The halfway point of training is just like the halfway point of a race - you're so happy that you're halfway there, but you're also kind of discouraged that you're only halfway there. It's a milestone, though, and overall a good one.
And it was a good week, too. The boys were on school vacation all week, which resulted in shuffling the schedule around a bit, so I did my speedwork on Monday, and ended up on the treadmill. I really don't mind speedwork on the treadmill, though - it makes the time go by a lot faster, and you don't have to give it too much thought - just set the speed and run fast enough that you don't fall off!
My workout was 800 @ 3:14, 1200 @ 5:08, 2 x 1600 @ 6:52, 6:50, 1200 @ 5:00, 800 @ 3:12. I met or exceeded the goal pace for every interval - and I didn't fall off - so I count the workout a success.
I was sadly not able to get to either of my favorite yoga classes during the week, due to the kids being home, and I really felt the difference. I did get out to a class Tuesday night, and did a video at home on Friday, but I'll be happy to get back to my regular twice-weekly class sessions this week. Just one week without it has made it very apparent to me how much it's helping.
Thursday was a chilly morning, but all our snow has melted, so the roads were clear, so I headed outside for my tempo. I had to run 8 miles total, with the middle 6 at tempo pace, which for me should be anywhere between 7:06 and 7:19. I started at the upper end of that range, with the first two miles at 7:21 and 7:20, but then started to pick it up, running the next 4 miles in 7:05, 7:12, 7:10, and 7:04. I was fighting the wind for the final mile, but was determined to finish it fast, and glad I was able to pull it off. Overall pace for the tempo miles - 7:12. And as a bonus, I got to see a gorgeous sunrise before I got started : )
The schedule called for 8 miles on Friday morning, but my right foot - the one with the bunion - was not feeling so good. It aches on and off, and sometimes it's worse than others, but Thursday night it was really hurting. I iced it quite a bit that night, and hoped it would feel better Friday morning, and it did, but I still felt like it was better to rest it, knowing that I had to run 20 miles on Sunday.
It was very hard to skip that 8-miler, but I just kept reminding myself that a 20-mile run was way more important than an easy 8-mile run, and that I was better off playing it safe. So the elliptical and weights took the place of the 8 miles, and by Friday night my foot was feeling much better.
Today was pretty much perfect running weather, and I was so happy to step outside in short sleeves. Especially after last weekend's negative temperatures, 50 degrees this morning felt glorious. My goal for this morning's run was to practice holding back for the first 10 miles, and then work on really dialing into my goal race pace of 7:50-ish for the last 10 miles.
My other goal was to enjoy the run, seeing as how my last 20 was so unenjoyable. I knew as soon as I started running that this was going to be a better run. Sometimes you can just tell, and that was how I felt today - it was going to be one of the good ones.
I did a pretty good job keeping my pace slower for the first 10. The pace crept up a little bit for miles 8, 9, and 10, but I was careful to not go sub-8, so I think I did well. Since it was so much warmer, I think I did a much better job hydrating, too. My last few long runs have been in really cold weather, and I know I haven't been drinking enough, and I felt like it was much easier to stay on top of it today, since I actually found myself feeling thirsty.
I was happy to turn the corner onto Ocean Road at mile 9, and shortly after stopping for Gu and water at mile 10, I passed a bunch of people from the running club heading the other direction. It was nice to see so many friends out running - always gives me a nice boost of energy and makes me smile.
I felt pretty good picking up the pace after the halfway point. Hit a few tough spots when I ran into a headwind, but overall, holding a pace right around 7:50 was going ok. I had a really tough time for miles 17 and 18 - that's the point in this route where it's pretty hilly, and the hills were getting to me. But I took a quick walk break and drink of water around mile 18, pulled myself together, and continued on, determined to finish strong the last two miles.
I passed another friend around this time, and then thankfully hit a nice flat stretch of road for much of mile 19, and was able to get that mile down to 7:33. But the last two hills were still looming, and they're big ones. I wanted so badly to stop and walk, but I resisted, and got the final mile done in 7:37, hills and all.
I'm really pleased with this run, and happy with how I executed my plan. It wasn't easy, and those last few miles were a real test, but that's what they're supposed to be. And this time, I passed.
One thing I'm noticing this training cycle is how much more these 20-milers are taking out of me. I know I'm not old, but I am 3 years older than when I ran my PR in 2013, and I'm feeling it.
After I ate, showered, and did some foam rolling after coming home this morning, I spent about 20 minutes laying on the couch, and almost dozed off. My almost-45-year-old self doesn't bounce back quite as quickly from these types of efforts as my 42-year-old self did.
But that doesn't mean I can't still do it - it just means I have to be more attentive to taking care of myself and recovering properly, so that I can continue to do it without running myself into the ground. The good news is that my foot held up well. It is a little sore now, but I've been icing it and it's already starting to feel better, so I'm hopeful that I can continue to keep it under control with a little extra TLC.
So here I am - halfway there, and feeling really good, and excited to be heading into the final 8 weeks!
Comments