October 2020 – Run Read Repeat

Life after the Marathon

I ran a marathon, now what?? There was so much anticipation and build up to the big day. Many weeks of training, tweaking nutrition and hydration. My family was all in with me and super supportive along the way. Before the marathon I really had no idea how I would physically feel in the days after. While I knew it was just part of my running journey, I also wondering what was next.

Pre-Marathon my plan was to take off the week following the marathon. Makes sense, right? My body would need to recover. When you have basically gone from training cycle to training cycle you seemingly lose the ability to take a week off.

The day after

Truth be told the day after I was exhausted. Just flat out tired. But let’s be real for a moment- we are living in a pandemic, that in and of itself is both mentally and physically exhausting. Add to that at the height of my mileage and training I started subbing at school anywhere from 2-3 days a week. Translation- I had to get up even earlier to make sure I got my runs done. I’m not complaining, I’m simply pointing out that there should be absolutely no surprise that I was exhausted. So how did I take it easy on Sunday morning??? My oldest had religious school with parent participation via Zoom. No biggie. Just meant being up, showered, and presentable. Up next going to the farm at school to pick vegetables for the Maryland Food Bank. We were assigned to pick pumpkins. Super fun- and the farthest point on the farm. Surprisingly I was only mildly sore- specifically my hamstrings were super tight and my left knee was sore. However, the weather was beautiful and the boys were so excited to be there. It was a sense of “normal,” in these otherwise not normal times. After the farm we had lunch and I decided a movie was in order! Some quiet time on the couch was good and everyone got to take a breather for a bit. But then, I felt like I needed to get moving. Remember those pesky rings on my Apple Watch that I’m obsessed with closing. They were just staring at me. So I got on the treadmill and started walking. Not a brisk pace but I solid pace. Before I knew it I had walked four miles. Rings were closed and I felt good.

I’ll pause here for a moment. Back in May I ran a half marathon as a virtual race- the day after I couldn’t think about walking. That’s the last day I didn’t close my rings. That is now more than 180 days ago. Yet, the day after running a MARATHON, I was walking four miles on the treadmill?? What had changed in 5 months. Well, in April I ran my first 100 mile month. In order to get there I had pushed hard that last week in April. I ran way more than I normally would leading up to a half marathon race effort. Meaning, there had been no taper and my legs were TIRED!! Heck my whole body was tired! It was just beginning to get used to higher mileage. From May to October I’ve been consistently running 130 miles a month. My body both mentally and physically has gotten more accustomed to longer efforts. What I think about as a long run has mentally changed. Ok, this isn’t to say that running a marathon wasn’t CRAZY hard. It was hard, but when race day came around I knew it was going to be more mentally challenging than physically challenging. I had the confidence in my training plan and body that I was physically capable of going the distance. Remaining committed to following the plan- the minimal effective dose that Suzy of Run Lift Mom Pod recommends is what gave me that confidence. Lastly, as with anything the more you do something the easier it gets, right?? I’m constantly reminded of the quote: “What seems impossible today will one day be your warmup!”

So, my plan to take the week “off” wasn’t really going to happen. Yet, I knew I had to truly allow my body some rest from such a major effort. But I also knew that I could have a somewhat active recovery- walking, stretching and some continued strength training seemed reasonable. Mentally I was thinking that by Wednesday I would like to try to run a little bit. So how’d the week shape up??

Monday- 2 mile walk. Feeling good, still taking it easy.
Tuesday- 30 minutes of strength training- kettle bell lifting
Wednesday- 3.1 mile run outside. Which means I ran faster than intended. But I felt good. Still a little tight.
Thursday- Because the struggle is real for me to run every day I planned to run again today. Fortunately, I got called into sub bright and early. But that didn’t mean I wasn’t going to still get 30 minutes of movement in during the day. I packed my sneakers (yes, I call them sneakers, not tennis shoes because I’m not playing tennis in them) in the car. On one of my breaks, in my dress I power walked around campus in the crazy humidity. It wasn’t pretty. My glasses were fogged nearly the entire time and my hair was a hot mess when I got back to the classroom, but I got moving!
Friday- Four mile treadmill run. I’ve started to really enjoy playing with the programs. I was for a while so concerned with the time that I would just run the same pace, same incline (uh I mean no incline) all of the time. But now I enjoy the ability to use the incline and run at different paces. Every run isn’t a race!!
Saturday- Back outside for a solid four miles. Feeling remarkable good and reflecting back on the fact that just one week ago I was running my first marathon. PS the weather this Saturday was nearly 20 degrees warmer and crazy humid. I couldn’t be happier that I ran last week!!
Sunday- Well, 8 days post marathon seems like a good time to run a virtual 10K, right?? Each year we participate in Race for Our Kids. It’s become a family affair. So bright and early I ran my 10K at what I’m fairly certain was a PR 50:16. I was chasing sub 50 because, why not but I was more than happy with 50:16. The boys then each did a mile run/walk as well and were so proud to earn their medals.

