Training

The lack of my blogging is in no way a reflection of my running. Since I've been working and Crew is getting more demanding in several ways I've found that something had to give. So, unfortunately the blog has been put on the back burner.

My running, however, has been consistent this summer. 95% of my runs have been in the dark and most have been alone. I've started long runs as early as 3AM so I can get 20 miles in before work. I've really enjoyed following a training program this summer and I've only missed 2 or 3 runs in the 10 or so weeks that I started official marathon training.

I have been seeing the chiropractor about every 3 weeks for muscle work... my Achilles, ITB, and my calves. This is much better than the 2X a week visits I made last year and the 4 weeks of pool running which replaced last years training plan.

My body is getting use to this and it feels great.
July mileage: 181 miles
August mileage: 192 miles

This week is a stepdown week which is a very good thing. My run today left me feeling very sick. I've been up with the boy for several hours each night and decided to skip the morning run and hit the reservoir trail after work. Skipping my morning run rarely works to my advantage. Also, I think I'm catching a bug and the run was miserable. However, I was able to do 7 X 800 with 400 meter recoveries at sub 7 minute pace. It was the middle of the day, hot and windy. I wanted to puke but wasn't so lucky;) Glad that's over with. Total distance with warm up and cool down- 7 miles.

Two more 6 milers this week, a 5 and an easy 12 miler.

Next week I peak at something over 50 miles and then marathon taper begins. I can't believe how fast this marathon is approaching. Yeah!

4 More Days

My crazy head is filled with multiple blog posts! Things are real crazy around here right now. I'm desperately trying to squeeze in 7 hours of sleep at night but things have not been in my favor. The little one has had a series of seizures over the past two weeks and he isn't eating or sleeping well. When I'm not up with him in the wee hours of the morning, I'm either out running or tossing and turning in bed worrying about either the marathon or my boy.

But YES, I'm also excited! The anticipation is killing me and I realize that no amount of worry is going to make this marathon happen.

My brother flew in from Houston last Saturday and we did our 8 mile run together. It was a great feeling to run with him and finally be at this point. Neither one of us feel 100% ready but at this point what can you do really?

So, for the next few days I'll be carbo loading, hydrating, and hopefully sleeping too! Wish me luck!

3 Weeks until Marathon

Wow, I can't believe its been a month since I've posted. I'm still running and babying this stupid injury. After taking time off to let this injury heal I've gradually worked my way back up the training ladder. I completed long runs of 12, 14, 15, 17 and 20! Yes, that's right... 20 miles! My 17 miler was horrible. I left at 8:30 pm because we were leaving for vacation the next morning. I'm typically not an evening runner. The first 12 miles were okay. My IT bands were hurting but it was manageable. After I Gu'd (Gu Roctane) the 3rd time I got very sick. I had to make a run to the porta potty. I started getting really crampy and shaky. I'll save you the GI details but it was miserable. I walked a lot the last mile and came home sick. It took me another full day to recover.

Needless to say, I wasn't feeling very confident about my upcoming 20 miler or the marathon. With the vacation and stuff it was another 10 days before my next long run.

Last Saturday I met with Jen and Heather for a 20 mile jaunt through the canyon, around the reservoir, 2 miles back up the canyon and then turn around and run home. It was such a nice change to run with friends. It really helped the time go by. We just took the run nice and easy with lots of stretching breaks. All 3 of us nursing injuries;) I finished it feeling pretty decent which is a great confidence builder at this point.

My ITB is still bothering me but I think I can get through this marathon only as long as I don't push it too fast, remember to stretch a lot and just have fun. I won't be breaking any records thats for sure. I guess thats okay. I figure if you can't take your first marathon easy and just have fun then when can you?

On the mend

The ITbands are healing. In the past week I've been able to do the following:

Tuesday: 2 miles with pain

Thursday: 3 miles with less pain. Nearly got killed on the highway... details to follow this post.

Saturday: 5 miles (hills) with some pain. The pain did not get worse throughout the run which is a good sign. I did not have my knee taped so was surprised I could go that far. We were visiting my brother in Casper, WY. I got to run with the antelope or should I say, "the antelope whizzed past". Sure was wishing I could be an antelope.... what a fast fast animal!- Average pace (8:17)

Monday, August 17th- 5 miles again with very little pain. I'm keeping the KT tape on for a while longer. My average pace (8:16) was quite a bit faster than before I took 2 1/2 weeks off. Either the pool running made me stronger or it just feels so good to be back at running that I'm pushing it a lot harder.

Now, the question is how fast can I increase my mileage after taking time off?

16 Miler, CHECK!

I decided to move my long run up a day since tomorrow I'm acting as the "athletic supporter" for one of our favorite races. Stock, Carl, & Hammer are running a 4.7 miler around the local reservoir.

I wanted to get out and running by 5:00 am but I underestimated how long it takes to get ready for a long run. Also, I spent way too much time looking for my ipod which was missing from ITS' place. I couldn't find it (brain doesn't work that early in the morning) so I set out for my 16 miler in a bad mood. About 1/2 mile into my run it came to me quite clearly exactly where I left the ipod last time I used it. Come to find out I couldn't even place the blame on my 9 year old.... turned around, ran home. I found it sitting on the treadmill right where I left it during Thursday's awful 6 miler which took place on the treadmill while listening to two episodes of Signing Time. Talk about boring and painful! I haven't hit the mill since last march. On a good note I did learn a few new signs and I completed my tempo run.

Oh ya, back to the long run.... I hit the road again. Took a GU after an hour and a second one 45 minutes later. My legs were screaming off and on the whole way. That's normal right? I tried out my new headband from Bondiband.... LOVE it! Finished my last mile going up hill, 2 hours 33 minutes. Average pace 9:35, which is the same exact average pace that I ran my 14 miler two weeks ago.

Immediately took an ice bath, glutamine, and creatine. I feel pretty good and those 4 new blisters don't look to bad really. I still can't believe I did it, 16 miles, another mileage PR.

Workin' It

I'm a month into my marathon training program for St. George and it seems to be going good so far. I'm learning that there really is a purpose to every run and I'm careful not to cheat on any of my workouts. So, far I've completed long runs up to 14 miles which is the farthest I've ever ran. This Saturday is a 16 miler, yikes.. that makes me nervous!

Everyday is spent reading up on proper nutrition (thanks for the book Jen) and training tips. Carl has printed off several articles on the importance of running HILLS! Hills are suppose to make you faster and stronger. Last week I included hills into two of my workouts. One of the hills is over a mile long with a 6% grade. I made it to the top without stopping which was a first for me.

We finally got a bike trailer for Crew and he is addicted. Every spare minute is spent with him getting towed around. He LOVES it! Carl, Stock, and I have to take turns pulling him around because its so exhausting at some point.

Also, I'm starting Week 3 of the P.I.N.K workout. It's a great, short workout to add in at the end of the day or whenever I can squeeze it in. Well, with the running, biking, and strength training I'm feeling it. One thing I really need to work on is getting enough sleep:)