Sunday, September 27, 2015

Marathon week 10: Run this Town

After last Sunday’s 18 miler aka feet on fire, I never wanted to run again. But when I looked ahead to this week’s schedule, I realized I needed to do some recovery work if I wanted to accomplish anything. That afternoon, I pulled out the yoga mat to stretch my very sore legs and hips. You can see what I did here. I was amazed at how much better I felt after that. 

Finally, it is taper time! This week was memorable for some of the most wonderful weather we have had in a very long time. Plus I traveled to Seattle with my sister and got some runs in on the waterfront. Who doesn’t love running in a new place?

The most perfect day for a ride.
Monday I had an easy bike ride (recovery) on the plan. I had to work in the morning so I rode after lunch. I planned on retracing my running route from the day before. The weather was spectacular, with temps in the 70s and a crystal blue sky. I will admit that the idea of riding easy was very appealing to me, as my legs were a little fatigued from the previous days' miles. There were a lot of people out and about--something this morning exerciser is not accustomed to! 16.6miles/1:14:26



Tuesday was the run I was dreading--an 8 miler. I had no idea how I was going to pull that one off after running 18 just 2 days before. I got up and out the door just in time to witness an amazing sunrise. My legs felt surprisingly light on this run and when I stopped to gel at mile 5, I was shocked at my splits. I headed home and got ready for work with a huge smile on my face.  This was the run that sealed the deal. I'm ready for Chicago. 8.14 miles/1:09/8:30m/m


I was planning on going to yoga on Wednesday, but I also needed to get ready for my trip out of town. So I decided to do my favorite yoga video, the Seawheeze 2014 video, and rolled out my yoga mat in front of the TV. This video really hits all the high points.


On Thursday, Becky agreed to meet me early for my scheduled CrossFit workout before I had to leave for the airport. She had me do lots of front lunges--with the bar on my shoulders, in front, overhead, with plates, and overhead again. The lunges I alternated with backwards ball throws using the weighted medicine balls. I always like doing the ball throws, but the front lunges, not so much.

My new favorite shirt, sent to me by a friend. Love.


Friday, I woke up to a rainy morning in Seattle for my speedwork. I had to do mile repeats x 4, and after researching my options, I decided to run to the path that borders Puget Sound. Having never been to Seattle, I wasn't quite sure where I was going. My sister and I had walked down to the Pike Place market the night before to get the lay of the land. I ran in that direction, and once I got there headed north along the sidewalk. I had to take a steep staircase down to the water. The sidewalk along the water took me into Myrtle Edwards Park, and I began my speedwork. There was a lot to look at. I passed a lot of homeless people sleeping on the park benches; there was even one in a tent on the beach. There were also some interesting sculptures in the adjacent Olympic Sculpture park. I saw a lot of runners and walkers, and I enjoyed this very pretty run along the Seattle waterfront. This run put a smile on my face! There's nothing better than running in a new place to make you feel at home!
The Space Needle is in the background

Having fun with the statue titled Father and Son. This is the father. Clearly, he does a lot of glute work. Becky would be proud.
On the way back to my hotel, I retraced my steps, climbing back up that very steep staircase. I ran back on the cobblestoned street towards the Pike Place market. I passed the original Starbucks and regretted not bringing any money. Total miles for this run: 5.58, 45:45, speedwork splits: 7:34, 7:54, 7:38, 7:47. A little inconsistent, but I had so many distractions! I was glad to have that mile warm up because my legs were really sore from all those lunges I did the day before.

The original Starbucks
The rest of Friday my sister and I did a ton of sightseeing, all walking. I bet we walked at least another 5 miles or more. So when I woke up Saturday to do another run, I just wasn't feeling it. My sister offered to run with me, and that made my day! She runs slower than I do, and I promised to run at her pace. Because she wanted to see the sculptures, we retraced my route from the day before. We started at a 10 minute per mile pace, which felt wonderful on my tired legs. When we hit mile 2.5, she turned around and I picked up the pace and ran a little farther. We met at the red ampersand titled Love and Loss (we called it Wendy and Lisa) and stopped for pictures. 


We also took some pictures in front of this very interesting piece titled Echo. Heading back up the staircase, I hit stop on my watch, and we walked the rest of the way back to the hotel. 5.18 miles/48:30/9:26m/m.

As you read this, I'm heading back to Chicago. I've got a 12 miler to do on Monday and then things really get real. My Chicago marathon race information packet came in the mail. Less than 2 week to go!

What song got me moving this week? It was Rhianna and Jay-Z singing Run This Town. That's what I did.


