I'm in that lull of the final week counting down to the marathon. Trying to hydrate, not do anything silly like trip and sprain an ankle, and trying to get some good sleep. Did my last speedwork session. Being at the hotel just north of Philadelphia, I had to choose between the exercise room here at the Courtyard by Marriott or venture outside. I've run on the treadmill here before and it was Not fun. Too hot and the treadmills are old. I checked it out at 5:30am just in case things had changed. They hadn't.
It was still very dark around the hotel (except the Casino across a parking lot - I have a photo, but no cord to transfer it at the moment. I'll add it later). There is a group of office buildings together beside the TGIF's on the opposite side from the Casino. I walked over there as it was well lit. I ran around the block (= 1 lap) around there and timed it. Seemed just over a lap on the track, I'll say 500m. I did my warmup and then 6x400m. Not too bad. A tweak beside my right knee and a little tenderness on my left calf, but they faded.
I am still torn on what to wear. Weather outlook has not changed much, so a t-shirt will work, just don't know which one. I mostly packed for the race before this trip - Gu's (plan to try and work one in every 5 miles thru 20miles), an S-cap or two, my disposable camera, an energy bar (for before the race?), my hat/visor, Race Ready shorts, Balega socks, my throwaway shirt. Have about 4 different shirts packed right now and will need to add my water bottle and my shoes of course. Not much time left...I'm as ready as I can be.
Showing posts with label Marine Corps Marathon Training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marine Corps Marathon Training. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Taper Madness
Well - a week ago I was not in such good spirits. I had a 13 mile run to do that morning (the 17th) and was planning on 16. Legs still felt fine, so I thought "why not?". (I had done something different a few days before at the gym - walking on a treadmill for 5 minutes, raising the slope from 5% to eventually 10%. Next day realized I shouldn't have when my left shin became very sore during the last two miles of my 7 mile tempo run. I walked the last 2miles. Luckily - the pain passed quickly.)
So, back to Sunday - I was on a good pace thru 9 or 10 miles. The my groin became sore again. Didn't have to stop, but it wasn't pleasant. Thought that the marathon could be a disaster if it happened that early on race day. Needless to say - I stopped at 13 after slowing dramatically at the end. I had stopped at one point to chat with a (former) runner who mentioned he had a hernia at some point, and that got me worried. I knew others that had surgery and thought I should get it checked out.
Turns out the doctor saw no indications on Tuesday. Better safe than sorry, guess my mind was on overdrive. Wed had a good speedwork session (5x1000m) and Friday had a decent 6mile tempo run. Today's last long run (10 miles) went well too as I met my 8:46/mi specified pace. Had a twinge somewhere in the middle of the run in my left calf that lasted a whole 4 minutes. Last lap I sped up and felt good. With temps pretty much the same as expected right now on race day - I thought I knew what to wear, but after being out there, I decided to forgo a layer next weekend.
Race prediction:
Current race day temps 1 week out are looking like mostly sunny and a high of 62 degrees. Lows around 45deg - so almost ideal for me. With the sun showing itself around 8am (and a few degrees above the low temp), I am thinking a t-shirt and a long sleeve throwaway for the race start. Maybe one other layer for the ~2.5 hours before the race I'll be out. I expect I'll wear my thin gloves for just a couple of miles. I'm just a little worried I may get cold later on if I do have to walk for one reason or another, but I'll deal with that then (or just not walk).
I think a 9:00/mi pace will be comfortable enough for me. I was under that by ~20 secs/mi With walking each lap. I hope to be able to hit the half in 2 hours (1:58?) and keep the pace thru 16-18 miles. If I start my inevitable slow down there and keep it under 10min/mi thru 23 or 24, I'll be happy. I'm expecting it to go downhill due to a calf issue or my groin and struggle the last 2-4 miles. Time may be around 4:08? Stay tuned!!
Traveling to PA for a couple of days before heading up to VA/DC.
Best of luck to all those running their 1st Half & Full Marathons here in Greenville next weekend during the Spinx Runfest. (And of course those who have run them before!)
