Category: mile markers

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Marathon Training Week #11 – Getting back into the racing game…

Marathon Training Week #11
Marathon Training Week #11

I’m going to say it right here and now…so listen up!  5K races are my least favorite distance.  I never feel like I’m pushing myself fast enough, despite pushing these short little legs harder and harder with each mile.  And at the end of a 5K…I never have the drive or the energy for that final kick that so many of my running friends have.  And it makes me dislike that distance even more.

Let’s face it…these short little legs were made to go long.  I actually would rather run a longer race any day than a 5K race.  Winning an award at the shorter races is all fine and good…but I love the challenge of the longer run.  I love to push my legs past the distance they think they can go…and prove to myself that my passion for the longer distances truly is what drives me when I run.

With that all being said…this past weekend, I had to shift my long run to Sunday because…well…Saturday I had a 5K race.  Normally I wouldn’t have signed up for one.  I’ve been avoiding races to focus more on my marathon training…but this is one race I would never dream of missing.  My Aunt Debbie died 3 years ago from colon cancer, and here in Louisville, for the past three years, I have ran in the Walk Away from Colon Cancer & 5K Run.  The only difference between the past two years and this year…is that this year I wasn’t returning from an injury that kept me out of running.  This year, the Walk Away From Colon Cancer & 5K Run was not a comeback run.  This year…I was free to run it as I chose…and I chose to run a smart, safe, and fun race.  And that’s how it should be.

Having the race on Saturday also decreased my usual weekly mileage…but…you know…it was worth it.  I’ve racked up some crazy mileage over the past couple of weeks, I think giving these legs a shorter, but harder (as in speed and the fact that I tested them out on the hills of Iroquois Park), run was just what they needed.  Speed work.  Hill work.  All in just over 22 minutes…done.

I admit, however, that the morning of the race I was not in a racing mindset.  I hadn’t actually raced since The Boilermaker 15K in Utica, NY back in early July…and I was having a hard time finding that run hard, run fast mindset.  Regardless, I took to the course and had a fun, beautiful, and very hot run yesterday morning.  And it was for a good cause and in memory of my aunt.  I couldn’t have asked for anything more.

But…that was the end of the week…I still had the entire week before I got to my race…so…

Sunday is the normal “Whatever My Legs Feel Like” training run…or rest day.  It just depends on how I feel that morning.  Except, keep in mind, I busted out 20 miles the previous day.  So, as I was getting ready for bed, I asked my roommate what I should run in the morning.  She shrugged and said, “I don’t know…13 miles?”  Then paused.  “No…do 13.1.”  Ah…a half marathon challenge.  I was game.  I figured I could run it at the LSD pace and have a good morning run.  I guess I was feeling super that morning, despite the heavy mileage on Saturday…because I took to the streets and my legs felt strong and good…not tired…not sore.  I was having a great run.  The first half of the run was rather flat, but then I decided to challenge myself and run a very hilly second half.  I just wanted to see how I would do on tired legs with a bit of a challenge, I guess.  I wasn’t slowed in the slightest and somehow ended up rocking out 13.1 miles  in a time faster than my half marathon PR.  If only this had been in a race.  I was super-stoked.  Super surprised.  And super proud of myself.  That was on legs that had gone 20 miles the day before?  Had I not been the one running, I wouldn’t have believed it myself.  I was feeling amazing and hit negative splits to boot!!  Yeah…I was feeling sort of invincible that morning, I guess.  I was all smiles after that and feeling like Beast Mode was activated.  If only every run felt that awesome.  That evening was the Bruno Mars concert that my roomie and I had tickets for.  I didn’t get home until well after midnight…and my legs were tired and sore, not just from the previous two runs, but from standing the entire show.  LOVED that concert though.  Had such a great time.

But…Monday morning rolled around and that meant it was back to the training schedule.  That morning I was not feeling as awesome.  In fact, I felt a bit defeated.  The schedule called for 7 miles.  And I did get 7 miles out that morning.  But, I was running on very tired and somewhat sore legs.  In fact, I actually went to bed in my running clothes…because I wanted to get more than 4 hours of sleep.  And to knock out 7 miles…I needed all the time I could manage if I wasn’t getting up until 5 a.m.  The later start sort of threw me off, but sleeping in my running clothes was sheer genius, because it meant I just needed to slip into my compression sleeves and my shoes before hitting the road that morning.  It definitely got me out the door quicker.  There was also a definite change from the weather I had the previous Monday morning.  So, with the return of the humidity, the run just felt hard.  I managed to press on and rocked the run with negative splits, but it was a hard-fought battle.  And then…even with the tired legs, I wouldn’t dream of missing my Monday night fun run.  So after a long, long day at work, I went home to eat and change and headed off to Louisville to do a run with my group.  We were supposed to do hill work, which is something I really need to focus on.  However…they vetoed it before I got there and half of the group was going to run trails, and the rest were going to hit up the Scenic Loop in Cherokee Park.  I am not currently running trails because I don’t want to get injured, so I stuck to the road.  And for the first mile was running with the group.  My legs were still sore from all the hard efforts I put on them…as well as sitting for a long period of time at the office…but none of that seemed to matter.  I got to the hill after Hogan’s Fountain and I was off.  I had intended to stick with everyone, but I got ahead and there was no stopping me.  I didn’t push…not for speed or anything because my Achilles was acting up a little…and the last thing I wanted to do was hurt myself on a fun run.  Foam rolling commenced the moment I got home.  Monday’s Daily Double was in the books.

Tuesday, of course, meant it was my cross-training day.  And, as is the norm for Tuesdays, I resist the urge to run, even though I have the time and the ability to do so…and instead head to the gym before work.  Tuesdays means it’s Arc Trainer day.  The Arc Trainer, by the way, is basically the high calorie burning solution to the modern elliptical, built to be safe for high intensity workouts.  In other words…it works like an elliptical, but is scientifically tested to be gentler on your joints, burn 16% more calories than a standard elliptical, and it can help the user train for strength, power, endurance, cardio and weight loss.  It has this range of incline and resistance levels which makes this seem like 3 machines in one.  Honestly.  At lower incline levels, it’s has a glide like a cross country skier.  In the mid-range levels, the motion is a stride, like on an elliptical but with proper positioning.  And at the higher levels, it has the climb of a stepper or climber.  I use the preset programs on the machines which automatically changes up resistance, incline, and the intervals.  It makes this machine challenging, yet still puts you through a total body workout.  It’s an elliptical on crack and I love to hate it.  This time, I was on Program 5 – Intervals 1:1, meaning I had 1 minute at a lower incline, then it shot me up to hard resistance and the “climber” mode for 1 minute and it would rotate this out.  I did this for 45 minutes on Level 7 and managed to dig out 2.08 miles.  After that, it was on to the Cardio Wave.  If you’re not familiar with this machine either, it is also like an elliptical machine, except that this one focuses more on strengthening the gluteus and lower limbs while still focusing on the core stabilizer muscles…so you get a full body workout that is safe and non-impact.  And…your legs move from side-to-side and not the usual forward and back motion that I get with other ellpiptical machines and my running.  It’s a nice change of pace and it works three different planes of movement simultaneously: extension, abduction and external rotation.  My roommate hates this machine, but I love it.  And I rocked 3.89 miles on it set to a steady Level 13 that morning.  Then it was downstairs to hit up a few strength machines to help build up some muscle.  After work, it was time to circuit train and that took some convincing.  I knew it needed to be done, my body was just tired.  But…my roomie and I knocked it out of the park and it actually helped loosen up the muscles and tendons that were giving me issues on my runs on Monday.  So…bonus!

Wednesday marathon training is always speed work/pacing day.  And today…it was all about pacing.  The schedule called for 8 miles…yes…8 miles.  But this was to be a Tempo Run…meaning I was to build up to about my 10K race pace, hold that for a couple of miles, then ease back down.  I ended up steadily building up my pace, making this tempo run more of 8 miles with negative splits.  Whoops.  So, I guess I ddi one better than what training called for.  And that was a miserable morning.  Because it was 8 miles and would take about an hour to do, I got up half an hour earlier and headed out.  It was 70 degrees at 3:30 a.m. and we had 92% humidity.  Needless to say, I was dripping by the end of it and was more than happy to hop into the shower before getting dressed for work and making a healthy breakfast.  After work, it was the second session of the circuit training and this one really felt hard.  My legs were screaming for some rest.  I promised if they got through “the shred” than they could have some downtime.  They saw me through the circuits and weights…and so…I rested them that evening.

Thursday was a lot easier this week.  Training simply called for 4 easy miles.  Four miles…and I’d be done.  It was another humid morning and my legs were tired…but my four miles ended up as 5 miles.  I wasn’t at all happy with that run, honestly.  Maybe that is why I pushed the extra mile.  Or…that I just am not used to lower mileage under 5 miles at times…regardless…I got through the run, but it was not a happy 5 miles at all.  After that, it was the second day at the gym.  With my legs angry at me for that run this morning, I knew better than to really push it on the cardio portion of this workout.  So, when I climbed on the elliptical, I set it for my usual Level 7, but didn’t push on the speed too much.  I managed under 9 miles in 49 minutes…which is under what I normally can do.  But, I was listening to my body.  The second machine of the day was 10 minutes on the rowing machine.  Ah…the rowing machine of doom.  I put on my gloves and settled in for a L-O-N-G 10 minutes.  But the rowing machine is such a great machine in that it works so much of your body.  Not only are you working biceps, back, and shoulders, but you also work your quads, glutes, and core muscles as well.  So…while I hate it…I love the workout I get from this machine.  After that…it was downstairs for some more strength machines before heading to work.

Friday is the dreaded, but necessary, rest day.  And, since I was going to be racing on Saturday, I definitely wanted to keep it holy.  I admit though…I did take myself out for another brisk morning walk.  This has become the Friday norm.  I walked 3.26 miles that morning in 36:42…which is good.  Very good.  It also took the edge off the rest day so I wouldn’t be cranky, crabby and miserable.  It worked.  And the rest of the day felt okay because I had at least gotten some form of movement in for the day.

Saturday…it’s usually my long slow distance run.  And this week I was to run 18 miles.  Except, I had another commitment on Saturday morning.  *GASP*  I know.  But this was important.  As I mentioned, my Aunt Debbie died from colon cancer a few years ago.  Every year since, I have been a part of this race.  It’s the Walk Away From Colon Cancer & 5K Run.  I would never dream of missing this.  Even if it meant I didn’t get to meet up with my running group and do my usual long run.  The long run was pushed back to Sunday…which I’ll tell you all about next week.  But Saturday was all about honoring my aunt’s memory, running for a great cause, and putting some speed work and hill work into play simultaneously.  I won’t lie…a part of me was hoping to rock out a sub-22 5K, which is something I am still chasing…but Iroquois Park is not the place for that.  And I knew that going into this race…but it was a dream.  It will happen…one day.  Until then…I just sort of ran this race with how I felt.  My legs were rested.  My mind was clear.  And I was focused on just getting to that finish line.  Like I said…5Ks are my least favorite distance.  I place a lot when I run them, I just don’t like running them.  That being said…this race was hot and hilly…but I just went out there to have some fun and “do some work.”  And I did.  In fact, I ended up finishing 27/799 finishers overall, 4/496 female finishers, and I was 1/67 in my age division.  WOOHOO!!  The speed and hill endurance will come with practice.  This was my 2nd fastest 5K to date…and that is saying something!  I thought about running more later that day, but I had so much going on…shopping for items for my upcoming trip, grocery shopping, cleaning…and since Sunday was now going to be my 18 miler…without a group…I thought my legs needed the rest of the day off.

So, this was a much lower mileage week than my previous ones, but I think it was good that I listened to my body…and my heart…and ran what I needed to run, the speed I needed or felt like I needed to run.  I still managed to nail my training, and that’s saying something.  This week was a tough one, despite having fewer miles…but I got through it and knocked it out.  Proving once again, even if my body is tired…my determination always makes me feel stronger and better.  Lack of sleep and harder runs made the lower mileage this week a welcome change of pace…but it never once slowed me down.

Time to see what I can manage this coming week…


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Marathon Training Week #10 – Hitting the first 20 miles

Marathon Training Week #10
Marathon Training Week #10

My training program has me running at least two 20 mile training runs.  Due to upcoming vacations and time spent at a higher altitude…my training schedule got a little bit flip-flopped in the upcoming weeks.  It had to happen. While I don’t doubt I could rock out 20 miles in Boulder, CO or even Denver, CO…I don’t know of any places to rock such a run out in, nor do I know if my body can adjust to that high altitude in order to hit the required paces.  Therefore…I took some liberties with my training schedule and bounced things around.  Never hurts…keeps it interesting.

That being said…this meant that yesterday was my first ever 20 mile run.  Believe me, it can seem a bit daunting.  But I was feeling good that morning.  My legs felt strong.  There was a light breeze…and 20 miles felt like nothing.  Now…how many people can honestly say that.  It was run with Harry and Linda…part of my running group…and I kept it at my Long Slow Distance pace.  I was so surprised with how good I felt at the end of the run itself. I probably could have kept going for a few more miles.  That is the best feeling in the world.  It means I’m training right.  Just the boost of confidence I needed.

This week ushered in some gorgeous morning weather that made my runs really, really enjoyable.  Nothing like waking up in August to 57°F and low humidity.  Loving it.  Seriously loving it.  And what that meant was that I was really feeling good on my running this week.  The difficulty and mileage went up…but I just rolled with it.  I even did good on the extras I’m doing to better myself.  And, I can actually see results.  And that is the most fantastic part.

