Wednesday, October 2, 2013

Marathon Training Update: Week 17

Marathon Training

As of this post, there are 11 days left until the City of Trees Marathon—race day is October 13. Eleven days. I can't believe we've been training for 17 weeks! How does that happen? Saturday during our long run, I said to my mom, "Isn't it crazy that we've been training for four months? Four months! Just for a run!" It's pretty darn exciting. You can see our 18-week marathon training schedule here.

So, a couple of updates. The calf strain I was nursing two weeks ago after injuring it during week 13's 22-mile run is not fully healed, but it's well on its way. I don't have anymore sharp pains, nor do I feel any pain while running, but occasionally it's tight in the evenings after a morning run and working all day. I modified my running for two full weeks (weeks 14 and 15), running only half of what I was scheduled to run and icing my calf daily. I have also drastically slowed down my midweek run pace—before I was doing some fun speed training, running anywhere from 6:45 to 7:30-minute miles—and now I'm back at a steady 9:00 to 10:00 minute-per-mile pace. My legs keep longing to pick up the pace, but staying healthy and caring for this injury is more important than how fast I'm running right now. I can't finish a marathon if I'm not even able to start it due to an injury, right? So slow and steady and without pain I go!

The other thing that's been interesting is how dark it's been in the mornings. The sky used to begin lightening up right around 5:45 to 6:00 am, and now that hasn't been happening until close to 7:15 am. It makes for a very, very dark morning run. I've changed my routes to stay more in neighborhoods, because if I'm out on the road—and since we live so close to open farmland without stoplights or street lights—I can't see where I'm running. So neighborhoods it is for now, just to be on the safe side.

I am so excited that there are only 11 days left. We are ready. I could have run this race a month ago, I know that for a fact. It's crazy to think that now a 12-mile run is short for me. While training for our half marathons before, I just about died anytime I did over 6-miles. It's amazing how my body has adapted to the long runs and how I don't even second guess it anymore. I just do it, no matter the distance. 8 miles? Piece of cake. 15 miles? No big deal. 26 miles? BRING IT ON.

19 comments:

Jamie F said...

I'm with you...dark morning runs are a little scary. So happy for you and your mom, and by the way...I still can't believe that's your mom! You both look great!


xoxo
www.bugsandbeans.com

Carly Anderson said...

I can't wait I hear about the real race!!!

Hannah Bunker said...

I'm so in awe with runners. You amaze me. I'm just not built for running. But tell me to Zumba all day and I'm all there. lol! You're going to do awesome!

Shannon Tatlock said...

You not only sound like you're physically ready, but you're mentally ready as well. You are going to ROCK this run!

Jennjilla said...

Awesome! Y'all are going to rock this!


Have you been using a foam roller? That always helps my calves release tension before and after runs. I used to be scared of it, but now I can't live without it!


And I agree - it's super dark right now in the am...I have bootcamp 3x a week at 5am and it's like the middle of the night!

Allison Clements said...

Oh my goodness!! I had no idea it was so close! Oh my gosh, you are going to be amazing!! When is the exact date?? I wish I could be there to cheer you on. You're almost there!! Keep going!! Even after the marathon-keep going!!

Kelly said...

I cannot believe you were running 6:45 min miles! Wow. I just had my ten mile race last weekend and my pace was averaged at 7:49 min/mile. I cannor begin to imagine shaving a full minute off that pace. You are so impressive!

And you are also so strong and determined to keep running while injured. I hope your calf feels 100% soon!


Big Apple, Little Bites

Amanda @ Eloquent English said...

I'm not a fan of the longer nights, besides bringing cooler air. Glad to hear the calf is getting better! 11 days! EEEEK! www.eloquentenglish.me

Kateri Von Steal said...

11 days. WOW!!!

Are you getting excited?

So, I may, and by may mean I am, signing up for my first 5k....
I need some pointers...

You got any?

Chloe said...

So I read daily still and I can't believe that FOUR months have come and gone! I feel like you just started training! You are about ready to kick this marathons butt! I am pretty proud of you friend!

Eli J. Pacheco said...

I agree with Shannon - it sounds to me like you're ready mentally, and that's the big battle, right? I must point out that your save-your-calf pace of 9-10-minute miles is my ... um, healthy pace.

Tessy Hanson said...

I cant believe its been four months already! It feels like I had just started reading about the marathon training!! :)

I wish you the best of luck ! & this has given me motivation to start training for myself!! Four months go by FAST!!

Linda said...

You and your mother are a dynamic duo for sure! What a great memory you're making!

Emilie Bordeleau-Laroche said...

That is so awesome! I'm so exited for you! I hope to one day be able to run that much!

Cody Doll said...

It's nice to see that your leg is doing better. I knew you would take care of it. After the race you can always do speed training.


I have been noticing the opposite over. It is now light out about 7 where before it about 730. Soon it will be sunrise at 6.


I can't wait to read about you big race and to what you are going to plan for after that. Congrats for making it so far. =]

Annelise Rowe said...

Thanks Jamie. I know... my mom is totally a bombshell. She is in better shape than I am!

Annelise Rowe said...

Shoot, I can't wait to run it! Just a few more days!

Annelise Rowe said...

Ha! And see, you couldn't get me near a Zumba class. I'm soooo uncoordinated! It's embarrassing :)

Annelise Rowe said...

Very, very mentally ready. I want it to be the 13th right now!

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