Well, as it turns out blogging might not be my thing. I always have great ideas in my head but they tend to stay there and never make it into print. But, I do want a record of this journey so I’m going to try and give an update.
Grandma’s marathon is two weeks from tomorrow, and I think I’m ready. I’m not going to set any records, but I think I can do it. I’ve adapted my training along the way, always staying faithful to my Saturday long runs but my weekday workouts have been lacking to say the least. My training plan had me running Tues, Wed and Thurs and early on I figured out that I just couldn’t do that. I couldn’t run 2 days in a row, but I also had trouble juggling running time with my job and family commitments. I scrapped the Wednesday semi-long runs and did cross training (when I could) instead. This shift in itself is a huge accomplishment for me because I really like the comfort of training programs. To me they’re a cake recipe, either you follow it perfectly or the cake doesn’t bake. There’s no middle ground. Last time did the marathon program I missed the first ingredient in my recipe and became so discouraged and filled with self-doubt that I gave up. This time around I decided that I needed to test the results of my “new recipe.”
Last weekend was a big test of my training program—the dreaded 20 mile training run. I was extremely nervous about this so I decided to sign up for a 20 mile race. My thoughts were that this would ensure that I went out and ran (even if it was raining), give me a t-shirt to prove that I can do 20 miles, and give me something to look forward to with the 20 mile run vs. dread the run. We were also lucky enough to have Grandpa Dennis babysit, so Marty and I were able to do the race together (but at different paces!). My goal was to complete the 20 mile in 4 hours or less, and I delivered on that goal with my final time being 3:55:56. Today I reflect back thinking that I felt great… however during the race my IT band was giving me some major issues from mile 17-20. I even considered stopping at the medical tents that close to the end.
Grandma’s marathon is two weeks from tomorrow, and I think I’m ready. I’m not going to set any records, but I think I can do it. I’ve adapted my training along the way, always staying faithful to my Saturday long runs but my weekday workouts have been lacking to say the least. My training plan had me running Tues, Wed and Thurs and early on I figured out that I just couldn’t do that. I couldn’t run 2 days in a row, but I also had trouble juggling running time with my job and family commitments. I scrapped the Wednesday semi-long runs and did cross training (when I could) instead. This shift in itself is a huge accomplishment for me because I really like the comfort of training programs. To me they’re a cake recipe, either you follow it perfectly or the cake doesn’t bake. There’s no middle ground. Last time did the marathon program I missed the first ingredient in my recipe and became so discouraged and filled with self-doubt that I gave up. This time around I decided that I needed to test the results of my “new recipe.”
Last weekend was a big test of my training program—the dreaded 20 mile training run. I was extremely nervous about this so I decided to sign up for a 20 mile race. My thoughts were that this would ensure that I went out and ran (even if it was raining), give me a t-shirt to prove that I can do 20 miles, and give me something to look forward to with the 20 mile run vs. dread the run. We were also lucky enough to have Grandpa Dennis babysit, so Marty and I were able to do the race together (but at different paces!). My goal was to complete the 20 mile in 4 hours or less, and I delivered on that goal with my final time being 3:55:56. Today I reflect back thinking that I felt great… however during the race my IT band was giving me some major issues from mile 17-20. I even considered stopping at the medical tents that close to the end.
Marty and I before the raceDuring the last miles I was overcome with how wonderful the running community of people is. If I would slow down for a water stop or a hill I had a very hard time getting my leg to move again, so I’m sure I looked like I was struggling. I had so many people pass me (who were full marathoners) and tell me what an awesome job I was doing and remind me how close the finish line is. Now it almost sounds like pity, but at the time I was very comforting and helpful.
So this week I’ve spent lots of time getting to know the foam roller (ouch!!) and working the tightness out of my leg. I’ve also thought a lot about the pain and the fact that it was only my left leg. As I look back I think it may have had something to do with the fact that I was running on the left side of the highway for a majority of the run and the slight slant down took its toll on me. I’ve been training on paved trails so I’ve never really dealt with the slant of the road. This lesson has helped me realize that I need to stay in the middle of the road at Grandma’s and then there’s a good chance that this won’t come back! Fingers crossed….
This weekend I am registered for a half marathon. With the 20 mile race under my belt I sort of wish I hadn’t signed up for this, but I did it a long time ago so I think I’ll do it as a good way to get 1 last 10+ miler in before the marathon. I’m struggling with how hard I should push it because I’d really hate to injure myself this close to the end. On one hand it would be so fun to beat my ½ time from last fall and show the results of my training this spring, but on the other I’m training for the marathon not this half. I’m also fighting a bit of a cold, so I’m going to listen to my body closely and do the best I can while staying focused on June 18th.
Grandma’s isn’t over yet so I probably shouldn’t talk about what’s next, but given my blogging history I’ll give a quick overview in case it’s another 7+ months J Running will continue to stay on the top of my priority list, but I think it’s time for me to stop worrying about distance and focus on speed. I’m incredibly slow and I’d like to get faster. As I work on speed I also want to spend more time cross training. I LOVE biking but haven’t had a chance to do very much of it this spring or in the last few years, so now is my chance. Marty and the kids got me a new bike for my birthday so I’m ready to go. I’ve spent some time on it in the basement on the trainer and have had it out on the road a couple of time… it’s great!!! I also enjoy swimming so I decided that the best way for me to focus on all three of these with a concrete goal is by signing up for a triathlon. So I’ll be doing the Dare to Tri Maple Grove Sprint Triathlon on August 27th. This should be interesting as this will be Marty’s 1st time as a spectator at a tri. Last year he tried to spectate at a 5k and ended up doing a last minute registration and pushing our double stroller through the race (I also think he placed 1st in his AG with the stroller).
My new bike!
Okay, that’s all of the updates for today. Thanks for reading my rambling!
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