Ending Week 5

Today wraps up Week 5 on the marathon plan. With 43.78 miles logged this week, we can safely say things are going the right direction. That doesn't mean there haven't been - or won't be - bumps in the road. But, I'm happy with where things are for now. 
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​Last Sunday was the NYRR Marathon Training Run #2, in Central Park. It wasn't as hot as the first run, and I managed to stay with the 12:00mm pace group for the first 6-mile loop (running an overall 11:18 pace... NOT even close to the 12:00mm!). And while it was nice to run with people not completely leaving me in the dust, I chose to break out on my own for the second loop (5 miles). As I rounded for the third loop, I collected a banana and Gatorade, took off my bib, and ended up off course on the Reservoir. I just needed to change up my scenery. It was dusty and still mighty sunny, but it was early enough that it wasn't crowded. I looped back out onto West Drive and hoofed it toward Columbus Circle for a total 15.3 miles. 

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​The rest of the week went well... 3.61 recovery miles on Monday, some TLC with compression sleeves at my sports therapy location with swim afterward on Tuesday. A murky - and challenging - workout on Wednesday with tempo miles and intervals. Another 3 easy recovery miles on Thursday, with another 9 miles tempo/intervals run yesterday. Today was a slow shake-out run in anticipation of tomorrow's LR - set to take place along Manhattan's west side, on the Greenway path. 

​Regarding my back issues, well...the cortisone shot didn't really work. Instead of missing another day of teaching classes to get a second shot, my doctor prescribed a 6-day run of steroids. I'm three days in on it and it's helping... but I'm not sure if it'll fix things entirely (though it doesn't hurt to run, go figure). Fingers crossed! 

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