I'm glad to have popped back in and read my last post. I impress myself - 16 miles. Wow.
It turns out that those first four miles were tell-tale after all. Shin splits reared quickly after that run. It took about 3 weeks for those to heal. Whilst nursing that injury I injured my tailbone and right hip. 12 weeks later I am still in regular discomfort and now headed to PT.
All training went down the crapper.
This year's athletic goals have shifted notably to ... none. I'm not sure what to do with myself. I'm stuck in an inactive funk. I won't stay here.
Blessings!
Nancy
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, January 4, 2008
Awesome Long Run
Wow... it feels like forever since I had a positive report. This week's miles were not *exactly* as planned, but good!
I didn't do a second short run in full. I walked several fabulous laps with a close friend. It was perfect - I needed both the company as well as the gentle miles. My 8 miler with hills tool a toll on the old hips!
Today, I ran a healthy 16 miles. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to report that I felt relatively strong from mile 4 onward. (The startup aches took longer to work themselves out, but they did indeed go!) I felt cardio-strong from the onset, but held back in respect of the aches and distance. Miles 4-12 were strong. I actually really truly had fun for several of them! Apparently, I measure fun in terms of ease and lack of discomfort! I am still amazed that I had *fun* running! Crazy. Miles 12-16 were really not bad. I needed less walking breaks than I thought I would. I would target a walking start point but run past it for quite a while. I kept a decent running pace overall. Even with several walk breaks my pace average was 11:30. That's really good for me these days. I have noticed that my pace is slowing over the training weeks and miles.
Could there be ANY better weather to run in than a drizzly 50 degrees?? Nope! It was perfect. I needed only one layer on the top. Not even a head band, really. I was very content with lower body dbl layers but they might have been unnecessary too. Perfect, loved it! Yeah for 50 degrees!
Anyway, tickled pink here. Thankful for all the prayers and support of my friends during this rough spot in the training weeks!
OH! I am spending more of my running time being grateful to God for all the lovely things He supplies. How marvelous is our planet, an ever-changing work of art! Awesome. The pic above, btw, is the trail on which I frequently run ... lovely!
One other thing. I intend to do a few things during my taper weeks. One is gather and read inspirational sotries of unlikely marathon finishers. I would like to hit race day chock full of inspiration and remotivation. I also need to spend some of that time determining my post-event plan. What and when should I do in the recouperative weeks following the marathon?
Well, friends, that's all tonight. Going to relax and continue to enjoy the afterglow of a solid long run!
God's blessings and love to all,
Nancy, Marathoner.
I didn't do a second short run in full. I walked several fabulous laps with a close friend. It was perfect - I needed both the company as well as the gentle miles. My 8 miler with hills tool a toll on the old hips!Today, I ran a healthy 16 miles. Ladies and Gentlemen, I am pleased to report that I felt relatively strong from mile 4 onward. (The startup aches took longer to work themselves out, but they did indeed go!) I felt cardio-strong from the onset, but held back in respect of the aches and distance. Miles 4-12 were strong. I actually really truly had fun for several of them! Apparently, I measure fun in terms of ease and lack of discomfort! I am still amazed that I had *fun* running! Crazy. Miles 12-16 were really not bad. I needed less walking breaks than I thought I would. I would target a walking start point but run past it for quite a while. I kept a decent running pace overall. Even with several walk breaks my pace average was 11:30. That's really good for me these days. I have noticed that my pace is slowing over the training weeks and miles.
Could there be ANY better weather to run in than a drizzly 50 degrees?? Nope! It was perfect. I needed only one layer on the top. Not even a head band, really. I was very content with lower body dbl layers but they might have been unnecessary too. Perfect, loved it! Yeah for 50 degrees!
Anyway, tickled pink here. Thankful for all the prayers and support of my friends during this rough spot in the training weeks!
OH! I am spending more of my running time being grateful to God for all the lovely things He supplies. How marvelous is our planet, an ever-changing work of art! Awesome. The pic above, btw, is the trail on which I frequently run ... lovely!
