Fort4Fitness Inaugural Marathon {A Race Recap}

"Ran a marathon to train for a marathon. And casually PR'd in the process." 

Well, when you put it like that ... but I have to say my Nuun teammate pretty much nailed my day on Saturday.

About the race: Fort4Fitness is the largest running event in Fort Wayne and hosts a weekend of races – Kids and Seniors marathons on Friday night and a 4-Mile, 10K and half marathon on Saturday. This year, Fort4Fitness added a marathon, which would consist of four loops – a bonus loop and then courses for the other races. The bonus loop, around 3 miles, was followed by the 10K, the half and, finally, the 4-mile race. The marathon began at 7 a.m.; 10K at 7:30 a.m.; half marathon, 8:30; and 4-mile, 10:30. These start times might seem insignificant but they come into play later as unless you were running a sub-9 pace, marathoners would be smack dab in the middle of the other races.

The plan: As I said earlier in the week, Fort4Fitness was to be a supported training with friends. To keep it a steady pace, I would run with my friends leading the 4:40 pace group (10:40 pace). If I was having trouble, endurance wise, I would back off on the last loop – the 4-mile course.

Pre-race: I was nervous as hell. I didn't feel ready to run a marathon, having only ran 18 miles before and one of my long runs was Ragnar Trail Cascades. I was glad to have my friend Kim there to distract me from the 26.2 miles ahead of us.

It was one of those perfect days. The temperature at the start was in the high 50s, where it was going to stay for most of the day. Clouds blanketed the sky and though the threat of rain had the humidity near 100 percent, it was one of those damp cold days.

The kind of day you want to run. And run I did.

Just shy of 6:50 a.m., I headed to Corral D and lined up with the 4:40 group. Joe shared the pace team's plan to keep the pace around 10:30 and bank a bit of time. While for most races, this strategy wouldn't be recommended but with the anticipation that we'd hit gridlock on the fourth loop when we hit folks at the back of the pack for the 4-mile race.

There was a silent countdown and then the cannon fired. We were off.

The pacers did a great job keeping the pace controlled and smooth on the first loop, as well as engaging everyone around us. There was a new mom who had a 6-month-old at home. A fan of Tough Mudders was running her first marathon. A Michigan man who liked to go on racecations was running his third marathon in as many weeks.

And then there was me. The girl everyone said wouldn't stick with the 4:40 group. But I did. There were times where I'd creep up and have force myself to slow down to let the group catch up. However, I was really conscientious to take it loop by loop, mile by mile.

Splits, 1-3: 10:30, 10:21, 10:10

The first loop seemed to be over in the blink of an eye, and we found ourselves turning right on Baker Street and heading toward the start on Harrison. We were about a minute behind the start of the 10K and once we were on course, we quickly found ourselves weaving around walkers.

With as much politeness as one could have in the situation, the pacers tried to advise the other participants to keep to the right so that we could pass. Thankfully, a course marshal on a bike cleared a path on the left side of the course so that we could make our way south down Calhoun Street.

Again, I found myself creating distance between myself in the pacers. Again, I tried to slow down. Again, I reminded myself that his was a training run. I needed to race smart so that I could recover and continuing training for Monumental. So I did what anyone would do – I turned around and busted out some quick dance moves for the entertainment of the group.

Just before the third mile of the 10K course (and mile 6 for us), we hit a spot that was added purely for mileage. We turned left down a side street, ran a half-block, around a cone and then rejoined the previous course. When we previewed the route three weeks ago, we identified it as an area of congestion – and we were right. But it was probably for the best because, as Stacey said, the group was running hot.

As hot as the pace was for the group, the first two loops felt like a warm-up and I was on cruise control. My mind started trying to go places but I fought it. Fought it hard.

Splits, 4-9: 10:11, 10:22, 10:30, 10:16, 10:07, 10:23

When Fort4Fitness announced the marathon earlier this year, I was skeptical. I did not like the idea of the four loops, and I thought it was a recipe for boredom and DNFs. Surely, passing the turn off to the finish three times would be too tempting for some runners.

However, I really found myself liking it. The loops broke up the race, and I felt like I just had to get through that loop. A marathon is much easier to take on when it feels like it's only 6.2 miles or 13.1.

As we started the half marathon, we again found ourselves navigating walkers but I was thankful to see that the crowd thinned out quickly enough – and by quickly enough, I mean within 3 miles.

