I am now in the thick of my full marathon training plan. And I must be honest, last week I was wondering why the hell I registered for this race again. I have run both the half and the full in Missoula and loved both (eventhough during full i learned that gu and me don't mix at three). The course is so beautiful, great supports and spectators along the way, a super fun expo, and not to mention our awesome friends live in Missoula and we don't see them often enough. All last week, however, I had to keep reminding myself of these things. By Saturday, the day of my 15 miler, I was back in the groove. I ran part on the tread, part on the path and did 10 pushups each mile just to add variety and because I am walking on the shy side of crazy, apparently. My runs are finally starting to feel decent again; not feeling like i am new to this activity. Running has been my thing since I was a child, so i am very familiar with the ebbs and flows and try to just stay on track or mix it up etc. but when it ebbs when you are in the middle of a training plan (and not near the end of it) that is mentally debilitating. And I was trying to mentally prepare for backing out of a race...
BUT I AM BAAAAAACK!!
I did an 8-9 mile mountain bike ride with the Hubbee and Wrigley on sunday and then ran 7 miles on monday, and was supposed to run 4 today, but I rode my bike 14 and ran 3.3 with the incline at 2 the whole way. Tomorrow is a track workout and I am stoked for it. the rest of the week is 5, 5, and 3 w/strides and a 5k or 10k race in place of the long run. EASY PEASY!!
In case I haven't mentioned this before, I am following a training plan by steve magness from the Nike+ site. it is an intermediate plan and the longest run is an 18 miler. This is freaking me out a bit, but also appeals because some of those 20+ runs are just daunting. This has longer runs during the week, so the total mileage is high, and so far this is working...
I am a little unsure how I go from the full in July to training for the full in October. I have looked at some Hal Higdon plans for this but am definitely open to ideas/suggestions/other's experiences.
How is everyone else's training going?
Does everyone love the updates to the Nike+ gps app? i do--i did have a glitch and had to delete and re-install but I LOVE the updates--no more ending workout by mistake! aha!!!!
Hope everyone is having a fantastic week!
This weekend I made a pillow case for my sister in law and her soon to be hubbee. He collects and restores VW's (has several buses of his own) and porsches for a living and they featured a VW bus in their engagement pictures so when I saw this on Tula Pink's website I was so excited to begin.
I began friday night and didn't stop until 1 am!! i haven't stayed up that late in forever... but I had to be at a decent spot to stop since there are small pieces i didn't want to lose.
This is the back, and I don't know why it is sideways and won't rotate? oh well. it fits an 18x18 inch pillow insert. I was so pleased with this! The initials in the emblem I cleverly (if i may say so myself) replaced with Jaclyn and Matt's initials. That was my first time trying letters--I did one practice and then went for it. Also the back two pieces are quilted--my first attempt at free motion and it was so FUN!! It is made with interfacing so it feels super sturdy. This was also my first time appliqueing something so large and with various pieces. Up until now I had appliqued a heart onto a toddlers tee.
The only problem with my staying up until 1 on Friday was that I still woke at 6 on Saturday... but I was up and finishing my project. I also ran 12 miles last night on the treadmill. I initially thought I would run outside but it became dark VERY fast and I am a wimp. It was one of my hardest runs to date, but it is done. if I wasn't on the treadmill I would have taken two hours.
How has everyone's weekend been going? I am anxious to do my NTC today and work on some more sewing projects!!
Happy Sunday!
Make sure you all schedule in your workouts and healthy meals for the week!
Saturday was a 22 miler. The last long run before the taper. And it was so smokey here you could barely see a mile away. chunks, not just ash were falling from the sky. Friday I frantically phoned the college, gyms, etc to try to find a place to run on an indoor track. Alas, I was treadmill bound. Friday a 6 mile run on the treadmill made me want to rip my hair out so I was not looking forward to this. Friday night Hubbee and I went out for sushi. I know this meal works great for me pre-long run. I wanted to stack the deck in my favor for success. Also, since I wasn't trying to beat the heat and could sleep in a bit (my body doesn't really allow me to sleep past 7:30) I had a glass of wine.
