August - A Month of Running Happy

I haven't really recapped much about my running in detail on the blog, just mentioned that I am running quite a bit. I have a loose plan most weeks of 2-3 quality runs: tempo, speed/hill and long run. The rest of the runs have just been whatever. For the most part I like to "workout" for at least an hour most days which has translated into a lot of days hitting 6 miles or so.

Nevertheless, I was kind of surprised when I saw my mileage for the month and it was 179 miles!

I have not run that volume in quite some time. From what Daily Mile is telling me in fact, even last year in my Chicago and NYC marathon build up I wasn't running that much. Although to be honest I didn't look back further than September because I am lazy.

But August was pretty awesome for running...

I was away in Montauk which translated to my first real run since NYCM outside.

I love the open road.

August means summer streets and me further getting comfortable with breaking free of the treadmill.

Who doesn't love a desolate Park Avenue?

More than anything else though running became less anxiety filled over my stomach (not without a couple dicey runs that ended in less than ideal situations...but I blew those off immediately) and a lot less frustrating. A short time ago 11-12 minute miles on the treadmill were hard. I've managed runs outside in the past month busting out miles in the 8's and steadily in the 9's. I know pace isn't everything but good lord it is satisfying.

AND I finally feel ready to take the plunge back into races. I haven't raced ONCE this year. The past few years I have run 20+ races each year but this time around I just didn't want to waste the money not knowing how I would feel.

While I am not in the least bit thinking I will be throwing down PR performances (because sub 1:53 half marathon is kind of doubtful right now) I want to get through them feeling good and strong.

I have 2 half's planned right now and have not problem saying that I would really be thrilled to break 2:00. I haven't since fall 2012. That is ridiculous.

If things on the Crohn's front continue to be positive then at least I can get through them happy if nothing else!

But thank you August for a great month. Everyone else might have been bitching about the never ending heat and humidity but every day that I was well enough to wake up and chase down the sunrise, I was happy.

How can this not make you happy?

Onward and upward.

September, I'm coming for you.

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 13

I am at the point where one minute I am feeling confident and marathon ready and the next I am totally worried I will not be prepared. I feel like I should PR but then have a crap 3 mile run and am like ahhhh I am going to run a personal worst!

I think that I progressed with training in a way that was better this time. I feel like things are coming together closer to the marathon versus last year when I think I peaked and then just tired myself out. 

Although tired out seems to be the name of the game lately. I know I have Vitamin D deficiency and low iron the last time I got blood work, but I am going in for another round this week. I have such pangs of lethargy each day and just feeling "off" that I want to see if something is wrong or if those have gotten worse. After last weekend's long run of death that I quit after 10 miles on then slept the rest of the day I honestly didn't feel back to normal until I ran long Sunday this week. I listened to my body and really had an easier week overall.

Monday - Cross Train - biked 20.21 miles + 30 min full body strength circuit. Was up at the crack of dawn due to sleeping so much on Sunday and the humidity was around 85%. I said hell no to running!

Tuesday - 5 miles @ 9:26 - stomach was off for the first time in a long time.

Wednesday - 3.25 miles @ 9:13 felt harder than it should have.

Thursday - Day of rest!!! aka forced because 4 maragarita Wednesday night had me feeling craptastic and there was no way in hell a workout was happening in any way shape or form. Date night SUCCESS!

Friday - 3.25 miles @ 9:13 (treadmill) honestly wanted to skip running when I felt the humidity but knew it would not happen after work since I was heading down to the beach house right after...decided to test out the new Mizuno Wave Rider 17's on the treadmill as a compromise. Legs felt rested finally, torn on the shoes though they felt good as far as the right amount of cushion etc. but the toe box feels more narrow and the arch support more present than the 16's. Time will tell, but not sure this will be my marathon shoe. 

Also evening strength + core work.

Saturday -  After reading everyone's tweets and posts about awful conditions - I turned my planned few miles (really just "junk" miles) into a 90 minute swim session. I did 10 laps easy free, 1 hard free, 2 breast, 2 kicking - repeat a bazillion times. Felt so good to be in the water! 

