Heat Monster No More

Welcome to the Weekly Rundown.  The weekly training build was great, but this weekend I realized I am a no longer a Heat Monster.  Linking up with hosts Deborah and Kim for this weekly training recap.

 

Heat Monster no more

 



Monday 5/20

Run: Speed workout.   After a few weeks of feeling down on myself about speed workouts, I was happy to walk away from the track satisfied.  Instead of trying to hit 5k pace for longer miles, I broke up the workout into shorter intervals and pushed to mile pace.  2x 800, 2x 600, 4x 400, 4x 200.  The first interval in the set was at 5k pace, the second at mile pace.  The idea is to get 3 miles worth of 5k or faster speed, and gradually, I will extend them.  I felt great!

 

Tuesday 5/21

Run: Zone 2 + strength.  In the morning I coached Sprint Tuesdays and then went to Coach’s Kitchen strength class.  It wasn’t until the afternoon when I was done with work that I was able to complete an easy zone 2 run with another EDGE coach.  I was excited to see that I was holding low 8 minute miles and talking the whole time.  Mega zone 2 progress!

Other: Ask the Trainer Tuesday.  Today was my featured day as Ask the Trainer.  Every Tuesday EDGE has followers write in with questions and a coach will respond.  Followers asked me about my resistance band workouts, trail running, training on a vegan diet, what books I am currently reading and how to get faster at the marathon.  I had SO much fun answering questions!  Plus, it gave me good ideas for future blog posts.

 

Heat Monster ask the trainer tuesday

 

Wednesday 5/22

Run: Mile sprints.  To practice fast turnover, I did twenty 30 second sprints at mile pace on the treadmill.  As a safety precaution, I had to clip myself into the treadmill!  My mile pace is 5:40, which after 20 intervals meant I ran 1.75 miles at that pace.  Wooooooweeeee!

Other:  PT. In the afternoon, I had another appointment with Dr. Ryan, my magician chiropractor.  I had seen him a few times when I was dealing with my hamstring injury.  Now I still see him, but more as maintenance mode.  My hamstrings and arches have been tight, so he stretched and dry needled me.  The next day I felt magical, per usual.

 

5k training heat monster no more




Thursday 5/23

Run: Zone 2.  Nothing special except perfect pacing and low heart rate.  By keeping my heart rate in the low zone two range, I gain aerobic fitness.  Recently, the paces are faster while my heart rate stays the same – zone two working it’s magic!

Other: Inside Tracker.  I’ve used InsideTracker for the last 8 months to test my biomarkers and tweak my diet for better performance.  Lots of my recent recipes have been based on their recommendations (like this iron-rich granola and these teff flour cookies).  Well.  This week, I opened up my Instagram and almost fell over from shock and delight and “OMG THAT’S ME!”.  They had taken one of my previous posts and turned it into a motivational quote.  It was SO COOL to see!  (PS: if you want to try InsideTracker, use this link for 15% off).

 

heat monster no more Inside Tracker quote

 

Friday 5/24

Run: Rest.  Initially, was going to go to November Project, but it was pouring rain when I woke up.  I am not weatherproof like I used to be!

Other: NEW RECIPE POST.  Lately, I’ve been obsessed with making mini flatbreads at home.  They’re all unleavened, meaning it takes just 20 minutes to go from flour to bread.  I’ve also been obsessed with Indian cuisine and have practiced expanding my recipe repertoire.  This all lead to vegan stuffed flatbread with potatoes, peas, spinach and spices.  It’s a twist on Indian aloo paratha, but with the addition of spring vegetables.  Get the full recipe here and let me know what you think!

 

vegan stuffed flatbread aloo paratha

 

Saturday 5/25

Run:  CARA 5k.  I was feeling GOOD this week.  Confident in my speed again, and ready to test myself.  CARA offers free 5ks every week of the summer, and this one was on the 606 running trail.  I convinced Jeremy to join me (what would a race be without him?), and I was more optimistic than ever about hitting a sub-20 5k time. Mother Nature had a different idea.

