Just Keep Running, Running, Running

Sep22

Thankfully today is a Rest Day. Ok, actually I should do some swimming or Yoga. Maybe I will, but honestly I probably won’t. I might take a power nap later if that counts. Doesn’t it?

So how did these last 2 days go?

Pretty good if I do say so.

Let’s start with the Cut-Down. I went into this confident and I do think that might make a bit of a difference. What has also helped is that the temperatures cooled to perfect fall temps. Yes, indeed, that makes a huge difference. I have to say this was hands down my BEST cut-down. I felt good. I felt confident and my splits are very pretty if I do say so myself and I do:) I did need to stop around mile 5 as I thought I had something in my shoe. Took shoe/sock off and all looked good until I got home with bloody toe. My feet are going to need some major TLC when Marine Corps Marathon is over. Without further ado, here it is:

Total Time: 1:40:02

Splits: 10:53. 9:56, 9:54, 9:48, 9:42, 9:35, 9:25, 9:11, 9:09, 12:30

Pretty sure I was about to have a heat attack by the end of mile 9, but then I remembered this was supposed to be hard and pushed till the end of the mile. I do admit as soon as my watch marked the mile, I slowed down. A lot!

I did this run in the afternoon which did concern me as I was planning on my 18 the next morning. The whole point of the 18 though was to run on tired legs and that’s what I did. I plotted out a route not that I ever follow it exactly, but it is enough to get me where I need to go. I started this run with some of my fellow MRTT Mama’s and we did about 6 miles together. Then off to face the miles alone. This was a good combination as I will ultimately be running the marathon alone.

I used a combination of shot blocks, sports jelly beans, Gu, and at mile 12 I stopped to refill my water bottles at a Dunkin Donuts. If you know me, you know that I can’t NOT get a coffee. So I took a 5 minute coffee break and gulped down a small (which I never get) iced latte. I’m not really sure that I would do it again. Although maybe it wasn’t such a bad thing to do since I did finish my 18.

Although, I did get a little help from my friends:):)

As I said, I had my run plotted out. I planned to stop at mile 16 at my friend Genine’s house as she offered to leave water in a cooler for me. I’ll be honest once I stopped I REALLY didn’t want to start up again. But not only was she sweet enough to leave me the water in a cooler, but an inspiring note that really did help push me to keep moving. It became my temporary mantra, “Finish Strong!”

So I kept going, chanting until I hit the hill. I didn’t intentionally plan to end my run on a hill, but it seems to happen to me a lot depending on the way I go. I think this is a positive thing as we all know running up hills is good training. The I remembered that the Marathon ends on a Hill literally! So then I changed my mantra to….

CHARGE THE HILL!

Hey it worked, because I had really good splits at the end.

Moving Time 3:08:26

12:45, 13:01, 10:39, 10:35, 10:46, 11:12, 10:25, 10:32, 10:17, 11:11, 10:52, 10:20, 10:35, 10:32, 11:21, 10:38, 10:18 & then since Garmin didn’t record whole 18 2.36

So today, I am tending to my feet. Doing some stretching and just as importantly catching up on all the things that I have let slide while putting in the miles.

How do you balance it all?

Feeling Good, But Not Too Good!

Sep19

So just because I didn’t train for my Tri, does not mean I’m not serious about my training. If you’ve been here for a bit, you know that although I do like to have fun with my running; I do not take it for granted. I run. I run hard. I train. I train hard. All of my races including the Tri have been about preparing for my goal race, The Marine Corps Marathon. Everything else is just gravy.

That being said, don’t tell anyone but I’m starting to feel strong and confident in my training. I am by no means feeling cocky or like I could slack off at all. I’m also by no means thinking that this is going to be a cake walk. I’m just feeling good about it. I’ve had a good training week and today was a rest day. Who could ask for more.

Me.

Tomorrow, I have a 10 mile cut-down. I’m still trying to figure out when I’m going to fit it in my day. It’s going to be a hard run. It’s going to be a fast run. But believe it or not, I am excited to be attempting to tackle it. I will give it my all and then some. So what exactly am I doing tomorrow?

