The year, in running

Another December morning, another run in shorts.

Not that I'm complaining.

It was a short outing - just 4 miles - rather than 6 or 7 that I had initially planned. Alas, Miles is sick again and Mark and I decided that the wee one needed to go to urgent care this morning. Another fever, another damn ear infection. Plus croup.

***

Miss Zippy recently posted a year in review on her blog, and she was kind enough to invite other bloggers to play along. It was a lot of fun to read about her experiences as well as some of the other runners I follow so I thought I'd do the same.

Best race experience. I'm definitely a quality over quantity racer. You won't find me running every local 5K just for giggles; it's cumbersome and expensive. That said, the races in which I do participate are often great experiences in their own right.

I loved the Fanny Freezer 5K because it was a great way to test speed, and it was a race I did with a bunch of friends. I got to do RnR NOLA with my best friend and enjoy a girls weekend in the city of my birth. I loved the Martian Invasion half-marathon - it had a beautiful course, fun medal and I ran dangerously close to a sub-2.

But, I guess, my best race was the Columbus Marathon. Nothing beats the pride of finishing 26.2 miles.

Best run. I'm on course to run 1,100 miles this year, and it's hard to remember runs. The miles all seem to blur together outside of race experiences. I did enjoy the few times that Mark was able to join me on the bike while Miles hung out with Nana and Papa.

Best new piece of gear. My Spibelt. I've always held onto my fuel, keys and other goods (or thrown them in the stroller) but marathon long runs required something different. The Spibelt was comfortable, deceptively roomy and oh so cute with all its polka dots.

Best piece of running advice. "Enjoy it and smile" was what Bobbi told me ahead of the marathon. I really took those words to heart and thought of them often in the first part of Cbus. It helped me to soak in the experience, and it's probably why I remember so much of the course.

Most inspirational runner. I am not going to pick one person but one group: the mother runners. Everyone is in different places - location-wise, pace-wise, training-wise, parenting-wise - but they all face the same challenges and struggles. Seeing how they are able to overcome those things helps me to see that I can as well.

Sum up your year in a couple of words. Comeback. Epic. Precursor.

How was your year in running? Did you take Miss Zippy's lead? Be sure to share links.

I trained like a mother: A review

If you Google "marathon training plan," you will get 157,000 results; 3.5 million if you search without  the quotes. There are the respected and well-known plans from Hal Higdon and Jeff Galloway, pay-to-run plans from Runners World and a dizzying number of free plans from a number of sites sites from MarathonRookie to Harvard to individual race sites.

It's a bit overwhelming to sift through, especially for a first-time marathoner, and I found myself struggling to select a plan (or plans) that would best fit me. I initially looked at Hal Higdon, having successfully followed his plans in the past but felt like I was somewhere in between his levels. Other plans offered a challenge but required a significant time commitment that I feared I couldn't meet.

As I tried to mix and match, a copy of "Train Like a Mother" landed on my desk. I was instantly drawn to the orange cover and tagline - "How to get across any finish line - and not lose your family, job or sanity." Sarah and Dimity were describing exactly the plan I needed. Especially the sanity part.

The book offers schedules, designed by Christine Hinton, for nearly every distance - 5K, 10K, half-marathon and marathon - with two options for each. You can "Finish It" or you can "Own It." And though the "Finish It" plan is the less challenging of the two, it still incorporates speed work, hill work and long runs with race pace. With the option of four or five days a week, I was sold.

I began the plan in earnest in June and, despite a few hiccups along the way, completed it successfully. That is if you call running 26.2 miles a success.

That's not to say the plan is perfect - no plan is - and as I try to stretch out my Columbus Marathon glory, I thought I'd share my thoughts on the plan. Good and bad.

A short training run in Boulder

Good: There is some flexibility. Many of the weeks have five runs scheduled, something I had resisted up until marathon training, but one is always labeled optional. You can call that run a rest day or cross-train if you want. I never skipped one of these runs but it was nice to know I could. (Note: I also liked that it eased me into five days a week running.)

Good: Incorporates shorter runs. Marathon training can feel like a huge time suck. Three hours on the weekend for a long run and another 90 minutes for the mid-week long run. It can be overwhelming. Many weeks included one or two 3-mile runs, which felt blissful and stress-free with the other demands of training. These shorter runs also worked well when I needed to double up workouts to teach BODYPUMP.

Bad: No specific cross-training. While "Train Like a Mother" encourages cross-training and the fifth run can be swapped for spin, there is no specific strength or non-running workout scheduled. I can't stress enough the importance of cross-training and how vital I think it has been to running. I'm obviously partial to BODYPUMP but cycling, Zumba and circuit classes are all great.

Good: There are quality runs - tempo, strides, repeats , hills - but it all seemed fairly manageable. This training cycle was the first time I resumed speedwork seriously since having Miles and it was a nice introduction. I didn't feel like I had to nail 800 repeats at a certain pace or do a 7-mile run with 5 at tempo the way I had pre-baby but I still felt like I was pushing myself, working harder and getting faster.

Bad: Hill work. One, there are almost zero hills accessible to me on regular routes. Two, I think there were only two specific hill workouts in the plan. There's no way that Christine, Dimity or Sarah could foresee the steady climb on the Columbus course but given the structure of the plan, I think they could be more regular.

Good: Aggressive long runs. I've looked at marathon plans, and many of them start off with single-digit long runs and slowly ease past the half mark. I felt like TLAM gave you a push toward being real comfortable at the half mark and beyond. There's a number of runs of 15 miles or more, which help build endurance. There's also race pace/finish strong elements to some of the runs to help mentally prepare you for running harder over distance. I didn't focus on that part of the plan but with strategically planned races and running buddies, I was able to incorporate it.

Bad ... maybe: One of the things that psyched me out most about the plan was the length of the taper. TLAM is a 20-week plan and the longest run, 20 miles, is ran in week 16. Other 20-week plans have the longest run during week 17. I know marathon taper is longer but having my longest run an entire month before the marathon was not good for me mentally.

Good: The goal of the plan was to finish the marathon, and I finished it. I'm not sure I finished it in the time my training runs would have suggested but I'm not sure that's the plan's fault. After all, I did have to pee at mile 18.

By the way, if there is a plan that factors in potty breaks into a projected finishing time, I'll be all over it.

Next time?:  The test of any plan or set of plans is whether you would use it again. Look at Hal Higdon - he's popular because people go back to him time and time again, moving up levels or changing distances.

Looking forward to 2013, with my sights set on getting faster and PRing the half, I've been looking at plans - TLAM, Higdon, Runner's World. No matter how many I look at, though, I find myself going back to that glorious orange cover. Maybe it's because I have girl crushes on Sarah and Dimity. Maybe it's because the plans are challenging without being intimidating. Or maybe, just maybe, it's because the plans are that solid.

Have you used a TLAM plan? What were your thoughts?

Marathon Monday: What's next

I trained for the Columbus Marathon following a schedule based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. I completed it on Oct. 21 in 4:26:25. These posts document my training. 

The week, in recovery:

Monday: Walk
Tuesday: Walk + teach BODYPUMP
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 2.65-mile run (+stroller) + teach BODYPUMP
Friday: 2-mile run (+stroller) + random basement cardio
Saturday: Teach BODYPUMP
Sunday: 4-mile run

◊ ◊ ◊

Mark said he knew the moment he saw me with my medal. Me? I didn't realize it until a few days later.

