Week seven: a small victory

Man- I was getting spoiled by the cooler temperatures and lower humidity. This week about killed me! Each day that I finished my run, I think I could've wrung at least a gallon of sweat from my clothes! I can only hope that the Fall like temperatures return in the next few weeks. I'm not sure that my body can keep enduring the heat and humidity at the time of day that I have to run. I guess all that I endure now will only make me stronger come race day. 

Kristin and I started off the week with a four mile run on Monday. It was extremely hot and humid. Half way through the run, we stopped to get a drink. It was so hot that my drink was luke warm. Although it was miserable out, we were able to finish our last two miles faster than our first two. I will count that as small victory number one.

Tuesday was a seven mile run. Kristin and I decided to run by my house because the route provided a little bit more shade than our other option. Even though the route provided spurts of shade, it did nothing for my body. As we were making our way back to my house, each step got harder and harder. I tried taking sips of my water, but that didn't help. I knew that I would have to walk at some point in order to finish strong. We walked .25 miles, and this allowed me to finish the last mile strong. I didn't think I was going to be able to cool my body off once I finished. I knew that I had to get some salts in my body, or I would end up with a killer headache. I know this run took a toll on my body because I went to bed at 8:30.

 For strength training this week, I decided to mix it up. I joined my teaching partner for an Insanity Max 30 workout. We did a Tabata strength workout; I forgot about my love/hate relationship with this workout. It definitely worked my muscles and left me dripping with sweat. 

Thursday was my rest day this week because I decided to do my long run on Friday, so Kevin could join me. I ran the first 6.5 miles by myself from my house to Kevin's. I was drenched with sweat when I arrived and caught a few sprinkles along the way. Once I got there, Kevin and Ashton joined me for the last 7.5 miles. Luckily, they were both willing to run at my pace. I was really nervous about this part of the run because they are both way faster than me. When we were running, it started to sprinkle again. With about two miles to go, it started to rain harder. I think that was part of the reason that I was able to run the last mile at a 9:39 pace. I just wanted to be done and get out of the rain. This was definitely small victory number two since I wasn't sure if I would be able to survive a 14 mile run! 

I decided that I would try a four mile recovery run on Saturday morning since I still had four miles to get in for the week. My legs were tired from Friday's run and standing for two hours at the football game. I got up and rolled my legs before meeting Monica for our run. My legs felt like rubber, but I was able to get in all four miles without walking. Small victory number three. 

For cross training this week, Jadynn and I got in a Cize workout. It was 43 minutes of laughs and sweat. I couldn't believe how much I was sweating, and I forgot how much fun it was to do a dance workout with Jadynn. We kept trying to tell Shaun T that we were not ready for the next move. A couple of times I told her I needed to embrace my inner white girl, and she gave me a look. She reminded me that finding my inner white girl would not help me. By the time we Cized It Up, we were both laughing hysterically. Neither of us could get the moves or keep up with Shaun T.  

What a week! The heat about killed me but somehow I survived! I cannot believe that after next week I will be half way through my training. Time is flying by! I know that it will be race day before I know it. Here's hoping that temperature drops and the miles continue to fly by.