Indianapolis Monumental Marathon - The Rest of Training

Seeing this video making it's way around social media this week made me realize that I haven't updated the world on my marathon training! (My favorite line is when she says, "Why would I talk about something that is interesting to no one?!") Well, this post is all about marathon training so if you're not interested, click away. :)

I left off at Week 7 and I'm now in Week 19. Without a ton of specifics, I ran a lot. Not as much as many people run during marathon training, but enough to keep me eating and sleeping more! Plus, I added in a handful of spin classes and continued strength training once a week.

I also squeezed in two half marathons in September which means I hit my 2015 running goals! One of the races I even got under 1:50! It may have an asterisk but I'm counting it! The full marathon wasn't even on my radar for the year. (Race posts upcoming!)

I'll do a quick update via photos for the missed weeks...

First up was our 14 mile run. I say "our"... Steph is in! She's doing the whole thing too! Soooooo thankful that we've been able to do all of our long runs together!

I've been on a mission to fix some foot issues. This was an attempt at heat moldable inserts. Boiling inserts on my stove is not something I ever pictured myself doing! (They didn't work.)

Next up was a 16 miler. Slow and steady has been our game plan! I'm totally convinced that this theory has made training so much more doable. I didn't start needing a nap and eating like crazy until 18 or 20 mile runs. "Slow" running is the best. :) (I'm probably running 45-60 seconds per mile slower than I did last round, but plan on beating my time in the race.)

New favorite song on my playlist this round.

After the insoles, I tried a Brooks Ghost 7 in a larger size. No dice. I then tried out some Altra's. Numb toes. Absolutely loved the cushioning though! Just a little funky looking!

Really, in total, I've only had two runs this entire time that felt bad. And, they felt terrible. The first was 18. Ugh. Plodding along and sore knees. 

I also did my first specialty 5K - the Glow Run! Super fun with black-lights and neon powder. Glow in the dark tattoo...

Here's my personal marathon cheerleader - Monica. Remember how she stood out in the freezing cold rain last time around?! She always makes everything super fun! 

The next day was a very early 20 mile run. I carb-loaded with some pancakes at Denny's around 11PM so I was ready to go! Headlamps were necessary for this one! (Maybe I should have just kept my light up glasses and necklace!) 

This 20 miler felt SO much better than the 18 of the previous week. How does that even work?! It must have felt good for Steph too because she signed up after this one!

Tom and I both ran before church that morning! 50K (31 miles) between the two of us! Not too shabby!

The next week, we took off for Virginia for Fall Break. I owe a big post on that one! On a running note though, Josie ran 4 miles with Tom at a great pace. Look at her stride! 

I got a run in at the park too and a few others on a treadmill. This morning, I had the entire State Park to myself! I seriously only saw one truck and one other runner the whole time!

Home again. I love our trails in the neighborhood, especially in the fall. So familiar!

Finally, the last 20 miler came around. This was the other awful one. I know why though I think. I slept badly, didn't fuel right and didn't have enough water. I suffered through though even if I did take to the couch until 6PM. Tough. Didn't even get any pictures. :) Appreciated seeing this on IG the next week though!

Last weekend was a 10 mile run at race pace. We brought it home with an 8:45 pace. And, talked the whole time. Piece of cake! 

Oh year. And, Tom decided he will take on the full as well. What a guy! I'm sure he'll be able to do it and I'm excited to see what he thinks!

So, here we are. Race day shows up on the 10 day forecast tomorrow.  We have less than 20 miles left in our training program. We're there folks. Bring it. 

#bemonumental

Indianapolis Marathon - Week 11

Lots of catch up posts tonight! Here's the recap of Week 11.

Tom was out of town for most of this week so a lot of time was spent on the treadmill, which led to my reintroduction to Desperate Housewives on Netflix. I forgot how much I love that show! A long time ago, our DVR lost a few episodes and I gave up on watching it. I'm glad I found it again as it helped pass some time!

I also helped Josie with her homework while running. As with all multi-tasking, I'm not sure I did a great job of either.

Here's the plan for the week...

Monday - rest (plan = rest)

Tuesday - 5 miles (plan = 6)

Wednesday - rest (plan = rest) 

Thursday - 6 miles (plan = 5)

Friday - rest (plan = rest) 

Saturday - 4 (plan = 5)

Sunday - 20(!) (plan = 20)

 

Total - 35 (plan = 36)

 

The treadmill did me in and I was very happy to get back out and on the road on Sunday. Saturday morning, the kids and I did the 1 miles fun run for the school foundation. Josie ran it all alone and I was very proud of her. Jack ran a lot of the way and did a great job too. Tessa varied between running with Jack and I and running ahead a few feet. 

