GRT 50k Training Week 15

Week 15 was a recovery week, and it couldn't have come at a better time. The 5 hour long run at the end of Week 14 really took a lot out of me and my body needed lower mileage. However, recovery week doesn't mean an easy week, and I still had two quality runs including a long hill workout to complete.

This was my week:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 45-65 min easy run
Wednesday: Long Hill Workout, Sports Massage!!
Thursday: XT
Friday: 90-120 min long run
Saturday: Rest
Sunday: 45-65 min easy run, Jasyoga- Hammy time
Total: 27.79 miles

* McMillian 3hab, Strength, Core programs 2-3 times per week

My McMillan coach's advice was to run on the lower end of the mileage spectrum if needed and while I didn't completely do that most days, I tried to respect the recovery process as much as possible.

Last week I really struggled with motivation, and Tuesday started off similarly. The thought of running with a friend as part of our Oiselle IL team run was motivating, so when that was cancelled I was disappointed and wanted to just go home. I forced myself to still go out and do my run, and it was exactly what I needed. I ran into the sunset, and without any headphones to distract me, found the sound of the birds singing to be very zen. I came across some deer and watched them for a bit, and took my easy run as easy as possible while truly enjoying a run that I typically would never experience.

Sunset!

Wednesday was my last long hill workout, and I was so glad for this. I still have one more hill workout left, but nothing is as challenging to me as the long hill workout. The challenge doesn't come so much with the 8-75 second hill repeats, rather having to run several miles before and after. But it does show me that I can handle it, and despite having to do this one on the treadmill due to rain/snow outside, I felt stronger than the last long hill workout. 

Due to plans on Saturday, I moved my long run to Friday, which really wasn't that long of a run when you consider what I have been running. The weather was close to 70 degrees and it felt great to run in shorts for once! Although I can tell it is going to be a struggle to acclimate quickly this year after so many months of cold. 

Shorts!

Runner Highs:

• Recovery: I recovered really quickly after last week's 5 hour run which was surprising. I made foam rolling, hydration, and anti-inflammatory food a priority and I think this aided in how easily I was able to get through my runs this week. The sports massage on Wednesday was also a huge factor in how I felt at the end of the week and I have no doubt that I have the strength to get through one more quality week of training before the taper. My faster pace also returned with some recovery, and the nervousness I felt at slowing down dissipated as I realized that it was due to training fatigue and not that I was actually getting slower. 
• Peaking: My garmin told me that I am "peaking" which means race ready, and I can just feel this as well. Even though this is partly due to the fact that it is an easier week, I feel physically strong and ready for this race. 
• Mental Strength: Similarly, I feel mentally ready. Coming off a strong 5 hour long run, and having such an awesome easy run on Tuesday, I feel like I am in the right mental space to handle this race. Granted I am still very scared of all the dark places I will likely go, I also feel stronger and more able to handle them. I am also super inspired after watching the Boston marathon. Congrats Desi!!

Challenges:

• Weather: It snowed twice this week, with accumulation. Seriously? Where is spring? I am so over this weather, and it is making me nervous that come race day, it will be warm and I won't be acclimated. I miss seeing green and flowers and feeling inspired to run. The weather seems to be on an upward trend if this weekend's weather means anything, so I am optimistic the rest of my training cycle will be better.
• One year anniversary: Today is the one year anniversary of my first 50k - the Earth Day 50k. I have a lot of emotions today thinking about this race. I realized that I have never felt proud of myself, not really. When I think back to that race, I don't know that person. I don't feel present in any of it. I am still trying to understand this, but I do know that this year I feel like I have something to prove. Not to others, but to myself. I have 3 more weeks until race day, and I really want to make sure this race reflects the hard work I have put in since that day, and that I can feel proud of my effort, regardless of finishing time or place.

One year ago

One more week until the taper! It is so close I can smell it. This is the last week of the "50k-specific phase", which I feel like I have been in forever. Thinking of the taper gives me the motivation to push through this last week of training so that I can shift to a recovery mindset and get myself race day ready.