Marathon Training Week 13: Things Fall Apart

This week, I started a new job...and started 5:30 AM wakeup calls so that I can be in the office by 6:45-7 so that I can leave around 3. I started a new job...with a cold.  FOR REAL.  This winter has been awful for me and sickness, as I have whined about before.

Title references a novel, but also how I feel about marathon training over the last month.  I have had some great workouts but also have missed a lot of workouts.  The book that my training plan is from has a section on best and worst times to train for a marathon.  "Starting a New Job" is on the worst time list...and I totally get it.  While I had no control over the timing of the new job, I didn't really think it would be that disruptive.  This week we also had a mini-vacation to Wisconsin Dells with my family which was very fun!

Unfortunately, this was one of my worst running weeks.  I could not get it together people!  Read on.

Monday 3/23

Plan says: Easy 4-5 miles

What I do: First day of my new job, I'm high on life and I get a run in!  

Total: 4.01 miles, 7:37/mi

Tuesday 3/24

Plan says: 1-2 mile warm up, 3 x 2 mile tempo run with 0.25 mile recovery in between, 1-2 mile cool down

What I do: It was super cold and dark by the time I got around to running and so I headed to the treadmill.  My head was pounding from my cold and I gave up on this workout after 1.36 miles.  

Total: 1.36 miles

Wednesday 3/25

Plan says: Rest or cross-train

What I do: Rest

Total: 0 miles

Thursday 3/26

Plan says: Easy 9 miles

What I do: Rest - still not feeling great, zonked after work days

Total: 0 miles

Friday 3/27

Plan says:  OPTIONAL 3-4 miles

What I do: I had the day off as we were heading to vacation mid-morning.  My plan was to get Thursday's 9 miler in before we left.  It was 15 degrees outside and windy.  I made it a mile and couldn't feel my fingers so I quit.  Things Fall Apart people!

Total: 1 mile, 7:36

Saturday 3/28

Plan says: 15 miles, strong 20 minute finish

What I do:  After a day at the waterpark, I left my family to try to get some miles in.  I ended up with 5.37 miles in 38:57.2 (7:15/mile).

Sunday 3/29

Plan says:  Rest

What I do: We arrived back home mid-afternoon.  I was so annoyed reflecting back on this running week at how I just gave up on so many workouts that I forced myself to go out on a regroup run without a watch.  My attempt at a reset.  

Total miles: 4.6 (calculated after the fact with gmap-pedometer)

Week 13 Total Mileage: 16.35 miles

Completed 1 of the 4 mandatory workouts.  

Marathon Training Week 12

This week was the last week of my old job.  Eight years wrapped up in a week!  Even though I actively sought out a new job, I was still really sad leaving my colleagues!

Monday 3/16

Plan says: Easy 4-5 miles, include 6 x 10 seconds in Zone 5, each followed by 20 second recovery

What I do: Rest.  Stomach was still queasy from the week prior.

Total: 0 miles

Tuesday 3/17

Plan says: 8 miles as 10 minute warm up, 10 x 4 minutes in Zone 3 with 3 minute recover, 10 minute cool down

What I do: Monday's missed workout.  

Total:  5.18 miles, 38:19.3 (7:24/mile, avg)

Wednesday 3/18

Plan says: Rest or cross-train

What I do: In lieu of Tuesday's workout, I did a 4 mile tempo run.  I have do not remember why I did this as I was vague on the details in my log book.

Total: 4 miles, 29:17 (7:14/mile)

Thursday 3/19

Plan says: Easy 7 miles

What I do: Rest

Total: 0 miles

Friday 3/20

Plan says:  Rest

What I do: I did not typically work on Fridays but given that it was my last week, and people were still sending me things to wrap up on Friday at noon, I was at the office.  I had figured it would be a few hours in and then I could get Thursday's missed run in while there but not the case.  UGH! 

Total: 0 miles

Saturday 3/21

Plan says: 17 miles, mid 12 at race pace

What I do: I was NOT looking forward to this but given my inconsistency over the last few weeks of workouts, I had to get it done.  

