TexasLindsey

I'm considering this a cross training day. 

What did I do to cross-train?  That would be hard manual labor cleaning house, moving furniture around, doing mass quantities of laundry, sorting boxes of clothes that no longer fit my kids and boxes of hand me down clothes they can now wear.  I didn't sit down all day. 

I intended to run 8 miles but once I got into working in the house I decided I might just take an day off to be fresh for the 19 miler on Saturday.

I ran 19.22 miles this morning.  The longest I've ever gone.  This was a good and a bad day.  

The good was the times I recorded were pretty awesome. 

One bad part was my watch messed up in the beginning and I didn't have satelites the first 17 or 18 mintues.  I had to turn off watch and turn it back on again... and wait for satelites to be found.   I was able to figure out that I was exactly 2.4 miles "off".  This confused me the entire run as I tried to do math in my head.  I found out that I'm not all that great at math while doing 8:20 miles.  Ha, ha!  

But the REALLY bad part was that I hurt my IT band on mile 16.5.   I ran through the pain a mile or so... then I ran/walk for the remaining 1.5 miles.   I'm so mad!

I started out too fast I think.  I was running the first 6 miles with my friend, Brenda, and we were trying to keep up with one of those "fast girls" from two weeks ago (the other "fast girl" wasn't there today).  After Brenda turned around to head back, I tried to catch the "fast girl" ahead of me but she was out of my sight for the first half of the run.  She must have slowed down or stopped alot because after the turn around, I started closing in on her.  I caught up to her around mile 13.5... I actually even passed her for a few miles (although she was not too far behind). 

Then BOOM going downhill on concrete around 16.5 mile... my IT band on my right leg just started hurting.  It really sucks because at the time when this happened, I was really feeling great aerobically... I was thinking I would have no problem coasting in at a pace under 8:30.  Ugh!  This was the same pain as two years ago that prevented me from running a marathon that year.... only that was on my left leg.  Did I mention that I was mad?!!

So I kept running but slowed down to a 9 min pace for a little over a mile... but eventually, the pain got so intense I had to walk/run.  At this point the "fast girl" wizzed past me... I guess she thinks that's what I get for trying to hang with her.  LOL  

Any advice would be appreciated.  Should I take time off?  Should I reduce mileage?  I had planned on running my first marathon on Nov 14th... should I scrap that and try for another marathon in Dec or Jan.   I'm just so upset right now I don't know what to do. 

People in my running group told me to go to the sports chiropractor for our team.  He's like a genius wonder worker who can fix anything... but I don't really have the money.  Buying new shoes all the time and running races about breaks me.  I'm a stay-at-home mom on a budget. 

Splits

First 2.4 miles I recorded no pace or distance because -and I didn't realize this right away because it was dark - my watch couldn't find satelites.  I think I did them in around 18 minutes.  I'm not exactly sure because the timer was shut off when I re-started watch to locate satelites.  Since I don't know for sure I'll say the pace was approx 8:00 a mile but honestly, I think it was faster.

Because of the above screw up, during the below miles I actually didn't know exactly what mile I was on while I running them.  So these were fun miles!  Ha, ha!  At least I started getting paces though.

mile 3.4 - 7:59

mile 4.4 - 8:09

mile 5.4 - 8:14

mile 6.4 - 8:23

mile 7.4 - 8:13

mile 8.4 - 8:14

mile 9.4 - 8:30

Turn around at mile 9.6 ... reset watch but forgot to re-start right away.  Messed me up AGAIN.  User error.  The fun continues.

mile 10.4 - 8:25 ish (a guess because 1/2 this mile was not recorded based on the user error above)

mile 11.4 - 8:17

reset watch again at water stop because I was told it was exactly 7.5 miles back to the store from this location.  Woo Hoo!  I finally know how much farther!!

mile 11.75 - 8:33

mile 12.75 - 8:22

mile 13.75 - 8:27

mile 14.75 - 8:23

mile 15.75 - 8:09

mile 16.75 - 8:46 (IT band first started hurting)

mile 17.75 - 9:16 (I tried to slow down this mile to see if I could hold pain off)

With about 1.5 miles left I finally started walk/running.  It took me about 16 minutes to get back... I was running about 10 min pace but with the walking it averaged out to 11 min pace.

