Um, where did the year go? It felt like just a few days ago I was starting my race training. But no, one week from today, I will be running my half marathon! I’m doing the 5K & Half Marathon Challenge Series for Cleveland this year, and race weekend is coming up!
This week I spent trying to keep up my mileage, stay injury free, and stay sane. Easy goals, huh? I should have added “get more sleep” to my goals because my sleep this week was awful — 4-5 hours/night. And I am pooped! I leave for a work trip today, and that includes late nights and early mornings, so my sleep won’t be much better. Not the best before race day, but I’ll try my best.
Sunday: 8.03 mile outdoor run, chest and tri workout – I had plans to meet some friends for coffee/brunch at 9:30 a.m., so I set my alarm and got out for 8 miles and a weight workout before having to meet them. It was nice to have a later-than-typical start, and after Friday’s 12-miler, I was feeling surprisingly good. It drizzled on and off during the run but for the most part, I stayed dry.
Monday: Shoulder and leg workout, short core workout, workout, 3.23 outdoor miles and 1.65 treadmill miles – I was unable to get out of bed, and thus didn’t have time for much more than 3 miles. I focused on getting my weight training in, and then got out for about 30ish minutes of slow miles. My legs were tired after my weekend! I was able to get in some treadmill walking while working later in the day as well.
Tuesday: Back and bicep workout; started leg day and short core workout, plus 4 mile walk/run – I decided to take it somewhat easy and focus on my weight training vs. running for the day. I even upped the weight for some of my bicep and back workout- going from 15 to 20 on my hammer and arm curls for a few of the sets! I started my leg workout too, getting in all but my kettlebell squats. I then had time to walk/run on the treadmill. It was nice out, but I wanted to take it easy on the legs so I just
Wednesday: 6.37 outdoor miles, finished leg workout (kettlebell squats) 1.5 mile treadmill walk while working, 1 miles walking outside. My legs were feeling a little tired still, and my body was tired! But I still decided to get outside for a run after about an hour of delaying. Yes, you read that right – I woke up at 4:15 and made it outside at 5:15. Yikes! . It warmed up to the 50s later and I was able to get in a short lunch walk.
That night, B and I got out to celebrate our 14 year anniversary! We had dinner and then went to see Evgeny Kissen perform where the Cleveland Orchestra plays! B always likes to follow the traditional wedding gifts and 14 years is “ivory” – so we naturally saw a pianist. It was a nice night, but I went to bed very late! He did 4 encores!
Thursday: 4.3 miles on the treadmill in the a.m. and 1.38 mile walk outside- I was tired after our late date night, and am also trying to take it somewhat easy with the half marathon being a week away. I had a few work things to do in the morning, so after I did those, I had time for 3 sprints then some walking and jogging. I also got out for a short walk outside in the middle of the day. But I was pooped – no wonder why, here was my sleep overnight!
Friday: 4.5 miles run/walk on the treadmill, ab workout, 2.25 miles walking – I need more sleep! I crawled out of bed and the prospect of getting outside in the dark and cold made me want to stay in bed longer … ultimately I got up and got on the treadmill for some easy miles. Later that day, I got in a 2.25 mile walk with LM and FW to pick up dinner.
Saturday: 8.57 miles run, 2 mile walk, chest and tri workout – With race weekend being 7 days away, I wanted to get in a long-ish run before the race, but not too long. I set my alarm a little early, so I could get in a run before our day.
After my run, we walked to brunch with the family! Since I have a work trip for Mother’s Day, we decided to get breakfast on Saturday morning.
Total: 39* miles running plus weight training and some walks
*No idea how I hit exactly 39 miles – I usually end with . something but not this week! Wild!
- Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate! Doing anything fun? I’ll be flying out for work and in a day of rehearsals, etc. for our annual meeting next week.
- Do you do 2-day race events? I love the Cleveland Marathon Challenge Series! Running the 5K and half marathon are my favorite.
I am linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down.
I Crashed The Web 
Happy Mother’s Day, Melissa! What a bummer that you have to fly out today, but it’s great that you celebrated yesterday. I did the same since we’ll be in our car all day today driving to and from visiting my mom.
Have fun at your races next weekend. I hope you’re able to get some sleep this week leading up to race weekend, but it sounds like you’re going to be super busy with work. I’ve never run in a race series where there are different distance races held over the weekend, but I’ve run in a lot of Ragnar relay races where I ran three different legs over the course of 32’ish hours.
Happy Mother’s Day, Melissa! What a bummer that you have to fly out today, but it’s great that you celebrated yesterday. I did the same since we’ll be in our car all day today driving to and from visiting my mom.
Have fun at your races next weekend. I hope you’re able to get some sleep this week leading up to race weekend, but it sounds like you’re going to be super busy with work. I’ve never run in a race series where there are different distance races held over the weekend, but I’ve run in a lot of Ragnar relay races where I ran three different legs over the course of 32’ish hours.
You all look great-post more pics! Your re certainly prepared for a half -have fun! I don’t typically do the 5K before a half because I try to sleep the day before a race. I have done multi day relay races a number of times. Happy Mother’s Day to you
Happy Mother’s Day and Happy Anniversary. How clever to see a piano performance for the “ivory” gift — I wouldn’t have thought of that.
I hope your work trip goes well — will you be able to catch up on sleep? Some business trips I can go to bed super early, but if there are evening events I stay out past my bedtime.
Good luck with the races!
Happy Anniversary! And, clever way to celebrate the “ivory” year.
So, I hope you can sleep this week! Honestly, more sleep is probably more important than more running this week. It sounds like it’ll be tricky with your work trip. Whatever happens… you’ll do great on race weekend! Whenever I don’t get enough sleep (despite my best efforts) I tell myself “that’s okay… my body knows exactly what to do.” and it makes me feel better somehow.
Good luck with everything!
Happy anniversary and Happy Mother’s Day.
Good luck on your race.
I sometimes do more than one race in a weekend. I;ve done a 5k and half for RnR vegas and montreal.
Great job upping the weights! I’ve been increasing from 15# to 20# on some of my workouts. For some, it hasn’t been a big change, but for others it’s been tough!
Happy Anniversary!
You cut your hair! It looks so cute and fresh. I love it!
Sounds like a fun anniversary outing. That’s fun that your hubs likes to stick to the traditional gifts. I was wondering how you picked the pianist!
Good luck next weekend. I’m looking forward to hearing all about your races!
Happy Mother’s Day and safe travels! I hope you are able to get some rest this week so you’ll be in great shape for next weekend!
That’s such a fun idea for the ivory theme! Happy anniversary and Happy Mother’s Day. I hope your race weekend goes well and you get some rest!!
My goodness, so little sleep with so much training? How do you recover? I think the lack of sleep was the main cause of my troubles last week. I was exhausted and didn’t recover enough between training sessions. Enjoy your race(s) next weekend!