Towpath Half Marathon Training #7

Another tough week in training has come and gone.  I'm coming to the realization that my runs during the week always feel great and my legs are full of energy, then by the time I get to my long run I'm exhausted and struggle to finish.  Does anyone else have that problem?  

This week featured a tough speed workout, my longest training run yet, and lots of fun cross training.  Only two more weeks to go, and I'm definitely getting anxious, nervous and excited.  Let's take a look back at this week to see how my training went!


Monday

5 miles easy / 47:20 / 9:26 pace
I ran in the morning before work, and felt so great.  The morning was cool and dark, and I ran a different route.  The run went by really quickly and I felt terrific the entire time!

Tuesday

 6 miles interval / 50:45 / 8:27 pace
1 mile warm-up, followed by 3x1600 repeats with  800 recovery jog in between.  I felt really great on this run, and all of my intervals were in the 7:30 range.  It was a lot faster than I was aiming for, but for some reason on these long interval runs my legs just want to go.  The Pitt cross country team was also working out on my oval, so that probably pushed me to run harder.  I finished with a mile cool-down.

Wednesday

3.3 miles easy / 34:00 / 10:18 pace
 I ran with the True Runner Run Club.  I was happy that Dan and Lynne joined me, and we had a great run.  The course went through CMU's campus, up the Schenley golf course, then back to Shadyside via Wilkins.  Very hilly and challenging course, but I loved it and was chatting away the entire time.  The run flew by and my legs felt great!

Thursday

500 yard swim
Today was a rest day, so I thought it would be a perfect time to go to the gym and swim!  I remembered to count my laps today, and practiced breathing regularly.  This really seemed to make a difference, and I could do a few laps without stopping.  My gym's pool is 25 yards, so I did 100 yards free style to warm up, 50 yards backstroke, 50 yards breast stroke, 200 yards free style, 50 yards breast stroke, 50 yards back stroke. 

Friday

5 miles easy / 49:30 / 9:54 pace
Another beautiful morning run.  I ran the same route from Monday, which I'm really loving!  My legs and body felt great, but after about 3 miles I started to feel really nauseous.  I think for runs longer than 3 miles I need to start eating something small before I go, because I could definitely tell that I was running on empty, and my stomach was not happy about it.

Saturday

3 mile hike
Dan, Selma and I took a little trip down to Ohiopyle State Park and hiked on the Ferncliff Trail.  I'll post more about this on Monday, but it was gorgeous and the perfect fall morning workout!

Sunday

11 miles / 1:45:44 / 9:35 pace
This was not a very good run overall, so I'm just happy that I got all my miles in and didn't stop at mile 5 like I wanted to.  I ran on the Southside River trail and part of the Great Allegheny Passage trail.  Can't wait to go on a bike ride on the GAP...what a gorgeous trail with so many people out!  Even though I didn't feel my best and definitely struggled through this run, I'm happy that it was my longest training run ever and ended another 30+ mile week!  This means that when I'm tapering and have to do 13.1, it should feel easy...right?

Who raced this weekend?? 
Does anyone else struggle with the long run?  Any advice?
What is your favorite way to cross train in the fall?

 Linking up with HoHoRuns and MissSippiPiddlin for the Weekly Wrap

Comments

  1. Fairytales and FitnessSeptember 27, 2015 at 11:25 AM

    Great runs! I have noticed now that I am embarking on longer runs that they are going better than my shorter mid week runs. I have a feeling it has a lot to do with the weather though. During the week I run at 4pm when it is still hot and on weekends I am able to start my runs in the morning. So yea, i'm pretty sure the heat has everything to do with it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunSeptember 28, 2015 at 7:07 AM

      I felt like I was doing better in the warm weather for some reason! I think the wind bothers me more than humidity, plus I want to finish a lot quicker when it's hot. I'm hoping that this changes..fast!

