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Sunday, November 6, 2016

Let the Taper commence!



Here we are again, wrapping up another week of high mileage as my race day draws nearer....

Monday was easy-peasy. An active recovery day, nothing major on the plan but I did squeeze out an easy 1-mile #nevermissaMonday run. I have not missed a Monday (yet) in 2016. Bam!


Tuesday, I met up with my friend, Barb, for our routine #5at5AM. We had unseasonably warm temps...the weather app said 63, but it felt much warmer. I'm just glad there was a hint of a breeze.

"This is not a normal start to November"
Tuesday also was our youngest child's birthday. How did 17 years go by so quickly????


 Also, did you know I'm hosting another planking challenge? It started on November 1st...details are HERE . Care to join me?


Wednesday, I took another pass on an early morning run and ran after work. A 1-mile warm-up and then a 10K time trial. The temps were moderate, but there was wind (again....the wind certainly is giving me a foretaste of winter). My feet have been a little achy recently, not sure if it's due to the (relatively) new shoes, the mileage, the way I've been taping, or a combination of everything (I have decided to go with my "tried and true" shoes for the remaining long runs and for race day). That said, I was cautious about pushing my pace too much.

What the WHAT????
To say I was stunned when I saw my finish time would be a drastic understatement. My GPS watch is out of commission, so my route was not exact as I was running. I mapped it after I got home and it turns out the distance was 5.78 miles (just short of a 10K distance). None the less, that still was a 10K PR given the pace I was going. As I have said before, my speed perception is pretty whacked these days.

Thursday was another day of active recovery. Nothing interesting to report. But I did do some planking...

That's right. Planking in jeans, boots, a sweater & a very bulky scarf. It can be done.
Friday, I was able to persuade Barb to meet me for another early morning run. I did my 1-mile warm-up then met her and we knocked out five decent miles at a brisk pace.

another run before the sunrise
Saturday was a simple 3-mile shakeout run on the plan. I treated myself to no-alarm-clock-wakeup for the first time in several months (although I did wake up earlier than I'd have liked). I spent the morning procrastinating, and finally got outside around 10:00. The weather was absolutely beautiful!

Yes, I'm wearing shorts in November (in Iowa)!
Sunday, was the big day...the climax in my 26.2 training...the 20-miler! Even with the "extra" hour of sleep (total oxymoron if there ever was), this run was a struggle from the doorstep. My energy was spot-on, and I think my fueling and hydration were well-executed.....but my body just wanted to go back to bed. Barb and I hit the road at 5:15AM, with a goal of not stopping for a break until we were at least to the 10-mile mark. I had water and fuel along with  me, so that was a solid plan.

We actually made it to 11 miles before stopping back at my house briefly. Both of us wanted/needed to change shoes (since we have that option on a training run after all), and we grabbed a quick snack and used the bathroom.  Not only did my body feel fatigued, but my feet (specifically, my arches) were not happy. I started with my "good" shoes, but opted to change into a pair of the "newer" shoes to see if that would alleviate some of the discomfort (it helped, but didn't eliminate the distress). Ugh.

Despite the tired body, for the most part we kept a moderate and consistent pace. My goal was to run the first 10 miles easy, then progressively increase my pace. Well....I guess we did get an itsy bit faster, but nothing to write home about. It just was not in the cards. Funny how last week's 18-miler in cold & windy weather felt so much easier than these 20 miles in perfect temps (with that extra hour of sleep). Oh well. I'm not worried about the marathon. I know first-hand that the training is always much harder than the race itself, and I also know my body has two weeks to scale back the mileage a bit and ride the taper.

20  miles  done! Let the taper commence!
So, the week's mileage capped at 42 miles, another weekly mileage PR. Do you suppose that may be a factor in some of the fatigue? Or is it "just" the reality of marathon training? I made it to my taper, so I'm at peace with everything. I pondered some of these very thoughts recently in another post...If we were having coffee.

In other news...

The #FridayFashion post was kind of hit and miss this week on  my Instagram. Did you see it? What do you think of puffer vests and cheetah print scarves?

I love me some pink and cheetah print!
Also, I got my hair done! That always makes me feel like a new person.


So, tell me about your week....mileage? Any early runs in the dark? Issues with shoes? Are you gonna join me for some planking?

