Chicago Marathon Training: Week 12

With a little help from friends, another 50+ mile week is in the books. Slightly cooler temps helped too. 

Feeling stronger and more confident in my ability to race well on October 8. As of today, the Chicago Marathon is in 75 days--subtracting 2 week taper and rest days means 55 days of training left. I can do this!

Week 12 (July 17-July 23)

Monday: 5 miles easy (4.4 miles, 9:57/mi). I like when I have 5 or less miles scheduled for a Monday. It means I get to sleep in and wake up naturally (for me = 6 am). But it also means I have to cut my run a little short to make sure I'm not that late to work. I also did Jasyoga: 5 minute Quad Reset.

Tuesday: 10 miles easy or really 6 miles easy + 2 miles with 30 seconds stride/2 minute jog + 2 miles easy (10.2 miles, 9:39/mi). First 6 miles with friends; last 4 by myself. This workout really wiped me out. I don't know if it was the running six miles before the reps or just training load fatigue. The reps themselves were no problem. It was the 2 miles easy after the reps. They were a slog fest.

Wednesday: 8 miles easy (8.1 miles, 9:21/mi). Run felt a lot better then the day before. Jasyoga: Pre-Run Warm Up

Track: We each do our own workout

Thursday: 9 miles with progressive tempo. 2 miles easy + 3 miles at 8:30-8:40/mi + 3 miles at 8:10-8:20/mi + 1 mile easy (9.0 miles, 8:45/mi). I was nervous about this run because picking up speed in the 2nd half is hard for me and I tend to mentally give-up. I went into the run knowing I would really have to work hard the 2nd half. I've been running my marathon-pace and tempo runs on the track to simulate the flatness of Chicago. I live and train in rolling hills. Running a lot of miles without stopping on the track can get a bit boring, but every mile or so I change direction to mix it up. SPLITS: 8:39, 8:30, 8:38, 8:12, 8:12, 8:08. I'm very pleased with my results. Jasyoga: Pre-Run Warm Up


Friday: OFF. I loved this rest day. I didn't do any work. My next scheduled rest day is 9 days from this one. I enjoyed it. :)

Saturday: 16 miles long run (16.2 miles, 9:15/mi). First 4 miles by myself + 12 miles with friends. I had to go to the mall to shop for clothes for a wedding and bachelorette party (e.g. non-running clothes). So for me, this 16 mile run was the easiest part of the day!

Hot & sweaty long run

Sunday: 6 miles easy (6.1 miles, 9:12/mi). My husband had a soccer tournament in Orange County so it was a change of scenery for me and a lot cooler temps than inland. 

Total Weekly Miles: 54.1 miles (8 hours + 24 minutes)

2017 Miles: 805.9 Miles

I've joined the training link up on Eat Pray Run DC. See the link up HERE. Courtney is training for the Berlin Marathon. :)