8, 5, 18
What a difference a week makes. The previous week was cold and I was wearing a jacket and long pants. This week, it was in the 60s again. At least I've had practice now with the 18 miler in both cold weather clothing and warm weather clothing. Who knows what it'll be the day of the marathon.
This week to get through the 18 mile run, it was all mental. I split it up into 3 runs of 6 miles each. These small pieces are so much easier to accomplish. It worked so well that I think that I'll do it for the marathon as well. 4 runs of 6 miles and a 5K run. Granted that is 27 miles, but I'd rather mentally overshoot.
Next Week
8, 5, 9
The short & medium runs are the same distance, so I probably won't make any changes to those. The long run is cut in half to help the healing process begin.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Confirmation Booklet Excitement
I got the marathon registration confirmation booklet in the mail today. My race number is 4994! The numbers geek in me is thrilled to have a palindrome. Also, according the booklet they will be electronically updating marathon splits at miles 13.1 and 20. Which means the day of the race you can go onto the official site and follow me electronically. I'm not sure if they are doing it by number or name, but if they do it by name I'm registered under "Nicole" like all of my other races. Also, I'm currently predicting a 5:15-5:30 finish so feel free to use their pace chart to figure out when I might be passing certain areas.
DISCLAIMER: Just because I'm predicting a 5:15-5:30 finish, I'll be happy finishing it at any time. I haven't trained for speed, just endurance.
It's only 3 weeks away... so nervous yet so excited!
DISCLAIMER: Just because I'm predicting a 5:15-5:30 finish, I'll be happy finishing it at any time. I haven't trained for speed, just endurance.
It's only 3 weeks away... so nervous yet so excited!
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Week 12
8, 5, 18
This week I fully transitioned into my new running shoes. Since it always takes a bit to get them right, the 8 mile run was cut short to about 5 miles since my feet were hurting. However, for the 5 and 18 mile runs they did much better.
The long run this week seemed rather daunting until I broke it down into essentially 3 runs. A 6 mile "warm up" run, a 5K, then a 9 mile run. I did them all directly in a row without going home/sitting down. This split really all worked around the fact that some of my friends were running a 5K and it was along the same route that I normally do for the long run. I just arranged the time I left in the morning so that I would make the race with them. It was a lot of fun. Having other folks around, chatting, and people cheering the runners on is definitely better than my solo-adventures. I hadn't realized how lonely the solo runs can get.
Next Week
8, 5, 18
This is the last week before tapering begins. I know I can do all the distances. I hope that during the long run that I can do it with less walking. Not because walking is bad, but because I'd like to decrease the total time I'm out there. This time I was on the road for more than 4 hours (granted some of that was waiting for the 5K and running/walking at my friend's pace), but it takes a toll on the body especially when it is only 45 degrees out.
This week I fully transitioned into my new running shoes. Since it always takes a bit to get them right, the 8 mile run was cut short to about 5 miles since my feet were hurting. However, for the 5 and 18 mile runs they did much better.
The long run this week seemed rather daunting until I broke it down into essentially 3 runs. A 6 mile "warm up" run, a 5K, then a 9 mile run. I did them all directly in a row without going home/sitting down. This split really all worked around the fact that some of my friends were running a 5K and it was along the same route that I normally do for the long run. I just arranged the time I left in the morning so that I would make the race with them. It was a lot of fun. Having other folks around, chatting, and people cheering the runners on is definitely better than my solo-adventures. I hadn't realized how lonely the solo runs can get.
Next Week
8, 5, 18
This is the last week before tapering begins. I know I can do all the distances. I hope that during the long run that I can do it with less walking. Not because walking is bad, but because I'd like to decrease the total time I'm out there. This time I was on the road for more than 4 hours (granted some of that was waiting for the 5K and running/walking at my friend's pace), but it takes a toll on the body especially when it is only 45 degrees out.
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Week 11
8, 5, 16
Short and medium runs were nothing really of note but it was much warmer than last week so no jacket necessary. The long run was encouraging in that I was able to do the whole thing in a reasonable time. It was a challenge since starting around mile 14 my legs started to hurt and I was drastically running out of energy despite the one gel and 32oz of gatoraid. Lesson for next time - more gels since the liquid is heavier and needs to be taken sparingly for my stomach's sake. I'm thinking at miles 6 and 12. Then during the actual marathon I will eat them at 6, 12, 18, and 24. For me, it'll be better to err on the side of extra energy than passing out.
Next Week
8, 5, 18
Short and medium runs should be standard again. The long run increases by two miles but then the following week is also only 18 miles. From what I've noticed the first at the longer distance can be difficult and I may end up walking those two new miles, but then the following week I seem to be able to do it just fine.
Short and medium runs were nothing really of note but it was much warmer than last week so no jacket necessary. The long run was encouraging in that I was able to do the whole thing in a reasonable time. It was a challenge since starting around mile 14 my legs started to hurt and I was drastically running out of energy despite the one gel and 32oz of gatoraid. Lesson for next time - more gels since the liquid is heavier and needs to be taken sparingly for my stomach's sake. I'm thinking at miles 6 and 12. Then during the actual marathon I will eat them at 6, 12, 18, and 24. For me, it'll be better to err on the side of extra energy than passing out.
