the same thing about the next class I take, haha.
RenƩe says
really good week Kim. Lots of variation in there too – I really missed my cross-training last week!
We eat dinner quite early the day before the long run. Like by 6pm. It’s generally pasta. Then right before bed a raisin roll or some crackers with honey. This way there’s not too much in the stomach before the long run. I really don’t like eating later than 6pm if I have a long run the next day. Makes for a stupendous social life hahaha!
Because my endurance is not great at the moment I definitely understand the nerves thing. But I just keep trying to tell myself that it’s just training and all about getting the km’s in my legs. I hope you get some good tips – I could use some as well!
have a good new week!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Renee! I understand what you mean about early dinners. i once had a late pasta dinner before a long run and I felt like I was running with an extra weight in my tummy.
I got a lot of good tips in the comments section that I will try to keep in mind before and during my next long run – hope you’r able to check them out!
Zenaida Arroyo says
Maybe the anxiety comes from wanting your long run to go well and not have other things (like weather) affect it? Don’t put too much pressure on your run as lots of people are going through the same thing and regardless of whether of how it went, you still got more mileage done than other people (like me)! š
kookyrunner says
That’s a really good way to look at it! I’ve gotten so many great tips about this that I’ll use to help me mentally prepare for my next long run.
Darlene says
I’ve given up with good hair days until fall lol
Yes on the long runs…I will be stressed out until Nov 3.
And I’m looking to you for advice. You’ve done this before!!
kookyrunner says
LOL, same! I just clip my hair up or wear it in a ponytail. There’s no need to try, haha.
Black Knight says
A very good week of fitness activity, you are working well to prepare the marathon.
About the long run anxiety I had a strategy: I planned to run through scenic places (not my usual routes) to enjoy the landscape; often also in other cities close to me. In this way the time ran faster …..
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much for the advice about long runs! I think I will switch up my route and see if that helps š
Chaitali says
Way to go getting all that done this week given the crazy weather! Sadly, I don’t have any tips on anxiety about the long run, I had that before every long run too when I was marathon training š
kookyrunner says
Thanks Chaitali. It’s actually comforting to know that I’m not the only one that has dealt with the pre-long run anxiety.
Laetitia L. Brock says
I LOVED the wednesday workout at OTF weirdly enough… though I never really get any slat points on the rower š barely got 3 for the class. Wmp womp.
kookyrunner says
I usually get a majority of my splat points on the treadmill but the rower must have kept me in the orange zone for a while!
Sandra D Laflamme says
Good job getting that long run done in the heat!!!I definitely get pre-long run anxiety too. So weird right? Once I get running I am usually fine though.
kookyrunner says
Same with me! Once I’m past the first few miles I’m usually okay. I just wish I didn’t psych myself out so much the night before.
Jenn says
Great job, in spite of the weather. Gosh, i couldn’t even tell you the last time I attempted to do my hair. It’s a little shorter right now, so I just wash, scrunch and go. Maybe put it in a messy bun or pony, but that’s the best I can manage.
I think we’re all just pushing through as best we can.
kookyrunner says
Yes, the summer is not the best time for hairstyles, that’s for sure, lol
De Bolton says
Cross training is do important. I am in awe of runners. Not only can you tske yourself far places. You come back š¤£š looks like you had a well rounded week.
kookyrunner says
LOL, thanks De!
Wendy says
The heat is definitely a run killer! I’m enjoying the cooler temps we’re having right now. Maybe do your long run while it’s cool?
kookyrunner says
Even when I was training in the winter for a spring marathon, I did had the long run anxiety. I think I just need to flood my brain with positive thoughts to get rid of the anxiety!
Angela says
The first meme is hilarious and that happens to me too in all the humidity!! I totally get the long run anxiety, I have it to sometimes! You’ve got this though, hardest part can be getting out the door!!!
kookyrunner says
So true! Getting out the door is always half the battle!
Marcia says
When I had long runs on tap for marathon training, I’d focus ONLY on the additional miles over 13 that I had to do. So I’d bang out the 13 then it was “only” 3 more or 5 more. It’s twisted but you’ve gotta trick your brain. :p
kookyrunner says
That’s a really good way to think about it!
Jessie says
I know the heat is tough, but I still prefer it to winter! I just can’t with icy runs every again…
I had a lot of long-run anxiety for my run yesterday as I had a workout in it and my legs were tired from racing this past week…totally know how the anxiety goes!
Solid week of training for you, nice work Kim!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Jessie! I didn’t have too much long run anxiety last week (probably because I did the run after work).