July Good-Bad-Ugly

Miles run in July: 132
Up slightly from 123 in June
Races: 0 (because I blew off the lightning/thunder half on 7/23) oops.

Good
I added back a weekly speed workout. I’m steadily regaining running efficiency, able to sustain a faster pace, and ALL of my workouts are more enjoyable.

I’m getting my head rewrapped around covering 26.2. I know this needs to come together mentally and physically now in order to be ready on October 2.

I’ve been able to string together some decent runs. My workouts are trending more to good and great rather than the ‘tired’ and ‘just all right’ runs I was doing in June.

Knock wood: All systems go on the injury front. Even my ornery hamstrings are cooperating right now.

I’ve been hitting the weights harder lately in hopes of staying strong and injury free for the heavy training months to come.

I’ve got my corework routine down to a science.

I ran my longest distance of the training cycle so far yesterday. 18.25 miles. Up and out early, managed 13 outside before it got too hot and I was out of fluids. Finished up with 5.25 miles on the mill at marathon pace. Lo and behold LEGS FELT FRESH! Cannot believe I’m saying this but I could have done more.

Bad
I’m not coming close to the mileage Pfitz wants and am sliding more and more to a pure RLRF routine. I’m not going to say I don’t HAVE the time. I guess the truth is I’m not willing to MAKE the time. There’s so much going on with the kids this summer, running more is something that’s fallen by the wayside.

I’ve slacked off of biking. I use my 3 early mornings a week to get quality runs in. With the kids home, I can’t take off on my bike the way I’d like to. Still no bike shoes either. I went to REI and they had a whopping two women’s styles and nobody around to help. Boo.

I think I made it to a whopping one yoga class in July. I have been doing yoga at home so better than nothing but not optimal.

The heat has been a challenge. Most weeks I’ve done what I can outside until I’m out of fluid then I finish on the mill. I haven’t been able to make myself get back outside after reloading. Is it better to run at goal pace on the mill or risk heatstroke and suffer through the final miles wogging outside?

As of today, I’ve got no other races on my schedule other than two marathons in Oct and November. Family obligations coupled with marathon training are are making race planning really tough this year. I’d hoped to do the Zooma Great Lakes half in October but so far that’s not panning out.

Ugly
Our house during Thing 2’s birthday party. Backed up kitchen sink + toilet not flushing + microwave gone haywire = plenty of uninvited stress. Thankfully the toilet didn’t act up until the party was almost over and I can do without a microwave (which mysteriously worked just fine the next day). But having a plumber laying under the kitchen sink in the middle of the party wasn’t the greatest.

On Tap This Week:
Nail marathon training: 20 miles this weekend
Pull the trigger and sign up for a 5k on Saturday
Recommit to healthy eating: A summer of parties has taken it’s toll.