Hi everyone! I’m back in Florida after spending a few days in D.C. visiting family (thank you for all your suggestions!). I’ll share some highlights from my trip tomorrow, but today is about marathon training, workouts and why running is the best way to see a city.
Please remember, my training schedule is designed by my coach specifically for me. See previous recaps and training thoughts here and here.
Marine Corps Marathon Training: Weeks 5 + 6
Week 5 (7/3 – 7/9)
Sunday: Active rest (20 min of hip/glute work and stretching)
Monday: 3 miles easy + 25 min of spin class
I woke up early to get in my short run before going to a holiday spin class with my mom. Because I’m still figuring out some of my stomach issues, I sometimes have bouts of pain that prevent me from doing things. Today was one of those days…I had to leave in the middle of class because I was in pain. It happens. All this to say it was supposed to be 50 minutes of spin.
Tuesday: 3.5 miles at “foundation” pace (a bit faster than an easy run) + .5 mi at “marathon pace.” Including warm-up and cool down it was 5.5 miles
Wednesday: 45 min boot camp class + yoga. The boot camp class was tabata-style so there were different stations of exercises…20 sec on/10 sec off for a total of 4 minutes. Not the hardest workout but they don’t all have to be shouldn’t all be. I had a lot on my mind that day so I went to hot yoga later for a change of pace and scenery (and to sweat out my worries, I suppose).
Thursday: Ladder run (3 minutes-4-5-4-3) at certain paces with recovery in between. A total of about 4.5 miles.
Friday: 35 minute walk + Vinyasa yoga class
Saturday: 10 miles (easy) + 4 strides. I don’t remember much about this run but it’s safe to assume it was hot and humid.
Total: 23 miles
No pictures from this week so you get an extra one from D.C.
Week 6 (7/10 – 7/16)
Sunday: Off. I changed out of pajamas for church and immediately changed back into them when I got home. I skipped my hip exercises too, but made up for it Monday.
Monday: 40 min boot camp class + mobility yoga class + hip strengthening exercises. I know it sounds like a lot but most of it was low intensity.
Tuesday: 3.5 miles at “foundation” pace (a bit faster than an easy run) + 1 mi at “marathon pace.” Including warm-up and cool down it was 6.5 miles
Wednesday: 4 miles (easy) before flying.
Thursday: Solidcore + 4 miles walking around D.C.
Solidcore is a Megaformer-type studio in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia area, but the company is quickly expanding. Either I’m very out of Megaformer shape (likely) or this class was freaking hard. My abs rarely get sore but it hurt to laugh the day after. I guess that’s a success!
I also loved that underneath each Megaformer was a different “inspirational” quote. Though at the time I couldn’t remember why I came to class…
Friday: 10.5 miles (easy) + 4 strides + 6 miles of walking.
Due to Saturday morning workout plans, I moved my long run to Friday. I originally told my coach I would just do it Sunday when I got back home but I changed my mind for a few reasons:
1) I was in D.C. and could actually run part of the marathon course.
2) Running is the best way to see a city.
3) Traveling is dehydrating (not sure if that is grammatically correct but go with it).
4) Given the option of running in Florida during the summer or somewhere else, “somewhere else” always wins.
It was hot weather for D.C. but a welcomed change for me! I thought it was actually was very decent…warm but not humid. Even though I’ve run by the monuments few different times it’s definitely a pinch me feeling. I ran through Georgetown, by the White House, along the water, around The Mall and ended at a Whole Foods (typical). In just that time I got a better grasp of the city and felt more confident getting around afterward. Moral of the story: if you have the opportunity, go for a run when you travel to a cool place (or any place!).
I was technically supposed to run 12 miles but with the 6 more miles of walking I did later that day I think I covered enough ground (literally). I was also really sore from Solidcore so maintaining an easy pace was, well, easy.
Oh, and obviously I stopped for selfies a long the way. Necessary.
The White House is behind the statue
Saturday: SoulCycle class. This was my 4th ever SoulCycle class and it was a great reminder of my lack of coordination. I can’t do any of the leaning or pressing or dancing on cue. Luckily I was in the back corner so I could admire everyone else’s skills. Still, the instructor played great music and it was a fun atmosphere. Definitely an experience!
Total: 21 miles running + more walking than normal ;)
This was a longer recap so thanks for sticking around! Because of traveling and taking the boot camp I slacked on “structured” strength training. I’m looking forward to getting back to that this week.
glad you had a good run “visiting’ DC. I live in Virginia and used to run to the mall during weekdays when I lived in DC. Such a beautiful route.
Super excited for your marine corp marathon. That is on the to-do list.
Let me know if you want to meet-up next time you come to visit. Would love to chat to an experienced runner.
If I was there longer I would have loved to plan a meet-up! I agree, running around the mall is incredibly beautiful.
I’m all for seeing the city on foot! And yes–you got plenty of time on your feet :D And now I want to go to solidcore. LIKE NOW
Susie @ SuzLyfe recently posted…Blogfest and IDEA World Fitness Convention 2016
I forget if the Solidcore lady said they are expanding to Chicago or not. Be on the lookout because you would LOVE.