One other thing. I intend to do a few things during my taper weeks. One is gather and read inspirational sotries of unlikely marathon finishers. I would like to hit race day chock full of inspiration and remotivation. I also need to spend some of that time determining my post-event plan. What and when should I do in the recouperative weeks following the marathon?
Well, friends, that's all tonight. Going to relax and continue to enjoy the afterglow of a solid long run!
God's blessings and love to all,
Nancy, Marathoner.
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
Pep Talks
This post will be much like the last: hurried and riddled with highlights of struggle.
First the good: My second 16 mile run, well, actually 16.5, was stellar. The last 3 miles were hard, but doable. I was not run down or unable to perform the day's work post-run. Success!
The week of Christmas, however, I missed/skipped all my short and medium runs! I decided to think of my lack of running as a "rest" and determined that I would run my planned long run of
another 16 miles on Friday. It was a miserable run. My body ached (I think from inactivity and sitting so much.) Every step hurt. I felt lackluster and unfocussed. Pain would be in one ankle, then a shin or a knee, and then settle in my left hip. After a while the pain would start its travels in my body again, eventually settling back in the hip. I walked at every mile marker, taking in fuel or fluids. Typically, I walk a bit every 15 minutes to refuel or hydrate. Just a 3-4 minute change in that pattern signaled defeat. My breathing never got to its rhythm, every mantra felt off beat. I doubted my ability to do this at all, thought a lot about quitting, not doing the marathon. What the hell had I done telling everyone, 'I am a marathoner"? Crap. I tried hard to overcome my negativity, but all my efforts fell flat. I ran 4.5 miles out and 4.5 back, each was grueling and I never settled into a pace or zone. I returned to my car after 9 hard miles. I felt failure, but in all honesty, was glad to not be running.
During my previous 16 miler, I happily told myself, 'Nancy, if you can run 16 miles you can run 26!" One week later, all I could see was the hugeness of 10 more miles atop 16!
Where does one go after all that? After a week of missed short runs, one horrid long run?
To the local running store, of course! I needed shoes and I needed encouragement.
I was greeted warmly by Shelby, the owner. To my delight, he greeted me by name and with a hug! Thank you! He kindly indulged me in discussions about training. He is a Team in Training coach as well as a very accomplished athlete. He’s a wealth of insight, experience, and knowledge.
I wish I could just replay the conversation, or quote it word for word. Not that all of you care to read the ittybitty details, but I suspect that I will need it in the remaining weeks of training. Here are the highlights:
~ "6 weeks out from race day?” he asked… “just a few weeks before you taper? You are right on track. ” My bad run, difficulty in focus and performance is not at all uncommon at this juncture in marathon training. He said when coaching this is the time when the pep talks rev up. Relief!
~ It's the weekly consistent miles that really matter in terms of training more than the longest of the long runs. He gave examples of runners - some who did weekly long runs of 20 miles but no other running and those who packed in regular short and medium runs but never ran more than 13 miles in a long run. The latter *always* ran a better marathon.
~ Rest is what makes the body stronger, not the miles. It’s crucial to training as the running is.
Running longer than 75 minutes is also a critical part of training. After 75 minutes the body is being trained to tap into the ‘unlimited’ fuel source, fat.
~ You can’t train your body to deal with ‘the wall.’ It’s there. Fueling, hydrating, training, rest, etc… those factors play into how you hit the wall, but you can not hit the wall repeatedly and teach the body to do any different. You training yourself in terms of how to prepare and avoid hitting it hard. That training is not done at mile 20. It’s done in practicing nutrition, hydration, fueling in early miles, etc.
~ He reiterated what I have read in several books, it is not necessary to run a 20 miler before race day. In fact he said that in coaching Team in Training, their longest runs are 16 miles. Everyone finishes.
~ He was kind enough to share with me his experience of running marathons fit vs. unfit. He said that no matter his training preparation, it’s those last 6 miles that are hard. Training gets you to 20, your mind gets you thru the last 6 miles.
~ He encouraged me to tackle the last 6 miles in 2 mile chunks with the reward of walking the aid station waiting for me.
I think that about sums it up. It was his kindness, his time, his encouragement that meant so much.
