Week one of marathon training is finished, and it was a great success! I was a little nervous about my long run today because Matt and I celebrated our anniversary in the usual indulgent way: a heavy dinner, drinks, and dessert.
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| Blurry post-dinner selfie! |
Because I'll be traveling this afternoon and I'll be in unfamiliar territory Saturday morning, I chose to do my long run a day early, even if that meant getting up at 5am the day after our anniversary celebration. (A perk of summer break - I can fit my long-runs in on a weekday!)
I like knowing I have that flexibility if I need it because, with how busy this summer is shaping up to be, I may need to move my runs around a bit next week, too.
I have to shout out to Chris from the Sub30 Club because without her daily EMC (early morning club...or crew? I never know!) posts on Facebook, I'm not sure I could tear myself out of bed.
The run started a little rough because I had some hair and headband malfunctions (I tried a new brand today and I'm not sure it's really right for me), but once I got into it, I felt amazing. My plan called for 8 miles at 11:25. I stopped at the park at mile 4 to eat some Fruit Buddies (recommended by Heather and seriously brilliant!) and refill my water bottle. I finished with an average pace of 11:17, so I was totally happy with that!
I know 8 miles isn't technically a long run, and in the past I could have run this at a much faster pace, but it's the farthest I've gone in a long time, and it was a huge confidence booster. I was concerned about doing it alone and motivating myself, especially with the weather we've been having, but it ended up being amazing.
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| On my route home I caught a little graffiti that cheered me on! |
I felt strong the entire time, and I think I'm finally getting used to the humidity. It got a little steamy once the sun came up, but by then I only had 1.5 miles to go and I just gutted it out and finished with mile 8 being my fastest of the run.
And I gotta tell you, it was fantastic to jump into my very own pool the minute I got home!
This weekend is going to be a whirlwind. I'm so glad my training for the week is taken care of so I don't have to stress about fitting runs in with all the traveling I'll be doing.
How has your training been this week?
Do you have a long-run scheduled for this weekend?
What do you consider officially a "long" run?
ABK
Wow, I am impressed that you got up after an anniversary dinner to get in a long run. I'm sure I would have turned my alarm off and kept on sleeping :) I hope you have a great trip!
ReplyDeleteRight now I consider anything 12+ miles a 'long' run, and I have 12 with a fast finish on my schedule for this Saturday. I've never done a run so long where I had to include a fast finish so I'm properly nervous!
How was your 12-miler? I bet you owned it!
DeleteYou are so impressive! And you have to remember, 8 miles is a long way for most people! You are going to do so well this race.
ReplyDeleteIt really is all about perspective...there was a time 8 seemed impossible!
DeleteAh jumping in the pool must be so refreshing! There was a time that 13 was a long run for me. Right now, 8 is a long run!
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how "long" changes with our training!
DeleteFantastic job on your week of training!!! my week of marathon training started this week as well. 8 miles is a long run! you should be super proud!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited to follow your training...I wonder if our easy/speed/long schedules will line up!
Delete8 miles is totally a long run! Great job rockin' it!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYay for week one being done and in the books! I love that summer offers flexibility!
PS~If you are going to post about jumping in your NEW pool after long runs, I don't think we will be able to friends ;-)
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em...I mean, join ME in the pool, of course!!
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