Sunday - Fasted long run. I woke up at the crack of dawn and realized I needed to just get out there and run and not think about it (aka not talk myself out of running or start dreading it). So in my half asleep daze I forgot to eat or drink anything before running out the door...as that is what I do during the week. 
Luckily 2 miles in passed a Dunkin' on the beach and have the app so was able to grab a bottle of water. But this became a fasted long run. Unintentional. I felt it a lot at times (I hadn't eaten much on Saturday in general)
10.5 miles @ 10:17 - splits: 10:05, 10:25, 10:36, 10:26, 10:26, 10:23, 10:17, 10:27, 10:11, 10:11, 8:55 (.5)

Total Miles: 22 (running only) 

A bit lower but a) this was a planned cut back week - even with the failed 18 last week, I didn't want to mess with the next coming weeks (20 and 22 mile long runs before taper) to adjust to higher mileage b) I only ran 4 days this week. So, it is what it is!

Holy crap 2 more weeks before TAPER! Yay? Maybe? 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 11

I felt very solid this week with training. My long run went very well. As did the recovery from it. I felt amazing the day after. My legs didn't feel heavy and I even managed a 20.5 mile bike ride easily. I feel like that is progress - quicker recovery from the miles. I only ran 4 days but put a lot of miles on the bike (47!!!) and feel the cross training is always beneficial. I have 3 BIG runs left before Chicago and slowly but surely that confidence is getting back up there. 

Monday - Cross Train - biked 16.25 miles 

Tuesday - 6 miles @ 9:30 + biked 10.25 miles - this run annoyed me. I started out and in the first half mile looked at my Garmin - I was running easy and figured it was like 10+ pace. It was an 8:20 - so what to I do - get in my head tell myself I am not able to run that pace and spend the rest of the time slowing down. Garmin you make me mental some times.

Wednesday - 3.6 miles @ 9:43 - my legs felt like they were weighed down by serious lead.

Thursday - I was going to do Yoga buuuut happy hour won and rest day was a total rest day minus like 15 mins of core in the morning.

Friday - 4.2 miles @ 9:31 my legs were starting to feel a little better but this was a struggle. dare I say treadmill workouts are starting to feel harder than those outdoors now?

Saturday - 16 miles @ 10:30. This run was pretty perfect. I met up with my friend Faith who is a couple miles from me down at the beach. We each ran a mile to meet and then she put us through a dynamic warm up (she is not only a BQ'er multiple times but a running coach) before we continued on. Average pace was right on as well as we negative split the run (thankful she ran my pace!). Stopped twice for the bathroom but stomach wasn't in pain so didn't bother me. 

Splits: 10:33, 10:40, 10:50, 10:36, 10:43, 10:58, 10:54, 10:30, 10:26, 10:17, 10:30, 10:27, 10:11, 10:03, 10:18, 9:58

Sunday - cross train - biked 20.5 miles. I need to get a bike up in the city. I am really enjoying biking days - minus my rear end isn't quite so used to so much time in the saddle just yet.

Total miles:  29.8 miles (counting running only) 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 10

Let's see this week was pretty uneventful - minus I had absolutely no speed any day whatsoever. But continued the trend of getting off the treadmill and outside! Did a yoga class but slacked on strength. Did some random core but not much else. Thank you work for making me miss classes. Life is tough. 

I also finally met up on Saturday with my friend Lindsay for her long group run and it was great to not only have a pace leader but to also not have to think about the route and just run! Gorgeous day out there. The fall like temps have been appreciated as well! 

Apparently the first marathon is a couple months away. Or so the calendar tells me. I am not feeling 100% ready but need to focus the next 4-5 weeks on the long runs to gain some more confidence. I know I will get through but I also know I would prefer to not struggle through. 

Monday -  3.55 miles @ 9:45 

Tuesday - Hour L2 class at Yogamaya with Bridgette - great class + easy 3 miles @ 10:00

Wednesday - day of rest

Thursday - 4 miles @ 9:30 total strugglefest 

Friday -  4.1 miles @ 9:46

Saturday - 14 miles @ 10:46 - we did the Queensboro Bridge + summer streets - good run and great company. Will never ever drink sangria + wine + Mexican the night before. My stomach was in shambles when I woke up. I have no clue how I made it through the run without stopping - again seeing glimmers of hope for my stomach issues! Even when I was a total asshole and definitely tested it. Would have liked to have gotten to 15 buuuut the beach weekend was calling my name #priorities 

Sunday - cross train - biked 15 miles - was going to run but trying to keep running down to 5 days - this was a nice change of pace. And I planned out a nice long run route. 

Total miles:  29.6 miles (counting running only) 

Bring on another week! 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 9

So this week was going great until the weekend. Finally got some good strength sessions in, working on making core work a priority - even if it just means a few minutes of planks a day and ran outside more days than not! Improvement! 

