Carmel Marathon Training {Week 6}

Training got just a little bit harder this past week. One of my weekday runs got bumped up to 6 miles (rather than 5), and the long run was 13 miles with a strong finish.

However, the plan was kind – or as kind as it's going to get – giving me a break from tempos and intervals and my quality miles were at race pace. The RP miles should be fairly comfortable but as I'm still waffling as to what my goal time at the Carmel half will be, I erred on the faster side, averaging 8:30 pace for 4 miles – a pretty decent cry from the 9:00-9:09 I've declared.

The most challenging part, though, might have been running my long run the day after that race pace effort. My run buddies and I started early for a Sunday (7 a.m.) and my legs were just tired. We kept it easy for the most part but the push in the last mile was all grit. I was so thankful that I had people with me to help me push.

Highlight: Going for my first runch in a long, long time. It felt so, so good to get out of the office for a bit and stretch my legs. I also saw a ton of geese on one of the half-frozen rivers. It was gorgeous. I still feel guilty taking beaks since I'm pumping twice a day but I'm hoping as I wean Si at a year that I can do one of these a week.

Lowlight: Heavy legs on a couple of my runs. I really need to heed my own advice and actually foam roll regularly.

Overall: I'm feeling good, even with hitting 30 miles this week. I still need to work on my confidence in terms of believing I can hit certain paces for certain workouts.

The week, in running

Monday: 5 miles
Wednesday: 5 miles, negative split
Thursday: 3 miles
Saturday: 6 miles, 4 at GP
Sunday: 13 miles with strong finish

And snow it begins

Give me a snow day or give me death!

Or you can give me a two-hour delay and ruin my life.

Dramatic much? I think ... maybe.

Anyway ...

My training for the Carmel half marathon began this week. Sure, it's a bit early for an April 16 race, especially as I have a solid base of 8-mile long runs. However, I'm following a "Train Like A Mother" plan, and they tend to be a bit longer. It appealed to me for myriad reasons but mostly it gave me the chance to cut the crap and focus.

And focus I wanted to.

I was ready. I was willing. I had a plan for the plan. Tuesday morning, I would drop off the boys and head to the Y. (The weather was beyond frigid, and I have yet to put on my big girl winter running tights.) I would run 5 miles total with 1.5 miles at tempo. I'm still trying to nail down what my paces should be but I was hoping for 8:35.

I rehearsed the run in my head. I repeated self affirmations that I was able to hit those numbers and even if I couldn't on that day, I could and have on others. The run wouldn't determine the training cycle.

I'm really hoping the latter is true because the run didn't happen. Those frigid temperatures prompted a two-hour school delay and thus eating into my golden hour of running.

When I would have been through the warm-up, I was packing up the car. When I would have been bumping up the pace, I was nursing Si at daycare. When I would have been showering at the Y, I was waiting in the drop-off line. (If you have ever waited in a drop-off line with the hordes of rabid mini-van driving moms, you know I needed the run at this point.)

And, maybe the worst part, the regular door monitors weren't even there so they didn't see me dressed in real clothes! Gah!

Oh well.

It all worked out. Sort of. I ran a quick 3 miles after my Tuesday night class, aiming for that tempo pace. I didn't feel satisfied, stopping to fidget with my hair and tank, so I might try it later in the week. Or I might not.

It will be what it will be what it will be. Ya know? And until then, dear weather gods, I'd prefer closures. The running options are much better under those circumstances ;)

The Bourbon Chase: Training

It's called the "Jogger" schedule, which, to me, implies novice. But, the plan from the folks at Bourbon Chase looks nothing like a beginning runner plan. Each week has five to six days of running per week and strides. Lots and lots of strides. The mileage is fairly low on the plan, most runs less than 5 miles but it's intimidating nonetheless.

Sort of like running a relay.

Having run two before (Hood to Coast 2013 and Bourbon Chase 2014), I had an idea going into training this year with what it takes to do an event like this. A good endurance base, experience running on tired legs and the ability to run whenever on whatever terrain.

As my total mileage for the race will be 15 miles, too, I knew I should be able to come close to running that distance on a long run. Knowing the terrain of the Chase, I knew I needed to be serious about hills. And the threat of cutoffs, I wanted to have some fire in the legs.

So my weekly plan shaped up to be a little like this:

• Easy run with strides at the end. This run was usually in the 4- to 5-mile range.

• Mid-week quality run. This run, more often than not, was a combination of hills plus speed at a local cemetery. Initially, I wanted to alternate between shorter intervals and hills but an experienced runner encouraged me to combine the workouts. Example: Run loop with hills, recover, hit perimeter of the cemetery for 400s. Alternately, I would run a fartlek – 1 minute hard, 2 minutes easy – over a hilly course. I tried to make sure that I ran at least 5 miles on this day but preferred to do at least 6.

• Mid-week run with the BRF. We usually run 5 miles at a whatever pace. If we were particularly grumpy or excited, we did them faster. If we were tired, we ran them slower.

• Long run. I slowly built my endurance to get in half marathon shape. Every third week, though, I split the long run so that I could do a double. Hurt so good.

I'm feeling really good with where it left me. I felt strong on the small rollers when I ran the Muncie Mini-Marathon, and I had a faster than expected race at Fort4Fitness. My endurance is on point, too, and I finish long runs tempted to keep going with my marathon-crazy buddies. But, I don't.

