I can not believe I will be running a marathon in 40 days. At the same time, I’m SO ready to be done with this marathon training cycle 🙂 This week was tough because I was in Los Angeles Monday – Wednesday. It was one of the first times I’ve found it difficult to run while on travel. I was staying in downtown LA, with no car so I had no really good options for runs outside. And the dreadmill is NOT my friend.
Basically Monday – Wednesday was a wash. I got in a few very short runs that aren’t really worth mentioning (about 4 miles total). I was feeling kinda meh by the time I was back in DC.
Thursday I had planned to run before barre class at Barre 3, but traffic scaled that goal back and I only ran 1 mile before class. Which ended up being smart because whew! Class was a killer!
On Friday, I stopped by City Sports on my way home because they were having a sale and I wanted to see the prices on one of my wish list items. Lucky me, they had the exact camelback I wanted for sale! I scooped that bad boy up and went home to do a quick test run. [note: I spoke with Richmond Marathon directors and they WILL be allowing camelbacks during the race –woohoo!]
Saturday morning, I ran the Mind Your Health 5k. This was a small 5k (300 people) that the race director asked me to run and promote in exchange for a free bib. It’s supporting an awesome organization (Mental Health Association) so I agreed. The course was great and the race was fun, with a DJ and bubbles at the start and well-organized. But geez was it HOT! We are having some unseasonably warm weather here in DC and I was so glad I had my camelback so I could drink water throughout the race. I really enjoyed the whole morning and was pleased that I ran a few seconds faster than my 5k last weekend.
from L to R clockwise: the starting line, the route, list of finishers (62nd!) and me with Juile, the race organizer.
Since I ran a race on Saturday, my long run was moved to Sunday. I decided to run with Janelle and Nadine, since we’d had so much fun at the Clarendon Day Double last weekend. The ladies wanted to run some hills to prepare themselves for the Nike Women’s Half in San Francisco. That meant that I agreed to run the Trail of Death (i.e. the Custis Trail). If you google this trail, one of the most striking things you’ll notice is all the references to the hills. Well, I can tell you that this trail is for.real. SO many hills. 4 miles of them to be exact. Whew. By mile 2, I knew this was going to be a tough run. And it was. The first four miles on the Trail of Death were all 11 minute miles. The miles off the trail were 10:30 minute miles. But that’s to be expected when you run giant hills! All told, it took me 2:37 to run 14 miles (the last two miles I ran by myself – the ladies only ran 12). it’s pretty exciting to have run my longest distance EVER! What wasn’t expected was the Pacers Oasis with bathrooms, water and Nunn set up near where we started our run. It was so nice to see friendly faces and treats while I was finishing the last two miles alone. Thank you Pacers!
The great Pacers Oasis was a highlight!
Tell me about your weekend? Any fun new purchases or great (or not so great) runs?
Great job running those hills!! You’re going to rock the Richmond marathon!
Thanks Natalie!! It was a tough way to begin a run 🙂
Awesome long run – way to go on 14 miles! It was super hot out there, I had issues with my 8-miler!
It was NASTY! And now I have some weird mutant mosquito (hoping it was a mosquito) bite on my leg. It’s so gross. Ew :/ However, I hear that this storm today should bring us cooler weather!
There was a Pacers Oasis at the Key Bridge for our run too! So awesome! Especially on such a warm day!! They rock! Congrats on your longest run!!
Nice! It was pretty awesome that they did that. And thanks 🙂
Traveling always makes it difficult to keep up with training. We were in Philly this weekend, which meant I had to move my long run to Friday evening before we left. I nixed my Thursday run because of moving my long run to Friday, which meant I only ran twice this week. 🙁
Hey, it happens, right? Don’t get down on yourself — just pick it back up this week! That’s my plan, at least 🙂
I am impressed that you even run when you are out of town. I have a really hard time doing it when I’m away from home. Unless I am back in my hometown, then I run with friends. =)
Betsy, I travel so frequently, that I really don’t have a choice but to run when I travel 🙂
Ah! 40 days to go! So soon 🙂 I totally feel you on getting kind of tired of marathon training. But it’s going to be worth it when you’re super ready for the 26.2!
Here’s hoping, Amanda!! 🙂
Glad to hear Richmond’s allowing camelbaks! I was going to run it (& run w/ one) but am coming back from injury and probably won’t. Hope they make public announcement soon. IMHO, races need to decide & announce ASAP – hopefully before the start of average training plan length for the race – so we can train as we will race.
Wishing you the best of luck, way to hang tough w/ travel & trail!
Hey — thanks so much 🙂 I’m reallllly glad that Richmond is still allowing camelbacks! Sorry you won’t be running the race – hope your recovery goes smoothly!
LOVE LOVE LOVE your shoes in that last picture. 40 days huh?! I’m with you on ready for this training cycle to be over! We need a tropical vacation once it’s done like that last picture!
Thanks Emma — they are Mizuno Wave Riders — with my sweat pink laces, of course 🙂 They are super comfortable – I’m about to purchase another pair, since I’m almost at 300 miles. And YES to tropical vacay – that would be AMAZING!