Marathon Training: Week Fourteen

Mon (10/5) 3mi run + 50min bike- got off work too late to go to the gym and run so I had to choose. It's still probably best that I only ran the 3mi and didn't do the biking too because that's closer to the mileage what I've done in the past few weeks and I don't want to pile on too much extra mileage and time on my legs too fast.

Tue (10/6) 45min bike + 1.5mi run- Nice to workout in the middle of the day when it's bright sunny and warm outside. I took the running pace fairly easy and adjusted the biking resistance up and down every 10 min. I only did one extended set of light-ish weights since I haven't done much with weights in the past few weeks.

Wed (10/7) 30min elip + 1.5mi pace- I'm really enjoying working out in the gym and getting to read magazines. I miss learning and reading. I focused on keeping my stride balanced while ellipticaling. I did the 1.5mi at approximately an 8:30 pace around the park. the first mile was almost uncomfortably hard but the last half mile felt swell and was probably faster than intended pace. I'd like to do more speed-ish workouts now and then to test my body's pace and get a better feeling for how I might do in the race.

Fri (10/9) 12mi run- I finally did it! I ran in the morning before work- all 12 miles! Granted I did finish the run 5min before I had to leave my house to drive to work which meant I only had time to wash my face, change clothes and stuff some food in a bag for breakfast/lunch. It was a busy day with school  groups out and I didn't have much time to eat or drink. By the end of the day my body was so sore and starved I had a splitting headache. I did take a graham cracker with me and ate 1/4 of it every 3miles while out on the run. I think I may need to start taking liquid nutrition though. I've been looking into hydration vests and belts. I may try to MacGyver something of my own. I think I've definitely settled on wanting a soft flask so that it will conform to my body and will shrink as I drink from it.

Sat (10/10) 75min cross- I feel so silly! I completely forgot about the short gym hours today (from 9am-1pm). Not that it would have mattered. I had to be at work at 8:30am and didn't get off till 2something so I missed the gym all together. This is a winter problem. I may be picking up a Craigslist bike trainer soon so that I can cross train at home on the days I can't make it to the gym. My calves and right hip flexor are so sore I'm walking a little funny today. I don't feel like doing much. I know it probably would help to take an ice bath and to do a long easy cross train session though.

Sun (10/11) ice & roll- I ran an easy-ish 2miles today in the hope of shaking the crud out of my legs from Friday's long run. I also did a bit more foam rolling.

This weeks picture painted by: Me! I went to a painting event with one of my co-wrkers by The Creatory where we did a predetermined speed painting in 2 hours. Scary and fun. Forcing me not to worry about the little details along the way and just rough in the concept.

Marathon Training: Week Thirteen

After a week in the mountains with rainy scotland-like weather I come home to have my growing sore throat sickness turn into a full blown cold.

Mon (9/28) 3mi run-  Progressively feeling more sick and achy as the day went on so I took the evening off. Throat is so sore and my joints ache. My voice also started to get more froggy as the day went on.

Tue (9/29) 45min bike- Feeling less achy but still a bit weak. I went to the gym and biked. SO much green snot!

Wed (9/30) 3mi run + 10min bike- I elected to just run 3miles at the steadiest pace I could manage. I felt super weak and slightly sick because I left the house in a hurry to get to my ceramics class thinking I'd grab breakfast on the way but... I missed the turn for the Bojangles close to class and decided to just go on to class instead. I ended up working diligently for 7hours om my piece in order to finish sculpting it. But I neglected to take a lunch break and was VERY hungry after I left the studio. I swung by a Wendy's and picked up a crispy chicken sandwich and a small frosty for $2- I figured it'd be the best calorie bang for my buck but... when I went for my run I still felt hungry and weak but at the same time sick because the chicken sandwich and ice cream didn't seem to be sitting so well.

Fri (10/2) 7mi run + 80min bike- It seemed a bit excessive to bike for 80min on top of my 7mi run so I only biked for an hour instead. Being sick and running less mileage in the last week or so I don't want to ramp up the training too much in one day.