How was your week? See any odd things on the run? Do you like to run in new places?

I'm linking this post up with Holly at HoHoRuns and Tricia at MissSippiPiddlin' for their weekly wrap! Check it out!

86 comments :

  1. Wow! You are putting in the work and you are SO ready!! I love Seattle. I have never run Seattle but I so want to!

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  2. I really want to live in Seattle. You are doing a great job preparing for this race. You will do well. I like running in new places. I see the weirdest things on runs. I run on a road that I think is the trash dump of Memphis, I see tools, furniture, dumped out purses, pretty much anything you can imagine. I am not running too much this week because I have a race next Sunday and my leg is not cooperating. Have a great day
    bakingrunner.blogspot.com

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    1. I'm going to have to do some recovery when i get home--I'm pretty sore from all the hills and walking we did!

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  3. Wow you and your sister look alike! I would love to visit Seattle someday. Of course I love to run in new places. Vacation runs are always the best. :) Chicago is soooo close. So many bloggers I follow are running it! Can't wait to follow you all that day.

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  4. Seattle is a great place to get in quality hill work! Yay for taper time! You are definitely ready to smash the marathon! :)

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    1. My calves are really feeling the effects of all the hills in Seattle. I'm going to do some major recovery when I get home!

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  5. Looks like you are going to CRUSH sub-4 by A LOT. Awesome work my friend!!

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  6. Looks like a fun time with your sister! great pics! Seattle is on my bucket list! I got only one run in on my vacation. I ran along the water in Venice, then I got caught up in my feet and took a tumble. Shook my confidence a bit but I finished the path. You are so ready for Chicago! Happy Sunday, it is nice to be back home.

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    1. We had a great time. She was a good sport, running with me. No wipeouts here, but it was close a few times!

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  7. I love exploring new places while running! I've visited Seattle several times and have enjoyed each of my visits there. Love the photos with you and the space needle. Hope you have a safe trip home!

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    1. Home sweet home! It's always nice to take a break from the routine.

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  8. I love these pictures....and I love running in a new place....was in Carlsbad this weekend (close to San Diego) and ran a little there and it was beautiful! I love your t-shirt addiction. I've got the same problem.

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    1. Your pictures were beautiful! That might be on our list for next year!

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  9. I ran in exactly that same place the last time I was in Seattle and well remember those steep stairs! Such a pretty city! Glad you enjoyed.

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  10. Ah how I miss Seattle! Love all your pics! It is always great to run in a new place and to enjoy new sites! Sounds like a great week!

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  11. I've never been to Seattle! Love all the skirts in this post they look great on you. You are so ready for Chicago. Exciting!

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  12. I have that Fellow Flowers Rock Star shirt! It is awesome! Glad you recovered quickly from your 18 and had a blazing 8 miler. I'm sure it was because of the recovery cycling (though I am obviously partial to bicycles so all good things are the result of our two-wheeled friends in my mind). Nice work Wendy!

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    1. I've got a recovery ride on the plan tomorrow, altho I have no idea how I'll fit it in--I work 9 hours! Yikes! I know I need it tho.

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  13. Can't believe your less than 2 weeks away! Glad you were able to recover from the bad 18 miler.

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    1. I've had a few bad long runs...the marathon should be interesting.

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  14. i'm SO excited for you. you are totally going to run that town. seattle is a fun city to run in. go wendy, go!

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  15. Thanks for changing back the comment box! Now I can comment!

    Yes, running in new places is one of my favorite things to do. Unfortunately, my MIL & SIL live outside of the city, and there are killer hills in any direction. My SIL, who is very fit (but not a runner), was seriously impressed when I said I ran all the way back up one of those hills last time I was there.

    It's a nice city. We enjoy visiting even though we don't get downtown too often.

    Hard to believe our races are now LESS than 2 weeks away! Doesn't sound like you need to be pulling back your goals from this post.

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    1. I've struggled with my long runs. I think the weather will be the deciding factor of how hard I want to push. I'm hoping for temps in the 50s. Is that too much to ask?

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  16. Seattle is great for hill work, even if you're meeting the hills during your walks. I loved being able to get a long run in along the waterfront while we were there in July.

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  17. Love running in new places. Wish I could do it more often. I went to Seattle years ago (before I was a runner.)

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  18. Awesome week! I love all your sightseeing!

    I absolutely love running in new places. It definitely mixes things up and it's just so motivating.

    Glad you had a great time!

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  19. Sounds like you're more than ready! Glad you had such great-vibe runs this week. Nothing like the confidence boost of a great run before a big race!