So, back to Sunday - I was on a good pace thru 9 or 10 miles. The my groin became sore again. Didn't have to stop, but it wasn't pleasant. Thought that the marathon could be a disaster if it happened that early on race day. Needless to say - I stopped at 13 after slowing dramatically at the end. I had stopped at one point to chat with a (former) runner who mentioned he had a hernia at some point, and that got me worried. I knew others that had surgery and thought I should get it checked out.
Turns out the doctor saw no indications on Tuesday. Better safe than sorry, guess my mind was on overdrive. Wed had a good speedwork session (5x1000m) and Friday had a decent 6mile tempo run. Today's last long run (10 miles) went well too as I met my 8:46/mi specified pace. Had a twinge somewhere in the middle of the run in my left calf that lasted a whole 4 minutes. Last lap I sped up and felt good. With temps pretty much the same as expected right now on race day - I thought I knew what to wear, but after being out there, I decided to forgo a layer next weekend.
Race prediction:
Current race day temps 1 week out are looking like mostly sunny and a high of 62 degrees. Lows around 45deg - so almost ideal for me. With the sun showing itself around 8am (and a few degrees above the low temp), I am thinking a t-shirt and a long sleeve throwaway for the race start. Maybe one other layer for the ~2.5 hours before the race I'll be out. I expect I'll wear my thin gloves for just a couple of miles. I'm just a little worried I may get cold later on if I do have to walk for one reason or another, but I'll deal with that then (or just not walk).
I think a 9:00/mi pace will be comfortable enough for me. I was under that by ~20 secs/mi With walking each lap. I hope to be able to hit the half in 2 hours (1:58?) and keep the pace thru 16-18 miles. If I start my inevitable slow down there and keep it under 10min/mi thru 23 or 24, I'll be happy. I'm expecting it to go downhill due to a calf issue or my groin and struggle the last 2-4 miles. Time may be around 4:08? Stay tuned!!
Traveling to PA for a couple of days before heading up to VA/DC.
Best of luck to all those running their 1st Half & Full Marathons here in Greenville next weekend during the Spinx Runfest. (And of course those who have run them before!)
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Taper time? Do I have to?
I am in the Taper. I am - but should I be? My running week runs from Monday thru Sunday. That how I total my weekly miles and plan everything around. So - Marine Corps is Oct 31st (Sunday - the end of my week). Is three weeks out this week then? Should this coming weekend be my final 20 miler or was it last weekend? I'm saying it's not this weekend and have always said no to that.
Anyway - I don't do much different anyway. Long runs drop from 20 to 16 this weekend and then 10 or so. (Total miles: 39 to 31 to 22. Then 38 marathon week.).
I honestly have not been looking forward to the taper this time. I'm not exhausted or drained like I have been in the past. I'm often tired, but I haven't seen it affecting my running or how I am feeling during my runs. My legs haven't felt "weak" - just some random tightness. Not sure why I feel so good. It's very strange though.
I think it was those 5 out of 6 weeks I did very little running after Chattooga (and my semasoiditis). I had been training it seemed for pretty much 10 months straight. Hmmm, I guess that will do it and make you look forward (to put it mildly) to 2.5 "easy" weeks.
I'm there now, anxious for the run and my destiny with the "wall". Hoping the crowds keep me going a little bit longer than normal. It won't be NYC, but it will be wonderful.
Anyway - I don't do much different anyway. Long runs drop from 20 to 16 this weekend and then 10 or so. (Total miles: 39 to 31 to 22. Then 38 marathon week.).
I honestly have not been looking forward to the taper this time. I'm not exhausted or drained like I have been in the past. I'm often tired, but I haven't seen it affecting my running or how I am feeling during my runs. My legs haven't felt "weak" - just some random tightness. Not sure why I feel so good. It's very strange though.
I think it was those 5 out of 6 weeks I did very little running after Chattooga (and my semasoiditis). I had been training it seemed for pretty much 10 months straight. Hmmm, I guess that will do it and make you look forward (to put it mildly) to 2.5 "easy" weeks.
I'm there now, anxious for the run and my destiny with the "wall". Hoping the crowds keep me going a little bit longer than normal. It won't be NYC, but it will be wonderful.
Saturday, October 9, 2010
Marine Corps Marathon Training Update
I can finally catch everyone up on my running since Blue Ridge and Riverbound. Basically - it's been....good! 3 weeks before the Marine Corps Marathon and I am not tired, not exhausted, and not particularly feeling the need to taper.