An aside, as they had a cutback week this past Saturday, I ran all 12 miles with them. The pace slowly crept up the last few miles and I decided to go for it the last half mile. We finished with an 8:50. Holla!

Here's how the last few weeks of running have looked like. I didn't have as many quality workouts between racing and tapering but that's how it be.

Week 9

Monday: 3 miles with Tami, 9:58 pace
Tuesday: 5 miles, 9:40 pace
Thursday: 4.2 miles, with strides, 9:39 pace
Saturday: Fort4Fitness Double Play – 10K at 8:49 pace and 4-mile race at 9:20 pace

Week 10

Tuesday: 5 miles, 9:41 pace
Thursday: 5.52 miles, 9:26 pace
Friday: 4.25 miles, 9:31 pace
Saturday: 13 miles, long run, 10:01 pace

Week 11

Tuesday: 5.25 miles, 9:02 pace (1-2-3-4-5 intervals)
Thursday: 6 miles, 9:28 pace (hilly route)
Friday: 4 miles with Tami, 9:47 pace
Saturday: 12 miles, long run with strong finish, 9:55 pace

Training Update

It was a beautiful sunrise run and bad math that gave me the confidence to make the somewhat foolish decision to register for the Muncie Mini Half Marathon.

The day was Aug. 8, and I was meeting four of the women who have become my training partners and friends. I had 7 miles on my training plan, a half marathon schedule that I modified to fit the Bourbon Chase; the ladies had nearly double that as they are training for a full. While we would normally do an out and back, this run was different. We ran a mile or so in the other direction to hit up a bathroom before running back to the start and then on the intended route. I thought I knew the turnaround but, well, I didn't and I ran nearly 8 miles.

Oops.

But, the slip up allowed me to do something that I wouldn't have considered otherwise: move up my long run schedule and add an 11- to 12-mile run on Sept. 11. It's not the perfect build-up to a 13.1 race (on Sept. 19) but it's adequate, especially as I plan to take the event casually and possibly use a run-walk strategy.

Also improving my odds for avoiding complete and utter failure is my steady increase in weekday mileage. I would love to say that it's intentional but it's one part desire to keep my FitBit seven-day step total above 100,000 and two parts my twisted mind, which thinks runs less than 4 miles are not as good as runs of 5 miles or farther. I'd like to change this mindset but, in this case, it has worked in my favor.

I've been lucky, too, that I've been feeling good with the increased mileage. I feel decent on most of my runs, and I've ended nearly every long running feeling like I could have done more. Physically, that is. Mentally, I'm not interested in doing the crazy long runs of marathon training.

Honestly, one of the biggest challenges has been monitoring my milk supply but that's a story for another day. Maybe.

So running ... here's what things have looked like on that front:

Week of Aug. 10

Monday: 5 miles
Tuesday: 5.1 miles (intervals)
Thursday: 4.5 miles, including strides
Saturday: Double – 6.1 miles in the morning, 3 miles in the afternoon

Week of Aug. 17

Monday: 4.6 miles, including strides
Tuesday: 5.5 miles, hills
Thursday: 4 miles
Saturday: 9 miles

Week of Aug. 24

Tuesday: 4.3 miles
Thursday: 6.5 miles, mix of hills and 400s
Friday: 5.1 miles
Saturday: 10 miles

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.

Running in Napa + weekly training

"Just a half-mile," I thought to myself. "Just go for a half-mile."

My legs were tired, not sore, but my right quad was speaking. I felt parched from the dry air and complimentary wine hour. I was tired from the travels and late night out with new friends.

But I had planned to do a shakeout run. I knew my future self would have expected me to log a few miles to soak up all that Napa had to offer. I knew I needed to try.

So I looked at a map, spotted a park on Yelp and laced up my shoes.

I headed west on Redwood Road, a residential street on the south side of Napa. My stride was short and a bit labored but I took it slow and focused on the view. The homes were cute but not stately, and I wondered what it would be like to live there.

I turned north onto Dry Creek Road, as Alston Park, was my destination. Immediately, I was treated to stunning views. Vineyards lined the west side of the road and stately palm trees were on the east. Mountains rose in the distance and hot air balloons colored the sky.

A slight descent took me to the entrance of the park, and my stride opened up as I made my way. I turned in, just shy of 1.5 miles, so I decided to run a bit into the park so I could log 3 miles.

The park was a network of soft, dirt paths that wound next to the grape vines, through fields and near the Redwood Creek. My legs got a treat with a rather steep ascent from the parking lot to the path but I was more than rewarded  at the top.

The hot air balloons came into the foreground, dwarfing the surrounding landscape. The grass in the meadows swayed with the breeze and a haze over the valley added an almost ethereal quality. A sense of joyful calm, which doesn't come often, came over me. I wanted to run there forever.

I cut myself off at four, though, trying to be safe and honor my body. But I spent every step grateful that I walked out the hotel door and indebted, again, to ZOOMA for the opportunity.