Let’s take a look at this week…

Sunday ushers in what I like to call my “Whatever My Legs Feel Like” training run day.  I just go until I don’t want to go anymore.  I always keep it under the previous day’s mileage…just normally run it a little harder.  My Long Slow Distance training runs on Saturday help with endurance.  These Sunday runs…they’re a chance for me to see what my legs can do while still recovering from the previous run.  If they aren’t feeling the run, I stop.  It’s that simple.  I did a grueling 17 miles on Saturday in high humidity and rain, testing out new shoes and socks.  There were many breaks on this run, as two of my fellow runners were keeping a more deliberate pace in the distance we were covering.  So, on Sunday, when I headed out, I had no intention of running 14.3 miles…but I did.  I can’t tell you what possessed me to go that long after a hot 17 the day before, but the morning felt good and I got out early in order to beat any of the sun for most of the run.  I stayed off the hills as well, but really enjoyed being out and about.  I clocked my 14.3 miles in 1:51:41…which felt good.  It really did.  I think I was smiling at the end of it.

Monday morning put me back on my revamped training schedule.  I start almost every run these days in the dark, so that doesn’t even factor in now.  Amazing how that happens.  I am missing my earlier light in the morning, but I just strap on my headlamp and reflective gear and get it done.  On the weekdays…that’s the norm for me.  I was out the door at 4 a.m. to log 7 easy miles.  The temperature was in the high 50s, which felt amazing.  But as I was running, my left shin started to bother me.  I was concerned it might be shinsplints, but it turns out I have a bruise on my shin and my compression sleeve was just hugging that area.  Figures.  I managed to get through that 7 miles with negative splits.  And, as always Monday is also the day of the Daily Double…so after work and a quick bite to eat, I was heading down to my running store for the Monday fun run.  There were six of us there, two (Laura & Amy) were heading out to do their run/walk routine on the scenic loop.  So the remaining four of us (Mike, Joe, Ellen and myself) all headed out to run the Scenic Loop at Cherokee Park.  Because my calf muscle on my right leg was being finicky (I blame breaking in new shoes on a 17 mile run) and my shin was bruised and bound again in compression sleeves, I wanted to take this run easy and stick with the group.  And I did.  Up until Ellen stopped for water and said she would catch up.  Mike and I went on ahead…and we ran back to the store.  Ellen never did catch up, but I think Joe stuck with her.  As we were waiting on the light to change to cross over Bardstown Road, Mike said to me, “You’re so fast.  And that’s not a bad thing for a runner.”  It made me feel good!  Honestly.  And as I made some gluten-free chocolate chip cookies as a reward to my fun run group, Ellen said she could have a cookie if she didn’t start walking on Dog Hill.  And she didn’t.  So she got her cookie as a reward.  Another 3.3 miles logged on Monday.

Tuesday, as always, is my cross-training day.  And this Tuesday really was no different from the previous ones.  I resist the urge to go for a run…despite really wanting to do so.  And I hit the gym before work.  This time…I was on the Arc Trainer for 45 minutes, set it for Program 4 – Pike’s Peak.  And I did this at Level 5.  I managed 2.36 miles, which isn’t bad given the changes in incline, resistance, and the intervals that it puts you through.  Afterwards, it was the rowing machine.  I bought gloves to wear when I do this one, which definitely made rowing so much easier.  I have a love/hate relationship with the rowing machine.  It works everything, but it can be just as boring as the stationary bike or treadmill.  I usually end up glancing around at the others on machines…or focusing intently on my form.  Anyway, I managed 1.19 miles in 10 minutes on the rowing machine.  I hit up a few strength machines to help build up some muscle.  After work, it was time to circuit train and that was a challenge after the gym…but it had to happen.  The circuit training felt good to hit up after a long day at the office, even if I really didn’t want to tackle it.  The fact is…I did.

Wednesday was speed work day.  With classes back in session, my track workouts had to move to the treadmill.  BAH!  I hate that blasted machine.  But…when speed work and pacing day comes along, the interval speed work has to be monitored properly.  And this was no easy session either.  I got up early and got to the gym right as it opened.  This morning called for a 1 mile warm up, then 3 x 1600 meters at Marathon Pace with 2 x 800 meters at an easy pace for recovery.  Then I finish it all up with a 1 mile cool down.  I did just as I was instructed and rocked out these 6 miles in 47:21.  Not too shabby.  I kept my warm up and cool down slower than usual to allow my muscles to get warm, and then finally relax.  I ran the marathon pace part slightly faster…and then the easy recovery at an easier than normal easy pace for me.  So, I think in the end it all balanced out.  I felt like a rockstar though when I finished it up.  After work, it was the second day of circuit training.  I’m trying to keep it so my roommate and I blast through the circuits at least 2 times a week.  More if we feel the need.  But twice a week seems to work.  We were both feeling the previous day’s workout so I think this circuit was done a bit easier than the prior day.

Thursday is my crazy-busy workout day.  That morning I got up to log my 7 easy miles, which were, in fact, faster than Monday’s 7 miles.  How I managed that on legs that were tired and sore from speed work and circuit training, I’ll never know.  But…I did in fact manage it.  Maybe it was the amazing 57°F weather that morning.  Maybe I was just feeling good.  I felt like my legs were really having to push on this one, but somehow…negative splits happened again.  That was the confidence I needed going into the gym afterwards.  I pushed through 45 minutes on the elliptical, dialing in 9.13 miles.  Then, the dreaded stationary bike was next…and in 10 minutes I hit it up with 3.89 miles.  So bored.  I was trying to actually take it easy on my run and gym routine, because on this particular Thursday, the BlueMile Brew Mile series was wrapping up with its final race.  Yep.  I was able to make all 5 of them.  Love running races for charity and getting my roomie a free beer at the end of it.  So, this BlueMile Brew Mile was at Against The Grain over by Slugger Field.  It was the sight of the first one that we ran this year too.  Came full circle for sure.  Anyway, I donned my Wonder Woman outfit for this one and we headed out for the mile run.  I even convinced a co-worker of min, Justin, to come out and do it too.  He used to run cross country, so he agreed.  I knew this wouldn’t be my best mile…so I just kept it comfortably hard.  I knocked it out in 6:55, which isn’t too bad.  I’ve had slower and I’ve definitely had faster during this series…but it was fun.  And I lost Justin on the hill coming back up to round to the finish line.  He did manage a sub-8 minute mile though.  Proud of him.  Trying to get him to come out for the Monday runs.

Friday is the dreaded, but necessary, rest day.  As usual, I took myself out for a brisk stroll in the morning.  Why?  Because I need to do something in the morning or I might go insane.  This Friday, I logged a 3 mile walk in 34:42.  Not bad.  I was wearing (or attempting to wear) a fuel belt that Harry brought for me to try, since it had four bottles.  But…it didn’t quite fit me.  BUMMER!!  So, I have a purchase I need to make at the race expo in two weeks at Disneyland.  It was another gorgeous morning in the high 50s.  The walk was just what I needed.

30 foot Statue of David in front of the 21c Museum Hotel
30 foot Statue of David in front of the 21c Museum Hotel

Saturday was the long slow distance pace…for 20 miles.  Not just the furthest distance I have run yet…but also…the first time 20 miles even came into the picture.  Was I nervous?  Not really.  I was pretty stoked to be gearing up my marathon training to hit that 20 mile mark.  It was going to be myself, Harry, and Linda leaving at 6 a.m. on Saturday to hit 20 miles.  But Harry had a route picked out…and, man, was it ever gorgeous.  Linda was running a little more deliberately than I was…so Harry tended to rotate between running with me, then falling back to run with her.  I took to the streets in Louisville, running to the Second Street Bridge…then across it.  Man…that has to be one of my favorite runs ever.  That bridge, when you catch a breeze like I did that morning, just gets you to that happy place.  I wasn’t quite 4 miles in and I felt like I had reached that runner’s high.  It was an amazing run across the bridge.  And when I got to the other side, I waited on Harry and Linda.  When they caught up, we headed to the Falls of the Ohio, then ran the flood wall.  I pulled ahead here, too, running at an easier than normal pace, but taking the lead and running until the yellow line on the trail ended.  I waited for Harry and Linda there.  Harry took Linda and I off the beaten path briefly to show us a log cabin.  Very cool!  We refilled water bottles, then took the path through the parking lots…instead of back out to the road and down a mega-steep hill.  We ran this road all the way out to Hwy 62 in New Albany.  I gave a wave in the direction of my home as we came up to the road and stopped to turn around.  Harry said he was off by a mile so we’d have to make that up somewhere.  I was good with that.  We started back, and instead of turning to immediately head back over the bridge, we hit up Jeffersonville’s river front where lots of restaurants are.  We ran through a neighborhood, just over to the border of Jeff Boat.  And…then…we came back to the normal route.  We refilled water bottles again, then it was time to hit the Second Street Bridge and head back.  Once again, I hit that bridge and every part of me just wanted to GO!  Runner’s high for the second time.  It felt awesome.  I just took off and when I reached the other side, I paused and waited.  Linda was heading back to the store, but Harry and I had about a mile to add on.  So…he took me over to the Statue of David, which stands outside Louisville’s famous 21c Museum Hotel.  This gold statue is 30 feet tall.  Amazing.  We used this as a photo op, then continued to make our way through the streets of Louisville.  When we got back toward Baxter Avenue, Harry told me that if I wanted to take off to do so, as he was running another 20 miles on Sunday, so he needed to conserve some energy.  I took him up on the offer and for the last 2 miles…I ran my pace…my speed…even passed up Linda at one point.  And when all was said and done…I hit 20 miles in 3:01:59.  Not too shabby.  Not bad at all.  And the reward to everyone who ran that Saturday was Paleo Cinnamon Glazed Pumpkin Donuts that I stayed up late and baked.  Everyone complimented me on how delicious they were.  Total and epic win!!  And, despite not really wanting to do so…I did down my Arbonne Chocolate Protein Shake after the run.  My stomach wasn’t wanting it, but I knew my body needed it.  Later that day, I scored a pair of Vibrams for $20 on sale at a local running store.  They were even the ones I wanted.  TOTAL WIN!!  Don’t you worry…I have no intention of ever, EVER, EVER running in these.  I got these to walk around in and build up some strength in my feet.  My podiatrist might have a stroke if he knew I was wearing them…but he’d definitely have a stroke if I ever ran in them.  Not risking tearing my plantar fascia again.  That totally sucked last year.  I stick to the shoes that my feet need when it comes to running.  These…are to hopefully build strength in my tender feet.  We’ll see.  At least if they don’t work out…I’m only out $20 and not the usual price of $100.

Things that I’m learning…I’m craving fruit more and more each day.  I get cases of the RUNchies on runs and definitely on those higher mileage days, get RUNgry.  A lot.  It amazes me how fast my body burns through the fuel I give it while out that long.  I also can tell that these longer, slower runs are helping me with my speed and endurance.  When I focus on speed, I can feel the renewed strength in my legs, and the power.  And I know a lot of that comes from the endurance I’ve built, running easier, running farther, and just…minding my form and everything else.

Already looking forward to seeing what I manage this coming week in my training schedule.  Another flip-flop ahead…but for good reason.  More on that…next week.

My $20 Vibrams!
My $20 Vibrams!


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Marathon Training Week #9 – Getting a “Boost”…

Marathon Training Week #9
Marathon Training Week #9

This has been a rather intense week when it has come to my running.  Granted, it was basically an “easier” week for the weekday runs, but the weekend was calling for a 16 miler.  Okay…I’ve done 18 miles already…in intense heat and humidity.  And that…well…it sucked.  It sucked mightily.  So, 16 miles wasn’t daunting at all.  Not really.  And I have a great group of people to run it with.  And I was promised a new route.  So…that was exciting.

But…simply put…I was tired.  The previous week wore me out, basically thanks to Maroon 5 and their show up in Indianapolis last Saturday night.  I missed out on quite a few precious hours of sleep…still hauled myself out of bed and went out for a run on Sunday morning.  Because Sunday morning runs are one of my “me” times.  I don’t go out with any set pace or path…I just go.  And when I’m done…I’m done.

This week was a good one for running, but I think my body is still trying to catch up on rest…and I haven’t had a moment to allow it that luxury.  I have, however, enjoyed a few wonderful moments this week…all centered on running.  Not my training…not really…but the physical runs.  The people I’m with…the things I saw…the experiences this week were what really made everything feel…just right.

And…I can finally pump my fist in the air because I have treated myself to a new pair of running shoes.  I tried on a pair of these at one of my fun runs on Monday night back in March (I think)…when Adidas was visiting the store.  I had one of the best runs ever on a Monday night…and just fell in love with them.  With a gift certificate to Blue Mile and some store credit…I finally decided it was time to treat myself to some shoes I wanted.  So, yesterday…I brought home a pair of Adidas Boost running shoes and a new pair of socks made by Injinji…they are toe socks…and should help with any blistering issues.  I also bought some Watermelon Nuun…but that’s not as exciting.

So…how do I break in new shoes?  On a Saturday 16 miler, of course…in the rain!  They really don’t look new anymore.  Already.  On the first outing.  Welcome to the life of a runner!  Let’s take a look at the week, shall we?

