I can not believe I just finished two months of Berlin marathon training. Time is going by quickly and race day is just ten short weeks away. I have run 208 miles in training so far, which seems really low, but then I remember that the plan starts off pretty mildly, mileage wise. Over the next ten weeks I expect to run about 475 more miles before crossing the finish line in Berlin. So far, I’m feeling mostly good. I’ve had some tendinitis in my right ankle, but I pretty quickly realized that it was a result of not foam rolling my extremely tight calves, so I’ve been committed to daily rolling and that has helped. The heat has been a challenge so far and I am learning again how important it is that I recover properly from long, hot and humid runs.
Here’s how last week shook out:
Monday: 5 easy miles to start the week. It was hot and humid, but that statement can be applied to all the runs this week.
Tuesday: 6X800. I was nervous about this – I’m nervous about pretty much all my workouts! I chunked it up in my head and told myself it was only 24 hard minutes – and that I could do that. It helped a bit, because I hit all my paces and survived. LOL!
Wednesday: REST DAY IS THE BEST DAY!
Thursday: My friend and Oiselle teammate Daniela was here from NYC. She agreed to run with me for my tempo run. It was extremely hot and humid and we definitely turned the run into a sports bra run because it was just so gross. It was really nice to have speedy company on this run. Also notice the coordination – it was NOT planned. π
Friday: Meant to run 5. I slept in and only had time for 3. It was blazing hot, so I didn’t feel sad.
Saturday: 16 miles. This was my longest run since March. It was also HOT and HUMID and HILLY. We were climbing for about three miles straight. If you are familiar with DC, we ran from VA to DC then all the way up to MD, back into DC and then back to VA. My calves and glutes are still sore from this run, lol.
Sunday: 4 easy and slow miles over to see my bud Caitlin’s new house in SE DC. Caitlin just bought a home and since she is my closest neighbor friend, I had to know how to run from my house to her new place. So we mapped out that route and lucky for me, her new house is right off my favorite trail. Yay!
I’m heading to NYC for a couple days. Anyone have any ideas for a track close to Midtown I can use on Tuesday?

Where in Midtown are you staying– East or West side?
East side
Congrats on another great week of training! That long run on Saturday sounds brutal – hills, heat and humidity? You rock girl!
It was tough and by the end, I was really tired but I’m proud that it’s done!
I agree that Wednesday is the BEST day. π Great job on your Saturday run! Funny that you ran in 2 states but not including DC.
I normally run in VA / DC each week. Adding in MD and going to each state a couple times was interesting π
Great job on your training this week! You are killing it! Almost half way through π
That’s a crazy difference in the mileage from the first half of training to the second half of training. I’ve never done a comparison like that on my previous training plans.
It’s also pretty cool that you can do a long run through two different States (and DC)!
I know – it really ramps up now. Every week is 40+!
Congrats on another great week of training! My 14 miler on Saturday was also quite hilly, and between that and my friend’s wedding my legs and still quite sore. I forgot to bring my foam roller with me, so I think I know what is calling my name today.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Chicago Marathon Training Log β Week 6
Roll roll roll, lady. I have my tiger tail with me in NYC!
Great job this week, I can’t believe 2 months have already passed with your training! I always chuckle when you say you’re nervous about your speed work because you always nail it! Keep cool in this miserable weather!
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Thanks! I still get nervous before each workout π
Great job this week. I feel like the summer/summer training is just flying by. But fall is my absolute favorite season, so if that makes it arrive more quickly, I’m okay with that. I’m already dreaming about orange leaves and sweat-shirts π
I love fall as well. But suffering through the summer always makes me think of fall lol π
I love the idea of thinking of hard workouts in chunks – 24 minutes of running definitely feels more accomplish-able! I need to commit to rolling and stretching daily. I made it to yoga for the first time in weeks and could feel my lack of stretching – I was sooo tight!
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I’ve found that it makes a BIG difference!
Sounds like a good week and congrats on two months done! Also, great job on hitting your paces on those 800s! Have fun in NYC!
Thanks – NYC was a good trip but I’m happy to be back home now!
Great week – you really are a trouper in this heat. So much better than I am. Have a good few days in NY! I’m jealous – would love a run Central Park.
I really felt crappy after getting home from berry picking. The heat kicked my butt!
Congrats on two months down! It seems like you just started! Nice job on the 800s. I’d say those are always tough for me, but I feel like ALL the workouts are tough for me! I have to admit that I’m scared of the 16 milers in hot and humid weather. Did you get up early to get some miles in before meeting your run group? Our group doesn’t start until 7:30, and I think that’s going to be too late for the really long runs.
My group meets at 6am on Saturdays and honestly, waking up at 5am on Saturdays sucks but I can’t imagine starting long runs any later. So I don’t have to start early which is great!
The heat is tough! We don’t have the humidity, but we do have high high temps. But even with the heat and humidity, you are killing it!. 10 weeks until Berlin! Wow!
Humidity is just so draining. You are killing it, though!
Hope you can enjoy your time in NYC- I know it’s tough with work trips. I never really thought of DC as having hills until I went for the march and ran around a few times (mainly Arlington area and Capitol Hill). Will Berlin be hilly?
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Berlin is super flat – much like Chicago π
Congratulations on a great week of training! It sounds like you’re pretty much into marathon training with the workouts and the 16 miler (was this the first one?). Glad you could share the tempo run with your friend and you look cute and matching!
I am starting to feel my tendinitis too and trying to foam roll a bit more- better to listen to the body when it whispers than hear it roar (with an injury).
This was my first 16 miler! It was actually supposed to be this week but I swapped because my running group was running 16 and if I can change my schedule to match with my group’s schedule that is much more fun! π
It’s funny to hear you say you get nervous for your workouts because I am always in awe over how you crush them! Hope you were able to find a track for today’s!
Did not find a track – so tried the treadmill. It crushed me, lol. But it got done and that’s what matters!