Mile Markers: Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

Happy Monday, everyone! How was your weekend? This past week transition my Lake Sammamish Half Marathon training from sharpening to taper, so I had less mileage but a couple intense sharpening workouts. 

Roughly a year ago was when Ryan and I decided for certain that we wanted to move to the PNW, and this week was one of the weeks where I still marvel at the natural beauty and adventure that the Seattle area has to offer.  

New to the blog? You can catch up on my previous weeks of training here!

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

Monday: 4 mile easy run with Ryan, 10:30 min/mile average pace

I pushed off my run on Monday morning to spend more time with my mom before she flew back home, and as soon as I saw how nice the weather was outside I texted Ryan to make plans to meet up after work to run together. After weeks of rain, we finally had sunshine and the daylight finally lasts long enough for outdoor runs after work. We ran four very easy miles together (I didn’t want to push the pace at all since I was shortening my normal recovery period between runs) and enjoyed every minute of it. 

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

Tuesday: AM: 10 mile specific endurance intervals with 5 x 2K at half marathon to 10K pace; PM: 30 minute Pilates workout

After a 2 mile warm up, I ran 5 x 2K (1.25) in 9:07, 9:10, 9:07, 9:06, and 9:00 (7:12-7:20min/mile pace). This workout felt good: not too hard, just a nice sharpening workout to put some speed in my legs. 

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

I tried a new Pilates video, which was fun because the variation of new workouts always kicks my butt a bit. This Pilates workout ended with single-legged Pilates pushups, which were not an easy exercise but so good for building upper body strength. 

Wednesday: 8 mile easy run, 9:50/mile average pace

After how much fun we had running together on Monday, Ryan and I decided to run together again on Wednesday afternoon. I split the run for 4 miles on my own and 4 miles with Ryan. Easy runs can never be too easy, especially as race day approaches. 

Thursday: 7 mile tempo run with 2 x 2 miles at half marathon pace

My Garmin died halfway through this run, so I paced the second interval by effort. The first 2 mile interval was a 7:27 and 7:29 and the second interval felt the same. Hopefully I’m getting better at consistently pacing myself! 

Friday: 10 mile easy run, 8:19/mile average pace

I decided to run along a segment of the Lake Sammamish Half Marathon race course for Friday’s run. The trail was flat and mostly paved (with a stretch of soft ground/gravel) and so beautiful. Ideal for racing!

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

This run made me even more excited to the race, especially the views of the water and the mountains in the distance. 

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

Saturday: 4 mile snowshoe hike

Ryan and I went snowshoeing with Lauren (she blogs over at Just a Pinch and guest posted here about a month ago) and her friend Kim. This was Ryan’s and my first experience of snowshoeing and we had so much fun! I’ll share more about it later in the week since I took several beautiful photos and have lots more to tell. (And thank you Lauren for the photo!)

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

Sunday: Rest Day

After church we went into downtown Seattle to return our snowshoes at the REI flagship store (you can rent them there) and finally try Portage Bay for breakfast. Portage Bay is famous for their breakfast bar, which offers fruits, maple syrups, and fresh whipped cream for pancakes, waffles, and French toast, but neither of us could pass up the farmer’s hash with bacon and eggs. All of their foods are locally sourced and organic, not to mention incredibly delicious. 

Lake Sammamish Half Marathon Training Week 11

Run: 39 miles | Hike 4 miles | 1 supplementary workout

Race Goals: 

The Lake Sammamish Half Marathon is on Saturday morning, so by this time next week, I’ll be recapping what will hopefully be a good race! I’m excited to race a half again and finally race in Redmond/Seattle Eastside. 

Most of all, I want to run a smart race and enjoy it. Thankfully the race doesn’t start with two bridges that I can blow myself up, like the Go! St. Louis half where I paced myself poorly and fell apart over the last 4 miles. I still want to make sure I start slightly slower than goal pace and then ease myself into a comfortable tempo. 

I’d love to run a sub-1:40, but even just a PR (a 1:42) will make me happy. This training cycle has made me feel so strong and I’m amazed at how comfortable those 7:30 miles feel now. I know that conditions such as wind and rain can impact finish times, and this is spring in the PNW. I’m not nervous about the race, just excited. 

[Tweet “Snowshoeing and half marathon sharpening via @thisrunrecipes #halfmarathon #sweatpink #fitfluential #optoutside”]

Do you run the course before a goal race?
How was your week of running? Did anyone race this weekend?
If you could live anywhere, where would you live?

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18 Responses

  1. Oh I like the 5 x 2k workout! I’ll have to give that a try. Glad you liked snowshoeing. It’s so fun and a great way to enjoy the snow. Although all of ours is gone and there’s nothing in the forecast. Very bizarre!

  2. When I was living in the city I often ran some parts of the Baltimore Marathon course. Now I don’t think there are any races that are held around my new neighborhood. Glad you are feeling excited for the race! You had a great training cycle and I’m sure you will have a great race.

    1. Thank you so much! It was a bit of a drive to try the course (maybe 30 min?) but definitely worth it to remove some nerves, as I’m sure you know from doing the Baltimore Marathon course. Hope you’re having a great Monday!

  3. Laura, you have blown your training out of the water, an dI will be personally offendend by the racing gods if you don’t blow your race out of the water. Not offended by you, of course, but by the inhumanity of it all not to give you what you deserve!

  4. I’ve never run the course before a race and I definitely won’t be able to for my 3/20 half marathon since it’s in Dallas! I had a 15K on my training schedule for Saturday and the weather was amazing out, which made my run so much better. I’d love to live anywhere that has a mild climate (60’s-70’s) all year round! And no humidity!

    1. Your half marathon is soon – I’m excited for you! Weather really does make such a difference for training! And it sounds like you should live in California 🙂

  5. I think you’re definitely in for a fast race based on your workouts and training. You train super hard and a PR is in the cards soon, of course anything can happen on race day but I think you’re totally capable assuming the weather’s okay and you’re well. Hope your taper week goes well!

      1. Yeah, I’m not in the business of predicting times and hate when people post “I ran this workout, what do you think I can run ___ in?”. I mean, 13.1 miles is a long time for something to go wrong. It’s a long time to follow a race plan and you gotta be patient.

        But… I read your recap every week since our goals are similar and paces are usually close, and you are doing a LOT more quality than me- and yours has been very race specific. I’ve never known anyone who used Hudson’s style training or read much about it (I couldn’t get through the book, it bored me). I’m exciting to see how you do!

        Good luck!

        1. Thank you! I definitely have a race plan for this time, unlike my last half marathon where I went out over some hills in the first 5K too fast..and then crashed in the last 5 miles. 13.1 ones is a very long time!

  6. I love the PNW! The only thing I hate running in is the wind. That would impact my race time for sure because it feels like I’m running uphill the whole way if the wind is in my face.

    You’ve done your training, it’s go time. You’re going to do GREAT next weekend. I’m excited for you too!

    1. Thank you! 😀 Running in the wind is the WORST. My first half was in the wind and as soon as I hit that headwind I went from a 1:44 to a 1:46. It’s like resistance training in disguise, except no body wants that during a race.

  7. I like the idea of a 2k workout, I think I might try that as well. I think you are really good fitness and I cannot wait to hear about your PR. You’ve been working hard for it!

  8. OMG it is so soon!! I know you will do so well……I love going out for breakfast! My son and I have a breakfast tradition of going out early on mother’s day for our favorite breakfast which I just realized is quickly approaching!

    1. So soon! Thank you so much! Going out to breakfast is my favorite also, along with going out for drinks (but not together lol). That Mother’s day tradition sounds so fun!

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