Sunday, as always, is either an easy run day or another day of rest.  I don’t do well with run days, so I usually take this opportunity to rock out a couple of miles.  No set path or direction or distance in mind.  I just run and go where my feet take me, however long they feel like being out there, and on whatever route they choose.  Sunday is “me” time…as I get up early and get out there, trying to beat the heat of the day…the torturous sun…and all that jazz.  This Sunday…however…I decided to match my Saturday mileage.  My legs were feeling good, even after going 13 miles on Saturday with Laura.  So, when I headed out…I only had one goal…and that was to hit some hills.  I ended up running to the local campus and running the parking lots, which are hilly in their own right.  Then…I hit the hills around town…through the community park, and out towards the main drag.  I actually clocked a half marathon (exactly 13.1 miles) when I wound up back at my apartment complex and paused my Garmin.  And it was in 1:44:51…which means I was almost matching the pace of my best half marathon.  I was just 4 minutes off.  So, I was really having a fantastic morning run.  I didn’t feel tired after it either.  Just went inside, hopped in a nice cool shower, then got my roommate up because I was craving gluten-free pancakes.  So, we went out to North End Café where I enjoyed one gluten-free pancake with a side of fruit.  It was just what I needed and wanted.  Shopping followed…and then a sweet treat.  That’s how I roll on Sunday!

Monday Fun Run Group with fresh watermelon after the run. Yes...I had already devoured mine!
Monday Fun Run Group with fresh watermelon after the run. Yes…I had already devoured mine!

Monday…the runs in the dark return with a vengeance.  Earlier than my weekend morning wake-up calls.  Sometimes it just seems hard to get out of bed.  But not this Monday.  Not really.  My training plan was scaling down in the week as far as my mileage, allowing me to physically get prepared for my longer run on Saturday, I believe.  The weather that morning was ideal.  Just beautiful.  Not humid.  A slight breeze.  I was loving it.  The training plan called for 4 miles…so I didn’t bother to pack something for fuel…I wouldn’t be out long enough to require it or to even necessitate practicing my fueling technique.  Then…I ended up going 5 miles because it just felt good.  I did all of this with fantastic negative splits.  By now you all know that Monday is also the weekly Daily Double…so that evening after work and a quick bite at home, I headed over to Louisville to hit the road with my fun run group.  We hadn’t run the scenic loop in Cherokee Park for awhile, so we chose to do that…but backwards.  There are parts of running the loop that I love to do backwards…but the worst part is right at the end…going up toward Hogan’s Fountain…on this windy, gradual-yet-still-steep climb.  I was with the group at the beginning, but somehow ended up ahead…and remained there for the rest of the run.  In fact, I got back to the store long before others.  I hate when that happens…because I do love running with my group…but it was how it worked.  Natalie, one of the runners I run with often on Monday, supplied the group with fresh watermelon.  And it was DELICIOUS.  Watermelon is something I crave a lot these days after I run.  So this…was fantastic to return to the store and indulge in.

Tuesday is not a running day, but it still brings an early morning.  Tuesday is my cross training day.  And my cross training all takes place at the gym.  And in order to fit in a gym workout without making excuses not to go…I go early.  Really early.  Much to Cathy’s chagrin.  She is not a morning person, but she does rise and shine at least twice a week to hit up the gym.  Tuesday we leave the apartment by 6:15 at the latest and get to the gym by 6:30 a.m.  This Tuesday’s cross training routine was done on two different machines.  The first one is the Arc Trainer, which is sort of an advanced and more difficult version of an elliptical machine.  I set it for Program 3 – Hill Intervals – Level 5 and then hit it.  I managed 2.68 miles in 45 minutes with the changing resistance, incline, and the intervals that it threw at me.  I was feeling awesome about that.  And then, the second machine was a 10 minute workout on the stationary bike.  I HATE the stationary bike.  I think for reasons I hate the treadmill.  I just don’t like putting so much effort forward and not be going anywhere.  UGH!  So, these 10 minutes always feel like torture.  I change the resistance after every minute and just gave it whatever I had left in the tank.  And in 10 minutes, I did manage 3.91 miles.  Then it was downstairs to get some strength training in.  Later that night…20 minutes of yoga to stretch everything out.  I needed it because…

Wednesday morning rolled around.  And by now, we all know that Wednesday means it’s pacing/speed work day.  This week it was asking me for 6 miles with negative splits.  I wasn’t sure this was actually going to happen.  I told my roommate this the night before, as I looked at the weather and saw how steamy and humid it was going to be that morning.  Well, The Weather Channel wasn’t lying.  That morning was heavy, wet air…and I felt like I was just running in MUCK.  Honestly.  It just made the act of running feel that much more difficult.  Somehow, and I still am not sure how, I managed to nail the negative splits that were requested in the training plan.  I still don’t know how I managed…but I did.  That evening, after work, it was 20 minutes of circuit training, which really kicked my ass.

Thursday morning it was back to running easy.  And I was glad for that.  I was feeling “the shred” of the circuit training the day before.  And it was still humid as MUCK out on Thursday morning.  It might even have been muckier than it was on Wednesday morning.  In fact, I can honestly say I do believe it really was.  This morning called for an easy 5 miles, similar to that on Monday.  So, I ran my usual path…then decided…why not throw in a couple of hills.  So, I altered my route and went out on the one I used to run before strange men kept jumping out at me and scaring me.  I had my mace with me…so I felt I could manage this.  It meant no gorgeous negative splits…but the change was what I needed, honestly.  Thursday also took me back to the gym, where I did 9.16 miles on the elliptical in 45 minutes and then kicked out 3.69 miles on the Cardio Wave machine.  I love doing this machine because it manages to work my legs from side-to-side instead of the usual front-to-back motion.  A few strength machines followed.  Then, after work…it was back to the circuit training for the second day that week.  Let me tell you…I almost talked myself out of doing it.  I told my roommate we could either do it that night…or Friday.  She said she didn’t care…so I finally figured that if we didn’t do it Thursday, we wouldn’t hit that second day of it for the week…because Friday we are always busy.  So, I said we’d just do it…and we did.  It was painful…but we did it.  And I’m proud of us for doing so.

My Injinji socks and my Adidas Boost running shoes...treats to myself!
My Injinji socks and my Adidas Boost running shoes…treats to myself!

It was a good call because along came Friday.  Friday is the evil but blessed rest day.  The one day that I literally am not to do anything.  I do my best to respect this day and keep it holy.  I mean…it’s once a week, yes?  Yes.  The only thing is I do allot myself permission to go for an early morning walk.  Just a brisk little walk to take the edge off.  Friday usually means a lot of sitting at the office, trying to get accounts closed and the like…so this walk is good for me.  And I enjoy it.  Honestly.  I did 3.02 miles on Friday morning in 34:23, which is actually really, really brisk.  But I have short legs and honestly walk fast.  It’s just how I am.  The brilliant thing about this Friday was…after coming home and eating a delicious gluten-free pizza for dinner…I went over to my running store…and I treated myself to those shoes I was telling you about at the beginning.  The Adidas Boost.  There was just something about these shoes that I loved…after running in them for 3 miles back in March.  I coveted them from afar…wanting them so badly, but not having the money for the $150 price tag they carried.  But with a gift certificate, some store credit…and really wanting them…Friday…I finally did it.  I just broke down and bought a pair.  And they are bright.  And with them…I got a pair of Injinji toe socks…because I was mentioning how sometimes I can get blisters and I am totally prone to black toenails.  I was told the Injinji socks could certainly help with that.  I figured if I was going to break in new shoes on Saturday, I might as well give new socks a try too.  Purchased.  Done deal.  The Adidas Boost shoes were now mine.  So..what is so great about the Boosts?  It’s all in the design.  Adidas’ Web site says that we, as runners, put a lot of energy into our runs, and the Adidas Energy Boost shoes gives some of it back because they are designed with an energy-return boost midsole, which supposedly keeps every step charged with light, fast, energy.  Adidas Boost shoes are lightweight (8.5 pounds) and bring flexible upper support to the shoes.  Simply put…they feel great and running in them feels great.  And now…they were mine.  And I couldn’t wait to take them out for a spin.  A very, very long spin of 16 miles…Saturday morning.

Saturday means one thing…LONG RUN!  I love my long run days.  I really do.  Getting to run with people.  Doing the long slow distance (LSD).  Talking…about everything, anything, and just enjoying the company for what can otherwise be a very lonely time out on the roads.  I also love these runs because each time I go out with any member of the group who is needing or wanting to do the mileage I am doing…I get shown a new running route.  And today…was a beautiful one.  16 challenging miles…but on a route I had never taken before…but had heard stories about.  This is what the running group has dubbed the “Better Homes and Gardens” route.  And I now understand why.  We met up at 6:30 a.m. and Harry was going to take us on the route.  There were five of us to start, although Laura was on a step-down week, so she was only doing 10 miles.  She figured she’d run out 5 with us, then turn around and come back.  We left the store and started into Cherokee Park.  Laura and I kept the lead all the way through the park, taking the route Harry had planned toward Seneca Park, where we would wait for the other three (Harry, Carrie, and Linda).  We didn’t have to wait long…and we took the opportunity to refill water bottles and get ready for the next 3/4 of the 16 miles we wanted to log.  Laura came out to just over 5 miles with us before turning around to head back.  From there…the four of us set out for the remainder of the “Better Homes and Gardens” run.  First of all…gorgeous neighborhoods!!  STUNNING!!  And…I even got to see deer!!  A mother deer and two fawns.  A fourth one was lurking further back.  Harry and I were leading…and Linda and Carrie were behind us for most of this adventure.  Harry and I would pause at places to allow them to catch up and we’d discuss the next leg of the run…so that we would know where to meet and so on.  As Harry and I rounded a corner, we spotted another deer.  I had to get a picture!!  It was awesome!!  Harry snapped a picture on his phone too.  And then we continued on, pausing when we hit River Road to wait on the rest of our crew.  We never leave runners behind.  When the caught up, we ran through a park and then back out onto the road.  To make sure we hit mileage, Harry took us up to the Water Tower.  It was a beautiful detour.  And then we hit the road to head back toward our final destination.  Not wanting to hit the hill on Zorn Avenue, we went a different way to The Three Bears.  Now, I have heard many runners in the group talk about The Three Bears…but I was finally going to see them for myself.  And as Harry and I were first to arrive, he even snapped a picture of me with them.  I had to dance with them.  Just up the hill was an ivy-covered bunny…so we walked up there while we waited for our running partners…and I got a picture with that as well.  From there…it was a short stint on a trail…then back onto the roads and a few turns more before we arrived back at the store.  Of course…with about 5 miles left to go, the rain decided it didn’t want to hold off any longer…and so…it started to fall.  And it felt great.  I mean, I really needed it.  The humidity was awful in the morning…so this was nature’s very own air conditioning.  I welcomed it.  I didn’t have a hat with me though, so I was doing all I could to not get rain in my eyes.  It lightened up soon after…and with another opportunity to show me something I normally don’t see…Harry took me up to the reservoir where all of Louisville’s water goes through before heading out into the city.  It was AWESOME!  From there, he and I made the final dash toward the coffee house where all the other runners who left earlier or even later were meeting and enjoying the Gluten-Free Almond Peach Muffins I baked on Friday night for them.  The rain was falling again, but we waited for Linda and Carrie to make it back.  The actual run that morning was 17.02 miles…so…once again I went the extra mile.  But it was a fun, beautiful run.  And I loved the company and the sights I was able to see.

Scenes from my Saturday morning 17 mile long run
Scenes from my Saturday morning 17 mile long run

I am already gearing up for next Saturday, which is ushering in what will be my longest run to date.  I am totally looking forward to that challenge.  Now…I’m going to hit up the foam roller because my calf muscles are definitely reminding me that I road tested new shoes for 16 miles today.  Biofreeze might be my friend tonight as well.  No matter…I had a hell of a great run today and I’m still smiling from the high I felt while out there on the road…doing what I love…with people who share that same passion for running.  Sore calf muscles and all!!  Also…I need to carry more bottles with me.  My two 6 ounce bottles are definitely not cutting it in the humid, hot weather.  Good thing we had water fountains along the way.  But my Nuun was gone before I was even halfway through the run today.  Electrolytes are my friend as I tend to sweat out salt…so…this will be remedied.  Oh yes…yes it will.

It just means I might need to invest in a little more retail therapy…


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Marathon Training Week #8 – Daily Doubles

Marathon Training Week #8
Marathon Training Week #8

Halfway!!  I am officially halfway through my marathon training for the Chicago Marathon!!

This has been one crazy week for my training.  Honestly.  Not just from a time perspective, but there was just a lot going on for me with my running and training schedule.  Some of it was part of the plan.  Some of it…well…some of it was bonus…extra…things I do for fun.  And that’s good to have in there every now and again.  The key is to keep it easy and run smart.  As long as I listen to my body and not get stubborn, I’ll be fine.

It seemed I was doing quite a few doubles this week.  That was not actually intended…it was just how it worked out.  Regardless, I can feel my legs growing stronger because while they have been worked hard once already, they still power through another run.  Sometimes faster…sometimes slower.   They run as they feel and I don’t push it.  I have a goal to come out of this year uninjured and so far that’s worked out for me.