      Delete
  2. UnknownSeptember 27, 2015 at 12:25 PM

    Great week & nice work pushing through on your long run when you wanted to quit at mile 5. My opinion on what's a good run vs. bad run is so different after following my plan. Now I feel like really tough runs where I struggle are the good runs, because pushing when it's hard & I want to quit is where I need to improve most. So in my book, your long run was a good one too!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunSeptember 28, 2015 at 7:08 AM

      Thanks Jennifer! I know what you mean...knowing that I'm pushing through a tough run is definitely giving me more will power and will (hopefully) come in handy on race day. Great perspective!

      Delete
  3. UnknownSeptember 27, 2015 at 5:19 PM

    You're doing great!! I find that my better long runs are done on Saturday morning. This way there is no excuse on getting it done and I am more fresh than a Sunday morning.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunSeptember 28, 2015 at 7:09 AM

      For some reason, Saturdays are always way busier for me so I have a hard time fitting in any run at all! I've always been used to doing my long runs on Sundays since that's usually when my races are..so I just try to get in that habit. That's definitely something that I can work on for next time though! Thanks for the suggestion!

      Delete
  4. Wendy at Taking the Long Way HomeSeptember 28, 2015 at 6:18 AM

    Looks like you get to train in a really pretty place! Great job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunSeptember 28, 2015 at 7:09 AM

      Thank you! I definitely am lucky that I have so many great places to run!

      Delete
  5. UnknownSeptember 28, 2015 at 8:33 AM

    Happy Monday to you! While I've continued with my running and Saturday long runs all summer, now since I'm back in official training mode, It's harder to stay motivated. I don't have a problem getting up and out the door it's I'm wishing I was done before I get started good. I've got to do better at this since I have lots of long runs left before my full! Those trails look so nice! I love to be out on the trails near us. Thank you Gretchen for linking up with us this week! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunSeptember 28, 2015 at 6:06 PM

      Happy Monday Tricia! Thanks for hosting the linkup! I'm sure once you're further in training you'll get that motivation back! I've been there, so I know the motivation can come and go. Good luck!

      Delete
  6. Heather [is probably running]September 28, 2015 at 9:51 AM

    For me, one week I can finish my long run feeling strong and other weeks they are just a struggle. I don't recall that you were running any 30+ mile weeks earlier this summer, so it is possible that you are starting to feel some accumulated fatigue from increasing your mileage. I've definitely had weeks this summer where I could tell it was time for a cutback week. Endurance gains don't happen overnight, so I would just keep trying to get in the miles, even if you have to slow down a bit.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunSeptember 28, 2015 at 6:08 PM

      Thanks for the advice as always Heather! I have started to train a lot harder for this race than I ever have in my life, so I'm thinking I'm getting a great base of fitness that will help me become a stronger runner. Sometimes it can take a year or so of hard training to see the results you want, so I have to be patient and keep putting in the work :)

      Delete
  7. HoHo RunsSeptember 28, 2015 at 4:18 PM

    I struggle on my long runs some weeks and other weeks I don't. I think that's just the nature of it. Sunday is my long run day and I admit I probably do too much on Saturday (and have too much fun). It does affect me. I can get a little nauseous on my 5 milers too just because my stomach is too empty. So, I eat just a few bites of yogurt. It seems easy to digest and I don't have to wait before I go out the door. You've had a great training cycle and will have an awesome half. I appreciate you linking with us!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gretchen BraunSeptember 28, 2015 at 6:09 PM

      Thanks for hosting the linkup Holly! I like the idea of eating yogurt..I might try that on a run and see how it goes. I also just got Picky Bars to try out, so we'll see what works!

      Delete
  8. HappyrunningsoleSeptember 29, 2015 at 4:57 PM

    Great week of training! You have some nice scenic routes. My long runs are up and down. Some weeks are definitely better than others. I like to soak in Epsom salts the night before and message my calves and thighs with Biofreeze. That usually seems to help before and after my runs.

    ReplyDelete

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