Chicago Marathon Training Week 2 – 6/8-6/14

June 15, 2015

Last week started off slow (rain + work), but ended better than expected.  I got most of my runs in for the week (less the speed workout) and even made it to a 25 meter pool for a swim workout (yay). I missed my bike workouts since my schedule got compressed, so I will make sure I get those in this week.  I am so impressed by those athletes who are training for a half or full Ironman distance – its tough getting in all your workouts!  Today I am linking up with Tara at Running n’ Reading for the Weekend Update.

Monday 6/8– 2 mile walk 

Tuesday 6/9 – 2 mile walk

Wednesday 6/10 – 2 mile walk + 5 mile run @11:32 min/mile

Thursday 6/11 – 2 mile walk + 3 mile run @12:34 min/mile

Friday 6/12 – 2 mile walk

Saturday 6/13 – 6 mile run @11:51 min/mile + 60 minutes training + 800 swim

Sunday 6/14  – Rest day

Total: 24 miles (10 walk | 14 run)

Swim

Although I only got one swim workout in, it was a quality one.  I went to my parent’s neighborhood pool and swam an 800 (32 lengths or 1/2 mile) continuously.  While I am glad I was able to use my gym’s endless pool last week, it was nice to know how much I swam.  This week I hope to time myself and incorporate some sets. 

Bike

Zero 🙁 Jen…need to get on the bike this week! 

Run

I ran three times last week and it was not easy.  On Wednesday I made up my long run from the weekend and ran 5 miles @11:32 min/mile (11:13, 11:28, 11:37, 11:47, 11:35).  I changed up my route a bit, and ran along Ohio Drive  – the last time I ran here was for the St. Pat’s Double….. ice no more!

Wrapped around the Tidal Basin. 

Hello TJ! Are those two people holding hands? I would like to think so. 

My second run of the week took place Thursday – it was hot hot hot.  I had plans for the evening so it was a shorter one – 3 miles @12:34 min/mile (12:09, 12:53, 12:38).  Boy the heat really did a number on me, glad I was able to push the last mile.  I also forgot my water bottle…not happening again. 


On Saturday I did not want to get out of bed.  I thought…it would be so nice to sit at home (in the AC) and watch new episodes of Orange is the New Black…I can move my long run to Sunday.  After watching one episode, I made myself get out of bed and put on my running clothes as fast as I could (before I could change my mind).  I’m so glad I ran on Saturday vs. Sunday – did not want the run looming for the rest of the weekend.  I started an hour later than originally planned.  It was hot, but not as hot as Thursday’s run.  I ran 6 miles @11:51 min/mile (12:07, 12:07, 12:06, 10:58, 11:52, 11:56) along Embassy Row. 

As the name suggests… I passed by tons of embassies and huge homes. 

I ran over Rock Creek Park (sometimes I go running there). 

The first 3 miles were primarily uphill towards the National Cathedral, but the last 3 miles were downhill/flat (yes). 

Hey Nelson Mandela! 

One or my favorite modern looking buildings – the Embassy of Finland

Time for a selfie during the water break. 

Do you know which country this is? 

I was pretty happy with my splits – mile 4 was nice with the downhill.  Next week the long run bumps to 7-10 miles.  I am aiming for 8-9 miles. 

Fun

Besides watching episodes of OITNB and training – I did fit in some get togethers. After my sweaty Thursday run, we met up for a Oiselle Happy Hour to wish Julie good bye.     

Following the happy hour I met my two friends from b-school for dinner at Mango Tree for some Thai food (same owner as Zengo, El Centro, Masa 14).  The fried tofu was so good! I had a duck dish for my entree, but it was SUPER spicy.   

For dessert we shared coconut ice cream – yum! 

How was your weekend? 
Are you running inside or outside? Both? 

 

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60 Comments
      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thanks! That rest day was needed. I had cycling on the schedule for that day, but knew the body needed the rest (especially with the heat). Hope you had a great weekend, Kathryn!

    1. Awesome for getting your runs in! It is crazy hot and so humid out there! I did my runs on a treadmill (i know, not the same… but ughh hot…). Congrats on completing week 2 of training. 🙂 Mmm… your food photos look great!

      1. Run Jenny Run

        I wish I liked the treadmill more… I told Rachel that running 3 miles on the treadmill was equally as “painful” as running 3 miles in the heat hehe. I signed up for the Rehoboth Half on Sunday – today is the last day before the price increase. I am excited for that….mainly b/c we will NOT be running in the heat 🙂

        1. Haha yes, I agree. Running on the treadmill is sometimes just as bad. Yay for the Rehoboth Half! I’m looking fwd to that race too. Will be fun to do another one together. 🙂
          Nathasha recently posted…Hello, JuneMy Profile

    1. You consistently do so many cross training activities! Does it help you avoid injury? I hadn’t thought about the endless pool and not being able to track your distance. I guess it makes sense.