Let’s take a look at this week of pulling double duty…

Sunday is either an easy run or a day of rest.  I normally opt for the easy run unless my legs are just crying out for some down time.  But, this past Sunday I was invited by my good friend Kelsie to go running with her running group.  I never turn down a chance to get out and run with people.  I have a blast getting out with others, talking, running, and just having a good time.  You don’t even think about the miles when you’re in that sort of a zone.  They were meeting up in Jeffersonville, Indiana to run for 11 miles.  I had done 15 the previous morning, but I was feeling up to it and feeling good.  I met up with her group at 5:30 a.m. and we all headed out to run across the Second Street Bridge and head up Bardstown until we hit 5.5 miles.  Turning around and heading back.  We all talked about races, goals, pace, and some amendments to our own goals we had set.  Kelsie and I figured out why we click so well…we’re both Virgos.  And we had really great conversation for much of the run, talking about fundraising, about family, everything.  Running was not the only subject, nor were our upcoming marathons.  It was a gorgeous morning with 57 degree temperatures.  We finished up just as the sun was coming up.  A beautiful 11 miles with good people and great motivation.  My legs weren’t screaming at me at all.  They felt strong the entire way.  It was an easy pace, with great people and I would certainly do it again in a heartbeat.

Minion cake for my Monday fun run group!
Minion cake for my Monday fun run group! Yes…I made that!

Monday returned with a vengeance.  The weather that morning was perfect for a run.  And I took advantage of that for sure.  I was scheduled for 7 easy miles, which I totally devoured that morning.  I was shocked, actually, since I was coming off a weekend of two longer than usual runs.  But my legs were still feeling amazing and that was what mattered.  I even managed some awesome negative splits.  And, as usual, Monday also brings around my group fun run after work.  After rushing home to eat a quick meal and getting ready, I grabbed a special cake I made for my group and headed out to meet up with them.  Laura had heard about a World Championship Dainty Competition going on in the area, so we headed a different direction than usual, up Eastern Parkway, and took it over to Goss, where the event was being held.  We all paused to watch for a few minutes, then continued along the way.  I mostly stayed in the front with Harry and Natalie.  Harry and I have been trying to get through to Natalie that she doesn’t have to sprint through every run.  Especially since she is recovering from arm surgery and now an injury to her leg.  She is stubborn though, but hopefully she’ll learn.  We finished up another 4.1 miles that day and then returned to the store to cut into and devour the cake I made.  What was this special cake?  I made a cake shaped like a Minion from Despicable Me.  We all love Minions in my running group.  It was a gluten-free and dairy-free cake…and it was a hit!!

Tuesday, however, I was starting to feel all that running.  This was a no run…but cross training day.  So, Cathy and I hit the gym.  She was returning from having her wisdom tooth out.  So, we hit the Arc Trainer first.  I did 45 minutes on Program 2 – Hills – on Level 5.  This was a challenge.  But I pushed through those 45 minutes of hills, which means a change in intervals, resistance, and inclines.  It was tough, but I managed 2.38 miles.  Then it was over to the Cardio Wave machine.  I love this machine because it moves my legs from side to side instead of just the standard front and back motion.  In 10 minutes, I did 3.69 miles and was ready to call it a day.  But some strength training was up next.  I hit that up, left the gym…and was supposed to come home from work and fit in some circuit training.  My legs were saying “NO!”  So, I decided with Cathy still coming back from her tooth and my legs telling me to lay off…we’d take a break this week from circuit training and come back to it next week.  We were both happy with that decision.

Wednesday is my speed work/pacing day.  This week called for a 6 mile tempo run.  And, aside from having some issues with my fuel belt staying in place that morning, I was mostly successful in rocking this out.  I held a great pace, I worked into the tempo, sustained it, then cooled down.  I felt good about it when it was done, I just needed to get past scooching my fuel belt down throughout the entire thing.  I fueled halfway through just as my sports nutritionist is requiring me to do while out running.  And it was a good pacing day.  When I finished it up, I felt good…so that was the important part.

Thursday…was insane.  I went out in the morning for my 5 mile easy run, which I managed better than I thought I would.  I didn’t check the weather like I normally do that morning, and figured it would be cool like the past few mornings have been.  Wrong.  The air was very humid, but I did have a wind.  A strong headwind that hit me on the inclines of this run.  Despite that, I still rocked out those 5 easy miles and even managed negative splits.  Thursday is also our other day to hit up the gym.  This time, I did 49 minutes on the elliptical machine.  The last four minutes are a cool down, but I was doing good, despite having busy legs all week.  I did 9.38 miles in 49 minutes that morning.  Then I went over to the rowing machine for 10 minutes.  The rowing machine always kicks my booty.  It just works my body all over.  It’s great cross training and great on the core, back, arms, and even the legs.  I really struggled this morning though, starting to feel the fatigue set into my legs.  So…I did 1.17 miles in those 10 minutes, then headed downstairs for a couple of strength machines.  But my day didn’t end there.  Nope.  Thursday was also the BlueMile Brew Mile at Molly Malone’s.  I haven’t missed a Brew Mile yet this year.  And the one at Molly’s is one of my favorites.  Despite having to run through Eastern Cemetery.  I had actually gotten there in good time and met up with Natalie.  We probably should have been stretching, but instead we just got to talking.  This happens with us.  We met up with Ellen and Andrew from BlueMile as well…and more talking.  Then Laura showed up…and we all just talked.  No stretching actually occurred.  Not really.  We were directed to walk toward Eastern Cemetery, so we did.  All of us lined up and we were given the course directions by Derek.  And then…we were off.  Despite these tired, overworked legs, I rocked off a mile in 6:42, which is fantastic for me, I think.  I wasn’t sure I would be able to push it having not stretched and having just really tired legs, but I got through it and I pushed and pushed.  It was a brilliant mile and all of us finished in great time.  Then, we headed back to Molly’s for the giveaways and drinks.  I bought Cathy a Magners while I sipped on some much-needed water.  I even won a $15 BlueMile Gift Certificate in the prize drawings.  WOOHOO!!

Friday…the much needed day of rest.  And I’m really good about obeying this for the most part.  I have been going out for a walk in the morning.  It’s not running…it’s walking.  Which, I suppose, doesn’t really mean I am resting.  And I tend to walk fast too.  So, that morning I went for 3 miles and did that in 34:26.  It was beautiful out.  Nice breeze.  It just felt good.  And, on lunch, Cathy and I went for another walk (pulling a double again!), in which we managed 1.65 miles in 23 minutes.  It was good and I didn’t push much because I knew Saturday held my long run.

Saturday morning came and normally I would be running with Matthew and company.  Matthew and Dawn, however, had decided to spontaneously run a marathon in Tennessee…so they weren’t going to be there.  I had 12 miles to run for this week, as it was a fall-back week.  A few other people needed to go that distance as well.  So, I met up with Laura and a couple of other ladies for the early start at 6:30 a.m.  We headed out from Bardstown toward the Second Street Bridge.  From there, the other two ladies turned around, as they were only going 6-7 miles respectively.  Laura and I continued on, heading down toward the Waterfront.  Here Laura took me the opposite way, away from the Big Four Pedestrian Bridge…which was a very scenic and new route for me.  And I loved it.  We had great conversation, said hello to other runners and bikers that we passed, and she even showed me the trivia about river boats.  Oh, and if you don’t know much about trains…Laura can fill you in.  I loved learning so much about them.  I just love trivia and knowledge…especially on things I normally know nothing about.  We reached our turnaround point, then headed back along toward the riverfront before taking Main to Market to Baxter back to the store.  I was going to stop at 12 miles, but I felt so good coming up the hill on Baxter, that I just kept going.  When it hit the corner near Blue Mile, I was only 0.10 miles off from 13, so I made Cathy run behind me as I worked to hit that 13 mile mark.  She jogged for about 20 feet before just heading to the car, where I met her after my watch hit that 13th mile.  And I felt good at the end of it.  Which was what I wanted to feel.  We had a Maroon 5 concert that night and I had every intention of rocking out another 12 – 13 miles on Sunday, despite getting home at 2 a.m.  But that…will wait for next week.

So, there was a lot of daily doubles going on this week, whether in running or walking.  But I can feel my legs are getting used to working even when fatigued.  And that, I feel, is a good thing.  The marathon is going to drain me…so knowing my legs can carry me through, even when tired, is just making me feel better about the entire situation.  I’m loving every bit of my training…and the extra stuff I do for fun.  Because I can’t just keep it serious all the time.  I love to run…so when the opportunity comes up to run a mile for charity…to run with friends…to bake a cake and share it with good people…that’s what I do.  It’s good for me to adjust my running, to take it easier than usual at times, because it helps build endurance and strength.  That’s a hard lesson to learn.  I can’t be all-out all the time or I will get injured.  Those long, slow distances are key to going the distance and making it to the finish line at the very end of it all.

Definitely looking forward to this coming week…which won’t include as many doubles.  In fact…Monday should be the only one.  I keep learning from all my training and fun runs.  I take in great advice, I learn about what my body is capable of managing, and I just enjoy the feeling I get when I hit stop on my Garmin and realize just how far I’ve gone.

I might have been pulling double duty this past week on the running, but I ran smart to ensure I could handle it.  And that is the key!


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Marathon Training Week #7 – Cooling off and going long…er…

Marathon Training Week #7
Marathon Training Week #7

It’s July, right?  Right?  Because this week, save for the very beginning, brought about less humidity and cooler temperatures.  This has definitely boosted my confidence in my training and my running.  I don’t feel like I’m out of breath.  I don’t feel like I’m drowning in sweat (even if it is liquid awesome).  I don’t feel tired as quickly.  Mother Nature somehow brought me my confidence back with the much cooler, much more running-friendly weather this week.

After last week, this was a welcome change.  Especially with the long runs (yes…runs!) I had planned for this weekend.  Sweet, sweet relief.  And, to make it even better (who am I and what did I do with my former self?)…on Saturday my running group got poured on.  It was amazing.  It felt great.  It made me smile…even if I was getting poured on.  It didn’t last long…but it was nice to splash through the puddles and feel all badass for hitting that pavement in a drenching downpour.

This was a “scale-back” week for me in terms of mileage during the week.  But my long run this weekend was supposed to be longer than last week’s.  Last week I extended my long run to comply with my friend Matthew’s…so, this was technically a scale back as well.  I was okay with that.  These are important weeks for the body…because with the scale back…the following week brings back the higher mileage and now your body is ready to handle it.

But then…a second long run happened.  Because when a friend invites you to join her group for a refreshing, early, early morning long run on Sunday…you go.  It was fantastic.  I met a new group of wonderful people and I had a chance to really chat up Kelsie and we discussed our training…our hopes for our marathons…fundraising problems…and…clothing/shoes, etc.

This week…was the kind of week I needed.

Sunday is normally my easy run or rest day.  My roommate and I had a house guest this weekend, but I felt I needed to stretch my legs out.  After Saturday’s rough 18 mile run in extreme heat and humidity, then a lot of riding in a car…followed by sitting on a hard cement floor at a very fun roller derby bout…followed by more car riding…the run was a relief and gave these legs a chance to simply S-T-R-E-T-C-H out.  I choose to run hills though…which still doesn’t make sense now that I look back.  But, it seemed to be what my legs needed.  I could feel the strength returning to them with each hill that I powered up, despite having some residual aches and pains.  I took it easy, though…as that stifling humidity was still lingering.  It was all about pacing myself and keeping myself hydrated and fueled properly.  After the run, I showered, changed, and headed out to meet up with my sports nutritionist again.  This time we went over loss of sodium in these sort of conditions and what that means…how to fuel properly for that…what I’ve been doing right…what I need to improve on…and the like.  It was a brilliant meeting and I walked out of there feeling so much better about things.  Remember all those harsh comments about my body?  Well, she told me I looked healthier now than I did when we first met.  And that I should pay no attention to the negative people firing these comments at me.  She said simply…believe it or not…I am built like a runner.  Lean muscle.  And the people who said those things have no idea what they are talking about.  Her job was to make judgment calls about her clients based on looks as well and she said I looked healthy.  Then we hugged.  I needed that.

Monday morning took me back out into the wee dark hours before most people are even out of bed.  The air felt so heavy, humid, and wet that morning.  I did, however, get rained on for one glorious mile.  I think I smiled then.  It just felt better and easier.  It happened right in the middle of my 5 easy run…and it was a blessing.  Until it stopped.  And all I wanted after that was it to rain down on me a little more.  It was so refreshing.  But, alas…the rain was gone for the time being.  I did rock out negative splits, however!  Always a good thing.  Being Monday, that also meant it was my Daily Double…so I headed out to my running store’s fun run and we all ran with Natalie again, whose arm is feeling better, but her hamstring is dealing her fits.  We let her set the pace and we ran for three miles, winding up back at the store.  It was a hot, hot day for running.

Tuesday is the usual cross training day.  This week I was scheduled for 40-50 minutes of cross training.  That’s rather normal on Tuesdays now.  The only difference this week was that Cathy was left at home, having had her last wisdom tooth extracted on Monday afternoon.  All alone at the gym.  I got on the Arc Trainer for 45 minutes, using the Program 1 setting on Level 5, and managed 2.78 with various intervals, resistance, and inclines.  It was challenging.  Then, to finish it up, I got on the rowing machine for 10 minutes worked my core and upper body to the max, pushing for 1.19 miles.  I hit up a few strength machines before calling it a day.  That night…yoga to stretch everything out.

