Indianapolis Marathon Training Week #8

Am I seriously already halfway through my training for the Indianapolis Marathon? Where the %^&$* did the time go?

Last week was pretty solid, except I only had one real “workout” – Wednesday morning’s tempo that would be more aptly described as a progression run. Or something like that. I did do a long run on Friday that ended up being 2 miles less than the plan, but I’m still pretty happy with it. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Here’s the rundown:

Monday: Off. Lots of glorious sleep. But not really, because my toddler is going through some things and had quite a few wake-ups last week. Andy and I use the phrase “going through some things” anytime Max has unexplained fussy or sleepless behavior 🙂

Tuesday: 6 miles total. 4 miles at lunch (8:30 average pace) + 2 miles late night (8:34 average pace)that weren’t really necessary, but I was frustrated with life stuff and needed to run off some aggression.

Wednesday: 6.2 miles. First mile at 8:40 then 7:59, 7:47, 7:34, 7:26, 7:57 and the last .2 at 8:17

Wednesday morning run

Thursday: 10 miles total. 7.1 miles AM (9:08 average pace), 3 miles PM (8:35 average pace) outside. Max goes to my in-law’s house on Thursdays and they drop him off around 6. Which means if I can get home by 5:30 I can squeeze in a run. Made it home at the exact same time my in-laws got there. Max was grossed out by the “wetty hug” I gave him 🙂

Friday: 17 miles total. 16 mile long run with the first 10 easy pace, last 6 at tempo pace. My original plan was to do 18 miles with 8 at tempo pace, but I ran out of time. My legs were also toast, so if I had not run out of time, I probably would have done the last two as cooldown miles. I was beat.  Splits from Strava:

My Garmin said I ran 16.05 miles, while Strava says 16.4. Not sure which one is right, so I’m just going with my Garmin as far as mileage goes. I felt really strong those last 6 miles. I never would have believed even a year ago that I could hold those paces after already running 10 miles. I really don’t even believe them even though the numbers are right there in front of me. Did that really happen? I feel as if a BQ might be possible, especially after how good this felt. But, who knows? The hecklers in my brain (I imagine they look like Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets) are telling me this was a fluke or a computer error. Who knows? I’m just going to keep doing the work and will see where it gets me.

Where did the additional mile for the 17 mile total come from? My drill sergeant trainer, AKA Max, insisted that we run to the park. My legs were shot, so I figured I would walk him instead of run and take the shortest possible route. He kept saying “Faster, momma. Faster!” So I ended up jogging the ~half mile there and ~half mile back. I usually take the long route, so I wore my Garmin just to see the distance when I don’t add in any extras.

Saturday: 7 miles total. 3.1 miles AM (9:19 average pace), 4 miles (9:00 average pace) during Max’s nap. I wasn’t planning to do the 4-miler, but I was itching to run and I told myself I could as long as I kept it easy.

Sunday: 7 miles total. 4.3 miles AM (8:45 average pace), 2.7 miles (8:34 average pace) on the treadmill during nap time.

Total: 53 miles

I’m happy with this, but I really don’t want to increase my mileage any more than this. I’d like to keep it in the upper 40s to low 50s and increase the quality, not the quantity, from here on out. I have the tendency to run junk miles whenever I get the chance (see Saturday and Sunday’s afternoon treadmill miles). Maybe those doubles are helping, but most likely they are just making me more tired. I woke up this morning feeling like I was hit by a bus and I’m sure it’s because of the added miles this weekend. I think I would have been better served by taking the day completely off on Saturday. Note to self: You don’t need to run ALL the miles.

In other news, Max and I had a fun weekend. If you’re new here, my husband works pretty much all weekend long, so it’s the Max and Mommy show Friday afternoon through Monday morning. Friday afternoon was when I hobbled him in the jogging stroller over to the park. We played there for HOURS. We have a game called “Slippery Slide” (Max named it), where he sits at the top of the slide and I climb up. When I get to the top, I act like I’m slipping off and I say “Max, save me! It’s so slippery!” and then he “saves me” by pushing me back down the slide. He gets really proud of himself and says “Saved Mommy!” He doesn’t quite get the saving concept, obviously 🙂

Saturday my friend and I took Max and her son, who is the same age as Max, to a kids’ workshop at Lowe’s. They were so too young for it and were not interested at all. She and I tried to do the project, but we couldn’t read the directions. Mommy fail, haha. We ended up bailing and letting the kids run around the store for awhile. The staff loved us (sarcasm).

Boys and their tools! I love how it looks like they are legit shopping for stuff. Max is saying “You see buddy, you need this doohickey to fix your broken tricycle.”

Sunday, Max and I went to our favorite place, the Children’s Museum. We go here at least twice a month. We spent a lot of time looking at and playing with trains.

The Museum has a giant glass sculpture in the center by Dale Chihuly called “Fireworks of Glass.” It’s STUNNING. It extends all the way from the first floor to the fourth and is the focal point of the museum. In the basement, you can go underneath the sculpture and look at it from below. There’s also a bunch of fake “glass” pieces that kids can play with and create their own sculptures with. Max loved it!

Sunday afternoon and evening were spent cleaning, playing and grocery shopping. Max woke up early from his nap, so I went and got him. I sat on the couch with him and he promptly fell asleep. I ended up holding him for about an hour while watching 27 Dresses and eating Skinny Pop white cheddar popcorn. It was blissful.

Whew, that was a long recap! Cheers to a new week and being halfway to the start line!

P.S. – I started an Instagram just for Motherhood and Marathons! If you follow my personal insta and you want to see more running-related stuff, follow my m&m insta! If you don’t follow me, please do @motherhood_and_marathons !! 

How was your training last week? What did you do this weekend?