Happy Sunday from rainy and windy Connecticut! Let’s discuss the weather this week shall we? We went from normal cold winter weather (30s), to spring weather (60s), then summer weather (70s), back to winter/spring (50s) and then today cold and rainy today (30s). So basically Mother Nature was just like “Let’s give them all the seasons in one week”. I feel like the weather was crazy everywhere this week!
I just completed week 9 of training which is hard to believe, but I’m very happy that this was my last peak week. The week started off okay but I’m definitely not ending the week on a high note. Let’s discuss!
Monday 2/19
7.5 mile run + 80 supermans.
Luckily I had Monday off from work for President’s Day. I had a late morning flight out of Cleveland so I arrived back home in the afternoon, unpacked my suitcase and hit up the treadmill for my run.
Tuesday 2/20
9 mile tempo run + 80 squats.
Ugh! This run was rough. I only hit 4 out of 5 of my tempo miles, but considering I did this run after work, I’ll call it a win.
Wednesday 2/21
Boot camp class (60 minutes) + 80 russian twists.
I was NOT a happy camper when I left my boot camp class on Wednesday night. You can read about that here. After class my body was pretty sore, but that was to be expected after my two mid-distance runs on Monday/Tuesday.
Thursday 2/22
4.5 mile run + 30 minute spinning class + 90 supermans.
My knee felt sore for the last mile of this run, so I decided to do a spinning class instead of another class with weights. The spinning class was great because it was an interval class so a nice way to get the heart rate elevated. I also love this quote that I found while searching Google.
Friday 2/23
Official Rest Day, but I still got in my 90 squats for Rachel’s Supermans, Squats and Twists Challenge.
Saturday 2/24
18 mile long run + 90 russian twists.
This was supposed to be my last 20 mile long run but I just didn’t have it in me yesterday. I feel very tired going into the run and my legs, back and knee weren’t cooperating with me. I told myself to just get to 18 miles and call it a day – and that’s exactly what I did.
Sunday 2/25
Unofficial Rest Day.
After yesterday’s long run and waking with extremely sore legs, I decided to skip my spinning class today and take a 2nd rest day for the week.
Total Weekly Mileage: 39
Total Training Cycle Miles ā 278
Grade ā B-
I gave myself a B this week because I think that there were things I could have done better. I focused a lot on hydration, but my diet could have been better. I definitely didn’t eat that healthy when I was out of town last weekend and that kind of continued to the beginning part of the week. I think I ended up foam rolling every other day but that should have been daily. Definitely two things to improve on for this upcoming week.
Saturday’s long run was really rough. Even though I got 7 hours of sleep on Friday night, I still woke up feeling very tired. I still tried to get into the right mindset before leaving the house. My first 5-6 miles were a little too fast, which I probably paid for later on in the run. After mile 10 my legs started to feel super heavy, like I was running on 2 cement bricks. Around this time my back starting acting up yet again. I’m so frustrated. I don’t know what else I can do to help this but I’m just going to keep doing my exercises in hopes that it gets better. I’m also going to be trying a few other things in these next 3 weeks before race day and keep my fingers crossed that I will be able to run the marathon and won’t have to drop down to the half marathon distance.
If you have followed my other marathon training journeys, you know that I really stick to the plan and while I’ll move around workouts, I rarely skip a workout. Today is the first workout I’ve had to skip during this training cycle. Although I know it’s necessary, I still hate to do it! Maybe my body just needs a little extra TLC. I plan on taking an epsom salt bath later on today to help with the soreness as well.
Have you ever struggled through a peak week in your training?
Iām linking up with Courtney for her training recap link-up and Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap.
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Deborah Brooks says
I think you definitely needed that extra rest day this week. You’ve been really hitting your training plan hard and some weeks you need a step back. I remember when I took the run cert course, they talked about assuming people would not always hit all the proscribed runs and they were designed with that in mind. The last thing you want is to get injured now
kookyrunner says
That’s very interesting about the information you found out from the run certification course. You’re so right – I’m definitely trying to avoid injury as much as possible now!
Jessie says
Still looks like a great week to me Kim! You fit in quite a bit around life/work/travel. You have a lot of determination to run on your own so much too! Impressive.
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Jessie! I’ve done a majority of my long runs solo since I started running longer distances so I guess I’m just used to it now!
Lisa @ Mile by Mile says
Sounds like it was a smart decision to take an extra rest day. I think its pretty normal for peak weeks to feel hard, and hopefully by listening to your body and adjusting your workouts you will feel better next week.
I agree, the weather has just been crazy lately!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Lisa – I sure hope so! I’m technically in taper mode now so I hope that helps.
Wendy says
Those long runs are tough! I know you do a lot for recovery–I think the extra rest day was a good idea.
kookyrunner says
I’m going to be taking recovery to the next level over these next 3 weeks!
Kimberly Hatting says
You probably know I”m gonna high-5 you (virtually) for taking the extra rest day LOL I’m just such a huge advocate for listening to your body and giving it TLC when it needs it. Especially this close to race day, you have nothing to gain by risking further injury. Besides, this marathon ain’t your first rodeo š
kookyrunner says
I’ll accept that virtual high five lol! š
HoHo Runs says
I think the extra rest will be more beneficial to you than pushing for a few extra miles. You can absolutely still run a marathon on an 18 miler for your last super long run. You are a strong lady and all of that cross training serves a huge purpose too. You’ve totally got this! Thanks for linking!
kookyrunner says
I sure hope so! I really just want to get to that start line in the best shape possible to have a good race š
Jennifer @ Fit Nana says
I definitely think you made the right choice by taking an extra rest day!! You don’t lose fitness in one day and the magic actually happens when you rest. š I’m sorry you had such a rough long run but way to push through it and adjust as necessary!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Jen! I do hope that this extra rest day will be beneficial.
