A little cheating

I did. I finally did it! I ran ALL the miles this week. This is the first time since I started training again that I completed the full week! OK, now for the confession... I was supposed to do a 5, 8, 5, 18 week. With graduation and all the other festivities this week I knew I wouldn't get 3 runs in so I combined two of the days and did 10, 8, 18.

The 10 mile run was good. Rachael and I were a bit achy, but we finished. Lately it has taken me about 7 miles or so to get warmed up and in a running groove. After that I can just run run run. So, I was just getting into it and it was over.

Last week I had battled some quite straining groin pain that made it really difficult to walk. I thought I would do at least 5 miles and see if that would make it flare up again. At 5 miles I was fine so I kept going. I have not been able to recreate that pain all week so I think I'm out of danger on that. Still not sure what that was...

The 8-mile run was a hurry-up run. I had to get home from school, change clothes, run, shower and be ready to head out the door by 5:30! I didn't cool-down properly because I was rushing and my legs really hurt for the next few days. I definitely paid for that one.

J called again and wanted to do 16 miles with us on Saturday. We were doing 18 so it worked out well. She wore her phone that tracks her miles, tells her how far she ran and average running pace. Below are the mile splits. Yep, definitely took a bit to get warmed up! It's fun to see how our pace picked up, especially at the end. We had rain, medium wind (10-15 mph) from the SSE. The first few miles were in town and the last mile was in town, but the others were out on the highway. I'm not sure what happened on mile 6. It could have started raining on us again. It was a nice rain this morning; it felt like I was running in a fan mister. Great morning!

Here are our splits -

1 - 10:13

2 - 10:03

3 - 9.54

4 - 9:51

5 - 9:51

6 - 10:04

7 - 9:59

8 - 9:53

9 - 9:55

10 - 9:58

11 - 9:30

12 - 9:31

13 - 9:35

14 - 9:37

15 - 9:36

16 - 9:34

Weekly training mileage: 36 miles

New Pain

I didn't run so much last week so I really needed to get out pounding the pavement this week. I had to get back on the training schedule. My goal was a minimum of 30 miles. I only missed one training run so it was a good week. I ran 5, 9, 20 miles this week. YEAH!

After school Monday Rachael and I did a quick Ethanol Loop. It seemed to be a bit hard, but it was a good run to recover from Saturday's run.

Tuesday was so very hot and I took a personal day Wednesday so I waited until early Wednesday morning to run. J called asking if I wanted to run in the morning so I would get up early and go out. She was going to run 9 miles so that was perfect! I thought, what's another mile this week? I couldn't get Rachael out of bed, but figured she needed the rest so I let her sleep. We met up with a couple running buddies so we started as a group of 4. After 4 miles, one person left the group as we sped up a bit. I ran on grass for the first time since I've been training. I think I'll stick to the gripping pavement. However, running through the sprinklers on the golf course was a welcome surprise in the heat and humidity. lol I started feeling rough, but finished 9 miles at an average 9:35 pace. That felt great to be able to cut 25 seconds/mile off my time, at least for one run. They remaining two finished one more mile at sub 9 minutes.

I didn't get the last short run in due to schedule and then thought it would be too close to the big run and I really wanted to get one more 20 miler in before the marathon. Only 34 more days until the start gun! So I opted out of the shorter 5 mile run.

Saturday morning came and I knew it would be about 3 1/2 hr run so I got up at 4:00 because we had a busy schedule today. We were out the door within 30 minutes and it was about 40 degrees cooler. J called and said she wanted to go out in 1/2 hr!! Dang we didn't get the start time we wanted and were running late. I wanted to do an Ethanol Loop before picking her up. We did about 3 miles and came back for her. She wanted to do 10 miles with us so that went really fast! It took me about 9-10 miles to get in a groove and my legs felt like lead. I just couldn't get it going the first half. Finally I settled into a groove and I was off! The longer I ran, the better I felt. After 13 we stopped back to refill beverages. We finished the 20 miles and it felt great.

