Week four... nine miles sure came fast! Here we are, week four and we are already at 9 miles for the long run. Most of us on the training team have trained for the past several years for the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon that happens annually on Grandmas' Marathon weekend in Duluth. We have usually followed a 15 week program based on Hal Higdon. We have done well with that plan which also includes a long run on the weekend like the full marathon plan. The only big difference - not including the overall distance of course - is how fast the miles climb on the full program. With the half, the weekend long runs usually went up by one mile.... five, six, seven, eight, nine, and so on. Our last four weeks of long runs for the full program have been.... six, seven, five, and then nine this weekend. We were like - "um, where did eight go??" When looking ahead, the long runs jump by 2-3 miles each weekend. We totally get it - to get to 26.2 miles, we need to climb faster than preparing for 13.1. I was a little nervous for the 9 miles - especially since I didn't technically have a 7 mile run since I was in Arizona and split the long run into two smaller runs - but honestly, it went SO good. Running has good days and bad days, we know that - but it was so good this week to have a beautiful day for 9 miles. Let the miles climb!
It was such a beautiful day to run our 9 miles. All of us even noticed the start of tan lines from our watches. I went into the run thinking we have ran three miles many times the past few months and we have done well with the three milers - today, we just have to run three miles three times. Sometimes running is such a mind game. Liz got an extra little push towards the end of the run when we past MacArthur avenue she noticed an eagle soaring high above - hello Wendy!
This week definitely brought some short sleeve running weather. Of course we are running in Northern MN/WI so things change quick. Monday was gorgeous - followed by snowfall and cold days - with short sleeves again by the weekend. Keep the nice days coming!
A few of us on the team signed up for the Fitger's 5K! We are excited to be in the same wave bright and early in the morning. Our plan calls for 10 miles that weekend so we are thinking of running the race and the hitting the lake front for seven more miles.... followed by Saturday morning blood mary's!
Cross training! Jenn finished her first ever fat tire bike race. Look at that snow! Roads are clear but the woods seem pretty winter like yet!
Training is getting serious when you have to purchase a whole case of GU! Look at how many calories are burned during a 9 mile run.... this photo says 1,600 but my Apple watch said it was more like 1,260. Either way, that is like an entire days worth of nutrition! I used a GU around mile 3-4 and honestly, mile 5 was my best mile of the whole 9 - GU must have kicked in!
This past week we also hit "100 days" until race day!
That's it for this week - next week we hit double digits with a ten mile run! Sara and Lou are enjoying some time in the warm weather of Florida. Ladies, maybe we will see a workout photo of Lou on the beach this week.
Get your miles in!
Carrie and the Crew
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