You know you have had a successful training cycle when you are looking forward to your taper. Last week I finally hit the point of mental exhaustion – just in time for my taper this week and then (gulp) my race on Sunday. Here goes everything…
WEEK OF MAY 2, 2016
RUNNING
I had three runs this week and all were done on heavy/tired legs. I swear I have started every single run like that for the past three weeks since running (as in the race) is done last in my training sessions. However, something magical happens between my warm-up and work miles where my legs and mind just get.it.done. Mental game is on point.
Oh and it rained every day last week just to ensure I am prepared for rain and wind. Check.
Bring it on.
Tuesday – 6 mile hill push where I ran easy on the flats and downhills and pushed the pace on the uphills. It was about as fun as it sounds but, the race course is hilly so… 7:47 pace (after 2,200 yard swim)
Thursday – 6.5 miles done 3 x 10 minutes @race pace with 1 min easy in between. Splits – 6:53, 6:54 and 7:02 all on varied terrain so I am 100% dialed into that pace! I didn’t look at my watch until it was over and I was so excited because I felt like I had sandbags strapped to my ankles. Did I mention I swam 2,600 yards first?
Friday – Bike/run brick done as 4 x (10 min bike, 1 mile run) mostly to practice transitions but I also did these up my hill each and every time. It seriously makes me want to move.
Total miles = 16.5
CYCLING
I’m feeling really good on the bike and yes, if it rains on race day, I will be all set.
Sometimes I wish I could read people’s comments in air bubbles over their cars as they pass me when I’m riding in the rain. I bet they would all be something like “What a nut job!” They don’t know the half of it.
Soaked but smiling.
Monday – 22 miles in mostly rain
Wednesday – one hour easy ride – 16.5 miles – followed by strength work
Friday – brick session with run – 40 minutes, roughly 10 miles
Total = 48.5 miles
SWIMMING
So my wet suit is trying to kill me. It’s supposed to feel buoyant and amazing, like an eel slipping though the water. I feel like I’m trying to wrestle and octopus that is choking me with it’s tentacles. Not good.
Unfortunately for me, I’m still in the process of figuring this all out. Wish me luck.
How many bags does it take to run and swim at the Y? Let’s find out. One. Two. Three.
Three.
Tuesday – Long swim with drills and 1,500 non stop – 2,200 yards before run
Thursday – wet suit strangulation and 2,600 yards of fun after I took it off! I barely survived this swim. I had 8 reps though a cycle and I was losing it around 4. I wanted to get out of the pool and cry but somehow, after 1 hour and 15 minutes, I finished. And then I ran. I’m not sure how I made it, other then to remind myself that I love to run. Over and over and over. It worked.
Sunday – 20 minute warm-up and then 30 minute continuous swim for 1,500 for a grand total of 2,600 yards. Thank you WaterFi iPod for keeping me sane!
Total = 6,700 yards
GEAR
So, I need some honesty here. I absolutely love all things Betty Designs however, her prints are on the loud side. < – – massive understatement
I have a cycle shirt and tri shorts and I’m thinking of getting the tri kit. Am I too old to wear this? Level with me:
Part of me just wants to “blend in” at races and this is not what one wears to “blend” in. I’m also pretty sure this is not what one wears when having grey hair.
FUEL
I’m back on my muffin kick and loving it. I found this recipe at wholesomelicious on Pinterest:
I’ve been devouring them after my training sessions. I slice one open, toast it up and slather some peanut butter on it. I know they already have peanut butter IN them but, did you see my training this past week? A girl needs all the protein she can get…
Lest you think all I do is swim, bike and run…I also bake! Hardly ever but when it happens I show it off like I’m the recipe creator. #GoBig
THINGS I LOVE
My ambassadorship with Fleet Feet Longmeadow!
I was so excited to talk with their couch to 5k group this past week about one of my favorite topics – mental strength. Newbies are just so happy to be running but sometimes woefully unprepared for how mentally tough it can get out there.
The night I spoke with them it was cold and rainy outside (of course) but not too much was said about the weather. Mostly the group was milling around chatting about running, running clothing and their upcoming race. They were so welcoming to me and were shaking their heads in agreement as I spoke.
