First and foremost, no, I did not run 20 miles this weekend. My training partner's back is injured and so we chose to delay that run for a few weeks. The good news is, everything's on the mend and we'll be off logging more miles in no time.
I did however go crazy with my running this weekend. I ended up calling another runner on Friday night and we ended up running an "easy" 10 miler on Saturday morning. Sounds good, right? Well, that was my "warm-up" for the 5K race I also ran that morning...
That's right folks, I went out and ran 10 miles at 5am and then ran a 5K race at 7:30am. Why you ask? Truthfully, just to see if I could do it. I wasn't interested in running my best 5K time that morning, I really just wanted to have fun. I still did pretty good considering the pre-race warm-up that I did.
26:07 was my "official" time, however, my watch said 25:59. Whatever the time was, it was still 10 minutes faster than my first 5K ever (3 years ago) and there was no way I was running ANY kind of distance before that race back then.
Back to normal this week and hopefully I'll get that 20 in sooner rather than later!
A side note to my blog tonight, Sarah wanted you to see this of Emma. She was having trouble uploading it to Emma's blog so I put it here. It is pure magic. Enjoy!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Ok, More Delayed Blogging
After countless inquiries about how I’ve been doing running I am back to blogging. Ok, really just two - sorry Sarah and Mom!
Since my last update I have logged over 37 miles - that’s in one week’s time! This included the 18 miler last Saturday. 18 miles, I still have a hard time wrapping my head around that distance. And that’s knowing I’m still 8.2 miles shy of the marathon distance.
The 18 miler. Well, it all started at 3 am on Saturday. That’s what time I woke up to prep for the run. I left the house earlier than usual to drop off a water break bag. By 4 am we were off and running. We started with an easy 6 mile loop back to the gym. When we got back we picked up more company and headed out for the final 12. Nothing really exciting happened during our miles out. We did have two deer run out in the road in front of us in one of the sub-divisions we run through. We’re pretty sure one was a buck, which is unusual for me to see - I usually only come across does and fawns. That was cool. An advantage to running so early in the morning is how quiet everything is and all the wildlife I come across.
Our run time totaled 3:10:06 for the 18 miler. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good after we finished. My legs and feet were certainly hurting as we were nearing the finish, but it’s funny how 10-15 minutes later the pain subsides. I was a little sore on Sunday, but not as bad as I thought I would be.
This week has been a fairly easy week. This weekend will be a busy one. The annual Heartland Festival 5K is on Saturday. I have come to dislike 5Ks as I become a more experienced runner. For those who don’t know, a 5K is 3.1 miles. I do not enjoy the first few miles of a run. Yes, it’s true...there are parts of running I don’t enjoy. The joy I find in running is the overall experience. I have found, the further I go the more I love it! A 5K is too short. It’s an all out sprint for 3.1 miles. I have vomited more times from running a 5K than any other distance. So you ask, why am I running then? Well, I actually see it as a tradition. This 5K was the first one I ever ran 3 years ago and I feel like I have to keep that up. Plus, I’m planning on using it as my speedwork session for the week.
Although, I won’t be going that fast...because I will be doing my weekly long run the next morning. How long you ask? Well, 20 miles. That’s right, 20 miles the day after a 5K. I must be insane. I am still not sure why I want to punish myself like this, but I also look forward to the challenge. Besides, only 7 more weeks until the marathon.
Since my last update I have logged over 37 miles - that’s in one week’s time! This included the 18 miler last Saturday. 18 miles, I still have a hard time wrapping my head around that distance. And that’s knowing I’m still 8.2 miles shy of the marathon distance.
The 18 miler. Well, it all started at 3 am on Saturday. That’s what time I woke up to prep for the run. I left the house earlier than usual to drop off a water break bag. By 4 am we were off and running. We started with an easy 6 mile loop back to the gym. When we got back we picked up more company and headed out for the final 12. Nothing really exciting happened during our miles out. We did have two deer run out in the road in front of us in one of the sub-divisions we run through. We’re pretty sure one was a buck, which is unusual for me to see - I usually only come across does and fawns. That was cool. An advantage to running so early in the morning is how quiet everything is and all the wildlife I come across.
Our run time totaled 3:10:06 for the 18 miler. Surprisingly, I felt pretty good after we finished. My legs and feet were certainly hurting as we were nearing the finish, but it’s funny how 10-15 minutes later the pain subsides. I was a little sore on Sunday, but not as bad as I thought I would be.
