Training Update: Week Eleven (August 24-30)

Another week of pain free running in the books! I have been trying something different this week that I wanted to share. I have been setting up all of my runs in Garmin Connect and then transferring them to my Garmin 620 because it really helps me hit my target paces and I don't have to keep staring at my watch. I seem to do much better with the help of Garmin beeping and screaming at me when I am running too fast or too slow. It also stops me from throwing in the towel and just going for a run versus finishing the planned workout!

Here is a recap of Week Eleven:

Monday: Strength Training: I love squats..they are my favorite!

Tuesday: 5.5 Mile Threshold Run: I went to the track at my regular time but noticed that it is starting to get dark a little earlier. I try to get there as late as possible to avoid the heat so a break from the heat is much needed if I am going to have to start getting there a little earlier.

Wednesday: Muscle Imbalance Strength Training: Buster kept me company while I squatted my life away. I am getting better with the Bosu Ball so I am excited to see some progress here.

Thursday: 4.35 Miles: I took this run to the track because I didn't feel like dealing with all of the traffic lights and extra stops. My runs seems to go a lot better without all of the unnecessary stops.

Friday: REST DAY:  This was a working Friday for me so it was nice to come home from work to relax and prepare for my long run in the morning.

Saturday: 20.15 Miles: This was a tough one because of the heat. The last three miles were really ugly and I took way too many breaks! It started out great but at the temperature rose I wasn't feeling so great. I have not been feeling too positive about my long runs lately.

Sunday: Strength Training: My legs were feeling great after my 20 mile run so I decided to go ahead with my strength training. I was finally able to handle some 45's on the leg press so I was pretty happy about that! 

TOTAL MILES: 30

2015 MILES: 865

Training Recap: Week Nine: (August 10-August 16)

Marathon training in the heat is no joke! We experienced some record setting temperatures in Southern California this week and it was a tough week. Things are cooling down this week so I am looking forward to my runs being a bit more tolerable.

 Here is a recap of Week Nine:

Monday: Strength Training: Today we celebrated my Grandma's 88th birthday. We took her a delicious cake from Nothing Bundt Cakes and spent some time with her. She was happy and we talked and laughed a lot.  After eating all of that cake, I somehow went home and forced myself to do 30 minutes of strength training.

Tuesday: 3.73 Miles: Speedwork: This was a short workout but there were no breaks between the intervals so it was still a tough one for me. I hit a couple of new records on my Garmin 620 so I was excited about that!

Wednesday:  Strength Training: After my usual strength training routine at the gym, I decided to try the Bosu ball for the first time. I have concluded that I need to work at this one a little bit more. You use so many different muscles to maintain your balance so it is great for your core but takes some practice.

Thursday: 3.25 Miles: Skilled Run: I was really thankful that I had just a few miles because it was still 90 degrees at almost 8:00 p.m.

Friday: Strength Training: Muscle Imbalance: I invested in a Bosu Ball so that I can get some more practice and have the option of doing this workout at home. I was supposed to run a mile before this workout but I skipped that part of it. I made up for it by adding a few extras into the workout.

 

Saturday: 18.1 Miles:  I really wanted to run this one with my running club but they started at 8am and it was going to be in the 80's when they started so I decided to get up early and tackle it on my own. By the time I was finished, it was 88 degrees out and I was feeling it. I saved myself by running with a Chill Towel around my neck and keeping my head wet.

Sunday:REST DAY: We had another birthday party for my Grandma. My mom and dad also came over to celebrate with us and we had a lot of fun. My parents are divorced so it is not often that I get to be in the same room with both of them.

TOTAL MILES: 25.08

2015 MILES: 807 

This week is kind of a cut back week for my long run but I have two tough runs this week in the form of speedwork and a tempo run. Thank God the weather is going to give us a break from the triple digits this week. I really need a little break!