Tag: Marathoner in training

Marathon Training Week 9

Less than a month until the Virtual NYC. Feeling good, but I also still can’t believe I’m really going to run 26.2 miles all by myself!!

Monday- September 21

My goal each week is to focus on my key effort for the week on Monday. That way I know that the rest of the week I can be flexible and make up the miles any way that suits my schedule. Now that I’ve added substitute teaching into the mix it’s even more important to get those key efforts done on days I know that I’m not subbing.

Monday morning after drop off I didn’t have enough time to get my run done before having to bring Ruby to the vet to get her stitches removed. So that meant I wasn’t going to get to run until closer to 11:00. Key effort for the week SPEED WORK. While speed work remains one of my less favorite things to do, it’s definitely growing on me. This week is 1 mile warm up, 800×8 at 8:00 per mile pace, 400 at 10:00 per mile pace in between and then another 1 mile cool down. Total number of miles run 8. While it was work, it felt like a huge accomplishment to start the week.

Tuesday-September 22

Remember when I said getting the key run done early in the week was important because I never know when I’m going to sub. Well, that’s good because I subbed today. Which mean I got up before the sun- ran three miles on the treadmill and managed to get 20 minutes of arms and core work done too. Again, the flexibility of the plan is key to get the word done around the time available. I’ve never had a lot of time to get my workouts in- but to do it before getting the boys to school and subbing means extra early mornings.

Wednesday-September 23

No subbing today so I’m running after I drop the boys off at school. That means no time pressure to get my run done and I can go longer and enjoy being outside. My Garmin struggled to find the GPS tower and was then all messed up when I was done. Basically, it suggested I had run for 24 hours. It was a mess. The run however was amazing. A friend called around mile three and I learned that I can run and talk on the phone at the same time. I have no idea what it really sounded like on her end (i.e. was there a lot of deep breathing?) but I didn’t look at my watch once and had some of my fastest splits because I was totally distracted. A great outdoor run for 5.6 miles.

Thursday-September 24

You’ll notice I’m always in a headband- this one is one of my favorites. Have you tried Sweaty Bands? Take a look in my favorite things for more on Sweaty Bands.

Planning ahead with today’s run…translation I’m subbing tomorrow so I need to run longer today to switch out the runs. I had originally planed to run three miles but instead made it five. I was also knee deep in holiday prep so I didn’t go to run until after 11:00. While overall it was a good run, it didn’t feel nearly as good as the day before. But you know what? Not every run is going to feel perfect. Each run and every mile is important. There are so many factors coming at us each and every day that can change how a run feels. No need to focus on the runs that don’t feel perfect- just be happy to get the run done!

Friday- September 25

It’s a subbing day! Which means I was up at 5:00 AM to get on the treadmill before heading out the door to school. Back to watching Bosch Amazon. I’m almost out of episodes!! Eeek. I’ll have to find something else to distract me on the treadmill until the next season is released. I cranked out the Rock n Roll Philadelphia 5K to start my day. Boom. Run steak is up to 126 days and counting!

Saturday-September 26

Rock n Roll 10K on the agenda for today. It’s warmer and definitely humid- yuck! I much rather run with a chill in the air. Half way through my run my stomach was not happy. I’m not particularly sure why but I had to make a decision with two miles left- head home and to the bathroom or push through the run. I opted to head home. I literally ran into the house. Boys “you’re back.” Me: “But I’m not done- heading back out!” After a quick visit at home I was back out to finish up my mileage and feeling much better. This is why I create crazy routes that allow me to never be more than a mile and a half from home.

Sunday-September 27

Rest day- right? Nice and easy two miles to finish up a little over the target of 32 miles for the week. Total distance on the week 33.1. Total distance for the year 932.7 miles on the year. I’m ahead of pace for my new target goal of 1255 miles and feeling good!

Week 10 of Marathon training is up next. Stay tuned as I tackle my longest training run to date 20 miles!!

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I run for those who can’t! I run to #endalz.

I’ll never run a marathon or so I said

In February of 2019, I set out a plan to run the Disney Princess Half Marathon in 2020. Along the way, I began adding more races along the way. August 2019, a twelve miler the Charles Street 12, October 2019, the Baltimore Half Marathon and some 5Ks and 10Ks along the way. During the Baltimore Half the half marathoners met up with the marathoners along the way. And all I kept thinking was I can’t imagine running a marathon.

Then I was in New York the week before the New York City marathon. The energy was palpable. I carefully studied the race route. Then I saw posts on social media and became obsessed with the marathon. I learned you could run for charity. The wheels started turning. Never say never.

A little bit of history. In 2015 my father was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 58. Yes, 58. Alzheimer’s continues to rob my father of the prime years of his life. Taking away his ability to remember and do “normal” day to day activities that we frequently take for granted. Not only is the process difficult for him it’s painful for the entire family.

The week after the NYC Marathon I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I still can’t stop thinking about it. So I did what I always do when something is on my mind. I research the heck out of it. And I reach out to my friend Suzy, Runlift Mom to get her opinion. I knew that tackling a marathon is a whole other beast than a half marathon. There are certain things you can fudge on so to speak…i.e. nutrition, stretching, etc. for a half marathon but that is not the case for a full marathon.

I continued my research. I learned that the 2020 is the Fiftieth Anniversary of the marathon. How cool to be part of a historic run??? Again my curiosity continued. You run through all five boroughs and over five different bridges. I learned that you can secure a spot in the marathon by time qualifying (not me) or by lottery. I anticipated that with it being a historic race that the lottery entries would be high. Were they ever. Nearly 185,000 entries for 4200 spot. Wow!! But wait, remember what I said above- you can also run for charity! And you guessed it, the Alzheimer’s Association is one of those charities.

The 2019 NYC Marathon was run on November 3rd. On November 6, I emailed inquiring how I could be part of the 2020 team for the Alzheimer’s Association. Eager much?? Just a little bit. They told me that I was on their list and they would circle back around with me closer to registration. Fast forward to the end of February 2020 and it’s go time. I received the online document to complete agreeing to be part of the team and to fundraise $4000 for the Alzheimer’s Association. In doing so I’ll be part of a team, a community committed to raising fund for the Alzheimer’s Association who will run the 2020 NYC marathon. So this is why you should never say never.

The way I see it- this is the PERFECT time to run a marathon and to have it be my FIRST. See I’m already not saying it’s going to be my only. Both my kiddos will be in school full time for the first time. So it looks like I’ve found a way to fill my “free” time…lots of running!! I’m originally from NY so it’s special to run the NYC Marathon. It’s the 50th Anniversary! And I get to do it for my Dad!! How could I not??

Well, it seemed like the perfect time to train and run for a marathon when I registered on March 8, 2020. But in the weeks to follow the country has been overtaken by COVID 19. We have been home for weeks and there is really no end in sight. There is talk about a Fall resurgence. As a planner, the unknown is difficult!! But I’m going to be optimistic and keep the faith that on NOVEMBER 1, 2020 I’ll be running five boroughs and five bridges in honor of my dad!!

I look forward to documenting my journey along the way. Additionally, if you would like to join the fight to #ENDALZ by making a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association in honor of my father you can do so here: http://act.alz.org/goto/kellyblavatt

Truly no donation is too small.  Each and every contribution will help us to get one step closer to find a cure and provide support to those suffering from Alzheimer’s and their families.

Thank you in advance for your support!