The plan for this week is simple: keep the miles rolling in and aim to match or beat last week’s total. I’m focusing on consistency and building up my mileage gradually, with a limit of one 5-mile run to avoid burnout or injury. This week is all about pacing myself, both mentally and physically, as I keep working toward that steady rhythm and to the backyard ultra in December.
Sunday 10/6/2024 – A Slow Mile and a Treasure Hunt
I was definitely dragging today—feeling the effects of a busy Saturday. We had a backyard MLB playoffs watch party under the stars with the projector, and before that, I tackled my first-ever pool closing. It was a full day, and needless to say, I was wiped.
We planned a family walk to the park, so I convinced Mom Jogger to let me run ahead and meet them there. I kept it short and simple with just one mile, more to get the blood flowing than anything. Since garbage day is Monday, I have this funny habit of spotting treasures in people’s trash as I run. Today’s find? A bunch of old plastic training and wiffle ball bats. My kids are at the perfect age to enjoy them, so I saved them from the dump and added them to our collection. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make even the easy runs worthwhile.
After a big day, it’s always good to dial things back and give the body a chance to reset.
Monday 10/7/2024 – Another Simple Mile
Back to the office grind today, and the kids were back to school after a nice break for the holidays. We were all moving a little slower this morning. I was up early but still felt the effects of the weekend. Some days, it’s just tough to shake that sluggishness, and today was one of those days.
So, I kept it easy again with a quick 1-mile run. It was just enough to feel like I kept the streak alive without overdoing it. After the run, I came back, helped Kelly get the kids ready for school, and then got myself off to work. Sometimes, you’ve got to honor the slow days and remember that every mile counts, no matter how short.
Tuesday 10/8/2024 – Night Run and Slower Pace for the Long Haul
I had to run at night today, and with two short days behind me, I wanted to log a bit more mileage. Since I was feeling pretty good, I decided to go for 4 miles. I kept it slow, aiming for just under a 10-minute pace to mimic trail running conditions on roads and sidewalks. I know it’s not quite the same, but slowing down helps me train for endurance without burning out on the longer runs.
Also, I’m posting more on TikTok again, so check me out there if you’re interested in more updates! Here’s a video from tonight’s run: Night Run on TikTok.
In the end, I did 4 miles in 41:08, which is right on target for where I want to be for road runs right now.
Wednesday 10/9/2024 – A Quick Recovery Mile
This morning, I woke up a bit late, but I’d gotten a decent night’s sleep. I was still feeling tired from yesterday’s run, so I kept it simple with a quick 1-mile recovery run. Since I ran 4 miles last night, today’s run was all about loosening up and giving my body a chance to recover.
Recovery runs are essential because they help flush out lactic acid and get the muscles used to moving even when they’re a bit fatigued. Going much further today would have turned this into just another regular run, so I kept it short, focusing on quality recovery. Here’s a quick video recap of today’s mile: Recovery Run on TikTok.
I finished the mile in 9:27. Since it’s a distance I’ve logged countless times now, my body could handle a slightly quicker pace while still staying in recovery mode.
Thursday 10/10/2024 – A 1.5-Mile Run Despite the Sniffles
Today, I squeezed in a 1.5-mile run. I’ve started to feel like I might be coming down with something—a scratchy throat and a light cough are creeping in. I wanted to push a bit beyond a mile, so I went with a 1.5, keeping a steady 9:49 pace. This run was really just about maintaining consistency, even if it didn’t add much in terms of physical gains.
Friday and Saturday – Treadmill Miles and Solo Parenting
Kelly was away for a girls’ weekend trip, which made it nearly impossible to run outside since I didn’t have anyone to watch the kids. So, it was treadmill time. I usually avoid the treadmill unless absolutely necessary (like rain, snow, or, in this case, no kid coverage), but it worked as a backup plan this weekend. Unfortunately, I’m also feeling the effects of what I suspect is a sinus infection. My light cough has worsened, and I’m definitely feeling more run down. Not a good combination when you are solo-parenting for the weekend.
Each day, I kept it simple with just a 1-mile run to keep the streak alive, even though I know I likely fell short of my weekly mileage goal. That said, I’m focusing on getting back to feeling 100% and hoping for stronger runs next week.
Weekly Wrap-up
This week didn’t go exactly as planned, with a few short runs, a sinus infection, and some solo parenting duties thrown into the mix. I may have fallen a bit short of my mileage goal, but I still managed to keep the streak alive. Flexibility and consistency were the real themes this week, proving that even when things don’t go perfectly, there’s value in just showing up. Here’s to feeling better, hitting reset, and building back stronger next week!