Saturday I went to my studio to begin my longest run of the training portion on the treadmill. i refuse to refer to it as the deathmill etc. My treadmills name is Freddy the Tready. We are friends. He has made some runs possible that otherwise would not have happened and I appreciate him. I decided every mile I would hop off and do the roman chair--10 straight leg lifts. This just helps me think about 1 mile at a time. I kept the clock going from start to finish--even when did the chair, and ran to bathroom. The 22 miles took 3:08:33. I would not allow myself to go slower than 7 mph. the first three and the last three miles I really wanted to go slower but I kept steady.
I also wore compression socks. I have only worn them one other time, as part of our costume at the Disney Princess half marathon. The week before i had a twinge of a calf cramp so I didn't want to experience that again. As dorky as they look on me I think they really helped!!
I am now on the hunt for a nike pair to wear at the Chicago Marathon and The San Fran women's half. I normally run in capris, but these socks seemed to help a ton and I felt great all day and the next day!
Sunday was supposed to be a rest day, however, hubbee and I hiked about 8-9 miles with our dogs. I did jump in the alpine lake--my favorite type of icebath! Monday was a yoga day (thank god!!) so I locked myself in the sewing room and worked on my pinwheel quilt. The top is really coming together. I am going to put gray strips in between each pinwheel and still need to figure out the backing and a binding fabric...
The two squares to the side will be pillows to coordinate with the quilt. Also my fabric arrived for me to begin making my sister-in-law's bridal shower gift. She is really into retro/vintage things and likes one of a kind pieces. When I saw this in my BurdaStyle it screamed Jaclyn. I ordered a white fabric with white dots, a black with white dots and red to make ruffles and trim. She loves polka dots so I think she will like this ensemble.
I hope I can do it! I have never made anything like this--requiring underwire, etc. but it will be worth it to create a unique gift for her. I wasn't sure at first and hemmed and hawed and then that night she texted me a pic of the pool bag I made her for her sunday pool parties at the Valley Ho--and i took that as a sign that she will like this too! :)
So I am on the downward slope of training: the taper. I struggle with this part but am becoming very excited for both trips. Also this sunday I am running a half marathon (Bozeman) and can't wait to race for fun--not stressing about time etc. I want to do well--but there are no consequences/goals/etc.
I am still amazed that I am going to be flown to San Fran for the Nike Women's Marathon. I CAN'T WAIT TO MEET MY #SISTERSINNIKE!!!!!!! We are going to have an epic weekend!! And I hope its one of many!!!
Last week was so much better training wise than the week before. I did not set myself up for failure and woke at 4 am to prep breakfast, have a coffee then meet Britton at 6 for our 17 miler. We did not run fast (as we are not supposed to do so) but we had quite a successful long run! "aaaahhhaaaaa" angels singing. Had an awesome raft trip with Hubbee and some now new friends which made for great recovery and a great rest day sunday. I was so relieved when i woke on sunday that I had completed the long run because it was SOOOOOO smokey. It would have been miserable to run in that.
Monday I ran seven, yesterday NTC which was super fun--but my shoulders are tired from runs/rowing/ntc and today I have a 6 mile tempo. I am looking forward to it except that it will be on treadmill. it is still so smokey here and we can't even see mountains or neighbors houses. it is eerie, like we live in cloudy Kansas. blecht.
This Friday night is our FOURTH annual NIGHT OWL RUN. THis is a GOOOOOOOOOOD time! For one's entry they receive a great tee, a pint glass, candy, glow in the dark bling, a bbq post race and beer to put in the pint glass. Also chances for some AWESOME prizes. We don't just do 1/2/3. we do those, but then we do random: like 16, 22, etc., traveled the furthest, best owl costume, and first to register. Families can come and eat for free with their running member. And to top it off we give two scholarships and donate to a different charity every year. It is a scenic four mile course done at 7 at night :)
Saturday is my 20 miler... I am looking forward to it. I felt so much better post 17 and didn't need a nap like i did after the 15 miler so i know what to do for success!!
I am also very excited because I ordered some stuff off the Nike clearance site and it should be delivered today!! I ordered a tee with a foam finger!!! and some new sneaks to try. THose of you that know me, know I have an obse--er collection of foam fingers (and now foam claw from CUBS!) so i had to have this tee.