Eager, awesome runners who were raring to GO!
I was also able to give them each a Foot Note of Motivational Wrap of their choice from Momentum Jewelry. When I reached out to Amy at Momentum to tell her what I was doing, she did not hesitate to send me a box full of motivation! The group (including two men) could not get their hands on this stuff fast enough…a feeling I know all too well.
Come and get your motivation!
This week I talk to the marathon group!
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
As I said at the start, I am ready for my taper. I hit a serious mental wall in the last two days of training last week. For both workouts on Thursday and Friday all I could think about it was when it would be over. Definitely not a good place to be and the perfect time for a rest day. Maybe two.
This is my “stick a fork in me” face, taken after my bike/run/bike/run/bike/run/bike/run last Friday.
Luckily for me, it was the day of my 10 year wedding anniversary and a bunch of us went to Sol Toro at Mohegan Sun Casino for a post-cinco de mayo party complete with dueling pianos! After my second margarita I felt like I could conquer anything!
READING/VIDEOS
For anyone who is training for a half marathon, I recently wrote a piece for Training Peaks listing the many do’s and don’ts I have learned the hard way, after racing a crap ton of them, and doing so many things wrong. Learn from my mistakes – – > HOW TO TRAIN FOR YOUR FIRST HALF MARATHON
Amy Schumer has totally redeemed herself in my book with this hilarious video about how men in congress should have absolutely nothing to do with women’s health:
RANDOM TWEET OF THE WEEK
How was your week?
What is exhausting in your life right now?
What is your favorite muffin combo?
I know I know I always say this but I LOVE starting my week with you.
And for some reason this week my fave is that picture of you speaking at fleet feet.
I adore you do that.
I love it was about a 5k and something I can relate to.
I want you to come here to a locally owned running store up the street from me and speak.
<3
I’m telling you – I absolutely LOVE taking to the new runners or those who do a 5K and are super dedicated and just love running! Nothing would make me happier than to fly south and talk to your local running group!!!! 🙂 Thank you so much Carla!
That tweet- so good! I love that you are raising other people up besides me. I’m slightly jealous about that but I can share. You are so ready for this race. And all the rain just made your grit even stronger.
You know no one raises me up the way you do Angela! 🙂 🙂 🙂
Let’s hope I feel amazing on race day because right now I just want naps and lots of them!
Ha that comment about wrestling an Octopus made me LOL. Sometimes I feel like a taper comes at the best time, when we are most ready for it. I normally feel mentally exhausted when taper time comes around and I’m always so thankful for it.
I always love when I can make the queen LOLZ, LOL 🙂 Makes my day!
And yes, the mental exhaustion is getting to me this time around. The taper is here right when I need it for so many reasons. Thanks Hollie!
22 miles in mostly rain?! Good grief!! But you are almost at the finish line! I’ve so enjoyed going through this cycle with you!! You are sooo ready for Sunday!!
So awesome about the fleet feet session, I also need to work on my mental strength, you should have recorded it and put it on YouTube!!
Would I wear the outfit? Nah. Would I pick it out for you to wear? Nah. Lol.
That tweet is hysterical!!
One of the girls at the store recorded some of it but not all of it. I didn’t even think to record the whole thing and here I am calling myself a blogger!!! Pffff.
Thank you for being honest about the outfit!! I knew I could count on you!
And that tweet – I just can’t. Hilarious.
NOT too old to wear that kit. I actually could easily envision you wearing it – you just gotta own that thing – which you will by kicking ass! 🙂 I’m so excited for you – no matter what the weather, you’re ready!
Thank you so much Courtney!! And, I think you hit the nail on the head – if I truly wanted to wear that, it would be a no brainer. The fact that I’m over thinking it is probably telling me something. I usually just OWN IT!
I don’t think you want to blend in–you need to stand out! I love that kit! You’re awesome and you need to rock it.
When I trained for Chicago last fall, I felt like you did. Extremely heavy legs and fatigued a few weeks before. That was all part of the plan, because my coach wanted me to train on tired legs to mentally prepare me for those tough final miles.
Yep, you got this.