Saturday - planned on my long run with friends and the morning was chaos and I couldn't make it. I went out to do it but it was already late morning, sun full force and I decided to wait until Sunday. Spoiler alert, Sunday I had no motivation. 

So there you have it. I did not run long this past weekend...and I am okay with that. 

I headed to my beach house - FIRST time all summer thank you life - and got in some fabulous and much needed R&R. I had Monday off (finally putting some of my million vaca days to good use for long weekends) and wanted to just enjoy it. I do not think one missed long run will kill me or ruin marathon plans. 

One thing for sure - I will not be overtrained for this marathon season by any means ;)

Monday -  Rest day. I was beyond exhausted. 

Tuesday - 5 miles @ 9:05 / 10 mins of core 

Wednesday - Double day - morning 2.05 @ 8:46 / evening 4.25 @ 9:24 + lots of planks

Thursday - 1 mile @ 10:00 / Body Pump / 20 minutes on the AMT 

Friday -  3.5 miles + November Project workout - 10 burpees/ 10 pushups/ 10 mountain climbers + stair runs - repeat repeat repeat 

Saturday - long run planned. work and life got in the way - I went out to start and the sun was beating down and I said hell no and stopped. 

Sunday - 4.02 @ 9:46 + long walk

Total miles: 20 miles womp womp 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 8

2 Months have come and gone. This cycle (and summer) are moving too damn fast for my liking! 

Looking back on the week I am pretty happy which how it went down. After the past two weeks of 14 then 18 mile long runs I had a lovely cutback week on tap which I was happy about all week long.

I pushed the pace on a couple of mid distance runs which was good. I haven't been doing much speed work in terms on intervals per say so adding tempo runs is hopefully beneficial. 

One thing I will say is that I am exhausted. Work has been busy. My social life has been busy and then training. I was working 6-7 days a week and longer hours last year and a tougher training schedule by average 10-15 miles per week and I honestly have no idea how I did it. I am very happy my decision this year to not have a coach. I want to PR but I mostly want to gain back some speed. I like not feeling the pressure (although clearly I put most on myself). But being type A if I am given a schedule I will disregard my body's cues on tiredness and aches and do the workout regardless. I am happy with the mileage that I am hitting and while I have no idea how the marathon(s) will shake out I feel like I am on the right path. 

Monday - Cross Train day - 30 minutes on the ARC + 60 mins on the AMT  

Tuesday - 2.3 miles @ 8:41 + weights in the morning + 6 miles @ 10:09 in the evening 

Wednesday - 2 miles @ 8:48 + weights in the morning + 6 miles @ 8:47 in the evening - this evening run was a progression and oof I was nauseous like none other after and could barely eat for the next day. But I pushed the pace which I need to start doing on some of these mid distance runs. 

Thursday - DAY OF REST - planned on yoga but sometimes date night is just the way to go ;)

Friday -  3 miles @ 10:39 - I was exhausted beyond belief but wanted to shake out the legs super slow and easy.

Saturday - 6.7  miles @ 8:57 - I pressed off instead of snooze and it was raining so swapped my long run to Sunday (shocked? not at all) I decided to do a speedier run to tire out the legs. Mission accomplished.

Sunday - 12.15 miles @ 10:12 - didn't go quite as slow as the previous weeks since it was a shorter long run but still kept it really easy and towards the end was definitely feeling tired. I waited until mid day to do this - and by noon all I ate was a Clif bar and didn't fuel during the run so that MAY have had something to do with feeling sluggish by the end. Plus my hips have been really achy not sure what that is about (oh right maybe I should stretch, like ever). I did however use O2Gold for this run which I think helped AND I didn't have to stop AT ALL! Happy dance for stomach improvements. It did get iffy somewhere around mile 10 but I just slowed myself down for a little bit and let it settle itself.

Total miles: 38

Goal for this week = yoga + stretching. And some more core/strength work. I slacked last and need to not let that fall off completely.

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 7

The most exciting thing that comes with the conclusion of this week of training? STEP BACK WEEK! Every third week I have planned to drop down the mileage of the long run. 14 last week, 18 this week which brings us to 10-12 this weekend. Woo to the hoo! 10-12 seems like nothing after running for 3+ hours this past weekend.  

