Last week was a scheduled cutback week, but it wasn't supposed to cut back as much as I ended up having to. I spent most of the week with a sinus infection, just feeling awful and when the meds finally started working for that, I got a nasty cold (which is still hanging on a week later). Fun. My son was also sick (poor little dude), so we had a lot of sleepless nights in addition to feeling awful. And work was crazy. 

So all of that resulted in a lot less running, or working out in general. No core or strength work for me last week. 

Workout summary:

• Monday: OFF
• Tuesday:  Easy run - 3 miles (no watch)
• Wednesday: Easy stroller run/walk - 3.24 miles (10:18 pace)
• Thursday: OFF
• Friday: OFF
• Saturday:  OFF
• Sunday: Long run (easy) - 12.05 miles (8:57 pace)

Total miles:  Run -  18.29 miles / Total runs: 3 / Total core workouts: 0 / Total strength/conditioning workouts: 0 / Total crosstraining: 0

The highlight of the week, though, was Sunday's long run. It was a gorgeous fall day with low humidity, and even though I was sick, I manage to run sub-9 minute miles at an easy pace for my 12-mile run. Not too bad. It's fun seeing training start to pay off. The fall weather didn't hurt either. I have a feeling that as long as the weather cooperates in Kiawah and I get sleep, I'm going to smash my recent Myrtle Beach PR. 

I also got myself some new kicks after struggling with weird achilles pain and super tight calves in both my Pure Flows and Pure Cadences recently. I think the shoes probably also helped me move a little faster on Sunday because I had no pain or tightness at all.

And every run since then, even when the humidity came back and in spite of still being sick, has been much faster (and pain-free) while wearing my new Brooks Launch. I think I'm sold on these. Now I need to get them in every color! 

Anyone else ever experience a speed shift when switching shoes?