This week was my first week dropping back down to 4 days of running per week. During the last part of my training plan (OMG momentary freak out that I only have 9 weeks left to be ready), I will run higher mileage on 4 days of running per week. So even though this week was a cut back week, I was running more miles on each day, aside from my long run, than I have in the past. It was kind of neat to do what I consider a long run (anything over 6 miles) each day this week. Although that long run definition is starting to become gray.
Monday- 6 miles on the treadmill the day after the Hokie Half Marathon (and 14 miles total for my long run) nice and easy. I had fun watching Friday Night Lights while I ran. I highly recommend watching a good movie, if you’re able to, when you have to run on a treadmill. It makes the time fly.
Tuesday- Rest day.
Wednesday- 7 mile hilly run with the middle 3 miles at marathon pace (10:18). My middle 3 miles came in at 10:23, 10:28, and 10:23. I was content with that since my legs were still pretty sore from Sunday’s personal distance record.
Thursday- Rest day.
Friday- 6 miles in the evening on the Dora and New River Trails. I ran without my watch, because I forgot to put it on before I left. My calves were feeling pretty sore, but after stopping to stretch them around 3.5 miles they felt better. It was really buggy out and I got gnats in my eyes several times, which was no fun. Once I finished my run I was stretching against the brush guard on our truck. A guy walking by told me “you have to put it in gear to push it.” I laughed and told him “thanks.”
Saturday- Tough 11 mile long run on the Huckleberry Trail with Deb and her husband Bill. For some reason I was feeling physically and mentally tired and my legs just felt like lead. Just one of those days, I guess. Although it was a cut back week, I’m wondering if I was feeling tired from packing 30 miles into 4 days of running. Just the week before last, that was a new weekly mileage PR for me and I did it with 5 days of running. Either way I am hoping things to better for this week’s 16 mile long run, which will be the furthest I’ve ever run at one time by 2 miles.
Sunday- Cross training in the form cleaning the house, washing the dogs, and cleaning our entire camper from floor to ceiling.
Almost as cute when we gave him his very first bath:
I couldn’t get a picture of Scout yesterday while she was in the bath because she is an escape artist. I have to keep one hand on her at all times or she will jump out of the tub.
Total Miles: 30
Next week’s schedule:
Monday: 7 miles
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 7 miles w/ 4 @ MP
Thursday: Rest
Friday: 7 miles
Saturday: 16 miles (Virginia 10 Miler)
Sunday: Rest
Turkey Runner 
Working hard and showing results. Keep it up. We will be traipsing the streets of Charlotte before you know it.LUD.
November will be here soon. Yikes!
Good job on a tough week! I think lead legs are just par for the course at this point in marathon training. Hang in there…it will be taper time before you know it!
Glad to hear it’s the norm!
Another impressive week of training! That’s an interesting schedule. I’ve never seen one that cuts the number of running days per week, but then ups the mileage on those days.
Me either. But that’s kind of what drew me to it. I liked how every 5 weeks or so it changed slightly. I thought that would help keep me from getting in a rut from doing the same routine each week.
Oh my gosh, look at those floppy puppy ears. I melt. It’s getting close!! And you are right on track!!
He was so cute! He would trip on them and everything. It was impossible to yell at that little face when he did something naughty.
Awww, Hank is such a sweet looking fellow, and oh my goodness what a cute puppy he was! 🙂
He is as sweet as he looks. Hound puppies in particular absolutely melt my heart.
So cool! You’re doing great. I’m training for my first marathon, too! It’s October 13… I’m in week 16 and loving it. Best of luck in the rest of your training!
Good luck with your training and your race!!