Sunday, September 23, 2018

Are We Peaking Yet???


Peaking is both exciting but also tough.

Marathon training, that is. I have been running marathons for five years, and it's not so much the race itself that is demanding, but the actual training to get to the start line. Within that training is the peak month...the final weeks where the mileage escalates and the weekly long runs seem unrelenting. Thankfully, there's the reward of the taper to look forward to.

Such was this past week.


#nevermissaMonday
Having just returned from my whirlwind weekend in Philly (at 11:00 p.m. on Sunday evening, thank you very much), Monday morning arrived much too quickly. I got out for a very short walk before heading to the office. After a long, though productive, day at work, I finally was able to lace up and head out for three easy miles in some very warm summer-like temps.
some like it hot, especially me
Tiresome Tuesday
Nothing too grandiose to report...a few early morning "fasted cardio" miles walked through the 'hood and that's all she wrote. Although my muscles were feeling pretty well recovered from the Sunday's R'n'R Philly 13.1, my overall body was feeling a bit tired. Even though I had run all those miles in the heat and humidity, I think the real culprit was all the riding/driving (3+ hours!) after the race and then the flight home (2.5 additional hours of cramped sitting).
the shirt may say "I run for fun," but on Tuesday I was walking
Wednesday's weekly #5at5
I finally had my energy back by Wednesday, and met Barb for our ritual early morning 5-miler. The temps were a bit chilly, but the sky was clear. All went well.
Five mile, courtesy of the Knuckle Lights and light-up arm bands
Thursday's thirst for speed
A new strategy I'm implementing  in these final weeks of marathon training, is to alternate HIIT workouts and speedwork (instead of doing both each week). I wasn't feeling like doing either Thursday morning, but had an extended lunch break...so I headed over to the college. There's a span of sidewalk that is the length of two city blocks. I do a lot of fartlek repeats on that 2-block expanse, but this week I had the idea to do the repeats for a 1-block distance instead (and jog the remaining distance as a recovery). Back and forth five times netted me two miles of sprints/recovery (for three cumulative miles including warm-up and cool-down). And, with the crazy heat, I was a massive sweaty mess...but felt quite accomplished for my efforts.
Thursday's thirst for speed = massive midday meltdown
Finally Friday
It wasn't just a typical Friday in my world...it was the eve of that landmark training run most marathoners-in-training look forward to AND dread at the same time...the 20-miler. I did some walking, but spent as much time as possible stretching and foam-rolling to prepare my body (and mind) for those 20 miles.

Saturday's Plot Twist!
I came back from lunch on Friday, and found two football tickets on my desk for the Iowa State vs. Akron game...which was happening at 11:00 the next morning. Okay...how would I do the 20 miles and be done in time to be on the road for the game (70 miles away)? I'd have to rise and shine (in the dark) at 4:30 in hopes of being done around 8:00 to allow for showering/clean-up and drive time. UGH. Not ideal. Barb had run her 20 miles the weekend prior, so she wasn't planning on running 20 miles again...so I'd be on my own for some of these miles. Not too keen on running all those miles alone in those early hours, I decided to put the 20-miler on hold for 24 hours and give myself a stress-free morning. The hubby and I slept in (somewhat), took Max for a walk, and took our time getting to the game. Problem solved.
Saturday, Sept. 22nd, also was the 5-year anniversary of my first marathon, so I dug out the (retired) Mizuno Wave Inspire 8's
Sunday's entrance to Tapertown
I really hate putting off long runs such as this 20-miler. I'd rather just get them done on Saturday (and not have them "hovering" over me) and then spend the rest of the weekend relaxing and recovering. None the less, I didn't feel the usual trepidation as I got up and prepared for the morning's adventure. I met up with Barb just after 6:00, and we set out to conquer all the miles. She was hoping to run 18, but would finish all 20 with me if things felt good at that point. The temps were slightly warmer than Saturday (50F) and there was a slight breeze. Fortunately, all my body parts (especially those grumpy glutes) felt fine and in full working order. We kept our pace easy, but it did progressively get slower as the miles wore on. The final miles did bring me a little bit of hip strain and some weird twinges in my shins...but we ran the final two miles strong and finished what we'd started.
Image may contain: one or more people and outdoor
20 miles done!!!!! Yes, I kissed the hydration pack goodbye...I won't be needing that anymore for this training cycle.
So, I am officially in taper mode! Let me just reassure you how fantastic it feels to be there. Marathon training is tough (as it should be), but it is so rewarding to reach that peak mileage and really see what your body is capable of doing. No looking back, full steam ahead! My mileage this week maxed out at 31 (running) miles and my walking was at 17 (at the time this goes to press, that is LOL...I will be walking a few more miles later to work out any residual kinks from the morning's 20 mile excursion). I think the extra rest day (Saturday) was a solid move; my body had more time to recover from Thursday's speedwork and that additional day of stretching/foam rolling was beneficial.

