Today marks the end of week 11 and the beginning of week 12, only 4 more weeks to go! I can hardly imagine I am 3/4 of the way through training. Too bad the next 2 weeks will be the most difficult so far, coupled with the fact that I start work on Monday, and that means I won't have nearly the same amount of time or energy that I've enjoyed all summer. I'm a little nervous about how that is going to go. While I'm at work it will be much harder to ice regularly and stay hydrated; I doubt my new employer will like it if I'm going to the bathroom every 20 minutes...which is the true story of my last 2 1/2 months.
I am, however, very encouraged after today's run. I conquered the last of the 16 mile runs! It was a bit warmer than I would have liked, but I was so thankful I managed to force down 200+ ounces of water yesterday. I was feeling rather discouraged last week because I was going so slow and experiencing so much knee pain and not sure what do about it. I took 2 extra rest days this past week and really concentrated on ice sessions, regular doses of ibuprofen and stretching and I think it really helped. I did break down buy new running shoes, which I really didn't want to do, but I realized that my shoes could be the deciding factor in whether I finish this or not. My shoes had well over 200 miles on them. I also bought a knee brace that I wore during the long run today and as far as I can tell it helped tremendously. I'm still keeping up with my preventative regimen, including ice baths, but I'm not having any knee pain right now, so that's good news!
Mentally I'm beginning to try and prepare myself for what is called "hitting the wall", which should be coming during next week's long run: 18 miles. "Hitting the wall" apparently happens when you're body is completely depleted of glycogen and carbohydrates, despite regular hydration with fluid replacements all throughout the run; it's just what happens when you run that far. Extreme fatigue sets in and you will truly believe you can't go on. Another. Step. But because of all the mental preparation and training that you've been practicing during these last 11 weeks...you will make it past the wall. ALL the training, mental and physical, comes down to these last 6-8 miles. And I will get a taste of it during the next two weeks.
My body believes whatever my mind tells it, the wall is only as big as I believe it to be.
Cumulative mileage total: 233.5
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
Week 10: check
This morning I completed my second of three 16-mile runs, and I'm sorry to say that it took me longer than the first time. :( Bummer. I'm gonna go ahead and blame it on my knees. They've been giving me some trouble this week and I feared today might be rough, and it was. I was doing okay yesterday with my dosages of ibuprofen and frequent ice sessions, so I was optimistic today...until I hit mile 2 and began to feel them. Both were unhappy, but specifically the right one, as usual, was worse. Thankfully somewhere around mile 6 they seemed to accept their fate and began sulking, rather than screaming. Much appreciated. Fortunately I made it all 16 miles, but since my ice bath I've been a heap of worthlessness.
Other than my knees, a new blister, and being so beyond slow, my 16 mile early morning adventure was most definitely not boring. I'd like to thank the wonderfully diverse group of people who populate my running route: first I saw a guy running with no shoes, (which I've heard actually isn't that bad, as long as you aren't running long distances) and unfortunately he wasn't wearing much else either; his shorts looked like they were made of wheat or leaves, or some other plant material, and I haven't seen dreadlocks like that since Central America. My guess is that he was trying to draw the energies of Mother Earth up through his feet. Most likely. A while later on I saw an older guy with an hawaiian shirt on, and a straw hat with a huuge pink flower laye (sp?) wrapped around it...and this guy was BEYOND tan. Like, fresh off the cruiseboat tan. Shortly after that I saw a cute little old guy wearing the TINIEST little white shorts you've ever seen held up by suspenders, looong white tube socks and some sort of bavarian-looking hat with a giant feather sticking out the top. This guy saluted me, said good morning and greeted me with a toothless grin. A few miles later when I was on my way back down the trail, the hawaiian and the bavaran shorts guy had apparently become friends and were walking together, and they'd picked up a third...a cowboy. Large cowboy hat. Yesss.
Not long after that I saw a lady with two dogs, and one of the poor dogs, a smallish dog, (definitely smaller than Rocky Raccoon) had some sort of brace contraption attached to its hips, and the back end of the brace was on wheels! Rolling behind the dog! I've never seen anything like that before, and I hope it helps, whatever it is. I decided I shouldn't laugh though, I'll probably need one of those things when all this is over.
I also extended my route a big further today and it was nice. I wrapped around some pretty ponds on a nice little trail, and then followed it on under the freeway...which gave me the creeps. (I found out later that someone once fell off that part of the freeway and landed on the trail and died. Gah.) When I noticed that someone had left their sleeping bag in the middle of the trail, I decided I might not go back that way.
Onward to week 11 whilst I baby my knees.
