It was a busy week of errands, visiting mom, and working on projects. A cold front last weekend blew out all the hot air, only to have it come back with a vengeance by week’s end.
I’m joining Kim @ Kimrunsonthefly and Deborah @ Confessionsofamotherrunner, and going longer again but keeping the “easy” runs short so weekly mileage remains the same. I would like to bump that up just a couple of miles, but not sure I really see that happening in the Summer.
Workouts update
- Monday: Yoga AM (40 min), Dogwalk, 3ish TM Intervals, Yoga PM (20 min)
- Tuesday: Yoga AM (40 min), Dogwalk, PB ST (25 min)
- Wednesday: Yoga AM (40 min), 7 mile LSD
- Thursday: Yoga (30 minutes), some short walks at moms — didn’t stop anywhere this time (not enough time), PB ST (25 min)
- Friday: Yoga (30 min), 3 miles easy, Yoga (20 min)
- Saturday: Yoga (40 min), Barre (15 min), some walking/hiking
- Sunday: Yoga (40 min), rest day
Running Mileage: 13 (NC)
PB = Killer B
TM = Treadmill
WU = warmup
CD = cooldown
SB = Stationary Bike
Running Update
Monday Intention: Work on Speed
Another errand filled morning had me back on the mill midday. I chose a Peloton Intervals run, thinking it would just be speedwork — but it was still a mix of speed and hills! The hills were moderate, though (Sunday’s HIIT + Hills had us going up an 8% hill; the highest hill in this workout was just 4%). I worked up a good sweat and I did get some nice speed in there.
Wednesday Intention: endurance (LSD)
It was a beautiful day to run. A bit windy and chilly to begin, but the wind actually settled down quickly. I ran up the big hill, even though I’d chosen this route so it could be a relatively flat run. The good news is I also got to run down the big hill.
For whatever reason the last couple of miles were hard and I felt somewhat spent at the end. The overall pace was basically the same as my last 7 miler — but that run didn’t have a big hill in it, so I guess it’s still improvement.
I was glad I chose a route that had bathrooms, because once I finished running, I really had to go — which is unusual for me, but we all know it happens. I would’ve been in real trouble without those open bathrooms (they shut them in Winter).
Friday Intention: EASY
Yes, I’m shouting! My Garmin has been telling me the last couple of days that I haven’t been getting enough rest. Which is true, although I’ve been trying — just too much that had to get done. Nice morning to run, even chilly to begin again. Felt relatively good, a bit tired towards the end — but surprisingly perfect negative splits.
Favorites of the week
I survived! It was a very busy week with not enough rest, but I made it through. As did our lovely Azaleas, which always bring a smile to my face. Fun fact: as a kid I was obsessed with drawing Azaleas. I don’t think my mom ever had any. I was quite good back then; like anything, though, it takes practice and I am very out of practice.
ICYMI: It’s time to surrender control with this Restorative Yoga practice. You’ll be releasing tension from your hips and back, while really opening up your heart (which leads to deeper breathing and better posture). Join me here. I’m also sharing my thoughts about whether or not Yoga is a religion here.
Coming up on Tuesday & Friday: Tuesday I’m sharing the pros and cons of running for time vs running for distance. On Friday it’s time to bear our souls (or is that soles?) at the runfessional — learn more about that here.
Chocolaterunsjudy 
That hill looks like the perfect place to run repeats with that pretty water view! The hill where I used to run repeats had a 4-lane parkway next to it. 😦
What is that orange flowering tree?
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That hill is tough, but the view never disappoints.
I have no idea what the orange flowering tree is!
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I recognize that hill. Lol.
I would hate it if my Garmin told me to rest. But I don’t wear a watch for my runs. my pace doesn’t matter to me unless I’m racing.
You’re lucky to do a long run on a weekday. It was a scorcher today and yesterday.
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Sounds like you had a good week overall. Glad your Achilles is handling that hill OK. I’m being cautious with incline on my tread and am learning that Marcel likes incline, but is not as crazy as Jess – I do 1/2 of what she says. 😉
We have a few Azaleas, but they probably would do better if we gave them more TLC.
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My Achilles was off & on a long time & hills definitely irritated it. Now it seems normal (fingers crossed).
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I am lucky I have some flexibility with my runs, although this week if I wanted to get it done it needed to be during the week.
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Your hill run is so beautiful! I would love to have that hill to train on. All your photos are lovely- I love the red azaleas. Sounds like a busy week with good runs.
I wish more of my running routes had bathrooms!
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A few of my running routes have bathrooms but most don’t! That hill is definitely a tough one. And it continues with rolling hills after you get to the top. 😊
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I have seen some of those flowering orange trees here…and I honestly cannot remember seeing them before. I wonder if they bloom/blossom in cycles (every few years?), or if they’ve been hidden LOL Yay for hill running! Speaking of which, I have not done any focused hill work in awhile. I mean, I get to run hills all the time, given where I live, but I need to bring back some hill repeats…those are a lot more fun than “just” running a hill because it’s there (IMO).
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I don’t remember ever seeing the orange flowering tree before either. Weird!
The big hill I just ran up — but I’ve used it for downhill repeats in the past.
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Those azaleas are so beautiful! Although my allergies will never allow me to “stop and smell the roses”, I love all types of flowers, especially the brightly colored ones.
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Seasonal allergies are a real killjoy. 😢
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Your run route this week looks so pretty! All the flowers are blooming which I love. Just not loving the heat that comes with them! My calves and feet have been tight the last few weeks so I am working on that, Glad yours is feeling better
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Sorry your calves & feet are tight! That’s never fun. We are still going back & forth between really hot & spring – like.
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You’ve reminded me that it’s been quite a while since I’ve done any hill work. My neighborhood has some rolling hills so there are always some hills in my run routes. Glad your Achilles is tolerating the hills.
Azaleas make me smile too – I wish they lasted longer 🙂
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I wish the azaleas lasted longer too!
My neighborhood also has rolling hills, but they are MUCH smaller than that one!
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I also love azaleas. There’s a neighborhood where I sometimes run and there’s a part where the street is lined with them. It’s so pretty when they’re in bloom.
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Seriously who doesn’t love azaleas?
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That is one good looking hill….says the flatlander who has maybe one incline a few miles away and that’s all she wrote. Love the flowering trees!
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In this area it’s harder to find flat places to run. But hey you ran Boston! THOSE are hills!
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Your azaleas are so pretty. Ours are gone until next year. Boo.
We went from hot but not so humid to soggy and dank. I’m hating it!
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We had a very hot weekend, now it’s Spring-like, & then expecting some more hot weather. Hard to acclimate to that!
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Lovely azaleas – we’ve got some amazing ones around the lake I run round a lot, as well as other flowering plants.
I have trouble with the vulnerability of that pose you have at the end when in a class, so I should have a go at it home alone as it is relaxing!
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