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Grab a cup of your favorite brew; I have a few things I'd like to share with you.
Let me start by saying if we were having coffee...
It would just be you sipping the coffee...I'd be savoring a hot cup of a frothy chai latte' because I don't do coffee. I love the aroma, but just cannot acquire a taste for it. Thankfully, now days, there are lots of other "hot drink"options besides hot chocolate or black tea.
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| Chai Latte' for the win! |
I would probably be moaning and groaning about my current frustration(s) with my running shoes. Why, oh WHY, do shoe companies feel the need to mess with a good thing? Last year, I was disappointed with the Mizuno Wave Inspire 11's....they felt good, but they were nothing compared to my beloved WI 8's (that got me through my first two marathons, countless training runs, numerous other races... and needed to be retired). This year, I'm having a similar issue with my Brooks Adrenaline GTS 16's. For the most part, they have worked well....but something is just not quite the same as the oh-so-perfect 15's (that I landed in after my Mizuno mishap last year). I understand that the shoe manufacturers are constantly trying to stay on the cutting edge of shoe technology...but why not just make a "new" model instead of tweaking the current ones that most of us have fallen in love with?
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| My current shoes....Brooks Adrenaline GTS 16's in purple and mint green |
I would have to 'fess-up that my erratic sleep schedule is (finally) catching up with me. I have been rocking the early morning runs through the majority of my marathon training....but all of those early mornings (following many late nights) are making me feel like a zombie by 10:00AM. I have my 20-miler on tap for Sunday, then two weeks of taper....and I need to commit to an earlier bed time. Pronto. End of story.
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| Another run in the wee dark hours |
I would share with you how I'm a little confused as to what I will do with my free time after my marathon. Granted, I will not be retiring the running gear, nor ignoring the call of future races (I may or may not have already registered for marathon #7...stay tuned). I will, indeed, allow myself a proper recovery period....but then what? I have gotten so used to 4:21AM wake-up alarms most mornings, it will feel really strange to NOT be rising before the sun several days each week.
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| No snoozing allowed! |
Last of all, if we were having coffee...
I'd share my excitement for my sixth marathon, the Route 66 Marathon. I think training for a marathon is much more difficult than actually running one, but the training is a necessary evil. All the speed work, hill repeats, daily PT, and countless miles logged need to be done to get the runner's body in prime marathon shape.
Something else I have learned in this training cycle is the importance of mental training. I have had a lot of training runs to do at "very easy pace." I'm not especially fast, but running slower than what feels natural is even more difficult than running faster. Coach Suz has shaken her finger at me a few times when I ran my "easy" runs faster than I was supposed to...and I (now) get the importance of mind over body. I have made some gains with my speed, and if I don't keep it under control, I will burn through all of my energy reserves and have nothing left to get me to the finish line.
So, that's what I'd share with you over coffee (and chai). Anything you'd like to share with me? Have you trained for a marathon? Ever have issues with shoes when the new model didn't feel as good as the previous one? Early morning runs-yay or no way?
I'm linking up with Deborah and Coco for the Ultimate Coffee Date. Stop by and see what everyone else is sharing.
Oh, when they mess up a new versio of favorite running shoes, it is so frustrating! LOL on getting used to getting up so early. That's one reason I'm afraid of going to OTF mroe han once a week. Do I want to wake up at 4:!5 every day? Focusing on sleep during your taper will not do you wrong - yor body needs that time to repair and recover!
ReplyDeleteThe shoe thing frustrates no to no end. Granted, I'm also logging a lot more miles right now (and I realize that is probably a factor)....but I wish they would just leave "well enough alone." (rant over)
DeleteI understand your struggle with those "easy" runs. I'm not good at slowing down. I like to run by feel. But I do know how important it is to do those runs easy. Ayy! The struggle is real. I was going to do my long run of 12 miles this morning, but with the time change I'm pushing it off to tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI don't like long runs on Sundays (it has the potential to mess with church), but I'm looking forward to a little less darkness at 5:00AM (glass half full) ;-)
DeleteI hate it when they change around the shoes too much as well. I wore the same ones for 15 years then they changed them and I had to switch brands. The nerve! I bet you will find lots of stuff to make up for the free time you will have after your race. Your 4 am wake up calls sound brutal!! Thanks so much for joining us for coffee today always great to have you
ReplyDeleteThese Brooks are still working for me....but I may be in the market for something different in the spring. I didn't set my alarm for this morning...and still woke up around 5:00.... LOL
DeleteNew shoes are so frustrating! I need to shop for a new pair of road running shoes for my marathon...but I just keep putting it off by training on trails in my go to trail shoes! So thankful Merrell has kept that shoe pretty much the same for several years now!
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the shoe struggle and have a great weekend!
The shoe struggle, fortunately, is not a deal breaker....but frustrating none the less. Some people don't have issues with the changes,but my over-pronating feet can feel every microscopic tweak. UGH.
DeleteThe shoe thing is so annoying. One of the Mizuno Inspire versions contributed to my stress fracture last year (it had a hard unforgiving shoelace frame). Thankfully, so many people complained they changed it back to the soft version. It is so hard to run super slow. But, I do think it really helps me with my endurance. I'm excited you are running Route 66. You are going to have so much fun!
ReplyDeleteI might have to reconsider Mizunos....I totally loved the WI 8's (I bought them as a "last season clearance" shoe, so I skipped a couple of the updated models that followed). The 11's were good...but just not the same.
DeleteSleep is so key to stave off adrenal fatigue! That said, if you love the early mornings, then go to the gym and work on the core or boot-camp type of workouts so you are a stronger runner. I love finally being able to focus on strength after a long running only training schedule. Good luck with your shoes- that is a super pain!
