Chicago Marathon training week six is in the books! This week was a jump in mileage and my first week of six days of running. It was a challenging week but I feel like the building up is happening gradually and safely. Each week during this training cycle, 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. On to the recap!
Monday: Four easy miles before work. The weather wasn’t awful and I was grateful for that – little did I know that the weather would turn later in the week.
Tuesday: First speed workout of this cycle. On tap was 12x400s. My goal pace was 2:06 for each 400. I ran most of them in the 1:58-2:02 range, so felt pretty good about that. Also, the weather gods gave us a gift Tuesday – it wasn’t very hot and the humidity was manageable.
Wednesday: Pure Barre after work.
Thursday: First Tempo Thursday. Woof. It was a hot one and my run was hard. However, I got it done AND I ran each tempo mile under marathon goal pace. In the interest of full disclosure, I did have to stop for shade after almost every tempo mile – I was so.freaking.hot. But I got it done.
Friday: Four miles with Pure Barre run club – it was a “chase shade and find sprinklers” kind of run.
Saturday: 10 early morning miles with my run group. The weather was not amazing but we got it done.
Sunday: 5 easy Sunday miles with Caitlin and with that, I was done. I took a two hour nap in the afternoon because I was just so tired from burning the candle at both ends during the week.
Total mileage for the week: 36.4 miles
Total mileage for the year: 671.45 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 130.96 miles
Overall, I’m pleased with the work I put in this week. I’m trying to just take each week and each run as they come – otherwise I get too freaked out. This week is about the same mileage wise, so I should be able to handle it just fine – hoping for maybe more sleep, though!
How was your training this week?
I find posting my runs keeps me accountable as well. I find it keeps me moving towards my goals of cross training and getting stronger.
I’m glad you had a great week. It definitely sounds like it.
Thanks – it was a pretty solid week!!
Great job on your first week of running six days with speedwork and tempo runs! It sounds like your tempo run was great, but my coach did say that the first runs at race pace may feel tough because you haven’t been practicing that pace. I know a similar week is in my future, but like you I’m just taking it day by day.
Day by day and run by run is my motto! This weather is only making me tougher…right? 🙂
This heat and humidity is just brutal. I didn’t have time to run yesterday morning, so I waited until the last possible moment before sunset to head out for my run. I don’t think I’ve ever started a run after 8pm before!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon Training Log – Week 3
The weather is awful. Hoping this bit of rain we just got cools it down some.
Wow. Awesome job getting all that mileage in. You are doing great. Sprinkler runs sound amazing. I wonder if you could convince the neighbors to set them out for you.
I am at about 25 or so and honestly think I’ll peak around 40. I need those rest days.
Abby @BackatSquareZero recently posted…How I am Doing Lately – Medical Drama
Abby – you need some sprinkler runs in your life, trust me. 🙂 I think you are doing great and definitely keep those rest days in there!
Nice workouts! Taking time to recover between tempo segments is a good thing! I think the weather is supposed to be brutal again this weekend. 🙁
Oh boy I can’t imagine running all those miles in all the heat and humidity. Great job getting it done, Courtney!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Philly Marathon Pre-Training Weeks 5 and 6 Recap
Good workouts! I am actually amazing your acievement. So good! Certainly, you will be a great runner in the next time. Wishing you reach many better results in the following races.
Hi Courtney! Awesome job on those workouts and keeping with it despite the increasing heat! This will motivate me to finish my week strong!