This was a big week! I had a LONG long run, and everything was geared towards that. There was also lots of Olympics watching, and a little extra sleeping. Thanks as always to Kim and Deborah for hosting the Weekly Rundown. Here we go…
Monday
In the morning I did Caroline Girvan’s stellar abs workout, and later in the day I got out for a 4 mile run. Still enjoying a slight morning sleep-in and running after work.
Tuesday
Saving my legs for a big effort… I did an upper body strength workout.
Wednesday
Today was the day! I ran 31 miles, the longest run I’ve ever done, outside of a race. It was actually fun (for the most part). I did the first 10 miles on the roads (because it was dark) and then moved to the trail.
I had a cooler in my car with water, extra gels, potato chips, crackers, and my new favorite long run fuel- a Monster energy drink. I looped back to my “aid station” after miles 10, 18, and 26. Overall it went really well! No stomach issues, and nothing hurt- other than legs that were quite fatigued by the end.
Thursday
This was mostly a rest day. In the morning I opted to sleep as late as possible, and after work I had to take Sylvie to the vet for her second round of shots (kittens need a lot of shots! I didn’t know this before I adopted her- I’ve always gotten cats who already had their shots taken care of).
At night I did Adriene’s yoga for lower back pain. My low back has actually been pretty great lately- but I still love the way this routine stretches out my low back and hip flexors. And- I had to stay up to watch the women’s figure skating! Alysa Liu!!!
Friday
I started the day with Adriene’s morning hip release. Then later in the afternoon I walked for 45 minutes. My quads and hip flexors are still sore, but this walk felt great.
Saturday
I did my hip stability exercises, and got out for a 4 mile run later in the day. When I first started running, my legs felt off. But then they kind of settled into the run, and it ended up being pretty good.
Sunday
Definitely sleeping in! Then… time to get some strength in. Wednesday long runs are hard because the whole week feels like I’m either getting ready for the run, or recovering from it.
Also- Olympics! So sad that it’s ending! I loved having something to watch every day and there were so many fun events. Boohoo.
How was your week? Are you sad the Olympics are over?
32 Responses
Your long run – awesome! I find your balance between the long run and other activities interesting- as a non runner, I’d have thought one would have to run like 10 miles or more in the days before a big run like 31. I’m learning a lot ( not that I’d ever put it into practice…)
I would say most people training for an ultramarathon are running longer in their regular daily runs, i.e. an overall higher weekly mileage. I’ve done that in the past but had too many issues with injuries, so this is the program I’ve settled on. We’ll see how my race goes, but I’m fairly certain I can make it through the distance with the training I’m doing. We’ll find out in a month (gulp!)
That is a very long run! Eeks! Great job, Jenny. And I’m so glad things are going smoothly with this training and everything is cooperating.
I’m so sad the Olympics are over. We’ve been watching it over breakfast each day and I’ve loved this little routine. It has really helped boost my mood in the doldrums of winter, for sure!!!
Canada vs. the US in the gold medal of men’s hockey is still to come. I bet you can guess what way I hope that turns out 😉
Yes, I thought of you- I didn’t get up at 8 am to watch the game but I saw the results (sorry!!!) I’ve had the Olympics on every night after dinner and I’m going to miss it so much!!!
Yay for the ultra training run! It doesn’t get much better than that.
We had “fake spring” this week which finally melted off the huge snowfall from January. I took advantage with lots of hiking!
Yes, I know all about your “fake spring!” Glad you got your hiking in. I know winter is returning up north, which is good for us down here- we need cool air our way.
Great work on your long run! That is a big confidence booster that it went so well! This has been a weird week for workouts as I have a friend visiting this weekend so am not doing any OTF classes this weekend. I will get back on track next week, though. Paul has a stomach ache and headache, though, so I am hoping and praying it’s nothing and he can go to school tomorrow.
I am sad the Olympics is almost over. I haven’t watched as much as I would have liked as Will is too young to be interested. But Paul has enjoyed watching it for a bit after Will goes to bed.
Oh boy- I hope Paul goes to school tomorrow! That’s nice you have a friend visiting, and it’s a good reason to skip OTF. You can definitely get right back on track.
I enjoyed these Olympics even more than I thought I would, so I really sad it’s ending!
Wow 31 miles on your own s quite an accomplishment !! I hope that gives you lots of confidence for the race day. Way to go!
