Victories

It has been an insane amount of time since I posted! Nothing has happened. I lie, a lot has happened. As usual here are some highs, lows, and random thoughts.

About 4 weeks ago I ran my first 20 miler in prep for the Fargo Marathon. Common running knowledge says S-L-O-W and easy on the long runs. I listen to a podcast called Phedippidations produced by Steve Runner- in a recent episode he talked about needing a 'win'- it's exactly how I felt going into this 20 mile run- I needed a victory to get me back on track and engaged in my training. I needed to push it to see if I actually had a shot at 4 hours this year. A sub-4 hour marathon needs to be run at an average pace of 9:09 per mile. I'd say I ran this 20 miles at 85% effort and I averaged 9:14 miles. That was fast enough to get my head in the game (high school musical) and regain the confidence I needed. So much for following common knowledge?!?

The next week was a higher daily mileage/ shorter long run week. I was feeling good coming off the 20 miler and slacked a little. I had some guilt but the more of these marathon training cycles I do the more I believe in good rest and running when you really feel like running.

Last week was a slightly under achieving week topped off with a 22 mile long run on Saturday. I managed 4 runs instead of the usual 5. Total weekly mileage was low. I guess sometimes life gets in the way. Mentally I wasn't where I should have been going into 22 miles Saturday. It sounds crazy, but for me those 20+ mile runs are almost entirely mental. I can physically make it 18-20 miles without much trouble, to get beyond that I need to be filled with confidence, block out pain and focus on the finish. This 22 miles I didn't feel prepared for. I hadn't gotten all of my weekly miles in, it was Saturday not Sunday, I didn't have a planned route, I didn't have enough gels, and generally I felt like I rushed myself out the door. Almost immediately (like by mile 4) I was overtaken by doubt. I made it through because I was determined enough to do so but not without suffering. I still managed a 9:45 pace but the last 3 miles were painfully slow. Looking back I probably shouldn't have pushed my pace quite that hard early on. The victory that week came in completing those 22 miles despite wanting to quit several times.

This week is a travel week which always screws things up. I loaded up the beginning of the week with miles to ease my mileage commitments while working long hours and getting little rest. By Wednesday I had logged 20 miles. I'm looking to get another 13 in by Sunday. Wednesday itself was a 'victory' – actually 2 victories. The first... I ran in shorts (outside) for the first time this year (not counting a San Diego run). It's going to be hard to go back to pants unless we get more snow- please NO! The second... I managed a 7:45 pace for mile 8 of an 8.2 mile run . I have been trying to do more speed work this go round and about mid run I decided to see what I could do that final mile- sort of a 'got no energy left' test. I thought I could pull out an 8 and surprised myself with the 7:45. Especially since I'd worked the legs pretty hard in the previous 5 days (34 miles).

Next weekend I have entered a half marathon. I haven't decided how to I want to tackle it yet. Do I go all out and see what I've got? I mean, I've got over a month until the marathon to recover right? Do I hold back in an effort to 'save' some of what I have for the coming marathon? I mean, who knows this might be the sub 4 hour year? I go back and forth several times a day. I think it will be a night before if not a game day decision.

I spend a lot of time thinking about running a marathon in under 4 hours. Thinking about how to change up my training this time to make the difference. It's this very part of the process that I think I'm more addicted to than the actual race. I actually enjoy punishing myself for 22 miles and then almost immediately (or sometimes during the 22 miles) thinking about how I'll do it better or what I'll change in 2 weeks when I try to run 24 miles. The marathon is maybe a really good reason (or excuse) to keep doing this. I'll be overjoyed if I run a sub 4 hr race, that is the ultimate goal but it's this time, right now, as the training miles peak out around 50 per week that really keeps me coming back.

Rough start this week

I guess the week is half over but my training for the week is really just beginning and it's gotten off to a rough start. 

I took Monday off from running - I usually take Mondays off because I try to get my long run in on Sunday and need Monday to recover. 

Yesterday I ran 5 miles- my pace was good and the weather was nice but I felt crappy the entire time. I got a side stitch that would not go away. It came on about 1/2 mile into the run and never left! I've never had one last that long. I tried all the usual tricks - focus on belly breathing, changing my stride, etc. nothing worked I just ran through it with discomfort. 

Today I ran 4 miles on the treadmill over lunch. It kicked my butt! I was so slow and tired. Sweating like crazy. I haven't felt that drained in a long time.

Tomorrow the plan is for 8 miles. We'll see how that goes? I have a 20 mile run this weekend so I'd prefer to not be completely wiped out before then.

I am officially entered in the Earth Day Half Marathon in St. Cloud April 16th and the Fargo Marathon May 21st. I panicked when I got the Fargo Marathon newsletter and it said they were nearing capacity. Less than 800 entries left. 

Where to start?

Again it's been weeks since I've done this so a lot of stuff has happened - none of it's really exciting so I'll give the highlights.

This weekend I went home for my birthday extravaganza/spring break - I brought with the running gear and I hoped our Spring Break in St. Cloud would be warmer than Fargo. The weather was miserable for the most part which means I didn't get that much running in. I turned a 7 mile run into a 4 mile run on Saturday. It was cold and the wind was blowing. Sunday I took advantage of the extra daylight and got the 7 miles in once we got back to Fargo (still cold but not that windy). Overall last week was a downer- it was suppose to be a lower mileage week- higher mileage runs during the week and not a long long run. I only managed about 20 miles total with 4 days of running - a far cry form the 5 days and 30+ miles I had hoped for. It's not sitting well since 2 weeks ago during a similar planned week I didn't run at all!

The previous week (first week of March)  was a great week of training. I ran an 18 miles long run on Sunday. It snowed the entire 3 hours I was out running which made it a bit more interesting. Snow hides ice very well and  ice and running don't go together nicely. I had 3 close calls but never did go down and thankfully I didn't pull any muscles doing ballet moves to stay on my feet. It was a good 18 miles- not fast and not easy but good. I hoped to average under a 10min/mi pace but it wasn't too far into the run that I knew that was unlikely. I'm not a good winter/snow runner which makes it a bit slower and tougher. I was happy that I averaged 10:06 min/mile in those conditions. The best part was I didn't feel completely drained afterwards. I think that's how you are suppose to do these long runs - like you went the distance but not like another step might kill you. I definitely felt it but was still able to function the rest of the day. I ended that week with a little over 36 miles.

This week builds up to a 20 miler on Sunday. I feel like it's a bit early to be running that far in prep for a marathon May 22 but what do I know? If I'm not feeling it I'll cut it short and do 18-19 miles.

Overall I'm feeling good,  I like the pace I'm running and I haven't been super fatigued. I think that is yet to come. I've consistently been able to keep the runs under 10 miles below a 9:00/mile pace without being totally spent when I finish. I think this is a sign my speed is improving or at least I'm gaining some ground in the right direction. Now if I can get my endurance to last beyond 3.5 hours or 20 miles I'll be set.