Marathon Training: Week Seven

I came into this week with my body feeling very tired. My training is a bit taxing but, I think that the combination of a heavier work schedule, less sleep, and trying to work on and move into the new house we bought is taking a toll. Hopefully once we move in, September will slow down a bit and I'll feel more rested and recovered.

Mon 3mi run+20min cross- I thought about trying to elliptical more today and get my legs used to more running motion but I pushed too hard and tiered early. I did a 5min bike, lunges and stretches. Then I elipticaled for 30min but my feet got too numb, and my ankles and legs too sore so I finished the rest of the cross training with a 15min bike instead of ellipticaling the whole time. My toes never got un-numb after elipticaling but I realize now that I may have just had shoes laced too tight.

Tue 35min bike+strength- I started with lunges and stretches, then biked 35min. My legs feel pretty tired. I did one set of heavy weights. It was not enough. I wanted to do two sets but had to get back home to help Wayne with new house and make dinner.

Wed 2mi run+10min cross- Today started with lunges and stretches. Then I elipticled 10 min, and ran 2miles. My GPS watch connected faster this time either because it remembers location or I stood away from interfering building and trees. My breathing and leg motion felt odd but it was another happy run. I'm encouraged that all the cross training does seem to be helping. I was worried it wouldn't be enough to prepare me. I still have to remind myself not to push to hard and allow time to rest and recover. My body is nice and lightly sore from the weight training yesterday.

Fri 60min cross+3mi run- I had intended to do all of today's training inside the gym as cross training per what I've been doing for the last 6 weeks but, I got to the gym late and had to finish outside with some real running. I did a lung and stretch warm-up, 15min bike, 30 min elliptical, 15min bike, 12min elliptical, and then a 16:30min run outside. The run felt calm and easy. It gets dark almost right at 8:30pm now. The evening air was cool and humid.

Sat 35min cross+ 3mi run- I made it to the gym on a Saturday! So, no run walk today. This may be an increase in the intensity of my workout for the day from past weeks. I did a lung and stretch warm up. The 35min elliptical felt fairly easy and relaxed though my pace and heart rate where higher then previous days. My run was a little stiff today. My leg mechanics feel strange. I wonder if they would feel better if I ran first before ellipticaling?

Sun roll & ice- I definitely need to roll and Ice I do feel quite tired and sore but, I had to be at work at 8am and didn't get off until 8:30pm. I'm trying to get better at making time to do a recovery routine on Sundays but. In the midst of moving, and long work days, it doesn't seem to be working out.

I'm leaving this week feeling encouraged that I am doing well but the question always lurks in the back of my mind, Is it enough? We'll see, but for now I'm starting to see positive slow and steady improvement. Run rest repeat, don't get ahead of myself and push too hard. I increased the intensity of Mon Fri and Sat's workouts. I'll try to rest well and recover in the next few days.