I left the store and ran my weekly short run of 5miles at my normal pace, perhaps a few seconds faster. Today I run 8. Wednesday, 5. Friday. Hmmm. I remain undecided. Shall I go for 16 miles and tell the distance who is boss, and move on from that distance feeling accomplished and able? Should I move my 18 mile runs (of which I plan 2) to the last 2 long run slots and forego my planned 20 miler?
Oh! I ordered and paid for my shoes and asked how to incorporate them. 1st week wear them on alternating short/medium runs. Next week switch to alternating medium/long runs. 3rd week all runs in new shoes. It’s a plan.
I lost a pound! Merry Christmas to me!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
Blessings to all,
Nancy
The hesitant but recommitted Marathoner.
First the good: My second 16 mile run, well, actually 16.5, was stellar. The last 3 miles were hard, but doable. I was not run down or unable to perform the day's work post-run. Success!
The week of Christmas, however, I missed/skipped all my short and medium runs! I decided to think of my lack of running as a "rest" and determined that I would run my planned long run of
another 16 miles on Friday. It was a miserable run. My body ached (I think from inactivity and sitting so much.) Every step hurt. I felt lackluster and unfocussed. Pain would be in one ankle, then a shin or a knee, and then settle in my left hip. After a while the pain would start its travels in my body again, eventually settling back in the hip. I walked at every mile marker, taking in fuel or fluids. Typically, I walk a bit every 15 minutes to refuel or hydrate. Just a 3-4 minute change in that pattern signaled defeat. My breathing never got to its rhythm, every mantra felt off beat. I doubted my ability to do this at all, thought a lot about quitting, not doing the marathon. What the hell had I done telling everyone, 'I am a marathoner"? Crap. I tried hard to overcome my negativity, but all my efforts fell flat. I ran 4.5 miles out and 4.5 back, each was grueling and I never settled into a pace or zone. I returned to my car after 9 hard miles. I felt failure, but in all honesty, was glad to not be running.During my previous 16 miler, I happily told myself, 'Nancy, if you can run 16 miles you can run 26!" One week later, all I could see was the hugeness of 10 more miles atop 16!
Where does one go after all that? After a week of missed short runs, one horrid long run?
To the local running store, of course! I needed shoes and I needed encouragement.
I was greeted warmly by Shelby, the owner. To my delight, he greeted me by name and with a hug! Thank you! He kindly indulged me in discussions about training. He is a Team in Training coach as well as a very accomplished athlete. He’s a wealth of insight, experience, and knowledge.
I wish I could just replay the conversation, or quote it word for word. Not that all of you care to read the ittybitty details, but I suspect that I will need it in the remaining weeks of training. Here are the highlights:
~ "6 weeks out from race day?” he asked… “just a few weeks before you taper? You are right on track. ” My bad run, difficulty in focus and performance is not at all uncommon at this juncture in marathon training. He said when coaching this is the time when the pep talks rev up. Relief!
~ It's the weekly consistent miles that really matter in terms of training more than the longest of the long runs. He gave examples of runners - some who did weekly long runs of 20 miles but no other running and those who packed in regular short and medium runs but never ran more than 13 miles in a long run. The latter *always* ran a better marathon.
~ Rest is what makes the body stronger, not the miles. It’s crucial to training as the running is.
Running longer than 75 minutes is also a critical part of training. After 75 minutes the body is being trained to tap into the ‘unlimited’ fuel source, fat.
~ You can’t train your body to deal with ‘the wall.’ It’s there. Fueling, hydrating, training, rest, etc… those factors play into how you hit the wall, but you can not hit the wall repeatedly and teach the body to do any different. You training yourself in terms of how to prepare and avoid hitting it hard. That training is not done at mile 20. It’s done in practicing nutrition, hydration, fueling in early miles, etc.
~ He reiterated what I have read in several books, it is not necessary to run a 20 miler before race day. In fact he said that in coaching Team in Training, their longest runs are 16 miles. Everyone finishes.
~ He was kind enough to share with me his experience of running marathons fit vs. unfit. He said that no matter his training preparation, it’s those last 6 miles that are hard. Training gets you to 20, your mind gets you thru the last 6 miles.