But the work to get through it mean that I had lost the 4:40 group. I knew that this could mean trouble. There would be no one to keep me on pace but me. I'm terrible on not running like an asshole, and I have began doing my tempos on the treadmill to stay in the right zone.

Just keep it at 10:15, I told myself. If you're not going to do 10:30, make it 10:15. 10:15 is just fine.

I turned west onto Tillman Road and headed down one of my favorite stretches of the course. It's a fairly wide four-lane road that feels like it's in the middle of the country but is right in the middle of the city. It can be really hard not to open up on the stretch and more so on Saturday because I got a high-five and well wishes from the Fort4Fitness creator, whom I've gotten to know well over the years.

From Tillman Road, the race joins with the Greenway and we run nearly three miles through Foster Park – my home turf. It can be a monotonous part of the race because there's little crowd support and not much to see beyond trees and trees and, well, trees. For me, though, it was like a game of cat and mouse. I saw a pace sign ahead of me and wondered it was the 2:20 group for the half. I did a couple strides to catch up and told myself that I'd stay with them. But, it was the 2:30 group going at an 11-something pace and so I moved on.

I passed my BRF's husband, punched him in the arm (nicely, of course) and continued. I found the 2:20 group tried to slow to stick with them but couldn't, so I ran on.

Earlier in the week, I had been Athlinks-stalking someone and decided to see what my time was from the Columbus Marathon in 2012, my first 26.2 and my PR. (I ran Veterans in 2013 but ran a 4:35.) My time that day was 4:26 and change. As I made my way toward mile 9 of the half and mile 18 for me, I started doing some math.

Let me just say this: Math while running, much less racing, is never a good idea.

I looked at my watch. I looked at overall time. I looked at total distance. I factored in the extra distance I had already accumulated. And even still, if I ran a 10-minute mile, there was a chance I could PR.

Just then, as if the cosmos read my watch, I came up on the 4:25 pacer. I asked him if they were on pace and how he was feeling. They had lost time on the 10K loop but were running about a 10:03. I started to slow down to stick with him but I could tell he wasn't feeling it and so I moved on.

But with the discovery that a PR would be a possibility with a 10-minute pace, I tried to rein it in and stick to 10 minutes as I made my way to the last loop.

Splits, 10-22: 10:12, 10:04, 9:57, 9:51, 9:45, 9:42, 9:50, 9:43, 9:40, 9:50, 9:40, 9:26, 9:35

I like walking. I think walking is good. I think walking in a race is fantastic. I love that Fort4Fitness brings out so many first-time racers and walkers to its events, too. I really, really do.

That said, the last loop was a cluster.

I turned down Baker Street toward Harrison Street where I got the best surprise – my BRF was there with not one but two cowbells. She was there cheering on a host of folks racing (like her husband) but we'll pretend she was there just for me.

I was in near solitude as I made my way down this stretch, nary another marathoner in sight (there were less than 500). I grabbed a Gu and some water and headed toward the mats to begin the last of the race.

But by the time I made the two turns toward Calhoun, I found myself in a sea of walkers, 10 wide headed south. I debated going down the right. Or maybe left. At one point, I wondered what would happen if I spread my arms and just blasted down the middle. But the truth of it was that there was no good way to run it. I was either sacrificing my race or coming off like a complete asshole. At one point, around 1.5 miles into the last loop, I had to walk a block as the congestion at a water stop was impossible to navigate.

I tried to control it but I couldn't: I was pissed.

And when I rounded the corner with 2 miles to go and saw the boys, Mark could see the intensity in my face. He thought I looked strong, and I did feel strong, but really I was frustrated. So I ran with it.

It might have been that annoyance that pushed me through any potential wall because, I'll be honest, I never felt like I hit one. I felt good and capable, and I think my fueling was on point. I took Gu at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 23 and salt tabs at 7, 13 and 21. I drank from my hydration pack through the first three loops and then hit the water stations. Hard.

There were other stations, too. With beer. I had told myself that I would stop at the beer stations in the Williams Woodland Neighborhood during the fourth loop but I was ready to get it done. Beer, sadly, could wait.

Even having moved past walkers for the better part of 3 miles, I was still weaving in the final stretches. I finally gave in and started yelling, "Marathoner on PR pace coming through. Make room for marathoner."

