Indianapolis Marathon - Weeks 15 & 16

I decided to group these two weeks together since they're the last ones and I'm already halfway into week 16. Plus, week 16 culminates in the big one!

26.2

By this time next week, I'll be writing my race recap and more importantly, I'll be a marathoner.

That's cool. Really cool.

Last week was a little bit of a blur since we had a bunch of other stuff going on. I suppose that's good since it didn't give me much time to think.

Here was the plan...

Monday - 0 (Plan = 0)
Tuesday - 5 (Plan = 5)
Wednesday - 0 (Plan = 0)
Thursday - 4 (Plan = 4)
Friday - 0 (Plan = 0)
Saturday - 0 (Plan = 5)
Sunday - 9 with TONS of hills (Plan = 10)

This week felt a lot like fall on the trail. I loved crunching through the fall leaves, but didn't love the dodging of walnut shells for fear of a sprained ankle. Also, I didn't love the unseasonably warm temperatures and high humidity. No. I take that back. I did love that when I wasn't running.

One of my trail runs seemed a bit buggy. When I got home and looked in the mirror, I saw that I had gnats stuck to my sweaty neck. Gross!

The girls and I took a trip to San Diego to visit my brother this weekend, so getting that 5 miles in on Friday or Saturday wasn't super doable. Sunday, I did manage to get in 9. I theoretically could have done 10 but I was totally spent and did the first 9 on incredible hills and with no water. To give you an idea of the elevation difference compared to what I'm used to, here's a screen shot from my watch of my last 10-15 runs.

Sunday's run? Almost 1200 ft in elevation gain. Ouch. I think 9 miles was just fine. It was a very pretty run.

And, here's a map of my travels. 

I was pretty happy with my 9:32 pace though despite the hills. 

This week calls for some easy runs. I was supposed to do 3 miles today which I'll do tomorrow and then I'll do another 4 on Thursday with Friday as a rest day. I'm saving my official pre-race thoughts for my next post coming soon!

Indianapolis Marathon - Week 14

Only two weeks left. Holy cow.

This week was a breakdown. Majorly. I had it coming from all angles, I just didn't feel it. I can say it was because my confidence was shaken, but I don't really think that was it. Honestly, I started second guessing myself and got into my own head.

And, that leads me to my run on Wednesday. Pitiful. I had already missed my first run of the week (a 7 miler) and had to push myself out the door that day. Something happened though in the middle of the run. I slowed to a walk and started to think. {Note to self: Don't think deeply in the midst of marathon training.}

When I started thinking about why I made the decision to train for this thing, it really came down to two things. First, I wanted to see if I could do it. (Won't know that until 10/19.) And second, I wanted to burn the calories and shed some weight. Well, this week, I officially weighed in at more than I started the whole darned thing. By 5 pounds or more. I got down deeper inside my own head...

"You've already missed your goal, Sara. If you only did this to lose weight, then what's going to get you through to that finish line?"

It reminded me of when I went into labor with Jack. Walking the halls of the hospital, before I was even admitted, I looked at Tom and said, "I don't think I can do this without an epidural again." He looked at me and said, "Tell me about why you want to do it without one." I said, "I have no idea." And, I didn't. There was nothing he could have said to me change my mind. Epidural it was.

I stopped running. I've missed runs on this training cycle, but I've not stopped one early. I usually suck it up and power through. Not on Wednesday. I started crying... yes, crying. Serves me right actually... I had just told someone that I had never cried while running. Only once have I even got choked up and that was when I was rounding the corner for my first sub-2 hour finish. 

It's all about the why. Wanting to lose weight will not get me to the finish line. In fact, if that's all it was, it wouldn't even get me to the starting line. I was going to have to dig deeper to toe either line. Dad's advice that I always heard during the last week of each college semester, right during exams, started echoing through my head.

You can't win if you don't finish.

Luckily, I didn't hang around for my own pity party for too long. I realized that finishing a marathon and losing weight are two separate goals. And, they're two goals that I didn't work toward simultaneously. And, I still have the chance to achieve one of them even if the second goes on the back burner.

In the midst of my pity party, I did send a text to my nutritionist/running friend asking for some help after the marathon to get my eating back on track. And, I signed up for my next race - the Tybee Island Half Marathon in Tybee Island, Georgia. (Girls trip!!!!) I've also written down some eating and running goals in order to get the negative thoughts to stop thundering around in my head and to focus on something positive.

