Ba-da-bing! Ba-da-boom! Week 5. Done and….DONE! Another week and 38 miles, just a few hundred more to go, right?

I remember when 38 miles sounded like a lot. Now? It doesn’t seem like enough. Despite working hard to fit these runs in and feeling happy enough to run 16 yesterday (as opposed to 17), it’s so easy to think that I’m not working as hard as I “should be”. I’m going to try to play some personal mind jiu-jitsu this week and get comfortable with the idea that Coach has laid out a plan that will get me to my goal at Boston and beyond.

This week I ran a total of 38 miles: 2 easy runs, 2 targeted workouts, and 1 long run + 1 strength circuit + 2 core routines.

Monday: Progressive steady-state run. Started at 8:00 min/mile and ended at 7:40 min/mile. Does anyone else love progressive runs as much as I do?! 8 miles on the treadmill didn’t sound like much fun at all that day but for some reason I felt really strong. My stride and form struggled a bit through my gluteus medius issue but I’m finally feeling like I have the same amount of power in my hips as I did in the fall of last year. Still, it’s a work in progress and I need to keep strengthening certain muscle groups to prevent a ‘real injury’ in the future.

Tuesday: Rest (travel for work)

Wednesday: Easy 5 + core and strength routines. Nothin’ to see here, folks!

Thursday: Freezing rain and more snow expected Thursday afternoon meant that I turned into a wuss again. I had 12 x 400 on the schedule and there was no way I was going to try to bust them out with horrible footing and the possibility of slipping and falling on my a**.  A few months ago, when I first started to dread training for a marathon in the winter (for the 1st time), I asked around about gaining access to an indoor track. I’m really glad I did because I managed to find a full-size indoor track that would offer me a few one-day guest passes and it really came in handy this week!

I was *super* sluggish all day on Thursday and I didn’t think I’d make it through all 12 repeats but I broke it down and managed to get it done with really consistent splits: 1:28, 1:25, 1:28, 1:29, 1:28, 1:29, 1:29, 1:28, 1:27, 1:30, 1:28, 1:27. I was really surprised to look back on my training and realize that the last time I ran 400s was in August 2012 and I ran them consistently at 1:40. Getting faster despite feeling sluggish?! I’ll take it!

Friday: Easy 3. Shakeout felt good but my legs were still heavy after the 400s the day before. (Although I think it’s a good sign that they weren’t “sore”, just tired. Important distinction :))

Saturday: 16 mile long run, 8:06 average pace. Compared to the slushy 13 miles last week, this felt like a breeze. The BIG FIRE BALL UP IN THE SKY decided to show itself and warm me up, especially heading north. That, and a fresh bouncy pair of Kinvara 2s made me feel much better about getting through the 16. I tried to slow the pace at several points during the run but my body was determined to run between 8:00 and 8:10. Can’t complain about that!

63 days to Boston. :cue another panic excitement attack!:

Highlights o’ the Week:

• Added to my running playlist: Marathon Runner by Yellow Ostritch. The title is more than appropriate, don’t ya think?
• I bought the Saucony Fastwitch a few weeks ago but I’ve gradually added them to my shoe rotation. They just released the Fastwitch 6. I think I’ll be using them a lot for tempo runs but I could definitely see myself racing a half in them.
• If you haven’t seen the 97-year old breaking the 100-meter record, you must do it now!!! Ida is my new favorite person on this earth.
• Registered for my two races of the training cycle: Wacky 10k on March 3 and Chi Town Half on March 24.

Pictures o’ the Week:

Fall spice latte on a winter afternoon. Workin’ at the coffee shop

This really doesn’t happen often so I felt the need to document.

Curried salmon patties with avocado wasabi yogurt sauce- recipe in March issue of Runner’s World!

A grey Chicago day, but still an amazing city

I swear. She knows exactly what she does to us at all times. You can’t make this stuff up

Another reason for my procrastinated long run Saturday morning—this little fur ball was nestled in my running jacket!

-J