Weekly Running Update: December 23, 2018

Hi Everyone!

How's everyone's training going around the holidays? Any recent races or upcoming ones? Which ones? 

This was week 1 of marathon training, which included 3 trail days! I love getting to the trail as often as possible, but with lack of daylight after work, usually only get to do trails on Saturday's during the fall/winter. 

Hope everyone has a happy holiday!

My Week in Training:

Monday: 5+ miles. Day off from work, trail day, yay! Sunday was a late night (football and beverages) Day off today, I actually slept in! 7 am! No major chores today. Took my time getting ready. Coffee, foam roll, and at my trail around 9:30. My trail Pennypack Creek. Park in the middle, did the more wooded side and back. (Staying on this side a few more trail days to finish documenting my trail). Started a bit fast and leveled out at 8:20 and maintained there. Stopped on the way back at mile marker 4.50-4.25.

Full pics

Tuesday: 3.11 miles before work. Day off of work yesterday. Relaxed plenty after yesterday's run, got a good night's sleep. Up just before my alarm. Work out, foam roll, and out the door by 6. Windy, but felt pretty good. 8:15 before the hills, 8:25 after. Got it back to 8:20 but lost track of pace for a bit. Against the wind the last .5 didn't get back to 8:20, but close.

Wednesday: 4 miles before work. Tuesday, went to bed early. Unfortunately that led to waking up a bit too early. Tossing and turning, wide awake at 4. Up, but taking my time. Coffee, work out, foam roll. Out the door at my normal time of 6. Tired. 8:20 before the hills, 8:30 after. Cold, tired, but done. Quads were a bit heavy as well.

Thursday: 1 mile before work. Set my alarm a few min later. Slept later than Wed, but not to the alarm. Coffee, work out, stretch, and out the door around 6:15. Worked on pacing/ breathing, started around 7:40 and maintained around 8. Felt good!

Friday: 5 miles. Day off from work, trail day, yay! Flood warnings overnight through this afternoon, going to be a bit wet out. But, the temps were 50-60! Probably could of done short sleeves if I wanted to, but I tend to dress slightly warm if there's precipitation. When I got to my trail, I was the only car in the parking lot, usually packed by this time! (8am). My trail Pennypack Creek. Did the more wooded side and back. In the first .5, saw about 5 deer pretty close, but they took off! Enjoyed the temp and rain, decided not to push it too hard since I'll be back tomorrow. 8:25-8:30 to the end, got it back down around 8:20 on the way back. Stopped at mile markers 4.25-4.0 for a few pics. I ended up seeing a total number of 2 other people at the trail today!

Full pics

Saturday: 7 miles. "Long" run day, yay! Relaxed the remainder of Friday, hydrated, carb loaded, and got a good night's rest. Up around 5:30. Coffee, foam roll, and at the trail by 7:15. My trail Pennypack Creek. Park in the middle. Did the more wooded side and back. Paced around 8:20, slowed a bit before the hill at the turn around and picked it back on on my way back. Stopped for pics between mile markers 4.0-3.5. Resumed, passed my car, forgot to hydrate (good thing "only" doing 7 miles). To the more gradual incline side for a little less than 1mi and back. Slowed down/picked it up again up/down the incline to maintain pace. Today felt pretty decent, better than yesterday. lol

Full pics

Sunday: 1 mile. "Rest day", one for the streak. Run Streak day 1,065. Saturday, shortly after my run, had to go back outside to do some yard work. A couple more weeks of fall cleanup. meh. Woke up at my normal time, slowly got ready. Shoulders and lower back slightly hurt from the yard work. Coffee, hydrate, and foam roll. Before I started, told myself not to go to fast, keep it around 8:15. Well, that went out the door quickly. Pushed it up the initial hill and kept going. 7:35-7:50. Didnt feel great, but decent. Will be resting, hydrating, before/after any Sunday Funday shenanigans.

This was week 1 marathon training, using the below plan.

Image from Coach Jenny Hadfield

Weekly Summary:

Miles: scheduled 23 / completed 26
Strength training: scheduled 80 min/ completed 93 min
Foam roll: 7 days
Hydration goal met: 6 days
Misc: 2 hours yard work.

Fall Schedule: 

With the TCS NYC Marathon/and Philly Marathon coming to it's conclusion, so does my fall race schedule. 

Spring Schedule 

03.31.19 - The Love Run! Love the Love Run Philadelphia half marathon! Check out my review from last yr, here. 

04.06.19 - Hot Chocolate 15k Philadelphia. Use code BRHCPhilly to receive a free smart phone arm band. Check out my preview, here. 

05.05.19 - Broad Street Run! - Love this race, but won't be doing it. Sometimes you have to pass on repeat things to try something new! My review from last year, here.  

05.05.19 - Flying Pig Marathon? Training has started. Will let you know when I'm booked!

Good luck to everyone with training! Kick some butt! 

If you do any races, please remember to review them on BibRave.com! Your opinions help other runners decide what races to run! #BibChat Follow me on BibRave: Joe G