Week #18, March 26-April 1
M Rest
T 3.19
W 3.26
TH Rest
F 7.35
S Ran 11.68
S Ran 4.00
I took it nice and slow on Tuesday. I was actually very tired and seriously questioned why I was out running. My splits were 12:08, 12:38, 12:32.
I almost bought these DD/Saucony Kinvara 4 shoes but they were sold out by the time I made up my mind to buy them.
Wednesday’s run actually felt better. I wore shorts and a new Oiselle top that was sold out but miraculously one became available for me to order.
My left knee is being a jerk and I’ve been using RockTape. I am a little worried because my marathon is in less than a month and I hope I can still run it.
I wrote in a post last week that I entered the lottery for the Marine Corps Marathon. I received an email on Thursday morning letting me know that I got in. I am excited about it and have until Monday evening when I can officially register.
Thursday afternoon was the start of Spring Break. I came home and stayed in bed for a bit. I was very tired. I did not want to run and I didn’t.
Lola was more than happy to cuddle with me.
Since I skipped my run on Thursday, I went on Friday morning. It was a gorgeous day for running! My workout was 1.5 mile warm up, 4 x 1 mile @10:01 with 4 minutes recovery, and 1 mile cool down.
I did pretty good! It was hard. I didn’t look at my pace for the mile repeats (except for the last mile) and ran by feel. The last mile felt ever harder. My legs were tired and the wind was making me even more tired. I did stop about 3 times to catch my breath. I just wanted to finish. When I was done and checked my splits, I saw why I was tired at the end. I was running faster than I should have. But I can honestly say those paces felt hard but not enough for me to stop and walk (except the last mile). Overall, VERY PLEASED with how the run went.
I decided to switch and do my long run (150 minutes) on Saturday, so I could have all day to rest and recover. Mother Nature likes to mess with us. There was rain and lots of wind on the forecast. Sigh.
The original plan was to be out on the lakefront at 7am. I woke up at 7 but stayed in bed and didn’t get up till 9. Then I made pancakes and procrastinated. Then I got ready and by noon was hungry again so I ate a light lunch and watched TV. I was finally out the door st 2:30.
This run was HORRIBLE. It was windy and windy. No matter which direction I turned there was wind. I got tired early in my run and didn’t want to continue. My paces were all over the place. My fastest mile was 11:24 and my slowest was 13:53.
I wanted to quit but didn’t because thanks to Facebook I was reminded of my first ultramarathon 6 years ago. This run felt harder than the race. 🙂 I had to run the first 100 minutes at an easy pace and then the last 50 close to 11:00. Obviously that didn’t happen and I didn’t care. I was just so tired and wanted to be done.
Even if this run sucked, I am happy I didn’t quit. But I don’t know what it worse, quitting on a run or continuing but hating every minute of it. On a positive note, I was also happy because I ended March with 121.43 miles. Yay!!
To end the week I ran 4 miles today. It was cold but surprisingly didn’t feel too cold. I should have done my long run today but I really thought it was going to be very cold today. 
Total mileage for the week: 29.48
Total mileage for this training cycle: 382.29
Total mileage for the year: 303.46
Here’s how training has gone so far:
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
• Week 8
• Week 9
• Week 10
• Week 11
• Week 12
• Week 13
• Week 14
• Week 15
• Week 16
• Week 17
How was YOUR week?
Link back to the host and let’s support other bloggers linking up as they train for a marathon, half marathon, or any other event.
Dear Running: I do love you!
No matter how much I complain about running, I will always love it! When I started running in 2005, I couldn’t run a mile. Heck, I couldn’t run 5 minutes. It took me years to get to where I am now (I ran mostly for fun and never paid attention to speed). I focused more on endurance and can proudly say that I’ve run over 150 races ranging from ultra marathons, marathons, half marathons, and over shorter distances.
Why do I love to run?
