June 22, 2011

6 weeks and counting each step....

And one month later....I RETURN. I am not even going to apologize. If you had the month I've just had, you wouldn't have blogged either. [Insert tornadoes, 6 days of traveling across the country, setting up a new apartment, law school graduation, and on and on]. Anyway...

I think Krick and I are the only people left in the world who have kept their New Year's Resolution. Back on January 1st, we named "2011...the year of the marathon". And we only have 6 weeks left until the big race and only 1 long run left.

The Agenda for long runs:

June 25th: 8 miles
July 2nd: 6 miles
July 9th: 26 miles
July 16th: 10 miles
July 23th: 6 miles
July 25th: Marathon

This past weekend we ran 23 miles. It took us 4 hours and 10 minutes. You think that is nuts. I actually enjoyed it. I had some highs and lows, but overall the run was one of the best long runs I've had. Ever. Krick was battling with allergies, but did amazing despite her runny nose. I am just simply amazed by us.

We picked up Hilary for miles 16.5-18. And then mom joined us for the last 2-3 miles. Both were pick me ups, that we very much needed. In fact, we are now starting to plan out spots along the race route where family and friends can cheer us on and/or run with a us for a bit. If you are interested, please let us know....we would be more than thrilled to have you there. The more the merrier!

During the course of training, I've learned some things and had some new experiences.

  • It takes 3 weeks to overcome altitude changes.
  • There's no shame in walking. In fact, Jeff Galloway's program includes walking and it has changed my recovery time immensely. And it hasn't hurt our overall time at all. We are doing run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute. I love it.
  • Ice baths are MUCH MUCH MUCH colder than they sound. But the benefits are so worth it.
  • Foregoing a camelback for a hydration pouch was a great decision. Thanks Mom for letting me borrow yours.
  • I run with my arms too far out and that's why I get a knot in my shoulder. Pulling in my arms has helped my form prevent this injury.
  • You can be as nervous for a training run as you can be for a race.
  • A runners wall and a runners high are VERY REAL things. 
  • Kristin is the PERFECT running partner. She has her highs when I have my lows. And vice versa. We have good discussion. We run at a pretty similar pace. And we both think of things to make our running more enjoyable, safe, and comfortable. Plus she is good at being our run-walk-run timer and "goo-up" reminder, while I keep pace and mileage ;) It's the perfect combo.
  • Practice makes perfect. 
  • Electrolyte gel is nasty. The jelly beans are okay. But the Electrolyte gummy blocks are the best.
  • Sports drinks during a run make me nauseated.
  • Cookies are necessary to have on hand after a run. I crave them. Particularly oatmeal raisin cookies.
  • It amazes me that you can make your body change to do the things you want it to do.
  • And most importantly.....

Pain is temporary,
Pride is forever.

1 comment:

  1. Good recap. Let's talk about our last race and recap what we could have done better, differently, etc. Like not exclaiming "I'm so happy I could sing" 14 miles in. That's a real buzz kill :)

    ReplyDelete

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