1 mile warm up @ 11:00
2 mi @ 10:05-9:55 (+/- 5secs)
2 mi @ 9:55-45 (+/- 5 secs)
2 mi @ 9:40-30 (+/- 5 secs)
2 mi @ 9:10-20 (+/- 5 secs)
1 mile cool down @ 11:00

Doesn’t that sound fun?

I didn’t think so either, but it does sound like a challenge.

and

I do love a challenge.

If that isn’t enough,

It will be followed by hopefully 18 miles on Monday.

Yup, I’m in the thick of it now.

There is no time to step back because there are only 35 days left.

No time to back down.

No time to not give it all I’ve got.

You Mean I was Supposed to Train for This?

Sep13

So I know that I’ve been talking A LOT about my Marine Corps Marathon training since that is my goal race this year. I also have been focusing solely on my running. Dabbling in some swimming here and there, but not really training. Probably should have done a little more swimming and biking when running a Sprint Triathlon.

I’ll be honest, I was very excited about this race when I signed up. Part of the reason was because I thought some of my girlfriends would do it again. I’ll be honest the thought of going to the Tri alone, was sad. I haven’t done any races on my own since the Runner’s World Hat Trick. I’ve been very spoiled going with not just one, but usually a group of friends. It just makes it more fun. Going alone made me really ambivalent about the whole event because it really is a little sad going by yourself.

All By Myself.

I don’t want to be All By Myself.

But I was going with or without anyone.

Wake up at 4:00 AM to leave by 4:30.

I get in the car and the turn on the radio to Blue Oyster Cult’s Don’t Fear The Reaper

When I literally pass the gates at Sandy Hook State Park to go into the Tri, I am belting out We are the Champions. It was almost like the local radio station knew that I needed to be charged up a little today.

At this point, I remembered why I do these things…..

I do them for me!

The rest of it is all just icing on the cake:)

Then a funny thing happened, I connected with some other friends that were doing it!

Even though I had “made peace” with being there alone, it was nice to have some friends there!

Now as far as the actual race went, I surprised myself. I knew going in that I was only there to finish. I was actually using this as my long training run. I just wanted to be steady which I think I was. My time was a little slower than last year, but actually not as bad as I thought. Overall, I still rate the day as a success!

Swim 20:53

Bike 1:11:07

Run 31.53

Total Time 2:12:42

And I’ve got another medal to add to the collection!

Friday Five – Five Runs

Sep11

Squeezing in under the wire for my Friday Five Link up with

Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Five Runs I’m doing to train for the Marine Corps Marathon

The Cut-Down

Now it seems like there are several different ways to run these, but I run them the way my coach tells me to and I like them even if they are the bane of my existence! Example of my last cut-down assignment. Warm up mile at 11 minute pace. Next mile at 9:45. Next mile at 9:25. Two miles at 9:20 and a mile cool down for a total of 6 miles. The miles and the pace fluctuate. Yes, they are hard. No, I don’t always hit the pace. Yes, these are the runs that I love to hate. That being said they are effective.

The Long Run

We all do them. Most dread them. These are another hard run, but this run is harder mentally. As we all know, running a marathon is just as mental as physical. So as it trains the legs to run the miles, it also is training the brain to deal with it.

The Recovery Run

I love these. They are short and sweet and slow!! Who doesn’t love a recovery run with their friends.

Aerobic Runs

These are runs at a given pace usually on days after a hard run. These runs are designed to help me learn to run on tired legs. It takes a while for it to happen, but eventually your legs know just what to do even when your mind thinks it can’t. I had such a run this week. This run was the day after a brutally hot cut-down run of 6 miles. My coach warned me that this run would be hard and just to run which I did. I went into this run thinking how much it would suck and it did in the beginning. My legs were heavy. My legs were tired and I just didn’t know how I would do it. Then a funny thing happened. My legs just did what I’ve been trying to train them to do. They almost were on auto pilot. I started to just concentrate on my legs turning over pushing me forward and the feel of them turning over. Even on tired legs, I was consciously slowing my pace down. It was a run that I was sad to see end because I felt like these were the legs I’ve been waiting for and these are the legs that I want the day of my marathon I decided. These were legs that kept moving even when my mind was thinking they wouldn’t be able to go.

