Wednesday evening’s Team RWB run took us to the Navy Memorial in order to honor the victims from last Monday’s Navy Yard shooting

Week 3 of training tested both my mental and physical strength. Although it wasn’t planned, I completed my first back to back days of running. Preston runs every Wednesday evening with Team Red, White and Blue and has been trying to get me out to join the rest of the chapter for the weekly run. Each week I’ve come up with an excuse, everything from its too hot and I’d rather run at the gym, to I’m too slow and will slow the group down. But with last Monday’s Navy Yard shooting and Team RWB focusing on honoring the shooting victims with a run to the Navy Memorial, I opted to join in for the run last week. Emotionally, I’m glad that I did, but since I completed a treadmill run Tuesday evening my body didn’t agree with the decision.

My second test of back to back days of walking/running was planned. Preston and I walked four miles Friday evening, and then ran almost 5.5 miles Saturday morning. Although I felt great Friday evening while power walking (we maintained a 14:12 min/mile pace!), I was very sluggish and sore the next morning during our run, and I struggled mentally to push through the soreness.

Although I don’t think week 3 was as successful as weeks 1 and 2 were, I’m still extremely proud of the training that I did accomplish. I didn’t fit in any time on the elliptical this past week or as much weight training as I would have liked, which I will try to focus more on during week 4.

Monday 9/16 – Rest day

Tuesday 9/17 – 3.36 mile treadmill run, kettlebell squat swings, abs, arms

Wednesday 9/18 – 2.86 mile run in downtown DC with Team RWB

Thursday 9/19 – Rest day

Friday 9/20 – 4.06 mile walk on the W&OD and Custis Trails, abs

Saturday 9/21 – 5.48 mile run on the W&OD Trail

Sunday 9/22 – Rest day

Total Mileage – 15.46 miles (0.89 miles less than week 2)

QOTD: What do you do when you’re struggling physically and/or mentally to keep up with your training plan?