This week has been a fairly easy week. This weekend will be a busy one. The annual Heartland Festival 5K is on Saturday. I have come to dislike 5Ks as I become a more experienced runner. For those who don’t know, a 5K is 3.1 miles. I do not enjoy the first few miles of a run. Yes, it’s true...there are parts of running I don’t enjoy. The joy I find in running is the overall experience. I have found, the further I go the more I love it! A 5K is too short. It’s an all out sprint for 3.1 miles. I have vomited more times from running a 5K than any other distance. So you ask, why am I running then? Well, I actually see it as a tradition. This 5K was the first one I ever ran 3 years ago and I feel like I have to keep that up. Plus, I’m planning on using it as my speedwork session for the week.
Although, I won’t be going that fast...because I will be doing my weekly long run the next morning. How long you ask? Well, 20 miles. That’s right, 20 miles the day after a 5K. I must be insane. I am still not sure why I want to punish myself like this, but I also look forward to the challenge. Besides, only 7 more weeks until the marathon.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Back Running, Delayed Blogging
Finally, I’m back writing about my marathon training adventure!
I’ve been back running for the past week and I have not run longer than 6 miles. The good news is my foot is not bothering me. (For an extended period.) I know, I know, it’s not 100%...so why am I running? Well, I have been very careful with my runs and my recovery and I am comfortable that I am not doing any harm to myself.
The real test was this morning. We went for the 6 miler this morning. I could tell that my foot was giving me some trouble about mile 1. The red flag went up and all I could do was concentrate on my foot. Which of course seems to mentally make the problem bigger than it really is. I focused on my foot for the next mile and decided that if it got too bad, I’d turn around and go back. Fortunately we started chatting about whatever it is we talk about to get us through the miles and the discomfort went away. I focused back on my foot - felt the discomfort again - then focused on something else and it went away again. Then, between miles 4 and 5, I didn’t feel anything...not even when I focused on my foot! I finished the run - at a pretty quick pace - and my foot was not giving me any trouble. The best part, I have not had one issue walking around today at all!
I’m not sure if this is a fluke or if I just needed a good run to “work out the kinks.” I’ll know more tomorrow - the last “short” run before the 18 miler on Saturday...
I’ve been back running for the past week and I have not run longer than 6 miles. The good news is my foot is not bothering me. (For an extended period.) I know, I know, it’s not 100%...so why am I running? Well, I have been very careful with my runs and my recovery and I am comfortable that I am not doing any harm to myself.
The real test was this morning. We went for the 6 miler this morning. I could tell that my foot was giving me some trouble about mile 1. The red flag went up and all I could do was concentrate on my foot. Which of course seems to mentally make the problem bigger than it really is. I focused on my foot for the next mile and decided that if it got too bad, I’d turn around and go back. Fortunately we started chatting about whatever it is we talk about to get us through the miles and the discomfort went away. I focused back on my foot - felt the discomfort again - then focused on something else and it went away again. Then, between miles 4 and 5, I didn’t feel anything...not even when I focused on my foot! I finished the run - at a pretty quick pace - and my foot was not giving me any trouble. The best part, I have not had one issue walking around today at all!
I’m not sure if this is a fluke or if I just needed a good run to “work out the kinks.” I’ll know more tomorrow - the last “short” run before the 18 miler on Saturday...
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Awful News
Well, not awful, awful, but not good either. I’m off running for a few days. Possibly a week. I couldn’t be more down and out about it either.
This all started on Monday when I finished running a relatively easy 5 miler. I noticed a slight pain in my left foot. I rubbed it when I went got home and didn’t think about it again. I didn’t run on Tuesday, so Wednesday morning came and I was ready for the speed work. We were running a total of 7 miles with 4-1 mile repeats. What a killer workout! So killer, that it may have been the reason I am not running for a while. I could feel the pain returning in my foot at the end and took note.
Cut to this morning. I went out for an easy, and I mean easy, 4 mile run. As I started, I noticed my foot a bit, but it wasn’t “hurting.” In fact, I went a few miles without noticing it at all. However, we did take a walk break and I definitely noticed it there. I then mentioned something to the other runners about having some foot trouble and that I was going to the running store today. I didn’t know if I was getting new shoes or if I was going to pick up some inserts for my shoes. All I did know was that my foot was hurting and it was time to do something about it before I ended up at the doctor.
Before I go further, it is important to know I am severely flat footed. My pain is in my arch (or lack there of) and it’s tender to any pressure put on it.
