The passage of time feels so much faster when I'm in the middle of a training block. I can hardly believe that I'm already almost 3/4 of the way through this 24 week block. It's finally time to get more specific with the training. Given the extreme amount of vert for the race, last week I started introducing 20 minute treadmill hikes at 15% incline and 3.5 mph to my training. I don't have a good long hill in town and my teenager wanted to join a gym, so it made sense to join together so that I could drive us both there a couple days a week. I love that he is also meeting friends there and they can motivate each other to keep showing up.
I have never liked treadmills, but in this case, they are a necessity. I still need to build in some downhill running which will require hill repeats, but the treadmill is a great way to add on as a double to get my legs mountain-ready. I definitely work up a sweat "just" hiking. My work schedule is starting to follow a routine. I try to get there early 2 days a week since it gets really hot by the afternoon. Getting there early also allows me to have my kids there for the last 2 hours before I shuttle us all back home for lunch. I love early mornings at the farm, but that means I don't get in an early run unless I get up by 4. I also started introducing biking once a week on the trainer in place of a run. It's not ideal, but the afternoons are just way too hot, so on Wednesdays when I go in early, I'll at least get a bike ride in. Often, after being on my feet all day, I can't imagine running in the afternoon, but getting in that 20 minute treadmill hike feels doable. Being at the gym also encourages me to keep on top of strength work. This week I tacked on a core workout and also tried out some of the machines at the gym. Not my fave, but it was a nice change from my usual strength routine at home.
Overall, I think that training is going well. I complain less with the humidity and heat. Of course, I still don't like it, but I think I'm adapting to it. Last week, I rolled my ankle on a trail run and I still feel a little bit of discomfort in the ankle, but I can still run on it. I'm feeling stronger running on uphills. Places where I used to resort to hiking, I'm running. I'm starting to feel like I might actually finish the race. This weekend was a good test. I had back to back long runs (10 miles on Saturday and 17 on Sunday) and I was pleased that I was able to run strong on the last 3 miles of the 17 miler mostly down hill. I did miss one Saturday long run a few weeks back because I went rock-climbing for the day, but I don't regret that at all.
Being deep in this training block speeds up time, but it's compounded by summertime going by in a blink of an eye and also being at the farm where I can watch seedlings growing to the point of harvest. The CSA is going well. I can barely catch my breath and try to get work done before it's time to plan the next harvest for the next CSA pickup. It's crazy to me how fast these last weeks have passed by. The summer schedule is always a little hectic because there's no routine. The kids have different activities every week. I feel like I'm always driving someone somewhere. All in all, I would say that everyone is having a great summer so far. I'm happy that my kids are willing to come work on the farm a couple days a week. They are having fun with friends and also keeping up with summer school work.
This weekend will be the first time I'm attempting a 20 miler long run since last November. Fingers crossed that I can stay healthy and injury-free for the rest of this block.
The passage of time as shown through lettuce. Top picture from June 13th, bottom from July 6th.
Commentaires