Other than my knees, a new blister, and being so beyond slow, my 16 mile early morning adventure was most definitely not boring. I'd like to thank the wonderfully diverse group of people who populate my running route: first I saw a guy running with no shoes, (which I've heard actually isn't that bad, as long as you aren't running long distances) and unfortunately he wasn't wearing much else either; his shorts looked like they were made of wheat or leaves, or some other plant material, and I haven't seen dreadlocks like that since Central America. My guess is that he was trying to draw the energies of Mother Earth up through his feet. Most likely. A while later on I saw an older guy with an hawaiian shirt on, and a straw hat with a huuge pink flower laye (sp?) wrapped around it...and this guy was BEYOND tan. Like, fresh off the cruiseboat tan. Shortly after that I saw a cute little old guy wearing the TINIEST little white shorts you've ever seen held up by suspenders, looong white tube socks and some sort of bavarian-looking hat with a giant feather sticking out the top. This guy saluted me, said good morning and greeted me with a toothless grin. A few miles later when I was on my way back down the trail, the hawaiian and the bavaran shorts guy had apparently become friends and were walking together, and they'd picked up a third...a cowboy. Large cowboy hat. Yesss.
Not long after that I saw a lady with two dogs, and one of the poor dogs, a smallish dog, (definitely smaller than Rocky Raccoon) had some sort of brace contraption attached to its hips, and the back end of the brace was on wheels! Rolling behind the dog! I've never seen anything like that before, and I hope it helps, whatever it is. I decided I shouldn't laugh though, I'll probably need one of those things when all this is over.
I also extended my route a big further today and it was nice. I wrapped around some pretty ponds on a nice little trail, and then followed it on under the freeway...which gave me the creeps. (I found out later that someone once fell off that part of the freeway and landed on the trail and died. Gah.) When I noticed that someone had left their sleeping bag in the middle of the trail, I decided I might not go back that way.
Onward to week 11 whilst I baby my knees.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
It's official!
I officially just registered for the Portland Marathon, October 4, 2009! Now I just have to keep praying I don't get injured before then. Maybe in a couple weeks it will feel more real.
I am halfway through with week 10 today and have decided to work a little harder taking care of my knees...they continue to remain tender and sore. I finally broke down and began taking some ibuprofen and going to take more time to apply ice and I think that should help quite a bit. For a while I kind of though I could get away without taking medication (even though my book said I wouldn't be able to, so I shouldn't try)...and it was right. Darn it.
I had a really good 16 mile run last Saturday and was so proud of myself for making it! I was pretty sore for the rest of the day but felt pretty good the day after. The next couple of weeks plateau briefly before jumping up for the final mileage increase and it feels sort of weird to have to do the same run twice, and then three times. My guidebook recommends I try doing some things to keep my emotions boosted so I don't start feeling less motivated. The fact that the mileage increases every week is designed to maintain high levels of motivation...the more you run, the easier it is to run more. A plateau for 3 weeks in a row can seem boring and frustrating, so I hope I can make it through. No stopping now!
Today's 8 mile training run was really hot and hilly; I explored some new territory which was pretty exciting, so I'm hoping that will help me be less bored. After I got warmed up I really enjoyed it. I don't think it would make the best route for a long run because of all the hills, but a really good training run.
It seems so weird to look at the calendar and only 5 1/2 more weeks of training left...that isn't very many! I hope this is working!
I am halfway through with week 10 today and have decided to work a little harder taking care of my knees...they continue to remain tender and sore. I finally broke down and began taking some ibuprofen and going to take more time to apply ice and I think that should help quite a bit. For a while I kind of though I could get away without taking medication (even though my book said I wouldn't be able to, so I shouldn't try)...and it was right. Darn it.
I had a really good 16 mile run last Saturday and was so proud of myself for making it! I was pretty sore for the rest of the day but felt pretty good the day after. The next couple of weeks plateau briefly before jumping up for the final mileage increase and it feels sort of weird to have to do the same run twice, and then three times. My guidebook recommends I try doing some things to keep my emotions boosted so I don't start feeling less motivated. The fact that the mileage increases every week is designed to maintain high levels of motivation...the more you run, the easier it is to run more. A plateau for 3 weeks in a row can seem boring and frustrating, so I hope I can make it through. No stopping now!
Today's 8 mile training run was really hot and hilly; I explored some new territory which was pretty exciting, so I'm hoping that will help me be less bored. After I got warmed up I really enjoyed it. I don't think it would make the best route for a long run because of all the hills, but a really good training run.
