Vermont City Marathon Training Week 16
What Was Planned vs. What Happened
Monday 05/02/16: Rest/Recovery | Rest/Recovery
I walked to work in the morning, which I think helped to loosen things up a bit. I also found that wearing shoes of any kind made my foot feel better, so I made a point of wearing shoes all day. I rolled my feet a bit with a golf ball and did some gentle rolling with my Addaday stick, but mostly just kept my feet up as much as possible.
Tuesday 05/03/16: 40 Minute Easy Run | 5k @ 11:04 Pace
I had dinner plans after work, so I snuck out for an easy 5k at lunch to test out my old Mirage 4s, and see how everything was feeling. I felt tired, but no pain, which was great!
Wednesday 05/04/16: Spin or Strength | 60 Minutes Hot Yoga
Holy crap, guys. This was my first hot yoga class in almost 3 years, and it was DELIGHTFUL. Honestly. From the moment I walked into the studio, I felt calmer and happier. It was a super gentle class focused on lower back and legs, and we did such delicious stretches… I walked out feeling like a new woman. I plan to just suck it up and start buying 10-class passes, because the value is good, and I NEED hot yoga in my life.
Thursday 05/05/16: 50 Minute Caterpillar Run | 4 Miles @ 10:53 Pace
After the 20-miler, Coach Suz and I adjusted this week’s plan to be a little more gentle so that I could fully recover. Instead of doing a hard workout, I just went out to get some miles at lunch. I’m glad the weather is starting to improve, because I suck at getting up early, and running at lunch leaves my evenings free. I did lots of foam rolling in the evening too.
Friday 05/06/16: Active Rest | Active Rest
I did some hip and ankle strengthening exercises, plus some planks and arm stuff. I think a huge missing component of this training cycle, and possible reason I hurt myself, is lack of strength training. I’m hopeful that a few simple additions will help me make it through the marathon intact.
Saturday 05/07/16: Jiggety Jog 5k | Jiggety Jog 5k
I’ll do a race recap for tomorrow, but if you follow me on Instagram, you already know that I got a sweet birthday weekend PR 😀

Post-race with Sharon Keegan, Administrator for VT Respite House
Sunday 05/08/16: 10 Miles Easy | Rest
We partied hearty on Saturday night to celebrate my birthday, and then drove down to visit my mommy for Mother’s Day, so I pushed off my long run until Monday (today).
Weekly Mileage: 10.1
Total 2016 Mileage: 323.4
I’m a little tired today from all of the weekend’s festivities, but I’m definitely feeling ready to lock down these last few weeks of training and get this marathon DONE. My old shoes are feeling good, I haven’t had any quad or foot pain since I switched, and after my PR this weekend, I’m feeling some of the running joy again, which is really nice. BRING IT, WEEK 17!!
Congrats on the PR (I missed a lot on IG this weekend I think 🙂 ) and happy birthday again! And agree with you on your breakfast … we just call it ‘pastry’ 🙂
Excited for your last few training weeks (I’m sure you’re excited to have them *done* at this point!) … hopefully everything goes smoothly for you! (fingers crossed!)
Thanks, Mike! I’m feeling cautiously optimistic at this point. I just hope the shoes hold up!
Awesome awesome week Rae!! I totally missed your post on IG but just went to check it out – congrats on the PR! I’m so glad the old shoes are feeling good for you – good choice in going back to them. And finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Glad you had a fun time celebrating 🙂
Thanks, Charissa! It was an awesome weekend, and my Monday is pretty nice so far 🙂
Fingers crossed that you have the best birthday run EVER!
I’m actually really, really excited to get out there today! 😀
AHHHH BIRTHDAY GIRL! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! And congrats on the PR 🙂 That is AWESOME!
Thank you! I’m pretty pumped 😀
Birthday and PR – two of my favorite things. Happy birthday to my birthday twin. Hope to see you at VCM.
Thanks, Darlene! We’ll have to try to plan a meet up!
Where do you do hot yoga? I’ve always wanted to try it but I feel like I need to be more consistent in any yoga class- aka I chicken out hard.
I went to Hot Yoga Burlington at North End Studios. I really, really liked it. I’ll be there tomorrow at 5 pm if you wanna join me! They have a first timer special, two classes for $15!
Ah maybe next week! I managed to throw my back out yesterday so I’m feeling a bit stiff to say the least haha
Ouch–feel better soon! Are you by any chance doing the Corporate Cup again?
I’m not sadly (as of right now anyway) my new company doesn’t partake in the fun.
Laaaame. Ah well. Feel better!
Happy birthday!! PR’s are an awesome birthday gift! Congrats! I’m glad your shoes seem to be working out so far. I hope your 10 miler went well!
Thanks, Fallon! So far, everything seems to be ok with the shoes, so I’m cautiously optimistic.