Boston Training: The Turning Point

Short and sweet version: I feel REALLY good after this week. Mentally and physically I am getting closer to where I would like to be. As much as I am 'over winter' I know that come spring I am really going to be ready to let loose.

Rocking a calf sleeve under capris (yes I'm a nerd), 10 mile tempo run (with 2x2 mile at HMP)
Treadmill & Olympics makes the time go by quicker, and definitely hit the hot tub a few times after workouts this week! 

Quick Run-Down

Monday: 4.5 Mile Treadmill Run (8:21 pace)

Tuesday: 10 Mile Tempo Run Outside [2x2 miles], 20 Minutes Core Work

Wednesday: 55 Minutes Strength Training/Physical Therapy with Trainer

Thursday: 7.07 Treadmill miles (8:30 pace)

Friday: REST

Saturday: 2.37 mile warm-up (8:27 pace), 8 mile race (6:53 pace), 5 mile cool-down (8:39 pace)

Sunday: 7.07 Treadmill miles (8:30 pace), 45 Minutes Strength training

Total Running Miles: 44.1 miles

Total Cross training time: 120 Minutes

I could sit here and analyze every little piece of this week, but it all comes down to the fact that this was my turning point. Yes, I have technically been 'training' for Boston for a few weeks now. This week was different, especially coming off some less than stellar weeks (i.e. bad race, fall down stairs, etc.).

44 miles isn't huge, and it's not where I was planning on being at this point in training. But those were 44 SOLID training miles. I focused on hitting EASY paces when needed, cranking up and getting that 10 mile tempo run in (with 2x2 mile at half marathon pace), and nailing a race for that confidence boost. I finally don't feel ridiculously behind everyone else training for Boston. I started later than most to give myself down time after CIM, but it's slowly starting to come together.

This week I also started working with a trainer (who is also a Physical Therapist assistant), she is going to be a HUGE help for me. Yes I am a certified personal trainer, but NO I don't know everything and I am well aware I could benefit from this. I'm only going to be working with her a few sessions but she is helping me make a good routine to work on my weaknesses. Something I have come to realize is that I have incredibly weak ankles. There were multiple times in the fall I struggled with them, left ankle pain training for Wineglass, and right Achilles problems leading up to CIM. My right ankle, shin and Achilles have been giving my grief the last few weeks. I'm working really hard to build strength and stability because it's incredibly important(especially for injury prevention), and being diligent about icing/stretching/rolling.

As for my goals for the week, I hit some but missed the mark on others. I'm not overly disappointed about this, simply because I am finishing this week feeling happier and stronger. My sleep is starting to get a little better (read: I am finally averaging over 4 hours a night instead of the 2.5-3 hours I was getting). Hopefully this will continue to increase, which will make morning workouts MUCH more manageable. As for getting outside for my runs, I was outside twice and well....that's pretty darn good considering this weather!

Goals for this week...
1. 3 Morning workouts
2. 3 Non-running cardio sessions (Hopefully the bike, let's see if my tailbone cooperates)
3. 3 Strength Training workouts

This week is a really good week for me to push myself. After this past week being a solid training week, and knowing I don't have a race this week....perfect time to turn up the dial! No I am not cranking up my miles a ton, but by adding some miles, as well as adding biking back in (maybe swimming too?), and being good about doing my strength and stability training... I can get myself back on track to where I want to be.

I know we are ALL sick of winter,

 so tell me what you are most looking forward to about spring!

How is your training going?