As the title says, this week was all about getting that long run done. It was my last long run before my race, and I absolutely HAD to do it on Wednesday. I couldn’t put it off because as it is, I only have a ten day taper. But our temperatures spiked up crazily, and Wednesday was forecast to be 98 degrees, ARRRRG! Read on for all the gory details…
But first- I’m linking up as always with Kim and Deborah for this Weekly Rundown- thanks for hosting, ladies!
Monday
4 mile run, followed by a Caroline Girvan standing core workout. Meh… the deadbugs are definitely more intense. But at least it wasn’t crunches!
Tuesday
To rest my legs for the next day, I did an upper body strength workout on my Sally McRae app, and then back to the Caroline Girvan deadbug workout. It’s officially the best core workout ever.
Wednesday
20 mile long run!!! This was the hardest long run I’ve ever done. Or, let’s put it this way- if I ever had a run this hard in the past, I didn’t end up completing it. This was the hardest run I’ve ever had where I didn’t just bail in the middle.
Knowing it was going to be extremely hot, I considered starting in the dark and getting at least an hour done before taking my daughter to school- but since this was the ONLY 20 mile run of this training cycle, I decided it would be more beneficial to do the entire thing at one time. So, I couldn’t start the run until 7:30.
I had a cooler in my car with ice, water, and fuel, and circled back to it several times. I thought of it as like an aid station in a race. The first eight miles were okay…
… and after that it got hard. By mile 14 it was so hard, I pulled out my secret weapon for desperate times, which is to run for 30 seconds, walk for 30 seconds, over and over and over again until I (hopefully) start to feel better. This works really well- I mean, I won’t be setting any PRs this way, but I’ve found that I can always convince myself to run for 30 seconds, and as long as I keep up a brisk pace on the walking intervals, I don’t really slow down THAT much. At least, not as much as if I just walked or- obviously- stopped altogether.
By mile 16 I had a second wind, and was able to run continuously again. That took me to mile 18 and then I just gutted out the last two miles. I was literally counting down the tenths of a mile, until I got to mile 20.
When I finished, I looked at the weather on my phone- it was 96 degrees. And the “feels like” temp was 106. Oh yeah- THAT’S why it was so hard! Have I mentioned that there’s NO SHADE on my trail??? I actually think my race will be a little easier than this run, or at least a little cooler. It’s in Central Florida and I believe some of the trails are shady. Shade would be nice.
Thursday
You know how, when you finish a workout, your Garmin tells you how many hours of recovery you need? After yesterday’s run, it told me I needed THREE DAYS to recover, ha. I did feel pretty wiped out, so today I just walked for 30 minutes, and that felt great.
Friday
Okay, enough rest. I went to the gym, did 20 minutes on the Stairmaster, and then did some heavier squats. My quads were still a little sore from the run, but squatting actually felt good- it somehow stretched them out? Followed that up with some work on the abs machine.
Saturday
4 mile run! My legs felt really heavy- probably still some lingering fatigue from the run on Wednesday, plus the added fatigue from the squats. Not to sound like a broken record, but it was also… hot.
Sunday
Alright, I’m ready for a taper! This week will consist of some short runs, very little lower body strength, lots of sleep, and then my race is next Sunday! I’m excited. I’m excited for the race, and I’m excited to NOT do any more long runs in the heat.
How was your week? Is it hot where you are?
Would you rather be extremely hot or extremely cold? – During this long run I was trying to remember how miserable I was during my race in February, where I was so cold, I was shaking. I guess I would rather be too hot.
30 Responses
OMG that sounds like an epically awful long run!! That is SO HOT!! Come on Florida! Couldn’t the weather hold off from such extremes until you are done with your race? How rude!! 😉
I think I would probably prefer too hot to too cold but both are horrible unpleasant. I used to run in the evening when I was in a running club so there were some training runs in 100+ feels like temps and those were the worst runs. But I would never run when it’s like -10F. I did it once and it was so terrible with eyelashes freezing and such. So I am now quite a Goldilocks runner. I pretty much only run in the morning so it can only get so hot at that time in Mn and I won’t run in the winter much anymore unless there is no snow on the ground.
