2016 Chicago Marathon Training Week 3

I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.

Hoping everyone had a good week!

Chicago Marathon training is here!  I am excited (and nervous) to be training using the Hansons Marathon Method.  In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue. You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs.  The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day. 

Week #3, June 20-26

Monday:

• PLAN – 6 miles easy, 10:15-11:30 pace
• ACTUAL – 6 miles @10:44 average pace

I did this run on the treadmill.  I wear wireless headphones and they weren’t working because of low battery.  So instead I used an interval timer and alternated running 4/5 minutes with paces of 11:07, 10:43, and 10:21.

Tuesday:

• PLAN – 8x600s, 8:33-8:55 pace
• ACTUAL – TRX and 8x600s, total 7 miles @10:49 average pace

This workout felt so much easier than last week.  W/up and c/d @12:00.  Recovery @12:30.  Each interval was done at a different pace-9:05, 8:57, 8:49, 8:42, 8:34, 8:42, 8:49, 8:57.  

Wednesday:

• PLAN – OFF
• ACTUAL – OFF

Another massage today.  The masseuse focused solely on the legs and I felt great afterwards.

Thursday:

• PLAN – 6 tempo miles, 9:44 pace
• ACTUAL – 8 miles @10:17 average pace

I was afraid of doing this run.  Tempo runs are not my favorite.  W/up and c/d @12:00.  I was not in the mood to listen to any music so I used my interval timer and alternated running 4/5 minutes with paces of 9:50, 9:41, 9:31.  Overall, it went better than I expected and that made me happy.  I know that in late September I will be running 10 tempo miles.  Yikes!

Friday: 

• PLAN – 7 easy miles, 10:15-11:30 pace
• ACTUAL – Skipped run.

I slept till 7:00 and knew I didn’t have enough time to run and make it to my dentist appointment at 9:30.  Plus, I had plans to meet with a friend afterwards for breakfast.  I figured I would go after but then I stopped at the post office and then went to Aldi’s with my mom.  I did not want to go too late because I had a long run the next day in the morning and I wanted enough time for my legs to recover.  And then I just got lazy.  I was mad at myself for skipping this run.

Saturday:

• PLAN – 10 long miles, 10:15-11:30
• ACTUAL – 5.08 @10:33 average pace

I woke up TIRED and just wanted to stay home.  I went to bed at 9 on Friday but could not fall asleep.  I had no desire to run 10 miles but then realized I missed Friday’s run so I got up, got ready, and left to meet my group.  The weather was pretty pleasant but of course it felt warmer throughout the run. There was one person in my red group and we had 6 on our schedule but she reminded me that she has already done 1 mile in the morning.  Ha, I quickly decided to do 5 instead.  I do not regret it.

Sunday:

• PLAN – 6 easy miles, 10:15-11:30
• ACTUAL – Did not run.

I am not sure what is going on but did not have any energy to run.  I tried to convince myself to go to the gym instead of running outside and dealing with the weather.  No luck.  Still felt really tired.  I went to bed (not intending to take a nap) because my cat was there and ended up napping with her.

I know I am running more than before but I am worried that I am always tired.  I mean I knew going into this plan that I would be tired but enough to always be napping and to the point of not wanting to go for a run?  That is what worries me.

Week 3 went OK.  My tempo run wasn’t too horrible.  In week 4 I have 6×800 (I’d rather do 400s and 600s) and again 6 tempo miles.  

Total mileage for the week: 26.08 miles

Total mileage for this training cycle: 91.24 miles

Total mileage for the year: 574.30 miles

Here’s how training has gone so far:

• Week 1
• Week 2

I finally finished watching “Parenthood”.  Wow, was not expecting for it to end that way.  I was happy but also sad.  I did enjoy the show but there were a few episodes that just really annoyed me.  Oh, and some of the characters annoyed me too.  My favorite characters were Julia and Joel.  I love their relationship and am glad they did not get divorced.  Oh, and Adam and Kristina were great ones too.  Now on to find another show to watch while running on the treadmill.  Any suggestions?

Are you a “Game of Thrones” fan?  I feel like I am the only that does not watch the show.  Am I really missing out by not watching the show?