Okay so apparently fall marathon 1 of 3 is happening on
Sunday. When did that happen? I feel like I was waiting forever for it to
finally get here and then BAM.
This week I was too preoccupied with the fact that I was
sick and then work was crazy to really think much about the actual race itself.
I don’t really feel any pressure to throw down a PR
performance. Goal is to finish feeling strong.
I think if the stars align as I line up race day morning
that a 4:15-4:20 performance is possible (PR is 4:26). My second to last training run that I
did was the NYRR 18 Mile Tune Up + 2 miles to hit 20 and I hit an avg 10:11
pace for that (3 loops of CP hills feeling strong, is confidence boosting) –
and most of my long runs I did slooooow as molasses in the 10:30 – 10:45 range
so I think a 9:30 pace (which I did a lot of my pace runs at or faster) is in
my reach.
However, I have been feeling “off” and been sick.
I skipped my long run this past weekend due to being bed
ridden for 3 days. I ran twice this week. Neither felt stellar. I just want a
clear head and clear lungs and have OD’d on cold meds and pray for that.
Stomach issues went away for quite some time – however in
the past couple weeks things have gotten “messy” again (TMI but lots of blood
and cramping it hasn’t been fun) so not sure how it will behave come Sunday
morning.
In an effort to see if it would help iron levels I went on
BC for the first time ever 3 weeks ago. And I hate it. Like hate with a
passion. For someone who doesn’t get any PMS symptoms let’s just say my boobs
are larger than ever and hurt (super fun when marathoning) and I’ve had cramps
for like 2 weeks. I’m not amused but also in the long run want to straighten
out my iron levels and if this will help than I am all in. But know that I have
a rocky couple more months ahead of me potentially. But my body just feels off
and doesn’t help the whole running thing.
Now that I have overshared…
Basically I did not train for some crazy PR performance, I
trained to be able to do the distance. Last year sucked the life out of me and
the joy out of running trying to go sub 4.
On one hand I worry that I will be sad if I have my “worst”
performance (4:31 or slower) but on the other I know it was not in me to do the
work this time around. I loved all of my runs MINUS the long runs this cycle. I
had to spend quite some time talking myself out of bed for the majority of
them. While I did have a few really great ones once I got out there, I had a
few really shit ones. Which is how it goes pretty much in training.
So basically what am I rambling about?
I am hoping that Chicago is a day filled with joy for
running.
I hope that I don’t struggle through the race. And I hope
that my body doesn’t rebel on me (stomach) and I can ENJOY the experience.
I am hoping that for my first time in Chicago – I have an
amazing experience. I have heard so many great things about the city, and hope that
it is everything it has been talked up to be!
Here’s to miles of smiles! I’m coming for you Chicago!
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