Boston Marathon #127 Training (Week 8 of 16)

A somewhat normal week except for Monday (school holiday = working from home + kiddo care).

Monday
Planned: off/XT
Did: 3 mi @ 9:31/mi avg

Took D out at lunch for a loop through Furman. He rode his bike while I ran. Gorgeous day!

Tuesday
Planned: intervals (800m @ 3:27)
Did: 6.29 mi @ 8:10/mi avg w/ 4x800m

Track Tuesday at Furman, got a late start so only did 4x800m but all were right on target. Felt somewhat sluggish but finished it out alright.

Wednesday
Planned: 9 mi EZ
Did: 9.02 mi @ 9:49/mi avg

Got out midday for this run in the WARM SUNSHINE oh man. What a beautiful day, though it was also pretty breezy. Felt amazing though!

Thursday

Planned: hills
Did: 5.22 mi @ 8:14/mi avg

Ran faster than planned during lunch through the hills of USC Upstate. Not exactly an Altamont climb but definitely enough ups and downs to feel the work!

Friday
Planned: off/XT
Did: 3.28 mi @ 9:01/mi avg

Ran the Earth Run 5k course at lunch and man, what a warm day it was! Crazy February weather. Took it nice and easy, course is in good shape for the race in a couple of weeks.

Bradford Pear trees are blooming at work - smells like cat pee 😝

Saturday

Planned: 18 mi
Did: 18.04 mi @ 8:54/mi avg

I was not sure how this run would go... really didn't make plans ahead of time but it worked out great. I knew there was a group 5k run from Run In at 9am where I could get a free pair of Goodr sunglasses after running, so that was my target for the final 3 miles of my planned 18 total. I got a bit later start from the zoo (very close to Run In) than I'd had in mind, so I set out around 6:40am. Solo run on the trail towards downtown, had a bit of an interesting time navigating around a partial trail closure, then was on my way north. Went almost to the crossing at Watkins Bridge before turning around and heading back south. The Swamp Rabbit Half Marathon was this morning, and started in TR at 7:30. I knew I'd have the leaders catch up to me as I ran back south, just wasn't sure when. I crossed Blue Ridge Drive and the police men stopped traffic for me... then asked "are you one of the runners?" Me, happily trotting along at a solid 9:00 pace... no, sir, I am not currently winning this race. 😂 Anyway, I did get passed by the top 5 runners before I peeled off of the race course to get back over to Run In. 

Was right at 14.2 miles or so total when I got there, hung out a bit, then we were off! I ended up doing about a 7:20-7:30 pace for the 5k and was the first female to finish (not that it was timed/ranked)... pretty pleased with that! And I got some sweet new sunnies. 😎

After hanging out a bit more, I headed back to my car with one more loop around the parking lot to get my total of 18 miles. Felt pretty awesome considering the number of miles! Really happy with the run today.

Sunday
Planned: 9 mi MP
Did: 2 mi walk + 9.74 @ 8:02/mi avg + 60 min hot Vinyasa yoga

Run planned for the afternoon, so did a walk before church in the morning. For the tempo run, was able to coordinate a one-way run from home to downtown in time for yoga class. Ran easy from the house until I got to somewhat flat road and then kicked off the speedy miles heading down the Swamp Rabbit Trail. Had to take a pit stop at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery, but otherwise felt pretty good for the 9 miles and kept a consistent pace! Only one mile above target, so pretty happy with that.

Hot yoga was much needed and welcomed after this tough week!