Half Marathon Training: Week 3

Monday! A fresh start, a chance to set the tone for the week, the day to set goals, the day to stop wishing and start DOING.

A day to reflect.

As I jump into week four of half marathon training, let’s see out how week three went!

Monday

Plan: 6 miles easy/6.00/58:17/9:43 min/mile

Ran: 6.03/57:18/9:30 min/miles

Today’s run felt good! It had been a while since I’d felt like this – having energy, having to actually slow myself down… and I was really reminded of why I love running. That feeling you get… the feeling like I had today… feeling like you can take on anything!

Tuesday

Plan: Fit Test! 2 miles easy, 20:00 @ threshold, 2 miles easy/7.5 miles/1:07:38/9:01 min/mile

Ran: 7.53 miles/1:08:08/9:03 min/mile

I was a little nervous for this one – with the word “Test” in the name… but I knew the point was just to do my best so Coach could set my zones so I could crush it this fall! This was a TOUGH run. But it was supposed to be! The 20 minute “threshold” was supposed to be the fastest I could go for 20 whole minutes. My threshold ended up being about a 7:50 min/mile, which I was a bit bummed with  since I know I can run a 5K in the low 7’s. Looking back, I’m hoping it was just the heat. I gave it my full effort, and that’s what matters!

Wednesday

Plan: 5 miles easy/5.0 miles/48:45/9:45 min/mile

Ran: 5.02 miles/46:56/9:22 min/mile

“Runch” run today – I ran at lunch, and unlike most Texas lunch runs, the weather was nice! It was overcast with a nice breeze, still 89 degrees, but Texans will take the 80’s any summer day with a smile! This one felt good! I even had to slow myself down a few times (again!) and it just felt overall nice and easy like it should.

Thursday

Plan: 3 miles easy/3.0 miles/28:15/9:45 min/mile + Crosstraining

Ran: 3.02 miles/28:55/9:35 min/mile + Spin class!

Did a morning spin class at a new cycling studio a little closer to home. I was amazed at how much harder it was with such small changes – different movements, different bikes, different instructors. It was a nice challenge!

Ran my 3 easy miles in the afternoon and felt stiff, sluggish, and blah. But I got it done!

Friday

Plan: “Pyramid” – 2 miles easy, 1:00 @ 5K pace, 2:00 @ 10K pace, 3:00 @ 13.1 pace – 1-2-3-2-1-2-3, 2 miles easy/6.0 miles/55:30/9:15

Ran: 6.02 miles/53:09/8:50 min/mile splits: 9:24, 9:20, 7:44, 7:37, 9:20, 9:34

I liked this one! This was a completely new run workout for me (I had to read it a few times to even figure it out!) and this is one of the best things about having a coach – this is a workout I would’ve never (EVER) done without it being written out for me! It was not easy but I loved the focus on the 1, 2, or 3 minute at a time. The 2 up-tempo miles flew by. It helped that the weather was nice – I did this run right at Hurricane Harvey was making its way to the Texas gulf. Dallas is far enough away that it wont affect us directly, but we’ve gotten some cooler weather because of it. Hoping to see this workout again!

Saturday

Plan: Long run! 14 miles/2:16:13/9:45 min/mile

Ran: 14.06 miles/2:19:14/9:54 min/mile

I had a GREAT long run this morning! I know that “on paper” it looks like I didn’t quite hit my mark, but the goal was to run 14 miles at a comfortable, easy pace, and I did just that. Our Saturday morning route has some decent elevation, so there’s that to consider as well. I felt really great – the weather was nice and I felt strong until the very end. It was a MUCH better experience than my 14 miles two weeks ago. I was overall extremely happy with how this long run felt!

Sunday

Rest day! And treated myself to a new running watch! Happy runner here!

Total miles for the week – 41.6 (67K)

As always, I am so very thankful for Lifelong Endurance for guiding me through this journey and helping me transition from wishing to DOING. Having a coach has truly been a game changer!

What are some goals that you have that scare you a little (or a lot)?

What is something that is holding you back from going for your goals?