Marathon training weeks 10 and 11
Week 10:
Sunday:
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 27 mile bike/10 mile hike at The Deuce adventure non-race. Pleasantly surprised that my legs would still operate after my 21 mile run the day before.
Monday:
Scheduled: 2 mile easy run
Actual: (crickets) *Note: I tried putting the word "crickets" in these <>, but unfortunately the computer doesn't recognize HTML for the sound. :( On the other hand, it closed my tags for me.
Wednesday:
Scheduled: 7mile tempo run
Actual: (crickets)
Saturday:
Scheduled: 20 mile long run
Actual: 7ish mile mountain bike ride. Guess we'll file that under cross-training.
Sunday:
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 13.1 trail miles at Quivering Quads. Decide to call this week a recovery week and skip the remaining 7 miles I owe my training plan from Saturday.
Week 11:
Monday:
Scheduled: 2 mile easy run
Actual: Haha haha haha. Yeah, right.
Tuesday:
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 4 mile attempt at Wednesday's speedwork. Must've twisted my ankle more than I thought at QQ because it was really bothering me during this treadmill run. Decided at this point in training it was smarter to call it a day than to push through and possibly injure myself/make it worse. I did manage a 7:54 mile, though, before barely getting in the second mile in 8:57. Definitely can't sustain a fast pace for more than a mile...yet.
Wednesday:
Scheduled: 8 miles speedwork
Actual: (crickets)
Thursday:
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 8 miles on stationary bike
Saturday:
Scheduled: 20 mile long run
Actual: looking at colleges with oldest son. No WAY am I old enough for this!
And 15 measly minutes of the Wii "My Fitness Coach" workout game with J, who wanted to "get some exercise". How humbling!! It definitely showed me that, while my running has improved, my flexibility and core have degraded big time. We were supposed to do pushups using a stability ball...it was all I could do to get my legs on the ball and stay steady, let alone do many pushups. My abs are still complaining today.
Sunday:
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 20.2 miles
Sunday's run was great (well, as great as running 20 miles is going to get for me), though at first I wasn't sure how it would go. It had snowed on Saturday, and I was not looking forward to running it snow on Sunday.
I didn't let the cold or snow stop me much this winter, but once we had our first 70 degree day, winter was OVER in my mind. Winter, unfortunately, is having a little trouble accepting the breakup.
When I left for church, it still looked like this out:
...but it was all gone when I left church. Don't feel too relieved for me, though...snow is once again in the forecast for tomorrow. Anyway, I was happy to see it gone for the run.
If you remember, my last 20 mile run ended with 3 miles of tears. This one ended with a smile (but boy, oh boy, was I glad to be finished!). I met up with a woman I met through the tri club and ran in town. As I left the house, I told my husband and son I'd see them in about 4 hours. D said, "You better hope you like this lady! That could be awkward for 4 hours otherwise."
It's funny how nerve-wracking it can be to run with someone new. It's a rare day, indeed, when I run out of things to talk about, but I do worry about compatible paces. Most of the people I run with are way faster, but Judy and I were pretty much right on target. We ran two loops; first we did a 12-mile loop and then finishing up with 8. All of the run was on our local bike trails. These are nicely paved and, for the most part, very smooth. Up until my last long run, all of my long runs have been on dirt trails. My hope was that it would make training easier on my knees. My shorter runs have been on roads or on the treadmill. Now I'm transitioning to the road so I'm prepared for the harder surface come marathon day.
All in all, it was a good run. I felt pretty strong for the first 15 miles, OK for the next two, and really ready to be finished for the last three. By then my knee was bothering me some, but it wasn't unbearable. My ankle, which I'd been worried about, stayed quiet (possibly under the influence of ibuprofen, but I'll take it!), and I could've finished 26.2 miles...if I'd had to. I'm sure there would've been more walking involved. Unlike my last two long runs, though, this was a confidence builder. I finished much stronger than before. Finally! I'm sure having company was a big help.
My marathon plan starts tapering this week, but it's built around a 4/10 marathon, and mine won't be until 5/1. I figure I'll just repeat variations of the past two weeks' plan (hopefully actually getting in all of the workouts this time) before starting to taper. So, two more 20ish mile runs. I'd like to get in one that's a bit longer, maybe 22 or 23. My plan never goes above 20, but the way I've felt at the end of the last couple long runs I'd just feel better having one longer run in.
I'm definitely ready to be finished training for this. Up until the past few weeks it hasn't been too demanding, but these 4 hour training runs are a long time to be away from home, especially when running isn't the only thing going on. As I said on facebook, it's starting to feel like the last month of a pregnancy, when you're just so ready to be DONE. On the other hand, I'm excited for the experience. ...and yeah, a little nervous about birthing this baby. At least the marathon won't take me 11 hours of labor!
Sunday:
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 27 mile bike/10 mile hike at The Deuce adventure non-race. Pleasantly surprised that my legs would still operate after my 21 mile run the day before.
Monday:
Scheduled: 2 mile easy run
Actual: (crickets) *Note: I tried putting the word "crickets" in these <>, but unfortunately the computer doesn't recognize HTML for the sound. :( On the other hand, it closed my tags for me.
