It is week 6 of the 18 week marathon training program for this year's Chicago Marathon. It also is the week that I had to really prove to myself how serious I really am with this training since I went to the Wisconsin Dells with my family all week. I have yet to actually run all three runs during the week that I am supposed to be running up until now. I normally get in one of the two 3 mile runs in, and then the longish run in as well, and then of course the long run during the weekend with the CARA group training. This week I could have easily blown off the runs during the week and just been ready for the long run this weekend since it was a cutback week of 7 miles. With the motivation of my two brothers, I have completed two of the three runs during the week and looking to finally hit that third run also tomorrow (later today).
It has been pretty humid here in the Dells, but I took it as an opportunity to get some heat training in too. You never know what kind of weather will hit on October 10th this year! I also took the opportunity to do a little bit of hill training today during my 5 mile run. Just before the end of mile 2, I hit various levels of inclines and declines for the remainder of the distance. Being back home, I normally just hit the same flat land. This was a little tougher for me and I found myself huffing and puffing more than usual. Again, I don't know what the conditions will be come race day, so I gotta have some different kinds of training out there as well. We do our fair amount of steady incline/decline runs during our weekly long runs with CARA, but nothing like some of the hills I hit today. It was hard work but also a nice change of pace too. I kept thinking about my ankles and my achilles through these inclines, and it seemed to hold up, not pushing too hard off it. I still do my proper stretching and extra cold shower after each run to cool off the body. In addition we have been hitting the water parks everyday so I get a little more "swimming" in as well as a nice little hot tub session every now and again. The sleeping has suffered a bit, and I just don't feel well rested in the morning. It might be because of the small, not entirely comfortable bed we have been sleeping in the past few nights. Also that night we hit the casino till 3:30 in the morning probably didn't help much either! I know it definitely did not help my pocket!
Tomorrow (again, later today) I plan on running 3 miles, some of it with my oldest brother to finish strong this week to get into the 7 mile run on Saturday. I can't believe I'll be a 1/3 of the way through this marathon training. I will admit I am worried about next week's mileage of 3/6/3 during the week then 12mi long run on Saturday (GASP). Remember, the mileage of the long run scheduled for next week is what did my achilles in a few months back. I've been waiting for this distance for some time, so I can't wait to hit and then move on and up!
I plan on getting a VLOG out there again soon. There are about 5 people who like them, so I gotta keep them happy! :)
Happy training!