~ He encouraged me to tackle the last 6 miles in 2 mile chunks with the reward of walking the aid station waiting for me.
I think that about sums it up. It was his kindness, his time, his encouragement that meant so much.
I left the store and ran my weekly short run of 5miles at my normal pace, perhaps a few seconds faster. Today I run 8. Wednesday, 5. Friday. Hmmm. I remain undecided. Shall I go for 16 miles and tell the distance who is boss, and move on from that distance feeling accomplished and able? Should I move my 18 mile runs (of which I plan 2) to the last 2 long run slots and forego my planned 20 miler?
Oh! I ordered and paid for my shoes and asked how to incorporate them. 1st week wear them on alternating short/medium runs. Next week switch to alternating medium/long runs. 3rd week all runs in new shoes. It’s a plan.
I lost a pound! Merry Christmas to me!
Merry Christmas, Happy New Year!
Blessings to all,
Nancy
The hesitant but recommitted Marathoner.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Holiday Hustle and 16.4 miles
Oh goodness, I am trying to keep my equilibrium with Christmas, guest preparations, work, and, of course, running. Blogging has been pushed down near the bottom of the list. So I just am popping in to say: I am still getting in most of my running.
I did a long run of 16.4 miles on Friday! Ran/walked 3.5 on Saturday. Monday I cut my planned 7.5 mile run to just 5 and I jogged/walked home, dejected.
Last week I went to the gym around 9ish to hit the treadmill and workout. MISTAKE! I was unmotivated and tired so late at night. I didn't bring music, mantras don't work the same on a treadmill. It sucked. I would rather have ran in the dark and cold rain! I sweat for about 40 minutes or so, did the ab routine, stretched, and yawned my way home.
I decided that I am going to run only 3 days a week while kids are in town. 4 days does not feel doable and I think that the feeling of failure for missed runs will impact my overall sense of how I am doing. If I can get to the gym on alternate days, you bet I will. 3-day plan not researched yet.
I need new shoes. On the 2nd half of my 16 mile run I felt like I was running barefoot. Especially in the left foot. It felt like by foot was falling very flat, no support, no cush. Yesterday's run felt the same.
That's all I have for now. I COULD blather on quite lengthily, but ... the to-do list is screaming at me!
Christmas blessings to each of you!
Nancy, the Marathoner
I did a long run of 16.4 miles on Friday! Ran/walked 3.5 on Saturday. Monday I cut my planned 7.5 mile run to just 5 and I jogged/walked home, dejected.
Last week I went to the gym around 9ish to hit the treadmill and workout. MISTAKE! I was unmotivated and tired so late at night. I didn't bring music, mantras don't work the same on a treadmill. It sucked. I would rather have ran in the dark and cold rain! I sweat for about 40 minutes or so, did the ab routine, stretched, and yawned my way home.
I decided that I am going to run only 3 days a week while kids are in town. 4 days does not feel doable and I think that the feeling of failure for missed runs will impact my overall sense of how I am doing. If I can get to the gym on alternate days, you bet I will. 3-day plan not researched yet.
I need new shoes. On the 2nd half of my 16 mile run I felt like I was running barefoot. Especially in the left foot. It felt like by foot was falling very flat, no support, no cush. Yesterday's run felt the same.That's all I have for now. I COULD blather on quite lengthily, but ... the to-do list is screaming at me!
Christmas blessings to each of you!
Nancy, the Marathoner
Saturday, December 8, 2007
14.1 miles - new distance
It was a good run. Fabulously uneventful.
It was cold! The first 7 miles I was underdressed. So at about mile 5 two miles left before I reached the car at midpoint, I was miserable. I took to mentally rehearsing what I would do at my aid station... what spare clothing I would don. I think miles 6 and 7 might have been the hardest of all 14 of them.
Lesson: low 40s - dry or wet - is a threshold for me. Layer up. Have dry hats and headbands ready. Gloves are a must. Prefer tights over loose running pants. My bottom was cooold!
I did well at my aid station car. Not a thought to stop and not run the rest. I was there longer than I would have liked to been, but considering I rummaged thru the car and put on clothing, I did well! And I left better clothes for the remainder of the run.