Mile 1 7:36

Mile 2 7:28

Mile 3 7:39

Mile 4 7:28

Mile 5 7:44

Mile 6 7:36

Mile 7 7:42

Mile 8 7:33

Mile 9 7:44

Mile 10 7:23

Mile 11 7:29

Mile 12 7:24

Mile 13 7:25

Mile 14 7:27

Mile 15 7:27

Mile 16 7:21

Mile 17 7:12

During this run I had 2 gels, one at the hour mark, and one around 14 miles.  Total: 17.01 miles, 2:07:40 (7:30 avg).  Garmin time.  What I mean by that is that somewhere around the 14 - 14.25 mile mark I stopped my watch to grab a gel and didn't restart it.  So I ran until my Garmin said 17.01 miles, in actuality, I ran a distance of 17.25 miles, but while I know I had my watch off for .25 miles, I don't know how much time elapsed.  Regardless,  I was pumped about this run!!!

Sunday 3/22

Plan says:  Rest

What I do: Rest.  I spent the day in a fit of nervous energy cooking a million things including some pretty amazing homemade granola.

Week 12 Total Mileage: 26.48

Completed 2 of the 4 mandatory workouts.  

Marathon Training Week 11

Last week was not good.  Likely my worst in all of these marathon training weeks.  It just figures that the winter that I decide to train for a marathon is the winter that I end up getting sick a record amount of times and the winter that I decide to get a new job.  Even in a relatively good situation, changing jobs is so anxiety provoking.  Unfortunately for me increased anxiety leads to decreased sleep.

Monday 3/9
Plan says: OPTIONAL Easy 3 miles

What I do: I was still very tired from last week's 20 miler so I opted out.

Total: 0 miles

Tuesday 3/10
Plan says: 1-2 miles warm up, 5 mile tempo run, 1-2 miles cool down

What I do: I had to make a speedy trip to New Orleans for work so I was in the office for 6 hours and then headed to the airport, arriving in NOLA around 6 PM. It was pouring rain and I was tired.

Total: 0 miles

Wednesday 3/11
Plan says: Rest or cross-train

What I do: I set my alarm to get up early and run.  I don't know about you, but I have FANTASIES of being alone in a hotel room with a king bed all to myself.  That was my reality Tuesday night and you know what? I had quite possibly the worst night of sleep ever.  It was also pouring outside so I was in the hotel fitness center on the treadmill where 8:00 pace felt like a dead sprint.  BLECK.

Total: 3 miles

Thursday 3/12
Plan says: Easy 7-8 miles

What I do: I brought clothes with me to work to get the speedworkout from Tuesday knocked out.  It was glorious.  1 mile warm up at 7:30, 5 tempo miles around 6:50-7:00 pace and 1 mile cool down at 7:30 in the sunshine and mud.

Total: 7 miles

Friday 3/13
Plan says:  Fun Workout

What I do: I always just write off everyday chasing after two kids as my "fun workout" and this week was no exception.  I started feeling icky on Friday (lots o' nausea) and thus wanted to save what ever energy I had for Saturday's long run.

Total: 0 miles

Saturday 3/14
Plan says: 16 miles

What I do: Go to urgent care.  Yep, overnight felt a lot worse.  Full on GI something or another. (No I'm not pregnant - they checked).  After napping basically all day (thank you to my mom and husband for kid duty), I went to bed at 7:30 PM and woke up at 6 AM, STILL TIRED.

Sunday 3/15
Plan says:  Rest

What I do: Rest.  I still wasn't feeling great, but better than Saturday.

Week 11 Total Mileage: 10 miles (PATHETIC)
Completed 2 of the 4 mandatory workouts.  

Marathon Training Week 10

Overall I am happy with the week even though I missed one workout due to the cold and bad planning.  After a beautiful weekend in the 40s, I am hoping the cold is going to make an appearance less and less!  I am REALLY EXCITED to have to use the treadmill less during evening runs due to daylight savings time.  Things are looking up, people!