So that’s how the week broke down in regards to the activity and how I was feeling physically. But mentally, there was so much to process. I had actually done it!! I was super proud of being physically able to go the distance. I was feeling grateful for having the ability to run. Each run is truly a blessing (yes, even the bad ones!). Lately, I’ve also been reflecting on the larger impact that running has had not only for me but for my family. I see the pride that my husband and boys have for me and my accomplishments. They are the first to brag about me and my efforts. My boys will tell anyone who listens that Mommy ran a marathon.

But it’s more than that. The boys have the bug to get involved in running/walking too. Many if not all races offer the opportunity to discuss philanthropy and the importance of doing for others. For example, the NYC Marathon has become so much more than running five bridges and five Burroughs. It became the way to talk about Alzheimer’s with the boys in an age appropriate way. But also for me to raise awareness and funds. So it also became the tool to talk about raising money for a cause with the boys. . They know that we give of our time to the organizations that are important to us, but this was a way to talk about how giving financially and encouraging others to give is also important.

Personally, running has truly become an outlet. Sure there is the physical component of getting moving each day which is important and I desire every day. But it also allows me the time in my head to think and be in a way that I haven’t done in a long time. Of late, especially through the course of marathon training- each hard effort was more than about me. Was it physically hard, yes! But am I blessed to be physically and mentally able to run? Also, yes. Negotiating the emotions of having a parent with Alzheimer’s are no joke. When I made the mental shift that the marathon was all about my Dad, it became so much more than running 26.2 miles. Dare I say, it seems less important now to actually run in NY. That’s not to say I’m not eager to do so, but I set out to do what I wanted to do. I fundraised for the Alzheimer’s Association. I trained. I ran a marathon. I included my family in the effort. We all grew along the way. But I’m not done. We aren’t done. We will continue to raise awareness regarding Alzheimer’s. This is just the beginning of the journey.

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Top Picks in Marathon Gear

What to wear in general can be a struggle. What to wear when you are planning to run a race and know the weather/temperature is going to change throughout the run can be extra difficult. I had promised a follow up to my Marathon recap talking about what I wore and why.

In case you missed it this wasn’t your typically race environment. I had a great deal of flexibility in selecting what I was going to wear because I knew I was running a route that would enable me to stop home if necessary to change or lose a layer. If you are looking for ideas of what to wear at various temperatures when exercising outside- I wrote a post about this last year and you can take a read here.

Back to race day clothing logistics. The weather was calling for it to be dry, moderately windy and in the upper 30s to start. Some would shudder at the thought of upper 30s. I was elated. The anticipated temperature for when I finished was the upper 40s to low 50s. When selecting what to wear for running outside you really need to factor in at least 10-15 degrees warmer than the actual temperature to be properly dressed. So what was I thinking when I was making my choices?? 1) I wanted to be warm enough but not too warm, 2) Chafe free and 3) easy to change as the temperatures and I warmed up.

On top: I knew I wanted long sleeves. Unlike many of my other cooler weather runs this wasn’t just an out and back so if I got sweaty it was okay. I needed to keep my body temperature regulated without being too overheated or too cold. This called for the purple long sleeve Chill. The beauty of the Chill is that it is completely perforated providing ventilation. But it’s also long sleeves so it’s giving you a layer of protection. I know that by mile two my body normally warms up so this was going to be perfect! PS it is purple my favorite color and the color associated with the Alzheimer’s Association so it’s perfect on a number of levels. Not to mention it’s made from recycled materials so it’s even great for the environment.