It was warmer than usual yesterday morning though – in the 70s with 70%+ humidity so my pace was a bit slower than usual. This morning it’s gorgeous – 52 with no humidity so I am sure my run will feel much different!
Oh, I’m so envious! 52 and no humidity is a runner’s dream. And yes- the state of Florida really isn’t cooperating with me here. This is way hotter than usual for this time of year, and we haven’t had ANY rain, which usually cools it off a little. Grr.
The key phrases here are “hardest long run” and “didn’t bail”. My prediction is that the race will be “easy” in comparison. You are ready!!!
My experience with run-walk is exactly what you said – it didn’t slow me down that much.
Too hot or too cold? I couldn’t handle heat which is why I bailed on running, but I’m not sure that I’ve ever had a “too cold” running experience so I actually can’t answer this. I remember sometimes shivering from sweat but that’s about as bad as things ever got for me with the cold. And I’m OK with not having had the full experience.
Really? You don’t want to run a race where you nearly freeze to death like I did? Ha, I agree that’s an experience you can skip. But the heat is hard, and it’s getting harder the older I get, somehow.
Oh gosh that heat would destroy me! I cannot even imagine. I sure hope you have some sort of cold wave for race day. Congrats to you for pushing through and gutting it out. Enjoy your taper and rest this week. You got this!
Thank you Deborah! Yes, there’s always the possibility that the temps will dip down this week. Either way, I would say I’m ready for a hot race!
OMG on that HOT run and on Garmin telling you to recover from THREE DAYS. That’s intense! I’d be craving an ice bath after a run like that—but I’d never make it through a run like that. I would rather run in the cold for sure.
Yay on making it to taper time!
You’ve got this!
Thank you Coco!!! I guess the thing about running in the cold is, you can add layers. If it’s super hot and you’ve already taken off most of your clothes, there’s not much more you can do : )
Feels like 106 feels pretty hot! Those are temps we don’t really see, almost ever. The only time I remember seeing temps that high is when we were in Vegas in June, that was 108 and plenty hot for me. Having had that, but also been outside in -40 C, I don’t know what I’d rather do. It’s easier to dress for cold, I guess, but when you’re hot you can only get so naked.
Ha, yes. And I tried, I took off my shirt but there was nothing else I could take off and not get arrested. Vegas gets REALLY hot! But, not as humid. I don’t know which is worse- since I live in a humid climate I think I’d rather have dry heat.
Reading your recap of your long run, it sounds a lot like how I felt on my race yesterday. I had to do a lot of digging deep, self-talking. I also had to let my time goal go, which wasn’t that lofty to begin with! I’d rather run in cold weather than hot. Yesterday wasn’t unbearable but none of us were prepared for it. Kudos to you for running 20 miles in that heat!! 96 degrees is crazy hot. You are definitely ready!
Thanks, Wendy. Yes, my long run does sound like your race! I guess it can’t always be easy. I’m looking forward to your race recap.
Ahhhhh only one week out til your race! I’m so excited for you and I think your mentally tough 20 miler will definitely help you on race day. And hopefully it’ll be cooler, a feels like temp of 106 is very hot! I know I’ve run in temps over 100 since that’s the norm here in Arizona for several months but we don’t have the humidity so it’s more bearable.
I would definitely rather be too hot than too cold! It was in the low 40s and dark when I finished my race last weekend and I was wearing shorts as usual, so the last few miles were pretty chilly but once I stopped moving, I was just shivering uncontrollably! Whereas yesterday, I did a 3 mile trail run and the temp at the end was 96 and yes it was hot but somehow felt better and once I got in air conditioning I was fine!
It really shouldn’t be THAT hot for my race- but of course you never know. We’re having a crazy summer already. i can imagine where you live, the temps drop pretty dramatically at night. You have a lot more variation than we do. I’m still listening to Joe Corcione’s Cocodona recap and it’s crazy how he’s going back and forth fro heat to cold.
Wow, I’m tired just thinking of your long run. But yay for 20 miles — you did it! And yay for almost race day- hope you can recover this week and get ready for the event. Good luck!!
Thank you Melissa! I’m starting to get excited about it.