It: The Columbus Marathon will not be a one-hit wonder. I will complete another 26.2-mile event.

Some day.

As I reflect on the accomplishment of tackling 26.2 miles and look forward, I can't help but be anxious to experience that challenge and glow again. However, the realities of training are still fresh and life is still busy, and I know that the marathon inside me will have to wait a few years. Or until 2014 as I promised Mark that I'd only run a half or two and local races in 2013.

In the interim, I am setting my sights on a few key goals.

Getting stronger. I would like to think I have good muscle definition and am fairly strong but I am struggling still with upper body strength. I'd really like to increase my weight on biceps in BODYPUMP to one big plate, and I think it would be bad ass to do all 36 of the push-ups in the shoulders track on my toes. I also really, really, really want to be able to do a pull-up. While BODYPUMP is great, I want to incorporate heavier, low rep training into my schedule.

Getting faster. Nearing the end of my marathon training, I was beginning to see some numbers on the MOTOACTV that were reminiscent of my pre-pregnancy days. I feel like my body is on the verge of making some gains, and I'm going to help it with some shorter interval and tempo runs.

Make it through winter. Above all else, I want to keep up a level of fitness and healthy eating when times seem to be most trying. The temperatures are already dipping, near freezing in the morning, and I'm beginning to feel the pangs of mom guilt when I bundle up Miles in the stroller. I'll need to be proactive about planning alternatives or setting the alarm to get in my workouts.

I had been hoping to formulate a plan using the "Insanity" program and the "Run Less Run Faster" approach but without either of those tools in my possession, I decided to wing it.

I scheduled "just" three runs a week, with an optional Sunday run. After a year or more of Sunday long runs, I wanted the chance to go out to breakfast or sit in my jammies and watch "Meet the Press." If the mood strikes, Mark and I might go for a late-morning run or I'll take advantage of Miles' nap time in the afternoon.

In terms of cardio, I picked up a few DVDs from the library including one from Tae Bo master Billy Blanks. (I'm guessing in 10 years that Shaun T. will be on the shelf, too.) I'm also hoping to try out a few classes here and there and maybe become a regular at TurboKick on Wednesday nights at TX.

If I want to. The caveat to this entire plan.

Monday: Interval run - either 400s or 800s, totaling 4 or so miles
Tuesday: Boot camp/weight DVD - getting up early
Wednesday: Tempo run - 4 or 5 miles
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Long(ish) run - getting up early to do it solo
Saturday: Teach BODYPUMP
Sunday: Active rest or easy family run


The goal was to keep it fun, low pressure and flexible, and I think I did OK.

How do you schedule the off season? Any suggestions?

Where's the downhill again? {Or the day I ran 26.2 miles}

Warning: This recap is far longer than I normally write but I ran 26.2 miles for the first-time, like, ever. I hope you can humor me for even a few moments.

The days leading up to the Columbus Marathon, I found myself in a complete sense of zen. Or denial. Either way, I refused to really think about the miles that lie ahead. I didn't want to obsess. I didn't want to stress. I just knew that to get through it that I needed to be present.

And so when race morning came, I just went through the motions. I woke up 5 minutes before the alarm and groggily wiped my eyes as I walked to the bathroom. I made myself a cup of coffee, drank some water, ate oatmeal I had brought from home and went to the bathroom. I kept an eye on the clock but only because I was meeting C and her daughter in the hotel lobby to walk to the start.

Mark and I wised up this race, and we stayed in the Hilton, which was fairly close to the start. The walk, though, seemed unbelievably long as C, K, Mark and I made our way down High Street to the bustling corrals. It was colder than originally forecast, and I did have a slight moment of panic as I had forgotten arm warmers and my throwaway at home. Thankfully, it wasn't too bad and Mark let me wear a sweater till I got into the corral.

Everyone waited with me as I made a quick bathroom stop and then we went our separate ways. C and K to their corrals and Mark to the starting line. I slipped into Corral D, and I tried to make my way to the middle of the pack. I immediately spotted the 4:15 pacer (a 9:44 pace) and decided that I would try to start with him and move accordingly.

At 7:30, the first round of fireworks went off and I anxiously waited for my chance to cross the starting line. Twelve minutes later, I did. The 4:15 pacer did, too, but he seemed to go out at a pretty aggressive pace, and I made the smart decision to let him go.

Miles 1-9

The first mile, despite being on a wide stretch of Broad Street, was congested. The last thing I wanted to do was waste energy early on trying to find a good pace so I consciously tucked in and went with the flow. It started to thin out as we neared the 2-mile marker, where I saw the half marathon and marathon front-runners blaze past as they made their way past the 7-mile mark. I saw them making their way up the hill I was running down, and I made a mental note that I needed to hold back to stay strong for what challenges lied ahead.

The course wound through Bexley, a historic suburb with grand homes and tree-lined stretches. It reminded me a bit of an area I get to run solo at home, and I tried to really look at everything around me. Soak it in. The architecture. The manicured lawns. The polite claps of the "people who emerged from their mansions to cheer on the common folk," as one runner put it.

We made our way past Capital University and wound along a wooded area as we again neared the Franklin Park Conservatory. I remember being struck by three women running together, each wearing a matching tank top. One woman pushed what seemed to be a stroller as another flanked either side.  I was a bit surprised - there weren't supposed to be strollers on the course. As I passed, though, I realized they were part of the wheelchair event, and it brought home how lucky I was to be moving and to be moving in what felt like such an effortless way.

It seemed like in a blink of an eye that I had been blazed by the elites and there I was - past that 7-mile mark and running through the streets of Old Towne, where spectators filled the sidelines three or four deep. Their cheers echoing through the air. I kept an eye out for Mark, who was going to maybe be at mile 9. I looked and looked but did not see him.

And it was OK. I felt good. I didn't need him there.

Miles 9-13

As we headed toward German Village, I felt a familiar agitation in my right hip. My heart. It dropped. I felt like things had been going so well, on track for a 4:1X finish, that it would be so unfair for my stupid hip to mess it up.

I took a step forward and focused. Did I hurt? Was my form suffering? Did it feel different than it had three steps prior? I breathed deeply and pondered. My answer to each question was no. I pressed on, inhaling. Exhaling. Focusing. Distracting. And somewhere along the way, it all disappeared.

At mile 12, runners began a downhill that took the half-marathoners to the finish and the marathoners to the split. I knew that this was going to be the big moment for me, emotionally at least. Not only would I be  distinguishing myself as a marathoner but mile 12 was the Angel Mile.

Nationwide Children's Hospital is the namesake of the Columbus Marathon, and this year each mile was dedicated to a patient who has received or is receiving care there. Each marker had a photo of the child and a support crew for him or her and often times the child was there. It was a huge thing for me to see those kids out there. Kids who were stronger and wiser beyond their years and who truly served as an inspiration to me.

Mile 12, though, was dedicated to the kids who didn't make it. Parents, family, friends held signs in memory of the little ones. Photos and words to commemorate, to honor. I looked at the signs. The love in their eyes. And I could feel the tears welling. I think it would be an emotional stretch for anyone but as a mom to a toddler, I never cease to be reminded I am to have such an energetic, healthy boy.

