And with that, we have wrapped Week 6 of training. It seems like I have done so much, and yet there is still so much to go. My confidence diminished a little bit this week, but I know that will come in ebbs and flows. My motivation and positivity will appear and vanish many, many times over the course of this training cycle, and I’m just going to have to roll with it.
Sunday – rest
But that’s not to say I didn’t break a sweat. We headed over to Jaguars training camp and spent a few hours watching some of our favorite players in action. More on that later in the week!
Monday – rest
Tuesday – long run, 11 miles
Come hell or high water, I was getting this 11 miler in. I was nervous for several reasons. First was the weather. The heat and humidity is brutal and I was really nervous about not being properly hydrated. The second was the fear of double digits. I haven’t run that far since January and the last time I did, I got injured. It’s been a bit of a mental wall for me to overcome.
It was a tough run. Once again, I had some GI issues at mile 4, although once I used the restroom I was good to go the rest of the way. I worked in five bridge repeats and a little bit of beach running while I was out there, which added some minutes to my overall time, but I’m sure I will see the payoff somewhere down the line.
Wednesday – sunrise yoga
This was a blessed release after Tuesday, and it was even more special because a dear friend and her daughter joined me at class. Two weeks ago, we had to move inside the studio due to mosquitos or some other kind of biting bugs, but on this day, we chose to risk it and I’m glad we did.
The sunrise was epic. We didn’t even do a lot of the ending mat work, simply because it would have been a flat-out sin to miss out on the beauty.
I joked that I am only doing yoga for the photos and that I am going to start bringing my DSLR. Because wow.
Thursday – rest
I was kind of thinking about tossing in a mile in preparation for Tour De Pain on Friday, but… No. We ended up going to the beach and lunch, and then to little man’s karate class, and I was kind of worn out.
Friday – Tour De Pain: 4 Mile Beach Run
Beach racing is new to me. I did participate in the March To Get Screened 5K Run/Walk a few months ago, as a walker, and I knew the sand would be packed, but I wasn’t prepared for the tide pools and puddles, and people lounging in sand chairs in the middle of the course, and people who would lose control of their large, excited dogs while trying to cross runners’ paths (I’m not bothered, but a few runners stopped dead in their tracks and it wasn’t right). We ran two miles out into the wind and two miles back into the sun. I’ll do a complete race report this week.
Saturday – Tour De Pain: 5K Road Race and 1 Mile Sizzler
Less than 12 hours after the beach run, we were back at another starting line for a 5K road race. This was flat, shaded, and pretty much no problem. I had a hard time with nutrition for this series (when do you eat? what do you eat? why does everything you eat feel like it’s going to come right back up?) but it made for a good learning experience. When the 5K was over, we had a few hours to chill until the sizzler downtown. One mile at a full sprint. Ugh! I can think of nothing worse! But it over and I could look forward to some recovery time.
This week, I learned that race series are sheer insanity. I love the adrenaline and the thrill of them, but they wreak havoc on the body and mind. I don’t think I would ever do anything more intense than Tour De Pain, but I guess you never know. I also need to stop worrying about my times. I’m starting to obsess over it, and I have to let it go: the weather is too hot and too humid and I’m pushing myself as safely as I can. I will see progress, but not necessarily when I want to see it and I need to remember that and be kinder to myself.
On the plus side, I ended July at 60 miles, this week in particular at 19 miles and have logged 257 for the year, so far. Not too bad!
Have you ever run a race series like Tour De Pain? How did you like it?
What’s your favorite terrain for running?
I haven’t ever done a series race. I have a grievance about a few running trends lately like the 24 hours runs, Ragnar, mud/obstacle races, series runs…it’s like someone said, “Racing isn’t enough; how can we make this harder?” and it’s not always healthy I don’t think. Just my own little soapbox. Now carry on with your day! 🙂 LOL
jan recently posted…Basic Ab Exercises for People Who Use their Back Instead of Their Abs
LOL. There’s always taking things to the next level. There are some newer race styles/trends that I can’t wrap my head around, but those are the ones in which I just don’t participate. I think we are always looking to push ourselves to the next achievement – my next achievement will never be a 24 hour run, any kind of ultra, or anything over “just” the marathon, but others sound appealing. It’s important to stay healthy and be mindful of our health and bodies, though, and that’s definitely good advice for everyone.
runswithpugs recently posted…recovery with PRO Compression
That sunrise! Wow! Gorgeous.
