Half Way Heaven

Congratulations! My marathon training is 8 weeks down, 8 weeks to go. I have run 203 miles so far since starting on June 6. This is the half way mark, baby.

Last night's 17 mile run was good mental practice. I hurdled several "walls" in my quest to finish all 6 'out'n'back' treks around the Headlands. It wasn't easy, but it wasn't as hard as many of my other long runs have been.

• I had a general plan for my run, which included the out'n'backs, as well as a pit stop for water/food at my mom's house. I planned on keeping track of mileage on the GPS and just running till it added up.
  
• I fueled and hydrated well during the day - I ate granola w/ soy milk, a veggie frittata, several of the delicious protein cookies and oat bars I made on Thur., and a huge bowl of oatmeal with banana, blueberries, soy milk and walnuts about two hours prior.
• I started my period yesterday morning but wasn't feeling 100% shitty like I normally do. I determined to not let it get me down and to just wun/ralk until I finished. I ended up only walking two or three times, and taking a 4 minute walking break at the half way point to fuel and grab my waterbottle.
  
• This was my first long run following a step back week since I started my marathon training. I think it might have helped, and that step back weeks really serve a purpose during the last half of my training.
• I completed 6 total out'n'backs, but really didn't want to do that last one. I think I hit a wall when I looked up and saw that all my friends were at the high school track playing disc golf and soccer. I had wanted those last two miles on the track for peace of mind but didn't want to see them all after 15 miles. So I grudgingly headed back out to the headlands, which turned out to be fine. So I conquered a wall.
• I didn't ICE BATH! Gasp. I know, I should have. I have fallen off the ice bath wagon and need to get back on. My outdoor tub is so far away from our hot shower I'm not sure I could make it walking between the two with frozen legs!

That's all for now - I will post more than once this week.

Welcome back, chocolate gel

Razz ClifShot gel is sick. I almost puked over it, AND it's CLEAR! Even sicker.

I love the mocha gel. I feel like I'm licking chocolate icing out of the container while I'm running and am so guilty. It's like eating chocolate butter. I can't get enough. Hopefully it will go well with the lemonade flavored clif shot electrolyte powder stuff I just bought a pound of, because it doesn't go well with my camelback tabs.

Do I need shotbloks as well as electrolyte replacement, or is that overkill?
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My 15 miler was (get this!) my longest run ever. Man, did I feel great. I had a plan, which really helped my mental game, and took a ton of stress of me. I started at the parking lot of the Haul Road and was going to run 7.5 miles up. E was to ride down the mtn. bike trail from our house to mile 2.5 and ride up the road until he met me.

This was an awesome plan because it allowed me to run the first half alone, and then have something/one to look forward to. My nerves were calmed knowing he was coming - sometimes I get really tweaked out about mountain lions, freaky perverts, and unexpected marijuana farms.

A fork in the trail at 6.5 meant I made the turn early and had to add an extra mini out-&-back later on. No problem. At the start of mile 13 I knew it was time for the SLOG. I really did feel great up to that point, but the last three miles were "get 'er done" miles. I made a pact with myself to not walk. I could jog as slow as I needed, but no walking. It was fine, and I did it.

I did not take an ice bath, and didn't notice much of a difference in recovery. I know I had a hard time sleeping that night but I felt fine on Saturday. I'm so glad this is a step back week, and I vow really truly to do strength training.

How I Got My Mojo Back

Last week was rough. I had a 7 mile weekday run that I described as "hardest run of my life". Then my Friday 14 miler was possibly even worse. I chose a hectic and nonsensical route around the Headlands and then down and out on the Haul Road, where my garmin absolutely does not work. I was stressed about the mileage adding up, stressed about my exhaustion and pain, and stressed about the disgusting Razz flavored Gel I brought with me. Yuck.

This week, I decided to switch my approach. Firstly, I wrote down a paragraph of power. A mantra statement, if-you-will. Behold:

I am a runner - I run because I love it - I can run farther every day every week every month every year - My legs are powerful, my endurance is limitless - I run outside, I run in nature - I feel strong beautiful and fulfilled after every run - I am a runner - I run because I love it

Second, I did my first run of the week based on time, not miles; 40 minutes. I added a small, short hill half way through. Third, I decided it was high time I picked up my sorry-ass-pace and got back to my 9:30(-) roots. This revelation came to me within the first mile of my 7 miler as a strange guy in full track suit regalia passed me. And he seriously passed me. I felt so slow. As my GPS beeped 1 mile (10:07) I thought, pick up your damn legs and RUN. It worked. I clocked 9:24 on mile 2 and decided to keep things around 9:30 for the rest of the run.