 

Miles 13-18

I passed the split and just beyond it, I saw Mark standing on the sideline. His camera out to capture the magic. So I gave him some, sticking out my tongue and trying to give him the finger. Yeah, I'm classy.

From there, I began breaking the race down and my next goal was to make it to Ohio Stadium at mile 17.5 where I would again see Mark. We ran through the Short North neighborhood and albeit cute in parts, this section was part of a long climb that could - and would fatigue the legs and the mind.

Again, I focused on staying strong. Steady. Present. It was much harder this time around, though, and I started to feel antsy as I saw runners on their way toward the 18-mile marker as I headed down to Ohio Stadium.

The chance to run through Ohio Stadium was a big thing for the race but the only thing I looked at was the stands. I was trying to find Mark. For the first time during the race, I felt my stomach drop. He didn't make it. He wasn't going to give me the encouragement that I needed. Just as I was about to let the disappointment wash over me, we exited the stadium and I saw him standing there. I high-fived him. Blew him kisses. And I knew it was going to be OK.

But first, I had to pee. Like, really pee. Standing in the cold at the start line had given me the urge but I had been able to suppress it for a majority of the race. I had seen portable bathrooms just past mile 18 when I had started the trek to Ohio Stadium and was doing my best to make it there. I did, thankfully, without incident but felt a bit like Tom Hanks in "A League of Their Own."

Miles 18-Finish

I emerged from the bathroom and did a fartlek to regain some rhythm but my legs screamed. The two minutes I had stopped had given my hamstrings enough time to tighten up. I  tried a few more fartleks to stretch but it did no good. The legs, they had hit the wall.

I tried to stay in it, mentally, as best I could. I set my sights on the 20-mile marker after which I would be in personal distance record territory and in the downhill section of the course. I had watched the course preview a million times, and the words of the race director echoed in my brain. "Many runners have their fastest 5 or 10k through Grandview Heights and through Victorian Village through the final miles."

I hit mile 20. I made a note that I was now running farther than ever. And I waited. Waited for the downhill.

Don't get me wrong - there were declines in the course - but the downhill is net, meaning there were still rollers. And with every step up, my legs screamed. My ass, it was on fire. My shoulders ached. My toes were bruising.

If there was ever a time to gut it out, this was the time. I abandoned the notion that I had to finish in a certain time because time ... it didn't matter. I was going to be proud to finish. In those final miles, I walked a few times. Took two cups of water at the stops. Fought the pain. I didn't give in. And, most importantly, I didn't beat myself up for any perceived lack of performance.

My goal had been to finish strong but I feared it impossible as I headed toward the finish. And then a girl passed me. A girl in pink socks.

Fig her.

I dug. I dug deep. I kicked it. And I made it. In 4:26:25.

I crossed the finish line, and I immediately heard C and K cheering me on. I went to the fence and hugged them the best I could through the fence. I nearly collapsed in tears. While I am not a particularly emotional person, I was so overwhelmed with gratitude and relief and pride.

The theme of this year's race was "Inspire." And inspired I felt wearing that medal. By the kids, by friendship, by people who left it out on the course, by C (who PR'D!!!), by love, by dedication. By the things life gives us and the things we do with it.

Marathon Monday: I did it

4:26:25 - More details to come. When I can, like, think.

Three Things Thursday: Business propositions

The marathon is three days away. Three. Days. Away.

And I feel ... well, I feel like I'm 39 weeks pregnant. I feel like I'm pregnant, and I know that in the near future that shit is going to get real. It is going to hurt. It will worse before it gets better. And it will all be better once it's over. So let's get it over.

You know what I'm sayin'?

1. If you want to stalk me on race day, you can follow me on twitter, where I've set up race tracking to automatically post into my feed. My bib number is 5760, and I'm in corral D.

And I'll be wearing this:

The same outfit I wore for the Martian half-marathon where I had a strong race and gave it what I had. Maybe I'll even sport the braids.

2. Don't forget to enter my giveaway for PB Crave. You'll thank me. I swear.

3. I got my booty in gear with all this taper free time, and I created a recipe page. It's still a work in progress but it's a start. And when I was making it, I was reminded of a few dishes that need to make it in the rotation again. Like Buffalo Chicken Tacos. Can I get a hells yeah?

(Don't judge - it's the pregnancy ... I mean, taper madness talking.)

Marathon Monday: A crowded field

I am training for the Columbus Marathon and following a schedule based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. These posts document my training. 

The week, in running:

Tuesday: 4 miles, easy (+stroller)
Wednesday: 4.06 miles, (tempo)
Friday: 6 miles, easy
Sunday: 8 miles + Run for Riley 5K (+stroller)

◊ ◊ ◊

I was navigating the quiet road where the large, nearly mansion-size houses sit stoicly back from the traffic. The leaves - orange, red and yellow - were glowing in the morning sun. The air was thick and humid for October but a welcome change from the chilly temps we have had.

I crushed the leaves underneath my feet as I ran that quiet road, trying not to feel my legs ache or cause my breathing to lumber. My focus was the goal of the run: to enjoy this last time before the madness of the coming race. Instead of creating a space for myself, all I could think was, "I will be running a marathon next week. My body will carry me 26.2 miles."

I will be running a marathon next week. My body will carry me 26.2 miles.

My mind hung on my word choices. I and my. While I will most certainly be moving my body next weekend, I'm not the only one running a marathon next week.

I sometimes feel like I talk and think about this event as if I'm the only one who has ever tackled the 26.2-mile event, and we all know that is not true. Millions and millions have done so before, and I'm sure a few (or  so bajillion) will do so after me. And nor is Columbus holding a special parade for my marathon debut, going to great expense just so one person can prove she is back after baby and stronger than ever. Eleven thousand people will fill the streets that morning, ready to take on 13.1 miles or 26.2 miles or whatever God gives them that day.

There will be people in that field, though, who aren't registered. They will not be crossing the finish line. But, oh, they will most certainly be running my marathon next week.

Mark. I might nag him for putting wet towels in the laundry and tease him for eating frozen meals but I certainly have one of the best husbands in the world. He has unconditionally supported my training, wrangling Miles for hours on end as I ran 20 miles, making breakfast for two on mornings I left at 5 a.m. to tackle 8 miles before work and only flinching a wee bit when I told him that I needed yet another pair of shoes. He encouraged me when I wanted to quit and always found the best words he could to keep me going in the middle of a tough run. He pushed the pace when I needed it and didn't snark when I politely asked him to slow down. On Sunday, he will be on the sidelines for however long it takes me, navigating the streets of Columbus to root me on from several places and there at the finish with a hug and a Diet Coke. To say I couldn't have done this without him would be the understatement of the century.

Miles. There are so many things that I want to teach Miles - how to poop in the potty, how to get his nose wiped without screaming and to never give up on things. There were so many times I wanted to quit training and, yet, somehow I've made it through 19 weeks and am set to toe the line in Columbus. He might not understand it now - or ever - but it's important to prove something to your worst enemy - yourself. And, as we fought tantrum after tantrum last week, I made a mental note to remember when the going gets tough on Sunday, that 26.2 miles isn't really that bad after you've cluster fed a pseudo colicky baby every half hour for three weeks. 

