Monday, 70 minutes, 7.99 miles, spin bike, 11.5 miles, .80 miles walking
I got started later than usual thanks to my regular ART appointment. I felt good throughout the run and specifically focused on my form as I ran. Occasionally my ankle felt pinched but when I focused on good form, that went away. During the ride, I found it hard to concentrate but I made it through and got several miles in.
Tuesday, 5 x 1 mile tempo at 8:24 (1/2 pace), 7.91 miles, spin bike, 13 miles
I almost switched around the runs because I underestimated the chill factor of the wind when grabbing my gear for the run. I had no gloves or headband for a run in temperatures below freezing. (That’s cold in South Carolina.) I came home and debated just running outside. I live close enough to school though that I changed, grabbed the gloves and headband and headed back. I’m so glad that I did. I had trouble keeping on pace, consistently going too fast. Then my Garmin started jumping distances a little bit, probably due to all the weaving I had to do around the other walkers on the track who decided to take up pretty much the whole width of the track.
Mile 1 – 8:15
Mile 2 – 8:14
Mile 3 – 8:28 (the extra seconds may come from the difficulty I had double tapping with gloves on)
Mile 4 – 8:23
Mile 5 – 8:23
By the time the last couple intervals rolled around I could definitely feel it in my legs but still had trouble making myself go slower.
Wednesday, easy run, 3.35 miles, spin bike, 17.10 miles
I rode the bike before the run to give Mom access to the treadmill before she headed home. When I got on the treadmill after the ride, my legs felt so tired like I had already put in a ton of work. I thought at first that I had ridden too hard, which didn’t make sense. Then I remembered my tempo intervals from the day before. I guess I really did put in the work. I focused on keeping my pace easy and my form solid.
Thursday, 5 miles with 8 x 30 seconds hard effort, 5.39 miles, spin bike 15 miles
I felt pretty solid throughout the run and really enjoyed the hard effort intervals in the last mile. Writing the following day definitely diminishes my memory of the run.
Friday, 4 miles easy, 4.49 miles, spin bike, 16.20 miles, .92 miles walking
I felt solid on this run. Each stride felt strong. I reveled in the run and enjoyed the length which felt perfect. The ride felt long but I intentionally broke it into chunks and did some strength training to get through and to get everything done.
Saturday, long run, 12.29 miles, spin bike, 18.2 miles
I cannot remember the last time that I felt this great on a long run. My legs felt strong. The distance felt easy. I absolutely loved it. I did forget to pause my Garmin a few times. Oh well. I also had the opportunity to tell Mom all about the day I had Thursday. She agreed with me. I needed the long run to tell the story.
Later in the early evening I hoped on the bike and felt great there too! I will gladly take a bottle of whatever happened today to make me feel this great if someone can figure out a way to bottle it.
Sunday, streak mile, 1.42 miles, spin bike, 18 miles
I needed the mile after seeing what the governor of this state said about teachers for wanting the vaccine. My legs wanted rest so I focused on form and getting in just the single mile. My legs even felt heavy on the bike so I slowed down and stopped a little short of what I planned.