And as I made the turn, I finally got to go left toward the stadium. I had made it. I ran down the drive and onto the red dirt of Parkview Field, the baseball stadium for our minor league baseball team. I had two tenths to go but it seemed so much farther. I stuck to the inside, not antsy to run any more than I could, and picked it up.

I picked it up and took it home ... in 4:23:33 – a nearly 3-minute PR.

Splits, 23-26.2: 9:48, 9:26, 9:53, 9:33, 8:47 pace

What Have I Done {It's Race Week}

It seemed like such a good idea.

Fort4Fitness 2015

My training plan called for 18 to 20 miles this weekend. Fort4Fitness, the largest running event in the area, is this weekend. The organizers are also putting on the city's first full marathon in more than 20 years. My friends are all participating in Saturday's races in some way and two of them are pacing the 4:40 group for the marathon.

Can anyone guess where this is going?

Fort4Fitness 2014

So yeah ... I'm running a marathon on Saturday.

As a training run.

And I'm scared shitless.

It was after a hot, ridiculously humid early-morning run at the end of July when I registered. I was happy to have been running with Joe and Stacey and the idea of being with them for 4+ hours seemed like a grand time. It seemed even grander when I convinced another friend to run the race (and later the full), too. Sure, there was some incentive on my part but she was a willing participant.

Of course, I was fearful that I would have FOMO if I didn't run the first full marathon at Fort4Fitness. For years, I've stated in post-races surveys that I would definitely be all about a 26.2-distance if the event were to offer it.

And I guess I am. All about it, that is. Or at least full of it.

The most nerve-wracking aspect of running the marathon on Saturday is feeling ready, like I have the endurance base there. I've been consciously opting to run  the high end of the mileage ranges my plan has in the hopes that the midweek mileage will build that fitness. I also ran 18 miles three weeks ago, and it was a pretty decent run. I felt like I was holding back for most of it and my fastest splits were the last two.

But one 18-miler does not make someone ready to run a marathon. I know this. However, I also know that people have ran marathons on less mileage.

I also know that no matter how well you prepare for a race, you have what the day will give you. And you know what? I'm going to take that day for all it's worth. Let's just hope that bitch isn't a walker.

Toeing the Line

Please file the following under: What Have I Done To Myself.

At the end of last year, it was announced that the premier race in Fort Wayne, Fort4Fitness, was adding a marathon. 

The decision came after two successful years of a Triple Crown option, which allowed participants to run the fall festival's three events – a 4-miler, 10K and half-marathon – and eight years of running the streets. 

To say the running community was excited would be an understatement. Fort Wayne has not had a marathon in decades and the closest 26.2-mile race was in South Bend, a two-hour drive. 

For me, though, the announcement was bittersweet. I was already (mentally) committed to running the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon and the course for the new distance was less than stellar. Participants, in a nutshell, run a small bonus loop, then the 10K course, then the half marathon course and then the 4-mile course. Read: I'd run past my in-laws' house FOUR times. I would literally have the chance to lay down in the grass and quit four times. As many times as I had selected "yes, I would run a marathon at Fort4Fitness" in the participant survey, I just couldn't wrap my head or credit card around it.

But here's the thing: Many of my friends are running the marathon, if only to support and encourage the growth of the race; two of my favorites are pacing the 4:40 group; and I have 18-20 miles on the schedule that weekend. With my running buddies all participating in F4F, I'd have to do that long run on my own.

So after talking with one of those pacers during a pre-dawn run, I found myself registering for the Fort4Fitness marathon on Oct. 1.

Yikes. Two marathons in, like, six weeks.

Now, let's be clear: This race will be a glorified training run. If I stick with the 4:40 group, the average pace will be 1:30 slower per mile than my goal for Monumental and I will earn a personal worst. I've also given myself the OK to run/walk the last loop if need be. 

The Fort4Fitness marathon is just the latest in a series of races to make my schedule in the last month.

• The Inaugural 3RRC 15K on Aug. 6. Apparently, I like to spend money to do training runs. I've never run a 15K, though, and I'd love to add another PR to the list this year. HA!

• Running Between The Vines half marathon on Aug. 13. My BRF is injured. I-N-J-U-R-ED. My life is basically ruined because she can't run with me. Forget that she has to deal with the fact that she's not able to run. Anyway, she was registered for this race in Jackson, Michigan, and offered me her spot. It's like a consolation prize. Plus, Mark and I are using the race as a chance to getaway for the weekend.

