I set out in March with the goal of completing 100 running miles. All the miles were specifically in my training plan but when I saw that FitFluential was holding a #ffmarchmiles challenge to run 100 miles I had to play along. I thought it would be fun to officially keep track after each run instead of weekly like I normally do.
To join in on the challenge, I posted all of my workouts on Instagram and posted how far along I was in my mileage. I hit 100 early this week and kept running to hit 128.52 miles for the month so far. I have a few more miles to log today to cap off the month.
It’s my highest mileage month in awhile and it feels good. I like the longer 5 and 6 mile runs during the week and I also am enjoying that only 1 or maybe 2 runs a week are around 3 miles.
My long run this past weekend was 13 miles. It worked out better for my family to run in the afternoon on Saturday instead of in the morning. I put Little A down for her nap and I headed out while my husband stayed home with the littles. It was a beautiful spring afternoon. The temps were in the mid 60’s and the wind was manageable. It should have been a perfect run.
I was seriously lacking energy even before starting this run, which didn’t help things. My long run goal range is between 9:30 and 10:50 (according to the McMillan Running Calculator) but I would really like to keep it closer to the 9:30 side. I finished this run with a 10:09 average pace (with a strong finish) but most of the run I was hanging on to a 10:17 pace.
That 10:17 pace felt so hard and it just makes me doubt that I can finish my upcoming half with a 9:05 pace. I’m counting on the fact that this was just a difficult training run and the adrenaline of running in a race will help me achieve what I have been working towards.
Weekly Workouts
Monday: 3.1 miles (9:22 pace)
Tuesday: 6 miles (8:56 pace)
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 5 miles (9:00 pace)
Friday: 3.1 miles (9:26 pace) + 15 minutes NTC Arm Definer
Saturday: 13.25 miles (10:09 pace)
Sunday: Spin Bike 30 minutes + 15 minutes NTC Ab Burner
Mileage for Saturday is off this week. I actually ran 13.25 miles but my GPS stopped at 12.87 for some strange reason.
One of my main goals for 2014 is to Run This Year in kilometers. That’s 2,014 kilometers or 1,251.44 miles.
Weekly Running Miles: 30.45
March Running Miles: 128.52
2014 Running Miles: 307.65
2014 Running Kilometers: 495.11
How do you get past a mentally tough training run? How do you move past a difficult run?
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Great week! I had a mentally challenging run last week..a 12 miler in the 20 weather of MI. I always read my running book before at a past awesome run. I write a diary after every training run and it REALLY helps pump me up. If it’s a surprisingly challenging run then I remember when I couldn’t run because of my foot injury and I remind myself that I can and others cannot and that usually gets me going!!
xoxo from Trinidad
Thanks, Corey! Those are all great tips. I keep a running journal too and it does help a lot to look back on accomplishments. Great job getting in 12 miles in not so great conditions!
SOOO impressed by all your miles! I wanted to do the 100 miles in March thing but since I was still recovering from injury I couldn’t. I guess I could try 100 miles in April! Thanks for linking up with #BestFoot today!
Thanks, Ericka! Injuries are tough. I hope yours is healing nicely and you are able to get in the miles. Thanks for hosting the link-up!
Wow girlie! Congrats on a big month of mileage! You seriously rocked it!
Thanks, Krysten! It was a fun month of running and getting lots of miles in.
Your Saturday run did look gorgeous. Don’t you just love that better weather is here? Congrats on your 100+ miles for the month of March!
Thanks, Marnie! Yes, I’m loving the spring weather we are having! I want to really enjoy it before the hot stuff comes along.
Way to go! And those tough runs are hard to shake off sometimes and it’s those great ones that keep us coming back! Just remember…those hard runs are really preparing us more than we think!!
Thanks, Jodi! That’s the good thing about out and backs, I guess. You have to finish no matter what and it just adds to the mental toughness.
You did great this month on miles!! Sorry to hear about your rough 13 miler…I felt similar on my run yesterday. I was already not feeling it and than the rain came, which didn’t help things.
I know for sure you will hit the 2,014 km mark!!
Thank you, Lindsey! Rain definitely wouldn’t have helped me accomplish my miles over the weekend. You did a great job getting out in it though! I think I’m on track for my miles for the year, especially considering I’m running a full in the fall. It’s exciting!
That’s fantastic that you finished the 100 miles for the month and you even went over that!!! I have a half next month and ran 12.5 yesterday, and it was hard. But I think you’re right that the adrenaline from race day always improves your speed and energy. You’ll do great, keep up the good work!!!
~Bre