Wednesday is my speed work or pacing day and this week called for 5 miles of speed work.  This was supposed to be done at the track, however, Cathy was still out of commission and I wasn’t going to head off to the track alone while it was still dark out.  I do a lot of crazy things, but safety is always first and I didn’t feel safe going off on my own.  So, I decided I would have to dreadmill the speed work this time and make sure I hit up the track next time it came up in the schedule.  That was the deal I made with myself and with Cathy.   So, I hit the gym and set the treadmill for an easy 7 mph pace for my first mile to get warmed up.  Then I dug into 4 x 800 meters at 8 mph with 4 x 400 meters at 7.5 mph for recovery.  My last mile was back down to the 7 mph pace to cool down.  When I finished, I actually felt like I was too easy on the speed work and should push a little harder next time.  So, that’s my goal.  I tend to go easier than I normally run on a treadmill.  I don’t know why.  Most people are the opposite.  Go figure.

Thursday morning dawned and brought about my final 5 mile easy run of the week.  It was a gorgeous 60 degree morning.  And I loved it.  I had a bit of a twinge in my hip that morning, but I stretched really well and it went away.  And the entire time I was running nothing bothered me at all.  I polished off that run like it was nothing, no twinges after that or anything.  So whatever it was just required a bit of stretching.  And…once again I managed negative splits.  It was the kind of run I needed.  That was also my second day of the week to hit up the gym and I managed to get 9.18 miles in on the elliptical in 49 minutes.  Then rocked out 3.89 miles on the stationary bike.  I felt really good about how I did on those, but my legs were really feeling it all that day.  So, after hitting up some strength machines and heading to work, I made sure I stretched it all out that night with some soothing yoga.

Friday naturally meant it was the rest day that I never like taking, but have promised to respect it and keep it holy.  Which I do.  I don’t run or hit the gym or do anything at home.  I did, however, take myself for an early morning walk.  I managed 2.5 miles in 30 minutes, so that wasn’t too bad.  I tend to be a fast walker with these short legs.  Next time, I might have to slow it down some.  I just get lost in my thoughts and don’t even realize it.  But, the rest of the day it was rest, rest, rest because Saturday was coming and that meant…the long run…

Saturday is long run training day.  Run long at an easy pace.  This week, most people were going for the mileage my training plan called for, which was 15 miles at the Long Slow Distance pace.  I met up with my running group earlier than normal, at 6:00 a.m.  We hit the road, heading toward one of the parks and overshooting it to get to 8 miles…so that when we turned around…we wouldn’t have to run the worst part of Eastern Parkway here in Louisville near the end.  Instead, we would take that at a deliberate walk to cool down.  Now…on Friday I accidentally got hit with a case of accidental glutenization.  Let’s just say…stupid mistake led to major stomach issues.  So, I was a bit nervous about Saturday morning.  But I managed to rock out the run.  Matthew and I were having a much better run this week…and for the first couple of miles, we ran with the rest of the 6 a.m. group.  But, then…for the remainder, it was just us…until we turned around and met up with them again.  We stopped to talk for a moment, but then decided to head back to the store.  They told us to go ahead…because no one likes to get passed.  Matthew and I went on…and polished off the run, cooling down just as planned with a brisk walk toward the coffee shop.  I had baked up some gluten-free rosemary cheddar biscuits and some gluten-free/dairy-free/sugar-free banana oat cookie bites for everyone, and Cathy was at the coffee shop, generously handing them out for me.  We settled in to talk for a little while, then we excused ourselves because we were both starving and were ready to hit up my favorite Saturday breakfast spot – Annie May’s Sweet Café – for their gluten-free/vegan sausage and “cheese” breakfast sandwich.  I was pretty much on the go the rest of the day…finishing up grocery shopping and just hitting the malls to keep on moving.  Eventually, as the day went on, my stomach started to feel better.  I’m still not 100%, but at least I proved I had it in me to go the distance regardless.  I feel strong.

It turned out to be a fantastic week for running, once the weather changed and the humidity lifted.  I mentioned a second long run this weekend, which I rocked out at 5:30 a.m. this morning with my Virgo-in-arms and friend, Kelsie.  But…that will have to wait for next week’s blog.

I started the week on a high note, with a good, hill run and a great meeting with my sports nutritionist.  Then I polished it off with great running weather for my scheduled long run.  Life has been good to me this week.  And I am pleased to see that the nicer weather is staying this coming week.  See this smile…yeah…it’s been awhile.

See you next week!


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Marathon Training Week #6 – It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity…

Marathon Training Week #6
Marathon Training Week #6

So…here is the vicious cycle.  I dislike cold weather runs.  So, during the winter all I do is talk about how I can’t wait for it to get warm again.  Then, in my area, we usually have about three days of spring and then the dog days of summer set in.  Living in the Ohio River Valley makes for some rather intense humidity.  And, wow, has Mother Nature ever been throwing the wet towel on me for every run this past week.

But…there are so many things I have learned in the past two years about running in the heat.  First of all, I do understand that when there are heat advisories…it is best not to push it.  Either take it inside or slow it down.  That’s the next thing…when running in hell-like conditions…slow your pace.  Just do it.  There comes a point where your body will tell you it has had enough…and it won’t be pretty.  Slow it down, make it through the run.

HYDRATE HYDRATE HYDRATE!!

I can’t emphasize that enough.  I’ve been doing a lot of practice with hydrating while out on the run.  Both with water and, yes, with Gatorade.  The Gatorade came as a suggestion from my sports nutritionist, whom I am meeting up with again today.  Why?  Carbs, sugar, and electrolytes.  I tend to sweat salt.  When I get done with a run on a hot, hot day…I’m caked with white.  This means dehydration is a huge risk.  So, I hydrate often and rotate between water and Gatorade.

This coming week, I am praying for a break in this stifling humidity.  There is nothing worse than feeling like you’re breathing through a wet towel on each and every run.  That being said…let’s take a look at this week’s training and see what I have learned…

Sunday is normally my easy run or rest day.  BUT…not this Sunday.  This Sunday was The Boilermaker 15K in Utica, New York.  Race day!  My rest day last week fell on Saturday, as I rearranged the training schedule to fit this race in.  And trust me…this one was brutal.  For one thing, it wasn’t supposed to be as hot as it was that morning.  I woke up and it was already in the high 70s with a very high humidity.  This meant I went running in my company running skirt and a bra top.  The less fabric on me…the better.  Along with the heat and humidity…was hills.  This course was hilly, especially in the first half of the race.  This turned out to be a tough race.  I brought Gatorade and water for the route and there were over 20 aid stations on the 9.3 mile course.  I finished with a new 15K PR…surprisingly, as by Mile 7, I realized I should have been fueling better when the heat started to get me…so I took a GU and kept on trekking.  This was hard.  And afterwards, as my schedule had me set for 10 miles for my long run, I did a slow, easy shake-out run in an alley for the remaining mileage that day.  Then, I had to shower, get in a car, and not move for a very long time…which my legs and body didn’t appreciate.  I was so sore by the time I got back into Columbus, Ohio early Monday morning.  And with fatigue settling in, I didn’t bother to foam roll either.  Live and learn.  More stretch breaks…even if it means more time on the road.

Monday morning I was up just a little past 6:30 a.m., despite my late night/early morning return to Columbus, Ohio.  My training plan still had me on schedule for a 6 mile easy run, and despite very sore legs, I was determined to get it done.  This meant looping Jenn’s neighborhood, which is the route I usually do when I’m in town visiting her.  That particular morning…I felt defeated on the run.  My legs were screaming at me from sitting so long in the car after racing.  The humidity was draining.  I found myself stopping every half mile to catch my breath, hydrate, and at mile 3, fuel.  It was just hard that morning to even get going and I just felt like crying every time my legs told me to stop.  But, I got through it.  And then, after grabbing breakfast…had to climb back in the car for the drive back to Louisville.  Upon arriving back at home, I had to change and get ready to get back into the car and head out to my Monday fun run.  I thought about skipping it, but Cathy told me it would be good to go, especially after being forced to sit in a car that long again.  That was part of the problem…my legs were hurting.  But I went.  And, due to the high humidity and heat, it was decided that we were going to run trails.  Now, I have never run trails before…and the very thought of doing so while I’m in training for a marathon scared the daylights out of me.  But, Cathy encouraged me to just do it and I was told we would go easy.  Natalie, who I run with often, said that if I felt uncomfortable on the trails, we could hop off in Cherokee Park and simply run the loop.  Here’s to good friends looking out for me.  I actually did okay and rocked out just under 3 miles of trail running.  Trails keep the pace slower, which was good in that heat.  And the tree cover meant no hot sun beating down…and there was actually a breeze on the trails.  I’m glad I was convinced to go along.

Tuesday is the usual cross training day.  This week I was scheduled for 40-50 minutes of cross training.  That’s rather normal on Tuesdays now.  So, I got on the Arc Trainer for 45 minutes, using the cardio setting on Level 5, and managed 2.38 with various intervals, resistance, and inclines.  It felt good and I was quite happy with how I felt on there.  I was trying to be very cautious with my legs, which were still not happy with me from the previous two days of sitting in the car.  I then got on the stationary bike for 10 minutes and managed a whopping 3.91 miles.  I guess I was trying to prove to my legs that I was boss and they would just need to shake it off and feel better.  I hit up a few strength machines before calling it a day.  That night…yoga to stretch everything out.

Wednesday is my speed work or pacing day and this week called for a 7 mile Tempo run.  I used the first mile to warm up and then began to turn up the speed to just under my 10K pace.  It was another intensely humid day…the worst one we had all summer.  And it was 4 a.m.  So, I figured I would do the best tempo run I could manage.  It was a little slower than my last 7 mile tempo run from the week before, but you adjust to the conditions.  No sense doing damage to myself by pushing too hard in weather that I shouldn’t be pushing through.  I kept the speed build gradual and really pushed for a strong finish.  This tempo run took a lot to get through, but I did manage, and that was the important part.  The key was hydration and fueling.  It gave me a strong finish and I felt good at the end of it.  Then, that evening while dinner baked in the oven…circuit training.  Working on building up some muscle.

Thursday called for 5 easy miles.  It was another hot, humid, sticky, and gross morning.  I really kept the pace easy because it just felt like I had  a wet towel draped over me.  It was hard to breathe and really hard to convince my legs to keep going.  They were starting to feel better from the days of sitting in the car and more sitting at the office (I wasn’t taking lunches because I was making up time for being off on Monday).  Despite all of that working against me, I managed beautiful negative splits that morning.  And when I saw that…I felt so much better about that run.  I stretched out again that evening with about 20 minutes of yoga.

Friday brought about the dreaded day of rest.  I have such a hard time with the rest day.  But I did vow to respect it and keep it holy each week.  Normally I go for a walk on lunch, but with the time I was making up at the office, I decided to get up at my normal run time and get my walk in early.  Good thing too, as things went crazy at the office with one of my accounts.  Anyway, I managed 2.4 miles in 30 minutes, which got me out and moving without tiring out my legs.  Good thing too…because Saturday was shaping up…

Saturday is long run training day.  Run long at an easy pace.  I was scheduled for 14 miles, but my training partner in crime was scheduled for 18.  I decided I could boost my run up for 4 miles.  After all, only a couple of weeks ago, I managed 15.5…and this was only 2.5 miles more.  I woke up early, got dressed for the stifling humidity and 80 degree morning that awaited.  I drank water.  I ate some cereal.  Then after applying a liberal amount of sunscreen, I got in the car and headed into Louisville to meet up with Matthew at 6:30 a.m.  I downed a banana on the way, which would give it time to settle.  I felt good as I stretched.  And when he arrived, we headed out for 18 miles.  Originally we had hoped to do this at an 8:30 pace…but the weather conditions made this virtually impossible.  We took a few walk breaks to cool down, we stopped for water.  It was hot.  And the heat and humidity was definitely taking its toll.  We made good friends with the manager of Denny’s, who let us cool off in their lobby and gave us free ice water.  YAY!  Then…we had the scary spill.  Matthew’s leg cramped up while we were in our last 3 miles.  His foot hit the sidewalk and he took a tumble.  He fell into me, but I stayed upright.  He hit the ground hard though…and I was so worried about him.  It just looked bad.  He said he was fine…and a lot of drivers and a biker all checked in on him.  He dusted himself up, all scraped and battered…and we pressed on…slow and steady.  But we managed to get our 18 miles in.  It was slower than we would have liked, but given the weather conditions, we ran it smart.  And that was the important thing.  Matthew’s okay, by the way.  And we’ve already got next week’s training run in the works.

This past week brought about some of the hottest conditions in this area this year.  The humidity has been killer, bringing about air quality warnings.  I get out early to run, and even that was hard on most days this past week.  I’m hoping the humidity breaks soon because this sort of weather is so hard to work through.  And it does affect you, as a runner, mentally.  Runners are very number-focused…and on these dog days of summer, you have to worry more about your well-being, your body, making sure you are hydrated and fueled…and focus less on pace and speed.  You still get in your training…it just may not be done as soon as you hoped or wanted.

But…even these hot and humid runs serve as good training and good lessons as far as how weather can affect you.  These fall marathons could have these conditions…or they could be cooler…rained on…or just perfect.  You just don’t know.  Adjusting training to keep yourself safe and healthy is best.  Safety first…always!


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Marathon Training Week #5 – Where I learn the value of sleep…

Marathon Training Week #5
Marathon Training Week #5

Another week done.  I know…I know…it’s only Friday, but I’m heading out of town this week for a race on Sunday in Upstate, New York.  And that means that today ended my week of training as tomorrow, the day of the heaviest travel, I am using as my rest day.  In the end, it all balances out.  Really.  I promise.

