Week 12 of my 18 weeks training plan… and 1 of my “cramming for Berlin in 6 weeks” new plan! Here’s how it went:

MONDAY

My friend Rico had his annual BBQ Sunday afternoon. He’s in the business of making people drink (at Tiki TNT & Potomac Distilling Company right now). Most of his friends work in the industry. I had a lot of fun. Most of them have Monday off… and yeah, Monday was an unplanned rest day for me 😉

TUESDAY

Back to the plan! Since I had skipped Monday I thought I’d do the 6 miles run instead of the 4 miles run to kick off the week. I tried to run the “Brooks Best Fest DC” segment, a 0.8km segment of National Mall that earns you a special badge and “World’s Best Runner” mug, but failed. I still had a good, if slow, 10.4km run. It was soooooo hot though, but it was good to get back out there.

WEDNESDAY

I did the “Brooks Best Fest DC” segment right this time during my 6.6km run. In addition to earning a cool mug, this training run helped me reach a milestone: I have run 1000km to date in 2019. 619 to go to reach my 1000 miles in 2019 goal!! 

THURSDAY

Last week I was all about the running group to remind myself that running is fun as I was getting back into it. This week I wanted to focus on me and what I needed to do, without stressing out about being slow and running so far behind everyone. Also, it was really hot in DC and most groups meet after work when it’s super hot… and I thought morning runs would be better at this point. I slept terribly Wednesday night, so I didn’t feel like running in the morning and set out on my own around 6PM instead. I looped around the capitol, decided to go down towards Navy Yards and along the water to the Wharf. My plan was to make my way back home via the Mall but I bumped into the group from Pacers Navy Yards at the Fish Market and so I ended up running back to the store with Ian. That meant my run was a little short at 9.6km / 5.96 miles. But it was nice chatting with everyone at Bluejacket afterwards though…

FRIDAY

So back a few months ago, I signed up for the Lululemon Seawheeze Virtual Half Marathon. It was $25 and you got a medal and I figured I’d be running over 21.1km during that time frame anyway. Well, fast forward to me not really being able to run for the past 5 weeks and suddenly running a half marathon felt like a bit of an insurmountable chore. But I was determined to do it, even if I walked a bit of it. Since I had a busy weekend ahead, I decided to do it (and my long run for the week) as a run commute. I thought it might be too hot at 4PM but it was actually kinda cold and if it weren’t for the pouring rain at time it would have been perfect running weather. It wasn’t pretty… but I got it done (and a lot of A Fighting Chance while I was at it!)

SATURDAY

12 Stories, the newest addition to the bar scene at the Wharf, teamed up with its namaste-loving neighbor, Yoga Factory, for a free rooftop yoga class. After my long run the day before, it was JUST what I needed… and the nearly 360-degree view of the Potomac and the Washington skyline are just stunning. I absolutely will have to come back for a drink soon (maybe after marathon training lol)!

Saturday night, of course, was the annual Diner en Blanc. After last year’s disappointing event at Nats Stadium, the 2019 edition — back on Pennsylvania Avenue but near Freedom Plaza this time — was everything DeB is supposed to be and I had so much fun! 

SUNDAY

LONG RUN RECOVERY SUNDAY I really wish this could have been a rest day, but since I already took Monday off, I had to get a run in. Managed a slow 6.9km to round up the week at 55 kilometers!

Bilan de la semaine: Finally! A good week. I stuck to my plan: 2 x 4 miles, 2 x 6 miles and a long run of 12+ kilometers for a total of 55 kilometers / 34 miles. I took a yoga class.  And most importantly: I felt good throughout the whole week. Of course, I’m taking it pretty easy, running slow(er than usual). But I’m running and getting it done!

What I’m watching/reading/listening to:  I finished two books this week: The Great Believers by Rebecca Makkai and Elizabeth Warren’s A Fighting Chance, which I listened to on Overdrive during many of my run.

I don’t know if this reflects personal preferences at this point, but most of the other candidates’ books felt like chores I had to force myself to get through and this one was almost a page turner. Going to take a bit of a break from the political books and then tackle Bernie Sanders. Can’t wait to have him scream in my ears 😉

What I’m eating/drinking:  Calla and I wrapped up the weekend at Anju, which was having a preview event before its official opening. I love trying all the Korean food. The restaurant (in the former Mandu space) is SO inviting. I loved the Yukhoe (I love me some raw meat!) and the mandus, which were completely different from the ones from Mandu. 

What I’m looking forward to on week 13: More of the same really, and more painfree running. I’ll be sticking with the same distances during the week (2x4miles and 2×6 miles) and hopefully a 15 miles long run. I didn’t do much cross training this week, focusing on getting back into running instead, so I’m definitely looking forward to some spin class and maybe an Orange Theory class next week.

 I’m linking up with Deborah and Kim for the Weekly Run Down. Have a great week!