As usual, we're linking with the awesome gals Holly and Tricia for the Weekly Wrap. Head over and check out their blogs and read up on what everyone else has been doing.



46 comments:

  1. I've been dealing with fatigue myself and I'm not running anywhere near the miles you have been. I'm blaming my issues squarely on hormones. Damn it.

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    1. I think my fatigue is my lack of sleep, plain & simple. At least that what's I'm going with. I hope you're feeling better soon!

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  2. Happy Birthday to you daughter! I am NOT speaking from experience but I think it's normal to be fatigued when you get to your taper - it comes just in time. I hope your feet/shoes are OK though. It's probably too late to try something new for race day (like inserts) but you can baby them until then.

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    1. I totally agree...the taper comes just when you need it LOL And, my feet are gonna get all kinds of TLC in the next 13 days ;-)

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  3. Seeing all your long sleeves reminds me our weather is supposed to be more fall like even for the highs! 70's they say! I think I'll get to break out my long sleeves and boots! What!!! I do love the puffer vest and the animal print! I so love the picture of you and your beautiful daughter! Have a great week Kim!

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    1. Thanks, Tricia! As much as I love my warm weather (and tank top runs), I think my favorite running get-up is shorts and a long-sleeved top. We've had a real warm fall in Iowa...my tomatoes are still producing (and I'm getting tired of them) and my zinnias are in full bloom. Crazy!

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  4. Awesome job on your 20 miler and yay for the upcoming taper!! I love the "never miss a Monday" goal...that's so clever!

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    1. I saw the "never miss a Monday" thing almost two years ago, and I've been pretty disciplined about sticking with it.

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  5. Congrats on your week's PR! Also happy birthday to your beautiful daughter!

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  6. Your posts exhaust me and I'm not doing anything.

    I am tired because I don't get enough sleep.

    I need to change things and run before work. Now it is dark after work thanks to the time change! Hate that!!!

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  7. Dang, 42 miles is no joke! No wonder you've gotten so speedy! It's funny, I wasn't happy with my recent 20 miler either despite the 18 going so well. Maybe it was just due to having such a high mileage week?

    I'm still slacking on planks though India a lot of pushups in a Barre class last week...I've lost my touch!

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  8. I don't work on Mondays so I never miss them either :) Great week and hooray for making it to taper time! I think your hair looks great and I love the cheetah with the puffer vest.

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    1. Thanks! I also have a fleece cheetah print beanie (and matching scarf) I wear in the winter. ;-)

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  9. Your hair is really cute! I wonder if you have seen the new Rechargeable Knuckle Lights... they would be great for your dark runs!

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    1. I just commented on your post LOL I have a pair of the originals, and I usually only use one at a time because they are so bright ;-)

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  10. Welcome to your taper!!! It's always such a relief to get that final long run under your belt. I love being able to change shoes mid-run! I've actually done it a few times not out of discomfort, but just to change the momentum a little bit. Anything to keep the boredom away, right? Your hair looks fab and congrats on your weekly mileage PR!!!

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    1. Yes, it's so great to be in taper mode! At this point, I know I have pretty much done all I can do for my race....I just can do a little bit of maintenance and hopefully stay healthy

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  11. It really does amaze me how quickly they grow up. My son just got his license this week how did that happen? Enjoy your week!

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    1. It does go too quickly. Once they get out of elementary school it's just a blur...

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  12. Great pics as usual.

    I've never ran in the darkness of the early morning. Plenty of dark, winter evening runs though.

    I hope your feet stop aching, not what you need on a long run! Take care of your feet and enjoy your taper.

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    1. I'm being cautious. I think I may have been taping too much which was a bit constraining (??). I'm still taping (for the long runs), but not leaving it on any longer than necessary. Things are already feeling better ;-)

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  13. I just think it's cumulative fatigue and part of the training process. After all, you've been knocking out some very impressive high mileage weeks and months. Welcome to the deserved taper land. Your daughter is so pretty! My youngest will turn 17 in a few months. Where did our babies go? Thanks for linking, Kim. Also love the hair!

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    1. I'm banking on cumulative fatigue, too (and a bad sleep schedule). I'm trying to commit to a 10:00PM bedtime for the next two weeks...

