I am one week from race day, and unfortunately, this was not a good training week.

Why? Because I got sick!

I am hoping it’s just a quick, short head cold, but my breathing has not been good all week. My running has been off. My sleep has been off. So, instead of trying to stick to the training plan, and waking up at 3 am to run 11 miles, I decided to just try to keep up my fitness and still get my sleep.  So, no speed workout this week, no extra long run, and not as many core workouts. 

I have a work trip this week where I’ll be flying and out of town today, so hopefully I kick this crud soon – at least in time for the race next weekend!  

Here’s how the week turned out:

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I forgot to change our calendar for most of this week and when I did I couldn’t believe how fast April flew by. Where did it go?

I had a pretty good month, with high mileage, no injuries (!) and several long runs to keep me ready for Cleveland Marathon later this month. 

This week, it started to feel like spring – and by that I mean we had showers nearly every day. What a WET week! It rained pretty much every morning. And it was COLD rain – 30s and 40s – and also HARD rain. It was on and off rain, sleet and wet snow nearly every morning/day this week. It impeded my running, unfortunately. I was hoping to get in a long (10ish mile) run on Tuesday or Wednesday this week, but it was so gross out that I couldn’t make myself get outside and run in it for 2 hours. I luckily still got outside most mornings, with only one day stuck inside on the treadmill. Since I did a 12 mile run last week and hadn’t taken a day off in a while, here were my goals for this week:

• Speed training: 45 minute tempo run
• Long run: 10-11 miles 
• Core work: 3-5 days (8-10 min videos)
• A 5 mile run
• 2-3 other runs of 30-50 minutes

Here’s how the week turned out:

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I realized this week that I am somehow off my training plan … I am loosely following Hal Higdon’s intermediate half marathon training plan. Loosely is the right word, because each week I try to match the long run, one of the speed runs, and then fit in some other runs. I haven’t been able to get in any races (he has a few on the plan) and I only do one day of speed work.  That said, somehow I got a little off with the plan and found myself at a 12 mile long run this week. But, my race isn’t until May 22, and my longest long run — 12 miles —  is supposed to be the week before that. I realized this one morning this week, but decided I still wanted to get in 12 miles this week, one morning, before work. So that put me at this for my goal runs this week:  

• Speed training: 9x400m speed run
• Long run: 12 miles 
• Core work: 3-5 days (8-10 min videos)
• A 5 mile run
• 2-3 other runs of 30-50 minutes

Here’s how the week turned out:

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This week, we were back to our routine and normal schedule. Though it was hard waking up early again, I somehow got in a record-high week, 35 miles total. I cannot remember the last time I got in this many miles in one week – definitely not in 2023!

Here is what was on the schedule for this week: 

• Speed training: 40 min tempo run
• Long run: 11 miles 
• Core work: 3-5 days (8-10 min videos)
• 3 other runs, 30-50 minutes each

Here’s how the week turned out:

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This week, my workouts and running schedule were a little off, and my mileage was less than the past few weeks. But for good reason — we got in a mini family vacation! My son was off school, and we decided to take off Thursday and Friday to drive to Cincinnati to do a few days of exploring, see some baseball, and other kid-friendly activities. With that, I knew I’d have to get in my long run early (I didn’t want to “waste” two hours of the time off with the kiddos to go away on a run) in the week, and be flexible with my other days. Here is what was on the schedule for this week: 

• Speed training: 8×400 m run
• Long run: 10 miles 
• Core work: 3-5 days (8-10 min videos)
• 2-3 other runs, 30-50 minutes each

Here’s how the week turned out:

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We did it – we finally had a full week of springtime weather! No snow, no ice, and despite some rain, some gorgeous days.

Of course, I loved this and took advantage of it as I could. After dinner walks with the kids, early morning runs (without winter clothes!), and lunchtime strolls all made an appearance this week.

My training goals for this week were:

• Speed training: 40 min tempo run
• Long run: 9-10 miles 
• Core work most days (8-10 min videos)
• 2-3 other runs, 30-50 minutes each

Here’s how the week turned out:

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I’m onto week 5 of half marathon training, and on the schedule this week was a 9 mile run. So, I decided to do it Tuesday morning before work. I’m starting to really enjoy my mid-week long runs – it’s great to get them over with, great to have the full weekend to get things done and go to kid activities, and I don’t mind the feeling of accomplishment as I start my Tuesday after an early run!

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  First, here’s how March went:

I finished March with 134 total miles, which is my most mileage in a month since August. It definitely helps that the weather is (for the most part) getting nicer and I’m starting longer runs with training again. 

I did my 8-10 minute core workout 4-5x each week, which was my goal. I’m so glad I’m keeping it up!

And now this week. My training goals for this week were:

• Speed training: 7×400 m
• Long run: 9 miles 
• Core work most days (8-10 min videos)
• 2-3 other runs, 30-50 minutes each

Here’s how the week turned out:

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