Today's long run was the best I've had throughout training for my October half-marathon. I wanted to do another 10 mile run and up my pace, rather than go up to 11 miles this week. I have an extra week in my training schedule, which made it possible for me to have some wiggle room to repeat a week, and since my pace last week was slow, I figured it made sense to repeat 10 miles.
A friend from undergrad was in town for the weekend, so I invited her to join me for part of my long run (ok, maybe I begged). Yan was such a good sport and agreed to join me for four miles after I pestered her via text. Since Yan was staying on the Upper East Side, I ran across Central Park to meet her and then we ran down the East River path for a few miles before cutting back to Central Park and up the loop to the 90s.
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| I passed the NYRR's 18 Mile ING NYC Marathon Tune-Up racers on my way over to the Upper East Side -- definitely motivating! |
Apparently new terrain also helps since I really enjoyed running in a totally new place. I'm never on the east side and I'd never run on the East River path before, so everything was new to me. Nothing makes a run more fun like coming upon a small dog park that includes both children in tutus and dogs in sweaters.
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| considering that man was in a tank top and shorts, the sweater on the white dog on the left (who, um, already has a fur coat...) might have been a bit over the top |
The weather was gorgeous and absolutely perfect for a long run, sunny but cool and breezy, so I didn't end up dripping in sweat like I did after every run I did this summer.
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| the East River might be more picturesque than the Hudson... will need to conduct more extensive research |
Since it was my long run, we kept an easy pace that allowed us to chat and catch up, since we hadn't seen each other in a year. We ended up running closer to 6 miles and Yan kept my pace up like a rock star. If only she lived in NYC!
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| Yan, today's awesome running buddy |
I accidentally paused my iPod when I met up with Yan, so we had to estimate our distance. Unfortunately, after checking Google maps when I got home, it looked like we were about .5 miles off, so I only ran 9.5 miles today. However I easily could have run another 1/2 a mile, so in terms of endurance, I felt happy with the run!
Last week's goals (or, taking it easy can be a good thing?)
I took it much easier this week and didn't complete all my workouts, but I also felt MUCH fresher on today's long run. I'm going to try to find a good middle ground since I love my strength training classes and sessions, but they're also pretty expensive so taking some time off can be a nice break for my bank account, too (I try to use deals and specials whenever possible). I also took a Relax class with Heidi Kristoffer at Strala Yoga this afternoon and my ankles/arches are feeling MUCH better (they always hurt by the end of a long run).
I'm really enjoying figuring out the best training for my body as I get closer to half-marathon time. It seems like a lot of yoga and very little other training will be the key in the week before race day, but I'm going to keep playing with training plans and seeing how I feel in the coming weeks. We're getting close!
Monday - rest day with some yoga at home (check, if "some yoga" = a few stretches. I say yes.)
Tuesday - Yoga w/ Kristin McGee + Spinning @ Pedal NYC (check!)
Wednesday - Central Park loop (6 miles) (turned this into a 3 mile easy run around the Reservoir)
Thursday - Vinyasa Yoga @ Exhale Spa + interval run (check to Vinyasa Yoga at Exhale's NamasDAY, but did not complete the interval run)
Friday - easy run (4-5 miles) (didn't happen)
Saturday - Physique 57 class (did some push-ups and planks at home, but no Physique -- like I said, trying to save!)
Sunday - 11 mile run (decided to do 10 miles and they felt wonderful! Also added a yoga class)
Tuesday - Yoga w/ Kristin McGee + Spinning @ Pedal NYC (check!)
Wednesday - Central Park loop (6 miles) (turned this into a 3 mile easy run around the Reservoir)
Thursday - Vinyasa Yoga @ Exhale Spa + interval run (check to Vinyasa Yoga at Exhale's NamasDAY, but did not complete the interval run)
Friday - easy run (4-5 miles) (didn't happen)
Saturday - Physique 57 class (did some push-ups and planks at home, but no Physique -- like I said, trying to save!)
Sunday - 11 mile run (decided to do 10 miles and they felt wonderful! Also added a yoga class)
This week's goals
Monday - Central Park Loop with a law school friend
Tuesday - Spinning @ Pedal NYC
Wednesday - Lululemon Run Club speedwork
Thursday - training with Amanda
Friday - Physique 57 class
Saturday/Sunday - long run (11 miles) and yoga class
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