I went into this post with 100% certainty that I’d just completed week 8 of NYC Marathon training. My left eye is still twitching because 7 turns out to be a world away from 8. Good thing I don’t trust myself that much and double checked dates. Because why would I want to deprive myself of a whole 7 days of setback and the taste of defeat as I begin writing a training recap? These things build character, don’t they. And character builds speed and endurance, I will tell myself.
Dark side be gone. It’s my anniversary for crying out loud! For real, and I did NOT almost forget that fact! Truth is both Adam and I consistently cannot be sure if it’s August 30th or 31st. One of us must have started this confusion years back but now we can’t remember who the original bad-spouse was, and just joke each year about forgetting which day it is. I confirmed it’s the 31st before posting since clearly my days and math are a bit off. It’s been 7 years – and if you calculate that right you’ll find we got married when Diana was a year old, and I was already 3 months pregnant with Emily. Maybe one day, I’ll tell the entirety of that story on the blog. Maybe.
If you had told me that 7 years later I’d be training for the NYC Marathon – my 5th marathon – I would’ve been very confused. But, one thing the course of my life has taught me, is that a lot of unexpected change can happen in a very short period of time. I dare you to throw some new 7 year predictions at me today!
But first, onto the recap…
Monday – Since I ran 12 miles on Sunday (still a long run even though a shorter one) I limited this run to 5 easy miles to keep it in “recovery” range. I’m guessing the pace was 9:15-9:30 range.
Back to yoga! I did this almost-30-minute hip opening practice. Have I told you how much I love hip opening? My favorite focus for yoga, especially with all this running.
Tuesday – The plan was for 8 miles total with 5 at goal pace. I think I’d planned for only 5 at goal pace due to the lack of a rest day, but I started the run out thinking I’d try for 6 since it didn’t seem like a big difference. It was pretty warm/humid but I did manage to keep the pace around an 8 min/mile for the middle 6. I was happy with my effort and the run overall.
For yoga, I did a 30 minute total yoga body workout with Lesley Fightmaster.
Wednesday – 6 miles easy pace. This run felt tough and sluggish as most of my post-workout runs have been feeling lately!
Later I did this 35 minute yoga flow to splits. I kept it to half splits since my hamstrings do not need to be challenged any more than that! My left hamstring, which had been bothering me a few weeks back, seems to be totally back to normal and I’m thinking the week long break from yoga is what helped it.
Thursday – 8 miles, negative split workout. This run SHOULD have been a good one, at least that’s what I was thinking going into it. The weather was nice and cool and I had an easy run the day before. I had paces in my head that I wanted to hit, but once I was running I realized I was sore from the day before (yoga!) and I just felt heavy all around. I think the fact that it was my 5th day of running in a row also put me over the edge. I got through it, but not with the paces I’d hoped for. My average pace was 8:33/mile, so not terribly different from Tuesday, but it was a tougher run.
Later on I stretched for 15-20 minutes and did a little foam rolling, no official yoga.
Friday – Rest day and 20 minutes Yoga for Runners – Injury prevention. I felt SO tired and hungry on Friday. I often feel sluggish on rest days, but this was extreme. I didn’t feel like I was getting sick and I had a really big appetite so I just figured this was part of the marathon training deal. I’m also sure the anticipation of 18 miles the next day contributed to the slug feeling.
Saturday – 18 miles, 9:14 average pace. What is it with a 9:14 pace for these long runs? Even though my splits vary, several of my long runs wind up with this exact average pace by pure coincidence. I ran with my hydration vest and fueled with Clif Organic Energy Food. Sadly I ran out of my samples but will definitely be buying more of these pouches, since I’m hooked now!
I was hoping this run would feel a bit peppier for me, but it was just -fine- with nothing really standing out as really good or bad. I got it done, and moved on with my day! Which was a fun one, spent with my parents to celebrate my dad’s birthday.
Sunday – Rest day again! Love my rest day sandwiches as I call them. Mentally I just need it when marathon training – the long runs take a lot out of me – and physically, I believe it prevents me from burning out and getting injured. I did some gentle stretching and yoga “freestyle.” Nothing crazy.
Summary – 45 miles, 2 workouts, 2 rest days, 5 days yoga 20-30 minutes each. Lots of eating. No, seriously, hunger is large and in charge over here.