Bottom line, I sucked it up and trudged through the rest of my training week. Pity party over.

Here was the plan...

Monday - 0 (Plan = 0)
Tuesday - 0 (Plan = 7)
Wednesday - 3.5 (Plan = 0)
Thursday - 0 (Plan = 7)
Friday - 5 (Plan = 0)
Saturday - 14 (Plan = 0)
Sunday - 0 (Plan = 13)

By the way, Saturday was a treadmill run which was extremely boring, but also rewarding since it was 14 miles on the treadmill. Had some great entertainment along the way too. Here's Tom working on his handstand.

Glad to have this week, and the breakdown, in the books.

Indianapolis Marathon - Week 13

Peak Week! This week was to be my longest week and I did it. Fit in all the runs and all the miles. I was tired, but probably not as tired as I was during the week of my other 20 miler.

Here's the rundown...

Monday - 6 (Plan = 0)
Tuesday - 0 (Plan = 6)
Wednesday - 7 (Plan = 0)
Thursday - 0 (Plan = 7)
Friday - 7 (Plan = 0)
Saturday - 20 (Plan = 0)
Sunday - 0 (Plan = 20)

Total - 40 (Plan = 40)

I'm always proud of myself when I fit in tough-to-schedule runs. This week's was Wednesday's run. I fit in 5.65 miles on the trails in the neighborhood before the bus came home in the afternoon and then hopped on the treadmill for my last 1.35 while the girls had their after school snack.

Friday's run was also a tough one to schedule mainly because of my attitude. :) I did NOT want to do 7 on the treadmill while the kids were home. So, I did what Tom did earlier in the week - set the kids up outside and then ran the .2 mile loop in our cul-de-sac. Tom came home and did the last 5 miles with me. Doing the math, that's 35 times around the loop. Just only a tiny bit better than the treadmill.

Also, this week worked out well since I was able to shift my runs and have my long run on Saturday. I liked this a lot! I was super proud of this long run. I had some awesome miles in there and felt fantastic. Until mile 18. I started losing steam. I think it got hot and I got tired. I tried to fit in too many miles at a fast pace when I felt good.

Like my last 20 miler, I started out slower but not quite as slow. Interestingly enough, this time, I had seven miles under 9 and last time I had eight. It's funny though because I would have guessed I had more under 9 than last time. But, overall, I was faster until miles 19 & 20. I just didn't have anything left.

I took a new route for part of the trip which was a nice change from the Pennsy. I left my car at Meridian by Mozzi's for water, gatorade and Gel packs. I used the water fountain at Apple Street too in and worked it out to have hydration about every 3-4 miles.

Found the water tower.

Finished with a great average despite my challenges. This 20 was only 14 seconds faster than my last. Amazing how close over so many miles! 

I did manage to set another record on my watch for a half on that run though. 

Great week all around. I had my confidence shaken though during those last two miles of the 20 this week. It didn't feel good and, for the first time, I really didn't feel like I could have kept going if I had to. I know race day will be different, but it's still discouraging and disheartening. I just have to remember that I have felt this way on many long runs during many training cycles and I will eke it out.

On to the taper!

Indianapolis Marathon - Week 12

Well, this should be short.

5 Miles.

5 Miles in a week of marathon training. Not good, Sara. Not good at all.

But, I think it was just what I needed. As I mentioned in Week 11, the training is taking every ounce of energy I have. And, I think it's starting to take my mental prowess as well. :) So, I took a break. It wasn't totally intended, but it was totally appreciated.

Here was the plan...

Monday - rest (plan = rest)

Tuesday - rest (plan = 7)

Wednesday - 5 miles (plan = rest) 

Thursday - rest (plan = 7)

Friday - rest (plan = rest) 

Saturday - rest (plan = 7)

Sunday - rest (plan = 14)

 

Total - 5 (plan = 36)

 

Yep. Not great. 

 

But, here's what I get done during a week when I only run 5 miles. 

 

Used a foam roller for the first time ever. Hurt so good is the phrase that comes to mind.

 

 

Cleaned and organized and purged and trashed a bunch of stuff from the upstairs in preparation for our Home Tour. 