I did something I would never have predicted I'd do. I ate the last 1/4 of my breakfast cookie! I don't know why. I just did it. It was there. You know what? I did fine with it. I can eat small portions of food I guess. I didn't think I could so I never tried.
Lesson: Experiment (carefully) with food.
Back running I tried something I read in a book. I concentrated on the ground 10 feet in front of me. I'd notice a leaf, watch it til I came close to passing it, find another, and track it, then another... little teeny mini goals just 10 feet or so apart, accomplishment after accomplishment.
Oddly, those leaves began to become symbolic for me. Okok, I am about to get all weird on you. But if you know me then it won't be tooo unfamiliar!
For my "perfect run tape", scattered (and ideally crisp) leaves are one of my favorite parts. The road ahead of me is not so covered as to be unsafe but leaves are plentiful. I enjoy the rustle of them and the crunchy sound under my footfalls. I enjoy the shapes - I love God's great design work - and the colors, and the brown smell they give off.
It was interesting to me that those leaves would help me traverse the miles, one doable leg at a time. I was completely digging the symbolism. Then, I rounded a corner and there in front of me was my "perfect run" tape! The leaves were perfect. Some were older, damp, fully stuck to the pavement. Some her newly fallen. Crispy brown!
The leafy area quickly became chock full of meaning and things to appreciate. It was like I was running thru a field of accomplishments! Each leaf representing some thing I had never done before, and did. Some accomplishments older than others some new and crisp in my mind ... The reminder of so many carried me further!
Now, on the last mile, mile 14, the last leg of distance, a distance I have never run before... there were no leaves. None at all. I mean the pavement was void of them! It was NEW territory, leafless. I was creating a new leaf by running that mile. And someday it will beckon me along for a 10 foot leg or be in a glorious field of goals met!
So if you have come to the conclusion that I am coocooforcoacoapuffs, well, just be nice to me anyway. I'm harmless. And if you get it, then thank you for being in the coocooclub with me.
Back to running.
This route was fairly flat. Only a few slight inclines mark the entire distance. I would still change my chant to include "I carry my momentum over the top" and keep chanting it until my breathing returned to normal running rhythm.
I knew that on the last mile I would want to slow. The challenge of the last 3/4 mile of the 1/2 marathon flagged an important task for me: Learn to get thru to and past the finishline strong and not slow down. Push thru the "the end is close" hesitation.
I discovered that I already had the solution! I already had practice making it work for me too. Once I saw the connection, a small little chant containing all the important pieces of the others fell easily together:
I am a marathoner
I love to run
I carry my momentum thru pass the finishline!
This did indeed help me maintain a steady pace on the last mile and even quicken my steps once the 'finish' was in sight and ran right thru and pass! A strong finish. 14.1 miles!
I walked around, all proud, for a while. I stretched well enough. I felt pretty good!
There you go.
My knees ached for the first morning hours. I also had a new pain between my right inner calf and shin. It wasn't bad and I could only feel it for a fleeting bit during a specific part of my natural gait. I couldn't duplicate it otherwise. Noting it just in case I need it later.
DATE: 07-Dec-07
MILES: 14.1 miles
TIME: 2:46:29
PACE: 11:48
ROUTE: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1489003 followed by http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1489016
NUTRITION: 3/4 bfast cookie early. 1 Gu before, 1/4 bfast cookie 2 Gus during, only 12 oz of diluted sport drink.
WEATHER: Overcast, 40°F
COMMENTS: I didn't drink enough fluids. Needs work. I felt fine, but I know better, I am a sweater.
CONFESSION: I calculated my pace as soon as I got home. It's not like I am fast! Why could it matter? Sigh. This is a big thing to kick. This event is not the place for pace-caring. It's been a battle to let go of disappointment in my performance. WHAT? I ran 14 miles, that can't be good enough? I ran it and didn't keel over! THAT isn't enough? I ran it felt pretty good!!! That's. Simply. Awesome. I will kick this pace thing before long.
Thanks for your support and good thoughts,
Nancy, Marathoner.
