Marathon Training Week Seven

Marathon training this week was really good, until, my long run.

On Monday, I went out for three miles and felt so good I ran four.  It was hot and humid, but the sun was not beating down on me and I think that saved me a bit.

I also had a quick bike ride with George, 1. 7 miles.  Not fast, but we got some quality together time in and I loved every minute.

On Tuesday, I went out for seven.  Mr. RWM was home with the kids, so the plan was to just run straight for seven miles and they would pick me up, instead of coming back around.

This is usually a better run for me as my surroundings change.  I like that, plus, it was a nice day and I ended at the beach.

It was a good run, but by the time I was finished, my IT band was screaming at me.  Once home, I stretched and foam rolled.  This IT band is new to me and I am not happy. When I went to check off my miles on my plan, I realized I was only supposed to run six miles.  Oops...

I rested on Wednesday and most of Thursday.

Thursday night, I met Beth for a five mile run.  We met a the beach and it was cool and windy.  It has been a few weeks since we have run together and I was so happy to see her.  We had tons of stuff to catch up on and I starting chatting right away.

We talked non-stop for five miles.  I didn't walk, my asthma didn't bother me, and, in fact, it was the best five mile run I have had since April.

Normally, we grab a drink after our Thursday runs, but since school started, I promised the kids I would be home for bed time.  I couldn't break that promise.

This brings me to my long run Saturday, 12 miles.  I have not run this long since last year.  Plus, the night before my run, we went out to celebrate our anniversary. I may have made a of couple bad choices as far as food and drink were concerned, but you only hit ten years once.

I headed out 30 minutes later than I had planned.  It was cloudy, with a nice breeze but humid.  The first five miles were great!  Really they were.  I was right where I wanted to be as far as pace and I felt good.

When I hit six, I turned back.  This is where I ate some sport beans (too sweet) and stopped at a water fountain to fill up my bottles.  I started to run and the sun was coming up.  It got hot fast.

I started to fall apart in mile seven.  Miles eight and nine, I was just focused on getting home.  I also started to walk here and there.  Negative thoughts started to creep into my mind and they never left.

My pace slowed.  I tried to be positive when I hit mile ten.  Just two more miles to go.  I knew I could do it but had a hard time pulling it together.  I am pretty sure I walked most of or all of mile eleven.  It took me 15:49!

My feet hurt and it took all my strength to just keep my head up.  In the winter, I spent a lot of time in the gym.  I took classes, lifted weights, did all my PT exercises, used all the machines.  I was strong.  I felt good.  During the summer, I did all my runs outside with a little biking.  No real cross training.  I am paying for it now.  I am so mad at myself for losing the strength that took me so long to build up.  I realized here, that had to change.  Back to the gym this week and back into a regular cross training regiment.

Mile twelve, I ran/walked.  I finished, walked into my house and cried.  I cried partly because I hurt and I was tired but mostly because I felt bad that I had done such a terrible job at running twelve miles.  I know I sound ridiculous but in that moment, I felt like a failure and I was doubting my ability to go 26.2 miles.

After my shower, stretching and foam rolling, I started to feel normal again.  I posted on FB how horrible my run was and you all came though with some very positive words and good advice.  The bottom line is, I ran and walked twelve miles today. TWELVE miles!  That is nothing to feel bad about.  I never said that I was going to run this marathon in record time, I just want to finish.  I've said it before and I will say it again, there is no shame in walking.  If I didn't have that walk, I would not of finished, period.  It is what my body needed at that time and I am better off for it.

I took some time to look at my training plan today, particularly next week.  The long run next week is 13 miles.  I usually run better in a race and if I am going that far, then I want a medal when I cross the finish line.  It's the little things.

Sunday, is the Firm Man right here in my town.  It is a half ironman distance.  I had an email form the race director looking for five runners and five cyclists who would make up a relay team for some swimmers he had trained.  The email was a week old, but I took a chance and told him I was available to run.  Two hours later, I was in.

I don't have all the details yet.  The course looks beautiful and well supported.  He is going to link me up with a swimmer and cyclist and we will go from there.  I am equally excited and nervous.  Other people will be counting on me to finish.  People I won't even meet in person until next weekend.

My plan is to stay at my slow and steady pace.  Not go too long without fuel and listen to my body.  Walk if I need to and hopefully finish in 2:30.  I have no idea what kind of weather we are suppose to have and that will probably make a difference.

I know what I need to do differently while training for this marathon and adding cross training is number one on the list.  I can do this, I will do this, but I need to get mentally and physically tough starting right now!

Do you consider yourself mentally tough?  Any advice on that?

11 weeks to the Philadelphia Marathon.  (watching Rocky as I type this)

Run Strong, Think Big! ~ Nicole