The week, in training:

Monday, June 23
REST 


Tuesday, June 24
RUN | 3.1 miles, 4 x 1 minute intervals   
Time: 26:44     Pace: 8:38

Wednesday, June 15
CROSS TRAINING | Boot camp

RUN | 3.3 miles
Time: 30:03     Pace: 9:06

Thursday, June 26
RUN | 5.35 miles
Time: 51:11     Pace: 9:34

CROSS TRAINING | Ripped

Friday, June 20
REST

Saturday, June 28
RUN | ZOOMA Half Marathon
Time: 2:03:00     Pace: 9:22

Sunday, June 29

RUN | 4.25 miles
Time: 39:47     Pace: 9:212
 
CROSS TRAINING | Walking tour of San Francisco, about 10 miles

Weekly Training Update: 3/17-3/23

A ridiculous and shameful selfie. I am so sorry. I pledge to make an effort of taking workout photos for these posts.

WEEK'S WINNER | I challenged myself to lift a bit heavier this week, and it was nice to know that I can do it and not feel ridiculously sore. I think I (or we, as runners) sometimes shy away from heavier weights as to not wreck our legs and affect workouts. However, an interesting study reports that endurance-type training - like Bodypump - does not improve athletic performance. Runners, rather, will see gains from heavy weights (think four to six reps per set) and explosive movements, such as plyometrics.

WEEK'S LOSER | The treadmill. I realized during my tempo run that no matter how scared I am of not hitting prescribed paces outside, the benefits (mental, especially) of being outside far outweigh the fears of not measuring up. On the upside, my co-worker was waxing on about the benefits of Garmin's virtual pacer and how much he enjoys using it. I had to laugh because he got his Garmin for Christmas and is using these features; I've had a Garmin for four and not done one thing but locate satellites and press start.

HONORABLE MENTION | An attempt at an early morning workout. It's been ages since I've gotten up at 5 a.m. - and oh do I have excuses - but I set the alarm and tried to get on the bike. I had the tires pumped and my Kindle ready. I even had 10 minutes at a low cadence before I heard the screaming of, "MAMA! I WANT MY WAFFLE." The workout (and a great early run today) made me realize that I'm far happier and more positive when I'm active earlier, and I'm not trying to cram shit in between daycare and work.

Monday, March 17
REST

Tuesday, March 11
RUN | 3.3 miles
I had some scheduling issues so I headed out on an evening run with the dog. Denali decided it was drag ass night, and I seriously could not get him to pick up the pace. It's time from him to do the Rug to 10K plan.

Wednesday, March 12
RUN | 4 miles (failed tempo)
I had 6 miles, total, on tap with 4 at tempo. I managed the warm-up, 2 miles at pace but couldn't hack it. I finished the fourth mile with intervals and called it a day. I tried this on the treadmill at the Y, and it was unbearably hot. So that's my excuse.

CROSS TRAINING | Bodypump

Thursday, March 13
CROSS TRAINING | Indoor trainer, 8 miles
I tried to get up early and do the workout but I swear Miles heard the moment my foot hit the pedal. I did 10 minutes before making his breakfast, and I finished up with him playing the basement. I tried to coax him to ride his trike down there but he wasn't in it. So I gave him the Kindle with Diego and stared at myself in a mirror. Totally rad.

CROSS TRAINING | Ripped
I went a bit heavier and totally tweaked my back. Apparently, I shouldn't be doing bentover rows with a 45-pound bar. Time, my EvoFit enso roller and a gracious, accommodating husband have been the only thing to ease the knot and soreness in my mid back.

Friday, March 14
RUN | Hill(ish), 7 miles
My plan called for 6 x 4-minute hills, which don't exist in Fort Wayne. I could do it on the treadmill ... or just run the hilliest route by my house. Easy choice. I took advantage of Mark being home from school, and I did this about 8 a.m. I tried to keep a strong pace to make up for my scrapped tempo run, and I feel good that I held sub-9 for the run.

Saturday, March 15
CROSS TRAINING | Bodypump

CROSS TRAINING | Chasing Miles at Target
No nap = no trainer ride. We shopped instead, and Miles charmed teenage girls by pushing a toy princess grocery cart around the store.

Sunday, March 16
RUN | 14.6 miles
This will be the longest run of this half marathon cycle, and it might have been the best. I met my buddy Joe, who was using this run as a gauge as to whether to run a spring full. The conditions were, by far, the best all winter and only a headwind on the first half. I felt like the miles ticked off and fairly strong through the first 12 miles.

Weekly Training Update: 3/10-3/16

This week was about commitment. Getting it done in the face of adversity.

There was the 7 inches of snow on Wednesday that required a push to the YMCA and a push out to get in the interval ride. There were crazy winds and cold for a long run on Sunday that made it feel like running against a wall.  There was a busted tube on my bike just as I was about to start a nap time trainer ride.

There was also the realization that if you stick it through that you will feel stronger - or at least feel like a bad ass. Well, except for the burst tube on my bike. My reaction to that made me feel more like a drama queen and a bit incompetent.

Note to self: Learn how to change a tube on the road bike or you'll never make through a triathlon this summer. Also, buy some tubes so you're not rooting through old ones in the basement. Oh, get some swim lessons, too.

Monday, March 10
REST

Tuesday, March 11
RUN | Easy 4 + strides
This run was how you want running to feel. It was delicious. was in capris and short sleeves, and the air was crisp. There was no ice or slush to navigate, and the pavement felt nice underneath my feet.