• Ragnar Trail Cascades on Sept. 16-17. 

This race deserves a moment of silence for its awesomeness.

...

...

...

I'll be running with Nuun for this one, and I couldn't be more excited for the opportunity. I've never done a Ragnar-branded race much less a trail one, and it's hard to beat the experience that Nuun offers its ambassadors when they are selected. I also will get to reunite with some of my favorite hydration peeps.

What's on your schedule?

Love Wins

I did something that some women threaten but I meant it. I told Mark that I didn't want to celebrate Valentine's Day.

I know, I know. But hear me out. I just don't see the purpose in setting ridiculous expectations for a magical day or night out just because of what the day on the calendar says. I said that if the only reason for trying to go out was because we thought we should, then I didn't want to go out.

And so we didn't.

However, my Valentine's weekend ended up being pretty rad.

// Cupid's Chocolate Chase 5K and Mocha Mile //

This race was in its inaugural year but it was by far one of my favorite local events ... ever. As the name implies, there was chocolate – and lots of it. DeBrand's Fine Chocolates provided truffles; Fort Wayne Chocolate Fountain set up two chocolate fountains; the coffee shop Mocha Lounge had hot chocolate; and Summit City Brewerks had samples of its mocha stout. A local winery, Two EE's, even had wine slushies for sale. More over, it was so well organized and the money raised went to a good cause – ALS.

Oh, and my BRF Tami was running it, and she had some plans for me.

After my near PR at the Fanny Freezer, Tami decided that we were going to go for record times at the race. We often push each other during training runs and workouts so it seemed like a great setup to really race together.

The only obstacle? The weather. According to my weather app, it was 5 degrees at the start with a -7 windchill. We had got a dusting the night before and about half of the course had snow underfoot. The worst of it was, for me, that I let it all psych me out. It just didn't seem possible to set a PR in those conditions, and I gave myself an out before I even toed the line.

I'm going to let you in a secret: It is possible to do it, even on the worst of days.

Tami's plan, which I didn't really know about, was to take off. I would follow or run my own race. It was up to me. For most of the 5K, she was probably a tenth of a mile ahead. Sometimes she was farther up and sometimes I was closing in. The distance depended on how much fight I had at the moment, which wasn't much I admit. But I plugged along.

As I got closer, I realized that a PR was still possible. I dug. Deep. I rounded a corner as I approached the finish and my run buddy Joe was there volunteering, waiting to give me a high five. I saw the clock. It said 24:XX. I pushed. And I crossed the line at 25:17 - still 2 seconds slower than my PR.

But my chip time? 25:10, baby. A 5-second PR! My ultimate goal is a sub-25 but I've got time for that.

// Olympic Marathon Trials //

Some people have the Super Bowl, I have the trial. Mark took Miles to the library, and I set myself up on the couch. I had a plate of nachos, four baskets of laundry to fold and my friend on Voxer. We had hoped to watch the race together but kids and snow ... le sigh. It's life. So we traded remarks the entire race. It was a blast.

And, I found myself a bit surprised when I started rooting for Kara Goucher. I think the best three made the team (and I was seriously inspired by the Flanagan-Cragg teamwork) but Goucher fought. She didn't give in. She did so much better than I would have thought. The only disappointment is that the cameras didn't show more of the fight for third and fourth. You barely saw those people on camera after the first 10K.

// Valentine's Day group run //

What better way to celebrate the day of love than doing what you love with the people who love it as much as you?

I think there was a group of 8 or 10 of us – three women and a whole gaggle of guys. Joe and I ran the first four together and met the group for 6 more. It was still cold but the sun shone and the pace, albeit brisk, felt good. At the end, Joe passed out Amish donut holes, Pat had truffles and Sandy had cookies.

Seriously, it couldn't get better.

// Fancy dinner //

Miles has seriously been in to Valentine's Day, coloring pictures of hearts and writing mom on them. He'd eagerly rip them out of his notebook and give them to me. It was so sweet.

His enthusiasm made me realize that Valentine's isn't just a romantic holiday but one to celebrate all love. I thought it might be nice to celebrate, then, as a family.

Miles loves to cook with me so I came up with an idea: We would make a fancy dinner together. Steak, crab cakes, creamed spinach and baked potatoes. Miles could easily help with the spinach and seasoning the steaks, and he's even adept enough to flip crab cakes in the pan.

