Last Week's Workouts

After a disappointing training week, I was happy to have one of my best weeks since May.

Monday, I used NTC to work on my core, glutes, hips, and abs. 

The alignment workout was much harder than I expected.

Wednesday I went for a run; I had to cut it short because I started to feel sick. I've been making a habit of stopping at the water stations on the golf course and running my wrists under to help cool me down; it's been helping, but Wednesday was not a good day.

I was aiming for 3.5, but called it a day at 30 minutes.

Friday I finally made it to four miles. I was so happy to be back up to four; I decided that no matter if I had to walk or take lots of water breaks, I would get the mileage done, and  I did.

I took it really easy, walked when I needed to, and generally just enjoyed myself on this one. After Wednesday's run I really wanted to finish no matter how long it took.

I was planning to run Sunday morning but Matt and I had a family emergency Saturday and we didn't get back to town until pretty late. (Everything is okay for now.) So instead I ran in the evening. Kristin had done 8 in the morning, but she joined me for the second half of my run anyway. She really helped me push through. 

I chose a 2.6-mile shaded loop that I really like, and I ran it twice. I'm sure I would have quit early if Kristin hadn't been there. This was also the first run since April or early May that wasn't just a romp around the golf course; it felt really good to be back on an actual route. And I forgot what a difference shade makes!

It's funny how I can feel so accomplished after 5 miles...distance is all relative, I guess, depending on how we're feeling.

I completed the first half at an easy 11-minute pace, but then needed some walk breaks during the second half of the run.

As far as my runs go, I definitely earned an A this week. I played it safe but still boosted my mileage, and I'm feeling really accomplished. Overall, taking cross-training in mind as well, I'd say I get an A-/B+. This week I'm going to dedicate myself to two days of cross training along with my three or four runs.

How was your week?

What tricks do you use to keep cool in the summer during a run?

What's your favorite at-home cross-training activity?

ABK

Summer Running & Marathon Pace Thoughts

I am blown away by the supportive comments on my last post, but not surprised. You guys are the best. Thank you.

Lately I'm juggling two different but related decisions regarding marathon training. The first - running in the summer - is more immediate because I don't actually start my real training plan until August!

It's always nice when the first race-reminder shows up in your email!

Regarding summer running, I'm beginning to remember why I like to run in the morning during summer. Afternoon runs are totally tricky to plan. 

If I go in the early evening, the sun is still strong and the humidity and temperature is insane. For some reason, my heart rate goes nuts and I get really dizzy in the heat, even once I've acclimated to summer temps. If I run in the early evening, I have to play it safe and really slow down - no speedwork for sure.

Last night I finally conquered 4 miles - my longest run since my break in May - but I stopped to drink water multiple times, which ended up slowing me down and making me sluggish.

If I wait to go in the later evening (and still feel motivated enough to go), I'm almost definitely going to get rained out. I don't mind running in a little rain, but heavy rain with lightning is a deal-breaker, and lately that's been our daily weather.

Every. Single. Day.

So the dilemma now is turning myself back into a morning runner. Having a partner to meet with would work best, but it's been hard to get on the same schedule as my running buddies. I need to be better about going to bed earlier and just getting up when the alarm goes off, but we all know that's easier said than done.

The second thing I'm wrestling with right now is choosing a marathon plan. Right now I'm stuck between two from Runner's World. One is the "Break 5:00" plan and one is the "Break 4:45" plan. (I know taking 41 minutes off my last marathon seems ambitious, but hear me out.)

Here's the issue: I know when I'm actually training and being diligent, the paces on the "Break 5:00" plan will seem too easy; however, the "Break 4:45" plan doesn't have a "snapshot" I can check out before committing, and the "Break 4:30" plan (which I only looked at for reference) sets paces that are definitely out of my league for a full.

I know easy runs are meant to be easy but 12:09 just seems far off my usual pace.

I'm pretty sure an overall pace of 10:18 isn't achievable for me (yet) for a full, but even these easy-run paces seem low.

I guess this comes down to whether or not I buy into the "slow down more than you're used to on easy days" mentality.

Because there was no snapshot of the 4:45 plan, I used the McMillan Calculator to figure it out. I think a sub-11 pace is doable if I really put in the work.

I think I can achieve a 5-hour marathon. I think I would have last time except for some extenuating circumstances. Now that I know what to expect and know how to change my training for the better, I think 5:00 is a really solid goal for me. But the plan just looks...almost too easy. It's like I don't believe these paces will get me to that goal!

Do I aim for the 4:45 plan (go big or go home) with the caveat that I know I'm actually aiming for 5:00, or do I use the 5:00 plan with the understanding that I may not be pushing myself hard enough if I use it? (I mean, the paces for 4:45 vs. 5:00 aren't that different really...)

Or do I buy both and create my own plan using their prescribed runs and paces for guidance?!

I'm probably over-thinking this, and I have time to really decide what's best for me, but I'd love to hear your thoughts.

ABK

My Favorite Photo (Trigger Warning)

Let me be up front about this...I don't really know if I want to be writing this post. It's been swimming around in my head for ages and I know it's a topic that could create hope or change or empowerment for some people, so I should post it.

But it's also really private. Not to those who have known me a long time, not really; but it's not something I talk about much even with them. And while I do share a lot of my life here on the blog, there are some parts that I try not to delve into.

Still, I feel like sometimes being brave means putting things out there, and I've been wanting to put this out there for months. So here it is.

This is my favorite running photo.

It was taken after the Space Coast Marathon as I sat, recovering and crying a little, covered in glory and friends and flowers, sporting my brand new medal. Victorious.

The words on my arms are words from my sister, who wrote me a heart-wrenching good luck card, and Matt, whose usual blunt encouragement leaves no room for disagreement.

And those words, scrawled on my arms before I set off to do something totally life-affirming, something that epitomizes strength and determination, are written over dozens of self-inflicted scars.

You can barely tell in the photo. Most people don't really notice them in person, or if they notice, they have the tact not to ask about them.

But I see them. When I look at this photo, my eyes zero in on this strange meeting of my greatest time of weakness and my greatest moment of strength.

When I look at this photo, I see what my life was and what it has become. I am so grateful; I am humbled; I am in awe. I created those scars during a time in my life when I never imagined I could ever have the strength to turn my pain into something worthwhile. And here they are, obscured by words that prove the simple truth that, yes, I was able to do just that.

I don't know where my running will continue to take me, but I do know that it has already impacted my life in so many ways, and this picture is just one example of how completely I have changed...in part thanks to this sport and all it has given me. This March was my 10th anniversary of being..."clean", I guess you'd say. Some days are harder than others, and on those days, I run.

I know running has changed many of my runner-friends' lives for the better. Do you have a story to share?

ABK