Fairytales and fitness says
You have been doing such a good job with your training! Just a few more weeks till race day and you are ready!
kookyrunner says
I’m excited for race weekend – it’s going to be a lot of fun!
Lesley says
Great job this week! I find extra rest days can be very beneficial, and I definitely felt that way in your picture, on Friday. I was zonked after the whole week.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Lesley! I do think that the extra rest day was key.
Coco says
That is such a great quote! My view from the sidelines of marathon training is that it is much more important to listen to your body than to follow a plan. The rest day won’t hold you back and probably did a lot of good!
kookyrunner says
Right?! I really love that quote too! I think that the extra rest day was necessary. My legs still feel sore but I don’t feel as run down and tired today.
Anna @ Piper's Run says
Rest and sleep are so important. Sometimes we can’t always get in that long run but need to listen to our body more.
kookyrunner says
You’re so right!
Darlene says
I think you are doing great.
You make me realize that I could never train for a marathon…so time-consuming. Plus I’m not hood following plans.
Judy @ Chocolaterunsjudy says
A smart runner is one who adjust the plan to what their body is telling them.
Have you ever seen a chiropractor? It just concerns me (and I’m sure you) that your back continues to bother you. I had one race where I went into it with an issue, but hadn’t seen anyone about it, and it came back to bite me big time. I just don’t want that to happen to you!
We can always do things better in hindsight. Seriously, though, it doesn’t sound like that bad a week to me at all.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Judy. I have a sports massage scheduled for later on this week which I’m hoping will help. I just wonder if my back muscles just need a little extra TLC. I see an ART doctor every week and he always gives me an adjustment, but I may need to see a chiropractor or get an MRI if the issues continues.
Montana @ Pretty Lil Mudder says
I’ve definitely struggled before. You’ve done a lot of high mileage training these last 8 months or so, so it’s probably your body telling you to rest. Hopefully you get back to training pain free soon!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Montana! That’s true, I didn’t think about all the training for Chicago, although I did take off most of October/November in regards to long runs, lol
Debbie @ Deb Runs says
I think listening to your body is always the most important thing to do and in the long scheme, it’s best not to push more than you can handle and get an injury late in your training cycle. Good luck!
kookyrunner says
Exactly! I’m just trying to get to the start line of the race healthy and happy!
Chaitali says
It definitely sounds like you need an extra rest day! I hope the epsom salt soak helped and your muscles are feeling happier š
kookyrunner says
I took an epsom salt bath yesterday and it helped a little but but my quads are still so sore lol
Chelsea says
Don’t let that skipped workout get you down girl. You’re doing AMAZING and listening to our bodies is KEY in getting to that start line strong and healthy!! Just do what you can and know that it’s all part of the journey along the way! You’ve got this girl!!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Chelsea! Getting to the start line healthy is definitely the most important goal!
Gina says
You are so strong and dedicated. It’s funny huh.. how hard runners are on themselves. To push out and perservere through 18 miles I’d definately call that a win! You won’t miss those 2 miles come race day! Keep kicking butt!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Gina – you’re so kind! š
Jenn says
I think we all struggle at important times in our training. Especially when we’re so close to the goal. You’re doing great. Just keep staying the path and you will absolutely succeed. I can’t wait to hear about it.
kookyrunner says
That’s so true Jenn. It wasn’t the best last long run to have in training, but I was ahoy to get 18 out of the 20 miles done.
Andrea says
Extra rest days are nothing to be ashamed of! You’ve got this!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Andrea!
Sara says
Great week of training and kudos to you for listening to your body! You know that you are more than capable of running this distance. It is much better to go into the race just slightly undertrained that over-trained. I think you will see the benefits of that extra rest day next week. Keep up with the sleep and healthy eating. You are soo close!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Sara! I’m still sore today but I really feel like taking the extra rest day was super beneficial.
Shathiso says
I think your decision to call it a day after 18 miles and to take an extra rest day really shows your maturity as a runner. You were listening to your body and we often forget to do that. Best of luck this week!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much for the kind words Shathiso!
Marcia says
I just said this the other day to one of my athletes: Nothing good comes from pushing for a few extra miles when your body is telling you otherwise. The rest will be more beneficial at this point. That was a tough week. Mad props to you!
kookyrunner says
Thanks Marcia. Now that I’m a few days removed from the run I know I made the right decision.
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
That’s a lot of miles! No wonder you’re tired! I’m glad you took the rest day – those few miles will not matter. You’ve done such a great job with your training – I really hope you can get your back to cooperate!
kookyrunner says
I see so many runners that have 50+ mile weeks and I just don’t know how they do it! I didn’t even hit 40 and I was exhausted lol
Jessica @ I Am Teacher Fit says
I’d be exhausted with those miles too! You earned your extra rest day. I’ve loved following your training and I so admire you for going after a marathon. I’m not that brave (yet).
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much for the kind words Jessica! I too have enjoyed following your half marathon training!
Hannah says
Peak weeks are supposed to be tough, so I think some struggling is normal! But I definitely err on the side of caution when it comes to aches and pains – rest is so important for recovery and healing.
kookyrunner says
Sometimes I underestimate the importance of rest but I’m trying to get better about that!
vicki says
Kim… you did AWESOME! You are killing it this cycle. I wouldn’t feel bad about taking an extra rest day or calling your long run a little early… more important to listen to what your body is telling you!
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Vicki! Now that I’m a few days removed from the run, I am positive that I made the right decision.
courtney @ eat pray run dc says
So close, Kim! I can’t believe your race is next weekend. It kind of feels like the time flew by – at least for me š lol
kookyrunner says
It went by quickly for me too!