Rest Days

No, this is not a run; but it is equally important. Our body needs it. Without it, we may be more prone to injury. I embrace my rest days! I can’t do it every week,but I love to get a massage on a rest day. Yes, it is a luxury. No, I don’t go as often as my legs would like, but when I do go I enjoy it!

How About Them Apples!

Sep6

I went for a run today. I know that is just shocking! The thing is today’s run was actually a thing of beauty. Now, I don’t mean that I looked spectacular while running because I’m pretty sure that never happens as the below is probably closer to the truth.

What I mean is that there are runs where everything just seems to come together and it is a thing of beauty. Today was such a day. To be honest, today was the type of run that I needed. We all know that I had let the doubts creep in, but this last week I’ve seem to push them aside. I’ve had a couple of good runs, but today was the money shot. Today was the all feared, all dreaded cut-down. The bane of my existence. A run that if I flubbed again would get inside my head.

I was ready for it. I kept reading my coaches email with words of encouragement. I read and reread a blog post she did called One Bad Apple. That post really helped because it made me realize that I was not the only one who did this and that it was up to me to remember the good runs.

I went into this run prepared.

I went into this run with the confidence.

I went into this run knowing that I could do this.

I remembered all the good runs that I had leading up to it. I knew that I could do it. I knew that I had done it in the past. I knew in this instance the only one holding me back was me. I also knew that I would need to change the way that I was going into these runs. I had to stop psyching myself out and instead look at them as the challenge they are supposed to be. Life without challenges would be boring. You may be shaking your head no, but think about it. What happens when things become to easy, you get bored and move onto something else. So I needed to take this challenge and go with it. I needed to steer into the skid and just enjoy the ride.

Not only did I hit all the paces that I wanted to, but I did them while feeling great doing so. Some runs you may hit your target pace, but it just feels so hard it makes you wonder why you are even doing it. Some runs, you do let it get to you making you doubt yourself. Then some runs the stars align and it all just seems to come together to remind you that this is what it is all about. These are the runs that must be held onto when the doubts creep in. These are the runs that we should remember. No not every run is going to give you the “runners high,” but you need to hold onto it. You need to internalize it. You need to remember.

It really is easy to let one bad apple spoil the bunch.

I found it more than a little poetic that I literately came across this apple towards the end of today’s run. It was almost like the universe was giving me a sign. It may have just been an apple that someone threw out their car window, but either way it was a reminder that are a whole lot more good apples waiting to be had as long as you don’t give up.

I’m not fooling myself into thinking that just because I had a great run today that my training is going to be easy or that every run is going to feel this way. I’m pretty sure that after my 16 miles tomorrow, I won’t be feeling so good BUT

I will remember

and

if by some chance I forget;

I know there will be people there to remind me.

Do you remember your good runs or your bad runs?

Friday Five – 5 Fall Races!

Sep4

Friday Five Link-up with

Eat, Pray, Run DC, Mar on the Run, and You Signed Up for What?

Today’s Theme

5 Fall Races!

Well I’ve actually got only 5 Fall races on my schedule and then I’m going to call it a day!

No, I’m not going to hang up my running shoes, but I might let them collect a little more dust than they have right now which is zip,

Zerro

None!

I’m ending hopefully on a high note with the Marine Corps Marathon and then going to dial it back

At least as far back as I dial things back.