Wednesday, March 12
RUN | Z5 intervals (5.75 miles total)
I totally underestimated this workout. It called for, in minutes, 1, 2, 3, 2, 1 in Zone 5 with 2 minutes recovery between interval. I had a 5-minute break and then I got to do it all over again. The intervals seemed so manageable on paper but I really had to fight for it.

CROSS TRAINING | Bodypump
Fun class! I had a new-to-me gal in class - a runner - and some regulars. It was a good confident boost to have some (relatively, speaking) better numbers.

Thursday, March 13
CROSS TRAINING | Indoor bike, 7 miles
A quick ride after taking Miles to daycare. I zoned out and watched "Chopped" on my Kindle.

CROSS TRAINING | Bands, balls and bar
The highlight of this class was me falling ... wait, no ... smacking my back on the wood floor after slipping off a stability ball. 

Friday, March 14
RUN | Tempo, 6.25 miles
I did it! I did it! This workout was the toughest one yet - 2 x 2 miles at tempo pace with a quarter-mile recovery - but I did a good job of not psyching myself out before. I managed the first interval just fine and when I started struggling in the second, I decided the faster I run, the faster I'm done. I started picking it up every quarter-mile and finished at an 8:00 pace or maybe slightly faster.

Saturday, March 15
CROSS TRAINING | Bodypump

CROSS TRAINING | Indoor trainer, 15 miles
The ride that almost wasn't. Miles took a bit to get down and then a tube busted on my bike when I was pumping up the tires. Of course, my bike knowledge/skills are limited and I was sure I broke my bike big time. Tears were nearly rolling when I called for my cycling-seasoned husband, proclaiming something was effed up and I needed help. A big thanks to Mark for coming to the rescue and guiding me through a tube change. Well, more like doing it. I kept the ride steady and easy while I watched "Chopped."

Sunday, March 16
RUN | 11.69 miles
As one of my running partners said, just when you think winter is done and you've run through the worst, the Old Man smacks you in the face. There was no snow, mostly, but the thermometer read 21-23 degrees and with 23 mph winds, the "real feel" temp was 9 degrees. Three of us ran a relaxed three miles at the university and went back to the cars to pick up a fourth. The first part of the nearly 9 miles wasn't bad - we were with the wind - but the last half was a struggle. S-T-R-U-G-G-L-E. All of us were more than willing to stop the watch at 11.69 when we got to the cars rather than looping to hit our goal of 12.

Weekly Training Update: 1/13 - 1/19

I've been very non-committal about racing this year and even more so, if possible, about racing in 2014.

Don't get me wrong - I'm going to go out there and run. I'm going to sign up for some events. I'm even hoping to do my first triathlon. However, when it comes to saying that I want to PR in a certain distance or tackle a particular race, I haven't been feeling it.

I think part of it is fear - not being able to do it, being disappointed, getting hurt. I think part of it is being "burned out" after a full year of training in 2013. And, the other part, is how much time I want to give up. I did more longer races than I anticipated in 2013, and it added up to quite a few hours away from my family - not including the training, traveling and post-long run naps. 

With a half marathon in Athens, Ohio, 13 weeks away (with Twitter BFF Alyse), I need to decide what I want to do. I have been logging long runs with the group, and I could continue that and fill in the week. This approach would be known as "winging it," and I'm pretty happy that I'm in a place where I could "wing" 13.1 miles. But ... I could fly. I could follow a plan. I could put in some effort. I could see what I have.

Or, I could sit at Starbucks and drink another Awake tea latte while I think about running.

The week, in training:

Monday: 30 minutes on elliptical + 2.25-mile run
Tuesday: 3-mile run + 30 minutes on indoor bike trainer
Wednesday: 5-mile run + Bodypump
Thursday: Ripped
Friday: 4.68-mile run
Saturday: Bodypump + 13.1 miles on indoor trainer
Sunday: 7-mile run (SNOWY)

Shameless plug: I entered the ZOOMA contest to win a trip for me + a blog reader (!!!) to run the women's race series event in Napa. I very much need running and wine right now so I'd appreciate your vote! Go HERE.

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 17

Race week, it is here my friends.

With four days until the Veterans Marathon, the work is done. The miles logged. The toenails lost. There's not much to do except a few easy runs and the consumption of carbs (and not do anything stupid, like not paying attention to footing on the trail).

And, I'm ready to do this. Mentally, for sure. Physically, too - maybe for the first time in four months.

Highlight of the week: I had a gut-busting, confidence-building long run on Sunday. I ran with the group for the first 6.5 of my 8 miles and despite promising a 9:40 pace in my invitation post, we were closer to 9 flat. I blamed my speedy friend, and she blamed me. Our new member blamed us both.

Challenge of the week: I taught Ripped/Bodypump four days this week - three days back-to-back. I was mindful to go easy on the weights and track selection but my legs were toast by Thursday. I couldn't even run around the block to hit an even 4 miles that morning. Thankfully, some extra stretching and yoga helped immensely and I was in good form for the weekend.

Looking ahead: The race! Woo hoo!

The week, in training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Piloxing + Ripped
Wednesday: 4.01 miles + Bodypump
Thursday: 3.75 miles + Ripped
Friday: Heated yoga
Saturday: 4.28 miles + Ripped
Sunday: 8.07 miles

*All group fitness classes are taught with the exception of yoga.

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 15

The 20-miler, it is done.