But with dropping back the mileage my plan is to also run the long run as a progression run. Soooo no 11 minute miles should be happening during this coming one. Wah. Training is tough. And voluntary ;)

I'm pretty happy with how this week came out. One thing I will note is my legs were DEAD by the end. I took an early rest day Thursday and Friday they still did not seem refreshed. Then the November Project workout somehow killed them. 

Saturday I woke up for the NYRR Long Training Run and my body just told me no. I felt beat up and kind of ill so decided to hold off a day. For the best since I wound up adding 2 to my planned 16 and hit 18 miles! (okay so MAYBE I also didn't calculate where I would wind up ending at 16 and the more logical decision was to run another 2 to get closer to home and finish but whatever...)

I should also note that I keep planning to run long on Saturday and keep doing it on Sunday lol - it is nice to have that extra day to cushion myself if needed.

Monday - 5 miles @ 10:21 - Recovery run 

Tuesday - Exhale Power Yoga + 75 minutes on the Arc trainer (yay for cross training?) so many planks during this session! I woke up sore for sure. 

Wednesday - 2.3 miles @ 8:41 + 5 miles @ 10:22 (double day) plus upper body strength circuit - those morning miles would prove to be my only speedy ones all week.

Thursday - DAY OF REST - I had planned a tempo run but I knew my legs did not have it in them and decided not worth the junk miles since I wanted to hit up NP Friday.

Friday -  November Project + 3 miles @ 10:00 - this workout was everything you want it to be and then some. I am trying to make more of these and plan my weeks around them. SO FUN. 

(stolen from November Projects instagram :) Indian Run Planks. Get involved.

Saturday - 3.5 miles @ 10:17 - delayed long run so just easy since my legs were tight

Sunday - 18 miles @ 10:43 - went slow then went even slower - this was a doozy but I just kept telling myself to keep on moving. 

Total miles: 36.8

Goals for this week = a quality speed session. Hoping for a nice tempo run mid week. 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 6

Overall I must say, pretty happy with how this week panned out. 

I am a LOT more laid back with the training this year. I start each week with a rough idea of the mileage I want to hit and the couple of workouts I want to nail down (1 speed and 1 long being the keys). But other than that as I have said before the goal is to run 5, cross train 1 and rest 1. 

I ran 6 and rested 1 this week so there is that. But, I did rest! So yay! I have also become a fan of doing doubles - when I can't get out of bed in the morning for all the miles. Oops. #laziness

Without further ado...

Monday - Double - 2.5 miles @ 8:35 pace + 4 miles @ 9:59 pace

Tuesday - MORE DOUBLES! So I was to run a 5K at night that I planned to use as a time trial and actually race but - spoiler alert rained out - they called it AT THE START TIME (okay I wasn't really sad all day I was dreading it). So in the morning I did 20 minutes on the Arc Trainer plus 10 mins of core intending to loosen up. Evening ran my 5K indoors @ 8:36 pace (had I raced this would have been MUCH worse, I was dying - and note the day before I was bounding with more energy at a similar pace - running is so weird!).

Wednesday - 2.15 miles @ 9:18 pace + 15 minutes of strength training

Thursday - REST DAYYYYY

Friday - 3.4 miles @ 8:49 pace + core 

Saturday - 6.25 miles @ 9:35 pace

Sunday - 14 MILES! @ 10:42 - oh holy long run victory. I mentioned last week that my stomach has been MUCH better. I waited it out to do this because I was le tired from a super duper fun Saturday. I am also trying to work on fueling. I want to give up gels because I have never gotten anything but an upset stomach and the "oh my god I need a bathroom right now" effect from them. I had heard a lot about fig newtons as a "real food" alternative and decided to give something similar Fig Bars a whirl. And success! Not only did I make only one bathroom stop (and not an upset stomach stop) but I managed to take in 200 calories on the run AND about 24 ounces of water. From the girl who could never get a sip in that is a miracle. 

On top of that taking it oh so slow meant I was not beat at the end. Hmm maybe that whole run a lot slower than goal pace thing is true? I have run pretty much ALL my training runs in the past faster than my marathon average pace...something wrong there, right?

Total miles: 35.4 - creeping up!

This coming week is the first NYCM training run in Central Park (I am also running NYC after Chicago). I am really looking forward to this. Last year my best long run was the 18 miler training run - so hoping this one brings some more running success. But lets just say after a great 14 yesterday - I am a LOT more confident in the long run. 

One more down and seriously - WHERE IS SUMMER GOING? I am not tan enough for it to be almost August.

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 5

Why are the weeks flying by?

Why is my blog so boring in that all I have posted lately is training recaps?

