Marathon Training Week 18 + Detroit Half Marathon Recap

This week was an exciting week of marathon training because it included a race! In 2015 I ran the Detroit Marathon and this year was lucky enough to return for the International Detroit Half Marathon! I fell in love with this race when I ran the full a few years ago. The course was awesome, the race was so organized and the crowds were incredible.

When I signed up for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon I was hopeful that timing would work out and I’d be able to squeeze in a half marathon at some point during the last month of training. It ended up working perfectly and I couldn’t be happier!

Since I was running the half on Sunday, this past week had a bit of mini taper leading up to race day, which worked perfectly as I recovered from my 20 miler.

>>Download my 20 week Marathon Training Plan here!<<

The weather has been amazing lately and I couldn’t ask for any better running conditions. With this half marathon under my belt, taper has officially begun! There are just two weeks left to go until marathon race day. Here is my marathon training recap from week 18 (including the Detroit Half Marathon recap)!

Indianapolis Marathon Training Recap: Week 18

Monday, 10/15 – Yoga

I felt so accomplished in the fact that I was able to complete the entire yoga workout with our puppy in the same room – and only had to stop once! It’s funny how certain events and changes help you realize the everyday things you took for granted. Getting a puppy has definitely helped me realized that I definitely took my flexible week day schedule for granted! My body felt pretty good after completing a 20 miler this past weekend and I was decently surprised how easy most of these poses were. My calves were by far the tightest spot so I will definitely be spending some time foam rolling as race day approached.

Check out the yoga poses here!

Tuesday, 10/16 – 4 miles

This run was easy and went by quickly! I was surprised how great my body felt after running 20 miles this past weekend. These shorter runs during taper really help me appreciate all the mileage I’ve put in so far. 4 miles felt like a super short run and went by in the blink of an eye! My right leg felt a little tighter than usual, so I’ll make sure to give it some extra stretching and foam rolling attention this week. I think it’s safe to say that fall temperatures are here to stay and they are definitely making each run feel much easier.

Wednesday, 10/17 – 6 miles with 1 x 1, 1 x 800, 1 x 400, 1 x 800, 1 x 400

This speed workout was a great one and really helped boost my confidence for race day. I felt strong during each interval and all of my goal paces were really easily maintained. I was happy to have a shorter speed workout this week and really wanted to give it my all to see what I could accomplish. The cooler weather is really making every mile feel a bit easier, although I wouldn’t mind too much if the wind died down a bit. 😉

You can learn more about goal paces and workouts in this training plan: Break 4:30 Marathon Training Plan

Thursday, 10/18 – Strength workout

I completed this full strength workout without adding any extra ankle weights or resistance to avoid feeling sore for the half marathon this weekend. The dog was out while I did these exercises, which helped motivate me to complete them as quickly as possible once again. I am still amazed at what a difference it makes when you shorter the breaks and recovery times during a workout! Even though I’ve been completing the same exercises each week for the past 3 months, they still challenge my muscles and leave me a bit sore the next day. I was able to add on the 15 minute complete core workout and am loving this addition to my regular strength workout!

Check out the strength workout here!

Friday, 10/19 – 4 miles

Another chilly, short run that went by quickly! The temperatures have dropped drastically and every day I find myself surprised by how chilly I feel when I start running. Despite the chill, the lack of humidity and heat make hitting goal paces feel much easier, and I’ve found myself running faster than my designated easy pace these past few runs. I counted this run as my 5k and ran the Pumpkin King Virtual Run 5k! My medal came in the mail so I decided to get out there and earn it. Having that extra bling is incredibly motivation, and a great way to stay at it when things start to cool down!

Saturday, 10/20 – Rest

Switched my rest day to Saturday to prepare for the Detroit Freepress Half on Sunday! I spent the day browsing the expo for a new outfit and running fuel for the marathon in a few weeks.

Sunday, 10/21 – 13.1 miles

International Detroit Half Marathon Recap

I really loved running the full marathon in Detroit in 2015 and eagerly returned this year for the half. The race did not disappoint and was just as awesome as I remembered! My biggest complaint was that it was so COLD outside, but I’ll take that any day after those sweaty, humid runs of the summer.

The race started at 7:00 am so we were up early to head to Cobo in downtown Detroit. I ran this entire race with my mom and think it was one of our best races ever! The start was quite chilly but we were able to wait inside until about 10 minutes before the race started, and once we got in our corral it only took about 10 minutes after the first gun went off to cross the starting line.

It took about 3 miles for my body to fully warm up, but the climb up the bridge into Canada really helped speed things up. Running into Canada is one of the things that makes this race so unique. I absolutely love how many people come together to make the race possible, and all of the police officers, volunteers and spectators were fantastic – even in 30 degree weather.

We ran through Canada from about miles 4-8 and then headed back to Detroit through the tunnel. The tunnel wasn’t nearly as warm as I remembered it, which was a nice surprise. After returning to Detroit we ran through some beautiful neighborhoods before heading back downtown through the city.

I was a little nervous about using a race as a training run so close to race day, but things seemed to go smoothly. I always run a bit harder than usual during races with the excitement, but recovery seems to have gone well and we took things right around my easy run pace during the half. It was so much fun to add a race to the mix of solo training runs!

The completion of this half marathon marks the last double digit long run of marathon training, and the official beginning of taper. There are less than two weeks now until the marathon and I can’t wait to get started preparing for race day!

The few weeks leading up to race day involve a great deal of emotions: excitement, stress, anxiety and so much more. I am looking forward to this time and plan to soak it all in while it’s hear – because I know how quickly it will go by! Here’s to the last two weeks of marathon training.

Previous Running Recaps:

• Marathon Training Recap: Week 17
• Marathon Training Recap: Week 16
• Marathon Training Recap: Week 15
• Indianapolis Marathon Training Recap: Week 11 – 14
• Indianapolis Marathon Training Recap: Weeks 6 – 10
• Indianapolis Marathon Training Recap: Weeks 1 – 5
• New York City Marathon Race Recap

>>Check out all of our Marathon Training Plans!