• I know it sounds cliche, but I run because I can. I am healthy with no medical condition that stops me from running. Basically, I have no excuse. I am the one with the excuses – too hot, too cold, too tired, or just lazy. 🙂 I’ve found that getting out there is hard but once I’m done with a run, I always feel GREAT.
• I like to see how much I can push myself. I signed up for my first marathon in 2006. With less than a year of running, a friend convinced me that I could run a marathon (glad I believed her). I had NO idea what I was getting myself into and didn’t know the distance of a marathon. I didn’t stop there, I’ve run a few more marathons and 2 ultra marathons.
• The challenges. Let’s mix them up. Do a race one day and then another one the next day. No big deal, right? The most difficult one I have done is Goofy Challenge (half marathon on Saturday and marathon on Sunday). Oh man, that was tough but definitely memorable.
• I love buying running clothes. Pretty much all of my tops and shorts are from Oiselle. I always get excited when my order arrives and I wear it on my run.
• Let’s not forget the shoes! Brooks shoes are the best!
• Support and encouragement from running friends. I belong to several Facebook groups and my feed is always full of motivation and advice from friends. Or sometimes I have a question about hydration, socks, gels, etc. and can count on someone to answer it for me.
What do you love most about running?
Linking up with Marcia, Patti, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run.
Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 8
Week #8, January 15-21
M OFF
T Ran 3.09 miles
W Did not run
TH Ran 3.17 miles
F OFF
S Ran 100 minutes for 8.45 miles
S Ran 3.35 miles
Even with a 4 day work week, it felt like a LONG and exhausting week. Two tests (MAP) were given this week and my kids were all tired from them.
We got more snow on Monday so there was plenty of it still on Tuesday. I took it slow because I did not want to fall and actually enjoyed it. The sunset was beautiful!!
I had to do a quality session run on Wednesday (1.5 warm up and cooldown and 8×2 minute intervals at 10:02 pace). I changed clothes at school and made my way to the airport. I started running and then all of a sudden I got really cold and simply gave up. I did not want to deal with the cold weather. I did try to convince myself that it would get better and to just run. Nope, didn’t work. I went home.
Lola wondered why I was home early. She was not pleased with my decision.
By Thursday most of the snow had melted. It made the run a little easier. I have a Nathan headlamp but cannot find it. I have an old one I used during Ragnar a few years ago but don’t like it too much because it isn’t as bright like my other one.
I was supposed to do my long run on Sunday but asked my coach if I could do it on Saturday because it was supposed to rain on Sunday. It was GORGEOUS on Saturday! I wore my Oiselle Wazzie Wool top and a vest. I was a little afraid because I thought I was going to be cold but I was actually comfortable. The sun helped too.
I wore shorts for Sunday’s run! It wasn’t as warm as yesterday and cloudy but it still felt really good. Can you tell I love my Brooks Launch 4? 🙂
Another great week of marathon training. The warmer weather makes me happy and made my runs more pleasant. I am enjoying my easy runs and have managed to stay on pace. Just less than 14 weeks to go till the Illinois Marathon!
Total mileage for the week: 18.06
Total mileage for this training cycle: 139.28
Total mileage for the year: 60.50
Here’s how training has gone so far:
• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 4
• Week 5
• Week 6
• Week 7
How was YOUR week? Any suggestions for a headlamp?
Link back to the host and let’s support other bloggers linking up as they train for a marathon, half marathon, or any other event.
Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 2
Illinois Marathon training has begun. Now it feels like winter in Chicago. It was nice and warm on Monday and then dropped 30-40 degrees for the rest of the week. As mentioned in this post, I’m training with Mary from Lift | Run | Perform for a few weeks before I start my “official” training with a few other women that are training for the Boston Marathon.