Wednesday:
Scheduled: 7mile tempo run
Actual: (crickets)
Saturday:
Scheduled: 20 mile long run
Actual: 7ish mile mountain bike ride. Guess we'll file that under cross-training.
 |
| (not me) |
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 13.1 trail miles at Quivering Quads. Decide to call this week a recovery week and skip the remaining 7 miles I owe my training plan from Saturday.
 |
| Photo credit: Chuck Vohsen |
Week 11:
Monday:
Scheduled: 2 mile easy run
Actual: Haha haha haha. Yeah, right.
Tuesday:
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 4 mile attempt at Wednesday's speedwork. Must've twisted my ankle more than I thought at QQ because it was really bothering me during this treadmill run. Decided at this point in training it was smarter to call it a day than to push through and possibly injure myself/make it worse. I did manage a 7:54 mile, though, before barely getting in the second mile in 8:57. Definitely can't sustain a fast pace for more than a mile...yet.
Wednesday:
Scheduled: 8 miles speedwork
Actual: (crickets)
Thursday:
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 8 miles on stationary bike
Saturday:
Scheduled: 20 mile long run
Actual: looking at colleges with oldest son. No WAY am I old enough for this!
And 15 measly minutes of the Wii "My Fitness Coach" workout game with J, who wanted to "get some exercise". How humbling!! It definitely showed me that, while my running has improved, my flexibility and core have degraded big time. We were supposed to do pushups using a stability ball...it was all I could do to get my legs on the ball and stay steady, let alone do many pushups. My abs are still complaining today.Sunday:
Scheduled: Rest/XT
Actual: 20.2 miles
Sunday's run was great (well, as great as running 20 miles is going to get for me), though at first I wasn't sure how it would go. It had snowed on Saturday, and I was not looking forward to running it snow on Sunday.
 |
| It really was a beautiful snow...but come on! |
 |
| Mother Nature laughs at our Spring Fever |
 |
| Unquestionably beautiful |
If you remember, my last 20 mile run ended with 3 miles of tears. This one ended with a smile (but boy, oh boy, was I glad to be finished!). I met up with a woman I met through the tri club and ran in town. As I left the house, I told my husband and son I'd see them in about 4 hours. D said, "You better hope you like this lady! That could be awkward for 4 hours otherwise."
It's funny how nerve-wracking it can be to run with someone new. It's a rare day, indeed, when I run out of things to talk about, but I do worry about compatible paces. Most of the people I run with are way faster, but Judy and I were pretty much right on target. We ran two loops; first we did a 12-mile loop and then finishing up with 8. All of the run was on our local bike trails. These are nicely paved and, for the most part, very smooth. Up until my last long run, all of my long runs have been on dirt trails. My hope was that it would make training easier on my knees. My shorter runs have been on roads or on the treadmill. Now I'm transitioning to the road so I'm prepared for the harder surface come marathon day.
 |
| Typical of our trails |
My marathon plan starts tapering this week, but it's built around a 4/10 marathon, and mine won't be until 5/1. I figure I'll just repeat variations of the past two weeks' plan (hopefully actually getting in all of the workouts this time) before starting to taper. So, two more 20ish mile runs. I'd like to get in one that's a bit longer, maybe 22 or 23. My plan never goes above 20, but the way I've felt at the end of the last couple long runs I'd just feel better having one longer run in.
I'm definitely ready to be finished training for this. Up until the past few weeks it hasn't been too demanding, but these 4 hour training runs are a long time to be away from home, especially when running isn't the only thing going on. As I said on facebook, it's starting to feel like the last month of a pregnancy, when you're just so ready to be DONE. On the other hand, I'm excited for the experience. ...and yeah, a little nervous about birthing this baby. At least the marathon won't take me 11 hours of labor!
 |
| At least marathon training doesn't last 9 monts! |
Funny comparison to the last month of a pregnancy. Hadn't thought of it that way. It is how I am feeling about winter too!
ReplyDeleteGood job on the training, you'll get in more of those longs ones I am sure and then taper will be a huge relief! Cute picture of you pregnant.
ReplyDeleteGreat run! 20+ miles is very impressive. Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds like a confidence booster indeed. Well done with the long run. They can be tough, that’s why I do most of mine in races. A 22 miler sounds like a good idea. Happy training! I hope the snow stays away now.
ReplyDeleteHaha! I like the analogy :)
ReplyDeleteOh and I am so over winter!
Your training is really coming along well and your cross-training rocks! I've got 8 weeks left until my first marathon and I've yet to do all the really long runs. A little scared and excited at the same time :)
http://anne-asthmaandthegiftofrunning.blogspot.com/
I love the pic of you jumping over the little creek. Good job on your run.
ReplyDeleteIt never fails when I'm running with someone new...I ALWAYS find something to talk about to fill all those minutes (hours)!
Why even have a training plan? :) Your actual training is more entertaining anyway!
ReplyDeletegreat run!
ReplyDeleteWell 15 minutes of Wii fitness is kinda the same as a 20 mile run.
ReplyDeleteI think you will be fine. You are right on track to do well. I missed a couple when I was training for my first marathon and I did fine. Of course, that was five years ago.
Such a cute picture at the end there. At least I feel better about my core possibly being in better shape since I do mostly core excersising.... there's THAT....
ReplyDeletePS - What color is your cape??