Boston Marathon Training {week 4}

Coming off of a not-so-great week, I had high(er) expectations for week 4.  Week 4 did not disappoint.  I felt really strong and was able to push through all of my workouts without cutting back or “cheating”.  Friday’s tempo workout was really hard and I was really happy when it was over.  Sunday’s long run was something new for me: progression.  I like the start off slow part, it’s the finish fast part I’m not so sure about {ha}.   

Mileage: 42

Monday {rest day} – I did nothing – no running, no yoga, no gym.  Sometimes it feels really good to give my body a rest!

Tuesday {track} – This was an intense, but great, workout.  2 mile warm-up, 2 mile-cool down

1×1 mile (6:23 pace)
4x800m (3:07, 3:04, 3:04, 2:57)

{it was 60 degrees on Tuesday morning – can you believe that I ran in my sports bra in January?  I wasn’t the only one: guys with no shirts, girls in sports bras, shorts.  Crazy, but awesome, weather!}

Wednesday {4-6 miles} – 5 mile morning run.  Felt good, nothing too exciting to  report on this one.

Thursday {rest day} – Yoga.  Bikram seems to get harder with each class – but I love the idea of pushing through when possible (building that mental toughness), and “taking a knee” when I need to.

Friday {tempo run} – this was a really hard workout.  Not only was the mileage high (9 total) but 3×2 mile repeats is BORING.  

2 mile warm-up, 3×2 miles – 14:02, 13:57, 13:45, 2 mile cool-down

Saturday {6-8 miles} – I ran an easy 6.  It was a beautiful day and about half-way through the run I thought to myself: “When you are running 45 mile weeks, 6 miles seems like nothing.”  When did I become a {distance} runner?

Sunday {14-16 miles} – I ran a 15 mile (progression run).  Start slow, end fast.  The “slow” part seems cool, the “fast” part not-so-much. 

Miles 1-5: 8:50-9:00/min pace
Miles 6-10: 8:20-8:30/min pace
Miles 11-15: 7:20 pace

The last 4 miles were hard (the muddy C&O canal trail covered in rocks didn’t help) but I was able to push through the pain.  Good news is that I’m not exhausted cardio-wise – I just need to push through the physical pain (mostly in my left calf).  I proceeded to go home, take a bath and relax.  {the one true perk of a long, slow run!} 

4 down, 11 to go!

How do you {celebrate} a long run? 

Comments

  1. Congrats on the great week! Hope the calf is feeling better soon!! 😉

  2. So great to have you out there regularly. Take care of that calf, though! About 18 months ago, I had a tight, slightly ouchy calf that I couldn’t work out of. I did a workout anyway, and gave myself an acute case of plantar fascitis on the last rep (suddenly I was limping). Missed several weeks (and my goal race)

    So, I’m a bit paranoid about tight calves. Please take care of yourself, because you’ve got a ton of potential.

    For the record, I thought Tuesday was ridiculously sticky….

  3. whoop! nice week, and awesome finish to the LR!

  4. great week! Boston watch out! Your track workouts and tempo runs are truly inspirational – I wish I had the mental toughness to push through that type of speed and distance on a track!

  5. We ran the exact same amount of mileage! But I definitely didn’t bang out mile repeats and 800s like that! You were MOVING! And my long run was a nice and even 9:00, slow pace. I love following the training of someone else training for Boston.

    Seriously can’t get over those 800s. Whoa, mama!

  6. I love seeing what everyone did during the week with their workout. Keeps me going! Erica

  7. You had some great workouts. I really don’t like 800 repeats and you did fab on yours! I like to celebrate a long run with a hot bubble bath and a good book. 🙂

  8. Keep it going girl!! Rock it out.. FYI I tagged you today.

  9. Nice week! I’m really looking forward to coming back to workouts in a few weeks.

  10. Good week! After a long run I enjoy a shower and then reading blogs and napping 🙂

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