At least I think it’s week 8. Honestly, it feels like this race is going to sneak up on me pretty quickly since time seems to be flying. It’s been a good, busy week that started with a day off (work + running) and ended with a weekend full of running and no work days off (boo).
Monday: rest
Had the day off work because I was scheduled for the following Saturday, so took advantage, went to the beach and basically submerged myself in the cold ocean water for several hours.
bliss
Also went to Dr. Levine who, as per usual, inflicted severe pain on my lower extremities.
Tuesday: 10 miles, 7 x 1:30 minute hill repeats on Cat Hill, 4 x 30 second strides, strength (arms, abs)
Felt awesome during this run (thank you, rest day? Dr. L?). Betsy met up at the base of Cat Hill and did 7 pretty strong repeats together. This is one of my favorite workouts because the repeats seem fairly short with an immediate recovery, but at the same time you feel it as they tick by and I think they really help with turnover, quickness and strength. We cooled down on the bridle path and I felt so good heading home I also did 4 x 30 second strides.
Wednesday: 8.25 miles easy, strength (abs, legs)
Thursday: 10.25 miles easy, strength (abs, legs)
Had a semi-day off from the hospital for a meeting for my other job, so decided to make it a little bit of a longer run since I had extra time. It would be pretty redundant to talk about the heat/humidity at this point, so I won’t. I actually think by this time I was fairly well-acclimated to it so although the runs this week were super sweaty, I felt decent. After the meeting (which was awesome!) I had the rest of the day free, so went to my happy place(s): Whole Foods, J. Crew and new favorite store, C. Wonder. All within the confines of the gloriously air conditioned Time Warner Center.
Friday: 8 miles easy, strength (abs, legs)
Saturday: 7.5 miles easy, strength (arms, abs)
Had to work at the hospital early today plus a break for job #2, so squeezed in an early run beforehand. I felt a little tweak in my inner left quad muscle while running up Cat Hill, and while it didn’t necessarily hurt, it felt a little off for the rest of the day. I iced and rested after getting home from work and hoped for the best for the long run on Sunday.
Sunday: 16.25 miles easy (9:00/mile average)
Had to run super early in order to get laundry done in time for work at the running store. Decided not to do a workout during the run to play it safe with the tweaked quad, although it actually felt totally fine. I think I was also a bit tired and kind of felt like just “going” as opposed to focusing more on a workout.
one of my favorite routes: Central Park –> West Side Highway –> Central Park
The run did not by any means feel “easy” though, it was near 80 degrees when I started running at ~5:30 a.m. I feel kind of guilty now for not doing a workout, but I’ll make it up during next week’s long run.
Total: 60.25 miles
My first 60 mile week during one of the hottest and busiest weeks I’ve had in a long time. Well no, it was definitely the hottest week I’ve experienced ever in life. But anyways!
Whenever I feel myself getting stressed out or tired of juggling my full time/part time jobs, I quickly remind myself of the “dark period” not too long ago when I would have given my right arm/first born child/favorite pair of running shoes for just one RD job. Now not only do I have two, but two that I absolutely love. It’s cheesy, but I’m pretty much living my career dream right now and feel pretty lucky about that. I can’t say I totally love working at the running store on weekends, but great discounts and free shoes are hard to give up. 
new Saucony Kinvara 4s – can’t wait to try ‘em!
Happy trails!