By the Numbers

In some ways it feels like September 10, 2012 was just yesterday. And in other ways, it feels like a lifetime ago. But no matter how it feels... it was 23 weeks ago.

23 Weeks of Training.

1208.6 miles. (That's an average of 52.5 miles a week and 7.5 miles a day).

14 Tempo Runs
9 Interval Workouts
5 Races (including a PR in the 10 mile and a PR in the Half and one particularly awful non PR 5K)
3 Hill Workouts
1 post workout crying session
3 19 mile runs:
1  in 60 degrees and rain
1  in 32 degrees and snow
1  in 25 degrees and bone chilling wind

This has been a great training cycle. In the past I've always enjoyed the training the most and always dreaded the actual race. This time around... in a strange way, I'm kinda looking forward to the race.

 And ya know, if it gets too hard, I'll just latch onto The KoB. 
It's okay. He works out.

Anything can happen on race day. ANYTHING. There are all kinds of things that I can't control, but I do know one thing... no matter what happens, I'm going to work my ass off. And we'll see what the day has in store for me.

Birmingham... watch out. The bitches are coming to town.

See you guys next week!

ETA: okay, I wrote this post last night when I was still feeling all confident and awesome and now all the sudden, I'M FREAKING OUT. I HAVE TO RACE A MARATHON ON SUNDAY. RACE A MARATHON!!!! I've never raced a marathon before. Holy hell. Pray for me. (and probably pray for The KoB: he has to ride in a car with me tomorrow for 3 hours).

Fuuuuuuuucccccckkkkity Fuck Fuck Fuck!

Blog Filler

First of all.. Happy Valentines Day to all my bitches and sonsabitches out there!

Random updates...

• So, I've been handling the taper pretty well. I've gone into it pretty much expecting it to suck and for my runs to suck... so, I'm not disappointed. 

• I am struggling with a Foot Corn issue that is driving me INSANE. For one... why is it so hard to position the corn cushion in the right place? It's like rocket science. I put it where it SHOULD go and then as soon as I get my sock and shoe on and start to walk or run and all 135 pounds of me comes crashing down on that little corn it hurts like a mofo.

• Great timing. Oh well. In the end, it is pain that I can handle if I have to... but GDMNIT I'd really prefer not to have to suffer through it for 26.2 miles.

• I got my bib number.... 888! How awesome is that?

• So far, the weather is looking good. 

 Knocking on every available wood surface.

• I've got my Saturday planned out. Eating lunch (homemade veggie burrito) at home and then heading down to Birmingham around Noon. That will get me to the expo around 3pm. I feel like this is the perfect amount of time to get down there, checked into my hotel, and ready for dinner, without having TOO much time (Too much time=nervous energy) and without freaking the freak out with having to hurry my ass off.

• The KoB and I have talked strategy and I feel good about it. 

• I have started packing.

 

If by "packing" you mean: create a pile of shit that I'm going to need. 

• Is it sad that I'm mostly looking forward to DRINKING after the race? I haven't had a sniff of alcohol since NYC and all I want to do is cuddle with a bottle of Rye. 

• OMG, soooo ready for Sunday.

Week 22

What you are is what you have been. What you'll be is what you do now.

Buddha

Week in review:

Monday: 5 miles easy. Felt meh.

Tuesday: 6 mile tempo run. Felt like shit. Wanted to quit at 5, but The KoB convinced me to keep going. Ended up being the fastest mile and felt the best. 

Wednesday: 7 miles easy. Felt meh.

Thursday: 9 miles. Felt meh.

Friday: OFF.

Saturday: 4 miles with legs that felt like shit bricks. Spent the rest of the day at Cedars of Lebanon Park for the Frostbite Half Marathon hanging out with Liz and watching the KoB jog around.

 

Just a stroll in the park. Show-off.

Sunday: 11.8 miles at Percy Warner Park with The KoB's Sunday morning crew. Felt fantastic. EXCEPT, I have a new corn between two toes and that little fucker hurts like a bitch. 

All-in-all. First week of taper is exactly what I expected it to be...

Status Report

This time last week, I was sitting at my desk practically in tears. I had just finished my last tough speed workout before the race and while I had nailed my splits, I was a complete and utter mess.

This week? I'm feeling loose, calm, awesome, and just ready to do this shit.

Updates and Self-obsessed randomness:

1. The race starts at 6:30am Eastern time. Which not only means that I'll be starting the race at the normal time that I usually run (with the time difference), but... that I'll be done by 10:30ish and whatever heat stroke inducing temperatures Mother Nature decides to throw my way, won't be nearly as awful that early in the morning. BOOM, bitches!

2. I was going to be a total lazy ass this week and only run like 3 days (M,W,Th). But coach suggested that I keep things loose and add a little shake out run on Saturday morning. Fine.

3. Luckily, I've ran this race before and while I don't remember all of the course, I vividly remember the last 3-4 miles or so and I've been spending a little extra time at the end of my daily mediation practice to visualize myself all along that part of the course on Sunday. I've been thinking about how I'm going to feel at that point of the race, trying to mentally prepare myself for the fatigue and then visualizing myself being able to push through.

