Sorry for the disappearing act. I took the weekend off to spend quality time with Stephen. We ended up with a busy Saturday sandwiched between two lazy days. We watched season one of The Walking Dead, had Chinese take-out, bummed about, and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Enough of that, though. Let’s talk running.
I’m now less than 2 months away from the Konigsforst Marathon! This week was all about ratcheting the miles back up following the previous week’s decrease. Not only did I do that (yeay!) but I killed the cross training.
Weekly Stats:
- Number of workouts this week: 6! (3 runs & 3 cross-training sessions!)
- Total number of miles run so far during training: 157.9 (27 this week!)
- Geronimo’s total number of miles this week: 4.5
- Temperature on the coldest run: 22 degrees – Brr!
- Days until the marathon: 55
The long run was 15 miles. 15 is a sticking point distance for me. It just seems substantially longer than 13, even though I know it’s really not that much more. During my first round of marathon training in the fall of 2010, 15 miles really threw me for a loop. I was so intimidated that I actually quit training for 2 weeks thinking that I’d just be a halfer. I can’t remember now what got me over the hump back then, but I was determined that the distance wouldn’t derail me this go around, intimidated or not.
I think these are all my own tracks from running out and back on the same stretch of road twice.
Like most of my long runs these days, I took it in parts. Part 1: 3 miles with Geronimo. We ran our usual 1.5 out and back. We said hello to the piggies we sometimes see. We happily bounded through the snow. (Well, he happily bounded; I tolerated it.)
Part 2: 6 miles, to Mantel and back. This was the easiest section. I had acclimated to running on the snow and when I was actually in Mantel (all of 1 mile), the roads were snow-free. I don’t like the hills in this tiny town, but I do like the scenery. This portion went by quickly.
Part 3: 6 more miles. I stopped off at home to get more Gu and water. It’s so cold out that the Gu turns into concrete if I carry it on me for too long. It’s easier to just leave it at home and pick it up shortly before I need it. During the last 3 miles, I was feeling pretty lonely. Oh, how I would have loved having someone to talk to. I just talked to myself instead. (I’m not crazy, I swear!)
Long Run Stats:
- 15 mile finish time: 2:38:48
- Average pace: 10:35 per mile
My training plan called for a 10:30 pace. I was overjoyed to see that my average pace was not to far off. Some miles were slower (Gu breaks, crappy traction due to the snow, fatigue), but I powered through best as I could.
In fact, I was feeling good enough at the end to go for a fast finish. I went full throttle on the very last mile. At one point, I was hitting a 7:20 pace. As Stephen would say, “Bazinga!”
- Great things about this week’s training: killed the long run, solidly completed the other two runs, managed 3 cross training session, and my body isn’t feeling to achey or sore.
- Less than great things: My sweets craving is in overdrive. After I run, all I want is sugar sugar sugar. I may change my name to Sugar Monster. It’s ridiculous. I’m trying to satiate it with fruit smoothies, but it doesn’t quite do the trick. Ideas? Suggestions?
There ya have it. Another week of training done and gone. This week will be more of the same – interval run, tempo run, 16 mile long run, and cross training.
Questions – do you have a mileage that just feels too far? 15 scares me more than 16 does! Do you get cravings when you work out more? How do I curb them? Should I just give in? Please say yes. On that note, there are some Girl Scout cookies calling my name.*
Don’t you mean as Sheldon would say?
Right now, 5 miles seems too far for me with the knee issues and some other things. Oh and I totally get cravings when I work out more and I tend to just give in so I’m the worst to ask for advice.
It sucks that your knee is still giving you issues! Poop sandwich. I hope that you get that figured out soon; I’m sure you’re itching to up the miles.
Okay, I know Sheldon is a character on Big Bang Theory. Did I unknowingly quote him?*
Great job on your 15! All this snow running is making you a tougher runner. After a long run I often crave regular coke. I’ve pretty much given up all soda, but I just have to guzzle some down.
I hope so! Every single day I alternate between feeling strong and faster, to feeling suckier and suckier. The mind games that training can play on you!