I'm not sure there are ever sweeter words said during marathon training (emphasis on training) than having the longest long run in the books. The only thing that could put a sugar-coating on it is to say that the 20-miler is done and done well.

While I wouldn't go all large pumpkin milkshake on it, I am happy with how the run went. I took off Friday to get it in stress free as we were traveling for a wedding, and it allowed me to start a bit later (9 a.m.) and have my choice of routes. I had intended to preview the course but got lazy, instead choosing to start from my local park. It was a smart move, as it allowed me to do two out-and-backs and stop at my car around mile 12 to switch out Nathan flasks and replenish fuel.

The day was perfect. It was in the high 40s, sunny and crisp. The trees were afire with fall color and leaves crunched underneath my feet. There were a few folks out on the trail but, for the most part, it was just me. I tried to keep it slow and steady - the whole bank energy, not time thing - but my splits were consistently between 9:34 and 9:37. It's about 25 seconds per mile faster than my last 20 (which was 17.5 + 2.5) and about 30 seconds faster than where I was at last year.

Anyway, enough with numbers. I felt really good the first 12, had a mental struggle starting the second out and back but came back through 16. Mile 18 was hard, and I chose to walk up to steep inclines on the trail. I figured it was better to keep moving than to stop the watch and stand at the bottom trying to summon the energy to run up. Being on time for a lunch date kept me moving through the end. Success!

During said lunch date, my friend asked me how I eat when I run 20 miles. And then I let her in a secret - I eat all the food, in the most balanced way possible.

Mid-run. I had grand plans for fueling this cycle but abandoned them pretty quickly. Rather than taking gels every 4 miles as stated, it's been closer to every 6.  With both half marathons, I took just one gel half way through. I tried something different on Friday, though. I kept Salted Caramel Gu at every 6 but added some a chew at mile 3. I replaced one gel half-way through with half a Picky Bar to give myself a sugar break. Such a good idea.

Recovery. I have always been bad at this as I never really feel like eating right away and don't keep chocolate milk on hand. At the Fort4Fitness expo, there were reps from Core Power offering samples and I shamelessly pulled the blogger card seeking samples. They were kind enough to give me a bottle of every flavor to try, and I've been chugging them post long run since. I don't think I've met a flavor that I didn't like, even the light versions, but I love the banana. They are a direct competitor of Muscle Milk but unlike the popular brand, they actually have milk and a recognizable list of ingredients.

Indulgence. My friend was specifically interested in whether I just throw caution to the wind when I burn 2,000+ calories in a day or whether I try to stay reserved. For me, it's all about select treats. French fries are almost a must, as I crave the salt, and I usually try to plan a trip to Menchie's. When it comes to fro-yo, Menchie's is by far my favorite in the area (the others are local franchises). It might be the mochi or that the flavors taste less fake but it's the best. Friday, after lunch, I drove straight there for the insane-tasting pumpkin with Cinnamon Toast Crunch (among other things). It's easy to go crazy but I was happy that I kept the bowl around 6 ounces, and the pumpkin yogurt only has 120 calories per half cup.

Now, bring on the taper! (And more pumpkin yogurt!)

The week, in training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 3.14 miles + Piloxing + Ripped (taught both)
Wednesday: 6.53 miles + 3.01 miles
Thursday: Ripped (taught)
Friday: 20.28 miles
Saturday: Ripped (taught)
Sunday: 5 miles + 5-mile bike ride

Disclosure: I was provided with Core Power samples and a $20 gift card to Menchie's but all opinions and words and calories consumed are mine.

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 14

Some notes from the week ...

Double down. I brought back two-a-days. Woo hoo! After discovering it was very difficult for me to get in 8 miles before Mark had to get to school, I decided a double was just what I needed. I forgot how challenging and rewarding these runs can be both physically and mentally. I was happy, though, to see that I ran faster the second time without much more effort.

There's an app for that. I'm not sure if I ever really said it but my MOTOACTV died a quick death right before Hood to Coast. I'm thankful I had my Garmin 305 to fall back on but I've had a nagging suspicion that it's a bit slow and needs an update. But anyway, neither here nor there. I saw the Mother Runner + Saucony Run4Good contest and thought I'd try the app. It was fine, good, I don't know. I'm just curious how accurate such apps are and, more importantly, how much data they use.

Long run. I had the distinct pleasure of running my long run in Cincinnati this weekend. And by pleasure,  I mean I ran more hills than I have since Hood to Coast. Mark and Miles ran the first 4 with me before I headed off with a loose plan to do an out-and-back. The plan was thrown off course when the sidewalk ran out, and I turned left. I knew the road, by name at least, but was running blind in a sense. I had no idea where I would need to (or even could) turn to get the miles in. I just winged it and may or may not have checked my phone to make sure I wasn't going the wrong way.

The run itself, despite feeling hard, was great. I found myself running through some beautiful neighborhoods and along a scenic creek. I definitely didn't feel like I was in the middle of the city! Even better, despite running two of the hilliest roads I could (according to Grandma), I was two seconds over my old goal pace and negative split the run.

The week, in training:

Monday: Rest

Tuesday: Piloxing + Ripped

Wednesday: 6.14 miles + 3.4  miles

Thursday: 5.14 miles

Friday: Rest (Brain workout - ACE exam)

Saturday: 6.5 miles + Ripped

Sunday: 12.05 miles

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 13

The skin is missing on at least two of my toes and there are blisters on several others. I have open sores on my hip (medial, left iliac crest). I had to dig out the Desitin from Miles' baby basket but only after swallowing my pride and asking Mark if I needed it.