Monday 3/2
Plan says: Easy 4-5 miles

What I do: I was still in FL and thus ran 5 miles in 80 degrees.  It was glorious.  No watch so not sure how long it took me.

Total: 5 miles

Tuesday 3/3
Plan says: Negative Split 4 miles (2,2)

What I do: I wanted to get up early and get a final workout done in FL before we had to head to the airport but it didn't work out because the kids were up and there was packing.  By the time we got home, grocery shopped and unpacked, I was pooped.  No gym for me.

Total: 0 miles

Wednesday 3/4
Plan says: Rest or cross-train

What I do: Tuesday's negative split workout on the treadmill.  WOMP WOMP.  Do you know how hard it is to go back to a treadmill after running in tanks and shorts outside for a week?!

First 2 miles: 7.8 mph (7:47 pace)
Last 2 miles: 8.3 mph (7:14 pace)

Total: 4 miles

Thursday 3/5
Plan says: Easy 5-6 miles

What I do: Nothing.  I forgot that the hubs was not going to be home due to an overnight meeting so no childcare = no running at night.

Total: 0 miles

Friday 3/6
Plan says:  Optional 3 miles

What I do: Usually I do not work on Fridays which can mean an easy way to make up a workout that I may have missed during the work week.  However, due to vacation and the fact that I am leaving, I worked this day and then met a friend for drinks after the kids were in bed.  Friend with drinks trumps workout every time in my book.

Total: 0 miles

Saturday 3/7
Plan says: 20 miles

What I do: Curse.  Did I mention that I can count the nights that I have slept through the night in the last month on one hand?  Friday night was no different.  Thank you children.  That combined with the 2 beers I drank Friday night and I was needing some super strong coffee Saturday morning.  I was not in the mood to run 20 miles.

I still did not have a GPS watch so I planned a route using gmap pedometer.  My planned route ended up at 21 miles.  All that clicking was driving me bonkers so I guessed at how much to chop off so I would only do 20.

I may not have had a GPS watch but I did have a running watch...somewhere.  We got the kids down for naps and I started looking for it and after 30 minutes gave up.  The next thing I had to use was my phone, which is enormous.  There was no way I could carry that and 2 bottles of water.  I decided to leave the stopwatch on my phone running in the house, starting and stopping it as soon as I walked out/in the door.  Armed with 3 Gu pouches and 2 bottles of water, I was off!

My route was two big loops so that I could stash water and not have to carry it the entire time.  It was a gorgeous day and I was a little hot because I still dressed like it was 20 degrees cooler.  The first loop was 11 miles and fairly uneventful save for a few backtracks because I couldn't find where I left the water bottle and soggy feat from running through so many puddles due to melted snow.

On my second lap, I ran into a couple that saw me an hour prior and the lady yelled "HOW LONG ARE YOU RUNNING?! GEEZ!" and I replied, "I'm doing 20 miles today!".  It was then that I knew I would finish.

I felt really good.  I used gels at approximately 7 miles, 14 miles, 18 miles and finished the two bottles of water (32 oz). I could have used more water but it was fine.

I got back home to stop my phone and the time was 2:31:38 or 7:40 pace!  Given that this was likely a little off due to stopping at stop lights, I was happy.   I really really tried to start slow to be able to finish strong.

UNFORTUNATELY I really only ran 19.75 miles.  I chopped off a bit too much in my mental guessing.

Total: 19.75 mi

The runners world calculator says this workout burned 2,031 calories.  THAT IS INSANE!!!  Pass the girl scout cookies!!!

Sunday 3/8
Plan says:  Rest

What I do: Rest.  The weather was SO NICE that I attempted going out to get in Thursday's missed workout.  I got about 0.1 miles before turning around because my legs were so sore!

I did get to our local running store and have a new gps watch.  PHEW!  All that gmap pedometering was driving me crazy.

Week 10 Total Mileage:  28.75 miles
Completed 3 of the 4 mandatory workouts.  

