Overall I would count this week as a success. It showed me, as many things have this training cycle, that I need to continue to work on mental stamina. I think some of my frustrations and challenges through this training cycle have been caused by a lack of sufficient mental stamina. Going forward, that is one of the primary things I plan to work on.

Monday 35 minutes
After the long run the previous day, both Mom and I appreciated this short run, the shortest I’ve had of this training cycle. I felt sluggish at the start, as I expected. My legs felt heavy but I got going and settled in using the mantra, “you are an athlete!”

Tuesday tempo run
I almost skipped this run…well, rearranged to a day later in the week. When I woke I had absolutely no motivation to get started with the run. I decided at the time to push it to Wednesday and strength training until Friday. As I got going through the day and woke up, I decided to take advantage of the “extra” time and run immediately after picking up some new shoes at Greenville Running Company. By the time I started I definitely felt motivated. The tempo portion, however, felt insanely difficult. I kept thinking that I was somehow running significantly faster than I was supposed to but I checked and I was running the right pace. It felt way too difficult, especially for this time time in the training cycle. I had to break it into intervals of 9 minutes (and 1 of 11 minutes because I can’t do math while running) and even those intervals were difficult to complete. I have done slightly shorter tempos at this same pace and been able to complete them. Perhaps it was because it was later in the day and perhaps my legs had not yet recovered from Sunday’s long run. I am not sure.

Wednesday strength training
We did leg work for a portion. Mom and I definitely felt that Thursday.

Thursday short intervals
I felt really good throughout this workout although I should have started it early so I wouldn’t run as late as I ended up running. (I neglected to calculate the total distance or time to give myself an estimate.) The first 8 intervals at a fast pace (but slightly slower than the second set) were challenging but doable. The second 8 intervals were definitely more challenging and I loved them. The 9 total miles went by quickly.

Friday off
My coach scheduled a rest day so I took full advantage of it.

Saturday 190 minutes with 3 x 3 minute hard effort intervals near the end
My legs, surprisingly, felt slightly sluggish at the start but I focused on warming up well and hydrating frequently. I decided that any time I thought about taking a sip, I would. I felt really good and strong through the run until the sun came out in full force. Then it felt like I slammed into the wall. I had over an hour left to go. I had no idea how I would finish. Since the temps were also rising I decided to finish at home on the treadmill. I made a bargain with myself that I would not give in to the desire to stop even though I made a complete change, including shoes, after I got back because I was soaked all the way through to my shoes. I finished feeling good and even got the hard effort intervals done at the end. Even though my mind kept telling me that I should take a break, I checked in to see how I really felt, realized that I felt fine, and kept going until I completed the run. I’ll take that 20 miles.

I also plan to never again train for a marathon in the summer even if the marathon takes place in a much cooler climate.