Journal: Hayley Lyons - training and traveling

Week 9

Intro:  I have a bit of a dilemma with my training this week.  I’m going to Virginia on Friday after work, and on Saturday, I’m headed to a family football tailgate with my boyfriend and his family, which means I won’t be able to get my long run in.  I’m trying to figure out what to do.  Here are my two options:

 

  • Get up very early on Friday morning and complete the 14 miles.
  • Count this week as a step-back week.  I’m running a half-marathon in Greenville next weekend and was planning on adding the extra .9 anyway.

    This week calls for a slight increase in the weekday mileage.

Monday:  4 miles.

My legs were still a little stiff today from Saturday’s long run, but I was able to get a decently paced run in regardless.

 

Tuesday:  7 miles.

I ran an entirely new route today that was exactly 7 miles!  I was able to see a lot of other early morning runners.  My pace was admittedly a little off this morning, so the last mile was essentially a sprint to make sure I at least made good time.

Tomorrow morning at 6:15 I’m going for an easy 4-mile run with a girl I met through the Charlotte Running Club!

Wednesday:   4 miles.

The girl I was supposed to run with this morning texted me early to tell me she was sick.  I was sad to miss her today but still got my run in and will run with her another time soon.

Thursday:  7 miles

Usually I take Thursday off, but I’ve decided to attempt to get my long run in tomorrow so that I can enjoy my weekend in Virginia.  I feel fine, and, as of right now, I see no reason that I won’t complete my long run tomorrow.

Friday:  13.2 miles.

I had to cut my run just a little bit short because I was going to be late for work.

Okay, fine.  I could’ve totally finished that last .8, and it wouldn’t have made a huge difference.  I miscalculated my run (my watch was out of battery), and, when I realized, I decided to call it a day at 13.2.  Next week is supposed to be a step-back week, which I’m skipping to run a half-marathon plus .9 miles.  I’ll just consider this week a semi-step back week.

Saturday:  Off.

Sunday:  Off.

Total:  35.2 miles.

Conclusion:  The increase in the weekday mileage this week was successful.  It’s amazing how much more accomplished I feel after a 7 mile run than after a 6 mile run, even though there’s only a mile difference.  And, although it was only 13.2, I’m glad that I got in a decently long run this week.  I was able to enjoy the weekend without feeling like I’d slacked too much.  And I had SUCH a fun weekend in Richmond.  I love my boyfriend’s family and am now adamantly trying to find a marathon to run near them.

I’m headed back to Greenville on Friday for the Spinx Run Fest half-marathon.  I’ll be running the half…plus an extra .9 to complete my 14 miler.