It seems so weird to look at the calendar and only 5 1/2 more weeks of training left...that isn't very many! I hope this is working!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Rocky Raccoon
Ok, well I just had a really terrible run. I'm gonna do a little venting and hopefully get it all out of my system so that I can work on a fresh attitude...tomorrow needs to be better. First off it was SUPER humid and muggy this morning; probably the most humidity I've felt since being in Central America. So right off the bat I was dripping sweat like crazy...and stayed that way through the entire run. Somewhere between miles 3 and 4 I was feeling something very wrong in my right baby toe. I wanted to get closer to home before stopping to look at it so I pushed on a bit further; I nearly tripped over/stepped on a dead raccoon that was laying partially in the shoulder where I run. I came up on it so fast and was totally not expecting to see it laying there that I did a little hoppity jump over it...but still managed to step on his tail. EWWWW. It was not there when I ran by earlier, so I knew it had been dead less than an hour. This thing was HUGE...bigger than most dogs...and bloody and SICK. I started gagging uncontrolably and trying not to barf.
Unfortunately I misjudged my distance today and hit the ending 7 mile mark about a half mile away from home. Normally, not too big of a deal...but today of course it was. I finally stopped running and took off my right shoe and sock only to discover 3 gigantic blisters covering my entire baby toe. I wore socks that I've never worn running before, so that's my best guess as to what caused such horrible blisters. I knew there was no putting my shoe back on, so I limped the remaining half a mile back to the house, drenched in sweat and feeling nauceous from my little "run-in" with Rocky Raccoon.
On top of all that I picked today to forget to put bandaids on my arm...(I have been battling runner's rash on the inside of my upper left arm)...and so now I have about the worst case yet. Horribly, horribly painful.
Here's to a better day tomorrow.
Unfortunately I misjudged my distance today and hit the ending 7 mile mark about a half mile away from home. Normally, not too big of a deal...but today of course it was. I finally stopped running and took off my right shoe and sock only to discover 3 gigantic blisters covering my entire baby toe. I wore socks that I've never worn running before, so that's my best guess as to what caused such horrible blisters. I knew there was no putting my shoe back on, so I limped the remaining half a mile back to the house, drenched in sweat and feeling nauceous from my little "run-in" with Rocky Raccoon.
On top of all that I picked today to forget to put bandaids on my arm...(I have been battling runner's rash on the inside of my upper left arm)...and so now I have about the worst case yet. Horribly, horribly painful.
Here's to a better day tomorrow.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Quick recap
Last Friday morning I completed the scheduled 14 mile run, and it went remarkably well. I was very tired and pretty sore when it was all over, but oddly enough, less sore than the 12 miler the week before. I know I'm still a pretty slow runner, but I was pretty proud of myself because I did the 14 miles in 15 minutes less than what I'd planned.
And yes, I caved and took an ice bath. After being in so much pain a couple weeks ago, I did a little research and got some advice from runner's I know...they all said take an ice bath. It has a similar affect to applying ice to a wound: reduces inflammation and speeds up muscle recovery time...only for the entire leg, not just once specific area; which is really almost required for this amount of trauma. Overall it really wasn't as bad as I imagined, but definitely not on my list of favorite things to do. And unfortunately, it worked. My legs felt better immediately after getting out of the tub, so now I fear this has to become a regular part of my training program. Darn it.
I began week 9 this morning with a quick 4 miler, but since I had two rest days in between runs instead of the usual one day, I was bit stiff. (I also think that sleeping on the ground for those two nights didn't help much...we were camping. Without sleeping pads. Oops.) The first couple of miles were awfully slow and I wasn't really enjoying it, but it did get better.
I've discovered that I actually enjoy the longer runs a little bit more than the shorter runs. It takes me just about 3 miles to get warmed up and feeling the rhythm, and until then I don't really enjoy it very much. It's a lot of work, my body feels like it's jerking around and pounding the ground really hard. So the runs that are only 4 miles long, don't really get comfortable until mile 3...so the majority of it isn't very fun. Now I'm not saying I LOVE 14 miles, but anything over 5 I find to be much more enjoyable.
I'm getting a little bit nervous for what's coming up: the next 4 weeks or so are going to be a LOT of miles. I jump up to 16 for this week's long run. It's weird to think back to when 5 and 6 miles were the long runs...ha. I'm praying for cooler weather next week because I jump up to 5:8:5:18. Yikes.
And yes, I caved and took an ice bath. After being in so much pain a couple weeks ago, I did a little research and got some advice from runner's I know...they all said take an ice bath. It has a similar affect to applying ice to a wound: reduces inflammation and speeds up muscle recovery time...only for the entire leg, not just once specific area; which is really almost required for this amount of trauma. Overall it really wasn't as bad as I imagined, but definitely not on my list of favorite things to do. And unfortunately, it worked. My legs felt better immediately after getting out of the tub, so now I fear this has to become a regular part of my training program. Darn it.
