I hit my highest weekly mileage post-baby last week and I’m still getting used to it. My primary goals for training for the New York Marathon are to 1) have fun 2) run 5 days a week and 3) get in at a least one speed, hill or tempo workout per week. So far, I’ve been doing a good job at hitting these goals. Since my #1 training buddy is out of the country, I’ve been seeking out new training partners and it’s been really fun getting to know some new people in the process. However, as I’ll get into later, I’m not sure how easily my body is recovering from the work I’m putting it through.
Monday – I decided to sleep in and picked up Siena after work and took her down to the beach for a 5 mile stroller run along the 101.
Tuesday – 6.2 miles with 2 x 2 miles @ tempo with 3 min recovery between. I’ve been embracing the hills lately. I used to think that tempo workouts had to be on flat ground but given that there is nothing flat about the trails near my house, I’ve accepted that my tempo runs will have to be based on effort instead of pace. That’s actually a good thing because my pace isn’t nearly what it once was so this way I’m not beating myself up over it.
Tuesday night I had a fun girls happy hour with three fellow coaches, one of which shared her experience at this year’s Beachbody Summit (basically Beachbody’s yearly conference). I already signed up for next year’s in New Orleans and I couldn’t be more excited! Dinner was incredible and we had a great time getting to know each other better.
Wednesday – 5 slow recovery miles with Allison. We took it very nice and easy and it was perfect. After work I got in a 60 minute yoga class at the office (my company provides free yoga every other week).
Thursday – Dirty 30 Extreme. Man did I forget how hard his workout is! My thighs were quivering and I was dripping in sweat by the end of 30 minutes. And I was sore for DAYS. This workout really proved what I already knew – I’m losing strength! I need to get back into a consistent routine with my Fix workouts.
Friday – Rest. Mike and I tried to get in a little home coffee date before Siena woke up (tired being key word) and my Dad and Step Mom were in town visiting in the afternoon so I decided to use it as a rest day all around.
Saturday – 14 mile long run. My new running buddy Kelly runs with a group called the Seaside Striders and I joined them for their Saturday long run. They like to meet early which worked out perfectly since I waned to get home to spend time with my Dad and Denice. We started at 6:30 AM and ran about 7 miles through hilly trails before heading back on pavement to the coast. Kelly’s friend Nora and I chatted for the first six miles or so and she headed off around the 11 mile mark and Kelly and I finished the run together. I’ve been loving these group runs and I hope to do many more! It’s been a little hard on my ego to be the slow one of the group (just like last week) but I’m trying to stay positive! 
Sunday – 5 recovery miles with Mike and Siena (Mike pushed the stroller the whole time – thanks Mike!). My legs were very sore and tired after Dirty 30 and the long run so this was a SLOW one but nice! Siena fell asleep so Mike and I headed to our favorite local coffee shop afterward and grabbed coffee to go and sat on a bench overlooking the ocean and chatted afterward. 
Weekly Totals:
- Miles Run: 35.2
- Strength/Yoga: 1.5 hours
- Planks: 8 x 1 minute = 8 minutes (Despite my goal of planking before and after every run, I didn’t plank before and after my long run)
I feel like I’m still getting back into the swing of things. I feel pretty far from my goal and also pretty far from where I’ve been in the past. Although I have a baby who sleeps well, I still think I have a pretty significant sleep debt, partially because I’ve had a hard time falling asleep since she was born. Recently she has been waking up earlier (closer to 6) so even on the days when I don’t work out, I’m still up close to 6 and rarely getting 8 hours of sleep. Plus my internal clock seems to go off around 5:30 regardless so when I “sleep in” til 6:30, it’s not restful. In the past when I’ve trained for big events I’ve supplemented with BCAAs so I think I’m going to try that in hopes that it’ll speed recovery. My legs rarely feel fresh which isn’t a great sign. Not having a coach to bounce these thoughts of of makes me question whether or not this is just a phase where I’m getting used to more training or if I need to back off and take some more rest. Or at least get in bed before 10 PM. Can anyone relate?
How was your week of training? How do you know when your body is just getting used to higher mileage or needs a break?
It is really hard to train and I can’t imagine doing it with a baby as well! I find myself not being very well rested after long weeks of training. I supplement with BCAAs and also a B-12 vitamin and a B complex vitamin. I am seeing a big difference!
I’m glad the supplements are helping! You’re doing so well with your training – just a few more months of peak training and you’ll be tapering before you know it!
Sleep is one of the most important things for recovery (and general health) so I would try to get to bed earlier- losing my sleep is what I fear most about having children, haha. Also I’m no expert since I’ve only done 1 marathon but isn’t 5 days of running a lot of you just want to finish and don’t have a time goal? Maybe your runs and legs would feel better if you only did 4 days a week?? Just a suggestion! Personally my body doesn’t like running 2 days in a row, especially as I get older it just takes longer to recover and if I just too much the runs are crappy and I feel sluggish. Hope you find something that works for you (PS I give you so much credit for training for a marathon less than a year after having a baby- very impressive and you look fantastic!)
Thank you for the sleep comment! I needed to hear it. I need to really work on a no technology past 9 pm and in bed lights out by 9:30 policy! I think that’ll help a lot.
Even though I want to finish, I still want to train well and have a good race. While it wont be a PR effort, part of the fun of training for me is getting faster. the plan i’m following has me running 6 days a week and I’ve cut i down to 5. The good thing about scheduling 5 workouts is at least when I need extra rest I know I can skip one and still feel good about the week.
I hear ya- its hard not to give 100% when you are used to doing that. And that’s totally true- If I mentally schedule 6 workouts for the week- I usually only get 5 in because well, life. Keep at it- you are doing a great job!!
Thanks Jess!
I’m always in awe of Moms who train. I can barely get in the training myself and I don’t have anyone else to look after. You’re doing an amazing job so far.
Aw thanks!
Don’t get down about your pace – you will get there! Trust the process!
As for the BCAAs, what brand do you use? I just started taking some I bought on Amazon in hopes it would speed my recovery, but am not sure they are helping or if it was a good brand. Let me know!
I can’t even remember the brand because its been so long! I may actually try the new Beachbody performance line and see if I like that.
Congrats on a solid training week! I have decided to focus on Insanity right now in this season of life rather than running which brings me to my question for you: when starting out soreness is to be expected…so do you just continue with the scheduled workouts and work through the soreness?
Just wondering how effective I’ll be on today’s workout after being sore from the fit test Thanks!
Yes I just keep going through the soreness!!
And it usually gets better after the first week.
Hi. Just found your blog and love that you share with us how to combine running and strength workouts. I recently tried to do a Hammer & Chisel challenge and had to back way off to make sure I could keep up with the training. I’m currently training for my first ultra (this Sat!!). Thanks for giving me the clarity and motivation to see that is possible to do both the strength and running workouts in the same week- I just need to be more strategic. Also, I’d be interested to hear more about BCAAs and how you are using them in your training. When/how much to take.,etc. I recently bought some but wondering how best to incorporate. Thanks so much!
I would just take BCAAs twice a day – morning and night. It definitely helps!
I hope the ultra went great!!