Week #2, December 4-December 10
M Ran 45 minutes for 3.76 miles
T Ran 45 minutes and 4 strides for 4.16 miles
W Cross Training 45 minutes using bike
TH OFF
F OFF
S Ran 10.25 Miles
S Ran 45 minutes and 4 strides for 4.22 miles
I love seeing the holiday decorations. It was nice and warm on Monday and I could have worn shorts but opted to wear a new to me pair of Oiselle Aero Tights. Oh, and another new pair of Brooks Launch 4. They’re on sale on Running Warehouse and at the Brooks site. Have I told you how much I love my Oiselle Lightning Layer? Seriously, the BEST reflective piece of gear you need when running in the dark.
Tuesday workout was the same as Monday but I added 4 strides (20 seconds) and 60 seconds recovery. Easy. But I was cold. It was 31 degrees. Lola didn’t care.
The elliptical machine bores me so this week Mary had me use the bike. Much better. I did get tired of sitting down and found myself moving around a little to get comfortable. I know, I complain too much. If it isn’t one thing, it is another.
Saturday’s run was tough. Another cold but also WINDY day. The first 5 miles were fine but struggled the last 5. Well, we ran nonstop for a little over 3 miles and then I told the group that I needed to walk a little. Not surprisingly, the last two miles were my slowest. Overall, my average pace was 11:28 which made me very happy.
I missed my workout on Friday because I was cold and tired. I came home from a long day of meetings and just wanted to stay in bed. I sent an email to Mary explaining the situation and she responded saying to get some rest and to do the workout on Sunday. I thought for sure she was going to tell me to just skip it. Nope. It wasn’t as cold as on Saturday and luckily it was 45 minutes instead of 10 miles. 🙂 I think I did pretty good!
Another week of training for the Illinois Marathon. It was colder than I wanted it to be but that is expected for December. 🙂
Total mileage for the week: 22.40
Total mileage for this training cycle: 42.31
Total mileage for the year: 736.69
Here’s how training has gone so far:
• Week 1
How was YOUR week?
Link back to the host and let’s support other bloggers linking up as they train for a marathon, half marathon, or any other event.
Illinois Marathon Training Recap, Week 1
Illinois Marathon training has begun. It doesn’t feel like winter here in Chicago so it has been awesome to run outside. As mentioned in this post, I’m training with Mary from Lift | Run | Perform for a few weeks before I start my “official” training with a few other women that are training for the Boston Marathon.
Week #1, November 27-December 3
M Ran 45 minutes for 3.74 miles
T Cross Training 45 minutes using elliptical machine
W Ran 45 minutes for 3.79 miles
TH OFF
F Ran 40 minutes for 3.33 miles
S Ran 9.05 Miles
S OFF
New shoes, socks, and Oiselle spandos to start off my week and my training.
The two 45 minute runs were actually fun! I asked Mary what pace I should do these runs and she told me “easy, very easy pace”. No problem at all.
Tuesday workout bore me. I detest the elliptical machine. I did get to watch 45 minutes of the “Sex and the City” movie. I still think Carrie should have married Aidan.
December started off with running 3.33 miles in 40 minutes. Again, easy pace. I had planned to go in the morning but woke up very cold. It turned out that the heat was off. I did text the owner to let him know and it was working again later on in the day. He didn’t explain what had happened and I did not ask.
How is it that 62 degrees feels great outside but inside a house it is very cold?
Saturday mornings I help pace the 11:00 group out of Fleet Feet. The past couple of weeks I’ve struggled to maintain that pace. The 11:30 group didn’t have a pacer on Saturday and I offered to pace it. It was awesome! I felt great! It could have been the weather, pace or some new to me energy chews. I requested to be moved to the 11:30 and from now on that will be my group to pace.
My first week went well. I did all of my workouts and am pleased with my results. Next week I have 3 days of easy run, cross training on the bike on Wednesday, and 10 miles on Saturday.
Total mileage for the week: 19.91
Total mileage for this training cycle: 19.91
Total mileage for the year: 714.30
How was YOUR week?
Link back to the host and let’s support other bloggers linking up as they train for a marathon, half marathon, or any other event.