This training cycle seems to be going really quickly. Week 5 already?! But that’s a very good thing, because the days are getting longer and warmer (though I’m sure we still have several cold and snowy spells ahead). Week 5 was a decent one; I feel like my body’s finally adjusting to the heavier training load again. And I even made it back into the gym, which resulted in some major DOMS… meaning I need to not take several-week breaks from lifting. Profound insight, that one.
I love memes.
Anyway, here’s how the week went:
Monday:
Monday was a great day. I started by going to the gym… at 7:30 because I had the day off. 7:30 is an amazing gym time because no one is there. I wish I could do that all the time. Later, once it warmed up to shorts-temperatures, I headed out for a nine-miler, finished with 10 strides. (Side note: I’ve been doing strides for years and I still feel like I’m doing them wrong).
Then, the day got EVEN BETTER because when I got home from my run, these babies were waiting for me on the porch:
End-of-year shoe sales are the best. I already have an identical pair that’s still in rotation, but no worries: my Sweat Pink shoelaces will help me tell the difference.
Tuesday:
14 miles. On. The. Treadmill. After work. It might not be exaggerating to say that this felt like the longest run of my life. Also, no grading got done that night. It was mostly just run-eat-sleep. I did manage to catch most of the State of the Union address, so I felt like an okay American.
Wednesday:
5 recovery miles. They felt remarkably short after the previous day’s run. Afterward, I did some core work and stretched a little.
Thursday:
AM: 11 miles easy, again on the treadmill because winter. I miss daylight and non-icy roads.
PM: 45 minutes of strength training at the gym.
Friday:
I fully intended to be a good person and work out in the morning so I could stay and watch the basketball game after school. But being a good person seemed a lot less important at 4:30 a.m., so I turned off my alarm and went back to sleep. So… 5 evening recovery miles, core work, stretching, and foam rolling. And no basketball-watching. Hashtag I’majerk.
Saturday:
18-mile long run. I started at around 7:30, and it was pretty chilly. I kept expecting it to warm up, but it never did. It wasn’t miserable, but this friend of mine had a hard time getting undressed for a post-run shower because her hands were so cold. She flailed around for nearly ten minutes and it was kind of hilarious.
Okay, it was me. I don’t have friends.
Yes, I’m wearing giant, non-running sunglasses. My awesome running sunglasses got stolen a few months ago, and the cheap-o ones I bought to replaces them broke. These were better than nothing.
Sunday:
Rest day! 30 minutes of yoga.
Totals: 62 miles running, about 2.5 hours strength/stretch
This coming week looks almost identical mileage-wise. My main goals are to work on my post-run nutrition (always a struggle) and keep working on stretching and strength training.
Have a great week, friends!
What is your favorite time to go to the gym?
Runners: What sunglasses do you wear? I really need to get some decent ones again, but I can’t afford Maui Jim’s like my beloved stolen glasses. Whomp whomp.
Rural Running Redhead 
I got a cheap pair of Panama Jacks- they fit my face, don’t bounce around while running, I don’t feel bad when they get sweaty, and they haven’t been stolen!
I’ll have to look for some! Thanks!
Dang you are into some serious double digits each week. What sort of training plan do you follow?
I love going to the gym on days off too, but it’s not too crowded at my normal 6am time, either. Actually, at 6, a lot of people LEAVE, which is strange to me…
I always buy cheap ass sunglasses from walmart. They are just black and the sole purpose is for them to not fall off my face. I never spend more than $7 on a pair because sunglasses are one of those things I don’t want to have to worry about or be careful with. Even so, they normally last me like 2-3 years!
I like the one Heather @ Girl Goes Running wears. They are really flashy but I don’t think I could pull them off!
I’m following the 55/70 plan from Pete Pfitzinger’s Advanced Marathoning. It’s the one I followed when I ran my first 3:13 and when I won Estes Park, so I’m hoping it will bring me success, too.
I also bought some cheapy Wal-Mart ones and they broke after a couple of months. I must be rougher on them than you! Now I need Heather to comment and let me know what hers are…
1) Super cute shoes, makes me want to get some
2) So wish I could have seen you flailing around trying to get undressed. I would have laughed. A lot. (let’s ignore the fact that you were getting undress and that would be weird.)
Yeah, it was super awkward. It would’ve been more awkward with an audience. I’ll reenact it for you sometime. Fully clothed, though.
I love the fashion statement you are making with the big sunglasses. YOU can pull that off. No one is going to question your speedy legs. 🙂 I love Oakley and Smiths. Shopping for sunglasses is fun – enjoy!!
Haha thanks for the vote of confidence in my fashion choices.
I use Native Eastrim for both hiking and running. They NEVER slip or fog. They have interchangeable lenses, depending what type of light you are in. But I haven’t had to change them. Lastly, Native will replace your sunglasses if you loss them or break them. 🙂
Oh, awesome! I’ve never heard of this brand but I’ll definitely look into them!