How many times can I apologize for being a bad blogger before you get sick of hearing it? Is anyone reading my blog anymore? We are all busy. I’m sure most of you are busier people then me but you still find time to read, comment & write your own blog. I honestly feel like I have nothing to share. I am having a difficult time in the weight loss department cough 6lbs above my goal weight cough. I really don't feel like talking about it b/c everyone tells me the same thing; ‘most people gain weight while training for a marathon’. Hearing that doesn’t make me feel any better. I am following the program and making good choices so it is what it is.
Marathon training has taken over my life and to be honest I’m so ready for it to be over. It feels good to say that. I’m at the point that I wish the training was over and the race was next weekend. Is it too soon for me to be feeling like this? The marathon is still 6 weeks away! I haven't even run my longest run yet and I am already burnt out. Please tell me this is normal. Not to mention every time I tell someone that I’m doing a marathon they say; ‘make sure you beat Oprah’s time’. Umm, Oprah ran MCM in 4:30 (I think) – I doubt I can beat that and it makes me want to punch the person.
Now that all of that is off my chest let’s talk running.
September 11 – WEEK 11 :
Plan called for 16 miles @ 11:15-11:30 pace.
I was super anxious about this run because it was my longest run ever. I met up with my best running buddy and went to turn on my garmin and no dice. IT WOULDNT TURN ON!! Needless to say I was freaking out. How in the world was I going to run 16 miles without my garmin. My friend had her garmin so it really wasn’t that big of a deal. Eventually I stopped looking down at my wrist every 5 seconds.
I felt good most of the run. We conquered numerous hills and ran by 4 beautiful lakes! I usually wimp out and walk a portion of the hills but not that day! Mile 14 came and the pain in the ball of my foot returned. It gets so bad that it forces me to walk. I have calluses on the ball of both of my feet from when I was overweight. They have never bothered me before. I have no idea what to do about it. I bought some moleskin; my hope is that it will cushion the impact and prevent the calluses from rubbing on my tendons. Ideas? Thoughts?
Back to mile 14 - at this point I was ready to be done and pissed that I was forced to walk. I sucked it up and ran until the pain was unbearable and then walked. I managed to run the last mile because I figured I could get the torture over quicker. I stopped my watch (I timed myself using my HRM) and was shocked to see 2:56 (11:00 pace). What if I wasn't forced to walk/run the last 2 miles.
September 19 – WEEK 12:
Plan called for 13 miles @ 10:55 pace
When I realized my 13 miler was the same weekend as the Saratoga Palio Half marathon I figured it was fate. I haven’t run a half marathon since April and I’ve been itching for a new PR. I decided that I would run the race how I felt. I really wanted a PR but knew that my chances of getting one were slim (I’ve been consistently slower on every race I have done since I started training for a marathon – go figure).
The course went through beautiful Saratoga State Park and the surrounding area. At mile 10 I was still feeling great and realized that if I could keep a 10:00 pace for the next 3 miles I would achieve a PR (current PR is 2:16). I felt strong and I knew I could keep the pace. Then mile 11 came …..
Mile 11 runs up Broadway near Skidmore college and its a long and steady incline. It mentally broke me down and I walked; a lot. I felt so defeated. I actually said – there goes my PR as I started to walk. I was almost in tears. I didn’t even want to finish the race. I finished mile 11 in 12:15. I guess the upside is that you get to run down broadway to the finish line.
I finished the race in 2:18; 2 minutes slower then my PR.
- Mile 1 – 10:28
- Mile 2 – 10:37
- Mile 3 – 10:01
- Mile 4 – 10:11
- Mile 5 – 10:33
- Mile 6 – 10:23
- Mile 7 – 10:13
- Mile 8 – 10:34
- Mile 9 – 10:48
- Mile 10- 10:09
- Mile 11 – 12:15
- Mile 12 – 10:47
- Mile 13 – 10:46
Here I am about to cross the finish line.
Saturday I will be running my longest run to date – 18 MILES!!
I know the feeling about getting bogged down with your training. Don't worry, I think everyone goes through that from time to time. Funny, we are hitting the same mileage but I am only on week 9 of 20 for my marathon training.. I still have a ways to go for my first 26.2. I can't wait to read your report and see how yours goes. Keep it up - you are getting really close!
ReplyDeleteYou are so inspiring! I still can't imagine running a full marathon. My first half is coming up in almost 2 weeks and I'm getting pretty excited! I have my first double digit run coming up this sunday (10 miles)...AHHH. Good luck with your 18 miler, I'm sure you can do it! :-)
ReplyDeleteOk, first it is normal to feel wiped out! You are putting your body through some serious training. Make sure you are getting the sleep you need and you are eating right.
ReplyDeleteSecond, nice job on the run. I suspect that pushing hard on the hills made you tired near the end, but hills only make you stronger and that's a good thing.
I'm not sure what to say about the ball of you foot. How are your shoes? Flip them over and look at the wear. For traditional (thick heeled) shoes, it doesn't take much wear to crate very large changes in the strike angle of your ankle upon footstrike. Check the shoes and start rotating in new ones now if you need to.
And seriously, you almost PR'd in a race during marathon training? I think that's only about 9 seconds/mile difference. Very nice! Remember, a race during marathon training not the same as during the regular season. If you are that close in the middle of high mileage work, then your training is kicking serious butt. Take an extra rest day this week. You deserve it!
Nice job on the race and the training. You are moving along nicely. Remain calm. Life is good. You will be golden. :)
great job
ReplyDeleteyou are doing SO well in your training! sorry to hear you are feelin burnt out. Its okay to skip shorter runs if you are tired, as long as you get those long runs in. it's not 1 run that will make or break your trianing, but rather view the entire 3-4 months as a whole. 16 miles is very intimidating your first time but you tackled it and did a GREAT job!!! it will be here before you know it. Most poeple want more time and wish the race was further away, you want it to be here this weekend, so i'd say you're doing pretty damn good! i hope you still feel that ready the weeks before. you are doing so well, i'm really proud of you and excited for your race. keep up the great work!!
ReplyDeleteI think it happens to all of us to feel wiped out at one point or another in our training. We expect a lot from ourselves, we don't relax, and we beat ourselves up for any stumble.
ReplyDeleteFrom the person who does not know how to do it herself: try to relax and just enjoy the process. Do not think to much about the marathon. Just run.
Now I need to start practicing that in my life.
Hi! I noticed you're doing the MARINE CORPS MARATHON. Would love to join that race some day. =) All the best! Run strong and run safe =)
ReplyDeleteI just chanced upon your blog by clicking NEXT. Hope you can visit mine too. Link exchange? =)
I can't even imagine training for a marathon, let alone running one!
ReplyDeleteYou should not be defeated that you didn't PR your last race - you were not on the side lines so you should be so proud of yourself!
And I'll help you punch the person who made the Oprah comment! :D
Nice report, you are doing great. Keep it up and you will get much better result I think. Thanks to your post too I learn something in it.
ReplyDeletegreat job
ReplyDelete