My 7th week of marathon training was challenging, my weekday runs are getting tougher and tougher. It’s not the run itself, it’s me finding the motivation to get out there. This week my body felt good but I just felt a little sluggish. Maybe because it is this time of the month. But at the end I couldn’t be happier, I ran all my planned runs!
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
| Plan | Rest | 4 m run | 7 m run | 4 m run | Rest | 12 m run | 7 m run |
| Actual | Rest |
7 m run | Rest |
4 m run |
4 m run | 12 m run | 7 m run |
Monday:
Rest! Love those days 
Tuesday:
7 miles in 1:06:57 (9:34 pace)
Once I was out there it was a good run. My town is very small and I only can run a 3 mile loop. But I found a track at the school without any gates and just ran there. I was surprised I was never alone and many walkers were there. All of them were walking outside of my lane, perfect!
Wednesday:
Rest day
Just did not feel like running at all.
Thursday:
4 miles in 35:53 (8:58 pace)
Again, tough time to get out there, but it felt so good! All week we had 80′s and it almost felt cool! So different than 100+ degrees! First mile was 9:30 pace and then I was running a 8:45 pace. Didn’t even notice I was that fast. I’ll take it!
Afterwards my calves were killing me. Click HERE to see what I did and I felt soo much better!
Sexy and I know it
Friday:
4 miles in 43 min (10:45 pace)
Easy 4 miles on the treadmill, perfect way to shake out the legs and start the weekend!
Saturday:
14 miles in 2:32:32 (10:54 pace)
Group run! When I checked the weather in the morning I was excited! The temps were supposed to be in the 70′s until 9am, we hadn’t had that for a while. But man, it didn’t feel like that at all. It was humid and I felt kind off on and off the whole time. Initially I felt a little dizzy and then had a gummi bear type “candy” and felt a little better. I sweat so much! I also took for the first time a salt stick. For me, humid weather is worse than heat and today’s run just confirmed that. Oh well, I’m glad we finished in a decent time and I know this run will make me stronger! Running in heat makes you faster!
Sunday:
7 miles in 1:13 (10:30 pace)
Recovery miles on the treadmill while catching up on The Bachelorette. The run felt so good, I’m amazed how good my legs felt! They were not tired or sluggish or anything, even though I did 25 miles in less than 48 hours!!
What a week!
Total miles:
Planned 30-36-> Actual: 36
Feeling:
So excited to keep my training streak going! So far I only missed 1 workout and that was my optional Sunday recovery run. Couldn’t be happier! I hope I can motivate myself better during the week from now on though.
Aches and Pains:
A little tight calve on Thursday, but foam rolling and compression socks help A LOT. Still no tired legs!
Long Run Fuel: 14 miles in humid weather (70+ F)
The night before: pizza
Before run: apple sauce
During run: @30 min: 1 stinger chew fruit punch, @60min: 1 salt stick and apple sauce, later on 1 pretzl,
drink: VItamin Water Power C
-> blah-ok run
Comments/Thoughts:
Sunday after my recovery run I had a massage again. Right now I get one every 2-3 weeks on Sunday afternoon and take Monday off from running. Makes my legs feel happy! Happy legs = Happy Christine
What are you doing to proactively keep your body injure-free and happy, especially during marathon and ultra-marathon training?
11 weeks until marathon #3!
Regular massage, foam rolling, some lacrosse ball torture, self massage, and I use the mobility WOD from Kelly Starette’s website for trouble areas. Two years ago I started a more forefoot strike and use Merrell Barefoots on some of my shorter runs to keep myself in check. That was the best decision I ever made for my running stride. Prior to that I had shin splints, sore ankles and hips.
I tried on a pair of Vibrams, but they weren’t for my feet.
Great job with your training. Love the argyle compression socks
You are doing a fabulous job with your training! And yes, running in this humid/hot weather can only make you a better, faster runner!
Good job taking care of those right calfs. I have a chronic problem with that & had I been more careful during my marathon training last year, would not have ended up with a torn calf at mile 14! Keep up the good work.
Great training Christine! I’m not alone in my momentary lapse of motivation
Certainly not, it’s a daily battle!
Definitely a successful training week! 36 miles, wow! Nice job. I used to live in a tiny town and would run many multiple town laps to get my long runs in, and people would always say, ‘are you that running girl?’ lol Glad you found a solution!