I will cross that bridge when I get there, but here are my 5 Fall Races

September 13, 2015 Iron Girl Sandy Hook Sprint Triathlon – Yup, this one is right around the corner. Nope, I’m really not prepared for it. Ok, I am ready for the run, but not much else. I haven’t really been on my bike in a while. I’ve been swimming off and on. That being said and I quote my coach said, “You can do this one in your sleep.” HA HA HA!!!! Actually, I am not worried as I am doing this one for fun. I just love this even. I’ve done it twice before and it is just such a great day. So as unprepared as I am, I’m going for it. I’ll keep you posted.
September 27, 2015 NYRR Bronx 10 miles – This one will be number 8 NYRR race for my required 9. I’ve done another Bronx run and it was fun. The best part is that I will be going in with my fellow Mama runners and I’m sure it will be a great day.
October 4, 2015 Paine to Pain Trail HM – This one Dawn did last year and talked me into doing. I signed up eons ago. I love running trails and I’ve been missing my running buddy, so this should be another great event.
October 11, 2015 NYRR Staten Island Five Borough Series Half – Hooray!! This will be my final check required in my 9+1 which will guarantee me entry to the NYCM for 2016!!!!!!
October 25, 2015 Marine Corp Marathon – This is the race that I will end my year on (maybe). This was the race that by some luck I was picked in the lottery to run. Still amazed at that. The more I read about this race, the more I know that it will be an amazing experience that I will never forget. I can’t wait to run it (which will mean marathon training is over!!!!). Being as I have always wanted to go to Washington DC and never have, I think that this will be an amazing way to see the “sights.” I know I will need to remind myself more than once that I need to run and not stop for photos. Can’t wait!

What 5 Races are you doing this fall?

Suck it Up Buttercup and Smile

Sep2

I’ll let you in on a not so secret secret

Running a Marathon is hard.

I’ll let you in on another not so secret secret

Training for a marathon is even harder.

Yup, I said it.

I think that the training is just as demanding as running the actual marathon,

maybe even more so because you don’t tend to have cheering fans on a training run even if using Nike+

but

in a very different way.

Yes, Running a Marathon is VERY hard

as the saying goes,

It really is the truth.

Now, I’m not saying that everyone has to run a marathon if you don’t want to.

What I’m saying is that since I for some reason have said that I’m going to run a marathon, I need to train so that I can finish said marathon. Anyone who has read the last few posts, might know that I’ve been struggling. My struggles though have been more mental which has made my running suffer. I made the mistake of letting the doubts creep in. Yes, everyone has doubts time to time. The trick is to use your doubts to motivate you to push through not give you an excuse to fail. I needed to take a step back. A brief one as I’m running out of time to flub my training. I messed up a run. I missed some runs. I was becoming my own worst enemy. I needed to get out of my way and just run.

I went back and looked at my training runs realizing that I was able to do these runs that I was flubbing. I talked to Dawn. I talked with my coach. Both had very similar words of advice for me.

” You have done so well with this training and IT IS NOT EASY. “

NO it’s not easy. I never expected it to be easy, but even though I ran a marathon last year; this is my first time marathon training. I just did not take into account how hard it would be, but I’m realizing that is a good thing. I need it to be hard. I need to push myself. I want to do this and most of all I want to enjoy doing this.

Today, I went for a training run where I did not worry about my pace. I needed this run to get my head in the game. I only wanted to finish my 9 miles. I downloaded a mix on my Rock My Run App, put on my sun block, loaded up with water, and out the door I went. I used to run to think about why I started on this journey. I really just fell into running because of my first Sprint Triathlon. I hated it, but over time I realized what it brought into my life. That although not a “fast” runner, I could be a steady runner. It was something that I did for me. I also thought about how far of come, how much I’ve accomplished, and how much I can still accomplish if I just keep my head on straight.

Back to the run. I did it. I did what I set out to accomplish. Running just to run. Running for the joy I get out of it. Then when I looked at my splits, I realized that I wasn’t that far off pace from what my training plan called for 20-25 seconds. Average pace ended up being 11:06 in 1:37:12. My head is back in the game…. At least for today!

Get Out of My Head

Aug30

Before I started marathon training with Caolan, I would have been very happy with today’s run. On face value, my run looks good. The problem is I have been training and running long enough that I am very disappointing in it.

Yes, on face value this is a very nice run. The problem is that this is not the run I was supposed to do today. I was supposed to do what my coach calls a cut-down AKA as a tempo run. I was prepared for this run. I had the perfect route mapped out which was relatively flat. I had my paces written out, water bottles filled, and Garmin actually charged.

Yup, on paper it seemed like I was ready to go. The problem was that I needed to get out of my own head yet again. I’ve been hitting my paces on my normal runs but for some reason when it comes to my cut-downs I think I freak myself out. These paces just seem too fast for me and I think that I choke and stall on my run (yet again).

