Running in Vacationland

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We're getting so close to the end of our training plan - one more long run left next week. I am in Maine right now on vacation. Yesterday two Mai Tais caused a little run in between my foot and some kind of sharp object and I woke up with a gash on the bottom of my foot. This mixed with the fact that on Thursday's long run my hamstring was irritated with me and I felt that for sure I wouldn't be able to resist hanging out on the deck instead of running. But, for some reason I ran anyway, from Orrs Island to Bailey Island down rolling hills and over a bridge that didn't have room for pedestrians. Not so safe but very fun.

This was the first week that I didn't manage to run 5 times. I may go for an easy run tomorrow if I am super inspired and wake up early. Next week will involve a lot of traveling so I would like to have the option of skipping a workout without the guilt.

Running continues....

Is is Wednesday already? I am heading to the east coast tomorrow for VACATION! I can't wait and will be excited to report on my running travels over the next week or so. This week so far I went on a 50 minute easy run over my well traveled Lake Street route. Yesterday I ran down Presidio to the Golden Gate Bridge and to the Marina and back home - was about a 9 mile jaunt. The weather was perfect and so many runners were out and about. I got energy just watching them. After about 5 miles I felt pretty warmed up and have noticed that my medium pace is getting faster. Tomorrow I have a 15 mile run that I plan on doing over the Golden Gate Bridge and around the Presidio. I need to tackle some hills. Luckily in San Francisco it's harder to not find hills.

Feeling a little woozy post run

I didn't mention in my last post how woozy I felt after the 20 mile run on Saturday. Maybe I was too woozy to think about it. We went for lunch after and I felt like I may pass out. I'm not sure if I didn't drink enough water, eat enough food, if I was overheated, pushed to hard or what, but I felt out of it. After I ate I felt a bit better and that night I was just tired. On Sunday I woke up starving, and then I just felt fatigued all day. At around 4 I broke down and called to schedule a massage. I just couldn't hold out. I went to the Imperial Spa and got the most hardcore deep tissue massage that included 30 minutes of the masseuse walking on my back and legs. I probably should have told her to focus more on my legs, but she mostly discovered the knots in my back and put all of her energy there. I was trying hard to breathe through it all and didn't even realize we were almost done before she got to get to my legs. She did walk on them and in the end she did massage my calves. It was very intense. I would be more lighthearted and joke about it but my back hurts just typing this. At one point I did start to feel like myself again.

I am heading on vacation at the end of this week and this is a "cut back" week so hopefully I can continue to take care of myself (no more deep tissue massages for a while though) until the next (and last!) 20 mile run the following weekend.

This week includes today's (much later today) 50 minute easy run, a 100 minute medium run, a 15 mile with hills long run, and a 70 minute tempo.

20 Mile Fun Run

Today's 20 miler included 12 miles of long race pace, 6 1/2 miles of marathon pace, and Sarah's most dramatic fall of the training! I think she was trying to out do my fall two weeks ago, as she skidded and scraped her hands, chin, legs and chest. It was a scary fall. We found a hardware store with a nice worker who let us use the bathroom to nurse wounds. Then we were off to "enjoy" the next 12 miles.

Here's a map of our route (more or less):


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During the last 6 miles when we aimed for marathon pace, I stayed within my pace range for most of the miles. Mile 3 I took a gel and walked for about 30 seconds so that messed up that mile's pace, and then the next one I think I was just tired. The last two were pretty good and reminded me how hard marathons are at the end and you have to just push, push, push and find strength somewhere.

I love running in circles

I don't know what it is, but I must say again, I love track workouts. Maybe because they are the opposite of a long run in many ways, or maybe it's the rush I get when I return around the bend. I love the feel of the track, the people at the track, looking at the bleachers, etc etc you get the point. I had such a high from it yesterday that I was slightly manic at work - I think I need to go take a yoga class and chill out.

We did what Sarah called (and what I should look up but am too lazy) a "ladder workout." We did a 400 (one lap), 800 (two laps), a 1200 (three laps) and then 800, then 400. I stuck within my target times for each, which I always struggle to do. I wrote all of my time goals on my hands because I would never remember. What I think helped is that I wrote what my per mile pace should be at best and even though I was a bit slower, I was still in target. What I've been thinking about a lot during this marathon training is that I am moving from a beginner runner to intermediate. I compare this in my head to snowboarding - when you move from blues to black diamonds you fall down a lot more and have aches and pains, but the rewards are spectacular views and faster rushes down the mountain. Even though I am tired, my shins hurt etc, I know all of these workouts will hopefully bring me to the next level. I'll let you know on July 26th how it goes :)

Is there such a thing as an easy run?

I didn't set my alarm clock for this morning, but I woke up at 6am anyway and found my way out the door with my running shoes on. Luckily it was an "easy run" that was scheduled for today, because my shins are a little sore still from what I've been putting them through lately. I read that shin splints are a sign of "too much, too soon." That's probably about right. Other then my shins, I feel pretty good and am getting used to the 5 days a week training. Now I'm thinking a lot about what to do with all of this running energy after July 26. I'm trying to stop that thinking and focus on one run at a time. But I'm such a planner, so that's hard...

Looking forward to our "mixing it up" track workout tomorrow. We are doing 400,800 and 1200's. Should be fun times.

Wired

Maybe it was the late day run, or the late day chocolate, but it is time for bed and I can't get off the couch. The legs are tired from the 8 mile run I forced them to do tonight. I had a lot of energy this morning but decided to use the energy for working and not running for once. After Saturday's pace run, my legs are leadish and needing a break. Just a few more weeks of hardcore training and then a tapering break. I am heading to Maine during that time for a much needed summer holiday. Can't wait.

This week includes a track workout, easy run, medium run and a 20 miler with 6 1/2 at marathon pace. Oh, now I am ready for bed just thinking of it.