With that in mind, I had to approach this week keeping in mind that I would have very tired legs by the end of it.  What I didn’t count on was also having new shoes.  Yep.  Just bought a new pair of kicks.  Still not sure how I feel about them…they feel lighter than the Nike’s I was previously in…but…it’s too soon to tell.  Of course, this meant my Friday run was not only being done on tired legs…but fresh shoes.  So, I did my best to keep it easy.  No sense injuring myself before a race…let alone during the middle of my training, right?  Right!

So…this week I learned the valuable lesson of sleep.  And how necessary it is.  Last week with the concert during the week and then the convention over the weekend, I got less sleep than I normally do.  And I already get the very minimal.  Not because I choose to be that way…but I’ve never required eight full hours of sleep.  I function best on 5 hours.  But…I wasn’t getting that the week before.  And this current week has been just as full with activities and getting things ready for the trip to New York.  So…sleep has been rather scarce.  I’ve been up later than usual…then getting up at normal time to hit the roads and get my training runs in.  I’m really feeling the effects.  There are times I’m finding it hard to stay focused on things or maybe even nodding off on the couch.  So…after this trip, there is a break in the schedule and things come back on an even keel…so sleep will be a priority.  I bet my running will improve too.

I’m still feeling the sting of hurtful things said by people to me about how I look.  But…whatever.  I’m going to brush it off and know that I am happy and healthy and I don’t need them to drag me down and make me feel ugly.  Rise above it, right?  Right.

So…with that in mind…here’s how this weeks marathon training went…

Sunday is my easy run or rest day.  I was still at the convention, so I went and hit the treadmill at the fitness center of the hotel I where I was staying.  I rocked out some intervals, doing one mile at an easy warm-up pace, then rocking out 7 x 800 meters with 6 x 400 meters recovery in between each one.  Then, I polished it off with a 1 mile cool down at an easy pace.  It was just the start I needed to the day.  The gluten-free veggie burger with fries at Cheeseburger in Paradise for lunch was a nice bonus for the day.

Monday morning came way too quickly…and had me back to running in the dark.  The 4-H Fairgrounds are close to my apartment and Monday was marking the start of the fair.  With that in mind, I decided to stick close to home this week, just to be safe.  Safety is always first.  I was scheduled for an easy 6 mile run, and that’s what I did.  It felt good, despite the 92% humidity that morning.  I survived.  I think I just needed to get out there and run it all out.  I did just that.  And, of cousre, Monday marks my Fun Run night, so the Monday Daily Double continued in full swing.  I once again went running with Natalie and Harry, up near Cave Hill Cemetery.  We didn’t turn this time, we ran around a statue and continued on.  And Natalie, as we neared the end, pushed me to have a good finishing kick.  She promised to work with me on that finishing kick if I could help her down the road with marathon training.  That seems like a fair deal.  And she made me work for it.  I kicked it and we finished a great 3 mile run.  It was hot and humid out and we walked a little.  Keep in mind, this lady is running in a cast.  She’s hardcore!  It was another run that I needed today,with two of my favorite people!  I was so tired though…and it was starting to show.  Went home, showered, and had to finish getting things ready for work the following day.  Later than usual night. Ugh.

Tuesday is the usual cross training day.  This week I was scheduled for 40-50 minutes of cross training.  No problem.  I hit up the gym and did 45 minutes on the Arc Trainer on the Pike’s Peak setting once again, keeping it with the Level 5 setting as well.  It’s comfortable, yet challenging, and that was what I wanted.  I didn’t want to push too hard due to  The Boilermaker this weekend, but I needed some hill work somehow.  And this was how I was going to accomplish it.  After 45 minutes, I managed 2.38 miles of hills.  It was tough…but I pushed on through.  Then I moved onto the Cardio Wave machine, which is similar to an elliptical, but your feet move from side-to-side instead of front and back, changing it up a little on the legs.  I got in 3.9 miles on there.  Felt happy with both of those performances.  I capped off my gym day with some strength training.  Then headed to work.

Wednesday is my speed work or pacing day and this week called for a 7 mile Tempo run.  I used the first mile to warm up and then began to turn up the speed to just under my 10K pace.  It was a gradual thing because it was so humid that day.  The rain was supposed to be coming down, but it was pushed back to later in the afternoon.  That level of humidity at 4 a.m. is intense.  The sun isn’t even up yet, and I felt so drained with each mile I pushed through.  I did get the Tempo run accomplished with success, I just turned down the speed to train smart.  And I hydrated, hydrated, hydrated!

Thursday called for 6 easy miles.  So, out I went to get that done.  With the rain that had come through, I had hoped that the humidity broke, but sadly…it hadn’t.  The teperature was 77 degrees that morning with 93% humidity and a high dew point as well.  So, I struggled through these six miles, taking them easy because I didn’t want to do damage to myself.  Humidity sucks and it can really just drain every bit of energy out of you.  I felt like I was breathing through a wet towel for much of this run.  But I got through it, and went inside to have breakfast and head to the gym.  I rocked out 9.2 miles on the elliptical in 49 minutes, which made me feel good about life.  So did the cool gym environment and the fan that was blowing toward me.  Ahhh…relief.  Then I hit the rowing machine to get every muscle in my body working.  I managed 1.19 miles in 10 minutes.  Some strength training followed.  Then, on this particular Thursday, I was registered to run in the third BlueMile Brew Mile.  This was so much fun, but my legs were just…tired.  So tired.  I went ahead and tried on the Nike Free shoes that they had for runners to test out at the run.  I hated them.  I want to move toward minimalist shoes…but those were definitely not for me.  The mile went well.  It had slight hills and we rounded a sapling at the halfway point, which took some of the momentum away, but I finished in 7:12.  My slowest Brew Mile to date.  Much water followed.  And hanging out with Harry and Laura from my running group.  It was a good time.  After that, I went to BlueMile and shopped for new shoes.  I walked out with a new pair of kicks – Pearl Izumi EM ROAD M 3’s.  They are 2 ounces lighter than my Nike’s.  I was going to test drive them Friday morning…

Friday…is usually my rest day.  But not today.  Nope.  Not today.  With the race being on Sunday and with Saturday being a major travel day, I moved my rest day to Saturday and my normal run I would do on Sunday got bumped to Friday.  Sunday I am racing, so I still get a run in.  I’m just a bit late on my long run.  Anyway, the humidity finally broke and this morning’s run felt amazing.  So did the shoes.  Although, I can tell they need more breaking in.  This will make the Boilermaker 15K interesting…new shoes not quite broken in.  Oh boy, oh boy!  At least they aren’t giving me blisters.  That’s the important part.  The lift in humidity made such a difference.  I felt so much better during the run.  No stopping to cool down.  Nope.  I think I might have smiled again on this run.  It felt great.  The shoes are going to take some getting used to…but I think they’ll do good.  Next time, I’m getting my Adidas Boosts.

Saturday I should be running 14 miles.  But I changed it up with my following week due to the race on Sunday.  Next week was supposed to be 10 miles.  My 15K is 9.3 miles, so I figure on Sunday I’ll cool off with a short 0.7 mile run after I finish up the race.  But Saturday is a lot of time in the car, a race expo, and my rest day this week.  We’ll leave it at that.

Another week in the books.  Meeting with my sports nutritionist again as the mileage increases and making some adjustments to my regimen.  Looking forward to learning more, doing more, and putting the time in to make my first marathon a success.  I guess that means getting my sleep pattern back under control as well.  But that will have to wait until I get back from Utica.


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Marathon Training Week #4 – Running away from the pain…

Marathon Training Week #4
Marathon Training Week #4

UGH…what a week.  What a terrible, draining, awful week.  Lack of sleep, a lot of tears, and…my relaxing weekend was anything but relaxing.  In fact, it only served to make me more self-conscious of myself.  And that’s what sucks.  I wanted to be able to escape everything that was weighing down on me this week…and instead I caught it once again.  Seems the only place I feel like myself these days is when I’m out running.  And that bothers me.

That being said, my first month of Marathon training is in the books.  I am so proud of myself and everything I have accomplished these past four weeks.  I’m already anticipating the next month…all the miles, the speed work, the pacing, every easy run, and every hard one as well.  I’m going to earn these 26.2 miles…while I am running a couple of other races, I’m treating them as training…not as races.  My main focus is that big 26.2.

As many of you might have previously read, I had some very hurtful things said to me this past week by someone I considered a good friend.  It stung.  It hurt.  And, wow, did it every set my self-confidence back, especially on body image.  I was heading into a weekend at a sci-fi convention, and I normally never worry about this sort of thing, but it was still weighing (no pun intended) heavy on my heart and in my mind.  And then…while at the convention I caught crap from people as well.  I am SO tired of feeling as though I am the ugliest person because of my size, build, and the fact that I RUN!

YES!!  I run.  I’m in training…so I am running a lot.  But my body is strong, my heart is strong, and my willpower is stronger.  I am no stranger to hurtful words about appearance…I got that a lot growing up.  Always picked on.  But, we’re all adults here.  I don’t want to be told that should I ever get cancer I would never survive.  WTF?!  I run my body…and my body, in return, runs perfectly.  I take care of myself.  I eat plenty.  I exercise to stay healthy.  When I’m in a place I am hoping to escape my problems, I don’t need them thrown at me, loudly.

And…for the record…RUNNING WILL NOT KILL ME!

That being said…my marathon training this week started off fantastic, and then…began to suffer.  Mostly because I let things get to me.  I let words cut me down and scar me.  In fact…I lost my spirit this week…the run just felt so hard.  It might have been the humidity.  It might have been the hurtful words of friends running through my head.  Maybe it was both.

In the end, more nice things by true friends were said to lift  me up and help me find my center again.  And that…is what got me through.

Sunday is my easy run or rest day.  As is usual with me, I took my feet out for a spin on the pavement that morning.  It was humid, humid, humid out there on Sunday, so I kept it close to home and headed out before the sun was up.  I finished up just as it was cresting over some of the hills.  It was a relaxing run and while the humidity was a drag, I managed to press on through.  And that was after running an accidental 15.5 miles the day before.  I was feeling good.

Monday means it’s back to running in the dark.  That’s fine, except the added challenge on this particular Monday was that I was out until about 2:00 a.m. at a concert in Cincinnati.  The concert was The Goo Goo Dolls with Matchbox Twenty…and it was wonderful…but the 5 easy miles called for in my training was quite hard on weekend-weary and concert-weary legs and total sleep deprivation.  I actually went out running an hour later than usual, because I felt sleep was more important…but I was still just tired at the end of it all.  Of course, Monday also means it’s Fun Run night, so the Monday Daily Double was still on.  I really just wanted to take an easy run, so Harry and Natalie took me on a great run that went by Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, then through some of the neighborhoods in the Highlands before ending 3 miles later back at the store.  We let Natalie set the pace…and, wow, she has a kick there at the end.  She promised she’d teach me all about finding that strength at the end of a run.  That’s good, because I need it.  Monday…was a tiring, but good day.  Got in late after running some errands, trying to prep for this weekend.

Tuesday is the usual cross training day.  This week I was scheduled for 40-50 minutes of cross training.  No problem.  I hit up the gym and did 45 minutes on the Arc Trainer on the Pike’s Peak setting.  The Boilermaker is this coming weekend in Utica, New York, so hill work is important.  I haven’t been taking on hills as often as I should be so I’m feeling a little unprepared for this course.  But, as I sad, I’m to be treating these races as training runs, not races, per my sports nutritionist.  So…I’ll just do what I can and leave the rest up to how I feel.  I set the Arc Trainer for Level 5 so I could have some more resistance and steeper inclines.  It was a challenge and one I met.  Felt good.  The rowing machine was next.  UGH.  Rowing.  It’s a great core workout, working a lot of your upper body, legs, back, arms, and core, but it can be very boring and very, very difficult.  I struggled, but managed 1.2 miles on the machine in 10 minutes.  Not too shabby.  I capped off my gym day with some strength training.  Then headed to work.

Wednesday is my speed work or pacing day and this week called for a 7 mile Fartlek run.  I used the first mile to warm up and then hit the pavement for some intermittent bursts of speed with some recovery in between each part.  I felt good coming in from this run.  My legs felt up to the challenge, though they were screaming at me toward the end.  I pushed through the morning humidity, and just felt like I had really accomplished a great run.  Speed work is something I’m trying to focus more on, but it’s not always easy to do around here.  So, this felt like a victory.  Then, as I was sitting down on my computer with some water and some time to relax, I got hit up by a friend with some very hurtful words.  My legs were taken out from under me.  And after I lengthy blog on the subject, I felt I could put it behind me.  Wow…was I ever wrong.

Thursday called for 5 easy miles.  I really just wanted to get out there and run this day.  There was still a lot on my mind.  The words that were said to me were still lingering in my brain, and still breaking my heart.  I thought I could run it off…but my body had other ideas.  I pretty much kept stopping after each mile or less, finding the need to catch my breath or just take a moment.  The humidity was awful and stifling.  Then, the rain started to come down soon after I came in from my run, because when I left for  the gym, it was non-stop rain.  And it never really let up that day.  My gym workout was awful and disappointing as well.  My elliptical effort was not there.  I tried to push it…but it wasn’t happening.  I felt defeated and deflated.  Nothing was going right.  The stationary bike was my 10 minute effort that day.  And as much as I hate the stationary bike, it was the only part of my workout where I felt I accomplished something amazing.  My legs just needed to go fast…and they finally did.  I 3.85 miles that morning in 10 minutes.  And it made me feel a little better about life.  Some strength training followed.