For nearly ALL of my long runs- I’m talking anything over 7-8 miles you’ll find me in my Pewter All Star RC Bra. Don’t get me wrong I love all my All Star bras. But there is something about the recycled materials in this particular bra that make it hands down my favorite. Absolutely no rubbing, chafing or need to readjust. Put it on and run. (By the way all the other All Stars are the same in no chafing or readjusting, I think it’s just the fact that the Pewter is a touch softer that makes me gravitate to it.) Who wants to spend their run readjusting their bra??

As for the bottoms I started my run in 20 inch pocket light n tights. I totally prefer to run in light n tights for the pocket feature. While I also wore my Spibelt (more to come below) I would much rather have my phone in my pocket for easy access. Why these particular light n tights?? Again, the recycled component of these legging make them my favorite. No chafing, no adjusting and the bonus phone sized pockets on both legs. Also, on my 5’6 frame they hit me mid calf. It’s like pants but not quite. Again my thinking was being warm enough without being too warm.

Now, I certainly could have worn the light n tights the entire distance, but I knew that I was going to want to change my top about half way. Ultimately, when I stopped at home right after mile 7 I opted to change into a Havana tank and 8 inch Light n Tight Hustle Shorts. In hind sight I should have probably just changed my top but running into the house I felt so warm I opted to change both. Changing the bottoms was literally a game time decision. Overall I don’t think that it made a big difference either way. Each time I left the house I had to readjust to the temperature but ultimately I wasn’t too cold.

Why the Havana tank? Why Zyia Active discountinued my most beloved mesh tank I had to find an alternative that didn’t chafe my arm and was breathable. The Havana tank fits that bill. (PS so does the Copper Charge but it’s not as breathable and doesn’t come in purple.) There is nothing worse than chafing during a run. I’ve only had it happen once when I wore something that didn’t fit quite right. But my arm was RAW. No one wants that. The Havana Tank has been one of my steady go to tanks for running and didn’t disappoint on marathon day!!

So if you are wondering if the 8 inch Light n Tight Hustle shorts are just like Light n Tights…they are in fact. So basically I just took off one pair of Light n Tights for a shorter version. Still had the two great pockets on each leg and the compression that I love.

That concludes the “clothing portion” of the gear I used for my marathon. But indulge me for a moment and I’ll share the other items that got me through:

Spibelt : I cannot think of a long run/race that I’ve done without one of my Spibelts. I’ll let you in on a little secret- I don’t really like wearing a waist pack. But it’s a necessity. I tried MANY! Ultimately, Spibelt is the best for not moving around and holding everything I want it to on a run. Now I have several in different sizes, depending on whether I’m also carrying water bottles/gels.
Fitletic Water Bottles: Shhh don’t tell Spibelt but I like the Fitletic water bottles better. They have their own little “holsters” if you will that you put on your belt. So much easier for putting the water bottles back on the belt without having to take a lot of time and effort.
Balega Ultra Glide socks: Balega has a lot of different sock choices for runners. Like any good runner I tried them all. All kidding aside there are several Balega styles that I wear regularly but the Ultra Glide are my favorite!
New Balance Fresh Foam 1080v10: While I highly recommend going to a local running shop and being properly fitted for shoes, I’ll say these are my favorite. Ever since I started running again, nearly two years ago I’ve been wearing the 1080s. I saw them through the various changes and they are still good to my feet so I keep wearing them.
Aftershokz have been life changing. I can hear my podcast, book or music and still hear what’s going on around me at the same time. It’s the best of all worlds. Plus they are super comfortable and stay in place, even with glasses!
Road ID: While this isn’t technically gear, it’s kind of a necessity. I’m not trying to be a negative nelly- but lots of things can happen out on a run. So I feel more comfortable knowing that if something does happen, those who find me will be able to contact my family.
Momentum Jewelry: Also not technical gear but a motivational must. I’m obsessed with these wrap bracelets and wear them all of the time!
Sweaty Bands: If you’ve seen any of my sweaty selfies then you’ve seen me in a Sweaty Bands headband. I wear one on ALL of my runs (even under a hat). They help hold my hair in place and when it’s not long enough to pull back help to keep it off my neck. I love the variety of patterns. For the Marathon, the NYC Skyline seemed like the best pick!

And there you have it, what I wore, why I wore it and the products I love!!

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Officially a Marathoner

Marathon week is here!! Or shall I say virtual marathon week is here. The reality is I had big plans of running the NYC Marathon this year. I registered the week before Covid shut down major races for the foreseeable future. I had two choices 1) pout and feel sorry for myself or 2) lace up- keep training and fundraising and run the race virtually.

