Chicago Marathon Training Week 3

Welcome to the Weekly Rundown. Recapping Chicago Marathon training week 3.  This was the week of the thunderstorms and massages.  Linking up with hosts Deborah and Kim for this weekly training recap.

 

 



Monday 6/24

Run: Easy run.  I got caught in yet another rain storm during my easy run.  Luckily it was a warm summer shower, so I didn’t mind.  But how much rain can we get?!

Other: Core.  I didn’t make it to core class, again.  But I DID do my own routine.  Baby steps.   Mostly, I needed to test out a Bosu workout that I wrote for an athlete.  I wanted to make sure it wasn’t too too hard.

 

Tuesday 6/25

Run: Speed.  I didn’t sleep well the night before (work stress, UGH!), so I was not expecting much from this workout.  My adductor was also still giving me issues, and initially I debated even doing speed.  The workout was 1600m fartlek, 1200m @ 5k, 800m @ 5k, 600m @ 5k, 4x 200m @ mile.  Surprisingly, I hit my paces just fine.  No hindrance from the adductor.  My approach was “Well, let’s see,” which was a stress-free lens of curiosity for the run.  It worked!

Other:  Sprint Tuesday.  You guys.  My heart was FULL.  26 people showed up to Sprint Tuesdays, the free running group I coach on Tuesday mornings.  It was out biggest turnout to date!  Athletes slowly trickled in as I was finishing my workout, but it wasn’t until I gathered them all to lead drills that I took in the size of the group.  The fact that this group has grown from one to three to over twenty is incredible, and is totally the reason why Tuesdays are my favorite day of the week.

 

 

Wednesday 6/26

Run: Easy Run + strength.  Another easy zone two run after strength class.  It’s really cool to see my paces speeding up while staying in zone two.  My biggest coaching tip is to slow down in order to get faster!

Other: Massage.  Last week, I mentioned how tight my adductor felt.  Luckily, my chiropractor had an opening.  He had to dry needle the muscle, at one point hitting a nerve so my foot tingled.  The muscle is still very tight, but this helped a TON.  However, after the visit I bruised – and currently writing this I am still pretty bruised.

 

 



Thursday 6/27

Run: Long Run.  Since I was scheduled to coach on Saturday, I flipped my long run to today.  Thursdays are the only day where I don’t have to wake up before 5, so I battled my desire to “sleep in” with my desire to beat the heat.  I started at 7:30, but that wasn’t early enough.  My workout was 12 miles, gradually progressing from easy pace down to half marathon pace.  With the heat and humidity, the last 2 miles at half marathon pace turned into a slog.  My body was not absorbing fluids well, so I constantly felt bloated and like I needed to burp.  That made it very difficult to breathe well.  Admittedly, with the amount of times I stopped in those last two miles to either burp or try and catch my breath, it turned more into quarter mile repeats at half marathon pace.  It wasn’t pretty, but it got done!

 

Friday 6/28

Run: Rest + Massage.  I went to November Project to say hello to friends but I didn’t do the workout.  Instead, I brought my resistance bands and did a quick routine.  Nothing strenuous after yesterday’s long run!  Later, I went and say Justyna for a massage.  If you saw my Instagram stories, you know that my legs looks like an octopus when she was through cupping me.  But it felt so good!

Other:  New blog post. In case you missed it, I published my June Runfessions.  The post talks about non-running events from the month, and some key life struggles.  Read it here.

 

june runfessions 2019 marathon training

 

Saturday 6/29

Run: Coaching.  My first Saturday EDGE long run of the Chicago Marathon training cycle!  Their workout was easy miles with 30s surges to half marathon pace PLUS 1.5 miles of hills.  Mother nature brought the humidity, and after the first ten minutes I was drenched in sweat.  It didn’t help that since we send groups off in reverse order, I began running with the sub-3 hour marathoners.  We caught up to the other groups after about 2 miles, and I dropped back to catch my breath coach them.

Other: Beach time!  The humidity abated and the later morning/afternoon turned out to be lovely. I met my friend Margaret for a tour of the Lincoln Park Farmer’s Market and then beach time.  My new book for my 15 pages a day goal is Deep Work by Cal Newport.  I’m looking forward to learning strategies to get better at doing deep, focused work!

 

Sunday 6/30

Run: Easy + strength + yoga.  Easy 5 miles to say goodbye to June.  I was feeling a bit sore from yesterday’s long run so I took this nice and steady.  It was another 100% zone two run.  After, I headed to EDGE for strength and yoga.  After rediscovering yoga last week, I wanted to go again.  My adductor thanked me!

 




 

And that’s a wrap!  Week 3 of Chicago Marathon training brought 43 miles, with a surprising speed workout and a tough long run.  All this rain this week was INSANE.  Fine in the morning and then storms in the afternoon and evening.  s I type this, it’s pouring here in Chicago.  I really hope this is not the new normal.

 

This month’s June goals were…. eh.    They were: 3x a week of strength classes, race a 5k, pick a fall marathon, and improve mental running skills.  My three times a week of strength also didn’t happen, but I managed at least one.  I had hoped to do a strength class every Monday night, but work left me drained.  However, I did race a 5k (albeit, unsuccessfully), and pick a fall race – heyyyy Chicago Marathon! Mental running skills could always use improvement.

 

My July goals are:

  • Read 15 pages a day
  • Strength twice a week
  • Yoga at least 3 times this month
  • 3 recipe posts

 

How was your month?  Do you have any July goals?  Let’s stay in touch!  Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for more food/fitness related posts.  

 

 

Happy running,

Becca

 

 

 

 

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therightfits
therightfits
4 years ago

Love the goals. 3x week would be so wonderful, wouldn’t it? I’m happy if I get in one 🙂

What a great turnout for your free track workout- amazing!

Lisa @ TechChick Adventures

I have a goal to do some ab exercises every day due to an upcoming vacation. I’ve been failing miserably on getting it done! I’m pretty much too tired by the end of the day when I have time. Great job on your workouts this week!

Wendy
4 years ago

It’s been really tough getting any quality runs in lately! Looks like you had a good week. I’m due for a massage too.

kookyrunner
4 years ago

I’m glad that the massage helped – you just reminded me that I really need to book one. I haven’t had one in over a year…oops!

I like that goal of reading 15 pages a day – I could probably stick to that!

Deborah Brooks
4 years ago

That book sounds interesting! 15 pages a day is a good goal for reading. I kind of go in phases with reading. I kind of like the summer showers while running not as hot 🙂

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

That is SOOOO exciting how your Tuesday class has grown! That certainly says a lot about YOU 😉 Congrats 😉