Obviously once I started I couldn't stop. Mile 3 was 9:15, mile 4 was 9:02. Holy crap I felt great! NO PAIN - the most noticeable thing about this run once I picked up the pace. I knew there was no way I could break 9 so I decided to just feel good. 8:53. Who is this running? What did you do with the slow girl who's always in so much pain? I knew this couldn't be beat. 8:44. I finished mile 6 like I had just crossed the finish line for 26.2. I was SO excited and happy. I "cooled down" with 9:something.

After this rocking run I ordered 8 tacos and picked up a 6 pack, and E and I sat outside of the music festival tent listening to bluegrass, looking at the ocean, and stuffing our faces until someone graciously offered us their tickets at intermission. What a great night!

More about my 15 mile run later this weekend.

Another Saturday

This week was a step-up week for me, and included two 4 milers, one 7 miler, and my longest run ever, a 14 miler. It was a tough week. I'm quite tired, and the 14 miler was one of my most difficult runs ever. I also joined a 30-day yoga challenge that has been mediocre at best. So...

I'm having constant thoughts that I'm doing something wrong. 14 miles yesterday was so hard I just can't believe that training could be so difficult. Perhaps I forget how hard it is to run a "farthest run ever"? I had to walk half a dozen times. My legs never felt fresh. Some part of my body hurt the whole time.

Am I eating wrong? Should I be cross training more/better? Do I need to stretch more? Is my body physiologically not cut out for these longer distances?

WHAT THE HELL?!
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I took a wonderful ice bath after those tough miles and am so thankful for the posts of other seasoned runners on things like ice baths. I really need to do more research on eating better - perhaps that will help my long runs.

12 down

Done and done. This was a great run. Great runs always surprise me (as do the horrible ones, like Thursday's 3 miler). And I ate my first Clif shot! Holy yumtastic. I ate mocha flavor which tasted exactly like chocolate icing. I believe I was trying to pry apart the packet so I could lick the inside before E rode by and took it away from me. Excellent stuff. No shot bloks on this run.
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I've joined in committing to a 30 day yoga challenge. This is a tough one for me because often I find myself pawning off stretching as yoga. So I'm setting stricter parameters for myself. (1) Yoga must consist of time on the yoga mat (impromptu sessions, or outdoor sessions must include dedicated visualization for my mat) (2) Stay in at least three poses for 5-breath sequences. So that's it. Simple, but enough to make sure that my personal stretching sessions don't turn into yoga challenge sessions.
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I took a lovely ice bath afterwards and ate my favorite post-long-run dinner -- Nachos & Beer. :-)

Nobody Said It Was Easy

...no one ever said it would be this hard...

11 miles was tough. My hardest run ever, I think. I've been working really hard at positive thinking, and creating my own reality when it comes to long running. My runner's book says that a 'mind over matter' approach is best, and that if I spend all day telling myself I'll have a great run, I will. I can't say that I thought only positive thoughts on Friday, nor can I say that I was looking forward to my long run. I was tired, physically and mentally. I didn't want to run, but I did it because I had to. Not really Because I Love It. I also faced the reality of running that long distance alone, up the Haul Road. Not a great idea.

I ended up running 2 miles around the Headlands, 1 mile down to the Haul Road, and then 2.5 up the Haul Road, and then back the whole was. Breaking up the run into 3 parts was the best thing I could have done, I believe, because it helped the mental exhaustion. The physical exhaustion, though, was probably not helped by the running in sand, running up stairs, running up pathways and hopping over logs. Good overall training and conditioning though!
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I'm faced with actually having to register for a marathon now before fall races start selling out. Since I decided not to run Portland, I spent two weeks savagely browsing race listings until I found the right marathon. I've given myself another week to fall in love with it, and I'm smitten. I want to run the Half Moon Bay International marathon. It's so expensive, though, and I know I'll also need new shoes before September 25. It's a lot of money that I just do not have. I need a running scholarship. Plus my $95 entry to the Giants Race in August is no longer being funded by my family. Damn. I might not need much gear, but this is an expensive sport.
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I have a wonderful plan tonight of E's delicious nachos (avocados are on sale! yay guacamole!), a running movie, homemade margaritas, and at least an hour of yoga -- not necessarily in that order. And P.S. My plan to get back to hot yoga this month has failed miserably. Partly due to excessive construction work, running late in the day when classes are held, sunny windy weather that does not make this body crave a hot sweaty yoga room, and the $13.65/class price tag. Got to get back into it.

Only once a week?

