I have a hard time grasping that I am already half way through training for my upcoming half-marathon!
As soon as I publish this blog post, I am setting out for my first training run of Week 4 and just typing that blows my mind. Are we really less than three weeks away from race day? (Yup!)
Since a lot of you have expressed interest in what I have been doing to prepare for it, here is another recap of another week of training.
In case you need to catch up:
• Half-Marathon Training Recap: Week 1
• Half-Marathon Training Recap: Week 2
Okay, let’s break it down!
Half-Marathon Training: Week 3 Recap
Please keep in mind that this is a six week half-marathon training plan I came up with on my own, specifically catered to what works best for me. Feel free to take a look in the archives for my first half-marathon training plan (you will find the section under the Fitness Page) that lasted a duration of ten weeks if you are looking for something closer to a beginner level.
The plan…
What I did (Week 3: September 22 – 28, 2014)
• Monday – 3 miles
I took Roadie on my first training run of the week. He does really well with the three mile distance!
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 26:40 mins.
Pace: 8:53 min./mile
Easy, breezy run in the best weather! Fall, please stick around forever.
Recovery:
I already shared this meal last Monday with you, but it’s certainly worth mentioning again.
On my plate: spinach, spring mix, cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, mushrooms, black olives, ground turkey, and shredded cheddar cheese with a side of salsa and blue corn chips.
No need for dressing when there’s salsa and (even better) chips.
Also, my leash wound is healing. The scab has been itching like crazy though!
• Tuesday – strength training
This week I kept the Tuesday barre class tradition going strong with a visit to the gym for Life Barre.
The class kicked my booty, just like I expected it to.
Recovery:
Directly after class, my appetite hit the roof and I couldn’t wait long enough to make something at home. Instead, I grabbed an egg white and pesto breakfast sandwich from the cafe downstairs.
I ordered it with Udi’s gluten-free bread and it was every bit as dreamy as I remember it!
• Wednesday – 6 miles (tempo run)
When I took a look at my training plan, I didn’t expect to see six miles as my goal for the day. To be honest, I had zero motivation to run at all, much less six miles. Eventually, I sucked it up and set out for success.
Knowing it was supposed to be a tempo run, I used the first two miles as my “warm up” and took Roadie along for the ride.
We ran at a pretty steady pace and I almost felt guilty dropping him off after the first two mile loop. Great job, buddy! (Don’t hate me.)
I grabbed a quick sip of water while I was inside, then got right back out the door to finish the run. I wasn’t super concerned about my pace, and instead focused on running as quick as I comfortably could for three miles.
Distance: 6 miles
Time: 57:46 mins.
Pace: 9:39 min./mile
I could have actually gone longer, but wrapped it up with a mile at a cool-down pace to stay true to the tempo style. It flew by!
Recovery:
Surprisingly, I wasn’t terribly hungry after the run and settled on a smoothie for dinner.
This one was random: Key Lime Greek yogurt, grapes, blueberries, Vanilla Designer Whey protein powder, almond milk, and ice.
I also inhaled a couple of generous handfuls of Brown Rice baked with Sweet Potato Triscuits (if you haven’t tried them yet… go find them NOW) dipped in hummus.
So, so good.
• Thursday – 3 miles (easy pace)
I started my Thursday morning off with a quick three miles around the neighborhood with Roadie. I kind of struggled through this one. I just wasn’t feeling it and was glad it was over when I hit the end.
I also deemed it “dress like a blueberry” day, in case you didn’t pick up on that. Not pictured is my navy hoodie. Real cool, Heather.
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 32:57 mins.
Pace: 10:59 min./mile
Wow. Just wow.
Recovery:
Shortly after my shower, I drove over to check out the new almond milk option and work at Dunkin’ Donuts.
I tried their turkey sausage breakfast sandwich and it was delicious!
• Friday – REST
I spent my entire Friday morning reading blogs. Thank you to all who comment and link up to Friday Favorites every week! <3
I folded tons of laundry and cleaned the entire house from top to bottom. Then I studied. I pulled a grandma card Friday night and hung in my sweatpants with the family. It was glorious.