I began week 9 this morning with a quick 4 miler, but since I had two rest days in between runs instead of the usual one day, I was bit stiff. (I also think that sleeping on the ground for those two nights didn't help much...we were camping. Without sleeping pads. Oops.) The first couple of miles were awfully slow and I wasn't really enjoying it, but it did get better.
I've discovered that I actually enjoy the longer runs a little bit more than the shorter runs. It takes me just about 3 miles to get warmed up and feeling the rhythm, and until then I don't really enjoy it very much. It's a lot of work, my body feels like it's jerking around and pounding the ground really hard. So the runs that are only 4 miles long, don't really get comfortable until mile 3...so the majority of it isn't very fun. Now I'm not saying I LOVE 14 miles, but anything over 5 I find to be much more enjoyable.
I'm getting a little bit nervous for what's coming up: the next 4 weeks or so are going to be a LOT of miles. I jump up to 16 for this week's long run. It's weird to think back to when 5 and 6 miles were the long runs...ha. I'm praying for cooler weather next week because I jump up to 5:8:5:18. Yikes.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Concentration.
My next new challenge in my marathon training will be to learn not to zone out. Instead I am to learn to achieve "flow"...but that isn't that same as zoning out. I must admit that I enjoy zoning out: it passes the time quicker and I feel less pain, and generally am less aware of what is going on around me. But that isn't such a good thing. Flow occurs when you maintain fluid awareness and solid concentration and combine that with genuine enjoyment. I'm discovering that only if all the variables are in order does this happen to me; even if one small thing is not right I have a harder time achieving flow.
To help me concentrate, rather than zone out, my book suggests a number of mind games that force you to concentrate on the same task for a fairly extended period of time. It goes back to the mental aspects of marathon training: you have to train your mind just as much as your body. So yesterday Coby and I played four games of Concentration and another really cool game called Stare where you have to stare at a really detailed, colorful picture and then answer as many questions about it as you can in 30 seconds. At first it seemed kind of silly to be playing mind games, but then again, a lot of things the book suggests seems silly...until you do it. Then it's easy to see how important they are.
One of the things that I'm still getting used to...is all the sweat. I really don't care for sweating. It's gross. I understand that it's a normal and necessary part of this training program and I'm supposed to be sweating a lot. I just really don't like it. Soaking through all my clothes and having to stay in them for hours, dripping out of my hair, into my eyes and down my back...ew. I recently started feeling like I was sweating even more than I used to, and couldn't figure out why...until Coby's brother Jordan and I were talking about running one day. I mentioned that even on the short runs I still sweat like crazy, and he said "hey thats a good thing!" Apparently it means that my body's cooling system is in better shape and more efficient at keeping me cool. As soon as it realizes that my body is working hard it kicks into gear quicker and starts cooling me right away..,and that's why I sweat more. It makes sense!...but it's still gross.
Also some cross-training and more intense stretching are definitely in order.
To help me concentrate, rather than zone out, my book suggests a number of mind games that force you to concentrate on the same task for a fairly extended period of time. It goes back to the mental aspects of marathon training: you have to train your mind just as much as your body. So yesterday Coby and I played four games of Concentration and another really cool game called Stare where you have to stare at a really detailed, colorful picture and then answer as many questions about it as you can in 30 seconds. At first it seemed kind of silly to be playing mind games, but then again, a lot of things the book suggests seems silly...until you do it. Then it's easy to see how important they are.
One of the things that I'm still getting used to...is all the sweat. I really don't care for sweating. It's gross. I understand that it's a normal and necessary part of this training program and I'm supposed to be sweating a lot. I just really don't like it. Soaking through all my clothes and having to stay in them for hours, dripping out of my hair, into my eyes and down my back...ew. I recently started feeling like I was sweating even more than I used to, and couldn't figure out why...until Coby's brother Jordan and I were talking about running one day. I mentioned that even on the short runs I still sweat like crazy, and he said "hey thats a good thing!" Apparently it means that my body's cooling system is in better shape and more efficient at keeping me cool. As soon as it realizes that my body is working hard it kicks into gear quicker and starts cooling me right away..,and that's why I sweat more. It makes sense!...but it's still gross.
Also some cross-training and more intense stretching are definitely in order.
