Long Runs Have Come To An End

This says it all for me!  I have just completed the hardest week of my training and I feel GREAT!  I even allowed myself to miss a run in order to rest from the long run last Sunday.  I can not believe that in 3 weeks from today,  I will have completed my 4th marathon and will hopefully be posting that I ran the best race of my life!

Here's how things went this week that keeps me very optimistic....

Tuesday I went to CG and had a great workout.  It was Week 3, High Intensity Interval Training.  By far my most favorite week of camp.  The reason, I think is because it really challenges me to push beyond what I think I am capable of.  

Wednesday I met up with some of the Mom's in a running group I belong to.  I met them about a mile in to my run.  I hadn't been out with them in awhile so it was nice to be out with a group.  The weather was pretty nice too!

Thursday was another CG workout!  It was weight day.....gotta love it.  I must have really looked like I was working hard because a few hours after, I got a text message from the trainer telling me what a good job I did!  Maybe she thought I looked like I was struggling and just wanted to encourage me so I would come back!  No worries, Jessie!  You can't get rid of me that easily.

Friday morning came with a warm up run for Saturday's long run.  I met a couple of the weekend guys.  One of which is training for a 100-miler next month (yep, you read that right).  He needed to do an "easy" 8 miles.  So I thought perfect, we'll have a great run with a steady conversational pace.....NOT!  We averaged 8:20/mi.....so much for a warm up for Saturday.  I didn't intend to do speed?!

So, I was pretty excited to see what I would do on Saturday as this was the only 20 miler scheduled on my training program.  The pace was suppose to be 8:34-9:10/mi for the first 12, then 8:40-8:50/mi for 5 and for the home stretch back down to 8:34-9:10/mi.  We stayed between 8:44-8:54 for 12, for the next 5 my splits were 8:34, 8:23, 8:35, 8:21, 8:13.  I know for most, this doesn't mean much for me, I was a little surprised and pretty impressed with myself.  The last mile & a half of which was up a slow incline that for those that know the Cowtown course reminded me of mile 8 coming up Main Street!  While the last 3 miles were suppose to be a slower pace, my mind had other plans & so did my running partner!  With about 2 miles to go, we saw 3 runners about a half a mile in front of us.  Keith turned to me and said, "There's your rabbits, go get 'em!"  My body said "yeah right" and so did my mind.....for about a minute!  The result was the fastest mile of the morning & just what I needed to reassure me that I have trained well, I've trained hard and I am ready!  Now what to do for the next 3 weeks during my taper.....Wish me luck!

2016 It Is Then!

Well, to no surprise the Boston Marathon registration opened on September 8th and closed on September 17th.  My husband's comment, "Aww all that handwork...."  Have no fear the handwork is not for nothin'.  I am still going to race on October 19th and I will still attempt to run a 3:45 or faster and no I don't have to continue to qualify until registration for 2016 opens.  I can try to improve my time to ensure an earlier registration but if, no scratch that, WHEN I qualify on October 19th  it will be good for registration next September.  Whew, I know its confusing but trust me, I know & understand the what, where & how!  Anyone this determined has to, right?!

So, now for an update on the past week. I hurt!  I have never, in the year that I've been attending Camp Gladiator, not been able to run the warm up.  This week I couldn't or should I say didn't.  I am usually pretty stubborn when it comes to my workouts.  When this started I can't say but it sure wasn't who I was in high school or even my 20s or early 30s.  Haven't I heard you become more stubborn & set in your ways the older you get.  Hmmmmm, might be something to that!

I was almost convinced to see a chiropractor this week.  Sorry, Cindi but I feel better now!  I took Monday this week off and will not attempt to make up the run like I did last week.  Here is what the schedule looked like:

Sunday - 14 miles - CHECK
Monday - 11+ miles - NOPE
Tuesday - CG - CHECK
Wednesday - 8+ miles - will either do it or the 11 + from Monday (see what drives me tomorrow)
Thursday - CG - plan on it!
Friday - 8 miles
Saturday - the dreaded 20 (DUM, DUM, DUM) - actually looking forward to seeing how I do, lol!

It looks brutal I know but guess what........the taper comes next and then I get to figure out what to do with all the pent up excitement and anticipation until the race.  I can't believe I am almost there!  

Wish me luck!

It's a NEW week & Fall was in the air....

So friends, I know last week was not my best moments but I've said it before, this is about the journey for me as much as it is about reaching my goal!  When I look back at the first 3 marathon training programs I have done, they all have one thing in common.  I DID NOT complete every workout on the calendar.  Weather, illness, injury and general life got in the way!

With that said, its a new week with a new set of workouts on the calendar.  I adjusted my schedule over the weekend because of A's Tball game.  Here's a little peek at him on the pitcher's mound!  So cute.