About 2 hrs after the run I got a nasty groin pain. It was a shooting, sharp pain under the scar where I had a hernia when I was about 5 years old. I usually get pain in my outside hip; I'm guessing it's IT Band. Today it was like the pain had shifted to my groin. Hope I didn't pull something. I feel like I can go up/down stairs just fine, but after about the first 3-4 steps, there's a pain that about makes me crumble to my knees. Good news: I didn't have much shin pain this week. Yeah!

I am still battling the scale, too. I got the pictures from Drake and was discouraged by what I saw! I knew the Battle of the Bulge was on, but woah! I look awful. My legs are really huge and the waistline is robust and I need to do something. I wonder how I can run long distances and eat lots of fruits and vegetables, and yet still not lose weight. I know the math of burn calories > consuming calories = weight loss, but this is crazy. My speed is increasing and my distance is increasing, but the pounds and inches are not decreasing. Stress and hectic schedules just might be winning this battle. :(

Weekly training mileage: 34 miles

Triumphant Break

This week was the end of the track season. Rachael had 3 track meets and a concert this week. Needless to say, training took a backseat. She finished up with a bang, however: Conference Champ in the 4x800 and the 1500. I think the speed work during the track season has been good for her. I didn't push her much during the week, but we did get all our long runs in on the weekends.

This week I only got in the 18 mile long run on Saturday. She was hurting a bit so we decided not to go the extra 2 miles to complete 20 miles. It was a good run. We ran an Ethanol Loop, met up with J for 9 miles, and then finished 4 miles in town. We were strong the whole way, making about 9:40 average mile. We finished the 18 miles in about 2:47. We felt good about that.

We also tried some shotbloks for the first time. They were good, but I can't see storing them compared to the gels. Also it's hard to chew something when you're exhausted and trying to breathe. I am also wondering about them melting in the heat this summer before you get a chance to eat them.

Weekly mileage: 18 miles

Goal: 30+ miles next week!

Drake Half

Last week I didn't run at all. :( I was rather sore and achy from the long run and then I was insanely busy again. I am anticipating this coming week to be very busy as well. My schedule is really starting to interfere with my training, darn it.

This past week wasn't awful. I was able to get a 10-mile run in on Tuesday with Rachael. I was even getting some good sleep through the week. The last couples days were not good, however, so I chose to sleep rather than run. This is probably one factor contributing to my fight with the scale this time around.

This week finished up with Drake Relays and the half marathon. It was a great run! I did this one last year with J and this year with Rachael. Last year I really really struggled with it and the hills really got to me. I hit the wall about mile 11.5 and just couldn't go anymore, but finished it running! This year I was smarter and had more experience so it went so much better. My goal was 2:05:xx We averaged a 9:21 pace and finished at 2:02:37. We had a strong finish and ran well. The body worked that day. :) Rachael finished 4th in her age group. I was one proud mama!

Today, Sunday, J contacted me after her 16 mile run and wanted to do a brick for her duathlon training. She came over when I was mowing and wanted me to run with her. She did a quick 10-15 min ride and then was ready for the run. We did 3 miles and then I did another 3 on my own after that.

Weekly training mileage: 19 miles

April mileage: 99 miles

I am a Marathoner!

This was an exciting, stressful, and busy week. I only got in one regular 8-mile weekday run. I was hoping to get another 5-10 miles, but it just didn't happen. I averaged about 4 hrs sleep each night. I figured sleep was more important than running this week.

The week ended with an awesome 20-mile run to Stanhope and back. This was the first time I had ever done this. I always had a fear that I wouldn't make it, or have a bad running day, or something would happen and I would be stuck out in the middle of nowhere. Rachael had a great run, too, so it was nice to not have to worry about motivating her while I was "working" hard on my own. So, this was a great run on many levels.

We arranged to have Bill meet us in Stanhope and refill our fluids. Good thing because I was really hot and thirsty when we got there. It was a good time to refill and have a brief break. The babies got to play at the park, too. :) We had 3 gels on the run so that was good practice. Rachael is finally starting to tolerate them. yeah!

OK, now for the negatives - I have been getting a tightness in my chest around mile 11-13. This is worrysome, but not enough to stop running. When I got home, I had some really nasty blisters on my toes. I think I'll take a break for a few days.

I have been battling the scale this year as well. :( This week I feel like I finally am starting to conquer the scale. Well, ok the waistline. Looks like I need nearly 30 mile weeks to make all this happen. That's the magic number.

