Steamtown Marathon Training 2016: Week 4 – Montauk Getaway Fun Times with The O’Connells and My Sister

Since I have been banned from doing night trails for a bit because of last weeks fall, I decided to spice things up by running on a trail I have never explored before by MYSELF. There really is something about the unknown that entices me to seek that adventure. It brought me back to my trip to Australia where I went on a hike alone to The Three Sisters Mountain. What a beautiful experience!

Now that the kids are getting bigger my husband and I are able to get away for a few nights once in awhile. The only bun that will be cooking in an oven will be in my kitchen 😜. Our yearly family trip to Montauk has become a couples getaway. We are able to spend some great quality time together in a relaxing and fun environment. The only problem is the traffic getting there! We have to look for ways to distract ourselves from the long ride ahead.  Here is a bit of silly entertainment…

An added bonus to visiting Montauk is we have some friends that feel the same way and we get to see them here, especially since they live on the other side of the country. I have been vacationing here for years with my sister before my husband and I met. Coincidently, growing up he also ventured out to “The End” with his close friends Charlie and Jerry O’Connell. We look forward to seeing them and their family every year in their beautiful summer home.

We made the rounds and visited my sister and her fiance at Regina from Regina Mariano Design and her husband’s summer home in East Hampton. She graciously greeted the newly engaged couple with a beautiful display of roses in her impeccably decorated home.  She truly is an amazing interior designer and her taste and style is outstanding.

We put the wedding planning aside for the moment and had an entertaining evening at Gurney’s as we ate, drank and danced the night away!

During one of our nights out, we ran into another friend that told us about a great trail. Since we had to do a 10 mile run the next day, shade from the strong sun was a must. I seriously think I found paradise… BTW I say that all the time when I am engulfed in the deep, dark, cavernous foliage of a secluded forest. There we were, on the outskirts of the bayside of Montauk, about to enter the Hither Hills State Park with no map… just our keen tracking senses to guide us along the way. With just one minor detour, we successfully achieved our running goal for the day.

WEEK 4 MARATHON TRAINING SCHEDULE

JULY 25TH: RECOVERY RUN ~ 5 MILES
A very slow and easy pace run
SNEAKER: Asics
START TIME: 8:00 am
I ran an easy run today back home to my little sweetheart.

DO-OVER PLAN: none
CROSS-TRAINING: 30 minutes weights and sit-ups

JULY 26TH: EASY TRAIL RUN ~ 6 MILES
Relaxed pace
SNEAKER: Brooks Trail Sneakers
START TIME: 8:00 am
I ran on a new trail today alone. It was fun and exciting! Since the terrain was wet and slippery I took my time so I would not fall, especially after last weeks accident… we all know I can be a klutz sometimes😉. I had to cut the run short because I wanted to make a fitness class so I only did 3.5 miles.

TREADMILL: 2.5 miles
SNEAKER: Asics
START TIME: 11:00 am
After my fitness and hip hop class and before I had to pick up Kid 4 from camp at 11:30 am, I completed my miles on the treadmill. I am trying to avoid the sun and heat as much as possible so a quick few miles indoors made sense.  I don’t think I exercised enough today though… I should have thrown in a spin class or yoga😂.

DO-OVER PLAN: none
CROSS-TRAINING: 1 hour fitness class, 30 minutes hip hop class

JULY 27TH: ENDURANCE RUN WITH TEMPO FINISH ~ 8 MILES
Warm-up 3 miles then sub 7:00 minute miles. Walk 5 minutes for cool down.
SNEAKER: Asics
START TIME: 8:33 am
I tried moving my sleep time a bit earlier but that did not work out too well. There is always so much to do! I decided to run on a trail for coverage. It was hard to maintain the sub 7:00 minute pace on the hills especially for the 5th mile. I stashed some water with a Nuun tablet at mile 6. That helped for the last few miles since it was extremely hot.

DO-OVER PLAN: go to bed earlier, start running earlier
CROSS-TRAINING: no

JULY 28TH: RECOVERY RUN ~ 5 MILES
Run a very slow and easy pace
SNEAKER: Asics
START TIME: 9:30 am
So this is what my easy run looks like… an uneventful, relaxed pace. I didn’t even take a picture since it was so boring… maybe next time I will fall…lol.

DO-OVER PLAN: none
CROSS-TRAINING: 40 minutes weights and sit-ups

JULY 29TH: 2 MILE PACING INTERVALS ~ 6 MILES
Warm up 1 mile then 2 miles at 7:15 – 7:25 per mile, 1 mile easy pace. Repeat pattern 2 times for 6 miles total. Walk as cool down.
SNEAKER: Asics
START TIME: 9:30 am
So much for waking up early for my runs. Today’s excuse was the rain and trying to pack for a short weekend getaway with my husband. After running an easy first mile, I proceeded to do a 7:15 pace for the 2 miles. For some reason I spaced and when I saw 2 on my watch, I slowed down to an easy pace… Duh! Luckily, I realized my error and sped up and completed that mile almost on track. The next 2 faster pace miles I rocked it at a 7:07 pace!

DO-OVER PLAN: none
CROSS-TRAINING: no

JULY 30TH: EASY TRAIL RUN ~ 10 MILES
Relaxed pace for the long run
SNEAKER: Asics
START TIME: 9:00 am
I was very excited to explore a new trail in Montauk with my husband. I also love relying on my senses as they guide me through the mysterious terrain that lies ahead. The tree coverage was perfect for my long run.

DO-OVER PLAN: none
CROSS-TRAINING: 30 minutes weights and sit-ups

JULY 31ST: DAY OFF
This is a perfect day off since we are in Montauk relaxing. The long ride back home in traffic is a great way to keep me off my feet. I did not eat the best food or hydrate appropriately this weekend. The wine last night may not have been the best thirst quencher 😜.

DO-OVER PLAN: none
CROSS-TRAINING: no

OVERVIEW: It was not a bad week. I had a chance to run on 2 new trails without any mishaps. Hopefully, Roger will have me do some hills next week so I can figure out how to maintain a steady pace when I come across a challenging hill. I am attempting to mentally find the right thoughts to push myself beyond my limits… a motivational mantra perhaps? Another failed attempt to get proper sleep this week… maybe next week!

What do you like to do to pass time on a long road trip?

What motivates you during a run?

Do you have any fun trails to tell me about?