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Thursday, October 25, 2018

Post-26.2 #runfessions


You all know I ran a marathon recently, right?

I also have a small obsession with #hashtags (thanks, Instagram!).

Why not combine this month's Runfessions (which are all about my recovery from that recent marathon) with a few appropriate #hashtags? Sound good?


Here we go...some post-26.2 #runfessions:

#KeepingItReal
I didn't just run the Cannonball Marathon, but I also ran the IMT Des Moines Half Marathon eight days later. Not only was the marathon tough (as it should be, it was 26.2 miles after all), but the route was very hilly...like, we probably ran at least 40 hills over the span of those 26.2 miles. I knew there would be hills, but I didn't know those hills would be non-stop. Coincidentally, I had recently upgraded my registration from the 5-miler to the half marathon for last weekend. I figured if I could run 26.2 miles, surely I could run 13.1 miles if I allowed myself some decent recovery time in between both races. That said, I'll runfess that I kept this "little" half marathon on the down-low until the day prior because I didn't want to be flooded with comments of concern via social media.

Yes, I gave up keeping-it-real (for a few days) out of fear of potential backlash from well-meaning others. No one knows one's body like the actual owner, so I wasn't worried about the half marathon because I had no intention of "racing" it. I wanted to run it strong, but with caution. And that's just what happened. I took things very easy (almost to the point of boredom) in the eight days following the marathon, and I was able to run the half marathon exactly as planned. I even finished with  my fastest 13.1 time (since May of last year) because I ran it by feel, with no grandiose finish line goals. Mission accomplished.
Sporting the swag from the half marathon
#BackToLifeBackToReality
Although I'm at a bit of a loss as to what to do with my new found down time, let me runfess that I'm glad to have the marathon in the rear window. I'll still be running 3-4 days each week (minimal mileage, 2-5 miles at a time), including a moderate "long" run on the weekends (ranging anywhere between 6-10 miles). I plan to bring back more strength-training and HIIT workouts in the next couple of weeks. I'll have the freedom to stay up late again (I'm a night owl) without worrying how it will impact my training. I won't need to stalk the weather (much). And, I can wear my funky shoes/booties without the fear of face-planting (from tired muscles).
These have been hibernating in my closet....
#5at5's!
Although the #5at5's (5-miles at 5:00 a.m.) continued all through marathon training, they came to a brief halt during my taper period. It wasn't really taper-related why they halted, it was more of a weather-related issue (cold temps and rainy conditions), and I didn't want to risk getting sick so close to the big day. Just this week, Barb and I resumed our weekly #5at5 ritual. Although it felt good to be back out on the streets in the pre-dawn hours, I finally experienced a bit of the DOMS (Delayed Onslaught Muscle Soreness) that had been absent since the marathon. I gotta runfess, it was kind of a buzzkill. I'm not sure if the DOMS were a very-delayed result of the marathon, or from the half marathon a few days prior (maybe a combination). None the less, my body has been working hard, and Thursday's early morning run reinforced that it's time for some easy mileage.
after my first post-26.2 #5at5
#NotRunningAllTheMiles
Currently, I'm on track to finish October with just over 90 miles for the month, which will put me around 825 miles for the year. Most likely, I can squeak out another 175 miles in November and December, but it's not a priority for me. I'll just runfess it here and now....I honestly have never cared if I reach that often coveted (?) 1,000 mile mark. Somehow, low-to-moderate mileage works for me. In my recent marathon training, I only topped the 100-mile mark for August and September, and still fared pretty well. Thankfully, running is a pretty individualized sport, and we all get to do it OUR way.
running...doing it MY way ;-)
 #OopsIDidItAgain
Up until a couple of days ago, I had nothing remaining on the racing calendar, and nothing scheduled for 2019. Well, that was until I got an email notifying me of a 2-day-only half price special on the Drake Relays Road Races Half Marathon. Maybe some of you recall my experience running that in April...the morning after prom (here's the RECAP)? I had maybe 90 minutes of slumber (after being up most of the night overseeing the promenade of couples and working at the after-prom party). I gotta runfess, I'm a sucker for a fun race (even on a hilly course LOL) for a great price. I'm probably gonna head back and do the Grand Blue Mile (a few days after the half marathon) and defend my 3rd place AG finish as well. Why not?
on the famous Blue Oval at Drake Stadium (April 2018)
So there you have it. I've bared my "soles" once again and I can finish out October with a clear conscience. Whew!

How about you? Anything to runfess? How do you feel about the down time following a big race? Ever had a race on the schedule that you didn't disclose until the last minute? Your preference: low mileage or all the miles?

I'm linking up with Marcia for the monthly Runfessions 

I'm also linking this with Meranda and Lacey and Rachel for the Friday Five 2.0. 

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37 comments:

  1. Over the past year or so I haven't really been talking much about any races I have coming up. One reason is I usually sign up at the last minute, but I also dont like to feel pressure that I have to post about my race if for some reason I didnt even up running it or it didnt go well.

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    1. I know that feeling....it's hard keeping it real when you have an audience to be accountable to. I pretty much share everything, though...even when I have to fess up to undesirable races or tough challenges.