Today the heat came back and I should have gone out for my run early. The problem was that I have been getting out early a lot lately and I was still recovering from my early than earlier volunteer position. Then I had to take my son somewhere this morning at 8:30 not getting back and ready to run till 9:30. I should have scrubbed the run and done a blinkie run, but I thought I still had time to beat the heat. It really wasn’t that hot yet and I went for it.

I started off ok with the exception of my damn quads (yes, still). I stopped once I warmed up a little to stretch them and my hip flexors which also seemed to be in need of some stretching as well. Then it went down hill from there. I kept going, stopping, and going. Once I hit mile 5, I had a planned stop for a convenience store to get water. I opted for Gatorade hoping for a miracle.

At this point, my pace was better, but not on target which I had already given up on hitting. I stopped watching my watch and scrubbed the run as a cut-down. I had nothing to do but think about all the things that went wrong with this run, what I could do in the future, and wondering why I was doing this in the first place. My main conclusion was that I really just talked myself out of being able to hit the paces before I even gave myself a chance to hit them. I need to figure out how to not let these runs mess with my mind. It’s a work in progress.

I also thought about how even though I have run a marathon last year, this is the first time actually marathon training. I think that since I am not following a generic training plan but a plan designed for me; I know that I should be able to do the things assigned to me. I know that my coach knows what she’s doing. I know she wouldn’t be giving me these paces if she didn’t think I could hit them especially since I have hit them in the past. So I have to figure this out.

Tomorrow is another day.

Tomorrow is another run.

I won’t give up. I will roll my quads. I will stretch. I will do what I need to do. What I won’t do is give up.

Viva La France

Aug29

I’ve been to many races by now in my running “career,” but never in a volunteer capacity. Now that I think about it, I don’t think that I’ve ever even been to a race just as a spectactor. Kind of sad actually. My sister once said after watching the NYCM, “If you ever want to be inspired, just go watch a marathon.” Even though I do agree that a marathon is inspiring, really inspiration can come from watching any race. It was nice to be on the outside looking in for a change.

I will also honestly admit that I did not sign up for this volunteer position just to be inspired. I signed up because as part of the 9+1 program, I am required to either volunteer at an event or raise $1000 for charity. I opted for the volunteer position and I’m glad I did. It think every runner should volunteer at an event at least once to see what goes into it and I really only peaked behind the curtain and still have no clue as to what goes into it either. What I do know is that behind the volunteers are a whole event staff that worked hard to put it together. I couldn’t even begin to tell you about that, so I will tell you about my teaney-tiny small part I did today.

First of all I had to find an event to volunteer for through the NYRR Organization. I came across the France 8K and signed up. Luckily one of my MRTT Mama’s also signed up as I really don’t know how I would have made it there without Elaine. Although, I am not afraid to drive in the city, I don’t know the lay of the land nor how to really get there. Elaine used to live in the city and she understands the streets and parking in the city. She offered to drive which I am so thankful for. Yeah, Elaine!

One of the downsides of volunteering is the arrival time. We had to be there to check in for our assignments at 6:00 AM. Now being as we live outside the city, this meant leaving at 4:45 and waking up at 4:00. You may have hard me crying as my alarm went off this morning, but I really am not complaining. I know how lucky I am to live close enough to the city to even chase the dream of running the NYCM. So I will wake up at 4:00 AM on more than one occasion if it means that I will one day have the privledge of running 26.2 miles in New York and saying I ran the NYCM. (You know your a runner if you get that).

At check-in Elaine and I had to go our separate ways as we had different assignments. She was amenities and I was West Side Course Marshall. I know sounds very official, doesn’t it? Really what that means is that I stood along the course keeping people on the right side of the cones and keep those not racing on the left. Really not difficult.

Then the race started. As I stood there watching the front of the pack fly by, I really didn’t know what I should do. I felt silly just standing there, but my friends may not believe this but I am actually a very quiet person (I hope noone spit out their drink when they read that). It is the truth. I am quiet UNTIL I get to know you and I’m usually quiet in groups too. So as I stood along the course, I had to step outside of my comfort zone as I know how when I’m racing that the encouragement of the volunteers is so helpful. At first I started off a little tentative. A little clapping. A little “nice job runners,” “water around the corner,” “ect, ect, ect.” By the end, I was doing the booming clapping and hollering. I got a few smiles, I got a few high fives, and I got a few thank yous. I didn’t want to just stand there like a dud even if that would have given me a check.