The children. The Columbus Marathon is partnered with Nationwide Children's Hospital. As part of that relationship, each mile will be dedicated a child who has fought harder and longer than any marathon runner will on that day. Those children will be out on the course, cheering on the runners and reminding us that perseverance brings amazing things.

You. Each and every one of you. It sounds uber lame, and I even feel a bit lame typing it. However, many of you have shown incredible support and given much needed encouragement throughout this training cycle. Your words of advice and knowledge have been not only helpful but inspiring. I have seen you guys complete marathons through your words and knowing how you fought will only help me to push through.

It's time.

◊ ◊ ◊

Don't forget to enter my giveaway for PB Crave. My ChocoChoco oatmeal this morning tells me you won't regret it!

Marathon Monday: Time - it's of the essence

I am training for the Columbus Marathon and following a schedule based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. These posts document my training. 

The week, in running:

Monday: 5.1 miles, easy (+stroller)
Wednesday: 6 miles, easy (+stroller)
Thursday: 12 miles, long run (+stroller for 4 miles)
Friday: 4 miles, negative splits
Sunday: 4.27 miles, hilly (+stroller)

◊ ◊ ◊ 

I'm feeling cranky pants today.

I slept for crap this weekend; my legs are still insanely sore from Saturday's BODYPUMP class; I threw a big pity party last night that I never get to go out to the movies; my hands smell like onions from prepping dinner this morning; and I discovered I left my wallet at work during a lunch-time shopping trip to Target but only after I decided to be irresponsible and put two new outfits on the credit card.

And, I discovered that cookies have calories. Seriously the world is not with me lately. I might as well go hide in a cave and wait for spring.

Of course, that doesn't make for good blogging - and neither does this mood. However, with Columbus just 13 days out and the "Train Like a Mother" plan in the thick of tapering, I thought it would be a good idea to bring you into the darkness while I set some goals for the marathon.

Goal No. 1: Don't die. Fairly self-explanatory but my main objective is to get over the line healthy and preferably happy without pooping my pants.

Goal No. 2: Same as the first but with the addition of a time element. I'll be satisfied if I can do this thing in less than 4 hours, 30 minutes. It seems like a fairly conservative goal - it's a 10:18 pace, and I've been running long runs about 30 seconds faster - but I feel like I've had a long taper (drawback to TLAM) and don't want to put unreasonable expectations on myself.

Goal No. 3: If I did want to put unreasonable expectations on myself, I'd shoot for the 4:03:48 McMillan says I can do with my recent Fort4Fitness time but again long taper and I'm a cranky pants. I think a challenging yet reasonable time will be 4:15 - a 9:44 pace.

Of course, a 4:14:53 would best P. Diddy's time by a second and therefore earn me all of his fame and fortune. Obviously.

Then I wouldn't have to worry about leaving my wallet at home and not splurging on two Target outfits. I'd probably still be cranky but at least I'd have some rockin' duds and a killer marathon time.

Three Things Thursday: Make my day

This morning did not have the makings of a good morning. I went to bed early but slept poorly and felt less than rested when the alarm went off at 4:40 a.m. My back was tight from my adjustment at the chiropractor, and my legs felt heavy. All I wanted to do was curl up in bed and sleep till the ungodly hour of 7 a.m.

But there were things to do.

Like running 12 miles.

1. Miles and I are going to Cincinnati this weekend. The last time I visited, I saved my long run for Sunday evening and it promptly turned into an epic fail.  I was certain that I didn't want to go through that again, especially after Sunday's not-so-long run, and decided that my 12-miler would happen today. I originally thought I might sneak it in after work but with temperatures creeping near 80, I knew it would be in my best interest to do it this morning.

And so I did.

It was my best run by any stretch of the imagination but it was a run and it was completed. More importantly, I feel like I crossed one big giant to-do off my list. From here on out, my Columbus Marathon training is full of 3- and 4-milers with one 8-10 miler next weekend. The hay is in the barn, and the barn door is locked.

2. I was a quarter-mile from home when Miles and I needed to cross a somewhat busy street to get to our block. As luck (or good planning) would have it, we cross near a school and there's a crossing guard there from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. I feel a sort of kinship with her as she's helped us cross many a times - last fall when we were mostly walking, in the spring as I trained for the Martian half and now as I wrap up Cbus. As I darted across, she said, "You sure did lose a lot of weight. Nice job!" I see myself every day and still get wrapped up in my flaws (another post, another day) so it was good for me to hear from someone who doesn't have to be nice to me to be, well, nice.

The comment is one of two favorites I've gotten over the past week. Last Friday, I ran Miles to my mother-in-law's house, and a man (in an awesome polyester, 1990s track suit) said, "I wonder what you would do if you had another arm." I assume it was that I was doing a pretty good job corralling the beast (Denali) and the beast (Miles).

Oh, and if I had a third arm/hand, I'd be drinking coffee as I ran. For the record.

3. I've been (not so) patiently waiting for the official race photos from Fort4Fitness, and I have found myself stalking the Action Sports Images page. Multiple times a day. While the photos aren't searchable by bib number, there are some shots of the homestretch for browsing. I was hoping to see me ... no luck. And then I was hoping to see MIL+FIL+Miles ... still no luck.

But I did see these.

The joy ... the heart .. the accomplishment ... I can feel it radiating from the photos. These women are amazing and inspiring. I hope someone tells them that today.

Issuing a crack down

I did something today that I never thought I would do: I went to the chiropractor.

After cutting my long run short on Sunday because of hip discomfort and having continued awareness the next day (though I did have a pain-free 5-miler!), I wanted some assurance that I wasn't injured or in danger of being injured. I could have gone to my primary care physician but a co-worker regularly sees a chiropractor, and her positive experiences prompted me to give it a try.

There are probably 5 billion chiropractors in my area but I decided to go to one that I was familiar with, often passing it on my way to some of my favorite downtown restaurants. It didn't hurt that "Sports" is in the name.

Dr. Jen, who runs the practice Hoosier Sports & Chiropractor, has an educational background in neurology but her experience is in sports. She has worked with Olympic hopefuls, professional football players and international soccer players. As she told me, her work was to get athletes back on the field as quickly as possible but do it in a way that wouldn't jeopardize their fitness over their lifetime.

Do I know how to pick 'em or do I know how to pick 'em!?!

Dr. Jen and I talked a bit about how much I run, how fast I run, when the marathon is and what my goals are. She's worked with sub-3:00 marathoners on top of the pros, and I felt humble telling her my goal for Columbus. She assured me that we would work on getting me to the starting line healthy and helping me finish happily whether it was fixing something now or keeping it together and doing some real work after Oct. 21.

We then went through some of range of motion exercises and strength work to see what caused pain, if I had  limited movement and whether there were any imbalances. I was a bit surprised that nothing caused any real pain as I could feel my hip when I was sitting but felt cautiously excited. We did a few more things as I anxiously awaited a verdict.

Drum roll, please ...

There's nothing wrong with me, orthopedically speaking. And the problem isn't even in my right hip, where I'm feeling "it." The source of my pain is a weaker left quad and a tight left hip that is causing my right side to overcompensate. Dr. Jen said that many people live with such imbalances but might not be aware of it because of their level of activity. Athletes exacerbate the imbalances, so to speak, and will feel pain as a result.

