I hit my final peak week!
I actually had the ultimate test in that it was my longest run and I had to do it solo. Previously, I had only ever run about 8-10 miles by myself and only a handful of times. Generally, at a race and having to split with whoever I was running with, or because my usual long run buddies weren’t available. But I had to go to California for work and I knew I just had the one and only weekend to get my run in. The following weekend was already going to be booked with two races so 20 had to be done on my own.
Lucky for me, I’m a planner, and I had a lot of friends in the area who offered some suggested areas to get in that distance. I ended up planning a lunch with friends in Capitola with the caveat that I would have just run 20 miles and would need a shower to de-stinkify before we could go out. They were in so I mapped out my route.
I ended up running from the Capitola Beach area to downtown Santa Cruz, past the boardwalk, and to the end of Cliff Dr. Then I turned around and ran back.
It was an incredible run and so gorgeous. I couldn’t have asked for better weather, and I actually did alright solo. I listened to an audio book (a long, long audio book) and only started to get uncomfortable and antsy around mile 18, when I was just TIRED of being on my feet and the fact that I was still moving. I was tempted to call friends to tell them to meet up with me and just help me get to the end, but I made it. Not a step over 20 miles and I was done!
Week 14
Total miles 10.1
Wow, not my best week! But I wasn’t just sitting around – I taught a bunch of PiYo classes and got in a couple of short runs… but then I was hit by a stomach bug and had to miss my long run. I tried to make it up the following week.
Week 15
Total miles 35.61
Long run miles 20, in California as I was traveling for a work conference
Cross training included Cycle and PiYo
Week 16
Total miles 19.27
Long run miles 13.1
I was in California all week and pretty slammed with activities. I got in my long run and a mid-week run but aside from that I just didn’t have time. However, once I was back in NC, I was back at it… instantly coming home to run a 5k on Saturday and a half marathon (Durham Bull City Race Fest) on Sunday. I PR’d in both and have been working on getting back into my regular running and PiYo routine since to make sure I’m ready for race day.
So now, I’m back in North Carolina and I’ve been running all weekend and week. Doing some PiYo to stretch things out, and working on speed and just getting my miles in. Just two more weekend runs (all tapers now) and then we’re at marathon weekend! I’m excited and scared… but I’m looking forward to being there with my friends and crossing this off my list!