7 THINGS & Marathon Goals Update?

I was so distracted/ excited for the Boston Marathon that I totally forgot to do my 7 things yesterday! It was so unbelievably inspiring to watch the race and that men’s finish?!? Incredible. I also really enjoyed this entire article from Boston.com.

And those finishers who selflessly helped other runners cross the finish line when they couldn’t by themselves? Or crawling across the finish line. It really brings tears to my eyes. Runners are just so wonderful and selfless human beings. Our community is amazing.

In other news, we spent our weekend NOT doing the dishes (clearly). I’d really love it if we could have a working dishwasher. Is that so much to ask?

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Brady climbed to new heights. His balance is really truly remarkable.

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More snow/ ice on Saturday meant for a VERY long drive to Fort Collins & back.

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I had to renew my CPR certification through the American Heart Association, so I drove down there and back in one day. It ended up taking over 9 1/2 hours of driving (and 4 in the classroom) because the roads were pretty awful/scary Saturday morning. Also, did you know that baby’s diapers apparently have power buttons on them? Yeah, me neither!

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Easiest meal plan ever for this week. Ha.

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And a whole ‘lotta wall squats on Friday! Gotta get these legs nice and strong to get me through my 50 miler AND up Mt. Washington!

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So, I skipped my long runs this weekend. I actually skipped ALL of my runs this weekend. Saturday took its toll on me and Sunday, I was so exhausted from being in the car all day/ having to skip lunch because I had no time before my class began/ and honestly- I just did not feel like running. It was cold and windy out and running just sounded awful. So, I didn’t run. Also- my marathon tempos have been all over the place. I haven’t actually ‘hit’ my goal pace since the end of March and this is leaving me feeling a bit well, uncertain of what I can expect at Eugene.

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I know that I can fairly easily ‘hit’ the 26.2 miles, but I also really really wanted to see that 3:3x on the clock when I crossed the finish line. All of my tempos leading up until the end of March told me that it was possible, but now with so many really irregular (and well dare I say, crappy) tempo runs I’m not so sure. It’s also really unlike me to NOT want to run. The last time I felt like this, I was anemic so I have already made an appointment with my doc to get some blood tests. Maybe it’s all in my head? Maybe it’s hormones? IDK, but I want to feel like myself again and hit those runs feeling amazing! I’ll keep you posted, but right now- I think and truly believe that a PR is within me. I just need to keep on mentally visualizing the race (I’ve been doing that a BUNCH), reading all the inspiring books, and recovering like a champ during these next 12 DAYS!

I’m happy to acknowledge what my body is feeling and actually ACT on it (normally I don’t!). So, I guess this is what adulting feels like? IDK. Do you? And I’m not sharing this for anyone to feel SORRY for me- I like to keep it honest here and share my thoughts because I honestly feel like there are way too many people other sharing with ‘rose gold glasses’. Maybe you’ve felt like this too? Maybe you haven’t, but maybe it might make you feel better to know that you’re not alone- so I hope this helps YOU!

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-Ever have to adjust your race plans? How’d it go? Any suggestions?

-Favorite thing about Boston yesterday? Anyone RUN it? How’d it go?!?

-Cats- how do they balance so well like that?!?

-Meal planners —> favorite ‘leftovers’ recipes?

Eugene/50 Miler Training RUNdown Week 14: 3/25-3/31

Last week was a recovery week and I’m surprised at how many days it took me to recover from the week before! I think these recovery weeks have been key in insuring that I have time to rest and not get sick. Normally I catch a cold/ sinus infection at least once per cycle, but so far- I have had none! I also focus on sleeping in during these weeks and got up early to run just one day. I still maintain my strength work and really focus on listening to my body - if it’s tired or not feeling speed work, then I just do the mileage as easy miles instead.

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Monday, 3/25: 3.43 miles easy at 10:22 13’ up - after work in the sunshine!

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Tuesday, 3/26: 1.5 mi warmup / 9 miles tempo (actual - 5.5 miles and my legs felt like jelly. cut it short / .5 mile cool down & extra strength—> i.e. extra wall squats ; )

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Wednesday, 3/27: Rest day!