Even in the aftermath of Sunday's long run, I'm not sure whether my body or my pride sustained worse wounds from the difficult outing.

I've been running with a group lately for long runs and the plan was 12 miles at 7:30 a.m. Knowing I should get in 20 but at least 18 or 19, I drove to the meeting spot an hour early to get in 6 miles. Those early miles were dark and calm. While the rain fell, it didn't feel drowning. I reminded myself to start slow, slower than I'd like, to bank energy not time and so I could keep up with my speedier friends.

The sky was beginning to pick up some color when I returned to my car to switch out water bottles and eat a Bonk Breaker bite. I didn't see anyone outside so I checked my phone to see if the run was still on. In my head, I joked to myself that if they had canceled, I'd call it a day and drop down to the half at Veterans.

Funny joke, eh?

We were just a bit delayed starting but soon enough we were off. We headed out to a new-to-me section of trail and the first 6 miles with everyone seemed OK. I was managing to keep up (at a pace that shouldn't have been a problem), chatting and enjoying the new scenery. It was fun and I was thankful to have crashed the running group in time to get much needed support for the marathon.

Come the turnaround, though, the wheels came off. My Nuun tasted like soap. I could feel the blisters forming from the steady rain/wet conditions. I began to feel tired. And, worst of all, I checked out mentally. I started to take walk breaks in mile 15. At mile 16, I had myself dropping down for real. I dreamed of having a phone to call Mark to pick me up.

But the thing with running with a group - a good group - is that they don't let you do that. No matter how much I slowed, they stuck with me. Sometimes they would slow to my pace or get to a point and walk until I caught up. They encouraged me to stretch, walk backwards (works oddly enough) and to keep going. I felt guilty and unworthy but stingy, as well, taking all the support I could.

Even when I stopped at mile 17 and was ready to walk slowly back, they turned around to get me. I was certain my legs wouldn't move any faster but I was able to pick it up to a jog, and  I restarted my watch to hit 17.5.

Not quite the 20 miler I had hoped for.

I did some sulking and soaking at home but was inspired by the support of my new pals. I didn't want to quit something I had started - that day or 13 weeks ago. I was going to hit 20 miles that day. I waited for the rain to break and went out for another 2.75 miles. The run felt surprisingly good, and I felt renewed with each step.

I don't know how Veterans will go or how my body will perform but, as an encouraging commenter wrote on Daily Mile, I can remember those rainy, painful 17.5 miles and the people who believed in me. And the marathon might not feel so bad.

The week, in training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Piloxing (taught) + Ripped (taught)
Wednesday: 6.5-mile run
Thursday: 5-mile run + Ripped (taught)
Friday: 5-mile bike ride + PT exercises
Saturday: 3.5-mile run + Ripped (taught)
Sunday: 17.5-mile run + 2.75-mile run

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 12

This week was the game changer.

After running for nearly a month with some sort of pain, my hip decided to get with the program. There was no nagging, no irritation, no tightness. I wasn't hobbling after a run or worrying that if I didn't stretch for 20 minutes that I was going to regret it an hour later. While still feeling decidedly out of shape, I hit some higher mid-week mileage and sub-9 miles. I'm feeling the urge (but resisting) to add some intensity and tackle my training plan as is.

It's a wonderful feeling and a relieving one, as well. I'm incredibly grateful that I wasn't sidelined long and have been able to run throughout this process.

Of course, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. My physical therapist is happy with my progress but there's still some things to work on. My glutes still aren't firing the way they should, and I have some mobility + strength issues to work on in my gluteus medius and hamstrings. She's switched up my exercises to hopefully improve the situation and recommended that I take a yoga class on my rest days.

If only I could a prescription for that!

The week, in training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Piloxing + Ripped (taught both)
Wednesday: 7.85-mile run + 4-mile bike ride
Thursday: 5.13-mile run + Ripped (taught)
Friday: Stretching
Saturday: Fort4Fitness half
Sunday: 5-mile run

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 11

Motherhood cramps my running style.

There's just no other way I can put it. For good or bad, better or worse, having a child - and a young one at that - has changed me and the way I trained for distance races and the way I perceive others train for distance races. It's something I've known for some time but not a fact that I felt fair to admit.

After a second weekend of buddying up for the long run, though, I could no longer deny it.

"Who picked 7 o'clock?" a new running friend said from the parking lot as she stretched and savored the last few sips of her coffee.

A pang of guilt stung. It was me, me who picked 7 a.m. It was me who was responsible for the yawns, for getting everyone out of bed early to drive downtown.

I didn't select the start time because I wanted to avoid heat or humidity or had to work but because I didn't want to leave Miles all morning. The early I started, the earlier I could be done, the earlier I could be back to Miles. Maybe I shouldn't think this way. Maybe I shouldn't feel guilty about taking three hours on a Sunday to run 17 miles. Maybe I shouldn't feel like I'm thrusting my parental responsibilities onto Mark so I can seemingly destroy my body.

But I do.