In case you missed out, here's the posts from last week:
Summer's Last Hurrah
R'n'R Philly Half Marathon Recap
You've come a long way, Voldy

In other news:
Did you catch my #FridayFashionFlair post (on Instagram)? Although Labor Day has long since passed, I still wear white (and am not afraid to do so). Besides, there's something about the classic black and white color combo that is timeless. I'm just glad the white skinny jeans are still trending, because they are one of my wardrobe favorites, year round. Add a few pieces of chunky and funky jewelry, and we're good to go! As always, you're free to join the Friday Fashion party...post a pic of a featured outfit (it doesn't have to be your actual Friday outfit), grab the hashtag (#FridayFashionFlair) and give me a tag (@Runningonthefly). It's fun to see what everyone's wearing!

Saturday's football game was at Jack Trice Stadium (Ames, IA). Although the hubby and I are both University of Iowa grads, we support our inner state rivals, the Iowa State Cyclones. The game held a special tribute to Celia Barquin Arozamena, the slain student from the golf team. Attendees were encouraged to wear yellow to the game to honor Celia.


I don't have much for yellow, so I had to cover the "contra ban" with my red scarf
And, finally....as mentioned above, September 22nd was the 5-year anniversary of becoming a marathoner. I ran the Quad Cities Marathon on a beautiful, sunny day and was blessed with a totally fantastic experience. Little did I know what a slippery slope I had just landed on...

My first of seven marathons
That's the latest and (mostly) greatest in my little corner of the universe. 

Talk to me....How was your week? Have you ever postponed a long run due to a scheduling conflict...or did you just suck it up and make it happen? What do you think is worse...the training for a marathon (or any long distance event) or the actual race itself? 

I'm linking up with Holly and Wendy for the Weekly Wrap. This weekly check-in is such a great place to connect with fellow fitness-minded peeps. Please join us!
WWSki-Orange

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55 comments:

  1. Congrats on your 20 miler and making it to the taper! I also don't like putting off my long run to Sunday, but it sounds like it worked out for you. Hope you can enjoy the taper now!

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    1. I'm thankful it all worked out doing my long run on Sunday...ugh, Sunday long runs are not my gig LOL

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  2. Ah, taper mode! I know a lot of runners go stir crazy in taper mode, but I'm always so happy to get there! Congrats on getting in those 20 miles and good luck on the taper (and the race!). And I definitely think the training is worse than the race itself. It's one of the reasons I haven't done another marathon. The training (to do it right and NOT have the race suck more - ha!) takes so much time. But, I may pull the trigger in early 2019 and start training this fall for one. We'll see.

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    1. I.LOVE.TAPER. ;-) For me, it's the reward for all the hard work leading up to it (especially that peak month). I gladly scale back the mileage and give my body the proper rest it needs to get ready for race day ;-)

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  3. Congrats on a successful marathon training cycle. I think you are smart to only do one "interval" type workout per week. That can be pretty hard on your body! Now take it easy the next couple of weeks...

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    1. The past weeks have left me feeling pretty tired...I thought it was an opportune time to eliminate one of those intense workouts as I head into Taper. No regrets ;-)

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  4. Hooray for taper time! You've worked hard this training cycle and I have no doubt you'll have a strong, wonderful race. It doesn't bother me to put off a long run, especially if I see the weather will be more tolerable the next day. I'm jealous of your scarves and arm sleeves and head warmers and ... LOL Thanks linking!

