Sunday, October 5, 2014

Marathon week 12-Ready to go!


Once again, my week started off with lots of mama drama. It would be so much easier to train for a marathon without all the pressures of family and work. But that's why we do it, I think! Life never fails to amaze me. Just when you think things are going your way, the rug gets pulled out from under you. Last Monday, I found out my oldest son was failing 3 classes, my youngest had a torn MCL and maybe ACL, and my husband got laid off from his job. Any one of these things would be tough, but to have this all happen in one day was almost more than I could handle. I dealt with each situation--my oldest is slowly bringing those grades up and turning in his homework--which he wasn't doing. My youngest has his MRI tomorrow, so we'll have a better idea what is happening inside that knee and what the next step is. My husband picked up some side work for this upcoming week. I actually have an opportunity to do some moonlighting at work too--which I'll think about--say it with me--after the marathon!

Monday: rest day/stress day (see above)



Tuesday: I had a bike ride on the plan but after the day I had on Monday, I strayed from the plan for the first time. I needed to run. Do you ever feel that you NEED to run? After all, most of us didn't start running because we wanted to do marathons--we run for health reasons or like me, for stress relief. I decided to do 5, because had I biked, it would have been a 45 minute ride. I didn't run by pace, I just ran. I listened to my music, lost myself in my thoughts, and ran like I wasn't training for anything. It felt great! I came home and felt much more at peace than I had earlier.

Wednesday: I decided not to go to the yoga studio, and risk injury. You just never know. Sometimes she makes us do partner yoga, which I'm not a fan of, and during which I've had overzealous partners push me too deep into a pose and OUCH! So I did yoga at home. I found a yin video on YouTube for hips and hamstrings. I love yin yoga--holding the poses for 3 minutes (or longer) is a lot harder than you might think. But by holding a pose for an extended period of time, you are able to get into that connective tissue and really loosen things up. I would have liked a little more hamstring opening with this video, but overall, it was really good.


Thursday: Last set of mile repeats x4 on the plan. I was tired, most likely from all the stress of the week. I thought there would be no way I could match my speed of last week, but I decided to give it a try. Once again, I surprised myself! Mile 4 was a little tougher, but when I compare this workout to last week, I ran the first 3 mile splits faster this week. I can't complain about mile 4, but isn't it funny what a difference 10 seconds makes? Sheesh. Still, these were fun and I'm going to miss them!

After this, I headed over to see Becky for my last CrossFit before the marathon. I thought she'd go easy on me, since it was the taper, but when I got there, she already had a "station" set up for me. the prowler with 30#, slamball 15# x 15 reps (for every slam to the ground I said "fear" and "doubt" in my head), and 35# kettlebell deadlifts x 10 reps. I repeated this series 6 times. I was sweating profusely, but smiling when I was done. These tough workouts have made the difference in my training. Not only did they make me stronger, they made me tougher. I pushed through all of them, but there were many times I wanted to quit. I couldn't, though. What would be the point of quitting? When I was done, I thanked Becky for all she's done for me. She told me she never had any doubt I could do this, and that she was proud of me. Big words from a trainer who pushes me hard and doesn't give a ton of feedback. I was beaming when I left.



Friday: rest day

Saturday: 4 miles. It was cold, windy, and....snowing? Ummm, I was wearing shorts just 2 days before? There was rain, there was snow. It was yucky. I had no plan for this run, I just decided to run by feel. Mile 1 was fast, and then I got in a groove. It was a good run, but I was glad it was only 4 miles. Brrrr....

After my run, I went to work. It was an unusually pleasant Saturday morning in the clinic--they are usually really busy, but for some reason, I had a lot of cancellations. One of my favorite families came in. This is one of my Hispanic, Spanish speaking families, with 3 children. The youngest, who is now 6 months old, was born with a significant heart defect, requiring surgery shortly after birth. When they initially came to me, I was really worried about their ability to care for him. Together with my medical assistant, we have made a great team, and he is doing well--albeit facing another surgery within the month. Dad cried when he told me. They really are wonderful people to work with. For my birthday last month, they surprised me with flowers and balloons--and made me cry! Yesterday they told me they want to come see me run the marathon. I was speechless. We talked to them about how big the race is and how hard it would be for them to see me. But just that they even considered coming to see me run just floored me. Wow. My heart was full after that encounter.



