Half Marathon Training Weeks 8, 9 and 10

I haven't posted in a while, but life has been insane, here is a 3 week update of some less than ideal training weeks due to weather, a cold and business travel.

Week 8

Tuesday, October 9, 2012 - 3.1 miles (5 km) It was a very overcast and windy day, but I was able to run at a consistent pace.  I struggled with asthma a bit, but found a new trail and a huge hill to add something a bit different to my training.  I also did the runner's core workout afterwards.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012 - I should have run 5 miles, but could feel a head cold starting and was exhausted, I instead rested.

Thursday, October 11, 2012 - Rest again, still feeling under the weather.

Saturday, October 13, 2012 - I found myself in Port Carling to attend the Cranberry Festival in Bala, there should have been a 10 mile run this weekend, but I got a bit carried away with good company and then Sunday it was cold, raining very heavily and windy, I took a pass.

Not such a great week, but I was feeling better by the end of it.

Week 9

Tuesday, October 16, 2012 - 5 miles (8.60 km) Okay I went a bit further than 5 miles, but I felt guilty about the previous week and knew I could not run Wednesday.  Ran to that new found trail, then to the waterfront, and ran to big hill on my way home.

Thursday, October 18, 2012 - 3 miles (4.93 km) A good run on a nice sunny afternoon, and again I went a bit over the suggested mileage, but I was having a good run and got sidetracked.

Saturday, October 20, 2012 - I ran in the Muskoka Mud Run, 9.3 km after weeks of rain.  There was a lot of mud, crazy hills and a great time.

Week 10

Flew to Kenora for work with great intentions to run, but was faced with a torrential downpour and lightning, then the next night I left work too late and it was already dark.  Thursday when I got home I was sure I could run, but the airline had not put my bag on my last flight, meaning I arrived home hours before my running gear.  Not great, very frustrating.

Saturday, October 28, 2012 - 11.45 miles (18.43 km) A nice long run, the first one in a while.  Around mile 9 I could feel my right hip flexor but kept going.  I went a bit further than the suggested 11 miles but it felt good at the time.  Forward to Saturday night my muscles were so sore I had a hard time going up and down the stairs, but I made sure to stretch, get plenty of fluid and rest.

Sunday, October 29, 2012 - I did one repetition of my runner's core workout, some yoga and some stretching along with the help of my foam roller.  My legs felt much better after this.  I wanted to run again, as I will not be able to get 3 in during the week but felt some stretching would be more beneficial.

Only two weeks to go until the big event!