Now that my legs are recovered from the Berlin Marathon, and the rest of my body is recovered from the jet lag and travel from the rest of our amazing European vacation, I’ve been falling into a good rhythm with workouts (and hope to keep this up when my funemployment ends tomorrow!).
Suffering right before the finish line.
I’ve been doing whatever workout my heart desires, with an emphasis on strength training. My body has greatly appreciated the break from slow, endurance cardio. I lifted on Sunday and am still store. I did a speed workout last week (1 mile warm-up, 1x1600m, 2x800m, 4x400m, .5 mile cool down), and I was sore for two days afterwards. I’m taking this soreness as a sign that these more intense and shorter workouts are the kinds of activities my body is craving.
I have two races left for 2015: the USA Half Marathon in San Diego on November 21st is up next. This is the inaugural event, and the directors are marketing the race as the Boston Marathon of half marathons. I qualified for this race back at Mountains 2 Beach with a 1:54, so I’m taking advantage of running this race before entry times become more difficult.
My last race is the North Face Endurance Challenge on December 5. I’ve ran the 50K twice, and while I’m currently registered for the 50M, I’m rethinking how wise attempting 50 miles may be and considering running the 50K again, with the hope of PRing. This race is a total blast, and I’m hoping for nice weather this year (it’s been a rainy, muddy mess two out of the last year years).
Also, remember when I started a new job back in July? The truth was, I was miserable there, and Single-Tracked Mind likely suffered as one of the consequences. I’m starting a new job tomorrow, after almost a month of funemployment (which included Europe)! I can’t wait to start my new gig. I’m very grateful everything has worked out the way it has. I’m looking forward to San Francisco’s (non-existent) fall and winter and what the rest of the year has in store!
Single-tracked Mind 
I’m interested in hearing about that half marathon in San Diego! That sounds really cool!!! I need to look that one up.
I know!! We’re really excited about it!! You should definitely check it out 🙂
Congrats on your new job!! It’s a bummer the old one didn’t work out – you seemed really excited for it – but I’m glad you’ll be around more!
I have to ask – how do you balance your hatred of longer endurance cardio with your love ultramarathons? It it just that trail races are a more relaxed environment?
Good luck at the USA Half! I remember hearing about that and like you, I get the sense that the TQ standards will get a lot more competitive if they have a good first year. Will you have a PR goal for the race or just for fun?
Thanks Hanna! It’s a bummer but I’m really hoping the new gig is fantastic. I don’t HATE longer endurance cardio; my body just hates too much of it. Trail races are much different – apart from the lower impact of running on dirt, I walk up really steep pitches that I couldn’t run up anyway, so it’s more like a hike and run.
Good question about the goal for the USA half! No goals, really. I’m hoping to just have fun. 🙂
Sounds like the rest of the year will be a great!!! especially with the new job!!! Congrats!! Have a great day tomorrow!!! The USA 1/2 marathon should be fun and the North Face Challenge is always awesome!!
Good luck at the USA Half!!! I’m still too slow for that one. Sorry to hear you didn’t like your previous job, I hope the new one works out for you! Good luck!
Nice speed workout. USA Half looks like a top-notch event. Good luck with that and the new job. 50M sounds awful.
Congrats on the new job. I missed reading about your adventures. I hope this is a better fit for you. I too am loving the strength training and can’t wait to read about your racing adventures. Happy new job!
So glad for you with the new job! I just took the leap and quit my job as it was making me so unhappy. It’s scary but I couldn’t be happier!