weekend running

Friday's 8 miler felt effortless. Even though I had run the 2 previous days they were easier runs so my legs still felt fresh. Friday the temps were cool and there was no wind. All the makings for a fab run! I tried to hold a bit back because I knew I had a longer run the next morning and I was running these two a bit closer together than I should but my legs wouldn't listen. It felt fantastic and I finished with a ridiculous smile on my face.

Saturday morning I woke up late thanks to staying up to late watching scary movies. Goodness, I love cheesy horror films. The last 2 weeks of October are prime time horror cheese! Anyways, Maggie

this is how she sleeps on car rides to Ohio and back

the cutest and most annoying cat in the world thought it was time for us to wake up. Normally, she wants nothing to do with us unless she's bored.

It took me awhile but I finally made it out the door for my long run. Yeah, it was closer to noon than not at this point. It was rainy but warm and I didn't want to run but knew I had to (the schedule said so!). I wore my Nike running rain coat... big mistake... HUGE. It cleared up and became very warm less than halfway though and I started sweating through the coat. I was miserable. My legs were heavy, I was overheating, and I couldn't find my happy running place mentally. My head was all over the place. I didn't want to be on a long run which is the absolute worst. I can handle heavy, tired legs but when my head's not in the running game I'm ruined. The entire run I spent making deals with myself. "Just get to point... at the halfway point you'll... at this point you can walk..., etc. I spent a lot more time walking than I would have liked but at the end of the day I got 15 miles done. I may have been happy about mile 4-6 then it was over for me. I couldn't find the "sweet spot" and it was rough. The run didn't go as I had hoped but it was done and it was a heck of a lot more than a lot of other people did on Saturday. At least that's what I tried to tell myself.

It may not have been my day but it got done. We have good days, we have bad days, and we have those days that fall in between. I'm glad I didn't give up on myself no matter how I was feeling. And that says a lot.

the good and not so good from Sunday 16

The good and not so good from today:

good: Meeting friends and their little girl for brunch at a new-to-us restaurant; always a nice way to start a Sunday.

Bonus - they had gift certificates they graciously shared with us!

not so good: Having to wait until after 2pm to start 16 miles because I was too full from brunch

good: I got to try out some new running capris and runderwear (running underwear). The capris did well on their first long run.

not so good: major wedgie from said new runderwear :( This is a disappointment because I loved this brand previously.

good: When I woke up to check the weather the morning showers that were originally called for all week were now supposed to arrive mid-afternoon. Instead the skies cleared and the temperature wasn't completely freezing!

not so good: say it with me now. You know it's coming... WIND! 8 miles worth.

good: I ran 16 miles! This distance it a tough one for me mentally every training cycle and I'm always excited when I get through one.

not so good: my left toe blister returned with a vengeance despite my best efforts at prevention and there's now a right quad "twinge".

good: I met some nice runners on the way! I love nice runners!

good: There may have been minor inconveniences on today's 16 but I was able to break it up in manageable pieces that seemed to go by quickly. And on the last 4 miles my shuffle hit the song lottery. It's what I needed to finish strong.

This was to be my recovery week but I'm not feeling very recovered. I know it's because I had to fit too many miles at the end of the week back to back (x 2). Maybe this week I'll be better with spreading the miles out and having time for some actual cross-training. Here's hoping there's no crazy last minute trips (and I didn't just jinx myself by writing that).

Almost Easy

alternate title for this post:

Holy Hills

Chicago is not the only windy city

Today Pfitz wanted 15 miles with 12 at race pace. Of course it dictates this must be done after 12 on Thursday, and 6 "recovery" miles with 6 x 100 strides on Friday. After arriving in central Illinois Friday night I was one tired puppy and was in bed by 10:30 (which is very early for me!) Then I slept all the way until 9 am this morning. Wow. I haven't slept like that in a long time. So by the time I got myself dressed and fed then got my husband moving to take me to the path it was 10 am. You would like I would have problems with the heat and humidity leaving that late. Well the calendar may show the end of the August but it feels more like October out there today.

