Week 15 of 18: 20 miles in 3:59:50

Well I did it, the peak of training is now done.  How crazy is that?!

This week was a 40 mile week in total according to Hal Higdon's Novice Marathon Training (which i'd totally use again and recommend to any first timers).  I was scheduled to run 5,10, 5 and the scary 20!! ahhh 20 miles!!

Since I ran 12 on Monday (the should've been 18 from a week prior), I didn't run the 10 during the week.  I ran 5 on Wednesday after a work event, and was still a bit stiff and didn't want to hurt myself before 20.  So this week's total mileage was 37, I didn't do the other 5 mile run.

I was feeling good, and was ready for my 20!  Days prior I had been hydrating and documenting how many bottles of water and gatorade I was drinking.  This sounds weird, but it's the only way I can force myself to drink enough, it has to become a game! ha

The days prior my antibiotic was starting to aggravate my stomach, so there was only so much I could eat.  Knowing that I had 20 the next day I ate lots of rice cakes, a bag of (boil in bag) brown rice, and plain pasta.  If I couldn't carb load like I wanted, I'd at least carb load with some buttered carbs.

I had planned to run roughly 5 miles alone, meet my running mentor to run 10, then run 5 home.  I really liked the idea of breaking up the run.

I packed my clif shot bloks, filled my camelbak, turned on my watch, and started my music- I was doing 20!!  I was actually so excited (I know, who gets excited to run 20), that I kept waking up during the night, like a kid on Christmas.

At this point I didn't care how long it took, as long as 20 miles were complete.  As mileage increases, my speed decreases probably more than more seasoned runners.  I can run a 10 miler in a a bit less than a 10:30 minute mile.  If I kept this pace for 20 I would be done in roughly 3:30.  Given my past runs and being sick I was shooting for 4 hours (also allowing for walk breaks if I had any pain).

I ran 5.5 to my meet my running buddy, ran 10 miles at a conversational pace, and ran 5ish home.  I was having some hip itb tightness and the ball of my left foot aka my small bunion was acting crazy and was throbbing.  My walk breaks were to ease the pain and loosen up the hips.

My 5 miles home were, um, hell.  I ran 5 miles home essentially uphill- which seemed to be the aggravating factor for the hip and foot.  Had I run the entire run home I would've probably been done at 3:50, but I didn't want to injure myself more.  

I do believe I hit "the wall" around mile 19.5.  I had drastically slowed and literally wanted to curl into fetal position on the sidewalk.  After realizing this wasn't the best idea, I pushed ahead, keeping a close watch on the time.

I finished 20 miles in 3:59:50!!  Being that I'm super stubborn I refused to let my watch hit 4 hours. :)

After finishing this run I really questioned marathoners.  I just ran for 4 hours, who on earth chooses to do this?!?  I felt good though mentally, add another hour and my marathon would be done, I hope!!

I hobbled home and sank into a cold bath (while drinking chocolate milk), I don't add ice I think that would just put me over the top.  I then took a warm shower and laid around trying to nap.  I also made eggs with toast to refuel a bit.  And I put on my compression socks! Mmm, i love those things!

A day later I am hobbling, my shins and calves are uber tight, and my compression socks are still on!

Headed toward the start of week 16!! November 18 is coming so much faster.  I'm almost a legit marathoner!! ahhhhh

Week 14 of 18:18 miles..scratch that, 5 miles..

I am really slacking on these entries, but I have a pretty good reason.  The week before last I was still sick, and super busy.  My head cold from hell still had a grip on me and there wasn't much I could do.

I managed one 5 mile run the entire week.  I felt ok during the run, but the next day I think it worsened my symptoms.  By Thursday of that week and having been sick for over a week, I decided the Dr. was in order.  My doctor likes to know you've waited a week plus with a cold to prescribe antibiotics.  So as soon as that week arrived, I was there.

Just as I suspected I had a sinus infection.  Whenever I get a head cold, it immediately turns into a sinus infection.  Since I moved to Delaware this was been the case, without fail.  I'll just blame Delaware for being dirty. :)

I started antibiotics Thursday night and was getting antsy because I had missed two decent sized runs before my 20 miler.  I was starting to freak that my weeks of training would be lost! :(  I talked to my running mentor and she assured me I would be fine.  I had been training long enough and hard enough before getting sick- there was nothing to worry about, but avoiding additional illness and injury.  This was was just the glimmer of hope I needed during the week.

