Going again

November 4th and putting running back in my schedule.  Since the marathon I finished in May I have taken a break and enjoyed life playing around.  My wake up call was last week when I went for my annual flotation body fat test and discovered I have lost 4 pounds of muscle in one year!  Not good for a middle aged, smaller framed female.  There is only I that can do something about this.  I pulled out 4 steaks from the freezer and fell into dismay at what my body has eaten up.  Trying to pull any of that back will take some really hard work.  In the past, after many weight training programs, progress on lean body mass always took longer than expected and with not that much gain.  Ho Hum.  The quandry is where do I go for this.  Figuring it out.  At the moment trying LA Fitness and loving the swimming pool.  One of my goals is to go swimming twice per week.  I need to see what is available for weights.  How am I going to implement a strength regime and not just quit when the going gets tough?  Can I do it on my own?

I have gone back to eating grains but still gluten free.  Should I go Paleo? 

Run goals I am still considering.  Just purchased Train Like A Mother and after taking the quiz immediately got hit on the head with a hammer when it said, "you need to aim for a PR".  Deep down in my soul I know that but have been ignoring it.  So here's to blogging: CHEERS.  One way to keep me accountable. 

Recovery and post evaluation

Finished in 4 hrs and 11 mins. It would have been much longer as I probably would have walked it in if it hadn't been for Sam pulling me through to the end.  From the get go I was pretty much out of breath.  I kept with the 3:55 pacer until the half way stage and of course was on target but I was breathing heavy.  It wasn't comfortable hard but uncomfortable hard.  It makes me realize I have to get fitter to feel comfortable at that pace.  I didn't get any sleep the night before which doesn't help matters.  Also, since working full time I haven't been able to dedicate to the running like I should have.  I did miss some important aerobic conditioning 6 milers - those ones that appear on the schedule mid week.  I always managed the distance run but I realize now that real works happens in those mid week runs as thats the time to pick up the pace on the shorter distance runs.

What could I do?  Advice from my sister is to train for swimming at the same time to get the lungs used to being worked in different ways.  She also suggests cutting down on red meat and trying to be a vegetarian.  I do appreciate Michael Pollen's advice:  eat mainly plants.  I know the yoga that I was doing up until I got my full time work was super important for my hips.  The aches and pains started early on in the marathon.  I need to get back on a regular yoga schedule and open up those areas.  I also need to get out of breath more because I do not do it.  Interval training or zumba or anything that pumps up my heart rate would do me the world of good.  I have to make the decision to train very hard for the next 8 weeks and get the fitness that I need if I want to try to this again before the Boston entry deadline in mid September.

Diet wise I am drinking alcohol, eating grains and beans this week to celebrate whilst being on holiday. I would like to continue the low sugar and no grains once I return to Seattle.  Stay tuned!

Pre-Race Week

I'm gonna say it...I am tired.  All runs this week have turned into walks for the most part as the body feels a little overworked.  I am craving sleep and rest.  Hope to sleep in tomorrow.  I do have a 6 on the books for some part of the day tomorrow but at this moment it feels like a stretch.  My heart of hearts says yes you should be feeling tired because you have put in the work.  Now I must be good about recuperating.  A few aches here and there creeping in.  I should take the time to stretch a little more this week. 

Sunday is race day - 8 days away.   I get on the plane Thursday to LA and meet the wonderful sisters and friends that are there to support me.  I wish myself luck. 

The Taper Begins

Yabberdabberdoo...here we go the taper begins.  Today I put in a 9 mile run and boy am I tired right now.  It feels like I have run my big one but I guess this is the culmination of the 22 from last weekend and the smaller runs this week. 

My friend Sam reminded me today it would be good to think about dropping a pound if at all possible during this carbo loading, recovering 2 week stint.  Most people put on weight in this stage but I sure would love to drop a pound and make my load lighter.  Still no grains but sugar has crept back in via chocolate and the odd processed piece of food that has sugar added to it.  Feeling excited.  Just gotta keep the nutrition and the hydration going, plenty of sleep and a good attitude. 

Tapering and Sharpening

Here we are with the biggest of the long distance runs checked off yesterday.  I now enter the stage of the taper and come down slowly.  Still a lot of running to do this week so effort still needed on my part to stay focused.  Feeling pretty good after yesterday.  Was able to stick to no slower than 45 secs of marathon pace for a sustained 3 hours but I did have a toilet break, water collection break which always helps with recuperation and the watch turned off during those intervals.  During the run, my body responded well to the cliff shots and no major injuries apart from some blood blisters on the toes.  Today, I do have some tight hips, a little twinging in the knee joint and also twitches in the soles of the feet.

I do have some interesting little speed workouts this week and the next couple of weeks to sharpen my running.  Looking forward to those. 

Time running away from me

Fair enough I am on a recovery week but I am struggling to get out the door with family commitments etc. and work.  I still cannot believe I ran a PR half marathon last weekend right when I was meant to according to my training schedule.  How did I do this?  Maybe because I have knocked sugar off the starting block that when I take it running it actually gives me fast fuel as to always eating sugar and the body not feeling any different when I take it during a race.  Maybe it is because I have managed to shed a few pounds.  Maybe it is because I have incorporated a few treadmills workouts which I never do when training for a marathon.  Maybe it is a combination of factors and still eating no grain unless it is part of my running fuel on run days.  Whatever it is I am in love with this feeling.

Now comes the nitty-gritty of the training program.  The next couple of weeks will be the hardest but that is what is supposed to happen.  I have to stay focused and hang in there.  Keep up the good work with the nutrition.  Stay hydrated with water as the weather is getting warmer.  I can do this.

Marathon feel

Signed up for the Yakima River Canyon marathon run last weekend and ran 21 miles as a training run.  The boys were at the aid station with grandparents and I was so happy to see them as I came around the curve.  The run was challenging for me.  I couldn't hold 9:30 pace like my schedule asked me to so that was a little disappointing.  I managed 10 miles of it and then the pace fell out of me.  Beautiful run.  Very exciting to be at the start of a marathon and feel the anticipation.  Some wonderful stories of peoples' accumulation of marathons and why they had chosen this one to run.  These people are driven.  It is part of their lifestyle to run and they couldn't image themselves not doing this.  What was evident was the spirit amongst the athletes that didn't look as fit as you would expect and were struggling at mile 20.  They had such determination to finish the race it was compelling. 

I now go into my next section of training called 'marathon specific' training.  This gets tough but I have to give it my best shot and suck it up.  It involves pace running for bigger distances.  This weekend I need to run 6 miles at a panting, tongue hanging 8:58 pace and the following weekend a half marathon at pace which will give me a PR if I can do it.  This is where I blend or curdle!  We'll see what happens.

Diet still going well.  Getting tempted at various stages to add things but managing to keep it at bay for the most part.  No grains, no added sugar (yesterday had chocolate with sugar), no alcohol.  Why do this?  I want to do what I can to get me as close to that PR and Boston Qualifying Time as possible.  I will know I did all that I can in preparation...now I just have to do what the trainer wants!!!  That really is the hardest part.  I am still behind on runs.  Today is a soaker in Seattle as I sit writing this from my bedroom looking out of the window.  I know my friend Jane doesn't let rain put her off as she heads out on a 10 today with her ultra-distance running husband.  Ooooh I just remembered I am off on Friday to a book club that talks about the Born to Run book.  That should be inspiring.  Also, reading a book on the Cayman Islands marathon at the moment which sounds like a destination spot to vacation and run.  No excuses Jane...get your butt out of bed and get your running shoes on!

I am in the final 3rd of training...and as my friend Sam always says to me C'mon Jane.