If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve heard a lot of whining complaining talking about how hot the weather has been through the month of September. Yes, I’ve lived in the desert for many years, so this is nothing new, but that doesn’t mean I’m happy about it! I’m still trying to convince myself that this will make me stronger for my upcoming races, but it’s getting harder and harder to do so. Anyway, here’s what’s going on with my Temecula half marathon training.I
Join me at the Temecula Half Marathon & 5k on Sunday, October 21! A beautiful course through wine country, a wine tasting garden, and even a “Wine Wobble!’ What more can you ask? Get more info and register! Use the code AMBDEBBIE15 to save 15%!
The race is only three weeks away, so we’re really getting down to the serious part of the Temecula half marathon training. And don’t forget that I’m balancing that training with preparing for Ragnar Trail Los Coyotes, which I’m running as part of the first Sweat Pink team on November 9 and 10. That means getting in miles on the trails as well as the road so that I’m physically and mentally prepared for both races. Remember you can save $80 on an 8-person team and $40 on a 4-person team with the code RAGNARSWEATPINK! I’d love to see you there!
I’m also going to throw in a couple other races this month. The YBeFit Mini Triathlon and 5k is next weekend, and Alan is planning on doing the triathlon, so I figure I’ll just go along for the 5k. It’s a small, laidback race, with the emphasis on the triathlon, so it will be fun to jump in at the last minute.
The Palm Springs Tram Road Challenge is also this month, and I kind of have to do that. It’s my anniversary race, after all. If you haven’t heard my running wedding story, check it out here. Alan will be announcing it as usual, so that’s always fun. And I think I’m in better shape than last year, though a 3.7-mile uphill run will definitely put that to the test!
That means I’m racing three times this month! That is a lot for me! Only one, the Temecula Half Marathon is a goal race though. I just hope to have fun at the others.
In addition to that, Alan is announcing the Legends Triathlon on one of my non-racing weeks, and we’ll be heading to Malibu the first weekend in November for the Malibu Half Marathon, which I work and Alan announces. Wow! Including my Ragnar Trail race the following weekend, I will be spending the next six weekends at races. I must be dedicated or something!
Anyway, on to my week of Temecula Half Marathon Training!
Did you enjoy this post? Click here to share with your friends!Click To TweetTemecula Half Marathon Training
My schedule was a little off this week, mostly due to the heat. Have I mentioned that I’m pretty sick and tired of it? Last weekend I postponed my long run, but that turned out to be a great thing because, after a rest day on Monday, I got to run with my husband on a much cooler Tuesday. Both things made that 12 miles feel almost easy! Do remember, though, when I say cooler, we’re still talking mid-70s at the start increasing to mid-80s by the end. But it’s a dry heat.
I am really happy that I took the time to run my 10 milers three times in a row before increasing the distance. Even with the heat, each run felt a little better. I plan to run at least one more 12-mile run, then one final 14 mile run before the race. That will give me a much better endurance base than I had heading into America’s Finest City Half in August.
On Wednesday, the heat returned. My first idea of what the day will bring is when I carry my blind dog Olivia outside to do her business in the morning. Let’s just say I groaned when I opened the door. In spite of that, I ran an almost four-mile recovery run, struggling with tired legs and a bad attitude. You can tell it was a tough run because under normal circumstances I would make sure to even out that mileage and not leave it at 3.75 miles!
It was still hot on Thursday, but I was determined to run strong for my hill workout. I actually remembered to fit in my 5-minute dynamic warmup, and I know that helped my legs feel better as I challenged those hills. Believe me, I’m as bad as any runner when it comes to warming up properly, but I’m really trying to make it a habit because I know that it helps.
For the workout, I started with my dynamic warmup, then a one-mile running warmup. At that point in my run, it’s all uphill anyway, at about a 4% grade, so I pushed it for a half mile interval to the top. I then did 12 hill repeats on my favorite trail hill. I love that it’s on the trails because it’s great Temecula Half Marathon training and a good workout for my Ragnar Trail too.
