Week Review And Looking Ahead

Week of Aug 8-Aug 14

Sunday: No run. (Hike)

Monday: No run.

Tuesday: 12 miles

Wednesday: 3.3 miles

Thursday: 6.5 miles

Friday: 8.7 miles

Saturday: 4.9 miles

Weekly Total: 35 miles

I've been feeling really good the past few weeks. I've been feeling strong, which is exactly what I want to feel going into preseason. I've got a lot of good things going on! The past four weeks I've put in between 34-35 miles/week, even with taking 2 days off a few of the weeks. 35 miles a week may not seem like anything too impressive, but I'm happy with where I'm at because it feels comfortable and easy. I've gradually been increasing my mileage and making my long runs longer, and I'm not getting caught up in thinking about pace or total mileage. I'm just running by feel and adjusting my schedule as I go. I'd like to keep increasing my weekly mileage into the season (slowly of course) and try to work up to averaging 40-45 mi/wk. I'll see how it goes and how my body adjusts and handles more miles per week, but I think if I do it gradually like I've been doing it'll be no problem.

I've also noticed that I feel better doing longer runs. In the past, my normal training runs have mostly been between 3-5 miles, but that just isn't doing it for me anymore. I feel better doing between 6-8 miles instead. My high school coach told me she thought I was a marathoner at heart. At that point in high school the longest run I'd done was probably 7 (tough, grueling) miles, and I was like "Psshhht absolutely no way. Marathoner? I don't even like 5Ks!" But now I can definitely see it happening. I'm in no way ready to run a marathon right now, but I can see myself really loving the longer distances in the future... since it's already happening!

My PR last week was a huge confidence booster for me, and I'm so excited to get back to school for preseason. It's only one week away! Preseason is quite possibly my favorite two weeks of the year. I get to move back to beautiful Newton, live and hang out with all my friends/teammates, run and workout everyday, NOT have any classes to go to... it is so fantastic. Not to mention all the team bonding activities when we aren't practicing... tie dye, movie nights, frisbee, Boston trips, etc. I can't wait! This week leading up to preseason I'm taking extremely easy, probably only running 20-25 miles total and helping out with Noelle's camp.

“It takes patience to become the best runner you can be. Top athletes realize that running is a long-term sport. It is set up for people who value delayed gratification and who like hard-earned success.”

-Anthony Famiglietti

Good Times 5k Series Bikini Run and a PR!

New 5k PR - 21:20

Photo courtesy of Ted Tyler

Yesterday I ran the Bikini 5k, which is part of the Good Times series in Lowell. Steph came up for the night so we could run the race and then do the first loop of the Baystate Half Marathon course today. Unfortunately, I chickened out and didn't run in my bikini last night, but I DID run a PR!

It was a pretty hot night, but there is always a nice breeze along the river. I was very relaxed going into the race, and I think that played a part in helping me to a PR. Also, the miles weren't marked as well as I thought they would be, so I missed my first mile split completely and it was probably good that I wasn't so concerned with pace. I felt great for most of the race. I felt really strong. Once I could see the finish I saw the clock read just about 21 minutes, so I knew it'd be close to my best time and I was beastin' til the end. I crossed the line at 21:20, a 6 second PR for me!

Photo courtesy of Ted Tyler

I'm really thrilled with my time. The past two weeks I've kind of stepped up my training a little bit, and I think just having that faith and trust in my fitness was important for my mentality going into the race. My past two weeks of training have been important not in that I am running a lot more or faster, but that I am feeling strong. I feel like my body can handle a lot more than previous summers, and I am hoping it's because I am going to have a "break out" season. I have steadily improved since my senior year of high school, but not by any huge margins. My senior year of high school and freshman year of college I averaged low 22-minute 5ks, and this past sophomore year of college I averaged high 21's. I feel like I've been stuck in that range for quite a while... 3 years to be exact. There's no doubt I have improved - in more ways than just lowering my times - but now I feel I have the base and the strength to go much farther and faster.

I am really excited for the upcoming cross country season! This PR is a big confidence booster, and something I think I really needed. It's awesome to feel like hard work pays off, even if it comes slowly!