That’s the SoulCycle I went to (the only one!)
DC is THE running city! It was built for runners….maybe :P
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine recently posted…One-Pot Vegan Mac & Cheese
So close to GW campus so I bet it’s filled with students during the school year! I wish I ran more than once to hit up a few different paths.
Sounds like a great two weeks of training! Nice job. :)
Thanks, Rachel! I’m excited to see my training progress.
Running is my favorite way to explore a new city! When I first started visiting Boston, I would run with my brother who would show me all the cool monuments and buildings all in a 3 mile run. Not something I am used to every day, but such a cool experience to see new areas and get a good workout in too. Great two weeks of training!
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie recently posted…What I Eat in a Day at Work
Completely agree! It’s fun to just wander, stop for photos and take everything in. I love running in Boston, too!
Great week of running and workouts! I love to run in any new city that I’m in, and one place that sticks out to me is Malmo, Sweden! There were so many parks with running and biking trails, so I could have run 1000 miles exploring new places!
Gretchen recently posted…Seawheeze Half Marathon Training : Week 6
Ok, you win with cool places to run :) I never ran outside in Europe because we were on a cruise and I totally regret it.
Love seeing some of your DC pictures! :) My favorite/least favorite place to run is near my boyfriend’s family’s house in Boulder. It is absolutely beautiful and there’s so much open space, but high altitude running is HARD!
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I’ve only been to Colorado once (like 7 years ago) but I remember it being so hard to run! If I was ever to run a race up there I’d need a while to adjust to the altitude.
I love that you totally got out of your comfort zone for Soul Cycle and went! :) That’s why you keep invigorating me and encouraging me with the way you try so many different things. It makes me think of the verse ‘He has not given us the spirit of fear, but the spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.’
That was a really good idea to do your long run in D.C., because I totally love exploring a city with a run. It’s a bit faster than walking, and it’s such a good way to get up before the city really gets up in the morning. That Solid Core class looks really fun! I would like to try more classes. I love core exercises.
Emily recently posted…Recovery Starts with the Mind Not The Actions
I really love trying new fitness classes, even though I’m usually the worst participant! It’s still fun to change things up.
Great week! I still wish I was in Baltimore/DC so I could have seen you. Tim told me several times to try SolidCore. He was introduced to it working at lulu but I unfortunately never made it there. I’ve heard great things about it from a bunch of people, but that it’s a killer workout. Maybe one day they’ll open one in Boston.
Sarah @pickyrunner recently posted…Workouts 7/11-7/17
I kid you not that my abs were sore until Monday from the class on Thursday. That has never happened in a Megaformer class for me! Go to BTone in Boston!
I’m in the middle of a class-pack with SolidCore right now. it’s SO hard!! I’m loving it but can only bring myself to go once a week. i just went today and somehow don’t feel it yet- i’m sure i will tomorrow!
Seems like you had a great time on your visit and I totally agree that running is a great way to see a city. I can’t believe Florida in summer is such that DC seems like OK weather this time of year :)
Ha, I know! Such a sad fact. I did get muggy later in the afternoon but the mornings were a welcomed change.
You go to the coolest classes! I wish we had these classes where I live but it just gives me an excuse to try them when I’m traveling:)
Amanda @ ExploringLifeAndThings recently posted…What identifies you?
Next time you travel look up some studios! Most places are cheaper (or free) the first time!
Glad you had fun in DC-it’s a great place to run. I love running in new cities and exploring (as long as I have my phone because I’m terrible with navigation, haha!)
Because it wasn’t a brand new city for me I didn’t need my navigation most of the time. Plus I just ran “in the direction of the monuments” until I got there ;)
Running in DC would be awesome! I agree, Florida running is no fun right now. Sometimes if you run by the water it’s not as bad with the breeze, but I’m sure as a fellow Floridian you know that ;)
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I feel like it’s still a hot breeze here! Like I’m constantly breathing in hot, humid air haha.
You’re so great about changing up your workouts and trying out different classes! And I’ve heard great things about the Marine Corps marathon- so fun that you’re doing it!
Liv @ Healthy Liv recently posted…Healthy Mixed Berry Crisp
It’s been a great few weeks of training so I’m excited to see it progress :) Thanks, Liv!
Killin’ it, Emily!! I absolutely LOVE D.C., not just because my boyfriend lives there haha, but it’s so clean and historical and all that good stuff. :) You positively glow in your pictures, you’re so beautiful! Never been to SoulCycle because I’m a dancer and I find it best to work OTHER parts of my body besides my legs haha ;)
Marina @ A Dancer’s Live-It recently posted…What My Tattoos Mean
I am all about seeing a city on foot – otherwise you miss so much of it! When we’re traveling I don’t usually get to run (as Jesse won’t run) but we tend to go everywhere and anywhere on foot and do lots of walking and hiking.
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I love hiking and want to plan a trip solely around that!