I know this is thrilling stuff to read. 

The best takeaway from this past week of training? My stomach has been SO MUCH BETTER! (I feel like I am jinxing it now). 

I have started tracking again what I eat in an effort to get to a better racing weight (I was about 8 pounds lighter when running faster - I think there is a correlation). And want to know what happens when you write down what you eat? You make better choices! Oh the things that you learn. I don't like writing down french fries and seeing those wasted calories. Now I am not giving up my beers. Or burgers. Or really fries for that matter. But - I am having them on a way less regular basis. And my body is very much happier about it. Just working on a sustainable balance.

When I did the AdvoCare challenge, yes my eating was better but I think all those supplements messed with me and my stomach was still a mess. I will never be a supplement person. I don't totally believe in them. But now things are good, let's hope that continues!

And so here we have the week of training: 

Monday - 4.25 miles in 40 minutes - hmm nothing spectacular about this one. 

Tuesday - rinse and repeat of Monday same time same mileage - another 4.25 down. 

Wednesday - Cross Training day - 30 mins on the elliptical and 60 on the AMT. Yawn. Insert boredom.

Thursday - 8.7 miles - DOUBLE DAY! Legs were feeling sucktastic in the morning so I did an "easy" 2 miles (9:30 pace that had me panting like I had never run before) followed up by a fun evening workout - 60 minutes or 6.7 miles of Fartleks! (and will NEVER not laugh/smile when I say that word). It's amazing. In the morning my legs felt absolutely TRASHED then at night they were fantastic. Funny how that works. Non structured speed work. I would just ramp up for the chorus of each song. It was fun and quick!

Friday - REST DAY. O to the M to the G did my legs need this. This was a rest day 10 days in the making. Better planning on the rest days needed on my end. 

Saturday - 3.25 miles - 29 mins just sub 9 min pace. TRYING TO GET SPEEDY. It will happen. Eventually. I hope. Also threw in 20 mins of upper body and core. Planks allllll day. I totally neglected strength during the week. I had an Uplift class that I had to cancel because of work. Stupid job. 

Sunday - 11 crappier than crappy miles + 60 mins on the Arc because my legs felt tight. And I wanted ice cream and was trying to distract myself (because ice cream + my stomach is a recipe for disaster). Want to know how to make sure you want to vomit and/or pass out throughout your long run? Spend the entire day prior in the sun day drinking. It will ensure that running for 2 hours is THE MOST FUN YOU HAVE ALL WEEKEND. Or something like that.

Total miles: 31.45 miles - Booyah! 

Chicago Marathon Training - Week 2

Another week down! Just okay with how this week played out. I still feel like I am not in the serious portion of training as I am not running THAT long (when marathon training "long" run is relative - I don't truly count long until past half marathon distance when going for 26.2).

Still focusing on getting in the consistent mileage (and wanting to actually run) as well as continuing strength training. I am more sore from those sessions than the running workouts!

My stomach issues are the root of why I am not wanting to run. I have such a sense of trepidation for how my stomach will be and how many bathroom stops (and vicinity) I will have to make that I am spending the majority of the time on the treadmill out of fear. Sad because it has been so lovely out. 

Monday - 5.25 miles - an easy run with 4 x 30 hard efforts - legs finally felt better. 

Tuesday - Uplift + 3 mile run. Note - for one of the 4 minute Tabata's we did ALL BURPEES. I suck at burpees. Or so I found out. Another 4 minute plank series and realizing I honestly have shit core strength. Must continue to work on. The 3 miles were easy and glorious. 

Wednesday - Swapped out rest day. Saved my run for night and I was beat after work.

Thursday - Speed work.  6.15 miles. Planned 6 x 800 - my stomach was really off so after the first 800 I changed it and did a farklet workout. "Speed" paces between 7:30 - 8:30. Just felt off the whole time. Overall pace though was 9:05 so that was good. 

Friday - Cross Train I was beat - 60 minutes on the Precor AMT one of my favorites.

Saturday - Met up with Jen for a strength class at Uplift. Amazing class per usual. Walked miles that afternoon so didn't wind up running. 

Sunday - 8.3 miles - long run. Nothing much to say. My stomach hurt - only 2 stops. Sigh. 

Total miles: 23 

The next couple weeks will be lacking in runs as I had a minor procedure and have stitches in my back and was told I can't run. I pretty much do not plan on listening to that. I kept being told it would ruin the "aesthetic" and wouldn't be a pretty straight line scar. My response kept being but will they RIP OUT? If it's looking pretty only then sorry Doc in a couple days I will run (easy though nothing intense...) 

