Another week down and a few steps closer (or 47 miles but who’s counting? Not me!) to THE MARATHON!
This week went a lot better than last, and I’m almost completely over the fact that I missed my half marathon tune up. Everything happens for a reason? Who knows, maybe I would’ve injured myself running that half. Or maybe I was pushing limits and needed extra rest. Who knows.
What I do know is that right now at least, I’m feeling confident that I’ll have the experience I want. Training is progressing mostly as it should, nothing hurts, and I’m feeling good on rest days and run days alike. I might even say that this is the healthiest I’ve ever felt while training for a marathon.
Let’s Get Into It! NYC Marathon Training Week 11 Recap.
Monday – 6 miles easy pace.
I was still feeling weak from my virus over the weekend, but after 2 full days of not running and no long run at all, I was itching to get out. The run was good for about 4 miles, but the last 2 involved some cramping since I was still dehydrated. Overall I felt happy to be out running after feeling like death the day before.
Yoga – 30 minute Morning Flow with Tim Senesi – I had high hopes for doing more yoga this week, but life got in the way and this was the longest practice I did. I still snuck it in here and there, but I haven’t been prioritizing it.
Tuesday – 6 miles easy pace.
I felt better on this run (exact same route) than I did Monday but I still cramped a bit at the end. I’m still not tracking pace for my easy runs but they seem to be around 9 min/mile average pace I would say, depending on the route.
Yoga – Well rounded Flow with Tim Senesi – Short but effective!
Wednesday – 9 miles total, 7 @ goal pace.
By today I was feeling rested, recovered, and ready to take on a workout. This run mostly stuck to the plan, I was over goal pace by just a little during the first of the 7 miles, but picked it up for the rest and felt pretty good.
For yoga, I did 20 minutes of my own flow focusing on hips and hamstrings. I usually prefer to put together my own little routine after a harder run, because I know the exact areas where I feel tight and need to put more focus into.
Thursday – 8 miles easy pace.
This run felt great, thanks to nice cool weather most likely and also being 100% healthy again.
No yoga – kept meaning to get it in and it just never happened.
Friday – A total rest day – no running or yoga. Lots of cooking and recipe creation though! It was a busy day and I had a good amount of nervous energy saved up for my 18 miles the next morning.
Saturday – 18 miles, 8:55 pace. I think a small part of me was relieved to make it through the night without getting sick like I did last Saturday! Silly thought, but it DID make me appreciate just being able to do the run.
This was the first long run during training where I left my hydration pack at home, since it was cool enough not to need to drink throughout the run. Weather makes a really big difference for how I feel during these runs!
I didn’t fuel much for this but I felt energized all the way through nonetheless. I had just one squeeze applesauce around mile 10 and that was it. I considered doing it completely fasted, but felt like I needed a little something in the middle and wasn’t going to be stubborn.
I know this happy long run talk is great and all, but I still have a 20 miler and then a 22 miler with fast finish to get through before it winds down. The peak weeks are upon us! I’m getting excited, this is the best part before I lose my mind during taper.
Sunday – No running, for yoga I did this 30 minute Open Heart Flow with Lesley Fightmaster.
We also went apple picking!
Not that it has anything to do with marathon training – except that I worry about silly things like an apple falling on my foot and injuring me – because it COULD happen. Even considering the danger factor, apple picking is one of the few kid activities I still get genuinely excited for.
As promised, chocolate dipped apples were made post-picking. It was the simplest thing – dark chocolate chips melted with a little Kerrygold butter, then we dipped, and chilled. Much easier than promising an apple pie or crisp when time is short!
My feet remained unbruised through all of it and I’m ready to take on the week ahead of running!
Summary – 47 miles, 1 workout, 18 mile LR, 4 days 20-30 minutes yoga, no pain!
Goals for this week – 56 miles, since I’ll be doing my long run Sunday (Adam’s out Saturday coaching) and will be shifting rest days to prep, which means 6 days of running. Also 2 workouts and a 20 miler. Because of the switched days, week 12 will be my peak mileage week, but week 13 will be my longest LR of 22 miles.
Do you worry more about getting injured by something dumb as a race gets closer?
Running/fitness goals for this week?
I definitely worry about a non-running related injury! When I was at the wedding over the weekend I wore heels and of course had to take them off for most of the night but then I was terrified that someone would step on my foot while dancing. However, wearing heels while dancing would have caused problems of its own! If only it were acceptable to wear running shoes 24/7…
As usual we’re on the same page. I’ve given up any shoes that aren’t super comfy and supportive 🙂
you had a great week of running!!! The weather was awesome over the weekend, for our Saturday runs and yesterday’s fall fun. We went to White post farms, my son got the caramel apple but the ones I make (dipped in caramel and then chocolate) are so much better! I really should make them again.
I think the homemade dipped ones are so much better! I should do caramel chocolate ones, maybe I can make them paleo, who knows?!
WOOOO! Yay! It is all coming together for you just at the right time, like it was always meant to 🙂 Excited for you, and yes, do not worry about the tune up, you will just have more motivation for the day itself! Now just fuel up and try to relax 🙂
You are awesome Tina – always so motivational! I was thinking the same thing this morning, that maybe the adrenaline will just bump over and I’ll have extra for the marathon 🙂
Im so so so excited for you and definitely living vicariously. I’s how I do 🙂
Thanks Carla 🙂
Um, you killed it this week! 47 miles is a helluva lot! And glad that you got to go apple picking–Alex and I are going during vacation in Michigan at the end of net month!
I’m going above 50 next week and the week after so hopefully I’ll make it through!
Your worries I think are completely normal. I worry about getting injured even when I’m not running!
Good point. We need to protect ourselves!