Sunday: Today was my last long run of my training. I had 8 miles on the plan. My plan was to run them at marathon pace, 9:30 min/mil. The weather was better, but still very cool this morning. I would actually be fine with this weather next Sunday. As you can see by my splits, I did a nice job maintaining that steady pacing I'm looking for. It wasn't easy, as my legs wanted to fly. It's a lot easier for me to run fast than it is to hold back, but I've been working on this and it shows. I'm really happy with this run, and I don't think at this point I could be any more ready.

Garmin connect changed this and for the life of me, I don't know the difference between av pace and av moving pace. Anyone? Anyone?

So, where do we go from here? I've got a couple short runs on the plan this week and then the big show. Last night I re-read all of my weekly recaps, and my mouth dropped as I read them. I was amazed at the difference in my posts from the early weeks up until now. My recent posts show a stronger runner, both physically and mentally. I'm so glad I wrote them. It was a great way to document my progress and it shows me that I'm where I need to be. This training was perfect for me. My legs feel good. I feel ready to go.






19 comments :

  1. Wow you just gave new meaning to having a bad week! Sending you good thoughts for a better one this week. :) hang in there friend!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'll tell you...if it weren't for my marathon training and the need to stay positive, my personal life would have me in the therapist's office! :)

      Delete
  2. You ARE a stronger runner, Wendy - you've done some incredible work and it is definitely going to pay off! Thanks so much for sharing the story of the family with whom you work; that is really sweet and they sound like such kind folks. It really makes the work meaningful, for me, when things like this happen. Also, thanks for sharing this yoga video; I've saved it to my YouTube playlist, because it looks great! I'm so excited for your race; you are going to do so great and you are so ready. Thanks for linking up again this week, and I hope you have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are so positive and kind! This morning, my nerves are trying to get the best of me...I'm doing my best to stay on top of it! I'll be glad when Sunday is here.

      Delete
  3. Oh wow, so sorry about all the challenges hitting the fan at once. Life is ridiculous sometimes.
    What a sweet family to want to come down and cheer for you.
    It has been such a gift to me to watch you nail your training week after week No doubt you're ready. Don't think, just let it flow.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Marcia! I swear, you have been one of my biggest cheerleaders--even going back to before I won this entry. You always knew I had another one in me. Unfinished business...indeed!

      Delete
  4. Good luck next weekend! I'm running my first half marathon next weekend and just started taper this week as well. And - I have 2 young children, so I totally understand how hard it is to balance that with training. I'm sorry you had a bad week, but hopefully the race will be a bright spot!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I threatened those boys with their lives! They best behave this week!

      Delete
  5. You are so on your way!!! I can't wait for you to run!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Angela! I'm excited for you to run yours! Hoping we both come away smiling!

      Delete
  6. Wow what a week you had! At least you got some great runs in, that has to be helpful!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. My training has been my therapy, all summer into the fall. It's why I run! :)

      Delete
  7. Best of luck! We will be cheering for you in spirit. Think of the good vibes when the going gets tough :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Wow, what a week. It certainly is good you have running to get some stress relief! Some of those poses in that yin yoga video would be hard to hold for 30 seconds, much less 3 minutes. Maybe I'll try it after the marathon! :) It is so inspiring that that family wants to come watch you run the marathon! You are going to do awesome. Good luck! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I am putting the fear of God in my boys...no stress for mom this weekend! And good luck to you!

      Delete
  9. Just because I haven't been around lately, does not by any means, mean you have not been far from my thoughts. I've thought about you OFTEN, Wendy. And sent you thoughts of encouragement for weeks - You so got this. So so got this. And you look amazing, strong & ready for whatever Oct. 12th may throw at you. I've been with you the whole time you've been training, and I will be pushing positive at you the entire way come Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Tahira! Hoping for the best outcome! I can't keep doing this to myself (or my friends and family!).

      Delete
  10. Wow, I hope it went well! You certainly had to overcome some obstacles to keep your training going to the end!

    ReplyDelete