ReplyDeleteI actually do a lot of cross-training, even when I'm training for a marathon. I love stair-climbing and strength-training, and have done yoga (but have not been disciplined with that in recent months). It's just gonna feel strange to not "have" to run so much LOL
DeleteGood luck on your 20-miler tomorrow! Hope you get some good sleep tonight. PS LOVE your old-school alarm (is that a phone, too?)! :-)
ReplyDeleteI've run 4 marathons, and I agree that the training always seems so much harder than the race. Definitely a necessary evil, for sure! The Route 66 marathon is a bucket list race for me. Hope you enjoy it!
Ha! Yes the alarm is part of a phone LOL I seldom ever use my cell phone as an alarm (unless I"m in a strange place and need a back-up).
DeleteThat is SOOO annoying when they change a trusted reliable shoe! Good luck with the long run and taper. I will say that I initially missed the 4AM wakeups for Masters swim, but I have now embraced the extra sleep on dark and cool mornings. Hope you get the change to relax and enjoy marathon recovery!
ReplyDeleteI doubt it will be too tough of a transition LOL I have been SO lucky with this training cycle...there have been a few cold mornings, but not many. I've only had one or two training runs in very light rain (mainly mist, if that). I just hope we don't get dumped on with cold, wet & windy weather in Tulsa!
DeleteOh I'm so with you on the shoe thing! I've taken to hoarding my favorites and ordering extra pairs when I can find them - my husband thinks I've lost my mind! LOL! Good luck with your 20 miler!!
ReplyDeleteI have looked high and low (on websites) for my "old" shoes, but nothing in my size seems to be left....or I'd be hoarding them, too. Oh well, I know that perfect shoe is out there somewhere (in a updated version of a different brand LOL)
DeleteI am so with you on the mental part of running slower. My coach had me running "very easy pace" last year and I struggled. However, I couldn't believe how much faster I got by running a "very easy pace". I get up at 4:05 each morning to go to the gym and my body is so used to it that on my rest days I still get up at that time. I hope your body adapts quickly!
ReplyDeleteMy body wakes up most days 10 minutes or so before my alarm...not matter what time it is set for. I'm gonna make it a priority to be in bed by 10PM...with no technology gadget in my hands. I need to get some serious ZZZzzz's before my marathon.
DeleteI am also on team chai latte, so good! I can't stand coffee, LOL! I agree that it's been frustrating to see how models of shoes keep being "updated" in a way that ruins what you love about them. I just bought some Mizuno Wave Rider 19's, they were on sale because the 20's came out. I need to start buying multiple pairs of older models and keep stocked!
ReplyDeleteI haven't even thought of life post-marathon yet, LOL...I wonder how I will feel about having so much free time again!
I have searched (and searched) at various websites and I cannot find any of these "old" models of my fav shoes available in my size. I might be in the market for new kicks after the marathon...
DeleteI'm so goid at running easy. :) Seriously, I could be the poster child for pacing people who need to run slowly!
ReplyDeleteAnd I don't even lime the aroma of coffee! Yuck! I never understood drinking things you have to acquire a taste for.
I think coffee is one of those things you either really love or you really don't. I'm kind of that way with beer, too LOL
DeleteMaybe we need a sleep challenge? :) I know I monitor mine daily with my Fitbit! you are one busy lady that is for sure! Enjoy that taper time- you sure have earned it!
ReplyDeleteHa! a sleep challenge! I'd be losing that one! I think I'm having "sound" sleep...just not enough of it.
Deletei'm with you on the shoes, UGH! ive been running in the same shoe/same size for like 3 years and suddenly BOOM issues because they changed the cut... craziest thing is my local store told me the different colors of the same models vary in size so after trying on 4 pairs in 3 colors I found one that fit like it should... kind of. ugh to them for changing things
ReplyDeleteI would totally believe that about the various colors ranging in size. I used to work in a shoe store, and I saw numerous shoes of the "same" size that varied in how they fit people. I have ordered shoes online before, but not very many, because I'm always leery of how they will fit (even if they are the same size and model of ones I already have).
DeleteI'm with you on the whole coffee drinking thing: I must have had my last cup two or three decades ago! Love the aroma, but just can't stand the taste (or the caffeine jitters...!) :) .
ReplyDeleteI have even tried the expensive coffees with all the fancy "shots" of flavors and creamers...still tasted like regular coffee to me.
DeleteThat watermelon cup is the cutest! I don't do coffee either (except in life-or-sleep situations), but I love chai lattes! :]
ReplyDeleteI hate when shoe companies mess up a good thing too. Why can't they just let it be awesome as it is?! :'(
I applaud you on being able to get up at 4 in the morning. I'm having issues even with 5 am! :[
Well, your life is pretty busy! You probably have no issues falling asleep LOL
DeleteSo excited for you and your marathon !
ReplyDeleteI am a Brooks GTS fan too. While training for my marathon I bought 3 pairs. Wore the last pair this week. While in NY I just bought the 17s which came out a week ago. So I skipped the 16. Will let you know what I think. I was an Asics fan for years until they changed the Nimbus, and now I have been faithful for at least 5 years to Brooks. So your comments made me frown, I hope I have no issues.
I am looking forward to adding in fitness variety, doing less running through the winter months. I started training last October and ran all through the winter. SO EXCITED not to do that this year.
Oooohhh, getting excited for your race !
Probably not everyone is affected by the tweaks and changes to the shoes (lucky them!), but I certainly do! My over-probating feet notice everything LOL
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