It was cold! The first 7 miles I was underdressed. So at about mile 5 two miles left before I reached the car at midpoint, I was miserable. I took to mentally rehearsing what I would do at my aid station... what spare clothing I would don. I think miles 6 and 7 might have been the hardest of all 14 of them.Lesson: low 40s - dry or wet - is a threshold for me. Layer up. Have dry hats and headbands ready. Gloves are a must. Prefer tights over loose running pants. My bottom was cooold!
I did well at my aid station car. Not a thought to stop and not run the rest. I was there longer than I would have liked to been, but considering I rummaged thru the car and put on clothing, I did well! And I left better clothes for the remainder of the run.
I did something I would never have predicted I'd do. I ate the last 1/4 of my breakfast cookie! I don't know why. I just did it. It was there. You know what? I did fine with it. I can eat small portions of food I guess. I didn't think I could so I never tried.
Lesson: Experiment (carefully) with food.
Back running I tried something I read in a book. I concentrated on the ground 10 feet in front of me. I'd notice a leaf, watch it til I came close to passing it, find another, and track it, then another... little teeny mini goals just 10 feet or so apart, accomplishment after accomplishment.
Oddly, those leaves began to become symbolic for me. Okok, I am about to get all weird on you. But if you know me then it won't be tooo unfamiliar!
For my "perfect run tape", scattered (and ideally crisp) leaves are one of my favorite parts. The road ahead of me is not so covered as to be unsafe but leaves are plentiful. I enjoy the rustle of them and the crunchy sound under my footfalls. I enjoy the shapes - I love God's great design work - and the colors, and the brown smell they give off.
It was interesting to me that those leaves would help me traverse the miles, one doable leg at a time. I was completely digging the symbolism. Then, I rounded a corner and there in front of me was my "perfect run" tape! The leaves were perfect. Some were older, damp, fully stuck to the pavement. Some her newly fallen. Crispy brown!
The leafy area quickly became chock full of meaning and things to appreciate. It was like I was running thru a field of accomplishments! Each leaf representing some thing I had never done before, and did. Some accomplishments older than others some new and crisp in my mind ... The reminder of so many carried me further!
Now, on the last mile, mile 14, the last leg of distance, a distance I have never run before... there were no leaves. None at all. I mean the pavement was void of them! It was NEW territory, leafless. I was creating a new leaf by running that mile. And someday it will beckon me along for a 10 foot leg or be in a glorious field of goals met!So if you have come to the conclusion that I am coocooforcoacoapuffs, well, just be nice to me anyway. I'm harmless. And if you get it, then thank you for being in the coocooclub with me.
Back to running.
This route was fairly flat. Only a few slight inclines mark the entire distance. I would still change my chant to include "I carry my momentum over the top" and keep chanting it until my breathing returned to normal running rhythm.
I knew that on the last mile I would want to slow. The challenge of the last 3/4 mile of the 1/2 marathon flagged an important task for me: Learn to get thru to and past the finishline strong and not slow down. Push thru the "the end is close" hesitation.
I discovered that I already had the solution! I already had practice making it work for me too. Once I saw the connection, a small little chant containing all the important pieces of the others fell easily together:
I am a marathoner
I love to run
I carry my momentum thru pass the finishline!
This did indeed help me maintain a steady pace on the last mile and even quicken my steps once the 'finish' was in sight and ran right thru and pass! A strong finish. 14.1 miles!
I walked around, all proud, for a while. I stretched well enough. I felt pretty good!
There you go.
My knees ached for the first morning hours. I also had a new pain between my right inner calf and shin. It wasn't bad and I could only feel it for a fleeting bit during a specific part of my natural gait. I couldn't duplicate it otherwise. Noting it just in case I need it later.
DATE: 07-Dec-07
MILES: 14.1 miles
TIME: 2:46:29
PACE: 11:48
ROUTE: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1489003 followed by http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1489016
NUTRITION: 3/4 bfast cookie early. 1 Gu before, 1/4 bfast cookie 2 Gus during, only 12 oz of diluted sport drink.
WEATHER: Overcast, 40°F
COMMENTS: I didn't drink enough fluids. Needs work. I felt fine, but I know better, I am a sweater.