Final mileage today = 19.22 miles   but I guess technically I should only count 17.75  ... sigh...

So after my IT band flared up on my 19 miler, I took 3 days off.  I took IB profen, stretched, got 10 hours of sleep each night, and took about 3000 mg vitamin C spread out over each day.  I got one of those foam rollers as was suggested to me by Jody and Nicole.  I'm still learning but I can see how useful this would be to make it a habit. 

I also went to my running store and bought 2 new pairs of shoes.  I am going to start rotating shoes.  My previous pair only had 360 miles on them but they felt really worn out.  I could really tell when I tried on the new shoes how bad my other ones had gotten.  No wonder I got hurt.

So I went running today to try out the new shoes.  I took Ryan in the stroller.  He was awesome!  I can't believe how good he was.  I like taking him more than Jake ... mainly because it seems I can go farther. 

I only intended to run 3-6 but Ryan was so good I decided to just kept going until he got fussy... but he never did so I ran 10 miles and quit.  My IT band never hurt at all.  YAY!!!! 

I'm going to keep my pace slow these next couple weeks because I don't want to risk more injury.  I'm running 10-12 miles on Saturday and 10-12 miles on Sunday.  The group is doing 20 miles not this Saturday but the next.  It's the last long run before the taper for the marathon.  If I make it through all that with out any more pain in the IT band, I'll pick up the pace here and there. 

I just have to finish a marathon.  I think I've been getting too ambitiuos and getting ahead of myself thinking I could qualify for Boston...  I don't need to be thinking about that.  I need to just finish one first.  A 9 minute per mile pace for my first would be great... especially if I didnt get injured doing it. 

Splits

10:23

10:01

10:08

9:46

9:40

9:42

9:57

9:38

9:55

9:43

My plan this morning was to take it easy and do 6 miles.  I'm still worried about my IT band.  I just ran according to how I felt.  It was really cool this morning... in the upper 50's.  The first couple miles I felt little twinges around my right knee similiar to what I felt on Saturday but less intense.  I kept slowing my pace and they went away... but then they'd come back after a downhill. 

Finally at 2.7 miles I was deciding whether to head home to not risk any more injury... I was thinking maybe doing 10 yesterday wasn't such a good idea afterall... but before I made the turn to my house, I stopped and stretched my calf muscles again.  I had stretched them before I started running but this time they felt SUPER tight.  After I stretched them, my legs felt brand new.  I didn't have any pain any where what so ever.  So I kept running.... and actually even speeding up... and my knee/leg felt fine. 

Weird.  My calf muscles also feel really tight after I've been sitting for a while and after I wake up.  I'm a forefoot runner so they get a big workout everytime I run.  Maybe tight calfs are to blame for the issues I had on Saturday?!  Hmm... something to look into I guess. 

Ended up doing 6 miles as planned.  Even got down to 9:12 in the last mile and felt pretty comfortable. 

Splits

10:49

10:55

10:49

10:19

10:08

9:12

Ran with my group this morning.  I started out saying I wanted to do a 9 min pace... 8:45 at the max I said.  I just can't control myself around these people though.  My friend, Brenda, and I ran the whole way together at an 8:15 average and we talked non-stop except for the last two miles... So I was feeling pretty good.  Amazingly, my IT band didn't flare up at all.  I concentrated on keeping my knee bent at all times and not over-extending it.  I also too downhills very slow.  I feel great today!  I'm so happy!  