      Coconut ice cream looks delish!

      I’m mostly running outdoors and this week and we’re supposed to hit 111! It makes me very slow. And hot.
      Christy recently posted…Streaking on a SundayMy Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Luckily I haven’t had any “major” injuries – just some nagging calf pain this past spring (2 weeks off did the trick) and foot pain following New York. I know yoga has definitely helped with my flexibility and the strength training with my running (stronger legs). More incentive for me to cross train with the sprint tri thrown into the schedule 🙂 Oh my gosh… 111…I can’t imagine!

      1. Run Jenny Run

        I would love a backyard pool for lounging Are most university pools in FL outdoor?

    1. Great job getting your runs in! The run on Embassy Row looks so pretty 🙂 I’ve definitely been flaking and doing indoor work outs but I’ve got to get out there and do more outdoor runs so that I can finally acclimate to the heat.
      Chaitali recently posted…Weekly ReviewMy Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thanks Chaitali! Yesterday ended up too hot so when inside for a cycling class 🙂 I should start using the elliptical alot more now that it is warmer.

    1. Just stumbled on your blog and I’m glad I did! I was scrolling through some of your older posts and saw the Baltimore Women’s Classic 5k – I hadn’t heard of it before even though it’s right in my neighborhood! I’m not a big runner, but have been looking for a 5k to do so I just signed up. Thanks for putting it on my radar!

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Yay, fun to connect with another local blogger! Based on your pic you are a Maryland Alum as well ( I was there for grad school). Glad you signed up for the BWC 5K! Maybe I will see you there.

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thanks, Helly! You too…here we go again (with marathon training)!

    1. Great job on your training! You are so lucky to be able to run in such an interesting place! I haven’t started official marathon training yet, that will commence in a couple of weeks. Right now, I’m just taking it easy. Sort of.
      Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Water water everywhere!My Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thanks, Wendy! I look forward to following you along as well 🙂 Enjoy the easy rest before training begins for you, it was really nice.

    1. I just joined another gym last week so I can take my workouts inside (I’m now a member of two gyms…). Today it is 99 here in Charleston, and I will run in a lot of conditions, but since I usually run alone, I do not want to risk it in that heat. I went to Planet Fitness and ran 6 miles!

      It looks like you had a good week of workouts and the pool is a good way to cool off at least! Your pool looks super nice, and I love all the DC scenery in your run pictures too.

      Thai food is delicious! I haven’t had it in awhile. That coconut ice cream would be perfect for the hot temps…
      Amy Lauren recently posted…Training for Summertime 5Ks (June 8-14)My Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Tale of two gyms! I had two gyms once when I was working in Baltimore / living at home with my parents…probably should have taken more advantage of them at the time, oh well. Thanks for the compliment on the run pics, it has been hazy / cloudy out here lately (which is good… too bad the humidity doesn’t go away)…which makes for less vibrant photos. This particular thai place was new too me, would like to try a couple more in the area (that are also more of a cheap eat).

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thanks, Cheryl! It was really refreshing, not too heavy.

    1. Oh, gosh, Jenny; you are a trooper! I got up and did my long run really early yesterday; I can’t even imagine running later in the day right now. That run after work on National Running Day almost killed me and it wasn’t even as bad then – ha! I’m going to keep running outside as much as possible; of course, I do it really early in the morning. I’m sure I’ll use OITNB as an excuse to get on the treadmill some, though – ha! I’m glad you had some fun time over the weekend and were able to relax after your run; kudos for making yourself get up and do it! Thanks so much for linking up!
      Tara @ Running ‘N’ Reading recently posted…Weekend UpdateMy Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Ahhh that is a great idea to use OITNB on the treadmill! Perhaps this winter I’ll get a bike trainer for the apartment and do the same (with another show I will binge watch). I am always so impressed with your morning runs – hopefully I’ll get in a few of those this summer to avoid the afternoon heat.

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Aww, thanks! There was even a little fountain/garden area along Mass Ave I never noticed before. Will need to snag a shot of that next time I go there. Hope your finger is feeling better.

    1. Love the outdoor pool. My masters team starts outdoor long course training tomorrow. I’m sure it will be cold the first few swims. I’ve been using both treadmill and outdoors, although had two specific heat adaptation runs this weekend (blah). Good luck getting on the bike more. It is hard to do – if I didn’t have the bike trainer setup I would probably not be as good as getting the workouts done on the busy days.
      Kelli recently posted…7 days til IM Mont Tremblant 70.3My Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Ooh long course…memories of switching from winter (yards) to summer (meter) swimming. Hope the first swim wasn’t too cold. Gooood luck this weekend. Do you recommend any inexpensive but reliable bike trainers?

