Sometimes there are weeks where the unexpected happens. A week that looks normal and manageable via Outlook Calendar quickly becomes a chaotic mess of meetings, deadlines, conference calls, and stress. Juggling multiple time zones at work means early and late conference calls. On top of the work stress last week, my parents are visiting for two weeks. I love them and they are still two of my best friends. But, going to bed when I have company is tough. In fact, when you consider how rarely I see them I would call choosing sleep over time laughing and catching up with them almost impossible and downright wrong.
So, last week became the week where I focused on nothing more than putting one foot in front of the other.
I did not squeeze in every workout on my training calendar. I did not get the optimum amount of sleep. But, I focused on the most important runs and ate healthy. In addition, I laughed and smiled more than I have in weeks thanks to the combination of some quality time with friends, my parents’ visit, one last weekend of sunshine in Geneva, and Bo’s visit.
I don’t think I can call that a failed training week. Instead I’ll call it being agile. Last week’s low key training week has left me hungry for a great week of training this week. It comes at the perfect time considering this is my peak week of training. I will run 43 miles this week including 20 miles in London with Charlie. I’ve already run 4 this evening so that means that in the next 6 days I’ll log 39 miles. I am ready to see what my body and mind can do, just before beginning 2 weeks of taper.
Here’s last week’s relaxed training schedule:
Monday: 4 miles with 4*100 strides
Tuesday: 4 miles with Emily Even though we were both up far too late on Monday night we couldn’t miss our last chance to run together until October! Emily left Tuesday afternoon for the US which means I’m running solo for the next few weeks. This run is a great example of how much we help each other. After just 5 hours sleep we both showed up for the run even though the snooze button was calling our name. Not only did we log the miles but we ran 2 sub 9 minute miles!
Wednesday: Unintentional rest day – oops!
Thursday: 25 minute Yoga for Runners video
Friday: My 16 mile long run turned into 13.1 miles. My mind nor body were in this run from the moment I stepped off the front stoop at 6:30am. I snoozed multiple times and stayed up far too late laughing with my parents on Thursday night. In the end I compromised and told myself that if I finished 13.1 miles and wasn’t feeling better I could call it a day. Jillian Michaels’ podcasts definitely helped me push through the miles but at the end of the day I just couldn’t imagine doing 3 more so I stopped when I reached the top of the hill near my house.
Saturday: Walked 5 miles through Geneva and Annecy with my parents.
Sunday: Four miles along Lac Leman (Lake Geneva) with Bo. We kept a quick pace even though we talked most of the run. The weather was absolutely perfect and if time had allowed, I could have run for at least 20 more miles!
Hope you had a great week of training!
How do you mentally prepare for a week of training after a less than epic week?
I think you have it absolutely right with one foot in front of the other. When I have a tough week, I try and hit the reset button and really focus on the fact that it’s a new week. You don’t get to running a marathon with one week of training — it’s about them all combined!
You look great in that last pic girl! Keep up the good work!
Thanks Heather!