The weather Saturday was ideal for running and I saw so many of my running friends out on the trails.  Can you say Jealous?!  So I waited until Sunday & I am blessed to have a supportive husband who will get the kids to church even during his busy season.  Come on October 15th, we are so ready!

There was still a chill in the air Sunday morning so I was looking forward to 18 miles but a little apprehensive since I didn't get much running in during the week.  How long does it take the body to forget all the training you've put in?  Fortunately, longer than a week.  I felt so good!  We were pacing right where I needed to be.  It didn't come without some pain, however.  My lower back was hurting pretty bad on the back half of the run and since we had afternoon soccer, by the time I was home and off my feet, I was afraid I wouldn't get up again.  Never fear, I'm sore today but feeling good!

I just have to say, I am thankful for the reprieve in the temps this weekend.  Not only did my body need it, my mental state did too!  I am a much better person in cool weather.  Unfortunately, it didn't last and we are back in the 90s this week.  Oh well, Fall will be here soon.....I hope!

Quiet the voices!

Today I have doubt!  I added something to my plate 2 weeks ago and I am struggling to manage it all.  I am my own worst enemy when it comes to taking on too much.  As a result, my mind is constantly racing, I can't remember what I set out to do & at the end of the day I feel like I have accomplished nothing.

Last week was an "easy" week as far as the running schedule and I think my mind (as usual) thought I could handle whatever was on tap for this week.  Well, it's Monday & I am overwhelmed and disappointed already.  

My plan today was to drop the kids off & head out for my speed work.  As any mother knows, kids inevitably don't always make your best laid plans reality.  "I" was sick this morning which meant no run for me.  With her home, I couldn't stay focused on doing what needed to be done for the day.  As the voices started to crowd my every thought, I became more overwhelmed.  

Have I mentioned, I'm a stress eater!  Not a good day on that front either.  As any sane person would do, I talked to myself, identifying my need to get out and pound the pavement. So with the kids fed, bathed & left to finish homework, I hit the track.  Remember, I stress ate today.....

So there I was, 6:45pm, high 90s starting my run that I knew I didn't have time to complete but wanted to get at least half of the scheduled 10x1000s done.  I warmed up for 2 miles and started my first 1000m.  I literally could feel myself about to get sick!  Again, the voices, I wasn't going to make it, what was I thinking I could train like this AND qualify for Boston.  Why can't I EVER say NO!  I quit the run after only 2.64 miles.  Pathetic!

My hope was a run would clear my head & in some respect it did.  I know there will be tough days and probably be frequent at this point in my training but I made a commitment and intend to see it through, voices be damned!

The debate my inner voices are having now is whether or not to attempt the workout again tomorrow after going to boot camp.  Hmmmm, I'll keep you posted.

I'm a slacker!

I don't know what's harder, training for this marathon or getting my posts done!

Its been so long since my last post, I don't even remember what I ran last week.  I blame the Hottest Half marathon.  I seriously don't remember Monday at all!  I had to go into the training log to refresh my memory.

Here is what I did:
Tuesday - 5x1 mile
What?!  Didn't they hear I ran the Hottest Half on Sunday?!  This sounded on paper as ridiculous as it actually was, but okay.  I put my headphones in and pressed on.  I have to confess I only made it 4x1.  My miles were suppose to be 7:45-7:55.....um okay.  I had my watch & my phone tracking my progress.  The watch said I was close, 7:56.   The phone said I ran 8:00.  I'm going with the watch!  What does my iPhone know?!

Wednesday - 9 miles with a pace of 8:30/8:40 for 6 miles
I seriously wanted to cut this run short by 3 miles but my running partner that morning was not hearing it!  Thank you!  It is really taking a village to get me through this training.

Friday - 6 miles
Finally, an easy 6 miles!

Then there was Saturday - 18 miles
Yep, that's not a typo & again it took a village.  I am so thankful for a group of great runners willing to see that I'm not out there alone.  Some of them started with me & other met me halfway and finished with me.  Then there was one that ran start to finish with me and THEN kept going for another 17 miles.  How long did it take you to do the math?!  That's 35 miles folks.  Now THAT is crazy!  When I headed out to the soccer tournament at 9:30 that morning, I passed him on the road still running!

There was no rest for my legs at all the rest of the weekend.  "I" & her teamed played in the Plano Labor Day Soccer tournament.  6 games over 3 days, 4 separate fields & in the Finals they went to double overtime and finally Penalty Kicks.  It was a long weekend but they came home with 2nd Place and parents that couldn't have been more proud.

Ok, I got a little rest of my legs!

Tuesday morning came thinking it was Monday and all the craziness that is our house on a school morning.  "I" was exhausted and complaining of her feet & legs hurting.  As the mature, nurturing and compassionate mom that I am, I looked at her and said "Really?!  Did you hear me complain this weekend about my tired & sore legs?  Suck it up and get your backpack!"  Mom of the Year, right here!

Ok, she did a "little" running!