Sat (10/3) 75min cross- I got to the gym a little late and only had 40min to work with so, I biked for 10min, ellipticaled for 20min, and then finished with a 10 min bike. I left the headlights of the car on for 20 min before someone told me they where on and I could run out to tun them off. It was just enough to drain the battery. So, I was very glad we keep jumper cables in the car so that I could get back home.

Sun (10/4) ice + roll- I didn't feel very sore or tired today and didn't really wanna take an Ice bath on such a cold rainy day.

Because I didn't run the Wild Vine Race on Sept 26th and I didn't want to pay the money ($80-$90) to run the race this weekend when my parents are coming to visit I will not be submitting a proof of time for the Disney Marathon. I will not have a pace based starting coral and I will be starting in the very back of the pack. This causes me mixed feelings but it may be good for my first marathon? I'll find my pace at the November Battleship marathon in Wilmington.

Marathon Training: Week Twelve

Mon (9/21) 3mi run- Ran after work in the dark before hosting our pet sitter and her boyfriend for dinner.

Tue (9/22) 50min bike ride- Spent the day trying to clean the house and pack for our trip to Asheville. Wayne went with me to bike around our local neighborhood.

Wed (9/23) 3mi run- I did this run early in the morning in our neighborhood before we headed out on the road to Randal Glen Farm. We got to feed and pet animals, do a nice hike, and taste some farm fresh pulled pork sandwiches.

Fri (9/25) 3mi- Ran around some car dealerships and hotels in the pouring rain before heading off to the Biltmore Estate. I do enjoy running in the rain but it was a bit cold.

Sat (9/26) 13.1mi- I was supposed to do the Wild Vine Trail Half Marathon today but I'm not in Charlotte! We walked around Asheville's River Arts District. Not many artists where in their studios.

Sun (9/27) 11mi run- We went to tour Highland Brewing Company before heading home. I left our house for my run at 7:30pm when it was light outside. Came back to the bathroom after 2miles and then it was getting quite dark by mile 6 or so. It also rained/misted the whole time. Wayne ran the last 3miles with me. It was really nice to have my GPS watch on so I could choose my own unplanned route based on the weather and light conditions. Finished 11.2mi in 1hr47min.

Marathin Training: Week Eleven

Mon (9/14) 3mi run
Tue (9/15) 40min bike
Wed (9/16) 3mi run
Fri (9/18) 9mi run- had to stop after each 3mi loop to use the bathroom. not sure what I ate that didn't agree with my intestines.
Sat (9/19) 70min cross
Sun (9/20) roll + ice

Marathon Training: Week Ten

Mon (9/7) 3mi run + 30min bike-
Tue (9/8) 40min bike + strength-
Wed (9/9) 3min run + 10min bike-
Fri (9/11) 6mi run- first real longer mileage run and it felt pretty easy.
Sat (9/12) 70min cross-
Sun (9/13) ice + roll-

Marathon Training: Week Nine

Mon (8/31) 3mi run + 10min bike- took the day off from training to finish moving into our new house
Tue (9/1) 35min bike + strength- took the day off to finish cleaning the old house
Wed (9/2) 3mi run + 10min bike- I did 3 miles of easy running
Fri (9/4) 4mi run + 40 min bike- alternated 2mi of running with 20min of biking.
Sat (9/5) 65min cross
Sun (9/6) roll + ice-

Marathon Training: Week Eight

Moving into our new house has been taxing on my time causing the next few blogs to be very late.
They will be pieced together to the best of my recollection. I'm sorry for the temporarily diminished quality. We will promptly return to your regularly scheduled content with the start of October.

Mon 10min bike + 30min elip- lunge/stretch then use upright bike and 20min elip. I got a little ahead of myself on the elliptical.

Tue 35min bike + strength- tried to keep the resistance just a tad lower. Two sets of weights.

Wed 5min bike + 3mi run- Easy run around the park with a 5min warm up inside on the bike.

Fri 15min bike + 45min elip +2mi run- trying to take it easy on my legs

Sat 65 min bike- It was nice to pedal casually and get to read a magazine. I miss reading sometimes. I haven't had reason to or time to read anything other than required college material for the past few years.

Sun roll/ice- Need to roll so bad. Calves are tight achillies and quads are sore. Still not managing to get it done and my foam roller has already been taken to the other house.