I pumped him up about our special meal, so much so that he told his Sunday school class about it, and was ready to help. He did so well.

To make it more special, I dug out some candles, changed the tablecloth and put my roses on the table. I kept everyone out of the dining room as much as possible until it was time to eat. It was awesome.

Until Miles gagged on the spinach and threw up on the table ... but you'll have that.

How did you spend your Valentine's Day?

Believe. I Am. {Fort4Fitness 2015}

At some point, you're going to stop surprising yourself and start believing in yourself, right? Because you really are stronger than you think. :)

The comment from Tami on my Muncie Mini-Marathon recap stuck with me as I prepared for the Fort4Fitness Double Play.

I wanted to run strong, be strong, when I hit the line for the 10K. But just how much, I wasn't sure. I had, possibly stupidly, ran a 2:04 half the week before a A-/B+ race. I would do my best to recover but a week might not be enough. I also was logging decent paces, for me right now, but those were still in the 9:20 range.

Could I do that for an entire 10K? Was I that strong?

I was going to hope so. So, as I prepared for the race on Friday night, I told Mark that my goal was to average a 9:15 pace.

Tami's comment looped through my head as I stood at the start. I didn't need to be strong. I was strong. I just needed to believe.

But in the 6.2 miles between the start and the finish line, I realized something: It's scary to believe in yourself.

You tear down walls and expose insecurities. You open yourself up to disappointment. You open yourself up to failure.

Also, self deprecation and doubt are decidedly not cute.

If you dare, though ... if you give yourself the chance, you have the opportunity to build confidence. To surpass your expectations. To be the person you've been chasing.

At mile 3 of the Fort4Fitness 10K (the first of my two races Saturday), with a nudge from a run clubber, I decided to believe. I decided I was strong. I willed myself to catch up to that girl.

My 10K with an average pace of 9:15 turned into a race without a single split beginning with "9."

8:45, 8:30, 8:31, 8:50, 8:53, 8:52 and 8;30 (pace for 0.2)

My finish time was 54:39, for an average pace of 8:49.

So much for the 9:15. I decided to save that pace for the 4-mile race that was two hours later.

Baby, You Got My Number: Fort4Fitness 2014

There were hopes. There were tears. There were shouts.  And, once again, Fort4Fitness proved to be magic.

I didn't get my PR. I was about 1:30 off with a time of 1:55:47. I am proud of that time, though. So, so proud.

It's my second fastest time out of my 13 half marathons. I bested my time from last year's race by three minutes. I broke 2 hours by a considerable margin.

More importantly, maybe, I didn't give in. When I hit a wall at the 10K mark, slowed to a walk and burst into a sob-filled rant about training so hard, I picked a sign then picked up my feet. It didn't always last, the quickened pace, but every split that was not what I wanted thereafter was followed by a better one.

And I managed to do it all at 12 weeks pregnant.

Please, don't get me wrong. I am by no means special for running this race pregnant. There are other mother runners who have attempted and completed far greater physical feats than this. But to hold onto the dream, still entertain a PR, might have been a bit optimistic.

It was not unfounded, though. I had been running well when I got the news and continued to do so for some quite time. I really thought the goal was achievable until the past two weeks. It was then when things just started to get harder and not as fun. I didn't know whether it was Baby X (due April 2015) or just burn out or both.

So, on race day, I didn't know what to expect - not that anyone ever does. I just wanted to put my fears aside and run to the best of my ability on that day. With some much needed encouragement from my husband, it's exactly what I did. And that was a 1:55:47.

 ◊  ◊  ◊ 

To read a more traditional recap of my race, go here.

I will probably post later in the week about my decision to continue with my training plan after getting the news. If you have any questions, leave them in the comments or email me at hlthystrides at gmail dot com.

But for those burning questions, here are the answers:

1. I didn't wear the tall Pro Compression socks. The temperature at race start was in the 50s and the day's high in the 80s. I thought it would be too hot so I went with the shorties. I'm glad I did.

2. I wore my hydration pack, which allowed me to have my gels on my chest and skip all but one water station. Just before mile 11, I took the car key out of the zippered pocket, tucking into my sports bra, and tossed the pack to my in-laws who were cheering with Miles. Please note that Miles was picking up dirt and throwing it on the sidewalk.

3. Mark ended up running beside me or just in front of me for most of the race. He started to play hare to my tortoise a bit more when I possibly got a *tad* snarky for him asking about pace more than I cared to answer.

