Weekly RUNdown

This pretty much sums up my week.  I fought the fear clear up until my last long run on Friday evening- that's when I decided I wasn't going to be afraid anymore, and I was just going to DO IT.  Here's what the week looked like:

Monday:  ITBS Rehab routine and REAL cycling- like, outside on a mountain bike cycling.  11.18 miles in 45 minutes (14.9 mph).  This was totally harder than I thought it would be!  My bum was sore for the entire week.  I don't know how you cyclists deal with the bum soreness.

Wednesday:  ITBS Rehab routine and 6.06 miles, 8:16 pace.  Took it easy as I was dealing with IT pain after the first mile.  I was disappointed in how I felt.  I was really hoping that I would magically be healed... I wasn't.

Thursday:  ITBS Rehab routine

Friday:  3 hours, 22.18 miles, 8:06 pace.  My goal was to run for 3 hours- no matter how far that was.  I had read an article on Active that said, "There really is no physical or aerobic benefit to running beyond the three-hour point. You'll be doing more harm than good to your body."  Seeing as how I deal with the whole injury thing a lot (and am currently dealing with it again), I decided that 3 hours was what I would aim for- no matter the distance.  Last training cycle I ran 23 miles and it took me 3 hours and 27 minutes, and then my body fell apart afterwards.  I was hoping not to jinx myself by just pushing for a solid, successful 3 hours on the road- even if my total mileage was lower.

Although I don't typically do it, I decided that I would take Ibuprofen before the run.  I was advised by my physical therapist to just complete this run so I could have enough time to properly heal before the race (rather than wait to run it the next week and risk re-injuring myself anyway).  I knew it wouldn't be pain free, so mentally I just needed to get through it.

I felt so good.  SO. GOOD.  I felt like the first 15 miles were effortless.  Every time I looked at my watch I couldn't believe my pace.  I was running so consistent at between a 7:59-8:03 mile.  I couldn't wipe the smile off my face.

Mile 15.5 I stopped for my last water stop and when I went to run again my IT Band totally KILLED.  I was kind of skipping/limping trying to get my stride back for about a quarter of a mile, but then I went numb again and was able to run just fine.  I felt like I had to push a little bit after about 18.5 miles to make sure to keep my pace in the low 8's (my goal was to keep all of my miles under an 8:15 pace).  I did it!  So proud.

Got some serious foam roll action this weekend.  Probably clocked a total of 2 hours on the foam roll.

I walked into my house and texted a bunch of my best friends.  Talk about a runner's high.  When I saw Dallas I started to cry.  I honestly didn't think I would be able to do it.  There was so much going on mentally that I was not prepared at all for the run; ironically, the run was exactly what I needed.

Dallas went and picked me up a chicken sandwich at Wendy's at 11:30 Friday night and let me eat it in bed.  That's true love, my friends.

Mouth full?  Why yes, I think it is.

Saturday:  Cycling, 10.5 miles in 45 minutes (14 mph).  It felt so good to get on the bike and spin out my very sore legs.

Now that it's over, I feel like I can relax.

I feel confidant that I can break into the 3:20's with this marathon.  After dealing with IT Band issues a few times in the last year, it's nice that I actually know what I'm doing and how to fix it.  I'm going to see my PT a couple more times before the race to continue working out the kinks.

In less than 2 weeks I'm going to run Red Rock Moab Relay with a bunch of friends and family with ZERO pressure.  It's the perfect reward for all of my hard work this year.

Running is so awesome.  Even when it is really, really hard.

Quick tip:  I put diaper rash cream between my toes to cut down on blister problems and it worked like a charm!

Who's racing the Ogden Marathon?  Are you so relieved to have the last loooong run over with?

What do you feel like is the biggest hurdle in marathon training?

For me, it is without a doubt, the fear of injury.  After this training cycle I have learned A LOT about injury, my own body's limits, and smart(er) running.