Many people say that you should be really intentional with your first marathon. A course that is desirable. A course with amazing fan support to keep you going. Well friends- I had a course that was around my very hilly neighborhood mapped out and my crowd support included some deer, a squirrel and a few dogs along the way. So this wasn’t quite the ideal marathon situation. But it was the best I could do for 2020 and I was determined to make the most of it!

In the days leading up to “race” day I stalked the weather like any runner to make sure it was going to be dry. And by days before I mean as soon as I could get the 10 day out forecast for Saturday, October 17 I was checking it a few times a day. Now, this is a completely silly practice as the weather changed multiple times during the week. At one point there was a threat of rain. But the weather ultimately would look perfect dry and cool, almost cold. My sweet spot for running!

The Day Before

I swore up and down that I wouldn’t sub the day before the race because I wanted to hydrate and rest. But part of me also knew that if I was home all day I’d be obsessing about running and maybe that wouldn’t be good either. Plus I was the mystery reader in my oldest son’s class. I’m guessing you can see how this went…I definitely wasn’t home twiddling my thumbs the day before race day. I was the sub for the librarian and ran around to make sure I was also available to read to my son’s class. His teacher inquired- are you really running a marathon tomorrow?? Yes, yes I am. At which time my son made sure to educate his classmates that a marathon is 26.2 miles. Got to love that boy being so proud of his Mommy!!

My big concern was making sure I got enough water in during the day. While I didn’t drink quite as much as I wanted to during the day, I made up for it when I got home. Hydration begins in the days leading up to a run/race!

Next big question- what’s for dinner?? I knew I wanted to have pasta for dinner. So I made a meat sauce on Thursday afternoon to keep it simple when I got home from school with the boys. Protein, carbs, water- good to go! Bread and pasta the night before seemed like the right combination!! Early to bed!

Race Morning

I got up early and enjoyed the quiet of the house. This is a rarity!! I wanted enough time to drink my “Green’s Cocktail,” eat, and drop off my hydration at the various friend’s houses along the route. I was a ball of emotions. If my nerves and emotions were this high for a virtual run, I can’t even imagine the “real” thing!! I sat and thought about how I got to this day. I’ve truly only been running again (for the first time since high school) for about 20 months. Running has truly become an outlet, especially during the pandemic. It was one sense of calm and norm. It was something I could control. Having a training cycle kept me focused. The marathon dream became my way of honoring my dad every time I lace up my shoes. When someone you love gets diagnosed with Alzheimer’s you feel completely helpless. There’s literally nothing you can do to make it better. Nothing you can do to change the outcome. You have no control. Running gave me a focus to work on fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Association- to focus my worry and energy on something positive. Needless to say, race day took on a whole new meaning when it stopped being about me but rather about Dad.

As promised the weather was cold and dry. I thrive in cold weather runs. It was close to 30 degrees colder than the day I ran my 20 miles. Crazy, right?? In my mind an absolute blessing!! I couldn’t be happier for the cooler temperatures. I keep saying how much I learned during that 20 miler and I intended to use it to my advantage for the marathon. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. Never in my life have I felt the way I did after the 20 miler. My body was clearly depleted when I finished so I knew two things 1) I didn’t want to feel like that again and 2) if I was going to add the additional six miles I needed to hydrate and use nutrition effectively!

While I had originally planned to wear my Camelbak I changed it up and went with my Spibelt and waist water bottles since I knew I had water/electrolytes every five miles. Huma Gel has been life changing. I struggled to find a gel/chew that didn’t cause digestive issues. I have had ZERO issues with Huma Gel, which is a HUGE relief! Stay tuned for a separate post where I’ll break down what I wore, when and why (yes there was quick change of gear at one of my rest stops)!

On your mark, get set, go

It’s go time! I look out the front door and I notice that the tree service company is here to take down two trees. Well, that’s an added obstacle to coming up and down the driveway. I put on New York, New York by Frank Sinatra and sang with the boys. Then I hit the road. I literally was teary eyed as I started because I truly couldn’t believe after all the prep this was really going to happen. This was literally the culmination of months of running, not just the last ten weeks of the training cycle. My why makes me emotional too. And this was providing some closure to 2020 racing.

