A Whopper of a Week
[and I’m not talking about this kind of Whopper]
I have to admit that looking at this week’s training plan made me a bit anxious. I had to run 5 out of 7 days, work 4 out of 5 days, and complete my longest run to date on the same day that we were going to the One Direction concert. Having Monday off helped with rescheduling the 8 miler from Tuesday. With it getting darker earlier these days, I would have had to run on the treadmill, which I did not want to do. I ran 2-3 milers using my new Saucony Ride 7s on the treadmill. They feel quite a bit different than my Ride 6s, but I am hoping it is just a matter of getting used to them. Nothing hurts. It’s just that the insert feels like it does not quite fit right.
The big deal this week was my longest run ever — 20.1 miles @ 11:29 pace [vs. 12:08 pace for 18 miles]. I followed Dimity’s advice to not stress about the long run too much before going because the more energy you put into worrying about it, the less you have for the run itself. I prepared my typical old fashioned oats with hemp hearts, chia seeds, coconut, and almond butter and had some coffee. 30 minutes later, I left for the rail trail in foggy, misty, upper 50s weather. I brought along my Nathan hydration pack filled with water, Sport Beans, and Cliff Shot gels. Lately, I have been trying really hard to run by feel, rather than watching my Garmin. I do look at each mile marker when it beeps at me.
The weather remained overcast and cool for most of my run and only cleared up during the last 30 minutes. My long run was made a bit shorter by running into my husband 3 times. This gave me an opportunity for quick check-ins. He was riding for 4.5 hours. I set out with the mindset of 10 out and 10 back. I started where I normally start and made it to new territory. I really had no physical issues, except for some left knee pain at mile 12, which passed within a mile. I fueled at miles 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, and 18, which is different from what I have been doing. It worked!
I managed to do the second half faster than the first half.
I can’t believe that 2/3 of my training is now complete!
Total mileage: 41 [the most ever]