I guess I only post once a week now. Really, it makes sense since there's not much excitement with 3 and 5 mile runs.

I don't even remember my 3 mile run on Monday. Except I think it was the run where E taught Maia the dog to pull him on the landboard. Sweet. She rocked it.

5 miles on Tuesday was rough. I ran on the FB Haul Road with Maddie on bici, and the whole thing hurt. Headwind. Sciatica. Hunger. All worth it -- Fish&chips, beer and Giants game (WIN!) at North Coast Brewery afterwards. Rockin'.

Wednesday's 3 miler was momentous because Maddie ran 1 mile with me. Yippie! I talked her and Manda into running the Giant Race 5K while I run the 1/2 marathon. Her first practice run went great, and hopefully we'll do another one next week.

Which brings us to the 9 miler yesterday. Mom was on bici this time and it was so wonderful. I don't know if I had a really slow pace and that's what made me enjoy the run? I consumed a bottle full of camelback solution and a bag of honey bee gummies. They were great.

My legs felt beat after, and I realize that on long run days I really need to get off my feet when the run is done. Otherwise the feet really start to get sore & painful. I've also been suffering minor sciatica in my right butt this week. It started after the 5 miler and flared up again last night. I rolled it with the roller and a baseball, but it still causes twinges when I sit for too long. I'm going to try and ice it, and buy some Traumeel for future buttular massages.

12 miles and feeling..... tired

Last night, after planning my whole day around a 5:00 start-time, I ran 12 miles. I was primed & ready.
My mom rode her bike alongside and chatted me up for miles 2-6, which are the boring miles. At the turnaround, the next 4 miles FLEW by. I barely remember them. Beautiful miles.

At 10 I was so surprised that I'd finished 10 miles without too much pain. See, it does get easier!

11 and 12 were not as tough as the last couple miles on previous long runs. My right calf did cramp during the last mile and still hurts today.

So all in all my best and longest long run ever! I added an entire camelback tablet to my water which I think helped a lot too. So now I just need to rest today and think of how to pass the time till The Ave. Oh yeah, and actually sign up for it!

10 miles - in which I discover the essesnce of long distance running

Yesterday I planned my long run at the last minute. Which turned out OK.

The day was gorgeous, and one of the only days off E and I have had, or will have, for a long time. We spent the morning driving down the coast on Route 1 and had another amazing breakfast at Queenie's Roadhouse Cafe (huevos rancheros for her, Potato Hash with Garlic and Gouda for him (stinky!)). We were stuffed. Our drive took us to Point Arena where we walked 1.5 miles along the beach to our secret kiteboarding spot. Alas, the wind never picked up enough to board, but we enjoyed the walk anyway! Once home again, we lunched, napped and read in the sun on the porch and at 5pm I decided I needed a run.

I filled my bottle and put on shorts and a tanktop, E threw his bike in the truck, and we were off. After a mile, he asked me how far I planned on going -- 10 miles, I hope! I said. Wow, said He.

• Miles 1 & 2: ITB was slightly cranky and my lungs were heaving a bit.
• Miles 3 & 4: started feeling the huge breakfast and the recent lunch (on top of a huge turkey dinner we'd had the night before - whoops!). E tells me I'm just "well fueled".
  
• Mile 5: the turnaround. felt pretty good. things are coming together on this run. I can do this!
  
• Mile 6 & 7: ok... I'm back at my 10K turnaround!
  
• Mile 8 & 9: 8 passes by uneventfully, 9 hits me like a truck. my legs are heavy (lead weights), I consider passing out. E tells me I'm about to hit my second wind.
  
• Mile 10: My legs are shot, and feel like they belong to someone else. I trudge around the last few corners with bursts of warm liquid pain in my sacrum.

Done. I realize that miles 9 & 10 must be what marathoners experience for the last 8 miles. Am I right? Utter fatigue. The run was no longer about any athletic or cardiovascular workout. It was about managing, and pushing through, the pain. I crossed the finish line and wasn't even breathing hard (?). This is a whole different ballgame, isn't it?

I then went home, ate plain greek yogurt with granola, made tea, and prepped an ICE BATH. I put on an additional shirt and sweatshirt, cued up The Office on the laptop, and slowly, painfully submerged my legs. I turned around so my torso was at the faucet end of the tub (more quad coverage), and other than accidentally leaning on the cold water handle so it turned on and poured down my back, the whole thing wasn't actually that bad. My toes stuck out of the water and managed to stay frost-free. The ice actually felt good, and I was even able to laugh a bit at Michael Scott et al. A hot shower and pasta dinner later, I felt better than after my 6 miler 4 days earlier.