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  2. Glad it all worked out for you and that you didn't get injured. Now it's time for all the fun shoes!

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    1. Thankful my racing season had such a happy ending...and I'm all about the fun shoes ;-)

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  3. I'm loving how the race hat and jacket go together! Meant to be run together I guess!

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    1. The race hat is actually from the 5K a few years ago, but the colors are perfect to go with this year's jacket. It WAS meant to be! ;-)

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  4. I think I need you to take me shopping. I need new fall clothes. I'm just bored with what I have. I've done back to back 10 milers before, but the toll with a marathon is so different!

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    1. I knew these two back-to-back races would be challenging, but doable. Besides, I wasn't "racing" either (the hilly marathon was simply too tough and the half was so close afterwards LOL).

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  5. Those shoes are super cute indeed! I plan to tone it down a bit after my busy November as well. Learning what is best for you and your body is key and it sounds like you have a great handle on that.

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    1. Thanks! I've been doing this running gig for 13 years...there's been plenty of mistakes along the way, but lessons learned from all of them.

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  6. haha, I used to be so against hashtags but I use em' now. :P Great job on all your races and it's nice that you have more free time on your hands now!

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    1. I probably OD on the hashtags, but they're fun and provide some extra info with fewer words

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  7. I'm also a sucker for those great one or two day sales from race organizations. That's how I got roped into running the Kiawah half marathon in SC in December lol. It should be a nice race though.

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  8. I do remember your post-prom relay, though I can't believe it was all the way back in April! Jeez, time flies so fast.

    Seriously, I tend to think in hashtags. #soannoying

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  9. You inspire me to sign up for some races. I have been waiting to see how MCM goes, but I am getting itchy! Races are so much fun. It's why we train (I think). I got used to using hashtags through Twitter #LoveUsingThemNow!

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    1. I love doing races, but I have never (ever) considered myself a "racer." Sure, I try to run strong, and I take the training seriously...but I also want to enjoy the atmosphere while there.

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  10. Yeah, people's opinions sometimes need to stay in their own minds/fingers and not spread. congrats on doing what you knew you could.
    I shoefess: I do not get open toed boots, but yours are adorable.
    Race flash sales are wonderfully evil.

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    1. Thanks, Cari. I agree.....not everyone uses tact or diplomacy when sharing their thoughts. Oh well, they are the ones who look bad, not the people they're directing their thoughts towards.

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  11. I'm the way with mileage! I do what is right for me and don't worry about monthly totals so much!

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    1. High-5!! The few times I tried to focus on mileage goals, my running became something I didn't like (for me)...and I ignored a lot of aches/pains in the quest for "big" numbers. Not my gig.

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  12. I love your booties! That is funny you do 5 at 5 because I do 6 at 6 but I never called it that! Maybe I will now!

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    1. The 5 at 5 name just kind of came in being on its own....we wanted to run early, and we wanted to run five miles. ;-)

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  13. Sounds like you need some rest days. There is no way I could've done a half so soon after a marathon! Kudos to you!
    I wish I had someone to do a 5 at 5 run with.

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  14. There's that DOMS! It's funny when we think it's going to hit because we just did something big, and then nothing. Then something we do a lot and we get soar? Isn't that backwards?

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    1. The DOMS totally keep us humble ;-) They are MIA when I'm expecting them, and then BAM...there they are when I'm feeling good LOL

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  15. Sounds like you were well prepared for your marathon in order to be able to pull out a great half just over a week later, congrats!!

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    1. My training felt good throughout the entire season in prepping for the marathon...which is why I took on doing the 13.1 so soon after. I was really lucky to have a near-perfect training cycle (with weather that enabled most of the runs to happen as scheduled). That's never happened before.

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  16. I'm glad you did what you felt was best for you and it all worked out well! You know what you can handle.

    I'm loving those shoes! So cute!

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    1. Thanks, Michelle ;-) I'm thankful everything worked out according to the plan LOL

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  17. I was super impressed at your back to back races!! I'm glad it all worked out well... You always inspire me with you running adventures!!! :-)

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    1. Thanks! It was a fun challenge to see if I could do all of this....I'm glad all the stars, moons and planets aligned ;-)

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  18. I definitely feel a sort of camaraderie with you knowing that your mileage too is staying at 2-5 miles until you are starting to train for another race. That has been my mileage for a long time (because I'm not training for a long distance race) yet sometimes I feel so silly reporting it or sharing my runs because it's nothing impressive compared to everyone else running double digits, but hey, it's something, right? -M

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    1. Thanks, Meranda!! We all have to do what's right for us, individually. Personally, if I run more than 20+ miles/week (when not in formal training for anything) I get burned out and usually injured. I just do not need (or want) all those excess miles. I read somewhere many years ago, that one should run the minimum amount necessary to achieve YOUR goals to avoid injury...if I don't need 40 miles/week to achieve my PR's and goals, why put myself at risk? Besides, I do have other things than running to give me happiness and purpose ;-)

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  19. How weird that the DOMS came and got you then! I will runfess that I'm not that hung up on my 1,000 mile thing, either - in my case, I worked out last campaign that between 20 and 35 miles a week are what keep me healthy mentally and physically, so that's more important to me than the total (and I've kept well!).

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