VO2Max Interval Workouts
September 19, 2023
California International Marathon Training Week 9
What an incredible week! I got back late Sunday night from the Rise.Run.Retreat and needed time with my boys and sleep rather than trying to crank out a blog post so late.
This week’s training took place on two coasts: in the East Seattle area, where I live, and in Waterbury, Vermont, with nine other amazing women runners. I’ll be writing more about the Rise.Run.Retreat throughout the week, but let me just say: my heart is so full with gratitude and happiness after an incredible weekend of running, eating, learning, and socializing with these women.
The retreat also provided a refreshing bit of variety to marathon training, which is always appreciated at the halfway point. Just two months now to the California International Marathon!
You’ll have to excuse the lack of good photos – my Camera Plus app deleted everything the night before I left for the retreat and I hadn’t backed up the week’s photos yet!
Monday: 8 mile easy run
Monday’s run was relaxed, easy, and beautiful as the fall colors began to peak through. Late September through October is my favorite time of year for running, hiking, anything outdoors.
Tuesday: AM: 7 miles with 4 miles at goal half marathon pace; PM: 30 minute Pilates
This was a rough run for me. Sure, on paper (on Garmin?) I hit my paces of 7:25-7:30/mile, but my breathing felt off. I had lots of work to do before leaving and had a panic moment about getting it all done (but of course I did everything I needed to!). Still, I believe that gutting out those mentally hard runs is key for improving, so I am glad that I pushed myself.
Wednesday: 8 mile easy run
I ran 6 miles on my own and two with Ollie. The leaves are turning colorful more and more each day! Ollie is also improving on his running, although he still gets distracted by every sound – his big ears here everything!
Thursday: Rest day
I use the term rest day lightly. Although I didn’t run or do any formal workout, I had an exhausting day of travel. My flight from Seattle to Newark was delayed by three hours, so I missed my connecting flight. I was able to get onto a later flight to Burlington…which was then delayed. I left my house at 4 AM Pacific time and arrived at the retreat house at 12:30 AM Eastern time the next morning. The hosts, Sarah and Jesica, were far too kind in waiting up for me to arrive!
On the bright side, I almost got in all of my daily steps (which my Garmin keeps raising each week) thanks to nervously pacing around airport terminals. Although I will be very happy if I never fly in or out of Newark again.
Friday: 5.5 mile hilly run
The hills in Waterbury are no joke, but running with friends always make a run feel easier and more fun. The ten of us on the retreat headed out for a 5 mile easy run and even though we ran some uphills on the way to the water, we climbed an unrelenting hill most of the way back.
Saturday: Yoga
One of the events of the retreat was recovery yoga, which was the first full yoga session I have done in a while. It felt simultaneously difficult and relaxing. Meanwhile, a crazy cat stalked along the porch and kept staring at us. The rest of the day was spent in seminars – with a break for Ben & Jerry’s!
Sunday: Leaf Peeper Half Marathon, 1:47:55
I will give a full recap of this race later in the week, but I will leave you with two things: 1100 feet of elevation gain and I actually sort of loved it. Even though this race was my slowest half marathon to date, I ran a smart and strong race and am proud of my finish time. It’s more than the time on a clock that matters in race! Most importantly, I had the opportunity to run with some talented and kind women – Sandra and Sarah – and enjoyed a breathtaking course through the hills of Vermont.
How was your week in training?
Where is the furthest you have ever traveled for a race?
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24 Responses
Your travel adventures sound similar to mine! I refuse to connect through Newark because there are ALWAYS issues there. Glad you made it and had a great time! Running somewhere new is a great way to break up marathon training.
I think the furthest I ever traveled for a race was Houston- but we ran that marathon on our way to our honeymoon in Hawaii!
I wonder if the tropical storm or something impacted our flights! Next time I’ll ask around to figure out which airports to connect through. Houston is a far way for you to travel for a marathon!
I love seeing this so much!! And yes, I think you will be reading a lot of “my slowest half marathon to date” in the Leaf Peeper recaps but it was SO worth it!!
It was such fun getting to spend four (well, three) days with you in VT and I certainly hope we have the opportunity to do it again next year…or sooner!
I loved the retreat and getting to finally meet you in person! The race was definitely worth it – even though it was my slowest half, it easily ranks in my top races. I certainly hope we have the opportunity again for the retreat and sooner!
I can’t wait to hear more about your weekend! Newark is no joke – I would not want to fly in or out of there because I don’t even like driving there lol. I always leave Newark out of my options when I pick a flight even though it’s considered one of my airports. the furthest I have traveled for a race is 3 hours by car!