I’m not going to lie, earlier this year there were tears shed about the marathon being canceled. I had to regroup mentally and figure out what it meant for me and my quest to run a marathon before my 40th birthday in January. With races being canceled the only real choice was to go virtual. But, let’s just for a moment stop and think about what this means. Less that .5% of Americans will run a marathon in their lifetime. 26.2 miles is FAR and I was determined to do it solo. I must definitely be crazy!!

While I love the cooler temperatures, I knew that it would imperative that I keep an eye on my pace. Cooler temperatures for me, generally means that I run faster. Faster isn’t better when you need to go the distance. A brief word on this topic. Since we’ve already covered the fact that I must be a little crazy to attempt a solo marathon let’s talk about pace and goals for completion. My most respected friend and running coach extraordinaire, Suzy’s advice for a first marathon is to have the goal to finish. Boom. Just focus on finishing. Now, this sounds good and if Suzy says to do it I’m going to do it. But, there was this piece of me that was chasing 4 hours. This just verifies that I am in fact crazy. A four hour, first marathon with zero crowd support. Sure. Anyway, when I ran the 20 miler training run I maintained a pace of 9:00-9:15 minutes per mile. I felt fine until around mile 18 when I clearly had tapped out. Many marathoners say they feel good until mile 18 and then hit the wall. This is generally an indication of a pace that’s not sustainable. But the way I was feeling during the 20 was for a variety of reasons- temperature, humidity, poor nutrition and hydration. For race day I had better temperature/humidity and a much better handle on nutrition and hydration. So I intended to try to maintain that pace.

Between the adrenaline and the cooler temperatures my first two miles were as you would imagine a little bit faster than my target pace. By mile three I settled into my goal pace and I was feeling good. Remember I was so concerned about staying hydrated?? Well, I was clearly hydrated because by mile four I was modifying my route because I knew I as going to need to stop home to go to the bathroom. No biggie. After months and months of running routes in and around my house I tagged on an extra mini loop so that when I hit my house I would have a little over 7 miles done. I called from the road please 1) open the garage and 2) unlock your car so I can get all the stuff I thought I was going to get at mile 10.

I went zipping into the house- that’s after I negotiated the tree workers in the yard. Decided to change to a Havana tank and light n tight hustle shorts out of my Chill shirt and Light n Tight leggings. I also ditched my hat. Refilled my water bottles. Drank some Phytosport and I was back out the door. Now to do the “right” side of my loop. At this point I was feeling really good. I was maintaining my pace and didn’t really have any complaints. Heck, I was even checking in live on Instagram.

That second loop was closer to six miles so when I reached the house again I was just pasted the half way point. Half a marathon down, half a marathon to go. I loved the mile markers that NYRR provided. It was fun to think about where along the “real” route I would be. So welcome to Queens.

Another stop at home. This time just to refill water, drink some Phytosport and to go to the bathroom. Oh, and I snagged a banana as well. As far as nutrition I was using the Huma Gel with x2 the electrolytes every five miles. My calves were cramping a little bit by the 13 mile mark so I though the potassium from the banana would help. Out the door again to do the first 7ish mile loop. The hills on this loop are pretty intense but with the more moderate pace totally doable. I had a few miles in this section that were closer to 9:40 per minute and some that approached 10 minutes a mile. But you know what, the goal was to finish. The mental challenge was to just keep going even when it got hard. That pesky left knee started to hurt and I started to get worried that it would prevent me from finishing. Just in case I haven’t said it recently running is just as much mental as it is physical.

So what was I doing to pass the time as I was running??? Well, I had finished the podcast that got me through my twenty so I decided to listen to a book. Yes, a book. And yes, every time I’ve told people that this is what I did I get a raised eyebrow. Listening to a book helps me to maintain my pace for longer distances and not go out too fast. Music gets me hyped up and then I run to fast and with this many miles I couldn’t risk running too fast. So I got through half of Edge of Evil by J.A. Jance. Little secret, I’ve never actually listened to an audio book. But it was perfect. I did listen to music for the last 3 miles or so because at that point I certainly needed to get hyped up!!

The next stop at home came at mile 21. This was very intentional. I added an extra little loop to make it 21 whenI hit the house instead of 20 because 5 miles to go after the stop seemed much more mentally possible than six. Yes, this was an actual conversation in my head. So at this point I had already run further than I had ever run before. I was feeling much better than my twenty miler. But I was starting to hit the wall. My hamstrings and calves were tight, which was causing that knee pain. Mile 21 pit stop included 2 Advil, some cheddar cheese goldfish (sodium!) electrolytes and back out the door.

