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8 Miles seems to be one of my most difficult training distances- 7 and 9 milers tend to go much better than my 8 milers do. I really have no idea, but it is what it is. This training cycle I’m trying to do some longer rides before runs so that I head out on legs that aren’t feeling so fresh, so that makes it interesting.
Melissa and I both went to bed early again, and got about 8 hours of sleep, waking up before 6 am. I again put a granola bar right on the edge of bed, so I could reach it while still half asleep. I feel pathetic admitting it, but I am more likely to get moving if I do this. I’ve really been enjoying this bar lately:
Melissa and I hit the trail a little after 7, and the first few miles felt tough, like my legs were just heavy. Nothing was aching, but it just like it was a little tough for them to turn over at the rate that I would like. Melissa and I talked throughout most of the run, but definitely had some run cycles where we didn’t speak at all.
We ran straight down the Monon in one direction, turning around at mile 4.2. As soon as we turned around I started to feel a bit better, and my legs felt like they had loosened up a bit. Melissa had a great play list on her phone that she was playing, and during out walk breaks we took to dancing just a little bit.
I remembered in my recap from my 8 miler from last fall’s training cycle, I wrote that I had convinced myself that I wouldn’t train for another half marathon. I laughed pretty hard at that, as I’ve run 3 (or 4 if you count my “unplanned” half marathon) half marathons since that declaration. Never make decisions during a bad run, right?
We hit my car again at mile 8.4, and I felt pretty great at that point. Melissa had 20 on the schedule for the day, so she took off again and I changed and got my bike out so I could get in a few miles that way. I ended up going in the opposite direction than she was running for 5ish miles so that I could fly pretty quickly, and then I caught up for her. I don’t mind biking next to her at all while she runs, but I try to give her a good handful of miles each run on her own, as we’ll only get to run the first 7ish miles of the race together before the half and full courses split. I’d bike next to her for a bit and then take off at my normal biking speed for a bit before I’d turn around and meet up with her again.
Melissa hit 20 miles for the first time, and I am really impressed. I don’t think my body could do that! I ended the day with 8.4 miles of running and 17.25 miles of biking- pretty solid! I ate a package of shot bloks (cran razz) and 1 honey stinger chocolate waffle. I also brought 14 ounces of nuun in my handheld for running, and water with me for the bike.
The weather was pretty ideal at the start- in the 50s and the sun hadn’t come up for the day yet. By the time we were done it was in the upper 60s and sunny. Pretty perfect fall weather, right?
While it seems that 8 miles seems to be my toughest training mileage, I’m glad I powered through and had a great run overall, followed by a solid bike ride.
After we finished we immediately went to Einstein’s (it’s right near the trail), and I had finished almost the entire bagel before we left the parking lot. It was delicious and warm still, and I was SO hungry!
Doesn’t that look amazing?
Eating in the car. The runger is real.
After coming home to stretch/roll/shower, we headed off to Five Guys for lunch. Because the weather was so fantastic, we decided to eat outside. It’s been a few years since I had eaten there, and I was reminded why I like it so much!
And yes- I did wear my shirt from Color Me Rad. I LOVE it and it’s so comfortable!
I’ve really been enjoying this training cycle. I love my new training location, and I’m so glad that I have a friend to run with so often now too!
Now it’s your turn to share! Is there a specific running distance that’s more difficult for you to complete? What’s your favorite post-run food?
[…] to be some of my favorites of my training cycles, my eight milers tend to not be so great (see: Eight Mile Kryptonite). So, Saturday morning when I woke up, I wasn’t very excited about my run. I dragged my feet […]