Weekly Recap: Confidence Booster

On Saturday, I started my run thinking I was going to be a good patient and only run 12 miles and then do 8 miles on the elliptical.  But then when it was time for me to break off from the group, I couldn't do it.  I had a choice to finish off the run by my myself and then do 8 boring miles on the elliptical.  Or I could actually do a 20 mile run with a fun group of runners on the beautiful Monon Trail in the most perfect weather.  So of course I choose running.  My foot was not hurting worse than the first step I took so I thought I was ok...

I have to say the first 15 miles flew by.  It was really nice running with a big group.  So many conversations going on.  At mile 17-18, I was done though.  My endurance isn't quite where it should be.  One of the girls in the group needed to get back quicker so she picked up the pace at the end.  I was not feeling great but just wanted to be done so bad.  So I stuck with her.  I ran mile 19 in 8:35 and mile 20 in 8:20.  I have been having a hard time hitting 8:20 in a 5 mile run since my injury and today I ran one after running 19 miles.  Where have these legs been?

What a confidence booster to complete a 20 mile run!  And I definitely ran negative splits.  The saying goes... If you can run 20 miles then you can run 26.2 miles.  Unfortunately I know this isn't true though.  Well for a lot of people it is, but not for me.  I did two 20 mile runs last year before my first marathon.  Although I did make it the 26.2 miles, there was more walking then running the last few miles.  Even so, I am stilling feeling great that I made it.  Maybe I can do this thing?!

Today I am feeling a little more sore than I would like.  Still not too bad though.  My foot feels the same.  So I take that as good news.

Weekly Recap:

Monday:  Swim 1000 meters
Tuesday:  5 mile run
Wednesday:  Rest
Thursday:  5 mile run, 4.5 Elliptical
Friday:  2 mile run, 3 mile elliptical
Saturday:  20 miles
Sunday:  Rest

Let the taper begin...and the healing too.

Long Run: 19 miles!

Whew!  I made it...19 miles!

I had to get in my loooong run today because I am on call this weekend.  Glad it's done.

And holy cow what a difference the cooler weather makes.  It was in the low 60s, instead of the 70/80s I have been used to running in.  It felt so much easier.

At the start, my legs were already tired.  Today was the 4th day I have ran in a row and I am not used to that.  But my legs held up pretty well.  Good job legs!

However my stomach did not do so well.  I felt nauseous again.  I haven't been feeling the best the last couple of days.  I may have a little virus.  I wasn't able to drink as much either.  Good thing the weather was cooler.  I don't think I would have made it otherwise.

I have never had problems with my toenails like a lot of runners do.  But today I had my first experience with that... My big toenail hurt so bad.  I have never heard runners say that it hurt that bad.   They just seem to be annoyed by it.  But it hurt me!  I thought, Am I going to have to stop because of my toenail pain?  I thought it would be bleeding or bruised when I was done.  It looked fine.  Hmm.

My overall pace was 8:56 for the 19 miles.  I kept a pretty even pace over the entire run.  I am so happy about that.  No slowing down today.  Obviously the weather helped.  My last mile came in at 8:49. Much better!

I wanted to say thank you for all the comments people have left on my blog and on my facebook page!  I never thought anyone would care to read my boring blog about running.  Writing is not my strength but I have enjoyed documenting my running journey so far.

Happy Running!
Jaime

Long Run at Eagle Creek

This week was a taper week on my marathon training plan.  So I only had 12 miles on my schedule.

That sounded too easy.  So I made it a little harder by doing the run at Eagle Creek, which has lots of rolling hills.

Ryan and I made it a running date.  We even hired a babysitter for the morning.  My good friend, Christy, was supposed to join us but wasn't able to make it.  Ryan ran about the first 6 miles with me and then he rode his bike while I finished the 12 miles.  He loves riding so much more than running!

Eagle Creek Date:  No I didn't jump in a lake after my run.  That is sweat.  Hey, I try to look good on my dates.

Another beautiful day at Eagle Creek.  It was overcast so the sun wasn't beating down on me.  It felt cool too.  I was surprised when I checked the weather after the run and it said 77.  Definitely didn't feel that warm.

Overcast day.  This is the only section that is not shaded by trees.  I still think it is beautiful.

My legs felt heavy at the beginning and then felt better after a couple of miles.  But then the hills came.  I need to start loving hills because they are so many marathons that I want to run and  most of them are not flat.  I do love going downhill though.  My legs feel like they can fly and my lungs aren't working hard either.  I wish I always felt like that.  Is that how elite runners feel?

Overall pace for 12 miles: 8:50ish.  There is so much to look at in the park that the miles went by quick.  Before I knew it I was at mile 11 and I picked it up a little with my last mile split at 8:38min/mile.

Tomorrow is a rest day.  I need it to get ready for all the miles I am supposed to run next week.

Happy weekend!
Jaime

Weekly Recap: Lots of Miles and Chicago!

Total miles this week:  42 miles!!  That is a record for me.

Last year durning my training for my first marathon I only ran up to the mid 30's at most.  Well I think.  I didn't even keep track.  But I know it was probably low to mid 30s during my peak week. 

Monday:  5 easy miles.  Felt good

Tuesday:  8 solid miles.  Wanted to get in a tempo run but didn't quite happen.

Wednesday:  4 easy miles.  Foot pain begins (after wearing high heels all day at work).  Boo! No pain while running but pain when barefoot and especially in my high heel shoes.  

Thursday:  Swam 350 yards

Friday:  5 easy miles.  Foot feeling better and perfect when running.

Saturday:  17 mile long run!  Overall felt pretty good.  It was hard at times though.  My legs were feeling great.  Mild aches and pains but nothing major.  I felt great after the run!  I do wish I could have had negative splits.  This worries me a little that I will hit a wall like I did last year.  I am glad I have a couple  more months to work on this. 

