Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Finding my way back: With a long run

First of all happy hump day everyone, ever since I started ONLY working Monday-Friday I really appreciate the whole "half-way" through the week thing much more.

Today is a little different, I'm not used to recovering from a long run mid-week, but I guess 22 on a Tuesday will do that to you. If you are new to my little corner of the world- NO I don't normally run 22 miles mid week but being sick last week forced me to rearrange my training for this week.

I know some might question why I didn't just ditch the run, or push it to this coming weekend. But neither of those were good options considering I am less than 3 weeks out from my goal marathon at this point. This 22 mile run was key for me, I was not born a natural endurance or distance runner so my long runs are incredibly important for me and my training both mentally and physically.

Okay, so prepping for a 22 miler can be interesting enough but I was thrown off trying to prepare for one knowing I was going to work all day.
You mean this isn't what you wear before your long runs?
I came in a little early, with my Starbucks as usual (although I made it a triple shot day, I mean come on...it's going to be a long one) but made sure to fill my water bottle up ASAP so I could work on that all day too. Brought plenty of food/snacks for the day to make sure I fueled up enough.

I mapped a route while I ate my lunch, and apparently was NOT paying attention. It was not the smartest route, but sure why not have a whole bunch of hills in the first half. This bit me in the ass later, I actually would have been better off running hills the entire time.

Finally around 3, I got the green light to head out. Quickly changed, got my sneakers on and headed outside. I can't even begin to tell you how amazing the weather was. 63 and sunny with a little breeze-couldn't have had more perfect weather for a long run.

I set out along Route 65, it was actually pretty busy but there is a good enough shoulder for most of the time. I found myself huffing a puffing a little pretty quick, residual crap in my lungs from being sick- just what I wanted to feel less than 2 miles into my long run, but I pressed on. I was in a good mood, enjoying the views and feeling pretty good besides the altered breathing. I knew I was starting too fast, and tried to reign it in and just take it easy.  I actually hit a lot of the hills from my last 10k, as I ran through Mendon Ponds Park. After leaving the park I got back onto another main road but it was far less crowded with cars, but the hills remained the same. I was still feeling pretty good, my legs actually didn't seem to mind the rolling hills and liked being able to use different muscles. My confidence was building as I was imagining things for race day.
 (8:06, 8:00, 7:50, 7:53, 7:46, 8:01, 7:57, 7:53, 8:01, 7:51, 7:59, 7:56)

Around 13 I started feeling drained. I was realizing the effects of last week, and I was letting it get me down. I was actually dreading getting onto the flat canal path, I knew it was going to be harder on my legs after starting faster, and starting on the hills. Mentally I lost it at this point, I'm not proud of it but I was throwing myself a pretty big pity party in my head.
(8:06, 8:06, 8:07, 8:02)

View on the canal path, during a quick stretch break trying to shut my legs up.

The last few miles I just did everything I could NOT to give up.  I was throwing little tantrums in my head, and my body was starting to get cranky. Then I realized how hungry I was, and that gels were NOT going to satisfy that right now. Finally I made my way back to the office and my watch said 21.75, normally my OCD would kick in and I would run circles around the parking lot until I hit 22, but I called it good enough and sat on the curb by my car. 
(7:50, 7:48, 7:50, 7:52, 7:44, ~7:53)
And the #proof photo (Just for you Hollie! :) )
I played roadkill on the sidewalk for a while, then proceeded to pick up Panera on the way home. I've been trying to eat out less right now, but after working all day and running for 3 hours- I didn't have any desire to cook. So I went home, took a long shower and then sat in bed with compression gear, Panera and some Netflix while I waited for John to get home.

Some Good Things
I got the miles in (okay, minus .25).

I do feel better going into Wineglass getting this last super long run in.

This is my fastest paced 20+ run ever, and on probably the hardest of the routes I have done.

Some Bad Things
I really need to get my breathing back to normal, it was uncomfortable and annoying.

I'm definitely lacking some physicality(maybe not the word I want?) after last week, hopefully some more runs and some cross training this week will help.

While I do feel better about Wineglass, I don't feel overly confident. I wish I could say this run was the "oomph" I needed but it wasn't. 

Thoughts
I need to get my mind back where it belongs...in the 3:XX or bust (haha you thought I was going to tell you my A goal) mode. I need to find that drive and determination that I seem to have misplaced. 

I NEED to go cheer people on at Rochester Half/Full marathon this weekend. I need to feel that desire to RACE, I honestly need to feel that pain of standing on the sidelines. I need to feel that because it will get me so revved up heading into taper. 

I do have another long run this weekend, about 2 hours or so, and I'm hoping that one gives me the boost I need. I don't want to waste my "good run" on a non-race day, but I also need to have one of those confidence boosting runs heading into a hard 2 weeks of taper.

I'm proud of myself for getting this run done, I could have dropped it all together but I didn't because I knew I needed it (even if it felt less than stellar). 

So yes this was a good run, not a great one- but I am happy with the pace, happy I managed to do it- and hopeful that I can get back to feeling like myself over the next 2.5 weeks.


Have you ever done a mid-week long run?

Ever lost your "oomph" while in the final weeks before a race?
If so, what did you do to get it back?



32 comments:

  1. Glad you're back at it Laura, good job on the 22. I've never gone that long mid-week, never time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't normally have that time, but my boss was good about letting me leave early to get it done.

      Delete
  2. I can't even imagine doing a 22 miler after work. When I come home from class I can barely even get myself to do homework sometimes. I don't know what your A goal is but I think you'll surprise yourself at Wineglass :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is precisely why I didn't go home. I literally brought all my stuff to work with me because I knew if I went home first, my motivation would go down the tubes!