As I made my way down the street yet again I had a surprise visit from some friends who live over an hour away. They made the trip just to cheer me on on those late miles. Cue the waterworks. For the last five I was keeping the course as flat as humanly possible. That meant running kind of in circles. But I have a solid 3-4 mile loop that’s as flat as I can find and just added another straight away. Finally, one mile out. Time for the call. This has become a ritual towards the end of a race to let my husband know I’m heading into the final stretch. At this point I was exhausted but the end was so close I could taste it. I was rocking to my music- picked up the pace and headed for home.

Part of my anxiety was making sure I ran far enough for Strava to count my run as a marathon. In order to earn my NYC Virtual Marathon medal I needed to prove that I had run 26.2 in one continuous effort. OK, I know it’s not all about the medal. I would know I did it, but come on it’s a marathon I wanted to make sure I earned the damn medal! Since GPS tracking does weird things I decided that running 26.5 would make more sense to have a cushion. I imagined that the final “extra” .3 would feel awful. But I was pumped. I knew my family and friends were waiting for me, and while I was no Sarah Hall in London I sprinted to the finish- crashing through the family made finish line. Total distance run 26.52. Total running time 4:07:29. Total elapsed time (including all those bathroom stops) 4:26.27.

So how did I feel when I was done?? Proud doesn’t even begin to describe it. My word of the year for 2020 was DETERMINED! When the year started I could have never imagined how determined I would have to be to accomplish this goal. While, running a marathon around my neighborhood was not quite what I had envisioned I don’t think it could have been any better! I had the flexibility to stop at home and change my clothes, use the restroom, refill my water bottles. I got to finish with a route I designed and controlled so that those last few miles were as “easy” as possible. Having my family be there at the end being equally as proud of me was what it was all about.

Remember your why and soar! Did I want to run in NYC? Heck yes. Will I get a chance in a future year. Most definitely. But, why did I want to run a marathon? To fundraise/raise awareness for the Alzheimer’s Association and to honor my Dad. 2020 couldn’t take that away from me. I was still able to fundraise. I was still able to run a marathon. There are so many variables in life that we cannot control. However, there are times when we can take back control of the situation and do it on our terms. So I will continue to run for those who can’t and to #endalz!!

Marathon Training-Week 11

Well, this week of training looks a little bit different for a few reasons. Reason number one- it’s TAPER time. Time to rest those legs a little bit so they are fresh for “race” day. Truth- I stink at taper. I’m not great at dialing it back when I’m all revved up and ready to go. BUT, since I tweaked my knee a little bit during my twenty mile run I’m seemingly forced to take it easy and properly taper. Amazing how that works, isn’t it?? I made the executive decision not to do the speed work that my training schedule identifies as the key effort this week. Speed work doesn’t allow me to “baby” my knee a little. Mileage goal is twenty-six miles. My plan is to get the twenty-six miles in during the week but honestly will be pleased if I get a few solid five plus mile runs in without any serious pain.

Monday, October 5

It was a buys morning- errands, flu shot, etc. My knee while feeling better is still not completely “normal.” I decided to keep it to the treadmill so I could control pace and not have the severity of the pavement. Started with a one mile while to warm up and test the waters so to speak. Then I moved into a very controlled, nice and easy three mile run. I was less concerned with pace and more concerned with overall how I was feeling. Knee felt good- I wouldn’t say great. But I’ll take it.

Tuesday, October 6

Another busy morning! Parent’s Association Meeting at 9:00 and subbing starting at 11:30 meant that I had to get my workout in BEFORE dropping the boys off at school. I started with a half hour of strength training, focusing on my upper body and finished it up with a two mile walk. While it’s not quite the same as getting my run in, I still felt accomplished before truly starting my day and getting the boys off to school!

Wednesday, October 7

Geez, this is a busy week. Today I have a much overdue eye exam!! You know what that means another early morning of getting up and getting it done before taking the boys to school! That also meant getting on the treadmill. I’m so thankful for our Covid treadmill purchase. The upgrade to a newer machine has been much appreciated. Decided to focus on distance today and see if I could get up to five comfortable miles on my knee. Winner, winner, chicken dinner. They weren’t fast but they felt good. T-10 days to the marathon…this is really going to happen!!

