Last week was a good week of training. I’m exhausted. I ran a lot. I ran more miles last week than I have in months. Training is awesome but I forgot just how tiring it can be!
I haven’t been keeping up with my hips and glutes 3x per week like I was hoping to. Life is unfortunately getting in the way, and it will likely to continue to be in the way this week as well. The good news is I’ve been doing strength work twice a week, so it’s not like I’ve fallen off the wagon completely. Once this week is over I think I’ll be in a better position to really focus.
Isn’t that how it goes? Life always gets in the way of training. 😉
I Love Running + Spring Training Week 6
Monday — hips and glutes
On Monday I worked my hips and glutes. I’m making a super conscious effort to really work my glutes this time around and I can definitely feel progress. I was hoping to do some yoga, too, but it didn’t happen.
Tuesday — 6 miles
On Tuesday I ran 6 miles on the treadmill. It was a pretty nice run overall. Nothing notable. Just easy miles.
Wednesday — 5 miles
Wednesday totally kicked my ass. I met up with my friend Eugenia for what I thought were going to be easy miles. It turns out we ran a much faster pace than I have in quite some time. It felt really nice to work hard, though. Plus some yoga at the end for fun. 🙂
Thursday — 5.35 miles + hips/glutes
I had a hard workout planned for Thursday but by the time Thursday rolled around I realized Wednesday’s fast paced running really took it out of me. I started Thursday’s run outside with Trixie and had every intention of doing speedwork and finishing up outside, but it was just too darn cold. The “feels like” was 2˚F and honestly it felt much colder than that. After .35 brutally cold miles, Trixie and I headed home. I finished up on the treadmill with some slower miles. Much less exciting but miles just the same.
Saturday — 14 miles
Saturday was nice. And by “nice” I mean I ran 14 miles. I met up with three friends for long run. The plan was to run 12 miles as a group and one of my friends and I would split off and finish up two miles before meeting up for post-run breakfast. All was well with the group for many miles — I was definitely the one struggling in the middle miles — until injury suddenly struck one of my friends. It was no good. I could tell she was in pain. And I know how much it sucks — I’ve been there! Instead of continuing on with our remaining two miles, we called it at 12, had breakfast together, and went home.
When I got home I debated whether I should finish my last two miles on the treadmill. The time on my feet would be good although in the grand scheme of things wouldn’t matter much. Regardless, I hopped on the treadmill and my, oh my, was that tough. The first few steps were brutal. I could definitely tell I had just run 12 miles. By the time I was a half mile in, I was fine. But geesh! Needless to say, I was glad the run was over.
I took a much needed nap on Saturday afternoon before going out with some friends for a night out. Sunday I spent the day in compression socks.
This week will be my first week of intervals and I’m slightly nervous if I’m being honest. I’m a track runner, not a treadmill runner, so the idea of running intervals on the treadmill has me a bit anxious. I know I’ll be fine, but I’m hoping for some warmer weather soon so I can take advantage of the track. There’s just something about being back on the track that brings me back to my youth. 😉
I Love Running
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day (and the theme of Tuesdays on the Run), I’ll leave you with these parting thoughts. I love running. It’s legit fun. As much as I complain and hem and haw over tough workouts, I really enjoy it. Here are a few things I love the most:
I love running fast. It’s super fun. I also really love running long. It’s mentally tough and sometimes really physically hard, but when I’m done I feel like I just conquered the world. And it’s funny because once upon a time, running 6 miles was far for me. Now I run 14 miles and don’t even bat an eye. Crazy how that happens, no?
Know what else I love about running? Races, new shoes, and all the pretty clothes. I’m not a very fashionable girl and spending money on trendy stuff gives me anxiety because I know I’ll never wear it. But give me an hour or two in a sporting goods or running store, and I’m in heaven.
I love how running keeps me healthy. And sane. And usually happy. It makes my heart strong and it keeps me mentally focused. I love running.
Hope you have a grand Valentine’s Day! Get some miles in, eat some chocolate, and have a great day!
xo
TALK TO ME!
Your preferred location for speedwork: treadmill, roads, or track?
Valentine’s Day: love it or hate it?
Linking up with My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run, and HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin’ for the Weekly Wrap.