• Saturday – REST
Or… walk 8 miles at Cedar Point. Either way.
Saturdays are supposed to be my long training run day, but that was clearly going to have to wait until Sunday.
After literally walking the park for twelve hours, it certainly felt like I ran something crazy. I made sure to do a decent amount of foam rolling the next day to help my muscles recover.
• Sunday – 9 miles
I woke up on Sunday completely dreading having to tackle nine miles later that day. After a couple of hours of catching up on emails and such, I got myself together and found the motivation to pump both Alex and I up.
I drove over to her place around 3:30 p.m. and didn’t have much time to knock out our distance before we had to be at our church for small group.
We found a dirt road and took it all the way to a familiar trail and back, totaling the nine miles we needed.
The weather couldn’t have been prettier. I am absolutely obsessed with running through this type of scenery this time of year!
With a goal of improving our long run time, we ran a straight 4.5 miles and stopped only for less than a minute to turn around and refuel with water and energy chews.
I love these Gu chomps. I buy the gels too, but prefer the taste and texture of the chews. Learning from my mistake of eating too many at once last go around, I stuck to eating one right before my run, one halfway through, and one after for energy and recovery.
Spreading my intake out made a world of difference and Alex agreed that they gave us a burst of energy when we needed it!
Distance: 9 miles
Time: 1:31:07 mins.
Pace: 10:07 min./mile
I am starting to question my pace tracking via the Map My Run app. I just don’t believe our pace was 10 minute miles. We tackled our fair share of hills, but still. I thought we killed it.
Recovery:
Basically, we grabbed anything we could find on our way out the door.
Pumpkin spice cookie, flax seed energy bar, strawberries, and baby food.
We arrived at church and were both still hungry. Good thing there was a Jimmy John’s just a minute or two away!
I ordered the Turkey Tom without the mayonnaise (isn’t their bread the best?) and a pickle. It was perfect.
Week 3 Thoughts
I have to look back on all of three of my training weeks so far and be proud of myself. I haven’t missed a day! I’m not at all nervous like I was last time with only three weeks to go, and instead I am really anticipating the race day. I’m excited for it to get here!
Next week I have the challenge of tackling 10 miles, which is something I haven’t done in over a year. I’ll be sure and report back on how it goes!
***
Question of the Afternoon
• Where is your favorite place to run?
I am seriously spoiled by being surrounded by trails. I can’t tell you how many days I have been frustrated, take off for a run on the trails, and come home feeling so much better. There’s just something about connecting with the great outdoors that makes me love the sport of running even more.
For long distances, however, I like to mix it up with sidewalks and streets. There’s only so long I can stare at a trail before I start wondering if there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Whenever I have a long distance to cover, I usually split it up between sidewalk and trail running.
Jess
I typically run on sidewalks since most of my running is on city streets, but I need to drive up to the trail soon. Getting tired of the same old sights and having to stop for traffic all the time!
As for GPS tracking, I have heard that MapMyRun and Runkeeper can be unreliable at times. Maybe try a known pre-mapped route soon and see how it compares? I used to sometimes double-check Runkeeper with Gmaps Pedometer. I have a Garmin running watch but they can be expensive if you’re not looking to keep that much detail – I just hate running with my phone.
Heather
It’s nice to mix it up! If I get too used to trails, I like the streets and vice versa. I’m starting to get to know my neighborhood well enough to know where I hit what mileage, so at least that helps. One of these days I will have a watch that does all of my tracking for me! 😉
Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment
I prefer a trail because I like the changes in scenery and the shade. Being in Texas this is key! I am very fortunate that we have a nice trail right in back of our apartment complex. No driving required!
Heather
I know. I’m totally spoiled with trails too. It’s the best!
chareatsgreens
I love your half marathon training plan! I need to start making one for my half in January (because I definitely need longer than 6 weeks – I’m out of running shape! haha)
Heather
Thanks! Yeah, I went the shorter but still very intense route this time… it seems to be working well for me, but I wouldn’t have done it for my very first one!