Fall Racing: Whats, Wheres and Hopes

The hay is in the barn, as they say. Or, as I like to say, thank grilled cheesus, I don't have to cry any more when I look at my training schedule.

This weekend, I completed my last double digit run and my longest goal pace workout - 6.2 miles - as I look toward the Fort4Fitness half marathon. The race is on Sept. 27 and is the big to-do here in Fort Wayne. The festival of events (4-mile, 10K, half marathon and kids and seniors marathons) attracts about 10,000 participants.

As the year's big event, it is always a lot of fun. Most of the run group is there, as are the running store employees, and the atmosphere is just insane. For me, it's just such a special race because the half course is the only place I've broken 2 hours (2010 and 2013), and it was my first race after having Miles.

I'm hoping the 13.1-mile route will offer just as much magic this year, as I have been training for a PR. Given the target paces of my plan, my goal half marathon pace for the race should be between 8:35 and 8:40 - a PR by at least 30 seconds and up to 1:30.

But if I learned anything this weekend, it's that even with putting in the work during training, a PR is not a given.

On Sunday, I needed to get in a goal pace workout. My plan called for a 2-mile warm-up, 3 x 2.5 miles at goal half marathon pace with 3 minutes rest between sets and a 1-mile cool down. Insane, right? As there was a track club 10K at 2 p.m. Sunday, I decided that I would just use the race as the workout. Yes, I would be cutting the workout short but I thought the length of that workout was absurd. It came in around 11 miles and my long run was 10.

The plan for the race was to jog to the start (1.5 miles), volunteer and then run the race around an 8:40 pace. The jog to the start was painful, and my legs were sore and tight from the previous day's 10-miler. I chugged along and hoped for the best.

But the best never came. From start to finish, the race was challenging. I never hit that stride where I felt like it was hard but doable. It was just hard. I walked through the water stop, which we passed three times, and took two cups every  time. By mile 3, I sort of just threw pace out the window and just worked to the finish. But, my watch threw working out the window and as such, I managed to hit my goal for the weekend - 53:08, an 8:34 pace.

We'll see how good that pace feels on race day. I'm hopeful, though, that after some rest, a good taper, lots of myofascial release and a well-timed massage will make it feel less arduous.

Here's the fall schedule:

Fort4Fitness half marathon, Sept. 27 in Fort Wayne

Bourbon Chase relay, Oct. 10-11, Kentucky. I'm runner No. 12. (I had been assigned lucky No. 7 but things got switched around.) Leg mileage is 3.6 miles, 8 miles and 4.9 miles.

River City Rat Race 10K, Oct. 26 in Fort Wayne. Undecided but it's a points race for the track club.

Veterans half marathon, Nov. 8 in Columbia City. I'm not sure about this one but I could be convinced as they have a great finisher's jacket. I just need to decide if I want to keep up long runs after F4F,

In the Sick of It {Weekly Training Update}

It began on Monday night with a queasy feeling that I hoped would settle. When I woke up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and I still felt sick, I knew I was in trouble.

And I was.

Tuesday brought one of the toughest bouts with an unknown stomach bug that I've had in sometime. I will spare you the details but I couldn't walk 10 feet without feeling terrible much less run. Working became impossible, and I found myself in and out of consciousness on the couch by mid-afternoon. I would wake up intermittently to catch bits of "16 and Pregnant" on TV. When Mark came home with Miles, I couldn't even get up to give him a hug - much less make dinner.

Wednesday wasn't much better. I could stomach food but low blood sugar and an unsettled stomach left me dizzy. I thought I would try to power through and work but when I passed out at daycare, it became clear that it would be another day of rest for me.

It's no fun to be sick but it's even worse, for me, to be incapacitated when I am in the thick of training. I skipped one run completely, ran another workout easy and cut the miles short. I didn't run faster than a 9:15 mile, and it felt like death.

"How am I supposed to run Fort4Fitness on Sept. 27 at an 8:35 pace?" I thought with tears down my face.

"I don't know if I can do this!" I whined to Mark.

 It took all the logic and revisiting of past workouts to make me not throw out the plan - the schedule and the one for the race - and do the event for fun.

Note: I might have been feeling a bit dramatic because I hadn't eaten or gotten out of the house for days. 

My thinking, now, is that one missed workout won't kill me; I've put in the work; and a little rest might have done me good.

I hope.

