I took this week as a recovery week after last weekend’s half marathon PR. I thought it was important for me to recover, regroup and focus on what my new goal will be for my half in March (more on that in a forthcoming post). Anyway, on the this week’s half marathon training recap. Each week during this training cycle (I’m training for the B&A Trail Half Marathon – a relatively small, rails to trail half in March), I will share how my training went and what the week looked like. I do this because: 1) I love reading about how other folks train and 2) it’s great for me to have a record of what I did each week. Also, honestly, it helps keep me accountable when I know I’ll be writing about it. I also post almost all of my runs on Instagram as well. I’ve started a weekly link up for Training Recaps – let’s support each other as we train this winter! Please do link up!
Monday: A challenging hike up a mountain in Phoenix. Boy did my quads HATE me by the time the hike was done!
Tuesday: OH MY WORD. My legs were on FIRE. 2.5 very slow miles in the morning and then a three mile walk home after work for 5.5 total on the day.
Wednesday: Rest day is the best day!
Thursday: Just under 5 miles run commuting home with Caitlin! So fun!
Friday: Another rest day – I tried very intentionally to take a rest this week. While I didn’t take the whole week off running, I figured I deserved a bit of recovery after a very strong race.
Saturday: Ten very CHILLY miles with my run club gals. The 9:42 pace felt very easy, which was nice!
Sunday: Twenty minutes of Jasyoga – hip reset. It was very much needed and felt great!
Total mileage for the week: 17.3 miles (plus a few more walking, but I don’t count those in my total)
Total mileage for the year: 151.19 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 274.74 miles
How was your week? Who else sometimes needs a GOOD stretch?

I felt like that last week–that I needed a really good stretch. I got in 2 yoga classes which gave me just what I needed!
Heading over to read your race recap!
I think you deserved some rest this week after last weekend’s speedy half! Saturday morning was chilly and a bit of a shock after some unseasonably milder mornings, wasn’t it?
Debbie @ Deb Runs recently posted…A Race And Marathon TV Watching
You did the right thing taking a recovery week. I think I need one honestly. It takes a lot of guts to take a step back and take a day or two off, or not do workouts one week just run easy, etc. You were still very active :).
Yoga is the BEST! I started going 2x a week and it’s helped my hips and legs so much. I feel like downward dog gives my ankles a good stretch too.
Amen to the yoga! When I feel even the slightest hint of something odd brewing with my body, I sign up for a hot yoga class or two. It’s like a cheap massage + cheap therapy all rolled into one. Congrats on your PR in Phoenix, what a huge accomplishment!
Amanda recently posted…Pittsburgh Marathon Training: Week 4
Thank you – I need to do more yoga – I do love Jasyoga 🙂
You definitely earned the easy week, Courtney. Congrats again on your new PR!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll DC Half Marathon Training Log – Week 5
What is this Jasyoga? I have a friend who volunteers to do trail maintenance in the Phoenix area — so lovely!
Jasyoga is an awesome online source of yoga videos specifically meant for runners and athletes! I think you’d love it!
Definitely a smart move to recover after your race. That hike looks awesome, I need to find some fun hikes to do this year! Great job!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Love Run Half Marathon Training Week 5 Recap
Wow! It was a great read. This is the first time I am reading your blog but this is really amazing. This is making me feel the distance more manageable. God bless you!
smart move to take a recovery week, especially after your HM PR!!! your body will thank you during your March half!
reading your post is a stark reminder that I desperately need to try yoga!!!!
hope you have a great week ahead!
Yay for taking some time to recover from your big race! I’m on day 8 of a 30 day yoga challenge and I’m loving it. Heading over to read the race recap 🙂
Alaina @ The Simple Peach recently posted…February Goals
You know I can’t live without my Jasyoga! Also, why does that MOUNTAIN look much more tame in your picture than it did in real life?!! GAH!!! I’m so glad you took a little bit of a break this week; you need it!
You definitely deserved a break after your speedy half! Sounds like you’ve had a great recovery week.
I had a real struggle with last weeks training, had very little motivation to run – however, I ended on a high with a 10k pb, so all is well 🙂
Just read your race recap. Sounds like a really great race. Congrats on placing in your age group!! That’s the icing on the new PR cake for sure 🙂
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures recently posted…Weekend running – long, packed and under-calculated.
Thank you – definitely icing on the cake 🙂
I heart jasyoga and try to do at least one video a day, even a quick one! Has done wonders for my little niggles and tight areas.
You had a solid training week. 🙂
Nice week! I need to go back and read about that PR!! Hey, what’s jasyoga?? Sounds like it might be interesting.
Jess @ run pink recently posted…#Marathon Monday {WK 5} Build Your Wings While You Fall
You really are a serious runner, respect. I’m training for a marathon with SportMe running appwhich calculates distance, pace, time and calories and adjusts running plans to my progress.