Gear Talk - SUPAH FEET SUPAH FEET

"She's super-freaky"...

That song always pops into my head whenever I see "Super Feet".  Thank you Rick James.

If you've been reading since last fall, you know that I had a minor foot issue that I went to an orthopedic sports medicine doctor for.  At that time, we briefly discussed shoe insoles and her advice was that some people like them, others do not and that it wouldn't hurt to try them.

On my birthday, I finally went to my favorite local running store, PRO (Performance Running Outfitters), to check the Superfeet insoles out.  As usual, the customer service was awesome.  The associate put some in a shoes for me to try with and without.  I could tell a difference but I wasn't entirely sold.

What sold me was the 60 day guarantee.  I could try them for 60 days and if I liked them, great; if not, return them to the store for a complete refund.

I was fitted for the Berry version.  Interestingly, I would have picked the Green version without help but given my neutral running pattern, the associate was concerned that too much intervention could alter my running pattern too much.  He watched me run with Berry and didn't see an over correction so thought that was best.

I am not one to wear my running shoes for anything other than running, but during travel, I always wear my running shoes on the plane because they are usually the bulkiest shoe I own.  I don't want them taking up valuable suitcase space!  I put the inserts in before leaving for the aiport as I figured I could get some valuable break-in time in.

I ended up running all of my FL workouts (5 runs total) with the inserts in my Saucony Triumphs and they felt great.

The only problem is that I currently am using two pairs of running shoes that are not the same.  I cut the insoles to fit my Saucony Triumphs as those are my favorite, although I am still using my Mizunos on the treadmill.  I did a short speedworkout last night in my Mizunos on the treadmill and today my right foot hurts.  ARGH.

I know.

I should just surrender the Mizunos since I have never liked them anyways.

Have you ever tried insoles in your running shoes?  What did you think?

Marathon Training Week 9 Review - HALFWAY DONE!

Last week was an epic one.  Last week of brutal February and I spent it in mostly sunny FL! We took the kids on our annual trip to FL to do Disney World and visit my BIL.  And shocking, it is somewhat easy to get runs in when:
1) You and your husband are both on vacation from work;
2) It is not only in POSITIVE temperatures, but in the 60-80 degree weather range;
3) You have extra sets of hands to watch your kids.

Needless to say, I had a stellar running week, which I desperately needed.

Crazy enough finishing this week means that I am exactly halfway through my training plan - 9 weeks down, 9 weeks to go!

Monday 2/23
Plan says: Easy 4-5 miles with 10 strideouts

What I do: Nothing.  I worked 8 hours before heading to the aiport to catch our flight.  We ended up having a big delay so ended up getting to our hotel around 12:30 AM instead of the 8:30 PM we anticipated.

Tuesday 2/24
Plan says: Tempo workout - 1-2 miles warm up, 4 x 1 mi at tempo pace with 0.25 mile recovery in between each, 1-2 miles cool down

What I do:  First run through Old Key West resort at Disney World! They had a running trail that was about 1.5 miles and also linked up with a trail that connected to Saratoga Springs resort.  I was happy to have my Garmin along so I could just wander around linking to different paths/trails and not have to do the pre-determined resort loop.  I didn't do the exact workout because I didn't copy down the plan right and missed the 0.25 mile recovery so instead of a 4 x 1 mi tempo intervals, I did a 4 mile tempo run, no recoveries.

1.25 mile warmup at 8:00 pace
4 mile tempo run at 7:00 avg pace
1.32 mile cool down at 7:38 pace

6.58 total miles, 48:01

Wednesday 2/25
Plan says: Rest or cross-train

What I do: We went to Magic Kingdom for 12 hours this day - so a LOT of walking.  I'm counting that as cross-training!

Thursday 2/26
Plan says: Another speed workout.  7 miles as 10 min warm up, 8 x 4 min in Zone 3 with 3 minute reovery, 10 minute cool down

What I do: 10 minutes warm up, 8 x 4 minutes with 3 minute recovery, 7:40 coold down.  I hit 8 miles by cheating on the cool down so I stopped.  I probably did this in Zone 4, not 3.