I had taken off on Friday months prior to run my 18, and may have been able to, and then it rained.  Trying to be a responsible adult I knew running 18 in cold and rain would only worsen my symptoms and delay my training, so I didn't run.  I decided to take off Monday as well- to run my 18!

Aside from being sick, taking sick days, and taking vacation days I also had a big weekend ahead of me.  UD homecoming and an event for a young professionals group I joined that benefits the Ronald McDonald House.  I needed to be healthy and ok to be outside two days and drinking.

UD Homecoming went well, definitely not as crazy and wild as we were last year- we appear to have gotten old this year.  Last year we acted like we were 18 again, this year our age was starting to show.  I knew I needed to be ok for my event Sunday and my 18 miler, so I watched what I was drinking.  Last year about 4 of us slept over at a friends, this year just one person did.  This was best  for me though with my event and run lingering.

Sunday's event was perfect, weather was great, great turnout, and a lot of money raised for the House!

So Monday I headed out for my 18 mile run not knowing what to expect.  I had run two 5 milers in a matter of 10 days.  I was sick for 10ish days, and just had a weekend with beer.

I felt ok, not phenomenal, but ok.  I was super tight- not a shocker I had been laying around for quite awhile.  I didn't want to really screw myself up, so I ran 12.  Given all the factors I felt this was ok.

Less than a month to go!!

Week 13 of 18: The good, the bad, and the ugly..

Week 13 started off to a great start!  I had obligations later in the week so I planned to squeeze in some extra workouts early on.  Monday I did Bodypump at the Y before work, then went for a 4 miler after work (before it got dark).  I was feeling good, just a bit tired.  Tuesday I did hot yoga at work, and ran 9 that night.  I was happy to see Wednesday roll around to say the least.  My body had enough..

I was tired, but figured I wasn't used to all this extra exercise.  Before training I would workout 3-4 times a week for about an hour.  This week I did at least 2 hours, 2 days in a row.  My attempts to become superwoman failed me...

Wednesday I worked then had to volunteer and didn't get home till about 9:30.  I unfortunately wasn't as tired as I should've been, and didn't get my traditional grandma sleep in.  During training if I'm home and tired I've been going to bed between 9:30-10- yes at 28 I've taken on the sleep schedule of an 89 year old.  I need at least 8 hours of sleep, if not- watch out, I'm not very nice without food and sleep!  I had also been sneezing a lot, but I do have allergies so figured it would go away.

By Thursday morning my throat was raw, but again I passed it off as allergies.  Thursday night after an after work meeting I planned to run 5.

Here's the "good" of the week:
I've put about ~250 miles on my current Nike's (which is less than I should've according to Hal Higdon's novice plan, but hey I've got a life).

I've noticed my sesamoids starting to ache, and some knee and hip pain returning.  Was it already time for new shoes?!  I don't need broken sesamoids or ITBS again, or ever for that matter.

According to the girl at the running store, yes, yes it was time for new shoes!  Now all you runner's who get 500+ miles on your shoes, how?!  I wore off the bottom heel of my left shoe and the waffles up top were starting to peel.  I do know I walk heavy, and am pretty sure I run heavy, too.  Just the way God made me, I guess.

So I got a new pair of Brooks!  Now my last pair before the Nike's were Brooks Glycerin, and I was in absolute love with them.  I ran my 10 miler and half in May in Brooks with no complaints!   Then they changed them up a bit, and I hated the newest version.  Here are my new shoes which will be on my feet marathon day:

I then went to my after work meeting.  During the meeting I started to feel kind of off, but figured training was getting the best of me and "moved" my 5 miler to the next morning.  I was very excited to try out my new sneaks.

The "bad" of the week:

Friday morning I woke up feeling my death.  I couldn't smell, breathe, and my head felt disconnected from my body.  Thankfully I had already decided to work from home Friday, so I sat on my couch all day in pj's drugged up, doing work.

*On a total side note:  I can't stand when people talk about being sick on social media- there are just some things you keep to yourself.  That being said, as it appears this happens to almost all marathoner's at some point, I felt the need to discuss.