        1. I’m not sure how you define “inexpensive.” The least expensive would be “rollers” but those take a lot of coordination and I haven’t even attempted it. I see cyclists warming up on them before bike races. Then would be a wind resistance trainer, like CycleOps. I have this one to take to races with me. The downside is noise. I used to have a Kurt Kinetic fluid resistance trainer which is great. I sold it when I upgraded to a Wahoo Kickr. You may be able to find a used fluid trainer on Craigslist or something like that.
          Kelli recently posted…Thinking Out Loud: Taper brainMy Profile

          1. Run Jenny Run

            Thanks, Kelli! I suppose inexpensive is relative 🙂 I’ll take a look at the ones you’ve recommended.

    1. That is so cool that you have been adding swimming to the mix. I was getting all excited about swimming for a while there but I’m just not very good at it and haven’t been keeping it up. Good for you! Great job getting all those cool pictures while on your training runs. You get to run by some cool sites! Have a great week!
      diane @runninrocker recently posted…32 Years and Still Runnin’My Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        It has been nice to change up the workouts a bit – having the sprint tri coming in August def forced me to incorporate swimming. Thanks so much and hope you have a great week as well!

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thanks!! If you need a swimming buddy I am there. If the weather is okay on Sunday, I may try East Potomac Pool.

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Seriously! I should plan some of my long runs this summer to start/end at my parents house…then I can jump in the pool afterwards. Hope you are enjoying your rest 🙂

    1. Wow, nice pace on your 6-miler! And then to go to personal training after … killer! Great job!

      Somehow I totally missed that OITNB episodes came out already. I need to go marathon the whole season right now! Who cares if I don’t sleep tonight? 😉
      Kristina recently posted…My Long Run Was Everything I Needed It To BeMy Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thanks, Kristina! Luckily we did arms (and I still need to get my typical session with a trainer post up). Did you end up finishing OITNB? Oh so random (b/c I will forever think…oooh Mindy.. I wonder if Kristina heard this/seen this). I was watching a Valedictorian High School YouTube video that went viral (Taylor Swift Flash Mob) and on the recommended video list was Mindy Kaling’s 2014 Speech to Harvard Law School – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7_49EXuLoQ if you haven’t seen it (funny).

    1. Outside…and they are all HOT HOT HOT. You have some really beautiful places to run! I don’t know how you ran in the evening without your water! Great week of training. Keep it up. I’ll start soon. Maybe. 😉
      HoHo Runs recently posted…Beach BumMy Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        I hear ya!! A mistake I will never make again (I have 3 water bottles at work now) 🙂 Great job with the FB challenge (again) 🙂

      1. Run Jenny Run

        You can do it, Sharon! Maybe one day we’ll TRI together 🙂 (CGI manages one that is very popular – since I get their emails notifications all the time haha).

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thank you! I thought of all of you LAH runners that morning – was a hot one.

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thanks, Deborah. Hope you get some good running/walking in Hawaii!

    1. Excellent week of training! I totes smiled when I read the part about wanting to sleep in on Saturday and thoughts about moving your long run to Sunday. I feel like I go through that every weekend so I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one. You’re right though – it’s almost always better to just get it out of the way on Saturday so it’s not hanging over your head all weekend 🙂

      Lately I’ve been doing a mix of indoor and outdoor running. It was super warm in MKE a few days last week so days I needed to runch I ran inside to avoid getting too sweaty outside. I think my coworkers were glad I chose that option 😉
      Sun recently posted…Rock ‘n Sole Quarter Marathon Race RecapMy Profile

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thank you, Sun! Haha, glad you could relate. Tonight.. I am thinking… hmm maybe try for a long run on Friday morning (which means I should go to bed soon). Nice you are able to runch! Unfortunately I got the super sweaty genes and even indoors I probably look like I was outside 🙂 Hope you are having a good week.

      1. Run Jenny Run

        In may, one of the running groups organizes an embassy fun run/tour during their open houses. I haven’t been able to participate, but sounds like fun. Hope you are having a great week.

      1. Run Jenny Run

        It is a nice way to stay cool! The swim team already used the pool in the morning, so it was nice and quiet by the time I went there 🙂

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thank you Sherry! Lucky to live here. I should go on a flag hunt this summer haha.

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Ice cream, popsicles, water ice…yum! Hope you are having a good week.

      1. Run Jenny Run

        Thanks EB! So lucky to live here with access to so many trails/sights.

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