Getting Ready for a Marathon
First, there’s the carbo-loading.
Getting my race prep pile ready and modelling my race day outfit.
Not being able to fall asleep from all the excitement and crashing…two hours before the race.
Waking up to marathon alarm - thank goodness, I cleverly placed it across the room.
Shocked as always that God created a 5am in the morning.
Getting my first shot of caffeine and sugary gel at 5:05…and hitting the starting line singing Eye of the Tiger.
Like a {Boss} Boo!
Just Keep Swimming, Swimming
This is one of my favorite pictures from the Marine Corps Marathon.
It looks like a moment from a Broadway play - they are all arranged in triangle formation behind me and will break into song at any moment:
Do you hear the people sing, Singing the songs of angry men?
It is the music of a people, Who will not be slaves again! (JAZZ HANDS!)
Yeah, I sing Broadway songs when I run so this could have totally happened!
*******
{Face Down all Your Fears!}
With only a few days left, my training was reduced but felt mentally intense.
I ran without music a lot and hours on the mat (at the studio and home) just made me focus on race weekend.
I tell myself nervousness is good and pressure is great - it makes you always want to be better than your previous reached goal. Here is my training breakdown:
Monday, 5/7: C2 Hot Yoga, 60 Minutes
Tuesday, 5/8: C2 Hot Yoga, 60 Minutes; 3.5 miles, 35 minutes.
Wednesday, 5/9: Hot Power Fusion Yoga, 60 Minutes
Thursday, 5/10: 5 Miles in 49:19.
Friday, 5/11 + Saturday, 5/12: REST DAY, PT + Foam Rolling
Sunday, 5/13: 3.1 Miles in 29:55 + Core Restore Yin Yoga.
11.6 running miles is over a 50% reduction from my highest mileage weeks and the four hot yoga classes kicked my tush.
Ramping down the running has left me sluggish, a normal thing according to the books I’ve read.
This week, the final few days before the marathon, I will run even fewer miles but I will sprint a lot to keep my legs bendy. I’m getting antsy and anxious and just can’t seem to relax or sleep.
At these times I have to ask - what would Dory do? She’d just keep swimming. :)
My Second 20 Mile Long Run!
I completed my second 20 mile long run yesterday, finishing in 3:13:59!!
I ran it as fast as I could, doing intervals the entire time and finished it more than six minutes faster than my last 20 miler (3:21)!
Mile 1 in 8:37 + Mile 2 in 9:18
I started off way too fast and ran a two miler in 18:44. I’m happy to see the faster numbers but I definitely have to remember, “Marathon means 26.2 miles of running.” :)
{Source}
Mile 3 in 9:38 + Mile 4 in 9:39 + Mile 5 in 9:48 + Mile 6 in 9:37
“The uneventful miles” so I decided to shake things up! I run the lake-front path a lot and around mile 4 when I saw the same bird’s nest in a tree that I’ve seen for the last few weeks, I decided I wanted to see something new - so I went through a nature preserve area.
I got to see all the new plantings (wild grasses and flowers the city put down to help out the birds and bugs) and it is eerily quiet when you lose sight of the city and the water.
I love urban oases. One of the ways I’ve been able to prevent burnout has been constantly seeing something and doing something new - I haven’t missed a run since I started training and I hope the Angels of Injury can keep it that way.
Mile 7 in 9:53 + Mile 8 in 9:47
{Source - Miles 7 and 8 involved me freaking out about my moleskin slipping - I’ve had a cut I’ve been nursing and I didn’t want it to act up!}
Mile 9 in 10:42
My right hip stated acting up and I let the Garmin run while I assumed pigeon pose, stretching it out). My only mile over 10 minutes and most of it was holding pigeon. :D
{At mile 10 - I like to pretend the lake ends here and I’m at the end of the world.}
Mile 10 in 9:54
Back to business with my fastest training 10 miler in 1:37! I definitely had to slow down a few times but I can’t wait to see an even lower number during a race!
Mile 11 in 9:40
{Source}
I run because it makes me feel good. When I’m having a bad day or when I feel like someone has caused me unhappiness, a run makes me feel better. I run because I love it and can’t imagine a life without running. I run because my body thrives on it and I feel more alive when I run. I run because it makes me madly happy even if the run isn’t great.