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Thursday, 3/28: 6.26 miles easy at 9:58 79’ up & strength

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Friday, 3/29: cross training day! 130 stairs climbed & 1/3 mile swim. Followed by soaking in the hot springs

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Saturday, 3/30: Rest day! Yoga

Sunday, 3/31: 6.54 miles easy at 9:53 561’ up & strength. Finally felt back to normal on this run and legs felt really good.

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Total Mileage: 23.73 miles

Total Elevation: 653’ up



Eugene/50 Miler Training RUNdown Week 13: 3/18-3/24

Happy Humpday! This week is FLYING by. I’m partially happy about that and sad because that means that my recovery week is coming to an end. I got a massage yesterday and WOW did that make a HUGE difference! I’m so glad that I listened to my body and booked one ASAP. Massages & sleep are two of my favorite ways to speed up recovery (and stay injury-free)- along with also increasing my GOOD calories. I’m eating so much lately it’s slightly ridiculous, but I know that food = fuel = less likely to get injured.

Last weeks training went pretty amazing. I was within ~.5 mile of breaking my weekly mileage training high (I peaked for MS Run The US at 67 miles!). I will absolutely cross that barrier during the next two weeks of training and then I’ll do a mini-taper for Eugene (mid 50s for mileage). Then a mini-ramp up again (mid 60s) for my 50 miler before tapering again. My training plan had the next 3 weeks as a big training block, but since I’m wanting to race Eugene I will be cutting one of those weeks out and switching back to Hanson’s Marathon Method for the two weeks leading up to Eugene (my taper). Then I’ll pick back up with the training plan from this book following Eugene (with run/walking for the first week or so to aid in recovery). I’ve done something similar with my MS Run The US training, but using myself as a guinea pig (to hopefully someday become a running coach!).

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Monday, 3/18: 6.36 miles easy 10:11 328’ RUNch. Ran to the library & back!

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Tuesday, 3/19: 12 miles with 1.5 warmup / 9 miles @ goal marathon effort (8:30 today)/ 1.5 miles down & strength

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Wednesday, 3/20: yoga to start the day & 6.95 miles easy 9:58 198’ up RUNch miles

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Thursday, 3/21: 8 miles. 20 minute warmup / 4 x 6 min uphill (3 min 6% run & 3 min 12% hike) with 3 min recovery / 5 min easy / 3 x 2 min 3% run (90 sec recovery)/ 5 min easy cool down & a tiny bit of strength. I tried to get this done in the morning, but got a mile into my run and was STARVING. So, I took that as a sign and cut the run to get in some good fuel. Had the afternoon free, so got my run in on the treadmill instead.

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Friday, 3/22: 10.16 mi easy 10:45 min/mi 169’ up. I struggled with this one. There was so much black ice that I had to cut it after 6 outside (and my plan for my long long run this morning) and then got in the remaining 4 on the treadmill.

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Saturday, 3/23: 22 miles easy 11:37 3, 329’ up & strength. This run was on the slower end, but mentally I felt AWESOME. Who else can run 22 miles on their own with insane hills like that?! This run was a HUGE mental boost for my 50 miler because it gains around 5,000’ in elevation so I didn’t have too many more hills left to go to get there (and that’s spread out over 50 miles!). Recovered with some delicious brunch, foam rolling, legs up the wall, and epsom salt bath. Loving Spring Energy as fuel, but I didn’t fuel as much as I really should have for this run (so much weather elements- wind, rain, snow, ice, sun, clouds!)

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Sunday, 3/24: Rest day! Yoga.

Total Mileage: 66.47 miles

Total Elevation: 5, 031’ up


7 THINGS

Happy Monday! Eugene Marathon is officially 33 DAYS AWAY! I can’t wait. Also I really need to start planning activities for AFTER the run- do you have any suggestions or must-sees for Oregon PNW area?! Let’s recap 7 things that happened over the weekend.

Dirt Roads!

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Big ole Brunch post 22-mile long run!

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Epsom Salt Bath with a side of coffee and Gilmore GIrls

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Homemade Lasagna and bread to refuel after my long run!

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Last day of teaching skiing at the mountain on Sunday possibly FOREVER?!? Say it ain’t so….

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Fitness walks with Stella (we keep a good pace and sniffing to a minimum)- she’s not impressed.

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Brady being…well, Brady.

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Tell me 7 things from your weekend!