I’m not a coke drinker, but I totally get the appeal. I think of those old Sprite commercials with the cup of Sprite with ice and it’s bubbling. Ack! I’m going to give myself another addiction if I keep up talking like that!*
Holy poo, good job on your run! The most I’ve run is 10k but I think ten miles would be the point that seems waaay too far. Also, 7 miles, 8, and 9
haha
10 is another biggie. There’s something about those big round numbers that just seems daunting!*
Great run! What a fabulous feeling! I don’t think I’ve ever run a 15 miler. I think I did all even numbered training runs. I remember the 16 miler being particularly daunting, but they’re all kind of daunting after the 13 mile mark. I’m no help with the sugar cravings because I’m a sugar addict. If you wanted something sweet but healthy, you could pull out the vitamix and make banana soft serve. Just blend up frozen bananas until they look like ‘ice cream.’ Throw in a scoop of peanut butter and it’s even better.
Oh my gawd! I literally gasped with glee when I read what you said about banana soft serve plus peanut butter! Making that after my next long run!*
Every week I am so impressed with how well your training is going.
15 is the distance that throws me for a loop. I have attempted marathon training twice, and both times the 15 mile long run is where I got stuck. I once ran 14 miles in a one-mile loop, with no problems, but the next week 15 miles felt impossible. One day I’ll get over the hump. Haha.
That is exactly how it went for me! I just had a mental block surrounding that distance. I had a friend who eventually talked me into trying it, which I did, and training resumed. But leading up to that, I just thought, ‘no way!’ And I think you’ll get beyond it for sure! El Paso Marathon 2014???*
Oh man that snow looks awesome and scary at the same time! I am super impressed that you break your run up into different parts and still manage to get it all in, I think I would have probably just stayed home after part 2, haha! It always feels so nice to get a good solid week of workouts in doesn’t it? I love that feeling and it just fuels you for the next week! 15 miles is a weird distance for me too, 16 seems right but something about 15 is just weird. 18 is a weird distance for me too, so close to 20 but not quite. Hope this week is another good one for you!
There just isn’t enough running space here for me to do a big loop or just one out and back. There’s no way to get all the miles without running by the house, so I use that to my advantage. (I think things like, “2 more miles and you can take a bathroom break/grab a gu/pet the dog/see the husband/etc.”)
I’m not so scared of 16 or 18, but 20 – yeah, nervous about that one! I need to get in the right head space before I attempt it.*
I have a crazy, crazy sweet tooth. When I’m trying to keep it in check I’ll buy banish all processed sugar from the house except for some really, really good chocolate that I’ll allow myself every evening after dinner for a reward.
I like that idea. Get a little bit of quality and get rid of the rest. I’ve been trying to just not buy anything that tempts me, but I don’t think that’s cutting it. I gotta have something!*
Ah you are so impressive! I hit four miles and felt like a world champion. I am also all about the dark chocolate.
Sometimes running 4 miles is like running a marathon! Good on ya for doing it! Are you going to run any more races now that Lane has left? Running kept me sane while Stephen was deployed.*
I do dark chocolate squares for my sweets cravings. I have a bag of individually wrapped Dove chocolates and I eat one when I feel like I can’t take it anymore. Also, gum.
Oh – gum – yes! Good suggestion. Dove chocolate sounds divine right now! Do they still put inspirational messages on the wrappers? I once saved one that said “your happy place” on it. I stuck it in my binder and would rub it when I was stressed out at school. (I’m not as weird as that makes me sound, I swear.)*
My favorite is the inspirational message “exercise your heart today”. I always seem to get that one right after I go to the gym. Can you get them there or do you need me to send you a bag?
Great job! If you don’t go crazy, I don’t think a cookie would hurt. Or too
The trick is to eat just one or two cookies when I have the urge to eat the entire box!*
Let me know when you mastered that one, I’d like to know how anybody dows that.
Under 30 miles per week – wow, that seems low. I average more for my half marathon training now. I am 31 years old. Sub 4 hr – just slightly under 4 hours, 3:50-3:55 range.
It is low! That’s because I’m following the run less, run faster plan. The idea is that the total mileage is less but the runs are more purposeful. I like the plan, although I guess we won’t know if it is effective until race day.*