      Delete
  3. I did a long run mid week once last year (22 km). I had 2 weeks before a half-marathon and needed to get a long run in before that race and didn't want to do it any closer to the date! I was completely done for the day after working all day, then running. I prefer to get them done on the weekend, but sometimes it just doesn't work out that way. Good job on your 22 m, that is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! I definitely prefer the whole weekend long run thing, although it was kind of a fun way to mix things up.

      Delete
  4. Way to get it done, Laura!! I've never done a midweek long run, it's just not possible at this point. You're such an inspiration.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're a busy lady with kiddos and stuff, I totally get it! You still rock your training and get your long runs in on the weekend, you are going to seriously kill MCM!

      Delete
  5. I can't imagine running 22 miles after work, kudos to you for even getting it done. My mid-week long runs aren't really long, but sometimes in marathon training I've done 8-10 milers mid-week, as tempo runs. I think you will definitely do well at wineglass, the first workout or hard run back after being sick is always tough and even if it wasn't your best run ever, you still got it done. After all, you want the marathon that really counts to be your best run of the training cycle anyway :).

    ReplyDelete
  6. Awesome job!!! You are so fast, wow!

    Right now, I'm absolutely loving my long runs although feet aren't so much. My long runs are leaving me with blood blisters on one foot. It's gross. Not painful...just gross. I think it may be because I'm wearing the wrong socks...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! Ohhh blood blisters are no fun, definitely dealt with them before. I'd invest in some good socks, they really can make a big difference.

      Delete
  7. Great job on powering through! Doing a mid-week post-work long run is so hard. I've done it. I also once did 4 hours on an elliptical while injured to simulate a long run--BRUTAL. It's amazing what you can get your body and mind to do. I know you don't feel 100%, but if you give into the taper I think you'll get there by race day. You're still recovering from being sick! And above all else, you've just got to believe that you've go this! I do!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Glad you got your run in and way to go for doing it after a full day of work!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. You're amazing! Such a solid pace, too... I think you're ready for this marathon! I'm working a 22 miler in this cycle too, I'm never done more than 20.5, but like you, I need the extra distance and mental preparation!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The extra distance works wonders on my mind and body during training, I feel more comfortable and confident after longer runs!

      Delete
  10. 22 Miles?!?! You are incredible no matter what! Being i'm not an avid runner{3-4 miles doesn't count) that's amazing that you even did it!

    I do know that your pace is pretty darn good missy! Keep up the GREAT work I just know youa re going to rock this marathon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Heather! And 3-4 miles is still kick ass, especially with all the P90X you do!!!

      Delete
  11. 22 miles, after work, a week after being sick? I think you are ready to kick some serious ass, girl!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Haha - wow! You are a machine lady! I love that you've been honest about the fact you had dips in your mental state during the run, I used to have those too when I got to around 9km so that fact you got them so far in is still impressive!

    Kate | Diaries of an Essex Girl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Kate! I'm definitely honest when I struggle during a run or after, I mean I'm human we all are and I don't want people to think I have some fantasy running world where everything is all peachy all the time. I like to be real about it, and sometimes that means admitting when I kicked ass and also admitting when I got my ass kicked :)

      Delete
  13. You did an awesome 22 miler! and way to tough it out, has to be hard to run that distance after being sick. Nice pace too! I'm glad you'll be cheering on the Rochester races! I'm sure I'll see you somewhere Sunday!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh you'll definitely see me out there on the course, I'm not sure where yet!

      Delete
  14. I think you're amazing for getting out there and doing 22 miles AFTER work. There's no way I would have done that. I know what you mean about losing fitness and being frustrated about it (hello, all of the injuries I've had), but I think that once you are truly over this cold you'll see notable differences. It's ridiculously hard to run when your lungs aren't clear and you're still a little bit under the weather. Glad to hear you have one more longer run before you taper. You've got this, girl.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Amy, You are seriously going to bounce back from the injuries and obstacles you have had- I see great things for you at the Niagara Falls 10k!

      Delete
  15. Way to push through. You totally rocked that long run. I can't believe how speedy you are!

    I think the mental game is one of the most important components to endurance sport. You end up playing both sides of the argument: The tantrum throwing teenager and the persistent parent. Just remind yourself you've done this before, you've been uncomfortable before, and you (the tantrum throwing teenager) are totally capable of achieving the current goal. I have the same argument in my head all the time!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm glad to know I am not the only one who has arguments in my head while running :):)

      Delete
  16. Considering your times stayed around the 8:xx range after you got in your slump, I think that's pretty good! You didn't get in your head too much and only a few seconds difference after running hills is pretty awesome. But I mean, maybe that's just my opinion since I run like 9-10 minute miles LOL. And I love the proof picture for Hollie! I'm sure she feels much relief seeing it :-P

    I hope your breathe evens out before Wineglass. I think the worst thing is when you feel like you can't breathe properly during a run.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. LOL after her blog post about IG the other day I HAD to do it, I knew she would appreciate it. I don't always take Garmin pics unless it was a really good run or really long.

      My breathing is getting better, but definitely not 100% yet, 2 weeks to get it tame!

      Delete
  17. Looks like you had a great long run and good weather! Not bad for doing it after a work day too! I'm considering doing mine tomorrow after work so I can sleep in on Saturday and race Sunday. Although I'm only looking to get a 13 mile long run in since I'm not doing a full this fall.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hey even 13 after work is a big deal! Working all day then getting anything more than like an hour in can seem like forever some days!

      Have you decided on a spring full? Cleveland?

      Delete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...