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    1. Ha ha...I'm hoping to score some new arm sleeves at one of the upcoming expos ;-)

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  5. Love your plot twist for yesterday! So great that you were able to enjoy a fun day on Saturday and knock out your 20 miler today. Enjoy the sweet taste of the taper!

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    1. The weather app showed similar weather otherwise I probably wouldn't have taken the gamble on postponing the long run. I got lucky!

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  6. Great job on your 20 miler! I hate taper life. It makes me feel lazy... haha. Hopefully you can find some other things to do rather than running to keep you busy until your race.

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    1. Oh, I LOVE taper! I have ZERO guilt or anxiety scaling back the mileage for race day.

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  7. You have such a successful training cycle this go around. I’m excited for you!

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    1. Thanks, Deborah! I just hope all the stars, moons and planets align favorably for me on race day LOL

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  8. I do prefer runs on Saturdays so I can enjoy the rest of the weekend. I put off a couple this past spring to Sunday, and then I felt like I was racing the clock to get it done. Saturday is much better for me. Great job getting 20 done!

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    1. I have always done my long runs on Saturday. Not only is a relief to get them done a day "early," I usually try to make it to church...and these super long runs make that difficult.

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  9. Huge college football fan here too, and I loved Iowa State's tribute to the golfer. The band and the yellow out.
    TOday was my first Sunday long run in some time, I too am a Saturday long runner. Absolutely adore your light up arm bands!
    Happy 5th marathoniversary!

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    1. Thanks!!! I got the arm bands as a Christmas gift from my running buddy, Barb. I LOVE them, they are easy to use and give off great light ;-)

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  10. COngrats on peaking! Like you, I don't like to have the long run hovering over me, but it wounds like your Saturday still teed you up for a good long run! Welcome to taper

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    1. I hate having the long run hovering...it's bad enough it starts looming a week out before it's scheduled LOL

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  11. Hooray for the taper! Some people dread the taper but I look forward to it. I'm ready for the reduced mileage and to get the race over with it. Enjoy!

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    1. Oh, I LOVE the taper! It seems like it takes forever to get there, so it's just that much more rewarding when it finally arrives!

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  12. You've had a great training cycle! Congrats on a successful 20 miler and getting to taper! Enjoy it!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle ;-) I'm very glad to have made it to taper ;-)

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  13. Whoop! Whoop! Well done on that 20 miler! You've worked so hard this training cycle, you are definitely ready. Enjoy the taper! I'm similar to you with my long runs - I find if I do them on Sunday I spend the whole weekend with this big weight! But once I get it done on Saturday, I feel great, accomplished and free!

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    1. I realize a lot of people (maybe most?) do their long runs on Sundays, but I have never been a fan of that. I just love getting them done on Saturday, and saving Sunday for church and relaxation ;-)

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  14. What a good plan to alternate your HIIT and speedwork to get to retain some energy. I always like to do 20 a couple of times, or a 20, 21 and 23, but I think I'm just weird doing that (then I do a three week taper to make sure I'm recovered).

    I had a terrible postponement in my last campaign, back in March. I was supposed to do 22-23 on the Sunday. The Saturday, they told us it was going to start snowing and really settling that day. So I would have moved my long run to the Saturday. Except I was officiating at the road relays all day. In the snow, it turned out. The Sunday, I was exhausted and the snow was thick on the ground and icy - no way could I do a long one. But it did melt. So the Tuesday, I had what I thought was an early and light lunch and thought I gave myself time to digest it. Stomach pains, inability to take in any of the energy from my gels, a toilet break at a friend's house, more pains, sitting and crying on a wall, messaging our Manchester marathon WhatsApp group with such an incoherent message that two of the guys were trying to drive out to find me, meeting lovely Bernice, crying all over her, going up to club run but bailing, feeling GOOD for a mile, then cramp, then home at 21 miles eating crisps and stretching frantically. Fun times!

    I love that your running buddy did the 20 with you, too, it's lovely to have our mates to do this with.

    Happy tapering!

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    1. Oh, your story made me laugh...out of support, that is ;-) We've all had races/runs like that.