So I stopped by Swags to ask about my foot and look at shoes. When I got there, I started talking to one of the employees that I trust (Steve). He was asking about what I was doing, how much I’d run and how often. He told me right off that I didn’t need new shoes. If I wasn’t having trouble before with my foot, then it’s not the shoes. He did say that it sounded like I stressed the ligament in my foot. He suggested that I ice it and take a few days off from running. Which led me to ask (in a way that I knew the answer but didn’t really want to know), “Does this mean no running this weekend?” To which he promptly replied, “Yes!” He went on to tell me that the goal of marathon training is to MAKE IT TO THE STARTING LINE. He also let me know that training for a marathon constantly toes the line with injury and that overdoing it will get you across that line.
Crap.
The logical side of my brain said - better to take a few days off than 3 or 4 weeks - while my heart says no way! Of course, this time my logical side will win. I got some good advice on my training when we talked about my schedule which I can go back to the others with. Now I just have to break the news to my training partners that I won’t be there for a few days. What is especially painful is that I was really looking forward to the 18 miler this weekend. Now that is not to be - for now. I’ll get there soon. Even sooner because I’m going to listen to my body and take a break, get better and get back out there even stronger!
This all started on Monday when I finished running a relatively easy 5 miler. I noticed a slight pain in my left foot. I rubbed it when I went got home and didn’t think about it again. I didn’t run on Tuesday, so Wednesday morning came and I was ready for the speed work. We were running a total of 7 miles with 4-1 mile repeats. What a killer workout! So killer, that it may have been the reason I am not running for a while. I could feel the pain returning in my foot at the end and took note.
Cut to this morning. I went out for an easy, and I mean easy, 4 mile run. As I started, I noticed my foot a bit, but it wasn’t “hurting.” In fact, I went a few miles without noticing it at all. However, we did take a walk break and I definitely noticed it there. I then mentioned something to the other runners about having some foot trouble and that I was going to the running store today. I didn’t know if I was getting new shoes or if I was going to pick up some inserts for my shoes. All I did know was that my foot was hurting and it was time to do something about it before I ended up at the doctor.
Before I go further, it is important to know I am severely flat footed. My pain is in my arch (or lack there of) and it’s tender to any pressure put on it.
So I stopped by Swags to ask about my foot and look at shoes. When I got there, I started talking to one of the employees that I trust (Steve). He was asking about what I was doing, how much I’d run and how often. He told me right off that I didn’t need new shoes. If I wasn’t having trouble before with my foot, then it’s not the shoes. He did say that it sounded like I stressed the ligament in my foot. He suggested that I ice it and take a few days off from running. Which led me to ask (in a way that I knew the answer but didn’t really want to know), “Does this mean no running this weekend?” To which he promptly replied, “Yes!” He went on to tell me that the goal of marathon training is to MAKE IT TO THE STARTING LINE. He also let me know that training for a marathon constantly toes the line with injury and that overdoing it will get you across that line.
Crap.
The logical side of my brain said - better to take a few days off than 3 or 4 weeks - while my heart says no way! Of course, this time my logical side will win. I got some good advice on my training when we talked about my schedule which I can go back to the others with. Now I just have to break the news to my training partners that I won’t be there for a few days. What is especially painful is that I was really looking forward to the 18 miler this weekend. Now that is not to be - for now. I’ll get there soon. Even sooner because I’m going to listen to my body and take a break, get better and get back out there even stronger!
Sunday, August 2, 2009
A Crazy 16 Miles
First and foremost, I made it. Another record distance for me! And I actually felt better when I was done with this run than I was with the 14 miler.
But on to the craziness...
This was, without a doubt, the wildest run I've ever had in my life. It all began at 3:15 am (yes am) when I woke up to get to the gym so we could be running at 4:00 am. Nothing unusual there, just wanted to let you know how early I was up on Saturday! I was expecting two others to run the initial 6 miles with me and then meet up with the rest around 5:00 am to run the last 10. Only one showed up. Great! At least it wasn't just me! So we start out...slow! I was obsessive about keeping us at a 10:00 mpm pace or slower. 16 miles is a long way to go and I wanted to be sure to make it the full distance.
Honestly, the first 3-1/2 miles were uneventful. As we were running up Ring Road (a fairly busy 4 lane road with a "suicide" turning lane) I noticed a car coming toward us driving awfully close to the edge of the sidewalk. Then out of nowhere it drove INTO the curb and blew out it's front tire. It was very loud and it happened very quickly right in front of us! We ran off the road into the field to get as far way as possible. I'm pretty sure, based on the way the car was swerving, the driver was drunk. I wish I'd had my phone on me to call 911, but the only thing I was thinking at that moment was run and run away fast. (BTW - no one was injured, the idiot stopped in the middle of the road and changed his tire. Oh yeah, without any lights on. Where are the cops in Etown at 4:45 in the morning?) After we got some distance on the car I looked down at my watch and saw we were moving at a 9:00 mpm pace! Adrenaline, what a wonderful thing! We slowed back down to a reasonable pace and made our way back to the gym.
