2019 Chicago Marathon Training Week 5

Welcome to the Weekly Rundown. Recapping Chicago Marathon training week 5 – a recovery week for me! I am slowly but surely acclimating to the humidity.ย  Emphasis on the slowly.ย  Linking up with hosts Deborahย and Kim for this weekly training recap.

 

 

 



Monday 7/8

Run: Corebata + Strength.ย ย Second week in a row of “Hard Core Tabata,” which someone shortened to Corebata.ย  The name sounds like an evil monster, which suits the class well in my opinion.ย  After, I went for an easy recovery run with two other EDGEies who had also taken the class.ย  We chatted work, training, nutrition, and enjoyed the lovely break in humidity.ย  It was one of those perfect weather mornings where I felt like I could run forever.

 

Tuesday 7/9

Run: Speed.ย ย This workout was a long one!ย  4x 400 (alternating 5k and mile pace), 4x 800 (alternating 10k and 5k pace), 2x 800 at 5k pace push to mile pace and finishing with 2x 200 FAST.ย  Woof.ย  My body felt rundown by the end, and I was not able to get the turnover to mile pace.ย  But overall I was ok with it.ย  Coaching Sprint Tuesdays was a blast as usual.

Other: One year injur-versary.ย  Exactly one year ago, I injured my hamstring and adductor on a tempo run and had to take time away from running.ย  Looking at the runner I was then compared to the runner I am today surprises me.ย  If someone would have told me that getting injured would end up leading to being a FASTER runner today than when it happened, I would have laughed.ย  But it’s true.ย  The Becca today is as fast as the Becca from 2016 when I ran my streak of PRs in every distance from the 5k to the marathon (read here why).ย  ย The injury ended up being the best thing that happened for myself and for my running, even though I was devastated when it happened.ย  I didn’t really do anything to celebrate the day, other than reflect on my running journey.

 

Wednesday 7/10

Run: Easy.ย ย My midweek zone 2 runs are getting longer, and I am so happy about it.ย  This one was an hour and I ran just over 7 miles.ย  It’s been very validating to see the paces slowly get faster while my heart rate stays low – a sign of fitness!ย  And I love the slower easier runs where I can just let my mind wander.

Other:ย  Shine Bright.ย ย My wonderful friend, Katie O., founded the non-profit Shine, which is a fertility non-profit.ย  Shine Bright was their fundraising event on Wednesday evening.ย  She had asked if I wanted to have a table there to sell some Becca Bites and Skookies – yes please!ย  Leading up to the event I was nervous.ย  This would be my first time stepping out of the EDGE/NP bubble to sell the products.ย  What if people did like them?ย  How much do I make?ย  What’s my story?ย  What’s my elevator pitch?ย  How do I handle orders if they’re not at my gym?ย ย The night ended up being fine, such a learning experience, and a wonderful time celebrating Shine.ย  Everyone loved the Bites and Skookies, and it was another small step in the direction of turning it into something more!

 

chicago marathon training week 5 Shine Bright

 




Thursday 7/11

Run: Rest Day.ย ย Praise the rest day.ย  I didn’t get home from the event until 10:30, but my body still woke up at 5am, ready to go.ย  I was exhausted all day and did absolutely nothing other than work.

 

Friday 7/12

Run: Tempo.ย ย The workout was 4x 1 mile repeats at tempo pace with an easy quarter mile jog between.ย  I was out on the path before the sunrise in order to finish and make some of the November Project workout.ย  This was the first workout with a new pace card – a faster pace card to reflect the times I’ve been hitting in practice.ย  ย Tempo pace is now what my previous 10k pace was, but with the humidity, this workout still felt like 10k pace.ย  After at November Project, we said goodbye to Chris, one of the co-leaders.

 

November Project Chicago Marathon Training week 5

 

Saturday 7/13

Run: Coaching.ย ย In the morning I coached the EDGE run.ย  We ran around Humboldt Park in honor of Chance the Snapper, an alligator that was spotted in the lagoon there earlier in the week.ย  Yes, an alligator living in Humboldt Park.ย  In the middle of Chicago.ย  How it got there, I have no clue.ย  WHY someone decided to put it there is a mystery and also makes me question humankind’s intelligence.ย  Since today was technically a rest day for me, I biked as the group ran.