Going into this run I had a lot of excuses planned if it didn't go well. Just before getting here last night I realized I forgot my water belt - doh! Luckily there is a running store in Peoria that I had been once before and the in-laws were willing to drive a bit out of the way to go there before going to dinner Friday night. Unfortunately I picked up the wrong size and had some issues early in the run when the bottles were full. Then I have the joy of being a girl happening this week (too much info?) which makes long runs just oh so enjoyable. Next up, the hills. Chicago is flat as a pancake, central Illinois is not. Finally at the turnaround I faced crazy obnoxious wind for my remaining 7 1/2 miles. No wonder the first 7 felt so easy! Despite all my planned excuses I hit or bettered race pace with the exception of miles 4, 8, and 12 where I slowed to take my shot bloks and GU gushers! The only miles I really struggled were 2, a warm-up mile, and 13, the last race pace mile where I just wanted to be done. Most miles I had to slow myself down b/c I was running my 1/2 marathon race pace, not marathon. The legs felt great even as I got tired toward the end. This run was a huge confidence booster. Lately I've really doubted my goal for Chicago and was extremely doubtful that I would even be able to maintain it for 12 miles on this run. But I nailed it and I am ecstatic!

It's official

I have made my final decision... The money is paid and it's official... I will be running the Wellstone's Dallas White Rock Marathon December 9th. 5 weeks until take 2.

Today was my long run of 15 miles. Got it done in just under 2 1/2 hours. These long runs are wearing me down mentally. It takes every last thing I've got to get out of the bed early and do the run. I guess it doesn't help that is now so cold in the mornings. Today's run was a wavering feeling between being happy to be out there to wondering why the heck am I continuing this training. The weather was nice running weather since I went out a bit later than usual (had to watch the finish of the U.S Men's Olympic Trials) it was cool but sunny. My left quad and hip are still giving me problems. Minor aches that turn to full blown stiffness and pain by mile 12. Otherwise an uneventful run and uneventful running is good!

In other news, had a nice date night Friday. Tried a new Italian restaurant by the movie theatre. The restaurant really wasn't that good which is really disappointing because the online reviews gave me such high hopes. Which reminds me I know need to go put my 2 cents in on that website :) We then caught American Gangster. Definitely a must see. Graphic violence so not for the little ones. But of course there was some parents there at a 9:40 movie with a 3 year old in tow. I will never understand...

Best of luck to all the NYC runners on Sunday!!!

First Long Run, round 2

Yesterday the new running clothes I ordered from Running Warehouse and Nike arrived! I love shopping!!! So of course I had to try something out on the run. Today I felt like a runner because I looked like a runner in my fancy new top :) I still run in the pair of shorts that I wear for all long runs and every race, I never change that. Although I probably should buy a second pair so I don't have to do the laundry as much. It felt weird to step into them this morning as it was the first time since marathon take 1. Anyways, I had 12 miles on the schedule and told myself if I wasn't feeling right I would only complete 10. I made it through all 12! It took exactly 2 hours. This is a little slower than I had been training before but exactly where I wanted to be today. I have to say it was a little lonely this morning - I actually miss seeing all the other training groups and having the path full with runners. It made me feel better that I wasn't the only crazy person out there training for a marathon. I know I'm not but it helped to actually see other people putting in the long miles right along with me even though we don't talk.

Starting out today I didn't have the initial heavy or rubber leg syndrome I have been having on the earlier runs since starting training all over. However the left hip started acting up around 4 miles which is much earlier in the run than in past trainings. I was still able to maintain my pace which was good. Just need to focus on my gait and do a better job of stretching that sucker. Then my left quad felt left out and wanted to let me know she wasn't too happy either. Hmm...that's a first in a long time. Probably still mad that I passed out and laid in a hospital bed for 36 hours without stretching after the 20 mile fun run :) Other than that my run was uneventful. I'm sore now maybe a little more than I should be after 12 miles but not so bad for the first time out in 2 weeks.

I will officially sign up for marathon part 1 take 2 after next week's long run. I want to make sure I am fully committed and able to complete 6 more weeks of training. Man, going into training back in April I fully expected to be done with this for now. Taking it easy and just running my 5k's and 10k's. Sure does a mental number on me to have to totally change my focus. 6 weeks, I can do this...