NYC Half: Race Recap

2:06:08 Final official time. 

So remember that part where I was just running the NYC Half for the experience and a test of fitness…well I should know myself better. After seeing my splits and where it all went wrong I am definitely a LITTLE pissy that I didn’t treat it like a normal race. And happy that I maybe am almost warmed up again. I like racing in the cold but seriously THAT WAS COLD. I was genuinely concerned during the race if I would ever feel my fingers again (luckily around mile 4 I started to get some sensation...).

Long story short, I thought I would be lucky to be running in the mid to high 9’s – turns out after downloading my splits that I am in better shape than I thought as I was banging out miles in the 8’s – when I wasn’t stopped in the bathroom.

4, count them 4 stops throughout the race.

It all started with eating some stuff the day before that really isn’t ever easy on the stomach. However in my defense, I actually haven’t really had many runs with stomach issues. Race morning getting through security took a while so there was no time to use the bathrooms before jumping into corrals. I started the race acknowledging that yes I would have to stop shortly after, which I was okay with – and I did right before Harlem Hill and lost at least 2 -3 minutes there.

What I didn’t anticipate was then having to stop 3 more times, urgently. That was frustrating and in all lost a ton of time.

My splits speak for themselves. I was capable of a lot more than I gave myself credit. 

I'm not going to do a mile per mile break down but basically I wanted to start out conversational, super easy to tackle the hills of Central Park - which I hadn't run since the NYCM in November. The whole time I felt like I was just cruising. As planned I felt good so consciously upped the pace a tad around mile 6. I was feeling good, and coming out of the park was just energetic! Now I think pace wise where I had the biggest problem was around 9 or so. I was feeling light headed. I ate a tiny bit of banana and bagel prior to the race and a little water. I was dehydrated completely and had no fuel in me. I tried anyway to walk through a water station and take in some Gu and water but that set my stomach churning yet again. The remainder of the race was a struggle between my legs wanting to go and my stomach issues and light headedness holding me back. This was a total lack of fuel and lack of being prepared situation. 

I have been a slave to the treadmill all winter and figured getting to the streets would be a lot harder (side note: totally attributing the 3 weekly body pump classes I do religiously to being able to run better than I thought - strength training FTW!). Kind of unfortunate but I learned an important lesson, always be prepared. I have of course had PLENTY of races where I did everything right and still had bathroom stops but I would rather know that I didn’t sabotage myself.

Other than that…I LOVE THIS RACE. Holy shit. I just can’t stop smiling thinking about it. I loved the course, loved running through the city and loved getting out of the park! Running down 7^th, through Times Square…just awesome.

So I am thinking redemption and a true test. I signed up for an NYC Runs race on March 29^th that I plan to maybe take a rest day and maybe focus on trying to do well in. Not PR but see for real where I am at. I think if  things fall into place that Brooklyn could then be a PR course.

So that is where my head is at now. I know that I am ready because I smiled through my shakeout this morning of a few miles, and wasn't sore go figure (that might catch up to me though). I don’t want to put a ton of pressure on myself either but I do think it isn’t the worst thing to have some goals. So for now – try and sub 2 in a couple weeks and then have 2 months to work towards a PR. We shall see. Just want to keep enjoying the run. 

2013 Running Musings

I had been more or less just avoiding analyzing my 2013 or recapping in any sort of way when DailyMile sent the year end report.

And again I have to realize while my goals didn't pan out the way I wanted I had done oh so much.

I had a really kick ass 2012. 

I trained my way not really knowing what I was totally doing minus running all the miles to a 13 minute half marathon PR. I went from a 2:07 in the spring of 2012 to a 1:54 in my first half of the fall.

And then I consistently ran sub 2 hour half marathons that fall amidst awful stomach issues (that still haven't been resolved) capping off my fall racing with a shiny new PR 1:53 WITH a bathroom stop along the way. I was so close to going under 1:50 I could taste it. 

So I made it my 2013 goal to go after it. 

And continually failed miserably. The closest I got was 2:02 in an awful awful race. 

But things I did do. Run my first marathon. Then another. Oh, and then an Ultra.

So then after an awesome spring of achieving new distance PR's I figured, train my butt off for a sub 4 hour marathon. 

Again, disappointment. I got a coach, who has taught me oh so much. I seemed ready for it. 