Woah, that is a long run in extreme heat. I don’t know if I would have survived. The humidity would kill me. Kudos for pushing through (and so glad you took it easy the next day! Garmin was right – recovery was needed!).
Yes, the humidity definitely doesn’t help. I know you get some hot weather but at least you don’t have to deal with that!
Well, you probably know I’d choose the heat over the cold ANY day. Granted, the heat feels especially tough this time of year (because us Midwest folk haven’t had a chance to properly acclimate). But, after a few runs in the summer heat, I’m good for the season (well, within reason, LOL). That was a major run, though! Not just the distance, but the heat, and the mental toughness that was needed (I say that because even though we all have the mental toughness, it is exhausting tapping into it). But, well done, Jenny! Hopefully, race day will be bless you with better conditions!!
Thank you Kim! Yes, I’m definitely hopeful that race day will be a little better. But if not… they’ll have lots of ice at the aid stations, and I know what to do with it.
Well…that’s intense! I am so proud of you for keeping on going. Runners are so tough, and you just make me so darn proud! A true inspiration.
Also, getting to see you twice in one day (on Engie’s blog, too!) is just pure delight! A double dose of Jenny needs to be a regular occurence.
That sounds like an awful long run. I hope your race next Sunday is more shaded and cooler. Sending positive vibes for a fantastic race! I think I’d pick being too hot over too cold, too. Ten years ago I might have said the opposite, but the older I get, the more trouble I have tolerating the cold. Of course, I might think otherwise when the itching kicks in on my legs thanks to my heat-induced hives.
Wow, this is inspiring! I don’t think I’ll ever be able to run 20 miles at a stretch!
I think I would prefer too cold to too hot. It’s a good thing I live in Michigan, I guess :).
Yikes, that long run sounds intense! I’m impressed with your tenacity in those brutal temps. But now the hard work is done and you will get this thing done! Great idea about setting up the aid station for yourself.
You are giving me great hope that I will be running strong again soon just like you!
Ughhhhh that sounds AWFUL. Like really awful! Amazing job at having the grit to complete that! I remember a similar run once- I don’t think it was 20 miles, but a longer one- maybe 11 or 12? Where due to my work schedule/childcare I had to do it in the mid afternoon. And it was summer and a super hot day. I remember just feeling like I wanted to die- I didn’t know if I could finish! I did though, but it wasn’t pretty. I remember running past some kids selling lemonade at a roadside stand and being like YES!!!! It was close to my house so I pleaded with them to let him have 2-3 cups of it and promised I’d be back in 10 minutes to pay them. Hahaha!
I’m glad to see you are in taper now! And also backing off on strength. When I first saw the mention of heavy squats right after that long run I thought- wait- maybe strength should dial down now! But then I saw you said you’re officially in taper now and won’t be doing much strength next week. Probably very smart!
That was my first question: Is there any shade? Omg I don’t know how you ran that long in that kind of heat with no shade. When I trained for Marine Corps it was regularly 85 degrees but I ran on shaded trails and like you, used the car as an aid station. THAT was tough…but doable. Way to push through and get that done. I’m glad you didn’t hurt yourself.
It was only in the 60s and I was dying.
But you got it done. So now enjoy the taper.
You got this!!!
That sounds really hard! A 20 mile run in that weather is impressive. Well done, and enjoy your taper period.
I couldn’t imagine running in 100F. I probably would always prefer too hot to too cold, but I also know that my body isn’t happy in too hot weather. When we go to Italy in the summer it’s usually 35C (95F) or more. 35 is bearable and I can even enjoy walking around as long as I have water and if there’s some shade, but anything above and I don’t feel good.
Can you explain to a race newbie how the aid stations work? Will you be able to fill your ice hat? Or is it just whatever ice you start with is what you get (because that sounds bad)? Do you carry just enough water to get you from aid station to aid station? Or do you fill up there? Doesn’t that hurt time if people are looking for a PR or a win or whatever? I feel like I just don’t know enough about race strategy to understand how any of this is going to work!
OH Jenny that weather is WILD! I could not have done it. Kudos to you for sticking with it, well done!