In Pittsburgh news this week, a guy tried to pull down a runner's shorts while she was running on the trail where I typically run. Yes, really! In all my worrying about things or people jumping out and getting me while running on the trail in the dark, never had I imagined someone would run up behind me and pull down my pants. But the story gets better! The runner turned out to be a Deputy U.S. Marshall. She chased after him, gave him a good licking, and got him arrested. Full story here.
This week I also tried out a fantastic new running bra: The Standout by Victoria's Secret. I'll review it when I return from vacation (as well as my next Fabletics order, which should arrive next week), but I give this bra a huge thumbs up.
Here's how this week went. My weekly mileage was 16.72, my lowest mileage yet for this training plan (week 1 was 17.34).
Monday
Morning: 40 minutes Iron Strength workout
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| Plyo squat jumps! Athleta Extra Long Amalfi Blue Chi Tank Lululemon Forest Green In the Flow Crops & White Energy Bra |
Tuesday
Morning: 47:17, 4.1 miles (in honor of my 41st birthday), 11:31 pace
Holy humidity! Since I had the day off, I slept in a bit and took the dog for his walk before my run, so I didn't head out until about 7 a.m. (yes, that's late for me!) It was 73 degrees and very, very humid. I was dying! This was supposed to be a medium pace run between 11:15-11:30, but I slowed down because of the humidity.
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| Oiselle White Hail Mary Mesh Tank Athleta Aloha Yellow Fly By Skort Lululemon Aquamarine Bangbuster |
Wednesday
Morning: 40:02, 3.42 miles
Tempo run! I didn't do a great job of hitting my paces. I should have hit a 10:15-10:00-10:15 sequence but instead I did 10:18-10:16-10:03, plus warm-up and cool-down jogs. I love that when I try to do a negative split I can't, and when I try to do a tempo run I do a negative split. Oh well. As always, nailing paces is a work in progress. While I didn't hit the paces I wanted to, it felt like a pretty hard workout so was a good run. Oh, and it was cooler out--66 degrees.
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| Lululemon Heathered Charcoal All Sport Bra, Black Pace Rival Skirt & Mesh Bangbuster Lorna Jane Nectarine Excel Dash Tank |
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| Athleta Red Illuminate Tank Zella Black Live In Crops Lululemon Black Flow Y Bra |
Morning: 34:33, 3 miles, 11:31 pace
This recovery run felt great after Wednesday's hard workout. Temp was 65, so not bad.
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| Lululemon Very Light Flare Cool Racerback & Bangbuster Victoria's Secret Blueberry Twist The Standout Sport Bra Athleta Midnight Blue Relay Skort |
Morning: 1:14, 6.2 miles, 11:59 pace
Friday is normally my rest day, but I wanted to do this weekend's long run before I go on vacation so did it today. It was a step-back week for my long run, so I only had to do a 10K--only because I didn't think it would be a big deal. But it kicked my butt. This run was the farthest distance I've ever run before work (a little after 5 a.m. and without having eating breakfast), plus it was my fourth consecutive day of running, plus it was 73 and humid. I did take a Clif Shot energy gel with caffeine before I went, and I always carry a handheld water bottle when it's hot, even on shorter runs, so I didn't have a problem with feeling depleted. I was just surprised how tough it was, as evidenced by running at the tail end of my pace range.
In addition, I had to run farther on the trail than I usually do and had no choice but to run in total darkness. I really had to stop myself from focusing on the thought, Anyone can jump out and murder me right now and no one would see or hear. Last year a local running shoe store offered a class on self-defense for runners. I really want to take that class if it's offered again.
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| Feeling beat and not able to muster a smile. Athleta Aquarmine Runner Up Tank & Mesh Bangbuster Athleta Fiji Green Fair Isle Skort |
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| This is how I really felt! |
I am beyond excited for my vacation next week! Best of luck to everyone in races and training runs over the next week. I look forward to catching up with everyone when I get back.