It was 80 degrees at 9am when the race started.  My first mile was at 6:15 pace – right on the money.  But then I crashed and burned.  HARD.  I used to be a Heat Monster.  “Heat Monster” is the name I give to someone who LOVES running in the heat.  In fact, I used to thrive in the heat, able to maintain pace better than most.  But I am a Heat Monster no more!  After that first perfect mile, my paces took a nose dive; I got nauseous, hot, and barely held onto marathon pace.  To be fair, I *did* get first place female.  However, it was not the 5k I was hoping for, especially after a week of great workouts and a hunger to race again.

Other:  Another 5k + Cubs Game.  I love that I have friends who celebrate their dog’s birthday with a 5k and brunch.  And I doubly love that I have 30 friends who would show up to such an event.  After the hot and disappointing CARA 5k, I joined in the birthday 5k for a cooldown.  It was super casual, lots of other dogs, and so much fun.  After the run and birthday brunch, I joined my parents for a perfect afternoon at the Cubs game.

 

 


 

Sunday 5/26

Run:  Easy Zone 2 + strength.  Nothing fancy here.  Easy 45 minutes before strength class.  The weather is about 20 degrees cooler, if only the 5k were today!  After, I met a new athlete to talk about coaching and then recovered at EDGE.  Later, I plan to head to a BBQ for a pretty low key Memorial Day party.

 

Heat Monster no more

 

And that’s a wrap!  I totaled 36 miles for the week, about 20% of that was speed work.  After seeing how this week went, I have two big takeaways.  First, my speed it there and a sub-20 5k is closer than I think.  Second is that I have to figure out how to become a Heat Monster again!  On hotter days, I will hold off on running until the afternoon to help acclimatize.  I am also going to look into hot yoga classes again.

 

How was your week?  Are you a Heat Monster?  What are your methods for adapting to hotter running weather? Let’s stay in touch!  Follow me on Instagram or Facebook for more food/fitness related posts.  

 

 

Happy running,

Becca

 

 

 

 

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therightfit
4 years ago

Congrats on the 5k win! Ugh, the weather can be brutal, even for just 3.1 miles. But running a race on the 606 sounds really cool! I’ve yet to run on it in my recent visits to your city, hopefully next time!

Zenaida Arroyo
4 years ago

“Training on a vegan diet” is a topic I would love to read about. I am not vegan but have thought about trying it out. I had no idea one could clip themselves to the treadmill.

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

I think I may be a heat monster LOL Not that I run especially fast in the heat, but it doesn’t seem to affect me the way it does others. I wrote down your track workout from Monday…I’m gonna give that a try (just not this next week). I’m not a fan of the track, so I’m trying to find workouts that have various distances (which summon different paces) to keep myself from getting bored running in constant circles 😉 Thanks for linking with us 😉

Happy Fit Mama (@happyfitmama)

I am not a heat monster! I love the heat but not running in it. BUT it’s soooo much better than sub zero temps. Congrats on the 1st place female!

Wendy
4 years ago

I’d have to be honest here and tell you that I’ve never been a heat monster. While I love warm weather, I don’t love running in warm weather. I’m curious to know what it takes to be a heat monster!

Nice work on your training. That treadmill workout sounds insane! 5:40? Holy moley, friend! And congrats on 1st place female. Altho I totally understand not loving how you did. We are way too hard on ourselves!

deborahbrooks14
deborahbrooks14
4 years ago

I have wondered whether inside tracker was really a benefit to people. It’s great to know that it works so well for you. Those are some speedy times you have there!

Lisa @ TechChick Adventures

I’m sure no one would describe me as a Heat Monster! And if it’s too hot, I’ll just retreat to my cool basement treadmill 🙂 Congrats on the 1st female!

kookyrunner
4 years ago

I’ve never been a heat monster, so welcome to my team, LOL.

I tried Inside Tracker a few years ago but I should really do it again – thanks for the reminder.

Nice job on your workouts this week – I’m always amazed at what you’re able to get in during the week!