I worry about the dumbest things when it gets close to the marathon. Like flying (even though I had to for NYC) because it makes me tired and messes up my stomach sometimes. Our minds are weird but it’s normal. Ah I miss apple picking!
I have the same issues with flying, which is one reason I might never sign up for a destination marathon!
Loving the dark chocolate apples and I’m sure your kids are too!
Ah yes, we all are!
Apple picking looks so fun! I’ve always wanted to do that. I was invited to do this 24-hr relay this weekend where each person alternates running 1 mile at a time for a total of 10 miles each. It sounded fun so I signed up and then I realized that I hate doing my 4×1600 workouts and I have a half marathon in a couple weeks! I hate committing to something and then dropping out, but sometimes you just have to take care of yourself.
Committing makes me nervous in general 🙂 But I hear you, we need to prioritize and take good care of ourselves!
Great job this week and I’m so glad you’re feeling better! I definitely get freaked out about getting hurt closer to the race…we went hiking this weekend and there were a few places where you had to climb or jump a few feet and I was SO nervous doing it. That would be the worst way to miss a race!
Yes, the worst! Because unlike getting sick, we’d have ourselves to blame 🙁
Woohoo we’re so close!! Glad to hear you’re back to feeling better ! I’m always paranoid about injury once I hit peak weak, even when I have general stiffness I’m like OH NO THIS IS IT! Haha. Looking forward to increasing milage, lowering intensity post half tune up, and getting back to a long run. Next week is my peak week at 70 miles – bring on the taper! PS those chocolate covered apples = delicious
It really does feel closer now! I’m even aware of things like sitting on my knees at the computer, which I always do, because I don’t want my knee to buckle up and that be the reason for it. I can’t even sit without thinking of my position!
At ALL times I step down from curbs and stairs like I am 90 years old because I don’t want a “stupid” slip to injury me for workouts! If I get injured I want it to be doing something “worthy” 🙂 So I hear you. Yay for your feet remaining bruise-free!
I’ve done dumb things like drop things on my foot and bang my hip on a table corner, so the fear is real 🙂 Luckily bruises don’t matter much!
I do worry about getting injured/sick before a race. I think we all do, because we put so much work and effort into training that we do not want it to be for nothing, even though it isn’t. I am happy you are staying strong and healthy
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Thank you! I think we all worry about the hard work being for nothing because of a random injury.
Glad them crazy apples didn’t get ya 😉 But I totally get the fear — I don’t get it so much with running, but when I have some big event coming up? Definitely. And I seriously need to make it out apple picking this year. I keep meaning to do it, but then I also keep missing the season 😆
It’s so easy to miss apple season that I usually schedule our day to do it in August! All the places around us switch over to pumpkins once October hits. We had a nice cool day for it at least, sometimes it’s still so hot.
You went apple picking without me!!! Hahaha! I’m so jealous 😛
Wonderful “back to it” week! Keep it up dear!
Thanks! And I hope you find time to go, that’s like heaven for you!
Oh, I totally freak out about getting injured doing something stupid because it’s a very real possibility. I am SO CLUMSY. I gotta do those chocolate dipped apples. That’s brilliant. I’m still recovering from the marathon so my goal this week is still just to run easy and stay uninjured.
I only notice my clumsiness when a marathon looms nearer I think! But I think I’m like that all the time, a little too distracted 🙂
Absolutely! When the 2 week taper before a marathon arrives, I start to go a little nutty & worry about the silliest things causing an injury. I just did a training week very like yours, including an 18 miler yesterday so it’s great to hear someone else’s thoughts on it all.Good luck next week with your 20 miler 😀
I think it’s normal to be aware of every single thing that could potentially hurt us – we put a whole lot of work in! Good luck this week to you as well 🙂
Those chocolate dipped apples look amazing! And you are the second person that I’ve seen who went apple picking! It sounds like the perfect fall activity. I need to check to see if we have any orchards in our area.
I really like apple picking and we have lots of great memories with the kids! I’d do it even without them, though 🙂
Great job!!! And how cute are those apples?! 🙂
Yes I’m still dealing with injuries. Going to an airrosti doctor today to see if I have hope of a marathon at all. Honestly I’m thinking that running a marathon during two ironman races was almost easier on my body. Sadly I didn’t like the cycling. Ugh this stuff is just mind boggling! Oh well I’ll what the doctor says this time <3
Really sorry you’re struggling so much with this Danielle! I feel for you, you had been on a good streak. As much as it’s said, it really IS important to just take care of yourself and not make things worse!
Great week of training! Those dark chocolate apples look so tasty! I get paranoid about non-running related injuries like dropping something on my foot or tripping over something, but then other times I do things that could totally cause injury, such as hiking a week before my marathon.
I’m the queen of clumsiness it seems as my marathon approaches! Although I’m probably just noticing it NOW 🙂 Hiking a week before the marathon – there are worse things!
weather and health. two key factors for training! so yay for thursday run! haha. send some coolness and that inspiration down here.
Sadly we now have heat and rain again, oh well! Maybe next week will bring the good weather back 🙂
I worry about getting sick vs getting injured. Have you ever fasted for a long run? How do you keep from bonking?
I used to do fasted long runs more often and never bonked, not sure why but it might be because I run on empty in the morning usually anyway.
You had a terrific week and I’m so glad you’re feeling back to normal. I’ve never had a sickness stop me from racing before.
I think you’re a trooper for doing your long runs fasted. Anything longer than 10 and I need to bring something along with me. Especially for runs-16/22…I feel my energy levels beginning to dip and a quick GU helps out a ton. I will have to try going that long without eating….It certainly would make my pockets weigh less!!!
I’ve never run fasted for more than 16-18 and I probably won’t try – I think it’s important to practice fueling for race day! I still can’t believe the timing of that bug, ugh!