Watch out! Half marathon training is getting serious. I entered into double digits on my long run this week! It was the first time I’d crossed into double digit territory in well over three years. And it felt great!

I met my amazing running partners bright and early on Saturday morning. I have been all about getting my long runs done on Saturdays before I teach my 9:30 a.m. at Om Yoga. I like to get up early and get it out of the way so I can relax for the rest of the weekend. I also like starting super early so that I can have some time after to recover, shower, eat before I teach. We met at 6:45 a.m. It was 60 degrees and perfect running weather.

I love running with these girls because we start at a comfortable pace and increase it as the miles pass by without much effort. Here are the splits for Saturday’s run.

Mile 1: 9:37
Mile 2: 9:19
Mile 3: 8:43
Mile 4: 8:44
Mile 5: 8:53
Mile 6: 8:48
Mile 7: 8:33
Mile 8: 8:40
Mile 9: 8:41
Mile 10: 8:43
Last .62: 8:51

Average pace was 8:51. My target for this run was 8:58 so I’m happy with that pace.

This was a great long run because we actually ran some of the course that we’ll be running on race day! Including one KILLER hill! 🙂 I’ve run Thunder Road twice before and I’m excited to do it again.

I have completed four weeks of my training program and I can honestly say that I have never felt better during a half or full marathon training program before. My body is responding really well to the running, I’m recovering quickly, the paces feel challenging but doable…it’s all good! I am grateful!

Here’s a look at the rest of the week’s workouts…

Monday

3 mile easy run + Strength

5 rounds:

10 barbell back squats (75#)
15 supine toes to bar
10 bicep curls
10 tricep extensions

Tuesday

CrossFit + Spin

Every minute on the minute for 12 minutes:

6 thrusters (35#)
5 pull ups
4 burpees

So for this workout you perform 6 thrusters, 5 pull ups and 4 burpees at the top of every minute. If you finish before the minute is up, you rest until the next starts. If you are unable to finish before the minute is up, treat it as a 12 minute AMRAP. I finished all 12 rounds with about 15-18 seconds to recover at the end of every minute. After this 12 minute workout, I hopped into a spin class for 20 minutes for some easy cardio.

Wednesday

TRX Circuit + Tempo Run

I was auditioning a trainer at the gym and he put me through a great 20 minute TRX circuit. After this I knocked out my tempo run. 5 miles…1 mile warm up, 3 at 7:30, 1 mile cool down.

Thursday

REST

I was tired!!!! I didn’t even walk the dog this day.

Friday

2 mile easy run + strength/abs

5 rounds:

10 deadlifts (105#)
15 med ball ab mat sit ups
20 double unders

Saturday

10 mile long run!

Sunday 

Teach BodyPump

I got an SOS on Thursday from the head of group ex at the Y asking if I could cover BodyPump so I agreed. It was super fun! 🙂

No yoga this week…my schedule just didn’t allow for it but I got in plenty of stretching and mobility work and I’m planning to take class on Monday morning.

Runners…when do you like to do your long runs and why?