Before you know it I’ll be winding down the half marathon course in Utah. Where hopefully I’ll be meeting up with some awesome bloggers — including one of our lovely hosts, Holly.
I’m joining up with the Weekly Wrap from Holly @ Hohoruns and Tricia @ Misssipppiddlin; I’m sharing how Rachel @ Runningonhappy helped me wind down this half marathon training cycle.
Workouts update
- Monday: 5 x 400m down/uphill reeats (5 miles total), Iron Strength Core
- Tuesday: Dogwalk, Iron Strength Abbreviated
- Wednesday: 6 mile tempo run (outside!), Dogwalk, Core
- Thursday: Dogwalk, Iron Strength Glute Blaster
- Friday: 4 miles easy
- Saturday: Travel day with a very early departure
- Sunday: 8 mile long run? Turned out to be 7.5
Mileage: 22.5 (-4.5)
JY = Jasyoga
TM = Treadmill
YFR = Yoga for Runners*
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
YFPR = Yoga for Pain Relief
YTU = Yoga Tune Up Lower Body*
*Disclaimer: Amazon affiliate links; I will make a small amount of money if you buy through these links
Running updates
Monday
The forecast called for showers almost all day with supposedly a break in the afternoon. It wasn’t that bad in the morning and I decided I just wanted to get the run done!
I chose wisely. There was light rain for much of my run, but it went well. I didn’t push it but I’m pleased with my pace again. Of course the skies opened up the last mile, but I was dressed for it and actually the sound of rain is really soothing (not sure it would be for 13.1 miles).
Although the rain did finally let up a bit, it never really dried out.
Wednesday
It was forecast to be a disgusting day — a lot of rain and a lot of chance for thunderstorms. And they got it totally wrong. A little rain in the morning. And then it turned into the most beautiful day.
Good thing, because the treadmill still wasn’t running. And I didn’t plan to run through thunderstorms.
I headed out thinking I’d be rained on, but I stayed dry. It was a lot more humid than it’s been lately — and warmer (although not hot) — maybe that’s why it felt so hard?
Or maybe it was the fact that the last time I’d run a tempo run was the beginning of March, and that was at the bike path, which is a lot flatter than my neighborhood.
I didn’t quite make my paces and damn I was giving it my all. Some runs are just like that. Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a bad run, just hard.
I was totally planning on squeezing in a long run after dropping Bandit off at the pet sitter. But when I woke up, I just felt run down. It’s always a struggle, but I knew that long run just wasn’t in my best interest this day (even if the weather was pretty damn awesome).
I did manage to squeeze in a 4 mile easy run (negative splits again!). I parked at the Salt Den, ran around the area, then relaxed there post run. I tried to figure out a way to just run there, but then I’d have to walk home — not enough time — or run home — thereby blowing all the nice relexation.
Sunday
I just ran on the nice wide shoulder of the road. Stopping often to take photos. Exploring. Discovering a water fountain to refill my bottles in the nick of time.
I’m not sure it qualifies as a favorite — but it was totally random (a lot of that going on lately) and hit the spot. The avocado I had planned to use for my sandwich on Thursday was way overripe, sadly. Unusable, in fact.
So I made a PB&J. And topped it with a hard boiled egg and some bacon. So you got your sweet, your salty, your protein, and your fat.
Not pictured: relaxing in the Salt Den and a pretty awesome Sports Massage + infrared wrap.
Just a few photos from the long drive down to Bryce Canyon.
And that’s a wrap
This week I am also linking up with the Sunday Fitness & Food Linkup brought to you by Ilka @ Ilka’s Blog and Angela @ Marathons & Motivation.
Let’s get the conversation started:
Does it bother you if you can’t hit the right paces?
Do you ever enjoy running in the rain?
What’s the weirdest PB&J you’ve ever made??
Thanks for the scenery preview! That is one, um….unique PB&J. It does not bother me when I do not hit goal paces. When I was running my best, I rarely ever hit my speedwork paces but I had to hold myself back on long runs. We’re all tuned differently and in the end, it all works out.
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Well, none of that scenery is Provo. We did do a quick drove around there.
I almost never have to hold myself back. Quite the opposite.
I’ve seen weirder PB&Js! It was good!
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I was a little confused and had to backtrack–I didn’t realize you were already in Utah! I’d love to visit Bryce Canyon–there’s an ultra with a half there and I’m considering doing that one next year. The hubs would like to go there.
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I don’t try to make it super obvious. But that’s how I like my racecations to be – vacation! Although I haven’t been sleeping well & am super tired.
My husband went to Bryce & Zion with his family when he was a teenager. I’d never been to UT at all. We traveled a lot when we were kids but pretty much only on the east coast.
Haven’t even made it into the park yet!
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I don’t have any paces so obviously don’t care how fast I run in training runs. I do care in a race (although lately my Garmin has been useless.)
Hope you get to do a lot of hiking in Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyon. They are awesome. Hope to get back again some day.
If I can help it, I don’t run in the rain unless it’s a race and then I’ve had to too many times even for 13 miles. Otherwise if it is raining after work, I just skip the run. Hopefully it doesn’t rain for more than 3 days in a row (this week I may be out of luck.)
Enjoy your trip and hope you have a great race.
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I am very thankful I’m not trying to hit paces right now cause I’m not sure I would most of the time! I’ve run in the rain more times within the last month than I have in a year! I’m so over this rain!
I know you’ll have a ball in Utah! Safe travels and have fun! Oh and take lots of pictures!
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I’m so over rain, too. I’m missing out on a bunch rain back home this week. Photos are easy!
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