Then the DNF at Hartford. Getting sick. Running NYCM sick and realizing that I just didn't have it in me to try and redeem myself at the end of the season at Palm Beaches. I was tired. Both mentally and physically. I just had no desire to run. The fun and want were sucked out some where along the lines of training non stop for a couple of years.

So, I decided to just not run if I didn't want to. And that is what I am doing. I have been running according to my desire. And to be 100% honest there are rarely days when I am DYING to run. That passion is yet to be totally reinvigorated. However, I am starting to try and get in some. Because maybe I am running a half marathon February 2nd and oh yeah a 10 miler this weekend. And guess what NOTHING will train you for running except running. Sorry Flywheel.

But when it all comes down to it. 2013 can be looked at as the year that I totally missed all my goals. And it stings a little. Especially given the fact that I somehow coached myself, not knowing what I do now, the previous year to times I can't even touch right now. 

Or I can look at it as the year I conquered so much. 3 marathons and an ultra and a million and a half other races. 

Depends on the day how I choose to view it. 

Regardless. I am taking a whole different approach this year. More on that later...but I sometimes wish that I could really stop being so hard on myself. I don't think that will ever change but it would be nice to give myself a break. I think I finished every marathon and within minutes didn't want to wear the medal and was just thinking...wow I should have done better. 

Such is life of the type A goal oriented person that I am. Can always do better. It's a good mentality because I always push myself but hard because it is really hard to please myself. I hit a goal and then think: I can do BETTER. 

So see ya later 2013. Hello to a bright new shiny year. Hopefully with some PR's thrown in there. 

Hartford Marathon Training Week 16

ONE WEEK.

Okay, actually less than a week, SATURDAY it is finally here.

I am oddly still not stressed about this. To be honest on one hand I doubt my ability for it to happen and on the other I keep visualizing coming in under 4 hours.

Time will tell. Race day I will run my heart out.

So here it is my final week of training...since this week is all easy and shake out runs. Two runs stand between me and another round of 26.2 miles.

Monday: 75 minutes on the spinner - I was actually really happy to not be running, legs were TIRED!

Tuesday: Last HARD workout - Pyramid: 1.5 Mile w/u @ 9:35 / 2 miles - 8:27 / rest .25 @ 10:00 / 1.5 miles @ 8:13 / rest .25 @ 10:00 / 1 mile @ 7:53 / rest .25 @ 10:00 / .5 @ 7:30 / rest .25 @ 10:00 / c/d 2 miles @ 9:30 - I felt phenomenal during this workout!

Wednesday: Morning - 30 min easy elliptical / 30 mins strength - I planned to do my easy run at the gym but had NO energy so saved it until after work - Evening - 6.75 miles: 9:17, 9:24, 9:15, 8:59, 9:18, 8:09, 8:21 (.75) - my legs were DEAD I forgot my Garmin and arm band so had to hold my phone and use mapmyrun - I thought I was barely breaking a 10 min mile and at the end of the run when I checked was shocked at my splits. Oops?

Thursday: 8 Miles with 6x2min and 4x1min surges during run - I did this on the treadmill - kept the pace 9:40-10:00 min with surges between 8 and 8:30 pace. Couldn't wait to be done! Sometimes running slower is harder than running faster...is that just me?

Friday: REST!!!! Seriously becoming a favorite. Why did I never take rest days? #idiot

Saturday: Long Run - 10:00, 9:46, 9:50, 10:09, 10:03, 9:56, 9:47, 9:50, 9:45, 9:42, 9:01 (.13) I was under strict instructions to keep it slow and no problem I wound up having to work so was beat after

Sunday: Easy run - 9:55, 10:01, 10:00, 9:58, 10:04, 9:58 - Oh hey summer and humidity #strugglebus this was not fun but it kept me slooooow - I was DRENCHED!

Total Miles: 40.38

And now this week holds for me lots of stretching and taking it easy.

I am looking forward to it. The taper hasn't really affected me as much this time. Probably because ahhh I am still running 40 miles weeks!

I feel so much stronger with my running but I just am hoping that my legs start to feel more rested. I will be stretching like it is my job. And hopefully keeping off my feet as much as I can when not necessary.

Almost race day. 

 

Bring it. Like whoa.

Hartford Marathon Training Week 15

Yay for the taper!!! 

This time around since I have trained so differently and since I have a couple marathons under my belt, tapering doesn't seem quite as awful as it was before. In fact my week of workouts was still pretty tough and mileage high! 