Splits

mile 1 - 8:22

mile 2 - 7:59

mile 3 - 8:17

mile 4 - 8:24

mile 5 - 8:26

mile 6 - 8:26

mile 7 - 8:38

mile 8 - 8:21

mile 9 - 8:14

mile 10 - 8:04

mile 11 - 7:37

Met up with my friend, Stephanie, to run Trinity River trails.  I brought Jake and pushed him in the jogging stroller... and I talked the whole time... so it was a workout for sure!  Jake was good because I let him listen to my ipod the whole time.  After 6 miles we stopped at the duck pond and let Jake feed ducks... although his favorite thing was actually chasing the birds who were trying to steal the ducks food.  

Splits

10:08

9:59

10:06

9:50

9:37

10:02

7 miles at Trinity park pushing Jake and Ryan in the double stroller.  I haven't run this far with the double stroller before.  It went well.  The weather was perfect - in the 70's. The kids were good.  It was difficult to push on the trails... a little easier on concrete.  I think part of what makes the double stroller more difficult is that I have to hold on with both hands whereas with the single stroller I can push with only one hand.  However, it wasn't too bad... I'm looking forward to taking them both with me more often. 

Splits

10:19

10:28

10:02

9:58

10:15

10:06

10:00

I was planning on waking up at 5 this morning to run 12 miles.  My group run this Saturday is a 20 miler so I wanted to get in a 12 mile run today.  However, when the alarm went off I was SOOO tired.  I could not get up.  I negotiated with myself that I'd be able to pull off 12 miles with the kids in the jogging stroller. 

What was I thinking?!  Today's run was so stressful... THE most stressful run I've ever had.  I only made it 4.5 miles but I do believe it felt like 3 times that amount.... hey, maybe I did get 12 miles after all.  

The main problem today was my three year old, Jake.  He cried because he wanted to go this way or that way... he cried because he wanted to stretch, which I stopped and let him.  He cried because he didn't want the sunglasses I brought him, he wanted another pair that were at home.... but he wanted them NOW.   He wanted to know why a river was called a river.... no, but, WHY?  He repeated, "mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy...."  He also managed to get the harness straps off and he leaned forward in the stroller the whole time... which made it very difficult to push.  He'd go back and forth and back and forth...  it was killing my momentum. 

When he finally settled down around mile 4, the 7 month old, Ryan, started crying.  By this point, I was so stressed.  I found it odd to feel anxiety while running.  The last half mile I ran as fast as I could to the car, which was about a 9 minute pace.  The overall average pace though was 10:33... however, I had to stop about 5 times to deal with Jake...

This should not even be counted as a run, but it was a workout...  I guess this is what I get for being lazy and not running this morning.  I will remember this the next time I try to skip a morning run.

9 miles this morning at 6 am.  It was colder than I expected... in the 40's.  I didn't dress warm enough.  It's amazing that it could be this cold in the morning considering yesterday it was in the upper 80's during the day.  

Splits

10:17

9:35

9:28

9:26

9:14

9:28

9:43

9:43

8:46

7.5 miles at 5 pm today.  It was hot and sunny.  My IT band didn't hurt at all, but now my knees are hurting right below the knee cap... mainly on my left leg.  weird.  It was my right leg that had the IT band issue last week. 

I'm starting to think it's these asics shoes.  I vaguely remember that a couple years ago, I bought asics nimbus but only wore them for a month because I thought I was starting to get knee pain with them... then I went back to Brook's Defyance and the knee pain went away.  I like the way the asics feel because they feel extra more cushioned than the Brooks in the forefoot... but maybe the gel cushion is changing the way my legs are absorbing shock. 

Well, my group run is tomorrow.  It's 19 miles.  I'm wearing my new Brook's Ghost.  I'm going to take it slower than I did last time I ran 19 (when I hurt my IT band).  Last time I averaged 8:05 for the first 9.5 miles.. and was averaging less than 8:30 for the second half until I got hurt.  The "fast" girl who I normally try to keep up with isn't going to be there tormorrow because she is getting married.   So my plan is to try to keep it to 8:45 the whole way.   We will see. 

Splits

9:02

8:59

9:05

8:42

8:49

9:06

9:14 (had to stop waiting on traffic to cross busy street)

8:46 (pace last .5 mile)

I DID IT!!!   I ran 19 miles without any injury issues.  Farthest ever.  8:33 average pace for all 19 but I did run negative splits.  First 11 miles average 8:38.  Last 8 miles average 8:25. 

