So who was glued to their TV or computer yesterday watching the NYC marathon? <—ME! I watched the coverage for the first time last year and can guarantee that if I wasn’t already into running, I would’ve been after that. I’m seriously amazed by those runners who can run 26 miles at an average pace that I couldn’t pull off for even 1 mile. My mom came over for the last 20 minutes because we were about to head out for a bike ride and put it perfectly when I was saying how the lead women were running at the speed I bike at, “comparing yourself to Mary Keitany is like comparing a greyhound and a basset hound in a race.” So now on my next run, I’ll be picturing myself 2 inches from the ground with ears flopping about. Thanks mom.
I wish I had realized the date of the marathon when making my training schedule because I would’ve loved to have had a long run on tap yesterday with all the energy I got from watching the race. I’ve never had any ambition to run a full marathon (13.1 is hard enough!) but after yesterday, I can’t say the thought didn’t cross my mind. I’m sure it will be gone by the end of the week, don’t worry.
Onto week 8. 2 more weeks until the big day!
Previous recaps:
- Philly half training: week 1
- Philly half training: week 2
- Philly half training: week 3
- Philly half training: week 4
- Philly half training: week 5
- Philly half training: week 6
- Philly half training: week 7
Plan:
Reality:
Monday:
I was still set on making up my missed mileage from the previous week (which faded out later in the week) so I hoped on the treadmill for 4 miles, constantly switching the speeds between 6.5-7.0 to keep myself entertained. I planned on 5, but only made it to 4. A decent run though all in all.
Tuesday:
This was the most interrupted long run I’ve had for a few reasons. This was one of them.
Hopping trees and sludging through snow definitely make for an interesting 11 miles. See that snow on the right? That was a bridge on the bike trail that goes over a creek. The rest of the trail wasn’t that bad. It made me think of those “bridge ices before roadway” signs on the highway. Apparently, that’s true.
The other reasons were a combination of texts, phone calls and emails that all required immediate responses (the downfall of using your iphone as an ipod.) But, it was still a great run. My times were interesting. I ran 2 miles from my house to the trail, 7 miles on the trail and 2 miles back home. Average pace on the roads without a snowy/treefallen obstacle course: 8:40. Average pace on the trail: 9:00. I ended the run with an 8:55 pace and felt great. I also wasn’t nearly as sore the following days as I was after 10, weird.
Wednesday:
Jillian and I have rekindled our love (we were going strong last fall) so I did a Yoga Meltdown workout and a lot of stretching.
Thursday:
More Jillian in the form of 30 Day Shred. It’s funny, even with a pretty consistent NROLFW strength training plan recently, my arms are still aching from this workout and I was only using 5lb weights!
Friday:
REST
Saturday:
The bike trail was finally cleared and melted so I headed out for a 5 mile tempo run. Felt awesome after this.
Splits:
- 8:48
- 8:27
- 8:20
- 8:17
- 9:04
Sunday:
12 mile slower bike ride with mom.
Total Weekly Round-up:
- Run: 20
- Bike: 12
- Strength: 2
I’m psyched to have finally hit 20 miles this week! Also, you may have noticed I didn’t do any NROLFW. I’m thinking about not starting stage 4 until after the race. I don’t need any injuries from lifting and my goal right now is to finish this half strong (hopefully PR.) I’d been finding it difficult to feel completely “recovered” from my long runs with NROLFW in the mix as well so right now I think some Jillian Michaels DVDs are a better fit for mid week “strength training.” And lastly, I’m really hoping this is nothing, but I woke up on Friday with a slight “tingle” under my left knee cap. I wouldn’t really call it pain right now but it just feels slightly off. It didn’t hurt while running on Saturday but when I’m not, I can feel it. Anyone know what that could be? I’m scared to google it and have so far held out from internet diagnosing myself because I tend to fear the worst in all situations like this.
Have you ever dealt with knee pain?
Did you watch the NYC marathon?
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
I bet after your half marathon you will be itching to run a whole marathon!!
I don’t know, after the last one my thoughts were more like “Hell no! I don’t even want to do another half, let alone a full!” haha We’ll see :)
Every time I run a half I say I will never do a full. I can’t imagine going another 13.1 miles. My friend entered the lottery for NY Marathon, thinking she would never get a spot her first time in the lottery. She got the spot and ran her first marathon yesterday in 4:08. If you’re going to run a full then NY is your race. She said it was amazing!
I get IT band pain and tightness. I use the torture device known as a foam roller:)
It helps…but I do yelp in pain while rolling!
I swear I just posted a comment, but it’s not showing up. Weird!
Have you tried ice and advil for your knee? It might just be inflammation.
I iced after my run on Saturday and once yesterday. Haven’t taken advil yet. I’m torn right now between running today (a light 3 miles maybe before my 12 tomorrow) to test it out or just giving it one more day of rest with ice again…
Have you tried icing your knee and advil? It might just be a little inflammation.
Haha the beginning of this post made me laugh out loud! :D Sorry to hear your knee is feeling funny. I used to suffer with osgood-schlatters disease when I was a teenager, apparently it’s caused by speedy growth and excessive exercising. It kind of fixed itself after about a year of physiotherapy and taping everyday (very attractive) Now my knee only hurts when I run regularly. Maybe you could start taping before a run, as well as icing after and the usual shebang? See if that helps…
Congratulations on the photo contest! It was a photo-finish, but you won by a single vote! I’ll contact you for your mailing address shortly!
I definitely have knee issues. It’s basically runner’s knee, but I get it from hiking. I’m doing everything right though: quad strengthening exercises, stretching, rolling out, wearing a knee brace, using a pole while hiking, icing, ibuprofen, etc. (Okay not everything right; I still sit cross-legged on the couch!) It’s not super-terrible, but I really don’t want it to get worse. While it’s interfering with my attempts to enjoy running, I’ll be damned if I let it interfere with hiking.
Yesterday’s pancakes look soooo good!
I admire your dedication and passion, girl!! I ran my first ever race on Saturday {5 miles! baby!}, and it was a lot of work! I love how you lay out your training…..I should do this for my next one ;)
xxoo
The thought of running a full is something that I always think about when the big boy races happen– NYC looks like it would be SUCH a fun race (well, as much “fun” as running 26 miles can be, ha).
Glad your training is going well! Can’t believe your race is so close!
I simply *must* try this shred. I keep hearing such good things, but it means more coming from someone who’s already fit.
It’s definitely a good workout. There are 3 levels, each 20 minutes so, often times I’ll do 2 levels in a row b/c even though it’s a decent workout, sometimes I want more than 20 minutes, you know?
Yes! I get ITB pain and runner’s knee. I hate it. Also? Jillian is my girlfriend.