Total weekly training mileage: 28

9 weeks to the startline

Going down

I had a really rough week running. School has been quite stressful and I haven't been taking care of myself. I feel like I am strong and full of energy, but can't get through the fatigue on a run.

Rachael and I were scheduled to do our first 18 mile run last weekend. There were wind advisories and it was crazy 24+mph winds from the ESE. We started out on the Puppy Loop and did 2 mile west and then back home for 9 miles. I was so exhausted and whipped like someone ran over me with a truck. I just gave up. I have never given up on a run. I always finish my run! I was so mentally defeated I just couldn't go. I came home, sat on the couch and relaxed with a glass of wine. Rachael finished the last 9 miles. I was proud of her.

Monday I went out to try it again. I had to go at least 10 miles to regain my confidence. I did a 5-mile Puppy Loop and then Bill joined me on a 5-mile Ethanol Loop. That was exactly what I needed! I feel like I can keep going through this marathon training now. It was still windy, but I finished strong!

I had another 9 mile run later in the week to finish the week. I also have tried to incorporate some hip strengthening and glute strengthening this week.

I think I am messed up with my blog because I swear I was blogging Sunday to Saturday, finishing the post on my long run. So, I am posting yesterday's big run here too so it may seem like a long week of mileage.

There were thunderstorms and tornados forecast for this weekend so I wasn't sure how it would go. Like I said I also haven't been taking care of myself and very stressed. This is reaching an all-time high the past couple weeks so I am truly pushing my physical, emotional, and mental limits of this training. Again, there were wind advisories with 20+mph wind gusts. I ran to Ellsworth and back for 8 miles and then I thought if I did the south and north loop that would be the last 10 miles. By the time I got back to town I was quite beat. I did an extra mile in town for 9 miles and then stopped at home for a refill of fluids. Bill finished the last 9 miles with me. I about another 2-3 miles and had to stop. I was just so exhausted, but I. was. going. to. finish. this. run!! We walked a lot and I was getting some pain in my chest, but I'm sure it was just anxiety, stress, and fatigue setting in. I did finish the 18 miles, but wished I was able to run the whole thing. I still haven't run a complete 18 miles. That is really getting me down and I feel like I am spiraling downward and won't be able to do Grandma's this summer. I need to get out of my slump. I am hoping for calmer weather to give me a boost of confidence this next week.

Weekly training mileage: 42 miles

Here's to trying again this week...

I LOVE WIND I LOVE HILLS

We were scheduled to run 16 miles on Saturday. Bill was on call so he couldn't be far from home, but wanted to do at least 8 miles. Rachael and I started out and he met us in Ellsworth so he wouldn't be more than 20 min away from the pager. This was all a great idea, until we got outside. I knew the wind was blowing, but wow that was crazy wind. We got to Ellsworth, turned around and it was at our back - great! We got our strength back and went for the return to trip. I knew it would strong, but again we were not prepared for what we encountered...25+mph winds! On the hill just outside Jewell, I had to stop because I just couldn't make it up the hill. About 50 feet before the top I was spent. This was perhaps one of the hardest runs I have ever done, but we did finish all 16 miles. That felt great...after I iced my shins. :)

Monday Rachael started track. She obviously is a distance runner so I will not be pushing her so much during the week. I'll wait and see how this first week goes.

Tuesday I did a 5 mile Ethanol Loop solo. I wasn't going to do the loop, but I started running and I just kept going. It was a great run. I finished in about 45 min so it was a smidge faster than 10min/mi.

Rachael and "easy" week and she had been running "extra" after practice, consisting of another mile or so. So, Thursday I took Rachael on an 8 mile run. We had fun chatting and running together again. I was so glad she had a good run. She told me that she was encouraging to the other track girls. Many don't like to run, but she wanted to let them know what a great job they were doing. Glad to see her taking on this leadership role!

Although I'm still having shin pain at the beginning of each run, within a mile or so it starts to improve and I have a good run.When I added up the mileage for the week I realized how close I was to 30 and started kicking myself for not going another mile just to make the round number. It was still a successful week of running.

Total weekly training mileage: 29 miles

March total mileage: 82 miles