Half Marathon Training: Week #6

Dear iMapMyRun app,

Please stop dropping GPS during my runs. It's getting old having to go back and fix the routes. Not appreciated, and makes your pace tracking feature kind of pointless.

KThanksBye.

Sunday: 4 mile easy run Off

Sigh. I knew this day would come sooner or later during this training period. Doesn't make it any less disappointing. My first dropped run. I was originally scheduled for an easy 4 miler, but a couple inches of snow and visiting family made it just a little too easy to stay inside instead of getting out and hitting the trail. Sad day.

Monday: 40 minute tempo run

After skipping out on my run the day before, I knew today's run had to be a good one. Unfortunately, there was still snow covering the sidewalks where I do my hill work, so I switched days up and went for the tempo run.

Since I once again didn't feel like dealing with snow, I gave the hubby some puppy dog eyes and convinced him to take me to the gym with him again. I started out at an easy 9:30 min/mi warm up pace for the first 10 minutes, then gradually started to increase the speed every 5 minutes, ending up at around an 8:00 min/mi pace before slowing back down to 9:30 for a 5 minute cooldown.

As much as I hate to admit it, hitting my speed work goals is actually easier on the treadmill than outdoors. From a third party perspective -- duh. I just set the speed and away I go, can't do that outside. I've gone back and forth, debating the merits of both -- inside: I actually achieve my set goals, but I'm not the one setting the pace, vs. outside: I set the pace and listen more to my body, but I might not always hit my goal pace. While there are definitely bonuses and drawbacks to each setting, I've decided that for right now, teaching my body that it's actually capable of hitting these certain times is a little more important than trying to incorporate terrain and wind resistance for a more "race-like" situation.

Tuesday: 3.25 mile easy run

What a nice way to spend Valentine's Day than out for a nice easy run? At least it frees up some room for some dessert! :)

Wednesday: 5 x 400m hill workout

Wednesday rolled around and the sidewalks were finally clear of snow, which meant time to get in a repeat of the hill workout that made me sore for over 3 days a couple weeks ago. At least this time around I knew I was at least capable of making it up the hill 3 times at a (very slow) run, so my goal was to add in a 4th time up with a 5th time walking. And success. A little slower than the previous time, but much much less sore the next day.

And just for kicks and giggles... this is what the actual elevation of my route looks like:

Note: 0% is yellow and 14% is purple (!)

What it seems like to me:

Thursday: Strength + Indoor Soccer Game

Friday: 3 mile easy run

Originally, I had a hot date lined up at the gym with the hubby at 4:30ish when he got home from work. However, worked called and he ended up not getting home until after 7. Boo. But we still had our date. I just made sure to go nice and easy knowing that I had an 8 miler waiting for me in about 15 hours.

Saturday: 8 mile run

Even though I was a bit worried how my previous day's run might affect the run on Saturday, I went in feeling pretty good. Luckily, that feeling stuck around for the whole run, and this time around for 8 miles we kept a fairly consistent pace (versus last time when we were all over the map from a 10:30 min/mi pace to under 8:30). We also timed things perfectly and missed getting stopped by the dreaded traffic lights this time. Annnnnd I finished out the last mile with a sub 8:00 pace which just totally made my day, even if I was almost completely out of gas by the end. Woot! (I will say, this is really where having running buddies comes in handy.)



I can't believe I'm already halfway through my half marathon training. It seems like it's flown by so much faster than my training for the full (maybe because it's only been 6 weeks versus 9??). And that my 10 mile race is already this coming Saturday. Nervous!

Fingers crossed that my motivation decides to show up this week!