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  14. Love the hair, love the puffer vest. Adorable.
    I'm so sorry your feet have been bothering you. That stinks. I change my shoes out on training runs sometimes - it gives me that added little boost if I'm feeling sluggish.

    I think your fatigue is probably marathon training. But the taper is here, and it's almost time for the big day. You've got this and you're holding strong.

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    1. Thanks ;-) I agree, I think it's just the curse of training...taper usually arrives just when we need it LOL

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  15. Great job lady!! Enjoy your taper, I know you'll kill your race! <3 Cute pics as always!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle ;-) I plan to enjoy my taper and bank some sleep time

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  16. dang the miles!!! I am tired thinking about it! I don't know how you get it all done! Enjoy taper week- I am sure you will still have more miles than me!

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    1. How do I get it done? Well, I think my lack of sleep may be a factor LOL Oh, and housework? #nothappening ;-)

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  17. Hooray for the 20-miler, and welcome to the taper! I hope you enjoy it! Love the hair, too!

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    1. Thanks!! It's hard to believe I'm "already" at taper LOL Crazy how we just go along with the plan and don't realize how fast the time is going....

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  18. My mileage continues to be on the low side, but I've been feeling pretty strong & enjoying fall running (except that cold rain one).

    Funny how sometimes the runs we fear are good & visa versa. You did it -- that's the most important thing!

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    1. I have been blind-sided a few times this season, with training runs AND with races. And, as I have mentioned, my speed perception is all over the place...."easy"runs have felt tough, and "fast" runs have seemed slow. CRAZY!!!

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  19. Love the hair! Glad you can now relax and focus on tapering before the marathon. I've been put down to a complete no running for two weeks due to an 'aggravated' achilles tendon. not quite sure what happened but it's been burning during runs and has a popping feeling when i squat down. so my PT said no running for two weeks and ice it to keep it from getting more aggravated. hopefully taking two weeks off helps it heal because I have a lot of spring races and I don't want to have to miss any of them!

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    1. It's been two years since I've actually trained all the way through to the race. Last year, I had my first-ever flare-up of Plantar Fasciitis a few weeks before Grandma's Marathon (and about 6-7 weeks before my ultra). I had a similar experience earlier this summer (with another ultra looming 6-7 weeks away)...and I had to scale my mileage WAY back to let things simmer down. Fingers crossed, I think I'm gonna make it to race day (mostly) unscathed.

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  20. Whoo hoo! Taper time! I've never done a full marathon, but taper time sounds great! You are going to rock this marathon for sure! Your daughter is beautiful and yes, they do grow up entirely too fast! Enjoy your shorter runs! Oh yeah, I'm planking again too! :)

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    1. YaY for planking!!!! It's crazy how fast kids grow up....our oldest is done with college and living on her own in Pennsylvania, the son is in his second year of college, and we're down to one remaining at home.....HOW did that happen???

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  21. Love that pink puffer vest and the cheetah print. I do love it when I get my hair done, I wish I could get it to look as nice as it does after I walk out of the salon. That is some impressive mileage! Hope your foot pain eases up.

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    1. My feet have been feeling lots better already this week. I'm wondering if I was doing too much of a good thing and "over-taping." I've never done this kind of mileage before, so there are so many variables to consider.

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  22. You know my thoughts already :D So proud of you!

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    1. Thanks, Coach ;-) I never would have believed I'd ever do this kind of mileage. It certainly feels great to have that 20-miler behind me!

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  23. Sounds like your body will welcome the taper! Way to push through that challenging 20. Sometimes there seems to be no rhyme or reason why one run goes well while another seems harder than it should. Beautiful hair! I need to get in too!

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    1. no doubt, some of these training runs leave me guessing. LOL

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  24. LOVE your hair !
    And I think it is normal that not all runs go well and there are aches & niggles at this point in your training. Especially with all those high mileage weeks.
    I just bought the GTS 17, will let you know what I think. Skipped from the 15s to the 17s....Prefer the purple color of the 16s though. Sorry they don't seem to be working out.
    Enjoy your taper.

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    1. the 16's are working alright, but I can tell there's just something different. Of course, I'm hammering out mucho miles right now, too....so that's has to be a factor. I've seen the 17's online...lots of pretty options!!

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