Welcome to week two of my series of training blog posts! If this is the first post of mine you're reading, head over to last week's post for all the background information on the Holy Half Marathon that I am now training for.
If you're actually interested in what my training consisted of this week, I've broken it down as well as given you a summary of my thoughts about each run below!
TUESDAY | Recovery Run | Distance: 3 miles
First off, let me tell you that never have I ever ran three miles as a 'recovery' so this morning was quite interesting. The point of a recovery run isn't to run as fast as humanly possible, but to run slowly at a relaxed pace, and the purpose is to help you not lose your forward progress by taking days off. Therefore, they call this run a recovery.
Personally, I don't know how a three mile run can be considered a recovery as three miles is such a mental battle. However, I pushed through and I completed my three miles!
THURSDAY | Speed Trial | Distance: 200m x 6
I. Hate. Sprints.
That is all you need to know to understand how this run went so props to you if you're a sprinter.
It was freezing cold outside (think like 15 degrees) and I still ran my sprints outside which was probably not the smartest idea because it made an already horrible thing more terrible. I think the problem with me hating sprints lies in the fact that I don't really understand the 'right' way to run them (if there even is a right way?) so maybe with some more practice and some research I could grow to tolerate them.
FRIDAY | Recovery Run | Distance: 2 miles
I'm slowly beginning to get used to the fact that recovery runs are longer than the typical runs that I used to go on before this training plan started. Also, in a really strange turn of events, I was looking forward to this run. I legitimately couldn't wait to run two miles because it was only two miles. My max distance used to be a mile, maybe a mile and a half, and now I run more than that for my 'recovery,' which is kind of cool. It really helps you to see the progress being made!
I ran this one on the treadmill at Rolf's, the sports recreation center, as opposed to on the treadmill in the basement of Cavanaugh (my dorm), which was nice since I got to appreciate the change of scenery. I would definitely suggest switching up your location for runs - it helps to keep things interesting!
SUNDAY | Long Run | Distance: 4 miles
I learned that struggling is much more bearable with a friend. My friend Sadie joined me on this run which made it so much more enjoyable. We are both training for the Holy Half but since our schedules rarely align, we do our training alone. However, we both woke up bright and early on Sunday morning to go for a nice four mile run.
Her being there helped me to accomplish four miles in only 39 minutes! (If you're a big runner, I realize this isn't a great time. However, I'm doing the "Couch to 13.1" plan so I thought it was pretty good!) The best part about running with someone is that they give you motivation to push on. When my legs hurt and I wanted to stop, I saw that Sadie was still running strong and it pushed me to keep going.
This is something that I think can be applied to any part of life. If you have someone to struggle with, someone to be on your side, and someone to look up to for motivation and inspiration - it gets much easier. So find your person like I've found mine and let them help you succeed more than you ever could on your own.
Overall, week two has been super! I can feel myself progressing toward the end goal which makes every run feel worth its time. I've also relearned the benefits of having a good friend to accompany you through the hardest times (and runs) you've had to date. I'm very excited to see what the next six weeks bring! Thanks for joining me :)
See my next blog, here!