I have not had this much fun training for a marathon. I have to give my thanks to marie purvis (@NikeGetFit) and the @Nikewomen for a) this amazing opportunity and b) for connecting me with women that are doing what I am doing. My #SistersInNike (@TiaraBeth, @superwomankw, @nerissa_ann, @RenewedFitness and in spirit @marlyw) Normally I am plugging away at this alone. I don't have friends that want to run these distances, etc. So being able to motivate one another, seek advice, etc it has brought my training to a new level. And I feel as though i have training partners for life!! This is a lifestyle to all of us and that is why I think we will remain united. For that, I am so grateful.
On this note i have to give a shout out to @itsallaboutme00 . she is getting on this NTC and NikeFuel bus!!! she had an epoch first day with her band yesterday and I know it is the beginning of more remarkable feats to come!!
I was planning on running with Britton for our long run. I woke at 5:15 and left our cozy camp and drove down the mountain road wishing i had a cup of coffee in hand. When I reached the bottom, and cell service, there was a text that Britton wasn't going to make it. :( bummer. so i drove the half hour back up the mountain and crawled back into my down burrito of a bed in our camper and snuggled with my dogs.
Dumb dumb dumb.
hubbee said he would ride the bike while i ran so we packed up our camp stuff and headed home. We began the run around 11. it was already 81 degrees, and VERY windy. i had a four bottle fuel belt and he had a large camelbak filled with water. About .77 miles down the road (down two large hills mind you) i realized i forgot my fuelband. And it was #Gameonworld fuel challenge day. so we turned around and headed back to grab the band. Just to fill you in on Hubbee's bike riding, I was running faster than he was riding--especially up the hills. now my nickname may be turtlegirl, but I am also of the school "hurry up and wait". I wanted to scream at him, "you have wheels!! move them!" but was thankful for the company, eventhough I was constantly turning and waving him to me.
Do you see where this is going?
So now i have my fuelband, liquids, shotbloks, i'm set and ready to find my groove. We are plodding along a rolling hilly gravel road at the base of the Crazy mountains. it is hard to run into the wind, but it is way better than stagnant hot air. Hubbee is beginning to complain about his rearend on my bike seat (i don't know why he took my bike--another bone of contention--and now he is going to complain.) Again i find myself wanting to shout, "you have wheels. Shut up!!" But I still think i am enjoying the company. And hey, my butt is not sore!! I think I feel okay, I check the GPS: 5.56 miles.
One third done.
I suddenly feel a lump form in my throat.
my mind starts to crazy spin. Thoughts of not completing the run, falling in the ditch, thinking about how hot it may be race day in Chicago... yes. CRAZY spinning. And Hubbee (mind you the recently quit smoking, non-active, complaining with wheels) begins to try to talk me down. I am not going to lie--i had visions of kicking his bike to the gravel, only the last two "sane" brain cells said, "stop. he is on your bike." So i plodded along and the insanity passed. I kept my mouth shut and did not bite hubbee's head off. Then the rest of the run was okay. Not great, but not horrible and it was completed.
I have hit "the wall" one other time, several years ago. At mile 17.5, not 5.5 and i could see the roofline of my house once I crested one of the two big hills on my way home. Same thing, lump forms and suddenly even in the heat, i had goosebumps and tears and nothing left in the tank. I was waiting for a car to pass so I could lie down (yes, i was planning on lying on the side of the road). i wanted to curl up and die. And i remind you I could see the roof of my house!! The car is going ridiculously slow, even for our gravel road traffic, and miraculously, by the time the car passes I began jogging again and felt GREAT. Could have run several more miles.
My lesson learned is push through. Walk if you must but keep moving forward. This too shall pass. I know both of these times i didn't think of the ones that can't run and normally this helps me, too. And another lesson--stick to the treadmill if it is that hot. it was 87 when done--blecht. I know better than to set myself up for failure--but I thought i really liked the company. eh, company can be overrated!! I do appreciate hubbee's efforts (and that was his longest bike ride to date! ) but I know better than to run in that heat.
Have you ever hit "the wall"? Did you come out okay on the other side?
.jpg)
.jpg)