Dr. Jen gave me an exercise to do for my left leg, as well as taped me up. The goal is to encourage the mind-muscle connection so that my brain becomes "more aware" of my left leg and uses it more. I'm also going to try carrying my 24-pound behemoth on my left side more often and alternating which arm I use to push the stroller.

Yes. I said push the stroller.

At the end of the appointment, I asked Dr. Jen whether it was OK to run during this time.

"Oh, yeah," she said. "In fact, I want you to run."

Amen to that.

Endnote: I do go back Friday to gauge how things worked and go from there. While going to the chiropractor, to me, seems a bit indulgent, I am happy to say that it is covered by insurance.

Marathon Monday: Mind games

I am training for the Columbus Marathon and following a schedule based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. These posts document my training. 

The week, in running:

Tuesday: 5 miles, easy (+stroller)
Wednesday: 2.6 miles, easy
Friday: 3 miles, easy (+stroller for half)
Saturday: Fort4Fitness 4-mile race
Sunday: 7.12 miles, long run (if you can call it that)

◊ ◊ ◊

It was a Sunday like any other, or a Sunday like any other in the past 16 weeks. I set out for a long run, a relatively "short" run of 16 miles. I had my Swedish fish in my Spibelt, a key, Denali and a plan. I was going to run 8 miles, loop home to drop off the dog and pick up Mark+Miles for 4 more before dropping them off to do the last 4 solo.

I was still tired and moody from Saturday's race when I set off but I chalked it up to the overwhelming feeling I have at the start of every long run. I knew that I needed to push aside the thoughts of "I don't want to do this" and "Why did I sign up for this?" and focus on what I was doing right then, right now. I needed to be in the moment.

But as I focused on the present, I felt some tightness in my ankle. The ligaments or tendons were irritated. Or I wanted them to feel irritated. I told myself that it was no doubt from the previous day's race, and it would shake out. I told my mind to shut up and settle in.

And I was right. The ankle tightness loosened up and it felt fine after a couple miles but it seemed that not long after, my right hip started to whine. At first, it was just an awareness - like, "Hey, lady. I'm right here. Remember me?" "Yeah, I remember you. I ran too fast on you yesterday," I replied. I was hoping it would shake out as well or that by diverting my attention that I would forget it was there but as I got closer to the 8-mile drop-off/pick-up, the hip became more angry and less whiny and I started to feel like I was hobbling. 

An internal debate began to rage: Could I ... should I ... would I finish the long run on this hip? I knew I would be in a better mood all day if I hit my mileage goal. However, I felt bad now - how was the hip going to feel in 10 miles. I could do the 4 with Mark and go from there as 12 is definitely better than 8. But I didn't want to do any more damage, assuming there was damage to start. Then again, finishing my 16-mile run would put me at 150 miles for the month, a goal I targeted last week when I realized how the mileage was stacking up.

One thought, though, seemed to trump them all: I just didn't want to do it. So I didn't. I ended the run, defeated, at 7.12 miles.

For weeks now, I've been feeling it. "It" being the mental exhaustion of marathon training. I no longer look forward to my runs and my life no longer feels like my own. Every night, I look at the training plan and try to figure out what I'll run, when I'll run it and who I run it with. The mornings revolve around getting ready for and completing the runs in a very specified time table in an effort to disrupt as few lives as possible. Then there's the weekend, in which the long run comes before everything. From the menu to scheduling to post-run activities, everything has to revolve around me and what the great minds behind "Train Like a Mother" have told me I should do.

I feel like I'm living in a pit 26.2 miles deep and the only way to get out is to cross the line in Columbus just 20 days from now. I sometimes regret my decision to sign up for the race, and I look forward to not doing a marathon for a very long time, if ever again.

Don't get me wrong - I have found training to be rewarding, and I think it's been important to me, as a person, to devote some energy to accomplishing something outside of motherhood. It's been good, too, that training hasn't been perfect, and I've learned that I can fall - hard, sometimes - and still pick myself back up.

But as Mark, Miles and I walked to the park yesterday afternoon, on legs that still had miles to go after a run cut short, I caught a glimpse of what life will be like. Shorter runs, a day full of energy to be spent and quality family time.

A life about us.

Marathon Monday: Wear it out

I am training for the Columbus Marathon and following a schedule based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. These posts document my training. 

The week, in running:

Monday: 3 miles, easy (+stroller)
Tuesday: 3 miles, easy
Thursday: 8.4 miles, negative split
Friday: 5.35 miles, easy (+stroller)
Sunday: 20 miles, long run

◊ ◊ ◊ 

It had been (what seemed like) forever since I had seen my Victorious Secret teammate C so I couldn't have been more excited to see her at the BODYPUMP launch party.

We chatted about the upcoming Fort-4-Fitness race, the lake and Miles. We also talked about Columbus. C will be running the half, and I am doing the full. She asked about training, my long runs and, most importantly, gear.

"Do you have your outfit picked out?" she inquired excitedly.

Then ... the sound of silence. Seriously, you could hear plates dropping on the floor as I searched for an answer. It seems like I have so much time to plan what I'll be wearing in 27 days but the truth of the matter is that I should have tested out my marathon outfit during yesterday's long run. After all, you never try anything new on race day.

"Not sure yet," I finally dug up. "I keep thinking that I'll get something new."

That was the plan, in my head at least ... until our dishwasher, garage door and toilet all needed to be repaired in the same week. Add in a yearly vet visit + shots, and any money that could have gone to that brand new outfit has flitted away like my train of thought.

And that's fine. For one, I don't need a new outfit for every race. Two, I can assemble a cute look at little to no cost.

For yesterday's long run, I dug out my favorite Nike capris from last year, my RnR NOLA shirt and armwarmers from the HUFF. The outfit worked well during a chilly-ish start: it wasn't too hot and I was only a bit cold; there was no chafing; and I was able to ditch the armwarmers for the last few miles.

I can make the whole thing marathon special by picking up an Another Mother Runner shirt and swapping the HUFF warmers for the Running Skirt ones my BFF gave me for Christmas last year.

The bonus to the outfit is that I ran a strong half marathon in Dearborn in the capris and felt good during my long run. It's quite possible that Nike weaves good ju-ju into its clothes.

Of course, having all of this decided hasn't stopped me from planning imaginary outfits for the race - especially when Mark sets me loose in Dick's Sporting Goods so he can look at weapons. Outfits that would get me noticed.

 Nike Printed Pro Victory Compression Bra and Shorty Shorts

I'm pretty sure this outfit was made for me ... not. I love Nike but I'm pretty sure my thighs would rub off if I attempted this. And, to add insult to injury, Mark didn't realize I was JOKING when I had this hanging from the cart. Does he even know me?

Nike Women's Twisted Running Capri and Pro-Fitted V-Neck Shirt

My running friends have always been happy when I wear brightly colored outfits that stand out. It makes it easier to spot me for cheering and photographing purposes! Orange is also a favorite color and the gray top is classic.

Nike Fast Pace Run Shirt, Twisted Running Capri and Dri-FIT Feather Lite Cap

OK, this might not stand out but the long-sleeve shirt is light weight and I think wearing a hat always makes you look bad ass. It's also the colors (orange and blue) of the Columbus Marathon.