So I continue to ponder painful mileage and ice baths, and good advice from Katie (" just know that you'll feel awful for a few days after"). Glad to hear that's normal!

I know I should have gone out for 2 or 3 miles today but I'm SO tired. E and I spent the whole day installing drywall, and I think I trekked up and down the stairs 40 times. That has to count for something!

My goal for this period week is to do a P90X leg&back, yoga every day, and a 3 mile run.

Three firsts

1. First Ten Mile Run!
2. First Truly Painful Run!
3. First Ice Bath!

I look forward to elaborating on this soon! Whoopie!

Going the Distance

I've read some really inspirational blog posts lately. With so many marathons and half marathons being run in the blogging community this spring there is a lot to contemplate, and a lot to compare myself to.

13.1 miles is a long way to run. My farthest run ever is 8 miles, and I've run this distance two times, one of which was earlier this week. That 1 hour and 16 minutes was the first time I've finished 4 miles and contemplated what it would be like if I were only 25% done. What would that feel like? How would my mind relate to the perceived new distance? I felt powerful and strong on that run, and for the first time felt like 13.1 is doable.

Actually making it a reality is another story. Oftentimes I am convinced my body is just not cut out for 13.1 10Ks feel like challenge enough. My body feels slightly broken and beat. After last night's 6 miler my feet hurt so bad I couldn't believe how amazing getting into bed at 8:30 pm felt. It seems really difficult to up my mileage, both mentally and physically.

So my question really, is this: How do you know if you're being a wuss and should just DO a 10 miler? How do you know if you should just be a 10K runner?

I've researched long runs and can't find enough info to support either answer. I plan on reaching out to other bloggers and casually asking around ... How difficult was/is it to up your mileage weekly? Monthly? How do you feel after long runs?

My 8 miler this week was great - I felt good, I took it slow, I hydrated, and Maia the dog kept me company. My 6 miler two days later felt like hell. My feet hurt, my lungs hurt, my mind hurt.

In other news, spring has sprung! The Giants are winning game #2 of 2011 (we'll forget about game #1), AVBC's Summer Solstice Cerveza Crema came out today, and the world smells like freshly cut grass. Yippie.

Gasp

Morning runs are fine. They are doable. I might actually prefer them to evening runs. Wow, did I just say that out loud?

The thing is, I gave myself time to wake up. I opened my eyes at 6:30 am, and exited my bed at 7:10 ish. Yes, it was tough. Yes, the covers get softer and warmer as I contemplate getting out of bed. I ate a piece of bread with peanutbutter, and an about 4 oz. instant coffee with milk (sick). I packed up my shit and headed out the door with the d.o.g.

I forgot my headphones, but ran nonetheless. I decided to bring my liquid fuel, and a Luna Protein bar - bad call. I tried wedging this chocolate-covered bar in my pants and my tank strap before finally stuffing it down my sports bra right between my ......... It melted.

The run was great - I experienced a bit of knee pain here and there on the downhill grade during the last half, but always took it slow (ie; walk, slow jog) when I felt phantom pain. Maia was an awesome running partner.

Post run I immediately consumed a banana, and then a huge breakfast later on. My body feels slightly broken and beat. My shins hurt (splints?) and my knee is stiff and painful. As I was dressing for work I imagined being able to get back into bed, showered and beat, and sleeping another two hours. Bliss. I've been trying to stay off coffee for the past two+ weeks, and it's a see-saw. I'm not sure what's causing this morning's abdominal craps and *ahem*, but it could be the coffee. Or last night's lentils? Or the protein bar while running? So many questions! Today is also the first day in three that I didn't wake up with an eye-splitting headache.

7:25 a.m.?!?!?

seriously? this is ridiculous. i'm actually awake for my first morning run since the whale run in march. it is cold, wet, foggy, cold, grey, early and wet. hmmm. awesome.

can i make 8 miles? what about my knee? we'll see how it goes. have fun, because you love it.

8 miles!

I ran my long run on Saturday. After a long day at work I was totally bonked out, probably due to all the backpacking, rafting and driving of the week. I came straight home and napped for an hour, and then dragged my butt out of bed, ate a rice cake with peanut butter and got dressed. I picked up M. and her friend and their bikes and loaded them down with almonds, Cliff Shot electrolyte drink (in my stainless steel waterbottle - watch out front teeth!) and a banana.

