Monday Training Update (Week 3): Week Ending 10/15
This was the plan for the week:
T - 4 miles @ EA + Strides
Th - 1 mile @ WU, 8x400 @ 10k w/ 30 sec RI, 1 mi @ CD
F - 4 miles @ EB
Sa - 7 miles @ LR
I wondered when I looked back on this week if I'd be disappointed because I wasn't able to/chose not to follow my plan exactly because I was sick. But I'm actually pretty proud of it, despite the changes. Why? Because earlier this year I also got sick. I chose to skip one run after another, and ultimately completely stopped running, even though I was only sick for a few days. This time? Yeah, I chose to "take it easy" but still ran even on the day I was the sickest, even if it was just a short run. And I bounced back quickly for the rest of the week.
So yes, Tuesday was fine. My run was outside. It was pitch black the entire time. But it was really comfortable weather, and I felt nice and locked in. I did, unfortunately, really mess up pacing here, running at either 12:50 or 12:25 (depending on if you use the Activity App or Strava), which is a good bit faster than 13:44 I was targeting. I find that I'm having a really hard time with my EA pace because it has stopped feeling "natural" and now feels a little clunky. But my LR and 10k paces feel right for the effort, so really, it's on my to pay better attention and give my body a break.
Wednesday afternoon, I started to feel a head cold setting in. I had hoped it was just allergies, but I work in an office with good HVAC, so I knew that was not likely. By Wednesday evening, I was fully sick and really just wanted to go to bed as early as I could. I thought, if I wake up in the middle of the night and feel OK, then I'll try to get out for my run. But I woke up in the middle of the night feeling worse than when I went to bed, so I emailed my boss to say I'd be working from home, then turned off my running alarm. When I woke up in the morning, I felt marginally better, but I was glad that I had taken the extra hour and a half of sleep. But by the middle of the day I was tired of sitting in my pajamas, and I wanted to get out of the house. I was still congested and a little achey, but I figured a mile-ish (ended up being 1.2 miles) wouldn't be a huge ask on my body, and it might even make me feel better (spoiler: it did). So I laced up and I ran up to the CVS to get more decongestant, and thought "hey, I'll force myself to NOT run back" by getting myself some Starbucks. Which actually ended up being a good call because I 100% would have run the whole way home if not for the hot beverage in my hand... the run home would have been downhill and I was feeling runner-y.
Friday, I still didn't want to push it. I figured I'd do 3 on the treadmill at work (sleep more in the morning, force myself to pace properly). But I hit around 2.5 and was still feeling really good, so I decided I'd do my full 4. I surprised myself, because it used to be that when I gave myself the mental out ("You're still sick and congested and sore, so even running 3 will be an accomplishment), I'd gladly take it. But I guess I'm more dedicated to my plans and development as a runner? I don't know. The voice in my head went from "it's ok to stop" to "it's ok to keep pushing." I know an extra mile isn't a big deal, but for me, the mental shift is palpable.
Saturday's run got moved to Sunday again. I'm going to have to figure out when/how I can get my long runs in on Saturday with our daughter's gymnastics class now occupying the space where we used to run. Sunday seems to just be easier now, but I don't want to lose the cumulative fatigue benefits of my three back-to-back days. Anyways, when I set out on Sunday, I told myself that I was going to pick a route that would bring me back by my house in 5 miles in case I was still not 100% from being sick. If I felt like bagging the run then, I would. Mentally, seven miles still seems like such a hurdle. The first seven miler I did during my last training cycle was my worst run mentally and physically of the entire cycle. But I got halfway to five and thought "eh, I'll shoot for six" and then I got to four and a half and said "eh, why not just get the full seven." Again, it seems I've gone from "it's ok to stop" to "it's ok to keep pushing."
@MoanasPapa took our daughter on a bike ride while I was out, and I ran in to them around mile four, so that was a fun distraction until she was ready to go home. I felt really good after the run. Not achey, not too fatigued. I think I need to just believe in myself and my ability to hit 6, 7, 8 miles without it being a monumental task.
This coming week is a little wonky because I have a race on Sunday. So my speed workout is Tuesday instead of Thursday. Then Thursday, Friday, and Saturday are all shorter EB/EA runs. Then MCM 10k on Sunday! I have no idea when we're going to fit packet pickup in on Saturday, but I'm excited for it because it will be the first race I do that has an honest-to-goodness expo.
Question for
@DopeyBadger: since I missed my speed workout last week, should I stick with the 10x400s I have tomorrow? Or cut to the 8x400 I was supposed to do last week? I
feel like I'd be ok to do the 10, but you're the coach. And am I
racing Sunday, or just treating it as a training run?