Last week was a great week back after a couple extremely busy weeks that made for some lousy weeks of running – or more appropriately barely running. I put in nearly 40 miles last week though – all easy paced to start getting back on track – and felt really great doing it. Here’s the day-by-day breakdown:

Monday: I nearly bailed on this run, but with a little motivation from Ian (Sunday night I told him no matter what excuses I made to remind me I said I absolutely had to run Monday night – he held me to this!), I got myself out the door after work for 3 easy miles on the W&OD at about an 8:45 pace.

Tuesday: I was up early for a P90X core workout then taught boot camp before getting in another 3 easy miles along the W&OD and Custis trails – again about an 8:50 pace. After work I ran home taking the Mt. Vernon, Four Mile Run and W&OD trails for about 6.7 miles at a 9:15ish pace. It absolutely downpoured for this run and my shoes were soaked through for days, but it was a blast.

Wednesday: Rest Day – much needed!

Thursday: I got my core workout in before teaching boot camp in the morning again, but wasn’t able to fit in any post bootcamp miles today. I had to work a bit later than planned, but thanks to the longer daylight hours at this time of year I was still able to run home again for another 6.6 miles this time at about an 8:45 pace.

Friday: I put in 5 miles at about an 8:20 pace along the Mt. Vernon trail on a beautiful and warm evening after work!

Saturday: I got up early (for me) and decided I wanted to run long-ish for the first time since my half marathons and Cherry Blossom. I put in 11 hilly miles along the W&OD and Custis trails averaging about 9:15 and felt great. I didn’t look at my watch at all along the way, but was pleasantly surprised to see my last 3 miles were by far my fastest.

Sunday: I almost took today off since Saturday’s 11 miler was chased with hours of walking around Bob’s Discount Furniture and Ikea, but managed to get out after dinner for 3 easy miles at an 8:20 pace that felt surprisingly good. Ian and I then went for an hour walk topping off a great week of exercise!