Philadelphia Half Marathon Training: Week 4

If you’re catching up from the weekend, because if you live anywhere in the northeast I really hope you weren’t on the computer and rather outside enjoying the amazing weather, here’s what you missed.

Apple & lentil stuffed acorn squash
Pumpkin protein pancakes <—aka make these asap! Sooo good!

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Week 4…I’m not gonna lie, this was a tough week for me. I just lacked motivation all around and with treats like these pumpkin chocolate chip bars in the house, I just wanted to eat dessert and sit on the couch feeding my Don Draper (loving Mad Men!) obsession.

Previous training week recaps:

Week 4’s plan:

Reality:

Monday:

I was actually really excited about this run. My motivation didn’t seem to tank until Tuesday. The temps were perfect (60ish) and 8 miles is the perfect, not too long, definitely not too short distance. I had a great run on the roads, incorporating some hills instead of the bike trail and finished with an 8:43 average pace and negative splits.

Tuesday:

It was like pulling teeth to get myself to walk into the basement to do NROLFW. I really like the emphasis on the arms in stage 3, but with the extended rest intervals and the added moves, it takes a good 40-45 minutes and that’s pushing my patience level with lifting.

Wednesday:

I just had no motivation to get on the bike to cross train! It was a gorgeous day so I leashed Ginger up and went for a short walk instead. Oh, well.

Thursday:

Again, no motivation here but I refuse to miss a run. Considering I’m only running 3 days a week, I just can’t afford to skimp out on the mileage so I headed outside for the tempo run around 5:30pm. It was horrendous. My splits were actually good (8:46, 8:14, 8:31, 9:02) but I just felt like c-r-a-p the entire run. Mostly my legs, they just felt sluggish and like lead. I was happy when that one was over.

Friday:

Sweet, sweet glorious rest day. I <3 you.

Saturday:

Skipped out on the bike again! We went hiking in the afternoon and then I came home and went for another 2+ mile walk. I’m counting that as “cross training.” I know it’s not the same, whatever. No NROFLW, I just couldn’t do it. Instead, we watched a documentary on Ben & Jerry’s and then I sent Ulysses out to buy ice cream at 9:45 at night. Ice cream > weights. This is real life.

Sunday:

This 4 mile pace run was actually decent. I forgot to take my inhaler (which I take when I’m running intervals, or pace runs b/c when I push myself pace-wise my asthmatic lungs tend to rebel) and started to feel it around mile 2. It’s hard to push yourself when it feels like you’re breathing through a straw so this was on the “easier” side of race pace but still a good run.

It’s funny how the best day of the week was my long run day. I’m not really looking forward to today’s 9 miler. Although these temps are lovely for mid October, 80-85 degrees is not ideal long running weather!

Total Weekly Round-up: