Tapering. For a big race (that I procrastinated on registering for). Yeah…
Let’s just say this taper came at an opportune time (and isn’t that the plan?). Since I’ve done upwards of 60 (?) half marathons, I’m guilty of taking the distance slightly for granted (#MyBad). Because of all the cross-training I do, though, I think I’m pretty much in year-round half marathon shape even if I’m not logging excessive year-long weekly mileage (#MyGood).
Those are the thoughts and rationale that sustained me during this week leading up to the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon…
I love hosting this link-up with Deborah (from Confessions of a Mother Runner)! If you write a fitness-based blog, you're invited to join the party. The link-up opens at 8:00AM (EST) on Sundays and remains open through noon on Monday. We love reading about everyone's weekly fitness endeavors, training highlights (or low lights) and race recaps. We ask that you link back to both hosts, and we encourage you to read/comment on the other linked blog as well...please don't link-drop & dash ;-)
Anyways, here’s what went down, in my little corner of the universe, this week:
Sunday - Long Ride (inside #WhompWhomp)
The temps showed promise, but the wind wasn’t wanting to play nice. A late morning group bike ride had already been cancelled (the evening prior), so I made the command decision to rise and ride before church. Mission accomplished! I got 25 miles knocked out and made it to church just as the 8:30 service was beginning. Whew! The noontime sunshine was beautiful, though, so that warranted a nice 3-mile walk as well.
Never miss a Monday
Waking up to a cool and windy morning, there was ZERO mojo to get outside in the dark. Instead, I hit the basement and did some upper-body strength work. Since daylight was starting to appear when I finished, I relented, and took a quick walk before getting ready for the office. I did the usual 2-mile walk over lunch (skywalk) and ran a couple miles in the awesome (still) summer temps (title pic, above). Yikes, that sunset is happening way too soon…
Tuesday - damp, dark and dreary…
Things were feeling achy, and I was feeling sleepy (and it was a rainy mess outdoors). I thought some good old-fashioned stretching was a good option. I took a 2-mile lunch walk, via the skywalk, since it was still raining.
After work, I opted for an outdoor walk. Ugh, I barely made it back before it was dark, but I missed the rain. Glass half full.
Double Workout Wednesday
Another rainy morning had the 4:45AM group run not happening.After a failed attempt at falling back to sleep, I decided to make the best of my awake-ness and hit the bike (14 miles).
There was more walking over lunch (two miles), then four fabulous miles of post-workday running! It was one of those runs that simply felt wonderful (I’m sure the warm temps were a factor, LOL). I also found a short arms/shoulders workout to do after I returned home.
Thankful Thursday
After a week off, it was great to reunite (virtually) with
Deb in the early hours. Both of us were on the spin bikes (it was rainy, dark, and cold in Iowa), and I was able to get 20 miles done.
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| Collage courtesy of Deb |
Afterwards, I did a short chest and back workout before getting ready for work. The day also included four miles of walking (two miles over lunch and two miles after work).
Low-key (& low-impact) Friday
I had contemplated a short shakeout run, but my gut was telling me to stay out of the running shoes. Instead, I got out for a 2-mile walk before work and called it good for the morning. I also walked a couple miles over lunch. It was pouring rain after work, so those four miles of walking were it for the day.
Saturday - keeping things easy-peasy…
For the first time in a long time, I enjoyed a legit sleep-in. Well, I did wake up around 5:30, but was able to actually fall back to sleep for a little longer (trust me, that does not happen very often!). I wanted to do a very short shakeout run to see how my hips were doing (they’d been cranky the past few days…again). I walked a 1/2- mile (as a brief warm-up), then ran an easy mile. Things were a little stiff, but loosened up after a couple minutes. I finished with 2-1/2 additional miles of walking in the beautiful sunshine. All told, this felt good. Not great, but much better than anticipated.
…and what’s on-deck for Sunday?
As mentioned, I’ll be running the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon (for the 12th time). The temps are looking cool (upper-40F’s at the race start) but sunny. I’ve been dealing with these funky hip issues, and let’s not forget that bum toe (#TwiceStubbed), so I can’t deny I’m a little apprehensive on how things will play-out. Saturday’s short run was reassuring, though I’m not anticipating a PR (as if, LOL). I know my endurance if good, and I’m hoping that will sustain me on the race course. Stay tuned!
So, it was week of low-key tapering fun. The temptation to log a few more miles was there, but I knew there was nothing to gain by doing so. I’m going into race day with only seven miles in the running shoes this week, and I’m totally okay with that. I’m not a high mileage gal anyways, LOL. Walking showed 23 miles and biking had 59. I had three strength sessions (all upper-body work), so the cross-training was decent (and kept me busy since I wasn’t running much).
In case you missed out, here’s what went down on the blog:
In other news:
Friday Fashion Flair. I went for a slightly boho look with this funky tie-dyed top. I guess it’s technically more mauve than pink, but oh well. It’s still October, so I’m trying to wear as much pink as possible.
There was only one Garmin badge awarded this week. Sunday’s pre-church 25-miler made it happen.
Although I didn’t get in too many steps Saturday, I did spend a couple hours in the back yard doing some garden squats and whatnot. I’d brought a couple sedums from my other house and planted them last fall (almost exactly a year ago) near the window well. I decided to dig them up, divide them, and replant them in a better configuration. I’m hoping to find a couple more plants to add to the area before the cold temps set-in.
That’s all for now. Since I’ll be on the race course in the morning, I’ll be a little late reading the blogs tomorrow. I will try to get to them in the afternoon, after refueling and showering (and hopefully some stretching as well). I appreciate your patience!
How was your week? Any upcoming races? Does it feel like Fall yet? How much tapering do you do prior to a half marathon?
You got in a lot of miles from biking and walking and running! Good luck with the race today! Hopefully your hip and rest of body feels good!
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