Thank you! Newark was rough. I was in terminal A20-27 so there wasn’t even much space for me to walk around – I was literally pacing in circles. At least they had somewhat decent airport food!
I can’t wait to get the full scoop on your retreat. You already know that I was majorly jealous… The farthest I’ve traveled was either for RNR NOLA (which I didn’t run but was supposed to) or Phoenix (that was a 4 hour flight). I’d already moved from VA when I ran MCM, so that might count as well!
I’ll be sure to tell you all about it on Wednesday! It was an incredible weekend, what an amazing group of women! 4 hours is a long flight for a marathon -but obviously that worked well for you since you crushed it at Phoenix.
That race sounds so intense- looking forward to the recap! And I’m glad you had such an amazing weekend. If I had known you were stuck in Newark I would have come and hung out with you- we’re within 20 minutes of there! And I’ve never dealt with a delay so know that it’s not common… but travel days like that are brutal.
Thank you! I didn’t realize you were so close to Newark – and that is so kind of you! Travel days like that are so rough – at one point I thought I was going to be spending the night at Newark!
Looks like a great week of training and half marathon! That’s a solid half marathon time to be your slowest and besides, you were on a retreat in a new place, in the middle of marathon training, and with elevation. No point in trying to set records, just have fun with it. Can’t wait to read more about the retreat!
Thank you! I am so happy with the half time – I was honestly expecting to finish closer to 1:50-1:55 with all things considered. It was so fun to run with other women runners and they definitely inspired me to run it well!
Your slowest half to date is my PR….oh geez, lol.
Glad you had such a fun weekend! That retreat looks awesome! I’ve had some rough travel days myself so I feel you on how draining they can be. Like how can you be so exhausted from basically just sitting around all day, right??
Since it is called the Leaf Peeper, how WERE the leaves, anyway? We’re not seeing much color yet around here but hopefully it was a little better in New England!
Thank you! I know – it’s like, how can sitting for 4 hours in an airport, 5 hours on a plan, 5 hours in another airport, and one more hour on a plane be so exhausting? But it was! The leaves in Vermont were STUNNING. Absolutely gorgeous, especially during the race. Sarah and Jes picked out a great race for us!
I have no doubt that half marathon was tough with all those hills! And I’m pretty sure any sort of flight coming into or going out of Newark gets delayed. Seriously UGH. Glad you had fun and that you’re home sweet home and reunited with your lovies!
Thank you! So tough! My legs felt it later! I actually had to take the elevator at the airport because my tired legs and arms couldn’t navigate hauling my suitcase down an escalator.
This retreat was amazing its hard to put it all into words. Meeting you and getting to run with you was a highlight of the event for sure. You are a strong runner and well on your way to an amazing 26.2 at CIM!!!
I agree – I’m still unable to write or say how much it meant to me! Meeting you and running with you was one of my highlights as well – I will always remember that race. And thank you so much! You are such a strong runner and I am excited to see how you do at NYCM!
Those hills!!! I was having serious flashbacks from Mount Washington although the 17% grade was more than what we averaged for that race. You ran a super solid race – You should be super proud! I had you and Sandra in my sights as we climbed. You helped pull me up that damn hill! And it was most definitely my slowest half marathon since my first one over 8 years ago. I’m so thankful that we got to meet in person. And next time – no avoid Newark at all costs. And btw – there will be a next time that you come to the East Coast. Just saying… 🙂
Thank you!! That Perry Hill was BRUTAL! The whole time I ran up in I was just in awe of how you, Sarah, and Sandra have done mountain races. You all inspire me! I am so grateful that we got to meet in person! 🙂 And next time I will avoid Newark…very excited about the next time I get to visit the East Coast! 😀
Congrats on another killer week of training. I think your performance in Sunday’s incredibly difficult half is a great indication of how strong your fitness is and is a fantastic sign for CIM. I absolutely adored spending the weekend with you and finally meeting you in person. I was so excited to finally meet. I can’t wait to cheer you on in the final weeks of training and to see all you will continue to do. Hugs! xo
Thank you so much, Jes! Your encouragement means so much to me, especially in how much I look to your training and marathon accomplishments for inspiration. I loved spending the weekend with you and am so overjoyed that we finally got to meet in person. Hugs right back to you!
You had such a solid week of training and those HILLS! You looked so strong out there and I can’t wait to cheer you on when you run CIM! It was so great to meet you this weekend and loved spending time with you. And yes, you definitely have to make another trip to the East coast or me to Seattle!
Thank you, Christine! Those hills were such a good training tool, if anything – we can do hard things! And yes, trips both ways are due soon! 🙂