Carmel Marathon Training: Week 5

Almost 2 months until Carmel.. According to SportTracks, I'm in the best shape of my life and getting more fit everyday. I'll believe it when I run a 3:30 in Carmel. I believed it after the fact for the F3 half... I'm just not convinced I won't crash and burn in the marathon. Because, 26.2 miles.  It's just hard to wrap my mind around running 30ish miles a week and having a successful marathon- i'd usually hover around 40-50. BUT, all my running miles are quality, and I am cycling a lot and swimming intermittently so I've got that going for me.

This week went nearly according to my plan- save for an unplanned rest day which made the weekend workouts more complicated because I didn't want to just eliminate the missed 90 minute cycling workout. I ended up splitting it up and completing the 45 minutes after each of my weekend runs.  My back also started hurting pretty bad on Friday- I must have slept funny because it feels more like a muscular issue. By Sunday it was feeling much better, but still very present. The TP and myo balls have been helping a lot along with hot dead sea salt baths. I've had to back off on core work until it feels better.

Monday: 16 Mile Cycle

Tuesday: 6x800's for 7 miles

Wednesday: REST

Thursday: 11 mile cycle, 2 mile run

Friday: 18 mile cycle

Saturday: 8 mile run, 12 mile cycle

Sunday: 15 mile run, 11 mile cycle

Which makes for a total of: 100 miles and almost 9 hours of working out. YAY.

Overall i'm happy with this week considering I had to be inside for everything due to the crappy weather. The 15 mile long run was the worst- I really don't know how I was able to manage all the 'mill work when I trained for the Knoxville marathon in 2014. I do want to achieve this BQ sooner than later and that is why I keep at it. It's also easy to blow off workouts due to stress but I know that is a road I don't want to go down. Maintaining my workouts has helped considerably with all the stress in my life- between my sick family member and my impending layoff.

Snapshots:

Tuesday we went to the Sharks- Blackhawks game. It was our first hockey game at the United Center. We used to go to Sharks games while living in San Jose, and I've been to some Lightning games- but after 5 years we finally went to a game in Chicago! I bought the tickets as a christmas present for L, because the Sharks are his favorite team. We had a blast! I loved hearing the National Anthem- so different at the United Center, and enjoyed the game despite the Blackhawks loss. I was amazed that nearly everyone had something Blackhawks on. There was a handful of folks with Sharks gear on. It was such a fun experience, I know we will be back again for a game.
On Friday I took a mini field trip across the river to Binny's to get the new release of the Koval-Mikkeller whiskey. I haven't tried it yet, but it looks at home on my bar cart. I did make a new cocktail with whisky, passion fruit, lime and jalapeno and it was really good. I did get jalapeno in my eye while muddling it the first time, so I'll have to be more careful when I muddle the peppers again.
Saturday I watched the Oly Trials with Emmers and Vicky. It was fun watching the event together while catching up and eating some yummy snacks. I cannot wait to watch the marathon in Rio later this year!
Sunday it snowed. It was also ridiculously cold.  The little one was happy to stay inside, but when he has his boots on he loves the cold.
Looking forward to a mini cutback week and nailing all of my workouts. Maybe I'll even go to the pool again. I also can't wait to run outside because it will be in the 40's this coming weekend!!!
Xaarlin