Nice work with your running this week! I haven’t tackled any sort of long run since March… but the time is coming.
I’ve never done a race series like Tour De Pain. I’m not sure we have any around here? But the structure is pretty similar to what you’d experience in a relay like Ragnar. 3 runs over the course of of 24 hours. Super fun! But definitely I think the time of year is crucial. Summer in FL? That’s killer! I ran Ragnar through Cape Cod in early May, so the temps were perfect. Fueling can be tough in between for sure. I stuck to the basics. Peanut butter and jelly, banana bread, that sort of thing.
Stacie Seidman recently posted…Outrun38 5K
Prettiest sunrise. Ever.
Hmmm. I guess you’re right about Ragnar. I guess I figured that since you’re just in the van, it would be different than having to get up, race, go home, shower, change, and then wait for the next cycle. The weather was insane this weekend, but I guess that’s why they call it “Tour De Pain.”
I may make banana bread for next time. Peanut butter and I are not buddies. I love it but it sits in my stomach like a rock. I tried almond butter this time, hoping for different results. It wasn’t as bad, but not great either 🙁
runswithpugs recently posted…recovery with PRO Compression
Great job! I really want to run the Tour de Pain Extreme in March. I am sure I would regret it if I did, but I really want the challenge. I have never run on the beach, but I am not sure I would enjoy it.
Angie recently posted…The New House!
The Extreme one is just a bit too much for me! But the weather would be perfect!
Beach running is HARD. And distracting. I kept wanting to stop and take pics of the kites and parasailers and sunset and I had to keep going. I wasn’t hurting the next day but I wouldn’t want to do it regularly.
runswithpugs recently posted…recovery with PRO Compression
Awesome week for you, Jen! I love your pictures.
Nice work on the 11 miler. For me, anything over 10 is really scary at first. Once I make it through the first of the “long” long runs I’m okay the rest of the way.
Karen @karenlovestorun
Karen @karenlovestorun recently posted…ALL IN {Goofy Challenge/ Philadephia Half Marathon Training}
Those long runs are incredibly intimidating for me. I think I have to get to 13 before I feel a little more comfortable. That will be next week. Eeek.
runswithpugs recently posted…recovery with PRO Compression
Wow! That looks like a truly great week of training! I don’t know how in the world I would work my nutrition around any kind of race that didn’t take place in the morning! Me + running after eaing = scary! Running on sand is crazy difficult for me so major props to you!
Oh- and the yoga pictures- loving them 🙂
Anne recently posted…Five Things Friday
It was really challenging. My stomach felt off all days: a combination of trying to find food that worked and my nerves. I was a mess come Saturday afternoon. The sand was hard, but I would rather do those sand miles than the one mile sprint, any day!
runswithpugs recently posted…recovery with PRO Compression
The only race series that I’ve run was a 5k on Friday night, followed by a half-marathon the next day. But, when I race, the competitive part of me comes out and, despite that I might tell myself “hey, I’m just going to have fun,” I push myself. Finishing a race, and not being done for the day? I think that might ruin me.
My favorite terrain for running, lately, has been along the Appalachian Trail — I’m far slower on trail than on road (because of the technical nature of the terrain and the inclines), but it’s good to have to think about foot placement (especially since I run in Vibrams). But I have 2 half-marathons over the next two months, and then a full marathon in November, so I need to get my ass on the road yet again.
John (Daddy Runs a Lot) recently posted…Where I revisit my garden
It was really hard to be in the mindset of racing, sleeping, racing and then going about the day knowing there was more racing to come. It was a crazy challenge, mentally and physically.
I don’t hate trail running as much as I thought I might. We don’t have much opportunity for it here (we have swamp and we have beach, but not a lot of wooded area), but it’s nice when I have the chance.
Oh you have a busy schedule ahead! Good luck!
runswithpugs recently posted…writing process – a blog tour
Love your pictures!! I found myself staring at them, totally caught up in them. Oh yeah, nice job training this week! 🙂 #wowlinkup
Lara @ Uptite Mamas recently posted…Photo Dump – Lucky Kid Weekend
We were so lucky to have such gorgeous sunrises that week. It definitely helps make the exercise pass faster.