Another week of half marathon training in the books. Some of these pics are from Friday’s Fitness Snapshots post so you may have seen them, but there’s a bit more detail about my actual workouts.
Tuesday: track day – 3×1600 at 8:35 pace. This week was another hot one and so we switched our track work to the morning instead of the evening. It was tough, as I knew it would be. My garmin saved the first two miles while we were breaking before the third one so that’s why there are two separate pictures. Splits: 8:55, 8:40, 8:43. I continue to just not quite be able to hit my track paces, but given the weather and humidity, I’m not beating myself up about it. It was a tough workout and I’m proud that Julie and I got it done.
Thursday: tempo run, 6 miles at 9:38 (plus warmup and cooldown). Julie’s shins started to really bother her on Tuesday and so she took a few days off of running — which meant I was on my own. I was not very confident about this run and dreading doing it alone. Mentally, it was tough and I was kind of bored since I had no one to talk to — but I got it done and once again, had some success with my splits: 9:27, 9:13, 9:09, 9:17, 9:41 (running up Capitol Hill), 9:25. Average pace was 9:22 and although it was tough, it’s good to have a mentally tough run every once in awhile. Spoiler alert: this would not be the only mentally challenging run of the week.
Saturday: long run day – 11 miles at 10:13. Since the tempo and long runs have been so successful, I’m going to start dropping those goal times to get them closer to goal pace for race day. Saturday I was planning on testing this out, with a goal pace in the 9:40s. So really goal pace for the run was anywhere in the 9:40-9:55 range. Oh man. This run was a struggle from the beginning. I put my camelbak in the freezer the night before (as I often do). Normally, the next morning when I wake up, I put it outside so that it begins to melt. I forgot about it until it was time to leave the house. It was rock solid and a total heavy as heck brick. It really added weight and was a struggle to get water from the whole run. Ugh. By mile 5, I was just mentally over the run. Also, it was hot and humid and we’ve been really lucky and had great weather with our long runs, so this was a rude awakening. I called the run after 9 miles and vowed to finish the final two miles the next day. Here are my splits: 10:15, 9:39, 9:38, 9:39, 10:08, 9:59, 10:09, 9:55, 9:45, 9:58 (Sunday mile), 9:15 (Sunday mile). I was all over the place and definitely would have quit much earlier on Saturday if not for Julie. Ugh. Just a bad run overall. Sunday’s make up miles were hot but fine because there was just two of them.
I’m glad to put this week’s runs behind me and move forward.
How was your week in training?
You’re getting speedy. Looks like your plan is a good fit for you
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Skirt Sports Virtual 10 on 10-Join me!
i think it is a good fit — it’s hard but i’m getting results!
Yuck that there were so many hard runs this week 🙁 Sunday morning ended up super humid and it was definitely difficult to run in. It definitely helps when you have companionship.
Chaitali recently posted…Weekly review
oh it makes a huge difference!
oh my damn! nice long run pace lady! and i hope to see myself in that speedwork collage next week – rockville tomorrow? <3
nevie recently posted…Marathon Training Week 3 Recap
haha, thanks. it was a struggle, girl! see ya tomorrow 🙂
Running in the summer is the pits. It makes everything so much harder. That’s awesome that you made up some miles the next day though. Way to hang in there!
Julia @ Vegas Mother Runner recently posted…Las Vegas Triathlon Club Sprint Triathlon Recap
thanks julia — summer running can be a SERIOUS challenge. the humidity here is unreal!
this weather has been brutal but a major reprieve this week! nice wirk.
Mar @ Mar on the Run! recently posted…Friday Five: Fitness Snapshots
*work!
thanks lady! i’m sincerely hoping that the polar vortex hasn’t been overexaggerated… 🙂 i need cool weather!
Still not really training, but hopefully I’ll have a better handle on it this week!
That heat and humidity over the weekend was BRUTAL. Just forget all about that bad run and on to the next. 🙂
Lauren recently posted…Hey guess what!?
thanks lady — it’s all forgotten 🙂
Yeah, the heat & humidity were brutal this weekend. Here’s to cool weather this week!
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Weekly Running Recap: July 7-13
here’s hoping!!
The humidity is so tough to deal with so good job on getting through your week! My marathon training hasn’t started yet so I’ve just been trying to keep a good base of about 25 miles/week. My long run of 6 miles went well and then I raced a 5k on Sunday in 90% humidity! I ended up with a 26:58 so I was pleased. Have a great week!
Cecilia @ MommiesRun recently posted…#Winning
the humidity is awful – great job on that 5k!
So impressed with your training runs through this heat and humidity! Poor Court – weight training with the frozen CamelBak. This past Sunday I was not feeling it during my night run, not a fan of this heat. Luckily around the 8:30 a breeze picked up, but I was zonked.
Jennifer recently posted…NYC Marathon Training 7/7-7/13 – Week 4
hahaha, thank goodness for julie — she let me drink some of her water after i’d gotten all i could from my frozen pack 🙂
Just think about how great it going to feel to hit your paces this fall. Heat and humidity is for the birds but you will eventually get to see the results of all those hard workouts. Way to stick through it!
Lisa recently posted…NYCM Marathon Training: Week 1 & 2
Oh man, sorry it was a tough week, but good for you for pushing through! I’m so impressed with your times! My miles have been super slow lately! I’m trying to remember that what is crazy hard now will feel a bazillion times better in the fall 🙂
Lindsey recently posted…Week 5 Recap and Sister Fun
Training in the summer is ROUGH. I’m a New Englander, so summer for me means humidity and then more humidity. DC is HOT, too! I look forward to fall (my favorite season) and the days in spring that are more conducive to long runs outside.
Gabriella recently posted…Thrifty, busy, and moving forward
Summer runs are so tough! Way to stick it out even when it’s a challenge. It makes you a stronger runner in the end!
Cara @ Chickadee Runs recently posted…Meal Prep Monday – BBQ Chicken & Bleu Cheese Pita Pocket
thanks! it definitely helps when fall comes!
Courtney, you had some amazing training runs during the week; wish I could sustain your tempo pace for 6 miles, but not sure I’m quite there yet. The heat & humidity have been taking a toll on me, as well, and I know it’s tough; way to stick with your training plan!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday and Some Great News!
Yes! That is exactly the way I feel when I put mine in the freezer! If it doestn’ melt quickly you are screwed! Great week though!
Sue @ This Mama Runs for Cupcakes recently posted…My Soxy Feet review