I finished week 3 of half marathon training for Maritime Race Weekend (MRW) with a smile on my face but it started off not great and wasn’t sure it was going to turn around. Luckily it did!
Last week (Mon-Fri) could go down as one of those “bad” weeks of training. It was a week of ups and downs, missed workouts, feeling rushed and exhausted and just counting the days until the weekend. It was a week of learning that I can’t win them all but when I do, it feels so good!
What was Planned vs What Really Happened:
Monday: Stretch & Strengthen Day | Nothing. To be honest, I had a horrible day. So many things went wrong and it just felt like a gong show at work/home. After a crap-shoot day, I coached Under 6 soccer. We got home from that and trying to get Hilary to bed turned into hanging out eating a bunch of snacks (watermelon, cheese, apples and blueberries) while I made lunch for the next day. I ran out of time to do any type of workout however, my day turned around when Lilly and Saï got home from her soccer. It was also my birthday so we celebrate with some cake (late night to bed for the girls #1).
Tuesday: 5k | Walking. I was on the road for work and wasn’t able to get in a run before we left at 7:30. I did managed to get in a 40 minute walk later that evening as part of our meeting/walking to dinner on a trail – which was nice!
Wednesday: 5K | 5k. After an extremely late night, I woke up early and got out for a run. The first kilometre I’m pretty sure I wasn’t awake but the being about to look out into the ocean while you run kinda wakes you up. It was great to get it in. I also coached U 6 soccer that evening – late night to bed for the girls #2.
![IMG_20170712_082655_359[1]](https://pipersrun.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/img_20170712_082655_3591.jpg?w=465&h=465)
Thursday: 5k + strengthen | Nothing. Okay, I didn’t do nothing. I walked my dog for 20 minutes first thing in the morning which was actually really peaceful. I worked all day then picked up the girls in different locations. We had a picnic dinner at my work and then went to Lilly’s soccer game! Not done yet….when we got home, I cleaned up the girls, gave them a snack and tried to get them to bed – this took us until 8:30/9pm – late night #3.
During this painful extended bedtime, I did a load of laundry, folded two loads, made half a lunch for Lilly, got all the garbage ready for garbage day, took the dog out in the yard twice. Oh yeah, we got a dog two weeks ago. It was 9pm and I’m pretty sure the girls just feel asleep. I was beyond exhausted but wanted to work out. Instead, I crashed on the couch where my dog just wanted me to pet him (Doggy blog post to come).
Friday: Rest Day | Rest Day. I brought all my gear to run at lunch but ended up not running. At least I was prepared, right!!!
Saturday: 5k Race | 11k Long Run. Oh this run was just what I needed! It was so great! I got up at 5:30 and was out the door just after 6am by myself. It was an out and back kinda of run.
![IMG_20170715_102712_267[1]](https://pipersrun.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/img_20170715_102712_2671.jpg?w=285&h=355)
As the sun started to rise and hit my face on a very cool morning (12C or 53F), I trekked along, one km, two km, three km, four. Sidewalks, cross walks, pavement and crusher dust/gravel. I started off around 6:40/km and then 6:30/km and managed to work my way down to 6:24/km and 6:20/km, I even managed 6:18/km. IT. WAS. GREAT! I haven’t felt that good after a long run in probably a year.
We then spent the day at Lilly’s soccer tournament where they lost two games and tied one! She had a blast and Hilary did too playing on the playground.
![IMG_20170715_163952_808[1]](https://pipersrun.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/img_20170715_163952_8081.jpg?w=313&h=391)
Sunday: Run | Soccer Game (aka speed work). Sunday night I had a soccer game after a busy day with the girls. We won 3-1. Though the girls didn’t come to my soccer game, it was late night #4 of going to bed!
Weekly mileage: 16k + a soccer game.
Though my week started off rough and I missed some workouts, I’m happy with what I could accomplish with my training. You can’t win the all but you can at least try, right?!?!
We are skipping our girls soccer tonight as they are so exhausted. Between late nights at soccer, long days outside and extremely hot weather both girls are done! Poor Hilary isn’t handling the heat well so we’ve got to get her back on track. Sometimes you just have to miss out on a night of soccer practices (both girls) to regroup for the rest of the week.
Today I’m linking up with HoHo Runs, MissSippiPiddlin and Janelle at Run With No Regrets. Don’t forget to check out their blogs!
Though I’m not posting on here much these days, you can always find me over on Instagram. Also, check out TIUX compression socks (as seen above) and use this discount code for 20% off your next order: ANNASTIUX .
What’s your number 1 summer tip for staying healthy?
Anyone else have a roller coaster week?
Anyone race/train this weekend?
Piper's Run 
I had a not-so-great week and I know other people that struggled last week as well – must have been something in the water! Congrats on your awesome run on Saturday! Sometimes a great run can turn everything around!
It sounds like last week was a challenge for a number of people! That run was just what I needed mentally and physically. Hope this week is better for you.
We all have weeks like that. My kids have been going to bed later and later all summer and it’s ruining everyone’s schedule. It will be very interesting to see when school starts again. But boy are they cranky when they don’t get enough sleep!
Late bed times just mess up everything! We skipped soccer last night and everyone woke up happy this morning!
What a week! But you had some great runs, and hey, you got to spend time with your girls, right?
Yes, that is true!
Sometimes we have weeks full of more downs than ups, but it’s all good since you’re putting in the work! I bet that long run felt like such a great!
Thanks. Yes that long run felt amazing!
I’m exhausted just reading this! Hope things settle down for you.
Ha ha. I was exhausted writing it! Life is BUSY!
Hey, soccer is a great way to get in some speed work! What a great idea!
Sure is!
Awesome job for getting some running in even with all of your late nights! Congrats on winning your soccer game!
Thanks! Late nights are challenging with little ones.
I”m glad your weekend with a happy note 😉 Happy Belated Birthday 😉
Me too and thank you 🙂
Sorry you did not have a great week but at least it ended with a great run on Saturday.
Yes, the weekend was much better then the week!
Glad to hear that your week ended on a much better note!
Thanks!
What a week! Love that photo at soccer – I can’t imagine those sweet faces giving you trouble at bed time. 😉
Ha ha, sweet faces but yes, they give me trouble sometimes!
Well, though your week didn’t go as planned, it sounds like it (sort of) ended on a good note. We all have such good intentions…then life gets n the way!
It did end on a good note! Life gets in the way but you just keep moving forward.
I’m glad you were able to end your rocky week with a great run! It’s funny how running rewards us like that when we stick it out through the tough stuff. Whenever I have a bad run I always remind myself that that just means a good one is right around the corner.
I couldn’t agree more!
Ahhhhh!!! I can’t wait to hear all about the new furball!!!
Check back tomorrow,I’ll have a post up on him!
It sounds like a great week of mileage! Way to get it done!!
You had quite the week! I’m so happy that you were able to end the week on a high note with your long run. It sounds like it was just what you needed at the end of a long and stressful week.
It sure was!
I think you are doing a great job balancing running and motherhood! I didn’t do a lot of races when my boys were young–I just couldn’t find the time to do the high miles!
Thanks Wendy! Sometimes I wonder how we all balance running and motherhood! Somehow we just do it! It’s getting a harder to get in all my runs but I also try to run at lunch or before my girls even wake up in the morning when life gets busy!
This week I’m exploring several cities in EU. Currently, I am in Berlin where I cycle and explore the city. My tips is to stay hydrated all the time. How do you manage to succeed in such hectic times?