I will take it versus the taper crazies I got the first times around.

Monday:  Regular run - 5 miles (Garmin free) ~ 9:30 min miles 

Tuesday:  Tempo 8.25 miles: 9:31, 8:41, 8:41, 8:41, 8:39, 8:34, 8:29, 9:26, 9:30 (.25)

Wednesday: Cross train 80 mins + full body strength circuit

Thursday: Speed! 800's!: 2.5 mile w/u @ 9:50 then 10 x 800 (goal 3:55) 3:53, 3:53, 3:53, 3:52, 3:51, 3:51, 3:48, 3:48, 3:46, 3:45 - 2.5 mile c/d @ 9:15 - 800's had about 2 mins active rest between 

AND I took yoga at night! Namaste :)

Friday: REST and boy am I embracing rest days!!!

Saturday: Long Run: 13.25 miles: 10:06, 9:38, 9:45, 9:40, 9:32, 9:21, 9:31, 9:24, 9:07, 8:49, 8:56, 9:41, 9:15, 9:00 (.25)

A tale of two runs :)

Sunday: Shake out: 7.05 miles: 9:19, 9:00, 8:57, 8:57, 8:58, 9:14, 9:06, 8:44 (.05) 

(and insert my gorgeous views)

Total miles: 45:05 

How's THAT for taper!  

(and I think perhaps losing several inches of hair is making me faster? more aerodynamic? solid reasoning, right?)

Overall, I am feeling good. A bunch of good quality workouts in there. I had stomach issues and was a little discouraged...until I realized it was that time of the month (TMI?)...after almost 20 years of having my period you would think I would know...sad but true I never put two and two together. Oops?

The 800 workout? Awesome. I pushed for pace and felt strong throughout. 

The long run was a breeze. Seriously you know you are a marathoner when you look at 13 on the schedule and don't consider that a long run. I rolled out of bed and hit the road. Then realized I was creeping on MGP towards the end so decided to throw down some miles at pace. I felt it but it felt good to push it. 

Then there is my "shake out" run on Sunday. Which I did all at MGP. Oops? Or yay that tired legs had it in them to do the whole run at goal pace? Not sure which but while yes I am feeling comfortable at pace, I still can't fathom the entire 26.2 at it. 

But regardless as I keep telling myself - the training is there. It is just me and the road on race day. What happens, happens. I am seriously NOT stressed about this (yet, try me again perhaps at the end of next week). 

Still a little shocked that it really is almost here!!! <insert giddy scream>

11 Days until GO TIME.



 

 

Hartford Marathon Training Week 14

And just like that, the final LONG LONG run is done and we have entered the taper. #holyshit

Monday: 7 miles: 9:31, 9:31, 9:22, 9:22, 9:22, 9:17, 9:05 + Core work

Tuesday: I worked out with a trainer who put me through fun (read: hell) circuits (think mountain climbers, pushups, air squats, jump squats kettle bells, lunges, shoulder presses…) then 30 mins on the arc trainer

Wednesday: 6 miles: 9:31, 9:13, 9:05, 9:03, 8:57, 8:53 + Core

Thursday: 12 miles tempo: 2 mile w/u 8 @ MRP or under 2 c/d: 9:40, 9:31, 9:05, 9:05, 9:02, 9:00, 8:57, 9:05, 8:57, 8:55, 9:05, 8:57 Note: no real cool down and my stomach was a disaster, which would be a theme (even until now)

Friday:  9:19 miles (1^st 5 normal, then progression/fast finish) 9:50, 9:50, 9:40, 9:40, 9:31, 9:13, 9:05, 8:57, 8:49

Saturday: REST!! And I DID YOGA!!! Woo hoo! And then got another massage. Happy day.

Sunday: Long run: 21.5 miles with the Newport Half thrown in. My Garmin is still charging I wound up avg ~ 10 min miles but also paused it for my SEVERAL bathroom breaks. I was in hell.

Total mileage: 55.6 miles.

So not much to discuss. 

I'm as ready as I am going to be at this point. I've done the work that's all there is to it.

My legs felt great, my stomach, not so much.

And, not hard to pin point. I kind of ate like crap. A lot. AKA everything I KNOW will mess with my stomach.

And I have been continuing that trend.

So as of today I am back to being super careful until the marathon. The last thing I want is to be the cause of my own downfall on race day.

Goodbye dairy and sugar. It has been fun. See you October 12^th after I sub 4!