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  20. I've enjoyed keeping up with you and your sister on your trip! Looks like a lot of fun! OMG I can't believe it's just 2 weeks out from your race. So what will you use to fuel on it. I'm starting to think about fueling options with my longer runs coming up.

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    1. I'm going to use Tailwind Nutrition. I can't do gels (gag) or chews (double gag)...I need to drink my fuel. I used Tailwind last year with excellent results.

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  21. Okay, that photo of you pinching the statue's butt made me snort. Very funny! Glad you are having fun!

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    1. Makes me laugh too! I'm so silly sometimes! Yes, we had a blast!

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  22. Love that you snuck sight seeing in while training. Those were always some of my favorite runs when I was visiting a new place. Great photos

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  23. I love running in new cities! Best of both worlds. Good luck in Chicago!

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  24. I know you are going to do awesome! I'm always inspired by your yoga, and you are right that it does help. I'm trying to do more of it to try to loosen up some areas! I love your 'adventure' photos :)

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  25. You are SO ready for Chicago!!! That performance on your 8 miler is incredible. I hope my runs go as well as yours have later in the game like this!

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    1. And then there's that 12 I ran today...just awful. So there you go...

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  26. sound slike a great week. Loved your pictures from Seattle. So much fun running with family, I hope you enjoyed time with your sister. Looking forward to seeing how Chicago goes. I am sure you will rock it !

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  27. I just love all your pictures! Welcome to taper town!! you are SO ready! woohoo!!

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    1. I hope so--I've been struggling a little bit with my longer runs. We'll see...

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  28. So much fun, Wendy!! I'm so glad you were able to spend time with your family and usher in this taper period; you're going to do GREAT!!!

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    1. I hope so! I'm pooped from my trip and struggled on my run today. Hoping after a few days of rest that I'll feel much stronger.

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  29. You are so ready for this Marathon! Isn't it amazing how easy a medium run can feel right after a long run. That 8 miler was great! You are so strong!

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  30. Looks like you had a great trip to Seattle! I've never actually run in Seattle (I live on the Eastside) but your photos of it make me want to venture over there for a run sometime. Enjoy your taper - Chicago will be here before you know it and you are so prepared!

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    1. It's kind of like me living outside of Chicago and never running downtown! Except for races, that is! I finally did last spring. It was great.

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  31. I love running in new places! Looks like a great week. Sometimes it helps to change the scenery and change things up a bit.

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  32. I think I have the same polka dot skirt. I know you had fun with your sister. My friends, you are more than ready for this marathon. I'm so frustrated to be nursing a sore foot. Right now I'm completely full of fear. And ticked because I don't want this to steal my joy and excitement! As always, I appreciate you linking with us.

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  33. You have quite the skirt collection going on! ;o)

    Great job on all of your runs. You are so ready!!! Enjoy your taper.

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  34. Way to go! Your training sounds awesome. Front lunges always leave me sore for days! Yay for taper.

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  35. Girl, you are so ready for Chicago!! I've been to Seattle once but I didn't get the chance to run, I would love to run there someday!! Looks like a great trip!

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  36. That Echo sculpture used to be right across from my office in NYC! I want to say it was 2012 that it was there. It was pretty cool!

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    1. Oh, now that's very cool. I read that Echo is on loan to Seattle.

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  37. Props to you for getting your crossfit on before your trip to the airport! I would have slept in!

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  38. Sounds like you had a great trip!! I love running when I'm on vacation; it's such a great way to explore my surroundings!

    I saw a capsized sail boat on my run yesterday! It was super windy here and I guess one got pushed up against the Seawall and it tipped over. So sad!

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  39. My husband and I love to run in new places. Running routes are a priority when we make hotel reservations.

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  40. Looks like a great week! Seattle looks gorgeous! Glad you r getting your groove back!

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    1. This training cycle has been really tough, and I'm so glad to be in taper mode!

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  41. It looks like you had an awesome week! I love your pictures from Seattle.

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  42. Sounds like a fun week/trip! I would love to go to Seattle. Something about it and the atmosphere just appeals to me. It seems so chill and laid back, and also I love cloudy rainy days haha. I'm glad you feel you are ready for Chicago..I am still having my doubts!

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    1. A lot of people picture Seattle as cold and rainy, and I guess it is like that in the winter, but when we were there it was very pretty! And heck, the weather here in Chicago can be pretty awful most of the year!

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  43. You always take such amazing iPhone photos - that sunrise photo is spectacular. Can I ask what app you're using?

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