Before I could do too much damage, Miles started checking out the Honey Stinger Waffles and chasing balls. The bouncy kind. The outfits went back on the rack and I went back to my marathon outfit. It's cute and practical, and it's special because it will take me across the finish line at the 26.2-mile mark.

Weigh in: Do you get a new look for a new race?

Three Things Thursday: I'm a Kenyan

I've been out on the trail, just working on my fitness, and this morning I saw all my hard work come to fruition.

I was running a large loop of the neighborhoods around me, when I glanced down at the MOTOACTV. To my shock, I was going at a 4:08 pace. That's running a minute per mile faster than any of those during the Olympic marathons and 9 seconds faster than the female record mile.

Of course, the MOTOACTV is a big, fat jerk (just like my husband) because not 10 minutes before it said I was running at a 24:XX pace.

Talk about running steady. That there pace is all over the place - just like the MOTOACTV.

1. This morning's run was supposed to be a 9-mile negative split outing (4, 4, 1) but I shortened it to 8 miles because running more than that on a Thursday seems ludicrous to me. My hope was to negative split the run 3, 3, 2 but, according to that fancy-schmancy watch, I did not. My splits: 8:06, 10:48, 10:27, 8:37, 9:19, 11:10, 10:37, 8:25. There's about three miles out of the eight that seem like they could be right.

I'll let you guess.

2. It's not far-fetched to think that if my pace was all over the place that there must have been something wrong with the satellites. Being as intelligent as I am, I am obviously right.

I just didn't know how right.

 

The top map is the MOTOACTV route and the bottom is what I mapped on Daily Mile. I'm not sure if you can tell but there are huge discrepancies in the routes. It's not like it had me running through yards rather than streets. Oh, no - I was running in areas I didn't even come close to and in a shape that nowhere resembles the route I did run.

As to be expected, again because I'm smart, there was a difference in mileage. The MOTOACTV said I ran 8 miles on the dot; Daily Mile, 8.41.

Shit. Much closer to that prescribed 9 than I'd like.

3. I got home from this epic outing about 15 minutes after Miles woke up. Mark was busy warming a banana muffin and topping it with peanut butter for the lil guy when I tried to give him a hug. No dice. I tried to hold Miles' hand; he clung to Mark's leg. For a good 15 minutes, my child would not let me near him.

And here, I thought I was doing something good as a mom by running early so I could spend the morning with him. So much for that good thought.

Marathon Monday: My pace or yours

I am training for the Columbus Marathon and following a schedule based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. These posts document my training.

The week, in running:
Tuesday: 4 miles, easy (+stroller)
Wednesday: 4.5 miles, hilly-ish (+stroller)
Friday: 6 miles, tempo
Sunday: 14 miles, long run

◊ ◊ ◊

The sky was still dark and the green flashing light from my clip on LEDs broke the twilight. I headed north toward one of my favorite neighborhoods, which I only get to run stroller-free, as it was guaranteed to be safe and quiet. My legs, like the rest of me, were still tired. I glanced down at the MOTOACTV and grimaced when I saw that those tired legs were carrying me at a 10-something pace.

The 10-minute mile pace is somewhat of a benchmark for me, and it was such a big deal to me when I ran my first 9:xx mile. Later, I was happy to see paces only in the 9:xx range. When I returned from pregnancy, I made it my goal to see those numbers again.

But as I turned down the main drag, I resisted the urge to speed up. I was only 2 miles into a 14-mile run and if you can nearly poop yourself during a 5-miler, the distance is nothing to sneeze at. It deserves - no, it needs - respect. And it was that - "respect the distance" that looped in my mind as the 10 continued to pop on the screen, and I assured myself that it would all catch up later.

And it would. Because my husband is a big, fat jerk.

After 6 miles, I swung by the house to pick up Mark, who was waiting with Miles in the BOB and a leashed up Denali. We made our way down the block, heading to the park for our usual 4-mile loop.

"Take it easy on me, OK," requested Mark as he hadn't run in nearly two weeks.

Yeah. No problem. And I continued to slog down the street.

Just one thing: Mark didn't slog. After his legs loosened up a quarter-mile in, he made a silent choice to push the pace. He would later tell me it's because we have a 4-mile race in two weeks, and I needed to get ready. Get ready in the middle of  a 14-mile run.

Definitely something a jerk would think of.

Maybe it was the weather (a brisk low 50s) or the glories of the closest thing to fresh legs I've felt in weeks but I managed to sort of keep up. Sure, my labor was breathing and I felt a bit tired but I was hanging in there. It almost felt good. So much so that when Mark got to turn off after 4 miles, I felt like the effort was sustainable.

So I kept it up. Till I didn't have to anymore. And it was glorious.

I finished the 14 miles with nine at or below goal pace. I mean, you know, if I had a goal pace. Which I don't. Because I think the goal of a first marathon should be to finish.

Because I'm not a jerk like my husband.

The hunger games

I am feeling very generous today and normally when I feel that way, I'll host some sort of giveaway or contest. Not today, though. Today I give you a preview of a post I'm planning for next week. It is called: What I didn't eat Wednesday. And I promise that it will be the least read post ever because it will only include one thing: a doughnut, which I still have yet to eat this week despite strong cravings.

Yesterday, despite my best attempts, I could not stop eating. It wasn't emotional or stress. I wasn't particularly dehydrated nor had I imbibed too many Diet Cokes. The truth of the matter was that I was simply hungry.

The pangs I felt in my stomach were real and a bit alarming. This week is a cutback week on the "Train Like a Mother" plan, and I have ran just twice for a total of 8.5 miles. I've had some BODYPUMP rehearsing mixed in, as well, doing upper body tracks on Tuesday and lower body tracks on Wednesday. Yet, I found myself eating like I had ran 20 miles (though I'll save that for next weekend).

Here's the rundown:

A.M. I ate a granola bar from Aldi about 5 a.m. when I thought I would get a run in early. But I didn't. And while I waited for my run, I found myself hungry so I ate a chunk of banana with homemade coconut almond butter (+ chocolate sprinkles). After the run, I made a single-version of my Saturday Morning Pancakes. Once I got to work, I had half a plum, a few Triscuit Thin Crisps and a small piece of dark chocolate to tie me over to lunch.

Lunch. My work husband and I went to a very gourmet spot (read: the hospital cafeteria), and I had a black bean burger on a wheat bun, chicken noodle soup and a side of summer squash. On the way out, I grabbed a piece of pumpkin pie - oh, so weak - and ate just the filling when I got back to the office.

Afternoon. I felt like I was snacking all afternoon but when I look back, I see that it wasn't too bad. Another granola bar and an apple.

Dinner. Homemade chicken burrito and, horror of all horrors, packaged and prepared Mexican rice that was full of sodium and preservatives. Tasted so good and took only 7 minutes. Immediately following, I ate an Italian ice. Dairy free, for the win!

Evening. I think it was this that clinched it. After rehearsing BP, I found myself making a bowl of oatmeal at 8 p.m. WTF. I felt like I had eaten enough - about 1,600 or so calories - but there I was, hungry again.

No wonder people gain weight during marathon training.

I tried to figure out exactly why this happens but most of the advice centers around how not to gain weight during marathon training as opposed to why you want to eat everything in reach. A forum on RunnersWorld.com did have some interesting theories about taper hunger:

*Your body is used to eating a certain way and doesn't realize that you aren't training as hard.

