TC Marathon Training – Week 8

Well, I can tell that my weekly mileage has increased to levels that I’ve never done before as I’ve experienced a common runner’s affliction — I have my first black toenail. Yes, gross to think about (and see, so use caution as you scroll down).

I felt a little pain in my right middle toe in the last week or two and saw the discoloration on my nail. I suspected it was a black toenail and did a little Googling just to make sure. Toenail issues are common for runners doing high-intensity workouts and those training for marathons.

It hurt a bit when I would touch the nail right after a run, but the pain would decrease as I rested. I was worried about my long run this week, but was pleasantly surprised that it didn’t bother me at all on my run and actually didn’t hurt afterwards either.

Now for the picture. Hey, trying to document all aspect of my first marathon training experience here folks!

Outside of the toenail stuff, it was another good week of training!

Monday – rest 

Tuesday – 6.07 mile run (9:55/mile pace)

The weather wasn’t as hot this week, so this 6 mile run was much better than last week’s.

Wednesday – 3.13 mile run (9:45/mile pace)

Thursday – 3.03 mile run (10:00/mile pace)

I dragged myself out of bed early for a good morning run before work.

After work I headed to a CherryBerry for a fundraiser for Camp Oasis – a summer camp put on by the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation for kids living with Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. A portion of sales were getting donated to the camp so myself and other volunteers promoted the event to get as many people there as we could. I helped out the good cause by having some froyo for dinner!

Friday – rest

Saturday – 13.12 mile run (10:00/mile pace)

A half marathon was on the training schedule for this day. I was considering doing a half marathon race in a couple of weeks because I thought I’d want to do a race at some point during training. As this week approached, I realized I wasn’t missing races and was doing good in training mode. If I did the half marathon race, I would only need to do 10 miles this week. I figured I’d leave it up to how I felt once I hit 10 miles on this run. I could stop and register for the half, or continue on with the full 13.1 and just stick to the training plan instead of swapping weeks.

I made my way to the lakes for my long run again. I got there just before 8 a.m. The air was fairly cool, but I could feel the humidity already. I was thankful for the mostly shaded paths and the thin clouds that filtered out a bit of the sun.

I made it to 10 miles and despite the heat and humidity, I was feeling really good. I decided to do one more loop around Lake Harriet to finish up the 13.1 miles. When I got done, my shirt certainly showed evidence of the hot day, but I felt so good for completing the run!

  

Sunday – 35 minute elliptical; 25 minute walk

I let myself sleep in a little on Sunday morning and then met a couple of friends for brunch on a patio. I had the Quiche Lorraine and roasted potatoes – delicious!

I stopped at the grocery and ended up being in a very productive mood when I got home. I went through my dresser and closet to find stuff to donate, did laundry, organized some mail and got in my cross training workout.

With another hot day, I was totally ok with hitting the workout room. I hopped on the elliptical for a solid 35 minute workout and then walked on the treadmill for a bit to get in a full hour workout.

Have you ever had a black toenail from running?

TC Marathon Training – Week 7

Another week done! It was a fun and busy week filled with running and getting to hang with friends and family. Here’s a recap of the week.

Monday – rest

Tuesday – 6.01 mile run (10:09/mile pace)

I got home from work and it was about 85 degrees. Not crazy hot, but not awesome for running 6 miles either. I started my run and was feeling great. My legs were fresh and thing were going good. Then after a couple of miles, the heat and a slight stomach ache started to bug me. The last half of this run was a bit of a struggle. I made it, but was definitely happy when it was over!

Wednesday – 3.02 mile run (9:59/mile pace)

I got up for a morning run on Wednesday so I could meet some friends for dinner after work. The run in the cooler morning air was much better than the night before.

A friend from grad school was in town and staying with me for a couple days. I got together with her and another friend for dinner at Smack Shack for restaurant week. We got to try several different courses for a set price. I had the fried calamari, lobster guacamole, shrimp & grits, cornbread & honey butter, and a scoop of ice cream for dessert. Great meal, great conversation, and a great MN night to sit outside!

 

Thursday – 3 mile run (10:00/mile pace)

A rainy day forced me inside for this quick 3 mile run.

After that, I got cleaned up and my friend and I headed out to Surly brewery to grab a drink and dinner. It was an hour and a half wait when we got there, so we ended up just getting the drink and having dinner elsewhere.

Friday – rest

I took Friday off of work to hang with my friend in the morning before she had to leave down. We grabbed breakfast at The Buttered Tin, and it was delicious! I’ve heard rave reviews of this place, and it had been on my list for a long time. So glad I got to go!

   

Saturday – 12.10 mile run (9:55/mile pace)

I got up early on Saturday to get out to Lake Harriet at 8 a.m. to start my long run. I knew the temp was supposed to get hot later in the day, so wanted to get it done. The air was fairly cool, and there’s a decent amount of shade around the lake. The breeze on certain sides of the lakes felt AMAZING, too.

I made two loops around Lake Harriet and then headed over for a loop around Lake Calhoun. I spotted Minne (Minneapolis’ version of the Loch Ness Monster)!

Then I made my way back to Harriet for one last loop around for a perfect 12 mile run. I was really happy with my pace again and am feeling pretty good about my progress with long run.