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  15. Congrats on your 20 miler and making it to taper time! I would think the sidewalks would be a tough surface for speed work? I’ve always heard concrete is harder than asphalt. Have a great taper week!

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    1. I honestly run on concrete so much, I really don't notice it being bothersome....

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  16. Tapering. Wow that went fast as least for me.

    I prefer Sat long runs but then again sometimes it is weather related.

    So lucky as I often repeat to have a running buddy. That's one reason I hesitate to train for a full.

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    1. Yes, it did seem to get here fast this training cycle...probably because I didn't really do anything special until after the Chicago R'n'R. I just built from that 13.1 by gradually increasing my long runs.

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  17. Congrats on finishing the 20 miler. Glad to hear the pain stayed away for the most part :)

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    1. Yes, it was more aches from weary muscles than actual pains LOL Glad I got those 20 miles done ;-)

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  18. Congrats on the 20 miler - enjoy your taper! I think the training is worse than the race...unless I don't train, then the race is worse because I'm not trained for it ;)

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    1. I absolutely think the training is much harder than the race itself. Hands-down.

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  19. Hooray for taper mode! Happy to hear you got in a solid twenty and finished strong. Love your fashion flair. I love wearing white too even after labor day!

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    1. I have almost always worn white after Labor Day (except for white shoes...but do people wear white shoes anymore?)

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  20. Yay! Way to conquer the 20 mile beast! Taper is the most wonderful time of the training cycle IMHO. All the best cruising it in to race day.

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  21. Good job getting that all in! Obviously I've never run 20 miles or a full, with the longest being 18 miles. :) Everything would definitely start to ache past like 9 miles (no idea why so early) but the next day everything would be fine.

    Right now we're concentrating on speed for my upcoming half and there are a few more aches than usual. :(

    I love a taper though. I'm usually busy getting ready for the trip so I never get antsy at all. :)

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    1. I am always amazed how the body can run those long distances...then feel (almost) brand new the next day ;-)

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  22. Nice work on that 20!! I think the training is worse than the actual race. There's so much build up and you really focus on those miles and thinking about all the things that did or could go wrong. Race time, once that gun goes off, it's just one foot in front of the other and whatever happens happens. At least, that's how it is with me. :) I'm jealous of your official taper. I'm "tapering"-ish but not really. So much still to do!

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    1. Totally agree...once you're lined up at the start line, it's best to just go with what the day brings you ;-)

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  23. Way to hang in there and get that 20-miler done! Welcome to the taper. I don't think I will actually get a taper for MCM. Today, I struggled to do 5. Ugh!

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  24. Such a great week!
    Funny, we got surprise Jacksonville Jaguars tickets this week! Must have been the weekend of surprise football tickets! Yay!

    If I can get my long runs done on Friday, then that's what I try to do. I hated having the long run weighing on my mind through the weekend, but you have to do what you have to do. Hang in there - taper will be over before you know it!

    I think the race is worse than training. But I have terrible race anxiety, so that probably plays into it.

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    1. One time (I forget which race LOL), I did my 20-miler on a Friday, then went to work that afternoon because we had a family reunion or something that weekend.

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  25. Congrats on the 20 miler and enjoy the taper! What a great idea to celebrate your marathon anniversary...I need to look back and figure out what mine was!

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    1. I knew the anniversary was in the back of my mind, but it didn't really register until it popped up on my Facebook "memories." So I had to celebrate!

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  26. Oh wow, I thought I'd commented but realized this morning that I hadn't... Anyway, I love that you wore your yellow shirt and hid the "contra ban" with your scarf. Good plan!

    I love your Saturday morning picture. It's so fun! Have a great week and enjoy tapering.

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  27. Great job on all of your hard work! Time to enjoy the taper and get ready for the big day!!!

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  28. Congrats on the 20 miler and for reaching taper mode! I was so happy to start this part of training last week. Here’s to a great last couple of runs leading up to race day!

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  29. Yay for the taper! I really thought you were going to say you skipped the football game for the 20-miler! So glad you were able to adjust and get both done!

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  30. Great job on your training, and I hope taper time has been going well for you!

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