8.01 total miles 57:26 (7:10 avg pace)
Mile Splits:
7:39
7:06
7:01
6:58
7:06
6:59
6:58
7:36

Friday 2/27
Plan says:  Optional 4 miles

What I do: Monday's missed workout - 5 miles easy with 10 strideouts incorporated.  My last run through the resort path.

Unfortunately, I ended up dropping my Garmin in the process of taking my long sleeve shirt off (I had put my watch on over the shirt and had to undo it to take my shirt off) and the screen no longer works!  So I guess I will be using some birthday money to replace that!  I have no idea what pace or time this run took me since I only brough my Garmin as a watch on vacation.

Saturday 2/28
Plan says: 13 miles, with a strong 15 minute finish

What I do:  It was pouring out and we had planned on going to Hollywood Studios so I had a "rest" day which really meant another day walking around the park.

Sunday 3/1
Plan says:  Rest

What I do:  Long run. We were now in Celebration, FL which I have run in plenty of times, including training for the Chicago Marathon in 2006.  Unfortuantely I had no watch to figure out exact distance or pace/time and using the Gmap Pedometer on an ipad is not optimal.  I did what I thought was 13 miles based on my gmap pedometer work, but when I got back home to WI and re-traced my route using Gmap Pedometer on a computer, I ended up with only 12.62 miles.  It was done pretty quickly though because we headed off to Epcot after I got back!  More walking!

Week 9 Total Mileage:  32.21 miles
Completed 4 of the 4 mandatory workouts.  

Marathon Training Week 8 Review

Things get worse before they get better, right?   I am hoping so.  I only ran 2 times last week.  I have not been sleeping very well, spending the hours between midnight and 4 AM reading magazines or tossing and turning.

I resigned from my job earlier this month after accepting another offer.  May 1 would be my 8 year anniversary at my current job so it's quite a change up.  It's been very crazy at my office this year and my resignation is only adding to it so although I am really excited about the new position, ramping down at my current job has been very stressful and my running has suffered!

Also, can the temperature please stay above zero for more than a day? I finally got outside Saturday but today it is -4 again.

Monday 2/16
Plan says: Optional 3 miles

What I do: Nothing

Tuesday 2/17
Plan says: Easy 7 miles

What I do:  Easy 7 miles on the treadmill at 8:00 pace.

I had to say goodbye to my Tuesday lunch power yoga class (which is through my benefits office at my current job).  Looking to fill that gap soon!

Wednesday 2/18
Plan says: Rest or cross-train

What I do: Rest

Thursday 2/19
Plan says: Easy 8-10 miles

What I do: 0 miles

Friday 2/20
Plan says:  Easy 3 miles

What I do: 0 miles

Saturday 2/21
Plan says: 16 miles, mid 10 miles at race pace

What I do: I had wanted to do 18 miles because i have been going shorter than the plan dictates for my long runs the last few weeks.  My birthday was this day so we had lots of fun activities throughout the day that I had to work around - with no 3+ hour chunk of time free so I tried splitting the long run.

First run: 10 miles, 1:10:57 (7:06 pace) Outside!
4 hour time gap
Second run: 8 miles, 1:03:31 (7:56 pace) Treadmill

Total: 18 miles, 2:14:28 (7:27 pace)

Splitting the long run is way easier than running the whole thing at one time. (Newsflash!) My legs did not really feel that tired on the 2nd part, but I was running post birthday dinner, with cake and a beer.  Optimal conditions. ha ha ha

Sunday 2/22
Plan says:  Rest

What I do:  I toyed with the idea of making up Thursday's workout here but then the day really got away from me as we were trying to pack for our vacation!  Next week my miles will all be done in (hopefully) sunny FL!!!!

Week 8 Total Mileage:  25 miles
Completed 2 of the 4 mandatory workouts.  WOMP WOMP