Thank you so much for your constant encouragement though this whole process and being so relatable!! My coach is doing the exact same thing – training to finish strong on tired legs and a tired mind. From this point on, I just need to be positive and know I have done all I could to prepare!!
I love muffins….so I am going to look that up and make it this week…. I love cappuccino chocolate chip, lemon coconut,….pretty much everything ….. You’ve got this race. Enjoy the taper week! Very excited for you!
Thank you Paria and cappuccino chocolate? OMG I would die. Love that combo!!
It sounds like your training is exactly where it should be- ready for that taper! I can’t believe race week is here! You have nailed this training cycle. It amazes me that even when all you can think about is quitting- you don’t! #impressed
Thank you so much Laura. You know how it can be when you’re in the pain cave and your mind is working against you. That’s when all these years of mental training has to kick in, because I’m sure I will feel the same in the last 5K on race day!!
I cannot believe this week is already here either. Frightening.
Oh you are so ready! You are inspiring me to get off my ass and get going with my biking. I’ve been slack in that department and I need to re-acquaint myself! Wetsuits are the worst, I always feel like I am being choked. That kit is crazy wild but you could pull it off for you are a total rockstar!
Thank you so much Sandra!! And yes, the chokehold of the wetsuit is killing me. I hate that I haven’t been able to swim in open water because it’s been too cold here but, it’s only one part of the race so…
And YES – get on that bike woman!! It will feel so good too after that that marathon training and running 🙂
I love the term “stick a fork in me” because it’s so visual and exactly how I feel after a tough workout. Great job at this last week before tapering. I don’t know how you are able to hit those running paces after swimming and biking. MIND BLOWN. I’m getting into the tough weeks for this marathon training and I get panicky about it if I look ahead too much, so I try to just take it one day, one workout, one MILE at a time.
OMG yes – me too! I can’t look too far ahead in my training plan because I get overwhelmed!! But you are so KILLING your training so just keep doing what you’re doing and one day, one mile, one step at a time 🙂
HOORAY for TAPER!!! ohmygosh I’M excited for your taper! You are absolutely ready and I can’t wait to cheer you on this weekend! You’re going to do so great if not just because you are the crazy person that rides in the rain. Seriously, there is nothing that scares me more! And muffins? I used to LOVE muffins but I think that I’ve fallen out of love with them. My kids on the other hand will devour them and love zucchini muffins.
Thanks Christine. I’m now just riding that nervous-scared-excited feeling until race day 🙂
Hooray for taper! That’s the best feeling, to finish off training and get to the taper and just feel READY (and, well, mentally and physically tired). I’m excited for you for your race on Sunday! The rain if anything just makes you mentally stronger.
I love muffins – pretty much all I bake is loaf bread and muffins. Blueberry and chocolate chip tie for my favorite. Put them together = winning.
Now I will have to stalk your muffin recipes on your site – I’m sure there are tons 🙂 Thanks so much Laura and at least I will be prepared for rain but, right now, the forecast is 64 and sunny!
Isn’t the taper the BEST? I absolutely did not get the taper crazies this cycle! I was so ready for the the rest 🙂
Okay, you are going to do what you need/want to do as far as the racing kit, but I think it’s COOL. My friend, you can totally rock that kit!! But, do what makes you feel comfortable.
So excited for you!!! You have put in ALL the work and you are ready!! I’ll be cheering for you!!
PS: LOVE that tweet!
Thanks so much for saying that about the kit Nat! I totally just have to OWN whatever I’m going to wear, right?
And yes, I am as ready as I will ever be 🙂 Let’s do this!
I actually really love that Tri Suit but I’m into colors and prints so maybe I’m not the best person to ask? Haha.
I just made mini carrot muffins for Cooper. He loved them. He spit them out as soon as he ate them. #motheroftheyear
I got the suit. I love it. 🙂
Kids do that all.the.time and my boys hate homemade muffins but eat the ones that come in bags from their school cafeteria. So gross.
Killer week again! I really don’t know how you do it! I agree that mental fortitude is totally needed. I LOVE the tri suit! I would totally wear it and I’m older than you! Amy Schumer’s video was hilarious and totally accurate!
SO glad you said that because I bought it 🙂 Thanks so much Kris!