Weeks 3 & 4 – MCM Training…

Well, despite being on vacation last week and trying to get ready for vacation leading up to it, I had two fairly successful weeks of training!

Week 3 actual workouts:

Day 15 – 6 miles at 10:35
Day 16 – swim 2350 yards
Day 17 – Tempo, 5 miles – average pace 9:46
Day 18 – 4 miles at 10:07 (Elvis!)
Day 19 – rested
Day 20 – Long Run – 14 miles at 10:28
Day 21 – rested

Actual run miles: 29.02

I was very happy that I rocked my long run while on vacation. I was kind of nervous about it. I did 8 miles (4 out and back) alone, then 6 miles (3 out and back) with Jeff.

Week 4 – recovery week – actual workouts:

Day 22 – 6.08 miles at 10:31
Day 23 – 3.06 miles at 10:15
Day 24 – rested AND got a massage!
Day 25 – 6.04 miles at 10:06
Day 26 – rested
Day 27 – rested
Day 28 – 9.2 miles at 10:12, swim 1400 meters

Actual run miles: 24.38

So…my recovery week was not exactly what it was scheduled at. But I did get the miles in. I also got the rest in! I will say that it was really hard to swim after a 9 mile run; my feet were cramping like crazy. If I do that again I must remember to bring a banana for after the run!

Week 5 preview: This week will be challenging in that I’m going out of town Friday night and will not be able to do the long run on Saturday. I’m thinking of running long on Thursday night and either doing 4 Friday morning or trying to go 4 on Saturday morning while away. We will see… Another thing about week 5 is that I am moving into the second 4-week block (of four) and my paces are going down. Based on my first 4-week block I should be able to do this - as long as the heat does not get to me. If it does, I can always move inside for speed/tempo work!

Day 29 – 5 miles at 11:05
Day 30 – rest/xt
Day 31 – Tempo, 6 miles, 4 at 9:35
Day 32 – 4 miles at 11:05
Day 33 – rest/xt
Day 34 – long run, 16 at 11:05
Day 35 – rest/xt

Happy and Healthy Training!

I'm baaaaack...

...in town, training, and to blogging, of course.

We got back from our fantastic Caribbean cruise vacation for my cousin's wedding on Thursday evening. We were lucky to get an early flight and shorter layover which put us in the DC area 3+ hours ahead of schedule. Whew! That made getting up for work on Friday easier. Once I download some pictures I will post them...

As for training...I did not train once while away. Outside of my 3+ mile walk in Grand Cayman and my woodsy hike in the mountains of Jamaica of course. I guess I consider that additional rest for my left ankle, which I keep annoying. I may have to break down and see someone about it.

Anyway, over the weekend I was scheduled for a 20 mile run on Saturday for the 2/15 marathon, followed by 2 hours of riding on Sunday. Since I had not been running in the past week I ran 15 miles solo on Saturday. It went very well. I nailed my nutrition, I think. I felt pretty good the next day, and went for another 5 miles with Jeff. This was a bit harder - my ankle was a teeny bit sore and I unfortunately stepped in a little pothole and stumbled. That hurt...ARGH!!! Anyway, I feel basically fine today with very little ankle soreness. *fingers crossed* I need to walk very carefully it seems. My everyday shoes do not seem to be helping my ankle, either. I need to find something else...

Saturday was supposed to be the last long run as this coming Saturday is the start of the taper. I might seriously try to go 20 on Saturday...just so I get that full 20 in...I will see how things go. Then come marathon day I will plan to do the entire course (3 loops of varying distance); if I must I will drop out after the second loop for my first DNF... but if I take it nice and slow and work the nutrition ANYthing is possible. :-) I just need to finish while maintaining my balance and sparkle!

Tonight is 'off' per the training schedule. Tomorrow morning is swimming followed by a 30 minute run tomorrow night...Wednesday is speed work at the track. I however need to go to the high school for my older son's wrestling match. It is 'senior night' and he is a senior. Want to catch this event! I think I will do speed work on Thursday and pick up biking (again) over the weekend starting on Sunday then hopefully next week I can begin the weekly Thursday night bike sessions either at home or with TeamZ. That is the plan anyway.