*Your body is trying to recover and replenish thus requiring more food.

*Your body is storing fuel for a big effort.

All plausible. Very, very plausible.

The one thing I did notice when I was looking at the BodyMedia analysis of my diet was that I ate a crap ton of carbs (63 percent of my intake) and not a lot of protein (16 percent). I'm very conscious to include protein at every meal but it looks like bumping it up during snack time might help as well.

Could someone pass me some nuts? Better yet, nuts dipped in hummus. Mmkay, thanks.

Marathon Monday: A miss

I am training for the Columbus Marathon and following a schedule based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. These posts document my training.

The week, in running:
Monday: 4 miles, easy (+stroller)
Wednesday: 4.43 miles, strides (+stroller)
Friday: 8 miles, w/mid-4 at RP (+stroller for 6)
Sunday: 19 miles, long run (+stroller for 6.75 - a PDR with the BOB!)

◊ ◊ ◊

I'm sure you didn't notice - most people wouldn't - but there's a workout missing in that tally. A big workout. A quality workout. 

I had a 6-mile hill workout on tap last week. My original plan was to tackle it Wednesday as part of my effort to not push quality workouts to the end of the week but my stomach got the best of me. I had to divert the route to hit the park bathrooms and by that point, I'd missed the hills and decided to do my strides workout. No big deal, I thought. I could do hills on Thursday. Thursday came and Miles slept, in and the opportunity to run slipped by. I was determined, though, and planned to hit the treadmill after Miles went down for the night.

At 7:30, the house was quiet and I gently stepped down the basement stairs. The familiar boop-boop sounded as I turned on the treadmill, and I draped a towel over the rails for the sweatfest that was to come.  The start was gentle, just a 3.0 walk for a minute. I brought the speed up a bit, to 5.0, and began to run. 

Fifteen seconds later, I stopped. 

I composed myself, took a deep breath and began again.

Fifteen seconds later, I hit the red button again.

Things were just not right. While I had mentally talked myself out of this workout a million times that evening, I was committed when I got on that treadmill. Yet, as I tried to follow through, it seemed my body was failing me. My left shoulder was unbelievably tight and it pained me as I swung my arm. My mid-section, specifically my upper core, was tense and locked. With each step I took, I was overcome with discomfort. It wasn't like a stitch or cramping -- it was as if my muscles were seizing.

I tried once more but the pain seemed to grow with each step. After 2 minutes total on the treadmill, I stepped off. I grabbed a sweater from my winter clothes bin, thew it on over my sports bra and headed upstairs defeated. For the first time this cycle, and quite possibly ever, I was not going to complete a training run. I've cut runs short or changed efforts but I can't remember missing a run and definitely not for those reasons. With 8 miles on Friday and BODYPUMP Saturday, there would be no way to make it up.

I fretted about the missed run during a peak training week for about an hour when I had to remind myself that a) it was just one workout; and b)of the importance of listening to your body. It's one thing to run through soreness and another thing to run through pain. My problems more than likely stemmed from a serious rehearsal session of BODYPUMP and not injury but it was obvious that my body was crying out - quite literally - for rest. So I sat on the couch and read "The Messenger" as I ate a mango fruit bar.

My hill run ... well, it will get in this week. Or it won't. I'll let my body (and my sore crotch biscuits) decide.

Marathon Monday: Revived

I am training for the Columbus Marathon and following a schedule based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. These posts document my training.

The week, in running:
Tuesday: 6.5 miles, tempo (+stroller)
Thursday: 8 miles, easy (2 parts, separated by coffee break - 5.2 miles + 2.8 miles)
Saturday: Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon
Sunday: 3 miles, easy

◊ ◊ ◊

Most marathon training plans schedule a half marathon eight to 10 weeks out from the big race. The half experience allows a runner to test the fueling strategies that have been practiced, try shoes and clothing and feel the energy of a crowd. The race experience also allows for a shift in focus, to have attention diverted and a re-dedication to training.

And that's exactly what the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon provided.

I arrived at the race hotel, the Hyatt, just after 6 p.m. I was tired and frustrated, having been dumb enough to take the ass backward GPS way to the city and getting stuck in a good 45 minutes of traffic. Thankfully, the excitement of seeing my busy friend L for the first time in weeks melted away the bad feelings, and I settled in for what would be a good 24 hours.

The drive had done a number on my appetite, and I told my friend in the friendliest way possible that I would no longer be her friend if we didn't get something to eat. Immediately.

We walked a few blocks to the delicious yet deserted Coal Pizza Co. The restaurant bakes its pies in a 900-degree coal oven and offers a great number of toppings, including goat cheese (which I considered a compromise in my dairy-limited existence).

L was gracious enough to split the pesto pie that featured olives, tomatoes, pesto and goat cheese. The crust was thin and crisp and the pizza felt overwhelmingly light, unlike so many other pizzas you find. We also shared an arugula salad with goat cheese (again, for the win), walnuts, poached pears and balsamic vinaigrette. 

It was wonderful food and an even more wonderful experience. It felt like the first time in a long while where I could go to a restaurant and enjoy myself. There were no green beans to cut or food to pick up off the floor. I didn't have to walk around while my tablemate finished her meal, and I didn't feel rushed in the slightest.

After we filled our bellies, we headed back to the hotel to wander the expo during its last half hour. The expo  was decidedly small and there were no freebies to be had but we had a great time chatting with the race director of the Carmel Marathon (more on that later), running into Penny and Laura and solidifying our post-race brunch plans.

Cafe Patachou dubs itself as a student union for adults but I would dub it a Chicago-caliber restaurant in Indiana.

The menu features omelets (a favorite of Bon Apetit magazine!) made with free range eggs and local ingredients; gourmet coffee made with filtered water that you refill on your own; and cinnamon toast.

"Cinnamon toast?" you ask. "You mention cinnamon toast?"

Yes. I. Do.

Thick, buttery pieces of sourdough with cinnamon-sugar on top. It was out of this world. I would have never thought to order it but Todd from the Carmel Marathon told us to order the omelet of the day and the cinnamon toast. He's a smart guy. And I listened.

Sort of.

The omelet of the day featured chicken, arugula and Parmesan - very delicious sounding - but I couldn't resist the California Dreamer, filled with avocado and jalapeno and topped with sour cream. It was spicy and delicious - just like me. I also got to try the Hippie with a Benz (mushrooms, spinach, tomato and feta), courtesy of Laura who took up my offer to split two things we both wanted. I liked both but preferred the Hippie (the jalapenos were a tad too much), and I loved that the dishes were served with fruit or a mixed green salad. There was no temptation to get greasy, fried potatoes.

Of course, what I loved the most was the experience. We were out on the patio, in a big city, and I felt a million miles from home. We ate. Drank. Talked. Even though Mark delivered the bad news about our dishwasher and garage door while we were waiting for food, I felt renewed and thankful for the experience the Indianapolis Women's Half Marathon provided. I feel ready(ish) and excited to take on Columbus in 48 days.

Marathon Monday: Strong armed training

I am training for the Columbus Marathon and following a schedule based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. These posts document my training.