To finish up the workout, I ran a one mile downhill interval. I did that on the road because I’m a klutz and, having cracked my patella once before, I have a fear of falling, especially downhill. Anyway, remember that downhill training is important if you’re training for a hilly or net-downhill race (like the Phoenix Marathon, which will be my 38th marathon, coming up next February!).
Would you like to join me for my 38th marathon at the Sprout Mesa-PHX Marathon on February 9, 2019? Not only will the weather be great, this point-to-point net downhill course is perfect for setting a PR or achieving a Boston Qualifying time! Get more info and enter! use the code COACHDEBBIERUNS to save $10!
After taking Friday off, I wanted to get back to my normal training schedule by running my long run on Saturday, but the heat defeated me once again. It was so hot, and I was so tired of it, that it was all I could do to run about 4.5 miles at a very slow pace. I considered a tempo run, but I just didn’t have it in me.
Sunday is always a fun run day for me because I get to run on the trails with my husband! We tried a couple of new trails and even though it was still warm, we managed to stay in the shade for the most part and It was fun running with my best friend.
I ended the week with about 32 miles, which was pretty good for how I was feeling, and ended up September with 133.4 miles, which makes me very happy. And, with the weather supposed to be cooling down over the next few days, I am not surprised that with some lightning storms and rain predicted, the humidity has, of course, returned.
Did you catch this weeks’ posts?
Monday: Getting Back to Nature: Trail Running Benefits
Wednesday: 5 Minute Dynamic Warmup: 3 Steps to Activate and Mobilize Your Hips
Friday: My Favorite Body Care Tools
I’m linking up with Wendy and Holly for the Weekly Wrap!
How was your training week? Any big event coming up this month?
Weekly Linkups
My weekly linkups! Please stop by and check out all of the great recipes, workouts, and information that all these awesome bloggers share every week!
Meatless Monday with Sarah and Deborah
Meatless Monday with Annmarie and Dixya
Tuesdays on the Run with Marcia, Erika, and Patty
Inspire Me Monday with Janice
Wild Workout Wednesday with Annmarie, Jen, and Nicole
The Plant-Based Potluck Party with Deborah
The Running Coaches’ Corner with Rachel, Lora Marie, Marc, and Me!
Friday 5 2.0 with Rachel and Lacey and Meranda
Weekly Wrap with Wendy and Holly
Looks like a good week of training to me! This is definitely your year, my friend!
I hope so. Thanks!
Well, it has to be cooler in Wine Country! I will be there 2 weeks after you for the Ragnar Napa. You have a busy fall schedule!
I’d love to do the Napa Ragnar some day. It will definitely be cooler. The wine country for my half marathon is more local to me though. It’s here is SoCal (though still a lot cooler than the desert).
What great photos, and what a busy month. Congrats on all the training mileage.
Thank you. I was pleased with it.
Great job with your runs! I’ve never run in the desert so I can’t imagine how I would handle the dry heat! You so many fun races coming up!
I think the dry heat is so much better than humidity! I can’t even breathe when it’s humid!
Love that pic of you and your hubby on your wedding day! <3
Weren’t we young and cute? 🙂
It is so cool you were married at the end of a race! Loved your attire for the occasion too! You are going to be very busy for the next little while, but I bet you enjoy all of those weekends! I’m so over the heat and humidity this year. It rages on in the south… Thanks for linking!
As I write this it is only about 70 degrees outside. Yay!!! I think it’s finally fall.
I love you and your husband’s story! I remember reading about it sometime last year and it just stuck with me! I did a 16k Trail Run this past Saturday as a 10 year wedding anniversary celebration! He is so much faster than I am but we ran it together and it was tonnes of fun.
What a solid week of training for you. As always I love the running photos you are able to get!
My husband is faster than me too. When we ran together for our wedding race, he tried to run slower but I still almost set off an asthma attack trying to keep up!