We set out on the BRHR, and knowing my GPS wouldn't get a signal at all on such a foggy day I strapped it to one of the bikes just to keep track of the time. At mile 3 I started drinking a couple swigs and did so every mile after that. I made it up to 4.05 miles and turned around, totally stoked. I had to stop every time I needed a drink, and I also stopped many times to eat huge juicy ripe blackberries and thumbleberries right off the bush. I think it worked as a running snack and I never ended up needing or wanting the banana or the nuts.

My knee flared up twice during the run - vague pain in the back of the right side. I ignored it and it went away, only to reemerge Sunday morning as I got out of bed. It seriously hurt. I rubbed arnica all over it - twas really stiff. I skipped disc golf and instead took a long hot hot bath. Yeah.

Today was a short 2 miler and I decided to run up the hill from town to the house. Nice little jaunt. I ran it in 22:26. I get a wonderful amazing massage this afternoon, and am taking the rest of the day off.

Do backpacking miles count?

We just returned from an amazing 18 mile - 3 day trip in the Trinities with the dog. I have to say, I totally kicked it, and am not even a bit sore after all the ups and downs and carrying 50 pounds. Whoop. So beautiful out there. I really really really really really needed some sunshine, mountains and fresh air. Got my fix.

Then we rafter the Trinity River with E.'s brother who is a whitewater guide. What fun. Refreshingly cold water swims off a raft in 90 degree heat. What could be better?

I can't believe that only two posts ago I was commenting on purchasing a handheld waterbottle and then I enter a giveaway and win! What are the frickin odds? Like, zero. Oh well. It was really nice of 'failed muffins' to offer the bottle in the first place ~ I'll have to come up with something for tomorrow's long run of 8 miles. M. promised to accompany me on her bike and pass me water and fuel while I slug out my longest run ever. My legs feel fresh and strong, and although I didn't do my 7 mile speed workout on Wednesday I think I can do 8 tomorrow.

7 mile long run

I've only run 7 miles one other time in my life. To date, it's the longest run. It sure feels different than 6 miles. I felt it more in my joints, and my legs were fatigued at the end. I've contemplated investing in a small hand-held waterbottle, and some Gu, for anything longer than 1 hour. I'd like to see if I can feel a difference.

Goal this coming week is to do yoga or P90X on all my rest days. I need it.

6 miles - the long run

Put back 6 miles on my long run on Saturday. Woo Hoo! Kept with the schedule all last week, except for no XT or strengthening. It was all rest, baby. Six miles felt fine, I was just waiting for it to be over, really. The last mile I kicked up the tempo to probably 8:00, or maybe even faster, because my favorite song came on and I got all upbeat. Fun.

Tonight is a two mile maintenance run. Seems so short, and so fun! Beautiful weather but I'm strangely unsettled today. Hormones, perhaps.

longest run of my life

Yesterday I ran 7 miles. I had it in my mind that I would finish 6 for sure, and I was able to keep the power going and get 7 whole miles in. Wow. It didn't feel much harder than the first time I ran 6 miles. My legs started to feel pretty heavy during mile 6, and I definitely have my super awesome running playlist to thank (more than once!). So wow.

I ate some delicious homemade vegetable and wild rice soup after a really long stretching session, and drank tons of water. A 30 minute hot tub, and soapy shower later, we had a great dinner and hit the sack. Today my knees are slightly sore, and I know my muscle soreness is close at hand too. Today I'd like to follow it up with a yoga class (at either 4:30 or 6), and ab ripper x. Maybe even some pushups.

Definite plans to go swimming this week as the forecast calls for rain. I need to find my goggles!

Six Miles

I often surprise myself. Yesterday afternoon I ran 6 miles up Big River. The first 3 were plagued by ridiculous side ache pain, which magically subsided at the turnaround. The 3 miles back felt amazing and great - at mile 6 I felt like I could have run another 6. I should have. My playlist was awesome and the weather was spectacular. The GPS didn't work - too many trees - but the mile markers along the road are accurate by my google earth calculations.

This morning we did P90X Legs & Back workout, followed by Ab Ripper. Again, I'm surprised how strong my legs feel; perhaps even stronger than when we were doing P90X every day! The abs video is still really hard for me, but it felt great to do some back work using two bands in the door jamb. Funny, the door blew open on my last set and the band anchor shot back at me - first time that's happened - but I wasn't hurt.

Diet's been pretty good and consistent, with moderate amounts of gluten and dairy. Last night I made a delicious lentil soup with spelt grilled cheese. Had another almond protein shake post-workout today, and an Amy's tamale meal for lunch. Tonight and tomorrow, I'm "off", as dinner tonight will surely be a splurge, as will tomorrow's field trip to the ball game.