The week, in running:
Tuesday: 3.25 miles (+stroller)
Wednesday: 6 miles, intervals
Thursday: 3.1 miles (+stroller)
Friday: 8 miles, negative split
Sunday: 17.6 miles, long run

◊ ◊ ◊

"You never know what you are capable of unless you challenge yourself," I told my BODYPUMP class on Saturday after a particularly grueling bicep track.

After weeks of teetering on the edge of whether to increase my weights, I bit the proverbial bullet and upped the ante this weekend. I kept my warmup weight the same (3.5 kilograms on each side) but moved up on back, triceps and biceps.

Let's just say it wasn't my smartest move - on more than one level.

The bicep problems were the most visible. I had increased from 3.5 kilograms on each side to 5 (converted, that's 22 pounds on the bar + the weight of the bar) and by the time we were on the final set of eight singles, it took all I could to demonstrate proper form - no swinging, upper body still and arms at side with a little room for the holy spirit. Eventually, I faltered; digging in my elbows for support to finish the track. It was fairly stupid of me and had I known the conversion ahead of time, I don't think I would have tried to lift 12 pounds on each side for 100 reps. 

It wasn't just the pain of looking bad that took its toll, though; it was the physical pain of the effort. Increasing my bicep weight had left my arms incredibly sore and the increase on back left me with tight hamstrings and a stiff torso. I creaked and crackled as I got out of bed on Sunday and as I headed downstairs for my pre-long run bagel thin, I took the steps with the grace of a geriatric awaiting a hip replacement. 

I know there are people who don't like to run when they are sore but a long run is a long run, and you need to get it in regardless of whether your legs are tired. And in doing so, you will be reminded that you use more than your quads when logging miles.

If you watch the video, all 22 seconds of it, you'll be reminded that as you run, you use your quads, hamstrings, core and - wait for it - biceps.  

Core. A strong mid-section doesn't just look good when you take off that tank top 6 miles into your long run; it's key to proper mechanics and injury prevention. The muscles in the core help to stabilize the muscles and joints around it, most importantly the pelvic area. Not only strengthening the area but learning to activate it will leaned to improved posture, form and efficiency. (Source and Source)

Biceps. I never thought much about my arms when running until Jess mentioned a "Come on Ride the Train" technique to help propel herself up hills. I'm not sure she used that name exactly but she said she moved her arms like train wheels to give her more power. I tried it and was hooked. During my long run this week, feeling every arm swing down the trail, I learned that bicep strength isn't just for hill power. "An important aspect of arm swing is that the movement of your upper body helps to balance out the work done by your lower body. If you only used your pelvis and legs to run, and your upper body was motionless, you would experience a lot more effort and work." (Source)

Hamstrings. If your quads are the gas pedal, your hamstrings are the brakes. And we all know what happens when your brakes go out. You drive two hours home, praying to Jesus that you can roll through stop signs and not hit any traffic. "Logging a lot of miles on the roads can place repetitive functional overload on the quadriceps, making them strong, powerful and dominant. When the quadriceps contract as you land, the opposing muscles, the hamstrings, act as brakes to stop your knee from hyperextending at the end movement of a stride." (Source) Add in hills, which force you to shorten your stride and work harder, and you'll feel those hammies even more. (Source)

Phew. I feel all smarty pants now.

Obviously, I didn't think up those things but it all reaffirms my belief that strength training is vital to running. I ran my half-marathon PR - a whopping 7 minutes off my previous time - with consistent strength training, as well as a a 10K PR at 7 weeks pregnant. And I did it all injury free.

For me, BODYPUMP has been a great way to incorporate weights into a running program - obviously - as it works the entire body in an hour and focuses on higher repetitions to tone and lengthen as opposed to bulk and build. But there are other ways.

What are yours?

Marathon Monday: Having a cow

I am training for the Columbus Marathon and following a schedule loosely based on the "Train Like A Mother" finish it plan. These posts document my training.

The week, in running:
Tuesday: 5.01 miles (+stroller)
Thursday: 5.4 miles (+stroller)
Friday: 5* miles, tempo
Sunday: 16.1 miles, long run

*This run was supposed to be a 1 mile warmup, 4x1 mile tempo with 0.25-mile recovery, 1 mile cool down. I tried to shorten this to a 6-mile run with 4 miles at tempo to accommodate Mark's schedule but ended up cutting it short because of stomach troubles.

◊ ◊ ◊

I ate a half-piece of cheese yesterday. Frozen yogurt, too. To cap off the day, I had a super small scoop of ice cream with crustless apple pie.

Obviously, I know how to live it up. More obviously, I'm struggling to live a dairy-free life.

"Why dairy-free?" you ask. "Didn't you try that before?"

To put the chicken before the egg, yes, I did try dairy-free before. It was suggested to me when I was nursing Miles in an effort to ease his acid reflux but more than likely his issues were my low supply + his temperament.

My choice to go dairy-free this time is a bit more selfish and lot more personal health-centric.

Running long this summer has been no easy task. In the early part of my marathon training, as mileage ramped up, I found myself feeling sick during runs. Like, "I need to stop or I'll throw up even though I'm running a 10-minute mile" sick. I thought it was the heat, hydration issues and my decision to play around with my fuel. However, no matter what I did, I kept feeling sick to my stomach and was forced to cut runs short.

I was frustrated and ready to give up the marathon but as I made tweaks to my schedule, I realized that I should make tweaks to my diet. I'm not sure what place the decision came from - educated or otherwise - but I decided to start limiting dairy. I began by cutting the obvious things  -  skim milk in my oatmeal, cheese on a burger, ice cream in the evenings. Within a week, my stomach pain during long runs was gone and I was running better than I have all training cycle. My belly also felt less bloated, and I dropped three stubborn pounds.

At the same time, though, the weather took a turn for the better. Was it possible that the weather was responsible for the shift in gears?

The answer: No.

I indulged on Thursday. I had a hot chocolate in the afternoon and creamy chicken and noodles for dinner. Friday morning, I went for that tempo run. If there was  reason to call a run crappy, this run was it. And I'll leave it at that.

According to a 2006 article, "Foods to avoid when running," as many as "60 percent of runners experience varying degrees of nausea and unpleasant stomach issues during or following a run." Much of the cause is the stress that running puts on the body, the physical impact jostling the GI tract, fiber, sweeteners, some vegetables and - wait for it - dairy could cause problems. While only 15 percent of people of European descent are lactose intolerant (source), milk, cheese and ice cream can trigger stomach pain because lactose is just plain harder to digest.

Dairy products don't ordinarily cause me severe problems but if I do a mental rewind, a slight lactose intolerance is likely. According to WebMd, lactose intolerance is characterized by some very sexy symptoms: bloating, cramping, gas, nausea and/or throwing up and changes in No. 2. I don't think details are necessary but I definitely experience a number of those symptoms on a regular basis.

The symptoms, though, have never caused me great issue. Until now. It's my personal, likely unfounded belief, that the additional mileage is putting additional stress on my body, aggravating that slight lactose intolerance.

My plan is to continue to avoid dairy as best I can but let's be honest: It's a very difficult undertaking. Dairy, in some form or another, is in a lot of processed foods: bread, potato chips, deli meat, nutrition bars and peanut butter.

Yes, peanut butter. I might give up cheese but you cannot take away nut butter from this runner.