This post was almost titled ‘Weekend {No} Race Recap’…and I could have just written about how we all got dressed up to go to a dance recital. But very last minute we decided to sign up for a 5k. We’ve been racing 5ks every weekend with the intention of just getting back out there and motivating ourselves to return to our training and racing mentality.
So we found this really cute, small 5k on a canal. Besides the oppressive humidity, it was beautiful!
My focus, since I have been adding track workouts to my routine, has been to run a smart race on the weekends. Pace myself appropriately the first mile to negative split, or at least run even, the entire 3.1 miles. I’ve definitely been doing that and proven to myself that I can run about a 7:30-7:40 pace for my 5k–something I should be doing.
So I’ve been making progress (the noun), but if I want to progress (the verb) I know I need to add that third workout to my schedule. I typically follow a 3 day a week plan when I’m training, and since I am moving quickly into a training period (marathon in September!!), this seems like a good time to start implementing it. We have our local Monday night summer run series starting up this week, so that will give us an opportunity to get out one more day a week. And sooo soon, when school is over, our schedule will lighten up and be a bit more flexible–looking forward to that!
Click the link if you’d like to see what the 3 day a week plan looks like, but pretty much I need to add a long run to my track workout and 5k race which acts as my tempo run right now.
We’ve also been drafting our marathon training plan (more to come on that soon) and we will need to be running 10 miles for our long run definitely by the end of July. And it seems that our 20 mile run just happens to coincide perfectly with Tough Mudder! Beautiful planning, I know. We’ll figure it out!
How are you handling the heat and humidity?
Are you as relaxed about marathon training as we are?!
How many days a week do you run?
This post is linked up at Running ‘N’ Reading for the Weekend update link up!
Also, linking up with Her Heartland Soul for the Weekend Snapshot!
That’ s a pretty speedy 5k time. Good for you getting out there and racing so often. It’s hard to race around DC in the summer. It’s so hot. I am focusing on biking and running shorter distances for my August tri race.
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Red, White & Blueberry Kale Salad
Thanks! Its definitely been hot here in NY too! I miss swimming and biking, but running is so easy to just get out and do right now.
Michelle Homan recently posted…Weekend Race Recap + Progress vs PROgress
Michelle, thanks so much for linking up with the blog today and congrats on your 5K! I’ve been doing a lot of shorter races lately; I think that’s all anyone can handle in the heat – ugh. I do have a (CRAZY) half marathon over Labor Day weekend for which I have NO expectations because it will still be super hot and disgusting. I try to be pretty consistent with my training year round so that “marathon training” time is not so different; I usually run five days a week. Hope you have a great Monday!
Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Weekend Update
That’s probably a good idea to be consistent year round…hopefully after things calm down around here (we’re moving soon!) I’ll be able to do that. Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your week!
I am “relaxed” about marathon training in that I am flexible about it, and I don’t adhere to a strict strict schedule. I’m also a 3x a week runner, and it just works for me–I’ve never been burnt out at a marathon, and I’ve improved each time!
Su recently posted…Ragnar Chicago Relay Weekend Recap! #mimm
Me too! If it works, go with it!
I am definitely not as relaxed as you though maybe I should be! 😛 The training plan I am following calls for like 5 days of running but I have revised it to 3-4 depending on my strength training schedule and so far it’s working out okay! Love that you’re running 5k racs every weekend- we unfortunately don’t have that many races going on around here!
Annmarie recently posted…Find Balance In Life
We have more 5ks and races than I can count around here…such a strong, large running community! Yeah, I’ve done enough marathons to know what I need to do and what works for me. July will be a big month! I’m sure you’ll do great with your combo of strength and running!