This is a common sight after the intervals run. This week I used the compression boots after the Tuesday run, and I soaked my feet in cold water after the long run.

Let’s see if I can recap a different but productive Week 5 of training. I haven’t settled into a real routine here with these weekly recaps - it feels a little helter skelter. Sorry about that.

This week turned out to be a little more unusual than my other weeks of this marathon training cycle:

Rather than squeeze my 10-mile long run into a busy Saturday, I figured it would be better if I did it on Friday after work.

That meant one less easy 3-mile run (I decided to keep the cross-training and drop the run, since the cross-training is easier to do before work), and a couple of extra rest days.

I felt like I earned the rest days because the intervals run on Tuesday evening fell smack dab in the middle of a 3-day heat advisory. I worked hard and the intervals went well - especially considering it was 90 degrees.

So the long run was one difference. The other difference was on Thursday instead of the Peloton Strength for Runners class I did the strength class from the Runner’s World website.

Here’s how the week went:

Monday: 3 miles at 11:25/mi pace

Tuesday: 5 minute core workout, 10 minute lower body, and 10 minute upper body in the morning, then 7.77 mile interval workout, 1:27:50 total time

Wednesday: Rest day

Thursday: 30 minute Total Body Workout with Mobility from Runner’s World

Friday: 10 mile long run at 10:57/mi pace

Saturday and Sunday: rest days

I think the biggest takeaway from this week is the fact that the 10 miles went so well. Double digits is intimidating. I forget if I have done anything as much as 10 miles since the New York City Marathon. Twice at most, if I had to bet. I think I did it at least once building up for the 10K…but maybe not.

But this is what happens during each training cycle - the strength and the other runs build up to this. And they’ll continue to build as I get closer and closer to 26.2 miles.

I’m not quite sure those Strava paces are 100% accurate - I feel like when I walk my water breaks or to take my gels Strava kind of messes up the pacing. It was still a strong run - and I feel really strong - but I’m not sure there were as many sub-11 minute miles as Strava thinks there were.

That Runner’s World workout had me more sore than the usual workout. But I think all of those workouts - and I’m sure the interval runs - are working. I’m feeling stronger, and I feel like my runs are reflecting that.

I will also add that I’ve been lucky - there have certainly been some hot interval runs, but I’ve had some decent summer days to run so far. I’m trying to work on my mindset when it comes to the heat - I’m hoping some of that mental toughness will help get me through the marathon in October as well.

But 75 degrees and a nice breeze on August 1st is a nice treat too - that’s what I dealt with for my long run on Friday and I’ll certainly take that the rest of the way.

I don’t need to work on my mental toughness that much.

Total Miles for Week 5: 20.77

Total Miles Overall: 102.73