{Source}
This run was definitely harder because I was running it faster and I had ten more miles to go at this point. I had my honey badger eyes of fury going - but I also had a smile on my face. :)
Mile 12 in 9:26 + Mile 13 in 9:49
I felt tight so I focused on my posture, my hips, my stride, but at a certain point, I think I was just going to have to get used to my body feeling some aches while I forced it to go faster.
{Source}
Mile 14 in 9:34
After the half-marathon mark, there’s always a moment of “Mother Mary, I still have more miles, don’t I?” An encouraging text from John provided a second wind!
{Source}
Mile 15 in 9:38
On my way down the lake-front, I decided to take a section that is closed off with gates and police signs because lots of other runners were jumping the fence.
A quarter mile in, I realized that I (we?) are trapped because the trail leads into the water where it collapsed. I navigated some rocks (imagining I was that dude in 27 Hours) and climbed a small stone wall.
Everyone jumped so I jumped - it wasn’t very high, maybe up to my tummy and I’m only 5’2 - but the pain in my left ankle when I hit the ground - never doing that again!
Mile 16 in 9:51 + Mile 17 in 9:45
At this point, my hands were shaking and unable to open my pocket for Swedish fish. I ran in my Lulu tank top and vest to test out my gear for race day but once the sun was gone, I was chilled.
{Source}
Mile 18 in 9:48 + Mile 19 in 9:52 + Mile 20 in 9:34
My favorite moment in a long distance race is the last two miles - I was extra motivated to finish strong because all I wanted was to go home, shower, and drink hot chocolate! I also started to use Kelly Clarkson’s running advice:
What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger
Stand a little taller
Doesn’t mean I’m lonely when I’m alone!
What doesn’t kill you makes a fighter,
Footsteps even lighter
Doesn’t mean I’m over cause you’re gone
Who knew? Kelly Clarkson, running coach. I didn’t want to think, I just wanted to run so the song was on permanent loop until the end. :)
{Source}
I came home, collapsed in the shower with Gatorade, and then collapsed into bed. :)
12 Miler + Francesca Forno + New Goal Times!
Fargo marathon here we come! This week’s running had a lot of fun numbers and new time goals reached! (Click here for my training chart).
I ran 26.2 miles in total. Since I’m in my fourth week of marathon training, it’s fun to see the marathon distance on my chart. I’m such a nerd. :D
I fueled with toast and jam because pasta is one of my least favorite foods and is way too heavy for me even two days after a pasta meal. So jealous of all of you who get to enjoy it!
John and I ran twelve miles this Sunday for our long run.
We ran from Wicker Park/Bucktown, through Old Town, the Gold Coast, and to the lake-front path going alongside Lincoln Park. I’ve provided a handy map so you can see all the Chicago neighborhoods in relation to one another.
{Source}
It was so lovely today with everyone out enjoying the weather by the water and we moved our run from Saturday to Sunday so we could take advantage of the warmer temps. I love the lakefront because I can run in one long line gazing at the beautiful water.
{Source}
Everything hard in life is a mental game, and this run was great because I was able to push myself through to some better super results.
New Ten Miler Unofficial Time: 1:37:48
(My last ten miler was in 1:41)
And my New Twelve Miler Unofficial Time: 1:57:19.
I am obviously excited that things are going this well. This bodes really well for my half marathon time and hopefully, for my full marathon running.
One of my marathon books mentioned cherry juice as a post recovery drink and I had picked some up for our long runs. It is tart and refreshing after a hard workout but only time will tell if it’s actually helping!
Cherry juice contain anthocyanins which can reduce inflammation: ”one reason drinking cherry juice daily for one week before a race has also been shown to stifle runners’ post-marathon pain.” Neat, right?
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were yoga abs days and I used Tara Stiles’ great routine.
*******
We’ve also started a new tradition, combining our long run with finding a new restaurant!
Last week was Big Star Taco. After this run, we took Nigel for a long walk to Wicker Dog Park and decided on a dinner at Francesca Forno.
It’s a lovely Italian spot but the meal was fantastic and even on a Sunday night, the tables were packed!
It’s definitely a date place so the dim lighting and candle light made pictures impossible but John’s dish was too pretty not too share.
I had a FABULOUS polenta with mascarpone cheese and wild-mushrooms that counts as one of the best things I’ve ever eaten in my life!
Running Bunny Weekly Run-Down: Overtraining or Overreaching?