4. I've also been thinking about the little uphill that brings you to the downhill for the Finish Swine (hardy har har).

5. Even though I already eat pretty damn healthy during the weekdays, I'm trying to eat EVEN healthier these early days of the taper, since I'm running WAYYYY less and sitting on my ass WAYYYY more. Mainly trying to cut back on my portions a bit and skipping any extra sugar (no agave in my smoothies, no snacks of frozen blueberries, no energy bars with my lunch). Once Thursday rolls around, I'll slowly start to inch things back up to normal. Also, make this.

6. I think I've decided to wear my ipod at the race. Any edge I can get, I'm going to take. So, if you have any good song suggestions, let me know!!!!!

7. I'm not sure if I'm more excited about the race or about shopping (H&M! Madewell! If only they had a Zara).

8. I think I'm even going to be sick of myself after these past couple of weeks (hell, this whole training cycle). KoB, Coach, Steve, Carolyn... thanks for putting up with my self-obsessed ass. Next week will be better. Awww hell, who am I kidding, I'll be talking about how awesome I am for the next 2-3 weeks. So, yeah... sorry about that.

9. If you haven't already... go guess what my finish time is going to be!!! (Also, jeez... you people come out of the woodworks when I throw money at you)!

Straight Crazy.

Yesterday morning I completely flipped out.

I had my last real interval workout (10x800s) yesterday morning and all the confidence that I had gained from last week, had left me. It's easy when you're in full-on training mode. The race is off in the distant future, you can feel good about your goal, cause you're actively working towards it. Until you aren't anymore. Until you've done the work and now it's time to test yourself. This shit's getting real now, folks.

I knew that yesterday's workout wasn't that big of a deal. My body is tired and whether I made my splits or not was not going to have an impact on my race next weekend. I knew that, logically. But emotionally, I couldn't help but think about... if you can do 10 of these, you're ready. I showed up for the workout with knots in my stomach and doubts filling my head.

The first 5, my head was just not in the game. My legs felt fine, but I just couldn't relax or shut my brain off. Finally, around the 5th or 6th interval I had a little talk with myself...I was just like, DUDE, chillax. You've been doing these for weeks. It is not that big of a deal. Stop being such a baby and just run. And then of course, by the time I had my head under control, my legs decided to revolt. But, whatever, I can handle tired legs... I can't handle a jacked up head.

When we finished the workout and ran our cool down I felt this huge wave of disappointment. I felt defeated, even though I pretty much nailed the workout (despite all my craziness). WTF? As the morning went on, I couldn't shake it. I was feeling all blue and sulky.

So, I fired off an email to my coach with the subject heading "Therapy Sesh." Now, up until this point, she's only been getting texts and emails from me saying things like... "Killed my race pace run today! Feeling pretty awesome these days."* But yesterday, there was only bitching and moaning and not even cool, funny bitching and moaning, but sad, sappy, pathetic bitching and moaning.

To which she promptly responded with...

Heh heh heh. Taper weeks are the best. THE BEST.

...(Lots of good coach-y and friend-y stuff in here)...

Anyway, don't freak yourself out. Trust your training.

So, that made me feel better and I snuck out for a yoga class at lunch which cleared my head even more and by yesterday afternoon, I was officially over myself. It's just RUNNING for pete's sake! How melodramatic and ridiculous can I possibly be? (Sadly, I already know the answer to that).

Having some perspective now, I think I know what part of the problem is/was. I've never really and truly raced a marathon before. Sure, I've lined up at a marathon with a goal in mind and one that I had trained for, but never like this. I've usually just been delusional with my goals and so when I don't meet them, it was like... Awwww shucks! Shoulda trained harder. Next time!

But this time is different. This time I really, truly can meet my goal. It is possible. And it's not going to be a cakewalk, it's going to be work. Real work. But, it's attainable. I've trained hard and I can do it. And that's what scares me the most...


* No joke, you guys. that is word-for-sickening-word a text that I sent to her. How gross is that?

The Comeback

Well, kinda.

So after a week of dead legs and an awful race execution, I didn't really have high hopes for last week. Particularly since technically, it would be my toughest week of training. But, I kinda nailed it. I had a great interval workout, I had a nice mid-length long run with the last 9 miles at race pace, and I got to sneak over to Percy Warner for a run on the 11.2 mid-week. Doesn't get much better than that in a week. And the kicker? It doesn't really feel like I ran that much this week. Mentally or physically.

Which, is kinda freaking me out. Usually, the last hard week of training I'm dragging ass, contemplating what excuses I'll use come race day, kicking myself for not sticking to my training plan, and just generally feeling like a used up piece of shit. And instead I'm EXCITED about the race in less than 2 weeks. I'm feeling good about my training and I'm already looking forward to starting another training cycle.

I have no idea what the hell is wrong with me. I didn't just drink the kool-aid, I must have snorted it straight from the packet. Anyway... I'm going to ride this high as long as I can...

Look out taper... here I come.

Ready... or not.