Next Week
8, 5, 18
Short and medium runs should be standard again. The long run increases by two miles but then the following week is also only 18 miles. From what I've noticed the first at the longer distance can be difficult and I may end up walking those two new miles, but then the following week I seem to be able to do it just fine.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Week 10
5, 8, 5, 16 (modified to realistic version 8, 5, 15)
Autumn has arrived and brought with it the cool crisp evenings. For both the medium and short runs I figured that I would warm up enough during the run itself that I could still go out in shorts and tanktop. At the end of both of the runs, I was still relatively cold. Parts of me warmed up, but other parts never did to the point I think I slightly injured both my quads and calves by pushing too hard when they weren't warmed up enough. I'm definitely going to start watching the weather closer in the upcoming weeks to determine if I need my jacket and gloves. I don't have any longer leggings for running (yet), but it seems that if I keep my upper body warm then the movement of the legs can go to keeping the legs warm.
The long run was a disaster. I only managed 6 miles in 80 minutes instead of 15 miles. Its normal for me to have a bit of a headache when I go out for the run because I don't drink coffee on the weekends, however, it normally clears up after a mile or two. This time the further I went the worse the headache got. Throw in some stomach issues and it just got unbearable for me. So instead of sticking it out I just went home and rested. I then told myself that I would go out Sunday and do the remaining 10 miles (I figured I could go back to 16 since it was split over two days). Sunday came and my knees just hurt too much.
With only 6 weeks remaining, I'm seriously starting to question my ability to go the distance. According to the training plan the long runs remaining are 16, 18, 18, 9, and 8 (the last two are for tapering). Given that I've now only done 13 miles I wonder if I will be able to do those few remaining long ones and if I do - will they be enough? The only light of hope remaining is that the time cutoff for the marathon is 7 hours which is a 16:02 pace - that is entirely walkable. So, worst case, I could just do a fast walk for the entire thing. I know the only goal should be to finish the race and not worry about time, but part of me still feels like if I don't finish under 6 hours (a common cutoff for other races) then I've failed since I've done little more than walking.
Next Week
5, 8, 5, 16
Once again I'm going to modify it down to not include the first short run - my knees just can't handle it. For the rest, I'm going to try my best to do them all including the 16 miles. I will try to do the entire distance even if I need to walk a majority of it just to practice that as well.
Race Prep
With the race coming up quicker than I would like, I still have a number of details to work out.
1) I haven't reserved a hotel room or figured out parking day of. There are only about 2700 spaces for the 15,000 racers (between the 3 distances) and an unknown number of supporters & volunteers. I suppose I could get up really early and get there, but still no guarantee.
2) I don't know what I'm going to wear. According to their website, the typical high for the day is 60. However, last year it got in the 80s and humid so I really won't be able to tell since it could probably be anywhere between 40 and 80. Thus I need to prepare for both ends of the spectrum.
2.5) I need a snazzy saying to write on whatever shirt I'm going to wear. I originally thought "I run for cookies" but it was pointed out that my saying has been "I bike for cookies" so I should do something different for running. Feel free to suggest things.
3) At some point in the next couple weeks I need to swap out shoes for my new ones since they are reaching end of life and I want to have the next pair broken in in time.
Autumn has arrived and brought with it the cool crisp evenings. For both the medium and short runs I figured that I would warm up enough during the run itself that I could still go out in shorts and tanktop. At the end of both of the runs, I was still relatively cold. Parts of me warmed up, but other parts never did to the point I think I slightly injured both my quads and calves by pushing too hard when they weren't warmed up enough. I'm definitely going to start watching the weather closer in the upcoming weeks to determine if I need my jacket and gloves. I don't have any longer leggings for running (yet), but it seems that if I keep my upper body warm then the movement of the legs can go to keeping the legs warm.
The long run was a disaster. I only managed 6 miles in 80 minutes instead of 15 miles. Its normal for me to have a bit of a headache when I go out for the run because I don't drink coffee on the weekends, however, it normally clears up after a mile or two. This time the further I went the worse the headache got. Throw in some stomach issues and it just got unbearable for me. So instead of sticking it out I just went home and rested. I then told myself that I would go out Sunday and do the remaining 10 miles (I figured I could go back to 16 since it was split over two days). Sunday came and my knees just hurt too much.
With only 6 weeks remaining, I'm seriously starting to question my ability to go the distance. According to the training plan the long runs remaining are 16, 18, 18, 9, and 8 (the last two are for tapering). Given that I've now only done 13 miles I wonder if I will be able to do those few remaining long ones and if I do - will they be enough? The only light of hope remaining is that the time cutoff for the marathon is 7 hours which is a 16:02 pace - that is entirely walkable. So, worst case, I could just do a fast walk for the entire thing. I know the only goal should be to finish the race and not worry about time, but part of me still feels like if I don't finish under 6 hours (a common cutoff for other races) then I've failed since I've done little more than walking.
Next Week
5, 8, 5, 16
Once again I'm going to modify it down to not include the first short run - my knees just can't handle it. For the rest, I'm going to try my best to do them all including the 16 miles. I will try to do the entire distance even if I need to walk a majority of it just to practice that as well.
Race Prep
With the race coming up quicker than I would like, I still have a number of details to work out.
1) I haven't reserved a hotel room or figured out parking day of. There are only about 2700 spaces for the 15,000 racers (between the 3 distances) and an unknown number of supporters & volunteers. I suppose I could get up really early and get there, but still no guarantee.
2) I don't know what I'm going to wear. According to their website, the typical high for the day is 60. However, last year it got in the 80s and humid so I really won't be able to tell since it could probably be anywhere between 40 and 80. Thus I need to prepare for both ends of the spectrum.
2.5) I need a snazzy saying to write on whatever shirt I'm going to wear. I originally thought "I run for cookies" but it was pointed out that my saying has been "I bike for cookies" so I should do something different for running. Feel free to suggest things.
3) At some point in the next couple weeks I need to swap out shoes for my new ones since they are reaching end of life and I want to have the next pair broken in in time.
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