Breakfast was a quick one - a Fage 0% and Bare Naked plain granola. Maybe it was too much protein but I finished only half of this - so filling!
It’s a sticky line between overtraining and overreaching because I have boundless energy and enthusiasm when things are going so well.
Last week, I ran 17.66 miles and this week I ran 23.2 miles, jumping from an 8 mile Saturday morning run to a 10 miler. This week, I’m running up to 25 miles, which isn’t as big of a bump.
I took four hot yoga classes which is now becoming my average number - with one two hour class. This week, I plan on making it to five hot yoga classes, and make them all intermediate.
I took TWO rest days, even making myself rest before my long run on Saturday!
I did an abs routine every day following my fitness streak.
It’s a puppy routine and I finally came up with a sustainable routine that allows me to build my strength. I’m really excited about this!
******
Last week was a great training week, with only one wrench - falling hard on my right knee. The soreness and throbbing have gone away with ice picks but the scab, the evil, no-good scab, opens up every time I assume Warrior II.
I’m hoping to find some skin salves downtown to speed healing…or just try voodoo.
It’s a beautiful day in Chicago - Hope it’s gorgeous in your part of the world today!
Inspiration for my Run
Vain, but true. ;D
Inspiration For my Long Run
Smile. :D
Lord of the Dancer Pose
Someone has a sad.
We had to return to our normal routines and Nigel Bear was left to fend for himself. Look dear readers, it’s the rare bully seal in all it’s blorpy glory!
My day started with the oddest craving - I didn’t want a traditional breakfast food and enjoyed a slice of pumpernickel bread with spicy Sabra hummus and stuffed with mixed greens.. (I buy a boule loaf so I fold a small slice in half to make a sammie!)
A cup serving of my new favorite soup rounded out my surprising brekkie.
This was the perfect fuel for my morning run (two hours later) and I completed three miles in 28 minutes!
After my run, for a quick lunch I had a pearapple and a Cliff shot because I wanted to power through a Hot Power Fusion class. Lately this class hasn’t been as challenging for me as the C2 level intermediate classes - but today’s teacher changed all that!
During dancer, she made us hold a block while working on our kicks - this was the trick that pushed me into the complete pose and allowed me to hold it for 25 seconds! Every day, I get just a little stronger - and this is my favorite pose, I feel like an angel when I do it! :D After class, I also worked on my splits routine for my Yoga-Pose-of-the-Month challenge!
My late snack was a cup of black coffee made with a Starbucks Via - I’ve been wanting to try them ever since John’s mother gave us some and they are good! They make a bold black coffee and I love that I can have some in my suitcase to take to races.
Speaking of races…aaaaahhhhh! In three days, we are going to be running 39.2 miles at The Goofy Challenge. I need a giant internet pray-in so that our “scared as heck” feelings go away. We are super excited too and counting down the hours!
First Run Through the New Neighborhood
{I can has smoothie?}
I decided to use my morning blog time to train Nigel on his “leave it!” command.
{Oh, I no can has smoothie.}
Nigel is great at “watch me!” and “leave it!” since both commands always involve a treat at the end. He didn’t get to share my morning smoothie though. :D In the mix: a serving of instant oatmeal, a mini Chobani Greek yogurt, baby spinach, frozen berries, a mini-banana, water, and almond milk!
{Come at me winter!}
I was finally allowed to run on concrete and I was so excited. Can you tell? John says I’m not allowed to make this pose anymore. :D Whatevs, I’m the coolest!
I’m not a runner who has any problem with the treadmill because it’s a necessary evil to training - I love it for speed work and since Chicago is as flat as a pancake, it’s the only “hill” I can train on.
However, running outside is more fun and for me, feels a lot easier. I’ve also been dying to go running in our new neighborhood! The houses are beautiful and everyone is decorating for Christmas. I love running by the lake front but I really missed running through a neighborhood and the Loop never did it for me - but today felt glorious.
Today’s Workout: 3.5 miles I’m pleased as punch that I can start getting back to regular five milers soon - I kept a 9:50-10:20 pace throughout and once I get to know the “paths” a bit more, I hope to start doing being a speedy honey badger.
The knee definitely acted up but I think it was due to the cold more then the run itself - as you can tell, I dressed like a little es-kee-mo but I need to bust out the toe socks soon. Cold toes, cold everything else!
