I really appreciate the comments about my last post. I think getting all that off my chest helped me feel a little relief. I also had a great phone conversation with my boss on Friday. While this may not be my dream job she helped me understand how to make it work for me and my life. She encouraged me to call her anytime I’m feeling overwhelmed.

Despite the stress I was feeling, I had a great first week of marathon training.

A note on the paces: Goal paces for now (you can go by feel here and just notice how you match up to the paces suggested)!

Recover runs: 10:00-11:00 pace

Easy runs: 9:45-10:30 pace

Steady state runs: 9:15-9:45 pace (just do moderate effort up Skinner Mountain)

Stride workouts: 25 seconds at 8:30 pace building to 7:30 pace

• Monday, 6/8 – 45 to 60 minute Recovery Run or cross train

I ran 6.02 miles in 1:01:43 for an average pace of 10:15 min/mile. I also did a short lunchtime run with my friend. We ran 2.04 mile at an average pace of 15:07 min/mile.

• Tuesday, 6/9 – 60 to 75 minute Pace Booster Run: Run 20 or 30 minutes at Steady State Pace in the middle of the run (Up skinner mountain for example)

It was a very hot and humid run. I ran 6.41 miles in 1:15:09 at an average pace of 11:44 min/mile. I did a warm up 2 miles or so before running up Skinner Mountain. I wandered around for a few minutes at the top and then ran down and continued on for a mile and a half cool down. Later in the evening while our boys were in Karate, Kate and I ran 1.86 miles at an average pace of 14:48 min/mile.

• Wednesday, 6/10 – Off or Yoga

I really wanted to do a nice 30-45 minutes of yoga, but a late start to a busy day made for a late night. I managed a few sun salutations and that’s about it.

• Thursday, 6/11 – 40 to 50 minute Easy Run

I ran 4.56 miles in 46.51 min at an average pace of 10:17 min/mile. 

• Friday, 6/12 – 50 to 70 minute Easy Run with Stride Workout: 12 to times 25 seconds starting at 5K and progressing down to Mile race effort with 1 minute recovery jog between

6.36 mile run in 1:3:35. Average pace means nothing here because I was interrupted by 2 phone calls before I started running the strides. I also forgot my Garmin to keep track of my pace during the strides. I loved doing the stride work though. I am determined to train treadmill free so this was my first attempt at any kind of speed work off the treadmill. It was actually kind of fun. 

• Saturday, 6/13 – 45 to 60 minute Recovery Run or cross train

I worked Friday into Saturday and then held a yard sale most of the day. NEVER AGAIN! I made $40 and ended up donating most of it to the Goodwill. What the Goodwill wouldn’t take I left on the front yard and all but two things were taken. It was a ton of work, but the best part is that my basement is almost all cleared out.

Afterwards my friend and I then took the kids strawberry picking. Needless to say I was in bed by 7! No run, no workout unless you call lifting bins and furniture and then doing squats to pick strawberries. I’m calling it a cross training day!

• Sunday, 6/14 – Lake Wyola Road Race

Some things just don’t work out the way you plan. At the last minute I had no one to watch Carlos during the Lake Wyola Road Race (totally my mistake), but I was minutes away from picking up my three friends who were also running. So Carlos and I became spectators. We actually went on a short hike across from the starting area and then chilled at the finish line cheering for everyone coming through. I’m never disappointed by time spent with Carlos. He was such a good sport about the day. The girls did an awesome job running Wyola. It is a challenging race. It’s a 4.8 mile race around the lake. There is a short flat start that quickly turns into 3 miles of uphill before finally heading down gentle rolling downhills. It’s one of my favorite races. I’m not sure my friends are quite so enamored with the race, but they did it! I last ran Lake Wyola in 2013 and hope to return next year.

I set out for a run later in the evening when Orlando came home from working. I got a bit lost in my thoughts and 10.05 miles later I returned home. I ran 10.05 miles in 1:43:57 at an average pace of 10:20 min/mile.

I opted for a Monday through Sunday plan. I think it’s easier to start my training week on a Monday which allows me the flexibility to do my long run on either Saturday or Sunday. I’m enjoying running a lot right now. I’m eating in a way that makes me feel good. I’m still working on getting back into the groove of an early morning routine. I’m not really as focused on my pace as it might seem, though I am making an effort to build it up again. I’m very curious to see how I improve over the course of the training. Overall I was very pleased with the running I did this week.