Saturday, August 1, 2009
4: 6: 4: 12
I just completed a 12 mile run, which was the long run for week 7, and let me tell ya, I'm a little bit tired. I'd like to attribute it to last week's laziness, and I probably will to some degree, but I'm not sure I have been quite this stiff and sore before. During this run I began to feel the first real twinges of pain/potential problems in my right knee and right ankle area. I've known for a little while that I run off-balance because often my right leg will be more tired or sore than my left, but I'm really not sure how to fix it. So I'll just wait and see how bad it gets. Hopefully it'll be no problem with a little tlc. (I'm sitting here icing my knees as I type this.) I know that what I really need is an ice bath, they really are quite effective...but you'd probably have to knock me out to get me to sit down in a bathtub full of ice. I will just continue enjoying my frozen bag of peas. I don't have any real blisters to speak of, and I still have all my toenails, so I won't complain...
This week of training was pretty tough because of the heat, and I'm pretty sure that's why I've felt so fatigued this week, plus a weird stomach bug, but now this week is behind me and next week is week 8! Halfway there!
I had a pretty good route all planned out today, but into about mile 3 I was thinking "this route is getting really boring, I need to find a new one." Which is true. I don't know the area really well so I'm kind of just sticking to the same roads and I think I'd be happier if I branched out a bit. I ran down to the Salmon Creek Trail and decided to be a little adventurous and take the extension that goes 1.5 miles further in a different direction and was so excited to be in a new area that I sorta just kept going. I finally glanced down at my pedometer and realized I needed to start heading back to the trailhead. I went farther than I should have and hit mile 12 about a half mile away from the house. Oh well.
Another new tactic I tried today that saved me was carrying gatorade with me for part of the run and then stashing it in the bushes for the loop back. The plan was to have some at mile 0, 2, 7, 9 and the end of 12. Unfortunately my over-excitement about the new trail put me back a bit and I only got some at 2, 10 and the end of 12. Even with that I could feel how much it helped but I really need to be practicing drinking 6-8 ounces every 15-20 minutes in order to maintain hydration. And it really does take practice and getting used to having liquid in your stomach while you're running. That was a new feeling for me today.
One thing I'm experiencing and definitely enjoying is the sense of comeraderie between myself and other early-morning runners. I know that I run better by myself and usually prefer to run alone because it helps me stay focused, but sometimes it can be kind of lonely. Seeing other people out there doing the same thing makes me feel like I'm not the only crazy one waking up at dawn only to be caked in dried sweat. I enjoy the brief greeting we give to each other when we pass: a quick raise of the left hand and a simple spoken "morning". I especially love the people whom I pass more than once because then I really know they are doing what I'm doing...lots of miles. Passing by a second time usually warrants a smile. However I do not enjoy being passed by elderly men...makes me feel like a slacker.
My cumulative mileage total so far: 121.5
This week of training was pretty tough because of the heat, and I'm pretty sure that's why I've felt so fatigued this week, plus a weird stomach bug, but now this week is behind me and next week is week 8! Halfway there!
I had a pretty good route all planned out today, but into about mile 3 I was thinking "this route is getting really boring, I need to find a new one." Which is true. I don't know the area really well so I'm kind of just sticking to the same roads and I think I'd be happier if I branched out a bit. I ran down to the Salmon Creek Trail and decided to be a little adventurous and take the extension that goes 1.5 miles further in a different direction and was so excited to be in a new area that I sorta just kept going. I finally glanced down at my pedometer and realized I needed to start heading back to the trailhead. I went farther than I should have and hit mile 12 about a half mile away from the house. Oh well.
Another new tactic I tried today that saved me was carrying gatorade with me for part of the run and then stashing it in the bushes for the loop back. The plan was to have some at mile 0, 2, 7, 9 and the end of 12. Unfortunately my over-excitement about the new trail put me back a bit and I only got some at 2, 10 and the end of 12. Even with that I could feel how much it helped but I really need to be practicing drinking 6-8 ounces every 15-20 minutes in order to maintain hydration. And it really does take practice and getting used to having liquid in your stomach while you're running. That was a new feeling for me today.
One thing I'm experiencing and definitely enjoying is the sense of comeraderie between myself and other early-morning runners. I know that I run better by myself and usually prefer to run alone because it helps me stay focused, but sometimes it can be kind of lonely. Seeing other people out there doing the same thing makes me feel like I'm not the only crazy one waking up at dawn only to be caked in dried sweat. I enjoy the brief greeting we give to each other when we pass: a quick raise of the left hand and a simple spoken "morning". I especially love the people whom I pass more than once because then I really know they are doing what I'm doing...lots of miles. Passing by a second time usually warrants a smile. However I do not enjoy being passed by elderly men...makes me feel like a slacker.
My cumulative mileage total so far: 121.5
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