Disclaimer

This blog is about my running experience. I am not a physician, nutritionist or personal trainer. I am a runner. I do not know it all. I am only writing from my own experiences. I finished my first marathon on June 3, 2012. Who knows where my feet will take me next!

Saturday, September 20, 2014

Marathon Training: When 10 Miles is Preceded by Only (Week 4 Results)

My plan scaled back a bit this week and it was a good thing because my hormones decided to go nuts.  I was an absolute wreck for several days.  I redeemed myself at the end of the week, but I had serious doubts in the early half.

Sunday:  Rest Day
Result:  Rested

Monday: 4 Miles Easy (pace 10:04)
Result:  Ran 5.63 miles in 1:13:04, 12:59 pace
I decided to move my hill run to Monday since I was suppose to do my time trial on Wednesday.

Tuesday:  5 Miles Hills (no planned pace)
Result:  Rested.  I think I got about three hours of sleep Monday night.  Running was not going to happen.

Wednesday:  Time Trial
Result:  Rested and Cried.  The ENTIRE day.  It wasn't pretty, let me tell you!  I don't cry often, but when I do I blubber like a baby.

Thursday: 4 Miles Easy (pace 10:04)
Result:  Ran 7 miles in 1:28:36, 12:39 pace
I set my alarm before going to bed on Wednesday night.  I was determined to get out the door.  I opted for a trail run since I knew it would be private and I could go slow.  Me and my swollen eyelids headed out.  It still wasn't pretty, but at least I was moving.

Friday:  4 Miles Easy (pace 10:04)
Result:  Ran 4.5 miles in 46:26, 10:19 pace.
Sometime Thursday things started to look up.  I didn't cry all day and got a good nights sleep.  I tried to run easy, but my legs felt good so I just went with it.
The coolest thing happened right at the end of my run.  I saw the high school girls track team headed towards me. There was probably 20 of them and they were running 4 or 5 wide. I was trying to figure out which way I should go when I heard the lead runner yell "Runner up!" As I neared, an entire path opened up for me. The lead runner and several others yelled "good job" as we passed and slapped fives. I was so impressed! They are a fast group, one of their girls has won state, but they have also learned to share the road, encourage others and be nice people.  I saw their coach a few minutes later and told him how much I appreciated the way they acted.  I'm sure he passed it on to them.  See?  Not all teenagers are brats!

Saturday:  10 Miles LSD  (pace 10:04-11:04)  "Only" 10 Miles
Result: Run 10 miles in 1:40:51, 10:05 pace + walked 1 mile warmup and cool down.
I am SO proud of this run!  I pushed the pace the entire time.   I was averaging 9:55 until mile 8.  It was entirely uphill and I walked parts of it.  But I was able to dig deep and run the last two miles in 9:35 and 9:48.

Total planned miles: 28
Actual
Running:  27.13
Walking 1.00
Total 28.13

5 comments:

  1. Hormones: when they are good, they are very, very good. But when they are bad...they are horrid! Glad your in a good spot again. ;)

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  2. I spoke too soon! A symptom of menopause that you didn't mention - high blood pressure. Mine has been spiking for several days and the ensuing headache is great fun... NOT!

    I really hate to think how it would be if I had not been active and watching my weight all these years.

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    1. Ah yes, I've discovered quite a few more since my last post on the subject. Ugg. And I know what you mean... those headaches are baaaad! Hope you feel better soon.

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    2. There needs to be a book "What to Expect When You're NOT Expecting!" Ha! I talked to my pastor's wife today and each of her friends have experienced it slightly different. What a ride.

      Interesting, my lowest blood pressure reading of the day was right after I got home from a bike ride. I told Les, "I guess I'll just ride my bike all day!"

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    3. No kidding! It might have saved me from eight months of nightmares and sleepless nights. :/

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