Other: ICE CREAM CRAWL!ย  This is one of my top three favorite events of the summer.ย  2017 and 2018 were so much fun.ย  This year we hit up four new places, all of which were delicious.ย  I’ll recap it later in the week, but I am impressed with the vegan ice cream options in Chicago!

 

CHicago vegan ice cream

 


 

Sunday 7/14

Run:ย  Long run + Strength .ย  With coaching and the crawl yesterday, my long run fell to today.ย  Not the best timing after a day of vegan ice cream but oh well.ย  The recovery week called for 7 miles with half marathon pace at the end, so at least it was shorter than past weekends.ย  The humidity was close to 90%, so I was “glazed” by the end.ย  While I didn’t reach half marathon pace, I definitely reached half marathon effort.ย  After, I went to On Your Mark for strength class and then EDGE to round out my recovery week.

chicago marathon training week 5 recovery

 

 

And that’s a wrap!ย  Week 5 Chicago Marathon training in the books.ย  I totaled 35 running miles for this recovery week, and over 30 biking miles.ย  Training is slowly moving along and the temperatures continue to inching up.ย  Next week I will be running the Rock n Roll Half Marathon, which always hold as special place in my heart since it was the first race I ever did where a group of friends and I trained together.ย  Let’s hope the weather isn’t too hot!

 

How was your week?ย  What is your favorite kind of ice cream? Letโ€™s stay in touch!ย  Follow me on Instagramย orย Facebookย for more food/fitness related posts.ย ย 

 

 

Happy running,

Becca

 

 

 

 

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Cari
4 years ago

Ice cream crawl!
Love your sunrise pic – and The Bean!

Chocolaterunsjudy
4 years ago

I had an injury maybe about 5 years ago. It wasn’t that bad, didn’t really take me away from running too long (although running was painful for a long time afterward). I did not get faster afterward, not for a very long time. In fact, 5 years later I feel as though I’m just getting back to where I was then! But hey, I’m also 57, so I’m still happy with it.

Sounds like a good week & successful business outing. Ice cream may occasionally fuel my runs (although usually it’s more recovery, LOL!). Something with chocolate & PB usually.

Laetitia
4 years ago

Feels weird t wish you a happy injur-versary ๐Ÿ˜‰ Also, ice cream crawl sounds amazing. I have an “ice cream social” next weekend and I’m soooo excited for it!

Michelle @ Running with Attitude

Great week Becca! Amazing that it’s been one year already since your injury. I love that you’ve come back stronger than ever!

Renee
4 years ago

good week Becca, seems you still put a lot of work in even in a recovery week and had some fun as well! you give me hope, though right now I don’t feel like I’m going to become faster coming back from my surgery… mentally not feeling that great (I’m in week 3 training!) but hopefully this new week will be better! favourite ice cream… probably boring chocolate chip or pistachio! I did RnR Chicago 4 years ago <3 my first time back in the city in like 20 some odd years and it felt amazing. That was my first… Read more ยป

Wendy
4 years ago

I”m anxious to hear more about your vegan Ice cream crawl. I think I shared with you that my son and his GF are vegan.

Recovery weeks are my favorite!

Kim at Running on the Fly
Kim at Running on the Fly
4 years ago

Like you, if anyone would have told me I’d come back from my surgery/recovery a stronger runner, I would have laughed, too. I never did high-mileage weeks prior, nor was I laden with constant injuries…but those three months off worked a lot of magic on me (physically, emotionally and spiritually). I had been riding a substantial plateau for a few years, but I have managed to break free from that (for now LOL). Running is pretty fickle, and there could be another injury/setback lurking,, so I’m enjoying the faster finish times for the time being ๐Ÿ˜‰ I’m glad your rally… Read more ยป

kookyrunner
4 years ago

Awesome job on your training this week! I can’t believe it’s been a year since your injury. You have definitely bounced back my friend!

I LOVE that picture by the Bean. November Project seems like such a great group of people to workout with – so much positive energy!

Deborah Brooks
4 years ago

Well an ice cream run sounds very good and fun in this heat! We love Jeni’s! I love the corebata name and want to hear more about it

Coco
4 years ago

The ice cream crawl sounds like so much fun! Good for you for getting out of your comfort zone and promoting your business while supporting your friend’s charity event. I think a lot of people really want to support small businesses — I know I try to. Congrats on marking your one year post-injury. I know all my injuries have led me to address weaknesses and made me stronger — and faster.