Friday…the rest day.  I spent the morning wanting nothing more than to just go out for a short run.  Two miles wouldn’t hurt, right?  I just felt like I needed to prove to myself I still had my passion for the run.  But…it is the day of rest and I vowed to respect and honor that day, so, in the end, I finished packing my suitcase and getting everything ready for the convention I was attending this weekend.  I prepared breakfast, went to work, and went for a walk at lunch.  I need to just let these rest days do their job.  Letting my muscles and body recover from a week of a very draining and hard week just needed to happen.  I didn’t want to rest…but I made myself rest.

Saturday was my Long Slow Distance (LSD) pace long run for a scheduled 10 miles, per my marathon training.  The trick here was…I was in Indianapolis for a convention.  What to do?  Well, I knew BlueMile (my favorite running store in Louisville) had two locations in Indianapolis, so I contacted them to see if they had any running groups heading out on Saturday morning for training runs.  Both the Broad Ripple and Carmel stores did, but Broad Ripple was closer to where I was staying.  So, after a night of being up past midnight, not being able to sleep, and general…BLAH…I hauled myself out of bed at 5:50 a.m. to get ready to head out to Broad Ripple.  I got dressed, put on sunscreen, ate half of a granola bar, giving the other half to my roomie.  We headed out of the hotel a little later than planned…and discovered that it was raining.  Great.  Joy.  Ah well…I need new shoes anyway.  On the way to the store, I ate my banana I had brought with me.  We arrived and went into the store.  I stretched and soon they were making announcements and telling which races had to run for how long that day.  I don’t run by time, I run by miles, so I figured I would head out with them and then just go to the 5 miles, turn around, and head back.  I basically did that.  There was 95% humidity that morning and a steady misting of rain for most of the run.  But we headed out on the beautiful Monan Trail and ran it for 3 miles.  At the 3 mile point, there was a water/Gatorade stop and everyone turned around.  I did as well, running two miles back down, then turning back around, heading back toward the Kroger water stop to get me to 7 miles.  Then, it was three miles back to the store.  In the end, I ended up going 10.25 miles that morning…in the humidity and the rain.  And I felt good at the end of it.  My effort was kept easy due to that humidity, but I was loving my run that morning.  New scenery, new people, and just a new experience.  Then it was back to the convention and a very late night…er…early morning.

And that was the round-up for my first month of training.  In the end, what I’m finding out is…there are so many misconceptions about this sport out there.  There are also a lot of people who don’t understand the mechanics of a distance runner.  And…they probably never will.  I feel rattled and scarred from the hurtful words that were said, and I’m trying so hard not to continue to dwell on it.  I have a 15K race coming up this weekend and the best part is…I get to see a lot of friends from high school who I haven’t seen since…well…high school.  And that is going to be a fun and amazing time and I really just can’t wait to make it happen.

Here’s hoping I learn to soar again this coming week…


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The WEIGHT of the world, the HEART of the matter, and the SPIRIT of the marathoner

Quote from Kristin Armstrong
Quote from Kristin Armstrong

This is a difficult blog to write, but after receiving a very hurtful message from a friend via a social network site…I really felt there were a few things I needed to address.  I’m sure others have been thinking it.  I’m certain some may have even said things behind my back.  But…before I even get to it, I want to emphasize to everyone reading this…

Words hurt.  Words hurt more than anything else can because they can last forever.  Choose them wisely.

With that in mind, please proceed with the rest of this blog keeping an open mind.

WEIGHT

Let’s face it…society has put a face on what it perceives as beautiful and perfect.  There is one word that haunts women every single day of their lives.  DIET.  I hate the word.  Yet, there is no escaping it.  You see, society has put this standard of what women and men should look like.  And if you don’t fit into these standards, well, then you should do something about it.  After all…you aren’t beautiful unless you’re 100 pounds soaking wet, right?

WRONG!!

Before I start to dissect the word diet…and incorporate it with my life on the run (literally), I think I need to get one thing across about being gluten-free.

I did not choose to go gluten-free because it’s one of the latest fad diets out there.  For an entire year I suffered, silently, from a diet that was literally killing me.  I had turned 30 and life was good.  I had become a vegetarian a year before, feeling good about my food choices…and then something happened.  The food I loved no longer loved me back.  I would eat a meal, and get struck with intense pain in my stomach and side.  I’d feel sick.  My body felt weak and tired all the time.  There were nights I would sit down to watch something and literally fall asleep on the couch.  I had no energy.  I had no idea what was going on.  And, with all of that going on, I was dropping weight drastically…for no reason that I could fathom.  I was still eating like I normally was.  I just never felt good after doing so.  Confused…and, yes…scared…I headed in to see my doctor.  Numerous tests were run with results being inconclusive.  Then…my best friend growing up, Heather, told me to talk to my doctor about the possibility of gluten being an issue.  After the unfathomable money that I poured into hospital tests and blood tests and scans that came back with no answers, this seemed simple enough.

Heather hit the nail on the head.  My body was not absorbing nutrients properly.  I was a Celiac and didn’t even know it.  My body was trying to tell me something…and I couldn’t figure out what it was.  I was just desperately trying to put weight back in, and inadvertently, doing further damage to my system.  The gluten-free diet is not a way for me to quickly shed some pounds.  I have to be gluten-free.  Trust me…I wouldn’t choose to eat like this if I didn’t absolutely have to.  Even a slight spec of gluten in my food can cause a horrible reaction.  And that’s not something I am okay with.  So, when I say I am gluten-free…it is a medical diagnosis…not me leaping onto the bandwagon of the latest diet craze.

But…let’s talk diet crazes…

Women literally spend hundreds of dollars on the latest diet craze to hit the bookshelves, internet, and talk show circuit.  From Atkins to South Beach to Weight Watchers to Jenny Craig to Paleo and everything in between.  Every diet is created to sell you something or on the idea of something.  But, let me also emphasize this…especially to the ladies who are reading this blog…

YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL!

I know that sometimes it’s hard to look past that reflection in the mirror, but, we are better than what society deems as perfect.  We are perfection.  Every one of us.  We are perfect because we are so different.  We are perfect with our flaws and our scars.  And we don’t need to and shouldn’t punish ourselves for not living up to an unrealistic standard that is pushed on us by the world around us.  Love your flaws.  Love your body, even if it isn’t perfect.  Nothing is perfect…get used to imperfection.

I had a lot of hurtful things said to me when I was dropping weight and couldn’t figure out why.  I did not like being called a skeleton.  I didn’t like the whispers behind my back or the all-out hurtful things that were being said about me.  The smallest derogative comment about being just “skin and bones” would send me into a breakdown of crippling tears.  I couldn’t explain the situation…because I didn’t even know what to make of it.  All I knew was people would say very hurtful things about my body…and it would get back to me.  I’d put on the brave face in public, but if I could find a bathroom, or the safe haven of my car, I’d let the tears flow.  Weight problems work both ways…and the overweight aren’t the only ones who get chided for looking a certain way.

With that in mind, let me turn to one of my least favorite words in the English language…and beyond: DIET.

Why do I have such disdain for this word?  Because it honestly makes people crazy!!

The difference...
The difference…

I’ve witnessed it.  I see it almost every day with the women in my office.  They fuss over points, and what they eat and if they eat this then they can’t have this…and OH MY GOD…I put on ONE POUND!!  Diet’s bring out the worst in people, rather than the best.  I’ve seen some of the nicest people fall into the diet trap…and they change…and not for the better.  Sure, at first the weight drops off…but then what?  The foods they were restricting begin to be consumed again…and the weight comes back.  And then the diet happens again.  Yo-yo dieting is not healthy.  Not for your body, your mind, or your soul.  Trust me.  We’ve all been there.  Even me.

As I am training for my first marathon, I enlisted the help of a sports nutritionist.  After getting the okay from my doctor to proceed with training, I wanted to be sure that I was doing everything…and I mean…EVERYTHING right to get myself from that start line to 26.2 miles down the road where the finish line waited.  I wanted to make sure I was not only working out right, but I wanted to make certain that I was feeding my body right, treating it right, giving it proper nutrition and proper fuel to function.  I wanted my body to come out of my marathon in the best shape possible.  And I wanted to do it the healthy, correct way.  Which is why I sought the help of a professional.

And already I have learned so much about food.  I already thought I knew a lot…but she has been a huge help to me and has definitely changed the way I view food.  Food is not the enemy.  Say it with me…

FOOD IS NOT THE ENEMY!

Now…stop treating it as such.  Food, to any athlete, is fuel.  It’s what gives our body calories…and those calories give us energy…which we burn…and then we need to refuel.  The problem with such restrictive diets is that, so often, we (I’m included) stay so focused on the number on the scale.  My nutritionist offered me this advice…

DO NOT WEIGH YOURSELF EVERY DAY…AND THROW AWAY THE SCALE!

We are more than numbers.  We are so much more.  And as you train for a long distance event, such as a half marathon or a marathon, your focus needs to switch from your weight…to how you are treating your body.  And this attitude should carry over into every day…whether you are in training or not.

Ever wonder why fad diets don’t work?  It’s all in the math.  If you usually eat proteins, fats, and carbohydrates (as you should) and you remove one of those food groups from your eating plan, you’ll lose weight…but only while you’re on the plan.  The moment you reintroduce those foods you  haven’t been eating…BAM…you gain weight and sometimes it’s more than you lost in the first place.  Yo-yo dieting and fad diets only serve to tax the body because it sends it into “starvation” mode.  The metabolism goes into hibernation, preparing for scant food supplies.  Food is necessary for energy…so this is definitely not what the aspiring athletes should be aiming for.  The body is like a computer and it prefers to burn energy from carbohydrates rather than fat, since carbs are more readily utilized.  Nourishment is key…and to do that you need to keep your body maintained with high-quality food, especially lean protein and complex carbohydrates, otherwise you end up depleting your muscle tissue and your energy in the process.

This was the first thing I learned from my nutritionist.  I used to go out running for miles without putting anything…anything in my stomach.  Mistake number one.  Because I was running, literally, on empty.  My body had no fuel…so instead of burning the calories from having something in my stomach, instead it was leaching off my muscles, which is draining.  She recommended I eat something before heading out…and drink 16 ounces of water.  I run in the eearly morning hours, so this seemed daunting at first.  But, I grabbed a handful of gluten-free trail mix or cereal when I get up…grab my water bottle I fill the night before, and as I dress, I make sure I get food and water into my system.  I pack a fuel belt with GU or Sports Beans, per her recommendation, as well as put Gatorade in one water bottle and water in the other. Every 3-4 miles, I am to fuel.  I am to make sure I hydrate while I run.  Despite wearing a fuel belt, I rarely ever touched the water I was hauling with me.  That’s changed.

And in the month I have been doing this…guess what?  I’ve become a stronger, better, faster runner.  I’m finally getting the hang of treating my body with the respect of an athlete.  Food…is fuel.  So, after going over that, I learned more about glycogen…which is the carbohydrates that are stored in the muscles and liver…and when they are not fueled or topped off during long workouts and runs, they become depleted.  The result…hitting the wall.  I needed to balance some nutrition out…making sure my carbohydrate to protein ratio was around 2:1 or 3:1.  And she (as a gluten-free, vegan, distance runner) even gave me fantastic sources of vegetarian protein and recommended a few recipes and snack ideas.

I have grown into a lean…mean…running machine.  And since figuring out what was wrong with my body 2 years ago…and moving forward to properly hydrating, fueling, and recovering after running and workout sessions, my body has only become better, stronger, and more efficient.

Yes…I am petite…but I come from a family of petite women.  Judging me based on what you perceive to be “the norm” is hurtful and harmful.  Calling me a “skeleton with skin” or other such hurtful words is not helping me any.  And when you have no idea what I’ve been through or am dealing with, it is unfair to even make the assumption that I am not taking care of myself.  Thank you for your concern…but I am taking care of me.  It’s been a long road.  It still is a long road.  And I’m not 100% happy with my body.  My self-image is not good.  And every time someone says something about me that is that hurtful…it only sets me back.

WORDS HURT!  And you can’t take them back.  You can apologize…but it doesn’t erase what was said.  That’s the horrible truth.

Athletes…both men and women…treat your body with respect, treat it well, and fuel it right…and the results will be far more than you could even imagine on any sort of diet.  Trust me.

HEART

Dean Karnazes Quote
Quote from Dean Karnazes

A common misconception that runners hear all the time is that we are destroying our bodies.  The constant pounding on the pavement is wearing down our joints, we’re destroying our bodies, and that so-and-so died from running a marathon.

Do people die after long distance races.  Yes.  Was it the race that killed them?  Nope.  It’s normally a pre-existing condition that perhaps they didn’t even know about.

Runners are not only the nicest people I have come into contact with, they are also some of the healthiest.  But, it is inevitable, we all get hurt at some point.  But this is no different than any other sport?  So, why do runners take such a hit when it comes to injuries?

I wish I knew.

I’ve been injured twice.  The first injury came when I boosted my race mileage from a 5K to a 5 Miler.  My foot suffered a stress fracture and I developed runners knee from trying to land differently and alter my gait.  This was back in 2011 when I first started running.  I recovered, but it took a couple of months to heal.  With the permission of my orthopedic doctor, I was still allowed to run in the Chicago Half Marathon (my first half marathon) on September 11, 2011, because he knew I’d do it anyway…but also because he was giving me exercises to do to get my leg back into working order.  It worked.  I had to tape my knee up…but I ran my first half marathon without ever having run over 5 miles on the road.  I was determined…and even though I was unprepared, nothing felt as good as crossing that finish line and meeting up with my friends Heather and Cathy at the end of it.  AMAZING.  I couldn’t wait to do it again.