As we ran, the unofficial leader of the group and active club member was encouraging in her invitations to run during the club runs. I feel sheepish having to turn down opportunities because I have to get home, make dinner and read stories. I feel silly, sort of, turning down invitations because I am tied to a 7 p.m. bed time routine.

But there's no other way. And no real point to this, either, except I want to feel sorry for myself a little bit.

The one good thing out all of this, though, is that I am breaking out of my shell, seeking out new people to run with and may have found a training partner in the same pace range for the marathon.

Scene from start of my Sunday long run.

The week, in training:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Piloxing (taught) + Bodypump (taught)
Wednesday: 5.36-mile run
Thursday: 6.25-mile run + Rip (taught)
Friday: 30-minute indoor cycle
Saturday: Bodypump + 2.25-mile run
Sunday: 16.65-mile run

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 10

Clarity comes in the strangest of places. For me, it came yesterday in Salvation Army.

I was being that annoying person, talking to my grandma as I wandered the aisles in the desperate pursuit for a pot big enough to hold a canning rack. I was giving her the details of my first physical therapy appointment - knots, scar tissue, old injury - when she asked what grandmas are supposed to ask.

"Did they tell you to stop running?"

I told her that, surprisingly, no. I was not told to stop running and, in fact, I was told to keep up my mileage as best I can and the only thing to avoid was hills and speed work.

But I also told her that maybe part of me was almost hoping for them to say no.

From the moment I decided to call the chiropractor two weeks ago to the appointment with the ortho to my session with the physical therapist, I've been waiting for the other Brooks Ravenna to drop on my Veterans training. It's as if I've been waiting for someone to rule out the marathon so that I wouldn't have to do it myself. I've been waiting for someone to tell me to drop down to the half. I've been hoping, maybe, for the OK to ease up on the training.

Even on Sunday, when I went out for the decision-making long run, I was almost anticipating a searing pain that was going to leave me stranded at the park and require an embarrassing pick up and admittance that the marathon was not for me. But nope. My long run was great, at a decent pace and my pain post-run was minimal and, only then, probably because of a lack of stretching. I felt empowered and strong.

If I were a believer in signs, I'd be certain that all of them were pointing me to do this marathon. And so I'm going with it. 100 percent. I'm going to stop doubting, stop worrying, stop letting the fear rule me - or run my heart out trying.

The week:

Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Piloxing + Bodypump
Wednesday: 3.16-mile run
Thursday: Rip
Friday: 5.02-mile run
Saturday: Bodypump
Sunday: 15.34-mile run

{camera} Roll with it

From the weekend ...

My co-worker brought in cantaloupes from her family' garden. With a show of puppy eyes, I snagged one and it was every bit as delicious as you would imagine.

Date night! My in-laws requested (no lie) to keep Miles overnight so Mark and I ate a meal in a restaurant without having to say "Bottom on the chair!" The new barbecue joint was not necessarily veg friendly but fried mac and cheese? Yes. Please.

And then Mark had the bright idea to go to DeBrand Chocolate for dessert. We split an epic one-scoop sundae with crispy peanut butter and raspberry sauces in a dark chocolate bowl.

Sunday morning, as Miles was still with Nana and Papa, I took advantage of guilt-free run time and met a member of the running club for a long run. He had 13 miles on schedule so I arrived early to get in 2 warm-up miles. As I headed out for that solo run, the sun was rising over the bridge in a spectacular show of color.

Success! 15.34 miles and obnoxious orange lululemon pants. I am happy to report that this run went far better than expected, and I am 157 percent sure that it was because I had some stellar company. I had never met him but we chatted the whole time as he gears up for his first half marathon and Weight Watchers. At one point, I looked down at my watch and was all, like, "Whoa! I'm at 10? No way!"

The hip was quiet during the run and has been fairly placid since. I think any crankiness was because I didn't stretch long enough post-run.

Note: Ignore that time - I forgot to stop the watch. My last lap of 0.34 mile, according to the Garmin, took 30 minutes.

My first pumpkin spice beverage of the year - tall light frappuccino from Starbucks. It was a great way to celebrate my run.

And then there's this ... my first road bike! The local bike shop was having its end of season sale and all 2013 models were on sale. I have made it known that the one and only thing I want for Christmas is a road bike so Mark and I decided to check it out. The sales rep, whom Mark knew from his cycling days, said this sale was as good as it was going to get and a good time to buy. I asked for a low-end road bike, as I'm just dabbling in this whole thing and bikes are friggin' expensive and my credit card sneered - it sneered - at some of the tags.

I got set up on the Giant, immediately regretted my choice in flip flops and felt intoxicated as I navigated the loop around the store. I compared the ride like going from driving a tank (my Trek hybrid) to a sports car (the Giant).  But I liked it enough and we ended up bringing her home. Her as in peaches.

I also got some sweet cycling shorts. Apparently you drive sports cars in diapers.

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 9

I've been thinking about the marathon a lot lately. More and more with each workout I miss.

Thinking about how the combination of Hood to Coast, recovery from HTC and this rest week has zapped the feeling that I'm training for something, anything. I'm floating along in this weird limbo where I want to run and hope to run but only for the run itself, not the race.

Thinking about where I need to be and where I'll have to be to just complete the dern thing, much less finish with a time goal. I've scoured training plans, beginner or otherwise, to see if I can hop down and still do what I need to do. When you are eight weeks out from a marathon, I've discovered, it's hard to just jump on something. My best shot is if I find myself running relatively pain free tomorrow and can run 15 miles this weekend. (A girl can dream!)