On Saturday afternoon I headed home to visit my family for the night. We went out to a baseball game and I scarfed down some classic ball park food (hot dog, chips, pasta salad). At one point the wind blew the last bit of my beer right in my lap. #baseballgamefail Needless to say, I had to wait a little bit for it to dry before I could get up to get another drink.

Sunday – 1 hour walk (2.96 miles)

Took a nice hour-long walk with my mom, sister and our dog in the morning and hung out with family through dinner before heading back to my apartment.

Anyone else ever spilled a drink on themselves at a ball game? Do you like running in the heat?

TC Marathon Training – Week 6

This week was another step-back week, so my long run was a bit shorter. Even though overall mileage was lower, I noticed that my pace appeared to be too. This was the first week where the average pace of all my runs was under 10 minutes per mile! Wasn’t aiming for that, so a pleasant surprise.

Monday – Rest

Tuesday – 5.05 mile run (9:56/mile pace)

It was a beautiful evening with temps in the 70s when I got home from work. I took the opportunity to get in my 5 mile run for the week.

Wednesday – 3.13 mile run ( 9:50/mile pace)

I got up for a morning run so I could meet some friends after work to check out a brewery – Bauhaus Brew Labs. We were able to sit outside on their patio and have a drink. There was a food truck parked out there too, so I grabbed a yummy pulled pork sandwich for dinner.

  

Thursday – 3.13 mile run (9:53/mile pace)

Friday – Rest

Saturday – 7.15 mile run (9:57/mile pace)

I got up early to beat the heat that was supposed to come later in the day. My original plan was to go to one of the lakes to do my 7 mile run, but the night before I realized a triathlon was going on there on Saturday morning. I decided to run closer to home instead.

Turned out to be a good 7 mile run. My refreshed running playlist helped keep it interesting. I added a few new songs and took off some old ones.

Sunday – 30 minute elliptical and 1.65 mile walk (30 minutes)

I got up Sunday morning and took a quick trip to the farmer’s market with a friend. When I got back, I heated up some leftover pancakes I had made the day before and watched the Men’s Wimbledon Final. I haven’t watched tennis in awhile and forgot how much I like it!

It was hot in the afternoon, so I did my cross training in the workout room — which was also pretty warm. Don think the A/C was working right.

Ever had a week with a faster pace than you expected? What are some of your favorite songs to run to?

TC Marathon Training – Week 5

Wow, the first month of training flew by! At this rate, the marathon will be here before I know it! Training continues to go well. I’ve managed to get in all of my training runs and stick to the plan. Can feel some soreness/tiredness in my legs every now and then, but no weird pain or injuries to worry about.

This past week was another good training week!

Monday – rest

I planned to meet a couple of friends for happy hour after work. We were going to try Hola Arepa. I’ve never been, but it’s been on my list for awhile. I pulled in the parking lot and my first thought was, “Awesome, I got a parking spot!” Then I realized the reason I had a spot was that the lot was empty. Something wasn’t right. I pulled out my phone and sure enough Hola Arepa is closed on Mondays. Whomp whomp.

My friends and I ended up across the street at Pat’s Tap and were able to sit outside and still enjoy our dinner. I had some yummy fish tacos.

Tuesday – 3.01 mile run (10:03/mile pace)

I got up for another morning run so I could meet Hyedi for a bite to eat after work and not have to worry about going home to run.

I couldn’t help taking another picture of the sun. It looked more like sunset than sunrise that morning!

Wednesday – 5.10 mile run (9:50/mile pace)

The temps were in the mid 70’s, so I was really excited to get in my 5 mile run after work. It was a great evening for a run. I wanted to keep my typical 10 min/mile pace and surprised myself with a slightly faster pace for the whole run. I was pushing it a little, but felt good overall.

Thursday – rest

I was really tired and hungry after work, so I decided to make it my rest day and cook myself some dinner. A co-worker gave me some fresh cilantro, so I was craving some Fiesta Lime Rice. It’s a really easy and light recipe.

Friday – 3.04 mile run (10:12/mile pace)

Got in the 3 mile run that I skipped the day before. Tried to take it easy knowing I had a long run coming the next morning.

Saturday – 10.03 mile run (10:03/mile pace)

I made myself get up early so I could run while it was still cool and be ready to hang with some friends in the afternoon. I headed to Lake Harriet and Lake Calhoun for this run.

I started with a lap around Lake Harriet. My legs were a bit tired at first, but warmed up after a couple miles. I’m usually pretty good about getting in the right mental state before a long run. I wasn’t quite in the right frame of mind when I started running, so it felt like the first 2-3 miles took awhile. But once I got around the lake and headed towards Lake Calhoun I was in a better mental state for doing 7 more miles. After about 5 miles, I had some Gu and the extra fuel definitely helped me pick up my pace for the second half of my run.

I got around Calhoun and made my way back to Harriet for one more lap around to complete my run. My legs were tired by the last mile and I was ready to be done when I hit 10 miles, but it was a good run overall and a heck of a way to kick off my Fourth of July!

Sunday – 30 minute elliptical and 2 mile walk (34 minutes)

Elliptical and a walk outside for some cross training to end the week.

What did you do for the 4th of July?