Any 7 year predictions for me?
How was your week of workouts/training?
If you’re following a training plan, do you forget what week you’re in?
As the weeks of training build I definitely get confused as to what week it is. Good thing we have our blog recaps to look back on:)
7 years doesn’t sound that far away, but when I think about what I was dong 7 years ago I feel like I was a different person! I’m gonna bet that you will still be running marathons in 7 years:) Happy anniversary!
Thanks! I’m guessing I won’t be running 2 or even 1 per year but running will always be on my radar 🙂
Aww happy anniversary! I will join you with the serious hunger – I was definitely hungrier than the usual hungry in the afternoon yesterday following my long run. That’s exactly how I ended up at The Cheesecake Factory (again) looking for cake. Definitely satisfied my hunger 🙂
CF is the best for dealing with extreme hunger. Lol that sounded like a Snickers commercial! I think we need a CF date 🙂
You are getting it done, and that is what is most important. These days where you struggle and wonder why you can’t hit a faster pace are the days that make all the difference when it matters. Hang tough in there, you know it will be worth it, and yes, for god sake celebrate your anniversary!!!! Enjoy 🙂
That’s what I’m telling myself – I’m getting it done and I’m not injured! Summer can be a rough time for running!
Happy anniversary! You need to tell your story sinetime. I’m intrigued now! And yes, pace is a tough one but that’s what training is for. The improvement will come when it matters.
Someday, possibly 😉 And I’m always doubting my training is “working” but, then, surprise, it does. I never learn!
happy happy happpy anniversary.
IT IS WORK BUT IT ONLY GETS BETTER
<3
Thank you!
Happy anniversaries! And I say just celebrate them both. And I also say that you are past the 7 year itch or anything like that because you bucked the system anyway. That’s my story and I”m sticking to it!
I know, we’ve essentially been living “married” for 9ish years!
Happy Anniversary to you and Adam!!! Celebrate in the awesomeness of the good life you have created and grown together.
Thanks Leslie 🙂
Happy anniversary!!! I’m getting married this weekend 🙂 It’s a good time of year for a wedding! Great job on your training. And don’t feel bad, I have to pull out my calendar and count every time I want to say what week I’m in. I always forget!
Congrats to you, it’s a beautiful time of year for weddings and then of course anniversaries!! And thank you 🙂
Great week of workouts! And yes, I always forget what week I’m on. I honestly don’t even keep it by week numbers..I just put it down on a calendar so I can’t forget. Otherwise I would always be doing the wrong workouts! Happy Anniversary..and I can’t wait to hear that story 🙂
Thanks! I write my workouts down in my planner but then forget to write the week. Oh well, the race is still Nov 1 so it doesn’t matter what I’m thinking 🙂
Happy anniversary! What a beautiful picture of you three! My hunger has been out of control lately. Especially on my rest days. I try not to go too crazy the day before a long run (for digestive purposes) but that’s when I’m really hungry too.
Thank you 🙂 And yes I relate to that dilemma of wanting to eat everything the day before a long run without sabotaging the run!
Great week of training!! I constantly forget what week I am on too (started 8 today too!)
I’m getting nervous about the long runs since 13 is my longest so far!
A funny thing happens in the mind once the runs get longer – you start expecting them to be long! So you will adapt and do fine 🙂 Then a 13 will seem short in comparison.
Happy anniversary! Great week of training as well! I got my weeks off the other week as well. I thought I was 13 weeks in, but it was only 12. I’m so hungry all the time. We go through fruit, eggs, and nut butter like a household twice our size right now.
I feel like we’re like that with fruit no matter what! Never enough bananas and strawberries. You are right there with your training, exciting!
I currently have zero idea what week I am for training. I think I’ve gone from the “hmm let me figure this all out” to “whatever, as long as I get my runs in” haha. Hope you had a fabulous weekend!
Ha! I think I just like to know so it seems like I’m progressing – not the like race date is changing or anything!
Happy anniversary and I would love to hear the story one day! I am SO thankful to have a coach especially during my marathon training.. he takes the brain work out of everything. I swear I am the mentally laziest runner in the world, but he knows better than I do so I’d rather use his brain power anyway! I tried one of those Cliff Pouches last week before a race and loved it so thank you for recommending. Some of my friends who work at a running store said they wouldn’t carry them because all the employees thought they were nasty, but us paleo people care much more about whats in them and I’ve found that we like the taste of most anything.