Thursday, October 8

In case you missed the common theme of the week….it was busy!! Another morning PA meeting meant either getting up at the crack of dawn to run or waiting until after my meetings to run. I opted for the later because I wanted to run outside rather than on the treadmill. I didn’t really have a definite distance planned. The goal was 3-5. 5 miles done! Felt good. Pace was good. Single digits to race day!

Friday, October 9

Sub day! 5:00 wake up to hit the treadmill. I like to mix it up with a program every now and then so it isn’t just straight running so that’s what I did today. Four quality miles before heading to school. Feeling like I’ll really going to be ready next week for 26.2. It still seems completely crazy to run a marathon solo- but you know what- let’s do it!

Saturday, October 10

The weather was perfection. The calendar suggested 5 miles and that’s what I had planned to run when I left the house. But I felt good. Pace was good. Weather was good. That meant I called home mid-run to say I’ll be a little bit longer. Rock n Roll was doing a Remix Challenge this weekend of a 5K and a 12K. The 5K was more than covered yesterday so I figured if I was thinking about five I may as well run 7.5 to complete the challenge. Mentally, I knew that having one more longer run in before having a light taper week would be reassuring that I was feeling good. So 7.55 it was and it felt GREAT!!

Sunday, October 11

Sunday- family fun day!! Today we headed to Lums Pond State Park as a family to meet up with a friend for a socially distanced outside outing. The boys loved it and I enjoyed it much more since I wasn’t trying to run over tree branches!! By the time we got home it was mid-afternoon and the rain had started falling. I had just under two miles left to complete my weekly mileage goal so I hit the pavement with the light rain falling. Nice and easy two miles to complete the week! Looks like I have another running streak going…day 5!

So the last week of training is coming. I’m physically and mentally prepared (I think) to crush my 26.2 on Saturday. My family has been super supportive the entire time and the boys are now really excited to create the perfect “finish line.” While it will certainly not be NYC stay tuned for next weeks re-cap when I will (fingers crossed) be a marathoner!!

I run for those who can’t. #endalz

Marathon Training Week 10

This is the last week of building miles before the taper. It’s hard to believe that last year the thought of running 34 miles in a week seemed impossible and I’ve run more than 30 miles a week for the last nine weeks! What is seeming impossible right now- a 20 mile training run. This is the last major long run before the marathon. While the training plan calls for 16 miles, it suggests that if this your first rodeo that you run 20. While this would make more sense if I wasn’t running my actual marathon virtually, I’m sticking with it and doing the 20 mile run.

Monday, September 28

How does never miss a Monday go on a Fasting holiday?? It goes nice and easy for two miles. I walked one mile on the treadmill and then did two miles nice and easy. I “cheated” and drank my normal “green cocktail” of Arbonne greens, Fizz, Skin Elixir and Digestion Plus. I can’t imagine a day without this combination. My thinking was also that I planned to run my twenty mile run on Tuesday when the boys were at school.

Tuesday, September 29

I was set to run 20 miles today. I laid everything out the night before. I had my Huma Gel nutrition packed. Water bottles filled. Plan was to drop the boys off at school and then hit the pavement. On the way home from school the text came about a teacher needing to go home could I come back to sub. Eek, I really wanted to run but I also wanted to sub. I got home and ran out the door to get two miles in before I showered and heading back to school. On the plus side my running streak continues and with a flexible training plan I don’t have to “feel bad” that I didn’t miss a schedule run because there is give and take in plan. Truth be told running 20 miles after a fasting day is a poor idea. Additionally, it was HUMID Tuesday morning and more than 70 degrees. It just wasn’t meant to be. The weather towards the end of the week looks much cooler and less humid. Long run will happen, just another day.

Wednesday, September 30

Last day of the month. Another sub day on the books. Translation early morning run on the treadmill while watching Bosch Amazon! While the overall mileage goal for the week is 34 miles and a 20 mile run is still in the wings I don’t need to do a lot of additional miles. That said I need a good run to start the day. The endorphins make me a much better person to be around. Just ask my kids or my husband! 😉 So it was up at 5:00 and on treadmill. To mix things up I utilized one of the programs. This allowed me to get a mixture of incline and a varied speed. I got a little bit of lifting in too so it was a successful morning!