Thanks Deborah! It was a confidence booster, for sure.
Wow, 31 miles! Amazing. It makes total sense that the week feels like gearing up, then recovering, after something like that.
Thanks Julie. Yeah, it kind of took over the entire week!
Way to go on the 31 mile training run! It feels crazy to get to the point in ultrarunning that you do an ultra to train for a longer ultra! I know you’ll be ready for your big 60 miler for sure!
I was supposed to do a 16 mile long run yesterday but got to the trailhead and knew it wasn’t happening because of…lady problems. I have never had this issue before but my body has been messed up this week so I had to accept that this will be an unplanned cutback week. I feel better today but don’t think it’s wise to do a long run so hopefully I can get in a few miles and have a better week next week!
Oh… yuck. Well, cutback weeks are not bad! I’m glad you’re feeling better today, and I’m also glad that I’m too old for lady problems! Getting older is NOT all bad. : )
Agreed. It is always sad when the Olympics end… 4 years… but they will be in France. Woo Hoo.
Congrats on that run!!! 4 weeks, right?
You are inspiring… I need company when I run and I struggle with more than 3 miles solo…
Yep, four weeks till my race! And… only two years till the summer Olympics : )
I can’t compute running 31 miles outside of a race. You are amazing! I’m so glad it didn’t bother any of your niggles. This is a great sign!
And yes, Alysa Liu. I teared up during her routine. It was the best I’ve ever seen!
Yes, no niggles from that run!!! Not sure how that happened, but I’m not complaining.
So much to love about Alysa Liu- her whole story and her obvious joy when she skated. Definitely a feel-good moment!
Congrats on such a successful 31-mile training run! So impressive! Was that your last long run before the ultra?
I’m sad that the Olympics are over, but wow, did we go out with a bang with that men’s (and women’s earlier) hockey win over Canada! We missed much of the Olympics with our travels, though.
Thanks Debbie!
Yes, the hockey game was a nice ending (for us, at least!)
That was my last continuous long run- I’m planning on one more big effort that will probably be back-to-back runs.
Amazing long run! You’re doing great! And I love how you are being sure to keep up with all your strength and stretching.
Puppies and kittens both get so many shots. It’s a big expense and so much time at the vet!
I didn’t really watch a lot of the Olympics, so I don’t have any feelings about the end.
I’m pretty sure if I didn’t keep up with my strength, I wouldn’t be able to do these runs. And you’re giving me too much credit- I’m not doing great with stretching. But at this point, if it’s not broke, don’t fix it. Right?
Wow, well done with that long run!! That’s really impressive! And I’m so happy to you that you didn’t have pain or other troubles. I wonder if I should look into that yoga – I always have something not completely happy around my hip area.
I missed the Olympics because I was too late finding where to actually follow it. But I read some news articles about certain events.
You should definitely try the yoga and see if it helps. It’s free, and the routines are short- you have nothing to lose!
I can see how the week would feel a bit off with the prep and recovery for the long run, but I bet that felt wonderful to get that one checked off! I’m glad it went so well for you! What a confidence boost (because heck yeah, you are rocking it!!).
Kittens do need a lot of shots, I agree. No such thing as a free kitten 😉
Yes, it’s actually cheaper to adopt a three-month-old kitten from an agency. I think we paid $125 for Muffin, and she was already spayed and had all her shots. But that’s okay- we’ve loved having Sylvie, and it’s fun that we got her when she was SO little, and we get to see her grow up.
Glad your long run went so well. — all that planning and preparation paid off.
I guess I’m sad the olympics are ending, but I’ve seen enough curling for 4 years. I wish they showed more events!
I somehow managed to NOT see any curling! I saw lots of skiing, snowboarding, skating, bobsledding… and I loved them all.
WOW! Nice job on that 31-miler! You should have had a special “in training” medal made for the 50K distance 😉 I’m glad the run went well, and all the previous niggles weren’t acting up.
Ha, I should have made myself a medal. Maybe I’ll print out the photo of my Garmin at the end : )
Woo hoo! Your training sounds like it’s going great! I am in awe that you just… ran 31 miles on a random morning. That is DILIGENCE.
I haven’t been keeping terribly close track of the Olympics, just watching here and there, but what I’ve seen has been really fun.
Your long run is awesome!! And I love that hip opening yoga sequence– Adrienne is so great.