The week, in training:

Monday, Sept. 1
CROSS TRAIN | BodyPump
At home. In the living room. With my child.
Note: I also biked 4 miles with Mark as he ran but it doesn't seem super worthy of noting. But, it was super fun. Especially when I told him that he had to keep up with me the last mile ;)

Tuesday, Sept. 2
CROSS TRAIN | Walk
I'm a dumbass and tried to run. It did not work. But I was stubborn and went for a 30-minute walk during which I wanted to hurl in the river.

Wednesday, Sept. 3
REST | Sick

Thursday, Sept. 4
RUN | 6 miles
Time: 56:14     Pace: 9:22

Mid-afternoon and hot and humid as hell. I wanted to die.

CROSS TRAIN | Boot camp

Friday, Sept. 5
RUN | 6 miles
Time: 56:45     Pace: 9:27

Farthest stroller run since Miles was a baby. It was humid, again, and I ditched my shirt at mile 1. It prompted Miles to ask my why and then to inquire further as to why I did not take off my sports bra. We also stopped for fruit snacks, apple sauce and sticks.

Saturday, Sept. 6
RUN | 13 miles
Time: 2:03:08     Pace: 9:28
Course preview for Fort4Fitness. I thought I would run a bit slower but Joe and I chugged along at an even 9:30 for most of the miles. Bonus: Our last two were the fastest at 9:15.

Sunday, Aug. 10

REST

Weekly Training Update: 7/14-7/20

Training for a goal half marathon doesn't stop when you go on vacation.

And I'm so glad for that.

This week my workouts have taken me to Arbor Day Farms, home of Arbor Day, in Nebraska City to Davidson Mesa outside Boulder to the top of the world in Rocky Mountain National Park.

All the while, we've driven 1,200 miles and spent time with some of my favorite people in the world. Some might not like the pressure of fitting in runs and workouts while balancing vacation fun but this week has been some of the most fun training I've had in a long time.

The week, in training:

Monday, July 14
RUN | 5 miles

Time: 46:55     Pace: 9:22

Plan: 2-mile WU; 5 x [30 seconds uphill at hard effort, walk down rest; 75 seconds 5K effort, walk down rest]; 1-mile CD.
Since I can't find good hills in my neighborhood and I'm taking this training seriously, I hit the treadmill for this workout. For the hills, I did the 30 seconds hard at 7.5 (8:00 pace) and the 75 seconds 5K effort at 7.3 (8:13 pace). Incline was at 4.0 for first two intervals, 4.5 for second two and 5.0 for last. It felt tough for sure.

Tuesday, July 15
CYCLE | 10.25 miles
Time: 50:00     Pace: 12.4 mph

Let me say this: It's totally weird to ride in the dark. I woke up early to ride, taking the long way to the YMCA. I did some upper body exercises and then rode home.

Wednesday, July 16
RUN | 6.6 miles
Time: 58:10     Pace: 8:49

Workout: 2-mile WU; 4 x 1 mile @ 10K pace; 1-mile CD
Goal pace for the repeats was 8:20 but thanks to the awesome support of my husband, we were able to nail it - with negative splits. 8:13, 8:11, 8:08, 8:00. It was definitely tough at the end and I sort of wanted to die but I really showed up. The weather didn't hurt either thanks to the second coming of the polar vortex.

Thursday, July 17
RUN | 3.21 miles
After a 10-hour drive (not including stops), my legs were happy to go for a run. My heart was happier to be able to run with my best friend. Our time together is never enough so it was great to have a few miles without kids and husbands.

Friday, July 18
REST 

Saturday, July 19
RUN | 3.4 miles + 1.23-mile run commute to cycling
First run at altitude, and it was as difficult as I remembered.

CROSS TRAINING | Indoor cycling class
I visited the nearby rec center, and I really enjoyed the class. The instructor was very "Boulder" and welcoming. The workout featured some sprints and steady flats. A few climbs, too.

Sunday, July 20
RUN | 9.05 miles
Time: 1:27:54     Pace: 9:43

I did the first 4 with Mark around Louisville, Colorado, and then finished the last 5 around Davidson Mesa. The views were breathtaking, and I was completely enamored when I saw horses. Good thing, though, that my sister-in-law told me later that I could have also spotted rattlesnakes. Ick!