After a brief stop at the gym, we were off for the final 10. Soon after we started we were passing by McDonald's and noticed a group of kids running around. Each of them around 10-12 years old. Apparently they thought it would be funny to run with us. We asked them what they were doing out so early/late and one of them replied that they were bored at home. Hmmm. Then I said, "We're going 10 miles, are you up for that?" To which one of the kids said, "Oh yeah!" Then someone else asked them if they thought their parents would be ok with them running/talking to strangers. After that, they seemed to drop off and we didn't see them again. (Emma, I'm putting alarms on all the doors in the event you "get bored" at 5:00 am.)
Now, you'd think that would be all that happened...well, no, there is more. After our water stop we were running up a hill by Target. At the traffic light there were two cars full of (I'm guessing drunk at 6:00 am) college kids honking and hanging out their windows yelling at us - not in a mean way, but in a "Hey we've been out drinking all night and we don't mind making jackasses of ourselves" kind of way. Of course, all we could do was laugh and wonder what else can happen this morning?
We got the answer to that as we were running down the main road in Etown (31W). Someone drove by us honking and pointing at us like they knew us. Of course, none of us could figure out who that person was. But by then, we weren't surprised that it had happened.
Fortunately, the last 2-1/2 miles were uneventful. We made it in without anymore kids, drunks or horns honking. And just like that, the 16 miler was done. I honestly hope the 18 miler next weekend is not as wild as this run was. Who knew Etown could be such a crazy place!
But on to the craziness...
This was, without a doubt, the wildest run I've ever had in my life. It all began at 3:15 am (yes am) when I woke up to get to the gym so we could be running at 4:00 am. Nothing unusual there, just wanted to let you know how early I was up on Saturday! I was expecting two others to run the initial 6 miles with me and then meet up with the rest around 5:00 am to run the last 10. Only one showed up. Great! At least it wasn't just me! So we start out...slow! I was obsessive about keeping us at a 10:00 mpm pace or slower. 16 miles is a long way to go and I wanted to be sure to make it the full distance.
Honestly, the first 3-1/2 miles were uneventful. As we were running up Ring Road (a fairly busy 4 lane road with a "suicide" turning lane) I noticed a car coming toward us driving awfully close to the edge of the sidewalk. Then out of nowhere it drove INTO the curb and blew out it's front tire. It was very loud and it happened very quickly right in front of us! We ran off the road into the field to get as far way as possible. I'm pretty sure, based on the way the car was swerving, the driver was drunk. I wish I'd had my phone on me to call 911, but the only thing I was thinking at that moment was run and run away fast. (BTW - no one was injured, the idiot stopped in the middle of the road and changed his tire. Oh yeah, without any lights on. Where are the cops in Etown at 4:45 in the morning?) After we got some distance on the car I looked down at my watch and saw we were moving at a 9:00 mpm pace! Adrenaline, what a wonderful thing! We slowed back down to a reasonable pace and made our way back to the gym.
After a brief stop at the gym, we were off for the final 10. Soon after we started we were passing by McDonald's and noticed a group of kids running around. Each of them around 10-12 years old. Apparently they thought it would be funny to run with us. We asked them what they were doing out so early/late and one of them replied that they were bored at home. Hmmm. Then I said, "We're going 10 miles, are you up for that?" To which one of the kids said, "Oh yeah!" Then someone else asked them if they thought their parents would be ok with them running/talking to strangers. After that, they seemed to drop off and we didn't see them again. (Emma, I'm putting alarms on all the doors in the event you "get bored" at 5:00 am.)
Now, you'd think that would be all that happened...well, no, there is more. After our water stop we were running up a hill by Target. At the traffic light there were two cars full of (I'm guessing drunk at 6:00 am) college kids honking and hanging out their windows yelling at us - not in a mean way, but in a "Hey we've been out drinking all night and we don't mind making jackasses of ourselves" kind of way. Of course, all we could do was laugh and wonder what else can happen this morning?
We got the answer to that as we were running down the main road in Etown (31W). Someone drove by us honking and pointing at us like they knew us. Of course, none of us could figure out who that person was. But by then, we weren't surprised that it had happened.
Fortunately, the last 2-1/2 miles were uneventful. We made it in without anymore kids, drunks or horns honking. And just like that, the 16 miler was done. I honestly hope the 18 miler next weekend is not as wild as this run was. Who knew Etown could be such a crazy place!
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