CONFESSION: I calculated my pace as soon as I got home. It's not like I am fast! Why could it matter? Sigh. This is a big thing to kick. This event is not the place for pace-caring. It's been a battle to let go of disappointment in my performance. WHAT? I ran 14 miles, that can't be good enough? I ran it and didn't keel over! THAT isn't enough? I ran it felt pretty good!!! That's. Simply. Awesome. I will kick this pace thing before long.
Thanks for your support and good thoughts,
Nancy, Marathoner.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Rest Day Ramblings
Yesterday's 4 mile run was untimed and uneventful. Didn't feel particularly strong or deficient. Can't complain, can't rave. My feet sounded really heavy at the start. That is unusual for me. My footfalls are usually light. They were better after a mile or 2. I did 20 min of core work and stretched well afterwards.Tomorrow holds my longest run ever - 14 miles. That's just a little longer than a half marathon without all the hoopla. I'm looking forward to it. The weather is supposed to be a cool 39ยบ and sunny. Great! I've planned a flat run. Parking in the center of an out and back route - 3.5 miles in one direction, turnaround, run 7 (past car) in the other, and 3.5 miles back. 3.5 mile chunks seem very doable.
I have been working on positive thoughts about my 'aid station' car. Would I stop at an event aid station and not run any more? Nope. I arrive, take what I need, and keep moving.
My car is ever-ready with gear, fuel, and supplies for a workout, run, or tan. I do need to put an extra headband in my car; a sweaty headband makes my ears cold. Tissues too. I am not skilled enough (nor want to be) at the snot-rocket. But the cold weather means I better be prepared or I'll be forced to take aim or use my clothing. More than you wanted to know?
Oh! I simply couldn't stand my shoes any longer. They were gross and stinky. I should never smell. So I washed them, let them air-dry. I know, I know, we are not supposed to but, c'mon! Ick! They came out soooo fresh and, sigh, clean. I was relieved to put my feet into the de-funkified shoes, but on my run they looked so bright and new! I washed easily 400 miles of dirt off them. I was sad that they looked so new and unused. But it did make me add up the miles and realize a new pair of shoes is in order. Soon.
Thanks for reading, listening, supporting, for being a friend...
Signing off,
Nancy, Marathoner
Nancy, Marathoner
Monday, December 3, 2007
Raindays & Mondays
They aren't so bad! And neither was my run. 6.5 miles today.
I was blessed with a break in the torrential downpours that are flooding western Washington. A pleasent drizzle slowed to nothing. Nary a drop for 5 of the miles! Only in the last stretch did the heavens let loose. I was in my car before the worst of it came down.
The temp was downright balmy compared to yesterday's run - 58 was the predicted high today.
I enjoyed the run. Felt good and strong. There is a sore little spot in my left ankle that dissapates at about mile two as do most other aches and issues.
I left my watch in the car. Good Marathoner! But I rushed home to calculate pace. It's work to let go of it. I should take comfort in the consistency of my pace. 11:45ish seems to be a very comfortable and natural pace for me.
DATE: 03-Dec-07
MILES: 6.2 miles
TIME: 73 minutes
PACE: 11:47, very comfortable
ROUTE: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1483753
Happy running and blessings to you,
~ Nan, Marathoner
I was blessed with a break in the torrential downpours that are flooding western Washington. A pleasent drizzle slowed to nothing. Nary a drop for 5 of the miles! Only in the last stretch did the heavens let loose. I was in my car before the worst of it came down.
The temp was downright balmy compared to yesterday's run - 58 was the predicted high today.
I enjoyed the run. Felt good and strong. There is a sore little spot in my left ankle that dissapates at about mile two as do most other aches and issues.
I left my watch in the car. Good Marathoner! But I rushed home to calculate pace. It's work to let go of it. I should take comfort in the consistency of my pace. 11:45ish seems to be a very comfortable and natural pace for me.
DATE: 03-Dec-07
MILES: 6.2 miles
TIME: 73 minutes
PACE: 11:47, very comfortable
ROUTE: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=1483753
Happy running and blessings to you,
~ Nan, Marathoner
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