Itty-bitty Muscles, Early Mornings & Chaffing: Week 3 Marathon Training

Week Three - Grandma's Marathon Training

Complete

It's been a different week for me.  Not a bad week.  Actually, a lot has been going on.  However, most of the week I've felt like this:

Yup - you guessed it.  I want to eat everything in sight.  I've had pizza 4 times this week!!  4!  That's crazy!!  Who does that??  Apparently,  I do.   I'm chalking it up to all the mileage and tough workouts.  I'm pushing my body to limits they haven't reached before.  The sad part is, I don't crave strawberries and salads.  Twinkies, ho ho's, chips, cookies.  Just give me all the food.

Day One:  Sprints.  0.4 mile sprints 2:51 per lap.  They were insanely hard, but in the end I really love sprints. Finished the day out with about 6.5 miles.

Day Two:  Nice run to loosen up the legs after the hard sprint day on Monday.  Nothing too exciting with this workout.

Day Three:  Tempo run....and for the added "fun" of it, my trainer added in extra hills.

I hate tempo runs.  I'm having trouble keeping pace up and feeling fatigued during them, add in the extra hills and I'm spent.  But, I'm up for the challenge and I HATE to fail, so I don't allow myself to. I get the run done, whine a little about it later and then revel in the fact that I conquered the beast that is the tempo run.

Last week my tempo run was from hell; deep inside the depths of hell with fire burning everywhere.  This run wasn't that bad. Close. But, not as bad.

Day Four:  Running rest day.  I did get to the gym for some upper body strength training.  Do you see those itty-bitty muscles?  They're coming and I couldn't be prouder of them.

I have never been strong.  Until about 4 weeks ago,  I couldn't even do a "regular" push-up.  I'm happy to say I can do 45 total in three reps. 10 are the regular plank style!  BAM!  I've been consistent with my push-ups about every other day.  Unfortunately, I don't get to the gym too often to lift, but I'm trying to make it more of a priority.

Day Five:  Here's where the chaffing comes in.  4:20 am wake-up call.  11 miles on tap. The route was hilly for an extra added challenge during the run.  We went up "the beast."  It's nearly 1/2 mile up and ridiculous.  It seemed a bit better than I had imagined, but we never really have a reason to venture that far away from our normal route.  Today, we did.  My friend Heather and I were virgins of "the beast."  Susan sang Madonna's song "Like a Virgin" as we trampled up it.  Have to have a little fun every now and then. 

For some reason, my entire foot went numb for 3 miles.  At one point, I thought maybe I'd have to stop running to work it out, but I kept on and it eventually went away.  I'm glad the long run is over. 

And... then there's the chaffing.  OH.MY.GOD.  I have the WORST chaffing on my ASS!  Seriously?  I cannot believe it.  It hurts so bad I could cry and just walking or sitting makes it burn.  No pain - No gain.  Or, something like that.  I guess I could be losing a toenail.  I'd rather have ass chaffing.

Another really cool mail day for me this week too.  I'm a BibRave Pro, and with that comes the opportunity to test awesome products.  My merino wool buff came and it's awesome.  I've worn it so far on runs and for casual.  You can see it above.  I used it as a neck warmer today.  I've worn it as a headband and I've also worn it as a scarf for everyday.  It's a great go-to piece and I know I will be using it at TON.  Thank you BUFF and Bibrave! 

Here are my STATS:

29 miles
3169 calories burned
4.2 hours
5 workouts

Once again, I'm linking up with hoho runs and Misssippipiddlin for their Weekly Wrap!

Make sure to visit other awesome blogs in the process!