Chicago Marathon Training Recap Week #6

*Week #6, August 31-September 6

Monday: OFF
I was sick with a cold.  Definitely was not happy about it.  I had been sick in July but this time it was much worse.

Tuesday: 4 miles
The plan was to run at an easy pace with 10 strides.

It was a hot and muggy day.  Did not feel well at all.  I stopped several times to catch my breath.  I also had a cough which made it even worse.  Total 4.02 @11:37 average pace.  Splits are:
Mile 1-11:20
Mile 2-11:11
Mile 3-11:55
Mile 4-12:05

Wednesday: 8 tempo miles
The plan was for this run to have negative splits and to start around 11:00-11:30 and end around 10:30-10:45.

^^ That did not happen.  I was still not feeling well.  I didn’t have a cold anymore but my cough was much worse.  I woke up a few times at night and was also coughing throughout the day.  I managed to run 4.00 miles @11:57 average pace.  Splits are:
Mile 1-11:15
Mile 2-11:29
Mile 3-11:25
Mile 4-13:39

Thursday: 4 miles
The plan was to run at an easy pace.

Did not run at all.

Friday: OFF
I left school early to go to the doctor.  I was convinced I had bronchitis and was expecting a prescription for antibiotics.  Well, it turned out that all I had was a “normal” cough due to my cold.  My doctor did prescribe medicine for it.

Saturday: 20 miles
The plan was for this run to have negative splits.

I was out late the night before at a cotillion and did not get up in time to run with my group.  My coach told me to run on Sunday instead.  Well, I knew it was supposed to be very hot on Sunday so I decided to just do my run that day.  I went out on my own at 11:00am but it was too late.  Even though it was cloudy, it was still very humid.  I had my CamelBak filled with HEED sports drink, hammer gels, and various other supplements and was ready to tackle this long run.  Only managed to run 5.65 @12:14 average pace.  Splits are:
Mile 1-10:52
Mile 2-10:59
Mile 3-12:17
Mile 4-12:00
Mile 5-13:12

Sunday: Yoga and 4 recovery miles
No yoga but because I did not finish my run on Saturday, my coach told me to run 10 on Sunday.  I went to the gym.  No way was I running outside–even if it was 10 miles.  I do not remember the last time I ran at the gym.  The gym I went to is new so each treadmill has its own TV monitor.  However, all I was able to watch were old episodes of “Roseanne”.  It was entertaining but I was definitely bored after 5 miles.  Once I was done with 5, I took a break to get more water and hopped back on it to run 5 more miles.  Whew, finally done with 10 miles.

*Runs on treadmill are done on 1% incline.

Thoughts:

• I think this has been one of my worst training weeks due to being sick.
• Cannot wait for cooler weather because I am tired of running in this heat.
• I have to run 18 miles on Saturday, 20 the following Saturday and then taper time.  Yes, I am excited about it.
• My next race is the Chicago Half Marathon on Sunday, September 27.
• I am definitely feeling much better.  Thank goodness!