Thank you!! One day bits will come out, I’m sure. My running partner was like that with her coach – loved giving all the thinking over to him and just do the runs. Not sure I could do it, although I see the appeal 🙂 Glad you like the Clif pouches 🙂 I actually think normal gels taste strange and way too sweet now.
Happy anniversary! 7 years is indeed a long time. If I’ve learned anything it’s to expect the unexpected and that life really is what happens while you’re making other plans – I would love to be able to know that in 7 years when I’m 31 (eeek!) I will be where I want to be but there’s no way to do that 🙂
Thank you!! And 7 years really is a long time especially going from 24-31. Let’s just say the course of my whole life changed in those years! They’re exciting times no matter what, for sure 🙂
Happy Anniversary! The best is yet to come- I’m going on 35 years in March ????. Yes, your love story does sound interesting but more importantly, Adam’s hair looks better today than 7 years ago ????. I predict 7 years from today, you’ll be training for Marathon #15! And yes, I never know what training week I’m on… the way my plan is set up with you, I’m on week 5!
Wow, that’s amazing, and thank you 🙂 I will tell Adam about the hair – he will be thrilled you said that!
And it sort of is silly that I need to know the exact week, the race date obviously doesn’t budge!
I wonder why my smiley faces turn into question marks? Ha! You’re not being silly at all- I am constantly looking to see what week I’m on!
Ha! Not sure!
Gah I love that picture of you two from your wedding!! So cute – happy anniversary! I need some yoga back in my life and this post reminded me of that. I tend to be all or nothing with it and either go to classes or don’t do it at all so I want to try to start doing it at home!
Thanks!! Yoga at home saves me since I really can’t fit in running and classes! This way I can squeeze in 30 minutes while my kids are playing and everyone’s happy 🙂
Happy Anniversary!!!!!!!! <3 xoxoxoxoxo
Thank you!!! xoxo
Wow happy anniversary!!! I love the autumn season, what a wonderful time for many special reasons 🙂
My long run was way tougher than I expected on Saturday despite the perfect weather. This morning on my run I still feel a bit funky so I may just cross train instead of run on Wednesday. I have been running more than my schedule calls for the last few weeks so I think I’m due for a recovery week! Plus this Saturday I have a shorter long run and then a family 5k that afternoon. It’s not a big deal but I wanna feel good for both, ya know?
Thank you!! When I saw your IG I felt instantly bonded to you since I’d just finished my 18.
We put our bodies through a lot, then we want to feel good and feel like all the work is paying off, I get it! Often training just feels tough though, in the middle of a plan it seems.
Happy Anniversary! I love the pictures; you guys look so happy!
Thank you!!
Happy Anniversary!!!
I predict that in 7 years you will still be running but maybe not racing. You will regularly be practicing yoga and possibly even teaching. You will have 2 teenage daughters who will keep you even busier than you are now and Drew will be even more hysterical, (if that’s even possible), and will always keep you on your toes!
I think you know me pretty darn well, wow!
I’d love to hear the wedding story! Maybe you were doing your hip opening practice 9 years ago?! HA ha ha ha! I’m hilar. Your family is beautiful and yes, a lot can happen in a short amount of time. I can most certainly vouch for THAT. But love shows up in the unexpected moments, and grace fills in the cracks. xo
LOL, one day I’ll tell!
Happy anniversary!! I would love to hear your story, but I feel like I am being really nosy by asking! Haha!
My husband and I have been married for 6 years now, in some ways it’s feels like it has flown by, in other ways I feel like I am a completely different person! (For the better I must add!).
I mean this in the best way possible- but you look like a baby in your picture, so beautiful :)! The only prediction I have is that you will live happily ever after. The end!
My marathon training went well last week too!! I need to check out some of those yoga links you included 🙂 My runs are going well (did 16 on my long run last week!) but I could totally use more stretching!
I’m feeling like I need to stretch right now after 9 miles this morning! I’ve been so busy prepping for the 1st day of school I haven’t done any yoga – need my fix! That’s awesome with 16 miles and going strong 🙂