Weekly roundup

Monday, 9/21:

4-mile run

This was supposed to be interval day, but SuperAthlete J invited me to a running event at the fabulous Market Street Athlete store -- so, instead of pushing my limits on the stairclimber, I got to try out a pair of Pearl Izumi shoes during a fun group run to Golden Gardens and back. The evening was gorgeous, the company was very fine, and after the run we were treated to pairs of Pearl Izumi socks, BPA-free water bottles, microbrews, electrolyte drinks and delicious snacks! It was delightful and well worth the torture that ensued on Tuesday ...

Tuesday, 9/22:

Full body weights

25 minutes on the elliptical trainer at zone 1 (125 bpm)

Intervals -- 3 sets of 2:00 at zone 2 (144-156 bpm); 10:00 at zone 4 (165-175 bpm)

Whew, a super tough workout. I've done intervals after weights a few times but this really kicked me in the ass -- probably due to a combination of the run I'd taken the night before (which was definitely fun but executed at a faster pace than I'm used to) and the intensity of this particular weight workout. It's one of my least faves and I'm always thankful to put it behind me ... although on this day I was hoping to make it last a bit because I was dreading the intervals. Who was really, really happy to leave the gym that day? One guess.

Wednesday, 9/23:

7-mile run

SuperAthlete J is really encouraging me to stick with the marathon training schedule -- as much as I can, anyway. The schedule calls for four days of running and one day of cross-training each week and that's too much running for me. At the most, I feel comfortable with three days. So, along with the long run for the week, I'm also doing the second-longest one (and one other, 5 miles or less, if I feel up for it).

The 7-miler was this week's second-longest run. Again, I got to enjoy the delightful company of SuperAthlete J and some wonderful sunshine. The route proved challenging for me ... the first mile was a long, slow uphill and I've found that I do much better overall when the first chunk of a run is flat. The last half mile was also uphill and I had to do several stop-and-walks to keep my heart rate in the right zone. But at least I finished.

Thursday, 9/24:

Upper body weights

45 minutes on the treadmill, super low zone 1 (100 bpm)

Still loving the new treadmill workout: 15% incline, 1.5-2mph ... although I have yet to get anywhere near the higher end of that range. I'm fine with that -- plus it gives me something to work toward!

Friday, 9/25:

10-mile run

This distance, I think, is supposed to represent a bit of a break in the training schedule -- next week, the long run is 15 miles (a distance I've never attempted before and that is causing me some anxiety). Husband M was out of town and that knocked my schedule a bit off kilter ... by the time I'd gotten Little C to school, eaten breakfast, digested and planned my route, it was after noon and warmer than I would have liked. Still, I set out with high hopes, sport beans and two water bottles filled with G2 Gatorade affixed to my belt.

Not a great run. I had to slow to a walk less than four miles in because I couldn't keep my heart rate below 156 -- and I spent the rest of the run keeping a close eye on it. I probably ended up taking a walk break every 10-15 minutes, which wasn't bad ... but I couldn't figure out why I was having such a hard time. The heat? My pace was faster because I was alone and not chatting with SuperAthlete J? I was tired and hadn't given myself enough recovery from the week's earlier workouts? I don't know -- I was just glad to get it over with.

Sautrday, 9/26:

Rest day

Heaven, heaven, heaven.

Sunday, 9/27:

Full body weights

45 minutes on the elliptical trainer at mid zone 1 (125 bpm)

The perfect springboard to next week's workouts ... or so I hope.