Sunday:  3 mile recovery run in Chicago!!  (pics below) Awesome!  Get's me so excited for the marathon!  Legs felt good.  But my foot was hurting in the morning.  As soon as I put on my running shoes though, the pain disappeared.  I want this foot pain to disappear for good please!!

Ryan and I met up with some amazing friends, Matt and Swati, in Chicago!

Ryan, Me, Swati, Matt

We went to Navy Pier and went on the Spirit Cruise for dinner and fireworks.

Navy Pier

Me and my love

Fireworks at Navy Pier

It was a late night but we were up by 8 to get in a quick run.

Hilton:  Where we stayed and very close to the start of the Chicago Marathon

Beautiful scenery!

Ryan kept taking pics

Love Chicago!

3 mile recovery run done!

Bye Chicago!  See you in October!

Sweaty and Sweet Sixteen!

16 mile run done!!

It was hot of course.  In the 80s at the start with a heat index in the 90s.  No signs of letting up around here though, so it had to get done.

I was so impressed how many runners were on the monon trail today. It was one of the most crowded times I have ever seen it.  I thought I was going to be the only crazy one running in this heat.

The first few miles I felt like I could cut the air with a knife.  Then I got used to it????  I actually felt pretty good miles 5-8.  Although my pace was a little slower than it has been for my longs runs so I think that helped.  Average overall pace was 9:10/mile.  The last few miles really brought the overall pace up.  No negative splits today.

Lisa and I ran the first 8 together and then met up with Katie to complete the 16 miler.  I was so happy to see Katie at mile 8.  She had cold gatorade for us and even brought me cold water to pour on my head.

Refreshing!

The water felt so good!  Next time though I will only pour it over my head and not down my back because my clothes were soaked and felt uncomfortable.

The last few miles I was tired!  But good news:  my legs felt strong and no pain.  I think I stayed pretty hydrated during the run.  I also am really liking swedish fish to go along with the clif shot blocks.

My running essentials

I have to say the long run is my favorite run of the week.

I am now in the thick of marathon training.  Next week is another intense week and then I will have a taper week.

What also made the day great was I got to spend one on one time with Kaitlyn and then Jackson.
Kaitlyn and  I went to Orange Leaf.

Kaitlyn and her frozen yogurt

My chocolatey dish

Yummy!

Then Jackson and I went to see Cars 2.  I thought it was cute.  Jackson was really into it.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Friday and Saturday Recap: 11 mile run and family time

On Friday, I did an easy 4 mile run with my sister and her friend Becca.  It was a nice run and I felt like I was done before I even got started.

Katie and Becca

Later that night, Ryan and I went to see Harry Potter.  We really enjoyed the movie.  We of course had are usual: popcorn, nachos and a Dr. Pepper.

I know this is not that best food before a long run.  But the extra salt will help, right?  And it was a taper week too.

I woke up early Saturday and met my sister for another run together.  We did the first 7 miles together and then I continued on to do 4 more on my own.  Ok, I have been running for a little over a year consistently and she has been running for only a little over a month consistently.  Yet she totally kept up!  If she trained like I did, she would be an amazing runner.  Someday we will run a marathon together.  Don't you think she should do it?

Me and Katie

The run overall went fine.  I actually wanted to run 12 but only had time for 11.  My pace was ok averaging right around 8:40 min/miles.   This is right around the pace that I wanted to run this week but I just wish it would have felt a little easier.

My hydration was great.  I drank my entire gatorade and stopped once at a water fountain.  I drank and drank and drank at the fountain.  I know this may not seem like a big deal but prior to last year I couldn't drink anything during my running.  It would make me nausea.  I would run half-marathons and only drink 1 or 2 sips the entire race.  Obviously I wouldn't make it through a marathon if I did this so I really had to work on this last year.  It was still hard and I definitely still did not drink enough.  I feel like my body not only can tolerate it this year but wants it.  Still need to work on getting the calories in while running.  I only took 1 Clif shot block (equal to 1/3 of a gu).

Once back home it was right to the shower and then off with the family to Culver Academy for the town Lake Festival and a visit to the campus.  (No rest for this mommy!)  It is beautiful there!  Ryan has made a lot of amazing videos for them and we were able to get a special tour of the campus.

Nathan on pony ride

Kaitlyn on pony ride

Jackson going down slide

I didn't take any pictures of the Culver campus but it really was beautiful.

Definitely a fun packed day!  I am tired now.  I am ready for a rest day all around tomorrow.
What exciting things did you do this weekend?

Happy 4th of July!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!  It was a fun and busy weekend here.

I was able to get my long run done on Sunday.  I did 12 miles at a nice easy pace with my neighbor, Jennifer.  I am so lucky to have so many neighbors that run!

It was in the 70s and humid again but did feel better than Saturday.  The miles flew by and the run was done before I knew it.  However, I don't think I have ever sweat that much.  My shirt was completely soaked by the end.  I drank so much too!  I used Powerade for the first time and really liked it.  It did not upset my stomach at all.  I usually drink Gatorade but may think about switching now.  I am really happy that I was able to run so much the day after a race.  I have been feeling a little down that my paces are much slower than they used to be.  But I don't think I could have ran a long run after a race last year at this time.  So I think my endurance is improving at least.
(I also need to say that I drove by the race route today and the 2 hills I described were actually mild inclines only.  Wow I suck at any run that isn't completely flat.  My goal this week is to get over to Eagle Creek Park and do a run where there are routes with rolling hills.)

The rest of the weekend was spent with the family.  Lots of cookouts, swimming, and fireworks.  Fun!

Here our a few pics of Kaitlyn, Jackson, and Nathan from the weekend.