The guy that lives across the hall from me is running the Country Music Marathon this weekend. That's not noteworthy enough to blog about... plenty of people I know are running either the full or the half. But, awhile back we got to chatting and he was asking me if I was running it... and I told him, no... I'm running Big Sur the next day.

We talked a little more about it, I told him about Nashville Striders Training Runs, blah blah blah and then I didn't see him again for like 2 months.

Until yesterday. I got home from work late (ugh. I'm not supposed to be working late AFTER tax season. doh!) and he was getting out of his car and he immediately asked me how Big Sur went... and I responded, oh it's not till this weekend... we talked about it for a little while and then I asked him how his training was going for the CMM this weekend and he said good... that he'd ran 22 miles a couple of weeks ago, etc...

And then he said... "Yeah, but still this week, I'm wondering..."

And then I butted in like the interruptive asshole that I am to finish his sentence and said "... if you're really ready?"

And thats when it hit me. I haven't thought that once yet. Ummm.... I should be freaking the freak out right now. But, I'm not. No, instead of snapping people's heads off from anxiety and from that god awful sickness I usually suffer from called taper madness, I'm telling people... "ohhh yeah... I'm peaking at the right time, bitches."

Like who the hell do I think I am?

And instead of letting THAT freak me out... (which would tip off taper madness), I'm not.. I'm totally chill about it.

I think it's been so long since I've actually RACED a marathon (or even a race for that matter), I've forgotten how hard it really is. Oh well. Ignorance is bliss, right? heh heh.

Anyway... the countdown has begun. Sunday morning at 6:45 am Pacific time I'll be starting my 10th marathon... I guess about 15 miles in, I'll know if I'm really ready or not.

All's Quiet...

So, here's the thing. When you're running 2 marathons in less than a month... your training routine is pretty boring.

It's almost like it's been a running vacation for me lately. I've only been logging 30ish mile weeks. I've been sleeping in when it's raining outside. I've been taking 2-3 rest days a week.

WHO HAVE I BECOME?

In all honesty... it's kinda nice. But on the otherhand, I'm itching to get back to a normal training schedule when I can run and run and run and not have to worry about tapering or recovering.

Too bad that won't be the case for yet another month, since I've got that bloody 50k in January. The only good news about that is that I've got a reason to get my ass back into running gear quick after this weekend's marathon.

So, have no fear... things will pick up for Twenty-Six Point Two very soon... Until then.. it's taper time!

Also, side note.. I'm looking for a new training plan for my spring marathon (I love you Coach Higdon, but I need a change)... I'm thinking of following a pfitz's plan this time around... anyone have any experience with those? The Hanson plan is another option...

Counting down...

Surprisingly, I'm not freaking out. (Yet, at least).

I've done this enough times to know by now... that if you do the training, you're going to finish and not die. And really... that's priority #1.

The only thing I'm a bit nervous about is maintaining the 9:07/9:10 pace for 26.2 miles to finish at my goal time. In my head, that seems so fast. Next time I'm training (and once I get a garmin), I'm definitely going to make sure that I do more marathon pace training. But there's not much I can do at this point. I just have to coast it in and have faith in my training.

Today is April 15th. (THANK GOD). Which means tonight there will be some minor celebrating and tomorrow there will be golf. Friday morning, bright and early Vandy-Montana and I will head out of Nashville and to St. Louis, where we will hit the expo, grab lunch, and play golf in the afternoon. The race is on Sunday, so we'll have plenty of time to relax and tool around St. Louis on Saturday.

This might just be my last post before the marathon, but I'll try to remember to Tweet to keep peeps who are interested updated. Regardless of what happens on Sunday... whether I finish sub 4:00 or not, I think I'll be content knowing that I trained hard and loved every minute of it.

Good luck to all you lucky bastards running Boston on Monday and any other races this weekend.

Getting my taper on...

It's the one week of marathon training that I absolutely hate... the last week before the marathon. I hate tapering. Like, really, really hate it. I know it's important and I know it's going to help, but I can't help but feel like a fat, lazy SOB when I'm tapering.

Anyway... this taper is even more important that my previous tapers, because I've had some major dead legs for the past month or so. So, this morning... when coach suggested a brief track workout of 4x400s... I opted out and did an easy 3 mile run (I did run to the track and then back, so it's kind of a track workout, right?). I don't want to take any chances with fatigued legs. This morning's run was your typical week of a marathon run. There were the random aches and pains that you've never had before... today it was my left calf. What? But, at this point, I know they are random and nothing to be worried about. Tomorrow I'm supposed to run 2 miles and then take thursday and friday off and then a 2 mile run on saturday.

Not helping the dead legs problem is the fact that I was kind of a bad girl last week... I had good intentions... I wanted to try and lose a couple of pounds before the marathon, which is good, right? Good, except that I probably ran a little more than I should have. Oh well.

So, my goal is 4:20, right? Which is great, I think I'm definitely on par to hit that goal. But, I'd like to run with a pace team and the pace teams are 4:15 and 4:30... so, I guess I'll just run with 4:15 and hope to be able to keep up till the very end or so?

Ok, back to drinking gallons of water and taking airborne...