 

I just found out that she actually came in 6th with a 9:17 pace! She tied with our neighbor. I'm really proud of her!

 

 

Jack pretended to be a transformer changing into an airplane most of the time. He only had me carry him twice. We finished just under 17 which isn't too bad for a three year old! :)

 

 

Finally, Sunday rolled around and I was up against my longest pre-race run of 20 miles. I have two of these this cycle. I was very nervous even though I know it's just two miles longer than last weekend's run. I had to be home by 10 too so that I could shower and get to church by 11 to help with check in. So, the pressure was on! 

 

I started slower than normal. It was very cold that morning and dark. I stayed on the best lit part of the path until the sun started to come up enough to see. Then, I basically ran the Pennsy Trail almost twice. For the first 10 miles, I listened to a podcast. Then, I switched to music and was again blown away at my paces! 

 

That's 8 miles at a sub-9 pace. And, with 6.2 miles left, I can finish it out at a 10:00 pace and still beat my initial goal of a 4:10 finish. And, if I can keep the 9:17 pace, I will finish under 4:05. Finally, if I can manage to get those first four miles around 9:30, I have a real shot of getting under 4. I haven't officially set my goals yet, but I'm getting close. I'm absolutely thrilled with my pace.

 

I hit some new records on my watch. Looks like my fastest watch times were back on 8/18 during my 15 mile run.

 

 

In all, the run felt really good. Well, good for 20 miles. It was a great confidence builder and really made me feel like I can do it. I know there are another 6 miles, but I'm not worried. 

 

 

I will say that the training is absolutely taking it out of me. I am utterly exhausted on my long runs. Beyond exhausted. It's all I can do to not fall asleep at every moment of the day. Tom went out for his long run after church and the kids and I hung out in the front yard since it was such a nice day. I passed out. :)

I moved from this blanket outside to a couch inside and literally laid around all.day.long. I felt a little bit like I did when I was pregnant with Josie. I felt so guilty for being tired and sick and laying around all day. Thankfully, this time around, I don't have the hormones that make me cry about it. But, still feel guilty nonetheless.


Another good week in the books. Only 5 left!

 

Running Update

After a weird virus last week (self-diagnosed of course), I feel 100% better this week. I attempted four miles on Monday and Tuesday last week and barely huffed it through two before throwing in the towel. Finally, on Wednesday, after an awful headache (migraine?) I gave in to the sickness and went to bed for the night at 5:30PM. After 13 hours of sleep, I was on the upswing by Thursday.

Sunday, I hit the Pennsy trail for 10 miles. It was very hot - over 80 I think - but I got through all 10 miles and even included some hills in Riley Park. I like running on US 40 through town and through the park. It was a very nice change of scenery. However, I was SLOW!!! I think I had a 10:15 pace. At one point, I read some article about how much your pace slows down per degree of temperature but I can't remember it now. In any event, I was slow but felt fine.

I was surprisingly sore yesterday and today but got out there tonight for three miles at a good clip. Then, Josie joined me for a good cool down mile. (She's up to three with me and one with Tom.) She keeps about a 11:30 pace, so that felt nice. She said she loves running with me and I love it too. It gives us a chance (albeit only 11 minutes and 30 seconds) to get unplugged and away from it all and talk. I hope it continues.

I have another half in less than two weeks in Colorado. I'm super excited for the trip but not quite there yet for the race. I'll get there though. The 10 day forecast isn't up yet but it looks like perfect conditions. And, the course looks gorgeous! Although, today I was thinking, why didn't I just sign up for the 5k? :)

That will make number two for the year and I plan to do the October Indianapolis half too. Plus, I think there's a few 5k's around that I want to try. I guess, little by little, I'm becoming a runner. Who would have guessed? :)

Another Mile

I ran another mile with Josie tonight! That makes two all together. She did great again but got tired (or bored) when we were almost done. It was her idea though so I made her finish. :)

On a similar note, it is HOT today! And, I am NOT complaining! But, I did forget what it feels like to really sweat when running. Really dripping with sweat. It feels good! However, I do still hope it's cool on Saturday. A little drizzle would be ok too. Just not lightning. Please no lightning.