Winning {A Three Things Thursday post}

1. Another week has gone by, and I am happy to report {to myself}that I am still rocking the no-grain, no-sugar experiment. It wasn't easy this weekend with Memorial Day outings that included a trip to the zoo, where ice cream is often a treat; a hog roast where green chile mac and cheese was served; another grill out with cookies and ice cream; and front-row seats at the minor league baseball game ... on $1 hot dog day.

Of course, it's not to say I didn't have anything. I just chose where I was willing to break the rules. Mark and I split a cone at the zoo but I said no to the beer and mac and cheese at the party that night. I had a bit more ice cream at the second barbecue but got peanuts at the game. What's more important to me, though, is that those indulgences didn't set me into a tail spin. I was back to work - and back on plan - on Tuesday.

2. Before the game on Monday, Mark, Miles and I did a little shopping at the outdoor mall. All of Mark's summer shorts seemed to have disappeared into the Bermuda triangle in our basement, and he was in desperate need as his school does not have air conditioning. As luck would have it, Old Navy had shorts on sale for $8. I grabbed a couple pairs for him and then went over to investigate the women's.

I found myself skipping over the too short shorts and heading toward the bikinis. Usually, trying on such things will send me into tears {related} but I was feeling brave ... or masochistic, grabbing a few to try on. I am pretty sure Mark was nervous for me {and himself} that it would be like so many dressing room trips before but I came out unscathed and with a bathing suit I liked. I am not sure whether I'm more self accepting and confident or was suffering from  heat stroke but I'm happy with my progress mentally.

3. Ever since I accepted Mark's invitation to pace me for Fort4Fitness, I've been churning about how I wanted to approach training for the race. I know what I need - speed work and tempo runs, long runs and recovery ones - but I didn't know where I should find it. I could get a coach, which is expensive and a bit self indulgent (in my opinion) based on my abilities. I could buy a plan from Smart Coach or Runner's Academy. Or I could go with some of the easily accessed schedules, either from Train Like a Mother or online.

I had been seriously considering the Another Mother Runner 13.Fun challenge but the timing wasn't right and the price was a bit steep {for me, at this time}. I was poking around on the local running store's website to see about coaching prices when I saw information about the training group for the fall half marathon.

I had always thought it was for beginners but, as it turns out, they advertise that it's for all levels and the program offers individualized plans. There are also group runs, info on nutrition, chance to make more BRFs and availability to ask questions of the coach. Plus a shirt. For $65.

Gotta ask the boss man but I'm pretty sure this is my answer!

Getting on pace + upcoming races {A Three Things Thursday post}

"I have a question to ask you and then a statement."

Mark was standing at the kitchen sink and I at the stove as we cleaned up dinner one night last week. The conversation had been rather pedestrian until that point, and I was taken aback by what he said. I inquired as to whether I could hear the statement first and the the question but, according to him, the order of things was crucial. If I answered the question one way, the statement would be void.

"Would you consider it a PR," he started "if someone paced you to the time during Fort4Fitness?"

Again. Taken aback.

To be honest, I have never really thought of having a personal pacer who would promise to pull me to a personal best. I was with a pace group for part of last year's Fort4Fitness, and I found the sub-2 goal quite literally looming over my head to be motivating. However, I had ran most of the race myself and had made the choice to stick with them no matter what. I had done it, accountable only to myself.

My answer to Mark's question, at best, would be laced with uncertainty but I didn't need him to make a statement. I knew what he was getting at - he was offering to pace me to a half marathon PR.

Mark has run two races of the 13.1 distance, with a PR of 1:34, but hasn't expressed a huge interest in longer events since. I think the combination of a busy track season, which means no running for him, and my performance at Athens have turned the tides this spring.

Note: Mark is not upset or disappointed in me about the race but bummed because he was so confident that I would be faster.

I haven't given Mark an answer - I have until May 5 when registration goes up - but after some encouragement from Joe on our run this morning, I am tipping yes. After all, Galen Rupp had a rabbit when he broke the indoor 5K record. I just want to run a 1:53 half marathon.

In addition to Fort4Fitness, which is in September, here are some other races on the calendar:

1. Dirty Girl Mud Run in Indianapolis on May 17. If you haven't registered, use code BLOGFRIEND for $10 off.

2. ZOOMA Napa Valley half marathon on June 28

3. Runners on Parade 5K on July 12. The 2010 race is where I set my 5K PR. I haven't tried to break it since, and I might just try it again.

What's on your calendar? Would you use a pacer?