And just like that we’re done week 10 of half marathon training! Despite being on vacation, my motivation to run was extremely low. In fact, I don’t remember the last time I’ve felt this way about running. I just didn’t want to run. The weather has been cooler and very little sun which makes for a kinda crappy week/vacation.
Also, if you missed my August Mileage and September Goals I posted on Sunday, you can check it out here. I’ve finally started bullet journaling my runs. Check it out!
What was Planned vs What Really Happened:
Monday: Stretch & Strengthen | 5k + Osteopath appointment. I wanted to get in a run before my day started so I got in 3k on my own and came back to our house and ran 2k with Carmacks.
I’ve been dealing with back, SI joint and hip flexor issues for a month now so a trip to the Osteopath was in order. That also means, two days of rest/no activity….and I listened which may have had an affect on my motivation for the rest of the week.
![IMG_20170828_075323_562[1]](https://pipersrun.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_20170828_075323_5621.jpg?w=425&h=425)
Tuesday: 8k | Rest Day.
Wednesday: 45 minute tempo run| Rest Day + Massage.
Thursday: 5k + Strengthening |3k + Soccer Game. We got nailed 8-0…seriously! I’m taking soccer as my speed work for the week. I ran 3k in the morning with Carmacks.
![IMG_20170831_083851_313[1]](https://pipersrun.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_20170831_083851_3131.jpg?w=402&h=402)
Friday: Rest Day | 16.53 km of cycling. Wasn’t having the best day and wasn’t feeling like running so I went for an hour (1:05) bike ride. My bike chain fell off at 16.53 km, so I walked the half kilometre home with my bike.
![IMG_20170901_163630_260[1].jpg](https://pipersrun.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_20170901_163630_2601.jpg?w=416&h=416)
Saturday: 8 km | Hiking with the family. I wasn’t really feeling like running or doing much of any activity so we took the girls for a walk on a trail near our house. Carmacks was loving but went into “sled dog” working mode and just wanted to pull. You can’t take the sled dog out of a sled dog!
Sunday: 18 km| Berwick 5 Miler Road Race. I signed up last minute for this race (literally decided the night before to run it). This was the 66th year of this race and it’s only about 10-12 minutes from my house.
My plan was to just run and enjoy since it was last minute but I found myself running faster during my first kilometre (6:12/km). Lately, I’m around 6:40-7:00/km starting off my runs. Yes, it was a 5 mile race or but since I run in kilometres, I had it in my head 8k. I figured I’d later regret my first kilometre as I didn’t think I’d keep that pace for the whole time.
Honestly, I don’t know where it came from but I averaged 5:56/km! My legs were pumping, my lungs felt great and the course was great. It was mainly flat with a few inclines but I pulled off 47:45 (5:56/km) – a pace and finish I haven’t seen in over a year! My last 8k training run was 53 minutes – now that was a training run and a completely different route but taking roughly 6 minutes off your 8k is pretty sweet. With it being my first 5 miler race, it was an automatic PB for me!!! I’d totally do this race again.
![IMG_20170903_111123_285[1]](https://pipersrun.files.wordpress.com/2017/09/img_20170903_111123_2851.jpg?w=444&h=444)
Weekly mileage: 16 km runnning, 16 km cycling, 1 soccer game.
Yup, so that wasn’t the best week of training but in reality, I got some running in and some other activities so I’ll take it. Now to get a little more serious this week with training, back to work and BACK TO SCHOOL for BOTH girls!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Anyone else’s children going back to school this week? (or just recently)?
Ever register last minute for a race?
Loving or struggling your weather right now?
I’m linking up today with Pretty Lil Mudder, HoHo Runs, MissSippiPiddlin.
Piper's Run 
Congrats on the PB!
You know I’ve been struggling with lack of motivation, so I totally feel you girl. You’ll get it back!!
Thanks! Hope you’ve got your motivation back as well!
I have only done one last-minute race (that I can recall), and it was a night-before-the start-line decision…my friend and I got up early and drove the 30-ish miles to the race the next morning and got there early so we could register on the spot. Crazy!
It sure can be crazy registering last minute for a race! This one was nice and small so it was pretty easy to register the day of – luckily!
I think when you are on vacation it’s so easy to just want to relax all day – I know that’s how I felt on my vacation last week too!
Congrats on your awesome PB!!
Thanks! Always fun getting an unexpected PB!
We’re moving into autumn so the weather is weird as anything so haven’t been as active in past week but done enough! Combine this with going back to school (I’m a teacher!) motivation is going to waver… but we all get through it 🙂
Hope back to school went well for you!
It actually did, which was quite surprising! 😁
I really struggled w my runs all summer. sometimes taking some time off does wonders. Congrats on the PB. I love the 8K distance although we dont’ have too many of them around
We don’t have many 8k/5 milers around here either but this one I will do again next year!
I think we all have those weeks where we just don’t feel like doing much. It’s ok.
Our son started back to school the second week of August LOL. We’re fully in the swing of the school year now.
Congratulations on your 8K! That’s awesome! I tend to sign up in advance for races (it’s cheaper that way, usually).
Thanks! I usually sign up before the prices increase. Luckily, this one only went up for $10!
Sounds like you had a great week! Great job on the 8k. I do love that distance.
It was a pretty good week! A nice 8k to end it off!
Congrats on your PB! I’m so with you on the motivation lull…hopefully it will kick back in for both of us. My boys are headed back to school this week too – good luck!
Fingers crossed your motivation came back! Good luck with back to school as well1
Well what a great end to a funky week! Awesome job on your race!
It sure was a great end to the week! Thanks 🙂
I used to be so motivated to run on vacation, but lately I’ve been motivated to sleep! Congrats on that fast 8K! I guess those extra rest days worked some charm.
I was really motivated back in July when it was warm and I was on vacation but not last week! ahh well, it’s all good.
Sorry to hear that you’ve been struggling with finding the motivation to run. I often find it difficult to motivate myself when I’m on vacation. Hopefully now that you’re back home and getting back into a regular routine it’ll be easier to find that motivation.
I think it’s all in the weather and lack of motivation to run in cooler temps. This week was better.
Lack of motivation is rough, hope you get it back. It’s nice to automatically get a PR!
Automatic PR’s/PB’s are the best!
Fabulous job on your race! That always feels good. Regardless. I would just like to be somewhat faster than molasses at this point!
Thanks, I pushed hard and surprised myself! The fact that you are running at all is awesome girl! Pregnancy is no joke so good on you!