Thursday, October 1

Today is the day…twenty miles here I come. The weather was much better than when I originally planned to run on Tuesday, however I would have loved for it to be a little bit cooler. Goals for this run: 1) practice nutrition using 2) work on hydration, 3) pace of 9:00-9:15 minutes per mile. The morning was busy so I didn’t start my run until after 10:00. This wasn’t all bad though because it allowed me to eat and digest before hitting the road.

I wore my Spibelt with my usual water bottles, but then added another water bottle in the pocket of my Zyia Active Hustle Shorts. While the shorts can more than handle the water bottle, it changes my gait so I ultimately ditched the water bottle at a friend’s house. Anyway, back to the run. I managed to keep the pace steady and within my goal range. I modified my route mid run so I experienced a different section of roads. This was actually a nice change of pace! My heart rate remained within range and I felt really good for the first 10 miles. I felt good for the next 5 miles and then I realized I needed more water. As in, I was already dehydrated. I made a stop at home around mile 18 and drank a lot of water. I likely should have called it a day there but I was determined to run the twenty. So I got the final two miles done. Wow- I ran 20 miles!!

So what did I learn: 1) I really need to use nutrition every 45 minutes. Had I used another Humagel I would have felt a little bit stronger for the final 5. 2) I’ll be wearing my Camelbak for the Virtual Marathon. I had a whole elaborate plan for stashing water bottles in friend’s mailboxes but I think I’d rather just wear the water and know that I have it with me. I will however, stash a couple of water bottles with my Phytosport Electrolyte mix to keep my electrolytes in balance. 3) I should slow down another 15 seconds or so per mile to make those last six miles a little more enjoyable. And most of all…I CAN AND I WILL COMPLETE THE VIRTUAL NYC MARATHON!

Big question I’m sure- how did I feel after the run? I was definitely dehydrated and my electrolytes were off. I was able to rectify that pretty quickly with water, Post Workout from Arbonne, shhh don’t tell but a Coke Zero for the caffeine and sodium and a bag of pretzels. I’m not going to lie, I had to rally to get in the car to get the boys from school. I thought parking and walking up would make the most sense so I could loosen up my legs. Longest walk…EVER. Oh, and my left knee was definitely not quite right. Sigh.

Friday, October 2

I had grand plans to continuing my running streak indefinitely. I truly thought I would be able to run the day after I ran 20 miles. I know, I know I’m laughing at myself too. But here’s the deal, my hips felt great, my calves and glutes felt great. I could have run, but for some really pesky left knee pain. I actually even tried. Got to the end of the driveway and called it. I really needed to reevaluate my expectations of my body. So instead I did some heavy arm work and walked the dog. I kept my body moving by didn’t over do it. I iced my knee and took some Advil. I adjusted my mind to the fact that I do not need to run every single day and listening to my body is more important. Every step of this process is important and will come in handy when racing returns and I really get to run a marathon. But until then I run and I learn how to do it better!

Saturday, October 3

The weather was perfection. My knee- still not quite right. But working/running has become a crucial part of each and every day. So I began my day like every other and got dressed into my workout gear and headed into the basement. I got my sweat on with Tracy Steen. A combination of HIIT and strength training for the win. But I couldn’t just leave it there. I did a slow and steady two miles on the treadmill as a “test.” I was “testing” to see if something was truly wrong with my knee of if I just tweaked it a little bit. Conclusion- I believe it’s just tweaked and I promise to take Sunday off from running.

Sunday- October 4

I haven’t taken a true rest day in several months. We took advantage of the beautiful weather to get pumpkins and mums to decorate for fall. It was also time to say see you later to training wheels for my oldest. So I didn’t do any formal exercise to start the day. The weather however was too nice to pass up. So I decided I would go for a 30-40 minute walk and that’s just what I did. I was so tempted to run a little but I kept my promise to myself that I would not run today. No running, but a 2.6 mile walk made me feel good!

Week in review:

I started the week lighter running to gear up for my twenty mile run. I ran twenty miles!! After running twenty miles it was necessary to show myself some grace and not to push myself to injury. While this week called for 34 miles- I finished the week with 30.3 miles. That said this was far from a typical week- 20 mile run, two sub days and a fasting holiday. So I’d call it a success.

Let the taper begin!! Less than two weeks to race day!

I run for those who can’t. #endalz

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