I’m not sure if I helped anyone running by, but I know in some small way I did help one female runner. (Sorry male readers). This one woman runner came up to me and asked me if I possible had a tampon. Luckily for her, I did have one. By the look on her face, I know that I helped her and that she did not want to make a statement like that woman in London which is a whole different blog post. For now, I will say there are other ways to make your statement. Anyway, I’m glad I could help a sister runner out.

I will also say that I made sure to clap just as loud for the very last runners as they in my opinion they need more encouragement than those running to win. Today the last runner was a very obviously pregnant runner who had pinned baby on board bumper stickers (I think) to her shirt. She was working it, but she finished!

After the race, I had to walk back to return my lovely volunteer vest and badge. It was a long walk, but so glad that I did it. I have run in Central Park a few times now, but when walking you get to see a little more. It was a beautiful day, the sun was out, and I was enjoying my rest day and the fact that I have one more check.

Have you ever volunteered at a race?

Running With Friends!!!

Aug27

As you know, I’ve started transitioning to morning running on days that I can or truthfully days that I’m motivated to get out of my PJ’s early. What has really helped is meeting friends. Hard to not put on your running shoes when you know someone is expecting you to run with them. Plus it really is a nice way to start the day – chatting with a friend. I used to do this over coffee. Now I seem to do it over the miles.

Yesterday was another such day. I had another 9 miles on my calendar which really is nice to get out of the way earlier in the day. It does remove that feeling in the back of my head telling me and wondering, “you’ve got to run” or ” When are you going to run?” Plus, I live with a family of late sleepers. If I’m lucky, I usually can get out and back in before anyone even notices depending on the run. Great thing about this run is that not only was I meeting Genine again, but Dawn was making a guest appearance! I haven’t seen or run with Dawn I believe all summer long. Not sure how that happened with the exception of we both have a house full of kids, she works, and we’ve got a lot going on. September is right around the corner though which means that we can settle into a normal routine.

I was scheduled to run 9 miles again which seems to be my new norm I’m realizing with various paces and such. This run was supposed to be at a 10:40 pace witch is slightly faster than my easy runs of 11+++. Both Dawn and I were excited to run together, but for some reason she was doubting if she would run the whole 9 at the 10:40 pace. I’m not really sure why she was doubting it because she is much faster than she realizes it or at least cares to admit. She more than proved that today as we kept a rocking pace the entire run and only stopped for a potty break at mile 3 and a water break around 5 1/2. Other than that we kept on trucking. Since Dawn wasn’t wearing her watch as is her norm, I was the time keeper. That being said, she set the pace for a most of the run and I just monitored it. There were several times that I needed to tell my friend to slow down as she was moving way to fast.

We did it. We finished 9.45 in 1:33:36. Not sure of what our average pace was, but we rocked the splits! When all was said and done we had a really great run.

Not only was it a great run time wise, but it was a great run because I got to run it with a friend. During the run, Dawn said something that was so true when we were talking about marathon training as she’s training for NYCM. She was saying along the lines about how I’ve been running so many miles lately and you just can’t do that many alone as it’s a mental thing. It really is true too. Yes, I do like running alone. Yes, I do like running with friends. They both have their advantages. The biggest advantage to running with friends though is that the miles really do not seem as long!

Then I come home and post my run on a running group that Dawn and I belong to. She posted this in response

“A running friend will run with you; a real friend gently guides you for 9 miles as you talk yourself into what you can do until you believe what she already knows.”

All I can say is that one of the best things that running has brought into my life besides killer calves is the friends that I have made along the way. Sometimes as Mom, many of your friends are parents of your child’s friends. That works when they are little and you have to go everywhere with them, but as they grow those friendships change as everyone gets caught up in their daily activities. It doesn’t mean that you aren’t friends, it just means it’s harder to find time to see them. It is nice to have friends that are forged over the miles and that will stand the test of time.

Do you run with friends?

The Accidentally Running Mama

Run, Bike, Swim and Have a Life!