I didn't fall at Riverbound, but did twist my ankle once. Hurt for a moment, kept running and surprisingly, never noticed it during the rest of the run. I walked 2 miles afterwards back in Greenville at Cleveland Park. The next day, just above my ankle, I was pretty sore. It stuck around Monday too, enough so that I skipped/moved my Tuesday run. Finally, Wed it was feeling better and I did my prescribed speedwork (3x1600m @ 7:21). My tempo run Friday: 11 miles. My longest weekday run. Temps finally came down - it was 65 degrees and it was the most wonderful run (on roads anyway). After 2 of my 13 laps, every lap afterwards got faster. My breathing was not labored whatsoever. No pains. My pace was supposed to be 7:27/lap (or 8:46/mi). Last lap: 6:34. Ended with an overall pace of 8:30/mi. Can't say enough how great I felt. Certainly makes me re-think what is possible during the marathon. The long run that weekend (2 days later) was good also. 17.8 miles (that was on 10-3). 55 degrees to start and summer is over!! Was able to sleep in a bit not needing to beat the heat. Ran about the right pace, 9:05/mi and felt fine. My left front ankle was a bit sore the night before for some unknown reason, but was only a mild thought as I ran. Pace was consistent throughout and, again, felt good afterwards. That was the last run of those shoes I believe. Over 400 miles on them, so I brought out the next pair of 2140's on my list - the Flames. They got broken in just fine with speedwork on Tues (10x400's), a few hills on Wed, and 8.5 miles on Friday. Should be fine for my 20 tomorrow.
MCM Training:
I've hit/beat every planned speedwork time the last 7 weeks now.
Averaging ~33 miles/wk the last 9 weeks.
Will hit ~40 this week with my 20 on Sunday. My most since the 50k.
Taper technically starts Monday.
Chicago Marathon is tomorrow. Dan (blogging on the Chicago Marathon website) is running as is my cousin Becky, running her 1st one!! I'm so excited for her. I've been keeping tabs on her training and trying to give her tips/motivation along the way. Wish I could be up there to cheer them both on!
I didn't fall at Riverbound, but did twist my ankle once. Hurt for a moment, kept running and surprisingly, never noticed it during the rest of the run. I walked 2 miles afterwards back in Greenville at Cleveland Park. The next day, just above my ankle, I was pretty sore. It stuck around Monday too, enough so that I skipped/moved my Tuesday run. Finally, Wed it was feeling better and I did my prescribed speedwork (3x1600m @ 7:21). My tempo run Friday: 11 miles. My longest weekday run. Temps finally came down - it was 65 degrees and it was the most wonderful run (on roads anyway). After 2 of my 13 laps, every lap afterwards got faster. My breathing was not labored whatsoever. No pains. My pace was supposed to be 7:27/lap (or 8:46/mi). Last lap: 6:34. Ended with an overall pace of 8:30/mi. Can't say enough how great I felt. Certainly makes me re-think what is possible during the marathon. The long run that weekend (2 days later) was good also. 17.8 miles (that was on 10-3). 55 degrees to start and summer is over!! Was able to sleep in a bit not needing to beat the heat. Ran about the right pace, 9:05/mi and felt fine. My left front ankle was a bit sore the night before for some unknown reason, but was only a mild thought as I ran. Pace was consistent throughout and, again, felt good afterwards. That was the last run of those shoes I believe. Over 400 miles on them, so I brought out the next pair of 2140's on my list - the Flames. They got broken in just fine with speedwork on Tues (10x400's), a few hills on Wed, and 8.5 miles on Friday. Should be fine for my 20 tomorrow.
MCM Training:
I've hit/beat every planned speedwork time the last 7 weeks now.
Averaging ~33 miles/wk the last 9 weeks.
Will hit ~40 this week with my 20 on Sunday. My most since the 50k.
Taper technically starts Monday.
Chicago Marathon is tomorrow. Dan (blogging on the Chicago Marathon website) is running as is my cousin Becky, running her 1st one!! I'm so excited for her. I've been keeping tabs on her training and trying to give her tips/motivation along the way. Wish I could be up there to cheer them both on!
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