My counter also had turned into a pharmacy:

And I wasn't hungry (during the peak of training), so I forced myself to drink tea and sip soup:

The "ugly" of the week:

Saturday morning should've been my 18 miler- after running 4,5, and 9 during the week.  This obviously didn't happen.  Saturday also was a going away party for my cousin who is moving to Colorado, today.  I didn't do anything Saturday besides some work, and taking medicine.  I was so upset I couldn't run 18 and missed the going away party, I could've cried.

After researching, it appears a lot of marathoner's (especially newbies) get sick at the peak of training or during taper.  This made me feel better, a bit.

Now I'm trying to figure out where to fit in my 18 miler.  Do I run that this coming Saturday instead of the recommended 14, before the following weeks 20?  Or do I shift everything back a week, and lose a week of taper?

There are only 5 weeks till this marathon, and as far out as that seems, after training for 13 week thus far, it's not!

To be continued..

13 weeks complete, 5 to go! :)

Week 12 of 18: 12 miles in 2:12:48

Wow, I feel like I just started blogging and I'm already 3 months in, and accomplished at that!

This marathon journey has definitely been interesting.  It's amazing to see how far you can push yourself (and your body) without losing it!

Some of my runs have been easier than others, and some morning's like yesterday I wanted to stay curled up in my warm bed.

If I run on a Saturday I usually veg out on my couch with a huge bowl of pasta and a movie.  I think at this point I've seen every comedy the local RedBox has, they need to add more movies!  A few Friday's I've gone out to dinner and as long as I eat carbs with a bit of protein I'm ok for the morning run.  I've starting turning down alcohol the night before like someone avoiding the plague.  That being said if I happen to have any beer in my fridge after a long run, i'm drinking it (even at 10:30am).  Nothing tastes better.

So yesterday I woke up at 6am while it was dark and rainy out, and stared at my alarm.  I had been in a deep, deep fantastic sleep and was uber confused why my alarm was going off, "yesterday was Friday", or so I thought, why was this going off.  Then I remembered, oh yea only a 12-miler.

Earlier in the week I was talking to a friend and after she asked what I'd be running this week, I responded with "oh, only a 12 miler this week".  Did those words just come out of my mouth?  Only 12 miles, who am I kidding? Prior to my half in May, 10 miles was a long, hard run.  What on earth is happening to me?!?

So I begrudgingly dragged myself out of bed.  I made my toast with jelly and had a big glass of water with nuun.  I've somehow trained my stomach to behave before these long runs, so I don't feel sick after- it's awesome!  I got dressed, grabbed all my stuff and was out.

It was around 7:15 when I finally got out.  It takes me longer to get ready for a run than it takes me to get ready for work.  Oh well, whatever works.  I started and just wanted my bed, it was brisk, but it was a clear, sunny morning.  

I've started to notice I run better after I start taking fuel.  I don't know if this is all mental, but usually 1.5 miles after taking my clif shot bloks, the run is much easier.  Maybe I'll start taking a few bloks before I head out the door to top off my glycogen stores (or lack thereof).  

I had a pretty good run, my head was clear and I was just going.  My runner's high did kick in, but so did some pain.  I think my lack of yoga the past few weeks is catching up to me, I need to get my "om" back!

Towards the end of my run as I was running uphill two women passed me.  Now in my defense I was 10 miles in, and frankly I was mentally over it.  It really bothers me when people pass me, I'm just a bit competitive.  I know I will never win a race and that's not my reason for doing it, but when people pass me on the road, I get mad.  The first woman was killing it and had someone following her on a bike- get it girl!  The second was running like it was the best thing, ever!  She almost looked like a ballerina dancing up the hill- and was the quintessential "marathon build"- long and lean.  

I on the other hand felt like a dead horse trying to drag myself up this hill, then I had a moment.  Neither of these women had fuel, water, or music.  It was very possible this was their morning 4 miler and in that case, I'd be just as peppy.  So at this point I got over myself, and kept running.

I finished my 12 miler in 2:12:48, 8 minutes faster than my last 12 miler!  Whether or not I felt accomplished it was faster than the last, accomplishment enough.

After my run I went out for the day and did a lot of walking.  I am not stiff, sore or in any sort of pain today. I'm definitely dragging myself out after my 18 and 20 milers in the upcoming weeks.

Week 12 of 18 complete!!! 5 weeks to go..where'd the time go?!