GAR Training - Week 4

One month into training and it was time to start picking up the pace in my runs. Unfortunately that didn't happen. Here's what did:

Monday – Hiking

Tuesday – Rest

Wednesday – Rest

Thursday – Light weightlifting, jiu-jitsu training

Friday – Rest

Saturday – jiu-jitsu (sparring)

Sunday – 8 mile run, jiu-jitsu (sparring)

 

The hike on Monday offered a great change up. It was a trail I've never done before, there was a lot of climbing involved, and the pace was uptempo. Good stuff.

 

There was lots of rest days this week. That's because on Tuesday I woke up feeling like I was getting sick. By Wednesday night I was feeling better (gotta love that immune system). Friday I had family in town and that comes before running.

 

Sunday's run was pretty nice. I tried out one of the GAR In-Training Workshops, first one I've ever been to. It's a great way to get in a training run for any level of runner. There's a walking group, jogging group, jog/walk interval groups, and a runner group. Each group has a coach to lead it and the coaches are really friendly and motivating. Pick the group you want to go in and get your training on!

 

I jumped in with the runners, there was 5 of us, and got to it. A little over a mile in the coach gave us options: we could follow the planned route (about 7 miles), or go farther. I had a good pace with one of the other guys and he decided to do the farther, 8 mile route, so I went with him. We finished in a little over an hour. Don't know my exact time because apparently I don't know how to use my new watch correctly and I accidentally reset the timer a few times.

 

My legs held up all right during the 8 mile run but I know I'm not in condition to break an hour yet. This week I'll have to do a few speed-focused runs. Gotta go faster to get faster.