My second injury happened because I was running injured.  I was at a 4 mile race almost a year ago.  And after hobbling through to the finish line, I ended up stepping off a curb and tearing my plantar fascia.  This was extremely painful.  I couldn’t even walk.  I had my first DNS (Did Not Start) on two races.  I was on crutches for 2 weeks.  And then…I got in to see my doctor who got me in to see a podiatrist…and the situation improved.  I was in the midst of training for the Indianapolis Women’s Half Marathon…and I told my podiatrist this exact thing.  And he told me as long as I took it easy…I could still run it.  He taught me the Low Dye tape job, and that took me off my crutches.  And soon, I was out running very slow 2 mile runs…easing into more mileage as he allowed…until I made it to half marathon weekend.  That race was a hot mess.  With 90% humidity, it was red flagged from the start…but I made it through better than expected…and that was that.

You see…the heart of a runner is nothing to mess with.  Runners are very passionate about their sport.  And you can tell when someone truly loves running simply by the way they talk about it…or the way they interact with others who share that same passion.  I have been welcomed into so many running groups.  I feel so blessed to have these people in my life.  It means I don’t ever have to run alone.  I can talk about anything and everything to these people because…they get it.  They know.  They understand.  Because they have the heart of a runner too.

Look at what happened at the Boston Marathon.  I wasn’t even there.  I knew people who were.  They were all safe.  But the impact of that event affected me so deeply.  I found myself depressed.  I’d run through my thoughts and fears and the “what-if” scenarios every time I hit the pavement.  I’d just run it out…for those who couldn’t.  I donated money to the One Fund…more than I can even count anymore.  That attack just tore my legs out from under me…it affected me on such a deep and emotional level.  And that’s what it means to have the heart of a runner.

And when someone indicates that this passion you have is destroying you…it’s not only insulting…it’s inaccurate.  And, dammit, it hurts like hell to be told all the time that running is bad.  Running is not bad.  Running is my freedom.  Running is my “me-time.”  Running has brought so many amazing people into my life.  Running has taken me places I never dreamed.  Running has helped me improve myself continuously, push a little harder, and to just remember to have fun.  Running is fun.  And, hopefully, I’ll keep chasing down my dreams.

My body has never been stronger…my heart has never been prouder.  I am a runner.  And I’m not going to stop.

SPIRIT

Runners train tirelessly and sometimes endlessly for one thing…and that’s to meet a goal.  They may not reach it the first time, but they keep trying.  If they fall down, they pick themselves up.  If they fail, they try again.  When others crumble before the finish line, they turn around, help that person up, and carry them across.  This is the spirit of running.

And, let me tell you, I have spirit.  Yes…I let the careless and thoughtless words of someone hurt me and tear me down today.  But I’ve had countless people pick me up, lift me up, and guide me back onto the path I am taking.

Knock me down…I’ll get back up.  I’m not perfect.  But I don’t have to be.

What I am is a human being…with feelings and emotions and expectations.  And, unfortunately…I do have self-image issues.  And I do lack confidence at time.  And yes…sometimes I even doubt my abilities.  Sometimes I hear that voice in my head telling me I can’t…and I silence it, push a little harder, and prove to myself that I CAN.  Life isn’t easy.  And it does have it’s bumps and roadblocks.  But…if you have a strong spirit…you can accomplish great things.

Osho Quote
Quote from Osho

I know that I am doing everything right when it comes to my training and my body.  I have gotten a physical check-up and an okay to start marathon training from my doctor.  I am consulting with a sports nutritionist.  I am following all the guidelines she laid out.  I’m discovering how important it is to fuel, hydrate, and…REST.  Rest is essential to the body and although I hate rest days…I respect them…I take them…and I come back stronger thanks to them.  If that’s not spirit…I don’t know what is.

You want to see what the human spirit is capable of…then go watch a marathon.  Be inspired.

Me…I think the events of this morning have only gone to make me more determined to do great things and to prove to myself and all naysayers just what I am capable of.  I am going to focus on the positive and prove that I am a bigger and better person.  I will take the high road.  That’s not to say I still don’t get upset and cry when I think of what was said to me…I will allow myself that.  But I won’t let them take away what means so much to me.  Never.

As someone in a running group said to me this morning…sometimes it is best to take a moment and reflect on all the amazing things your body has done- the finish lines crossed and the ones yet to cross- then take a moment to look in the mirror and yell yourself you are a beautiful work in progress.

I AM A BEAUTIFUL WORK IN PROGRESS!

And so are all of you!


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Marathon Training Week #3 – Going the extra mile…or 2.5…

Marathon Training Week #3
Marathon Training Week #3

It was a rather trying week this past week.  I went in for my procedure for my skin cancer and came out of that feeling good, but drained.  I was given the okay by the doctor to start running again the day after I went in for it, so that was at least uplifting.  I don’t like being down for the count and I wasn’t going to let anything slow me down.  Not even a little pain in my head.

That being said, the procedure went well, and despite the weather’s best efforts, I was able to modify my training program to fit in between storms, life, and just an overall hectic schedule.  And, my favorite moment of the week was my Saturday run, which I did with my group in Louisville.  A good friend of mine, Matthew, ran with me for the entire way.  We are both pretty directionally challenged, and we took what we call the “scenic route” on our run to the pedestrian bridge in Louisville.  My long run turned into an even longer run…taking me above and beyond the furthest distance I have ever run in my entire 2 year running career.  SO proud of myself.   It was accidental, but I was still feeling good at the end of it.  Just really hungry…but that was easily remedied.

Week three in the books…still going strong.

Sunday is my easy run or rest day.  As I knew I was having my skin cancer procedure on Wednesday, the day of my 7 mile run with negative splits, I opted to do this on Sunday, where I didn’t have to add any stress to an already stressful day on Wednesday.  It was a very humid morning, despite setting out just as the sun was coming out.  I made sure I hydrated and fueled and what happened was I totally nailed my negative splits.  Just the confidence boost I needed at the beginning of a draining and tiring week.

Monday, as always, takes me back to running in the wee hours of the morning when it is still dark.  Despite the sun not being up at that point, it is always muggy and humid these days.  So, I always have my water with me, even on shorter runs.  This Monday was six miles easy, which I did.  Oddest thing though…when I finished up the two miles I did on the street, a runner wearing no reflective gear came tearing out of the 4-H Fairgrounds and heading up ahead of where I run to turn around and head back.  Not sure what to make of it, and being a little bit paranoid about that sort of stuff happening, I unhooked my pepper spray from my fuel belt and held onto it as I made my way up to my turn around point.  He had stopped at the sidewalk and I turned around faster than usual.  I thought he was behind me…but when I turned into my apartment complex and ducked around the parking lot to pause my Garmin and wait it out…nothing came of it.  Thank goodness.  Call me paranoid, but I just wanted to make sure I was taking every precaution to keep safe out there in the dark.  I finished up my remaining 2 miles and headed inside to get clean, make breakfast, and get ready for the day.  Monday also means that it’s fun run day, so I went that evening out to my running store and hit the hills of Cherokee Park with no time goal in mind.  Just having a fun run, as is the entire point.  As it was my second run of the day, I made sure I slowed it down and took it easy on the hills, as much as I wanted to push up them.  No time for injuries while training for something as important as a marathon.  My Monday daily double ended with me, my roommate, and two of my good friends from the running group going out for frozen yogurt to cool down after a warm afternoon run.

Tuesday is the usual cross training day.  This week I was scheduled for 40-50 minutes of cross training.  No problem.  I hit up the gym and did 45 minutes on the Arc Trainer on the Pike’s Peak setting.  Training for the hills I’m encountering in my upcoming 15K in Upstate New York.  I had it set for Level 5 and totally rocked it out.  I was so pleased when that cardio session came to an end.  I was still feeling good.  Then it was on to 10 minutes on the stationary bike.  I absolutely HATE the stationary bike.  HATE.  I hate it more than I hate the treadmill.  Seriously.  But I rocked it out, then went down to the weight room for a little bit and got in a bit of strength training as well.

Wednesday normally would be my speed work and pacing day…but not this time.  As I stated, I did my speed work on Sunday and it was a good thing too.  I woke up to thunderstorms.  Lightning, wind, rain, the works.  I got up and got dressed to go out to run and as I was opening the door, lightning flashed and reality came back to me.  Running in rain is fine.  Running in lightning…not so fine.  Not safe.  So, I took off my gear, kept on my workout clothes, and headed to the gym.  I had my skin cancer procedure this morning at 7 a.m., so I didn’t have long to get my run done.  I managed 5 minutes on the treadmill at the gym, hating every single moment of it.  Finished it up, made it home in enough time to eat breakfast and then get to my dermatologist’s office for my appointment.  It was not a good morning.  But the procedure went fine and that’s the important part.

Thursday called for another easy run.  This one was supposed to be for 5 miles.  Easy pace.  I ended up going for 7 miles.  I think, for me, it was my way of taking back my body from the skin cancer.  It was me showing that I run my body, nothing else does.  It was liberating.  And it was just what I needed that morning.  I even ran it with negative splits, without even trying or needing to focus on pace or anything.  I was out there because I could be and it really just made all the difference.  Afterwards, I hit up the gym for another cardio and strength training session.  I had a great workout there, hitting up the elliptical and then the Cardio Wave machine.  Later that night, it was the second BlueMile Brew Mile, so I went out for that and rocked out a mile for charity.  No free beer for me.  This girl wanted water.  I got to hang out two of my favorite running peeps who turned out for the mile run as well.  Just an overall good day…feeling strong.  During the mile run, I also tried on some Saucony Kinvara 4 shoes.  They were very light.  Not sure if I liked them or not, but I could totally tell the 3 ounce difference between those and my Nike’s.  Hmmm…

Friday…the rest day.  Also known as the day that drives me crazy.  I hate not being able to even clock a few miles.  As I said before, I get antsy and fidgety.  But, I do continue to remind myself that these days are built into training plans for a reason.  The body needs to heal itself from the hard, strenuous activity that I inflict on it during the week.  In doing so, my body also gets stronger.  Stronger means…I get faster.  I’m fitter.  I’m doing it.  So, I went on a walk at lunch, kept it easy, just getting out and being active.  And that was that.  I was ready for my long run on Saturday now.

Saturday was my Long Slow Distance (LSD) pace long run for a scheduled 13 miles, per my marathon training.  I met up with my group of runners, and there were some faces I hadn’t seen yet.  So that was good.  I promised them as we were planning out when to meet that I would bring goodies.  I did.  Gluten-free zucchini muffins, which I baked the night before using fresh zucchini from my CSA bin.  Loving it.  Anyway, the route was planned and we headed out at 6:30 a.m. to get the run in before the heat of the day.  I ran all of this run with Matthew, who is a super-speedy, super great runner, and one that I met (and ran with) during the Mile 2 Mile run I did back in December.  We talked the entire time, detoured through U of L’s campus when he and I failed to notice the Sidewalk Closed signs, got lost on our way to the pedestrian bridge, found the pedestrian bridge.  Ran to the end.  Hung out there, ran back across, spotted more of our group, so we turned around and ran back across the bridge.  Then, headed back with two other runners, Harry and John, who were showing us a new route.  Another sidewalk closure was ahead, but we hopped into the grass.  I tripped on a piece of concrete, but caught myself.  Matthew kept asking me if I was okay and if I had twisted an ankle…but I was fine.  Didn’t slow me down any.  We continued on down the waterfront to an area I had never been through, then we hit up a trail I ran part of one Monday with my fun run group.  I powered through that trail and waited for everyone at the end of it.  Harry sent Matthew and I on after we stood around for a moment.  He was going to make it back with John.  Matthew and I struck out to get back to the store.  I was leading and missed the turn, so we turned off somewhere else, went up a hill, and hoped we’d end up where we needed to be.  We just kept going straight until he noticed that we were near where he used to live while he was in college.  YAY!  We now knew where we were.  We ran through the neighborhood and finally ended up on Bardstown Road.  The humidity was really starting to suck, so we decided to hit the afterburners at the end and make an all-out sprint toward the “finish,” at the coffee shop.  We made it.  15.5 miles in the books.  It was the furthest distance I have run to date.  And I was on cloud nine because I felt good.  I felt great.  That’s how I want to feel at that point, honestly.  I think running with people can really just make all the difference.  Anyway…strong finish in the humidity.  I went to meet up with Cathy and went out for breakfast because, despite fueling along the way, I was starving and actually ready for food.

Not a bad week for my training.  This week tapers back the miles a bit, which is fine.  It’s also a holiday weekend, so that actually works out really well.  I’ll be out of town and intend to meet up with a group of people so I can get my scheduled Saturday long run in.  I just need to get the details on where to meet everyone.  I’ll be sure to do that very soon.

So, despite having gone extra miles 2 days in a row…this week really made me feel strong and good as a runner.  I feel my running is improving.  And next week I am definitely getting back into my cardio circuits and my yoga.  I slacked this past week on them due to my procedure, but no excuses this coming week.  None.

Getting stronger…getting better…

And I’m healing up perfectly too.  Loving it still!