 

 

 

 

Hung out with this cool kid for a day.

 

 

Let Josie make her own Blueberry Muffins for the first time.

 

 

Enjoyed coffee in bed while checking Facebook. 

 

Slept in. Three Times. Tom put the girls on the bus on Thursday!

Went to a Spelling Bee to support our Rotarians.

 

 

Hosted a "Bring A Friend to Rotary" Day for our club. 

Painted my nails.

Watched the girls get their nails painted.

 

Meal Planned for an entire week. Crock-potted some pretty awesome Chicken and Dumplings. Grocery shopped too.

Finished tons of laundry.

Celebrated a good friend's 40th birthday.

 

 

 

Oh yeah. And, worked and reared the children. :)

 

I smiled and nodded during the sermon at church on Sunday. Danny mentioned Matthew 11:28.

 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

I've mentioned Phillipians 4:13 during my race recaps in the past...

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

I think Matthew 11:28 may be my scripture for this race. Give me rest. 

I feel like I've been missing out on a little bit of life these days. My camera is less full and the tiredness is making every little thing seem like a monumental task. This week, I reclaimed the mundane. I feel prepared to take on the last four weeks of training.

 

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!

 

Indianapolis Marathon - Week 10

Well, week 10 is long gone, but I'm here to update anyway!

Monday - rest (plan = rest)

Tuesday - rest (plan = 4)

Wednesday - 6 miles (plan = rest) 

Thursday - 4 miles (plan = 6)

Friday - rest (plan = rest) 

Saturday - 18 (plan = rest)

Sunday - rest (plan = rest)

Total - 28 (plan = 32)

This was a good week. The six miles on Wednesday were rough as I mentioned in the last post, but I got through it. Then the four miles on Thursday was better at a 9:30 pace. Finally, my long run went great and was a confidence builder. Even thought I missed a run this week, I felt good about it.

The first 10 miles of my longest run ever this week was run with mom and her two friends, Hillary and Kristin. They are training for the Columbus Half and doing a great job. We stayed around a 9:30 pace and I really enjoyed the change in scenery. I ran past a lot of my high school spots. 

Once I was on my own for the last 8 miles, I popped in the headphones. I was surprised at the boost in energy once I did that. I laid down some pretty impressive times for me in those last 8 miles, especially considering how non-great I felt when my friends left. 

Do you see those two sub-9 minute miles? Do you see how I ended with 9:08 and 9:09 miles? Do you see how I ran for almost 3 hours? I'm really working hard on the negative split thing. I really think that this will help me finish the marathon strong. We'll see!

I ended feeling pretty darned good. Of course, this didn't last long. I stuffed my face with pulled pork and watched our sweet five year old nephew open some presents and then I slunk off to the basement to sleep it off. After two hours, I felt relatively human again and joined the living for an OSU party with great friends. I slept another three hours on Sunday though. Marathon training makes for a sleepy Sara!

Indianapolis Marathon - Week 9

I totally owe a post for last week and I totally don't have the time, energy or desire to write it. I got in all the miles and all the runs including a 16 miler on Sunday, of which the first 10 were with mom. That was not the only milestone hit that week - I also totaled 30 miles for the week. I was pretty happy with myself!

Today is the first day in this training cycle that I am still sore on Thursday. Last night's 6 miler didn't feel good on the legs and was slow. I'm hoping to feel better by Saturday for 18. I get to run the first half of that with mom and her running friends so I'm happy about that! 

Still plodding along and still seems doable but I'm losing my enthusiasm for the whole thing. I'm sure it's just a mid-cycle rut. And soreness. And tiredness. :)

Edited 09/23/13...

Here's what I specifically did in Week 9...

Monday - rest (plan = rest)

Tuesday - rest (plan = 4)

Wednesday - 4 miles (plan = rest) 

Thursday - 5 miles (plan = 6)

Friday - rest (plan = rest) 

Saturday - 5 miles (plan = 4) - this one was slow and hilly but with Tom :)

Sunday - 16 miles (plan = 16) - 9:37 pace

Total - 30 miles (plan = 30)

Here's the beautiful view of the lake I left to run at 7AM.

 This was actually a 16 mile run in that amount of time. I lost my satellite signal for about 1/4 mile.

I bought GU packs in bulk this week too. I'm up to around 4 per long run now.