Trying to think about why I signed up for the thing in the first place. Wait. I know that one - free entry. I am such a sucker for free.

The thinking, at least, helps to divert my attention from the lazy, lethargic feeling that has taken over my body. I've felt more tired this past week with the sleeping in (till 6 or 6:30 a.m.) and the limited workouts. Although, calling them limited workouts is pretty funny since I still hit four hours a week (classes) - 90 minutes more than the recommendation that Americans complete, at minimum, 150 minutes of moderate exercise a week.

Resting like a beauty - new Runner's World, fresh pedi and a bath with Aveda salts

The week, in training.

Monday: Included last week (Oak Brook Half Marathon)
Tuesday: Piloxing (taught) + Bodypump (taught)
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 3.75-mile run + Rip (taught)
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Bodypump (taught)
Sunday: 4-mile bike ride to the park. Very slow bike ride as Denali was running alongside me, and he maxes out at 7 mph.

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 6

There's one run each week that causes me to shake in my Ravennas. One run that causes me to toss and turn. One that makes me feel unsettled and resistant.

The pace run.

The run is the only semblance of speed work in Hal Higdon's Intermediate I marathon plan, and it is one of the longer runs of the week. As my Dream Big marathon goal is to go sub-4:00, my pace runs should come in at a 9:09 pace. It's a pace that isn't that difficult for me, right now, unless, say, I'm woken up at 2:30 a.m. to retrieve the "other paci" and spend the subsequent half-hour listening to the Laugh 'n' Learn Puppy tell me about his red heart.

But anyway.

Even though a 9:09 pace is manageable, the idea of having to do it freaks me the eff out as does having to hold it over my mid-week long distance. At 5 a.m. And before I teach Bodypump. I worry about burning out, not being able to hit targets. I worry about how hard it will feel. This week, the anxiety was especially high as the mileage went up to 7 miles, and 7 miles seems significantly longer than 6 miles. I think it's because it's an odd number and required a great deal of mapping to find a safe route.

Crap. I forgot how this post was going to go. I had it all mapped out in my head ... yesterday. Now, post-run and coffee, I feel garbled. Something's not right.

Also not right? My overthinking the pace runs. Want to know why? I have yet to come in at 9:09 - and not because I'm too slow. Even with warm-up and cool-down miles, my average pace is 8:55 or better. For Saturday's 7-miler - the long one - my pace was 8:44, and I negative split the pace miles ending with an 8:31.

I'm fairly certain I won't be running an 8:31 mile at any point Nov. 9, which probably means I should reign in these pace runs. And my ridiculous worrying.

The week, in training:

Monday: Spin class
Tuesday: Piloxing (taught) + Bodypump (taught)
Wednesday: 7.3 miles, hillish + 4 miles
Thursday: 4.1 miles + Rip (taught)
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 7.25 miles, pace + Bodypump (taught)
Sunday: 14 miles

Veterans Marathon Training: Week 5

"So what do you think about while you're out there running for hours?" Mark will ask me.

I look at him. And I look at him. I think. And I think some more. Then I look at him again.

"Uh, stuff," I reply in an obviously concise manner.

To tell you the truth, though, I don't think much on long runs. I don't usually listen to music. I don't talk ... because I'm by myself and that would be weird. And creepy.

This week, for entertainment purposes, I tried to hit Ctrl + S on my thoughts as I completed the first part of my long run (Mark + crew joined me for last 3 miles).

Slow then slower. I'm focusing on taking long runs easy, annoyingly so, to build the aerobic base I'll need to avoid bonking (ha!) in the marathon.

Slow and steady. Usually the first thought leads to this sort of mantra but it takes a mother runner twist. There's an episode of Elmo's World where the tale of the tortoise and the hare is re-created with Elmo as the tortoise and the hare. I can't help but have the scene replay in my head, with Elmo's annoying voice chanting, "Slow and steady."

Hold back. This one is not related to pace. It's more closely related to the urge I had to poop about 3 miles in as I ran over a foot bridge. Taking a crap on the side of the bridge didn't sound like a good plan or legal so I tried to hold back. Miracle of miracles, it went away.

Cock suckers. There was a giant spray-painted rendition of male genitalia on the path under a different bridge than the one where I nearly pooped. I thought about how inappropriate it was for a good quarter-mile.

Mathlete. OK, I've ran 5 miles and it took me this many minutes so my pace is probably around this. Wait, this. No. Crap. Who cares? I'm finishing with Mark, and he's going to make me run the last 3 miles as close to race pace as possible. It will change.

Yum. I love salted caramel Gu. I wonder if I should just buy a case. Oh, I wish they sold a mixed case of Chocolate Outrage + Salted Caramel. Wait. Better. Espresso Love + Salted Caramel. It would be like a caramel latte. I wonder if I can trick Mark into taking me to Starbucks this morning. I love Starbucks. 

The week, in training:

Monday: 1-hour spin class

Tuesday: Piloxing (taught) + Bodypump (taught)

Wednesday: 5 miles, hillish + 4 miles

Thursday: 3 miles + Rip (taught)

Friday: Rest

Saturday: 6 miles at pace + Bodypump (rehearse, in basement)

Sunday: 9 miles