I had to run by myself the whole way which was lonely.  The good part about running by myself though was that every time I felt even the slightest leg pain, I slowed and concentrated on my form.  I found that when I did that I was able to get back up to speed quickly enough and the pain would go away.  I also took the downhills very, very slow so as to not aggrevate my IT band.  I was running very careful the whole way. 

I was cold for 2 hours.  My face felt frozen and I couldn't make a fist. I didn't dress warmly enough.  I've got to figure out what to wear for my marathon so I'm more comfortable.  My muscles did feel tight during the middle and the last part of the run... I don't know if that was because of the cold or because I had been running so long.

I tried to imagine if I could pull off continuing this pace for another 7 miles at the end of today's run.... It was scary to think about.  Cardio speaking I felt GREAT.  I felt like I definitely had more energy...  But my legs...  I just wondered if they would be able to carry me another 7 miles.

After today I do think it's feasible that I could maybe pull off a 3:45 or 3:50 for my marathon on Nov 14th.  Since this is my first marathon, I'm just not going to give myself the added pressure this time to try to qualify for Boston.  Maybe next time. 

Today was a great run.  I am so happy!!   I wish I could sleep now though.  When you have two babies, you have to come home and go right to work. 

Splits

mile 1 - 8:18

mile 2 - 8:33

mile 3 - 8:51

mile 4 - 8:36

mile 5 - 8:36

mile 6 - 8:35

mile 7 - 8:35

mile 8 - 8:42

mile 9 - 8:49

mile 10 - 8:42

mile 11 - 8:41

mile 12 - 8:24

mile 13 - 8:20

mile 14 - 8:25

mile 15 - 8:35

mile 16 - 8:27

mile 17 - 8:28

mile 18 - 8:34

mile 19 - 8:06

mile 19.2 (last .2 mile) - 8:27

4 miles pushing Ryan.  There were alot of hills and I had to take the double stroller even though I had only one child today because the single stroller has a flat tire.  So it was kinda a strength training workout.

Splits

9:56

9:24

10:09

9:45

Ran 10 miles at 6pm.  85 degrees outside but it felt perfect.  Ran further than I was planning.  I didn't stop at all, didn't have water with me, and didn't even look at my speed, only distance.  I just ran how fast I felt like going.  It was comfortable but maybe a little faster than 'easy'.   It's amazing how much faster I am now than I was when I started on this blog in July.

My knees are still bothering me a little.  I'm thinking I'm developing runner's knees.  Probably increased milage too much too fast.  Ah well...  It's just too late to worry about that now ... Nov 14th is the marathon... and I'm in the final stretch of my training.   Saturday morning I'm set to run 20 miles with my group.  My focus this week is to get lots of sleep and about 30-35 miles in before Saturday. 

Splits 

9:12

8:54

9:05

8:38

8:50

8:50

8:48

9:04

8:38

7:49

Only had time to run 3.5 miles this morning.  I got up to do 6 miles but my 7 month old woke up and I had to feed him before I left.  My left calf muscle felt a little tight no matter how much I stretched.  I took it very easy.

Splits

10:58

10:14

10:05

9:19 (last .5 mile)

I ran an easy 6 miles.   My left calf / achillies tendon was bothering me so I slowed down. 

Splits

9:37

9:34

9:34

9:36

9:43

10:05

I'm taking today off.   Yesterday when I ran, my left calf was bothering me.  It first started bothering me on Tuesday.  It feels like the pain is coming from my achilles tendon. 

All I'm doing lately is just having one pain after another.  First it was IT band, then runner's knee, now this.  Every problem seems to have happened after that first 19 mile run on Oct 2nd.  I think I ramped up to 19 miles too quickly but I was just doing what my group was doing. 

So I'm taking IB profen, vitamin C and resting.  Tomorrow I'm supposed to run 20 miles with my group.  I'm prepared to cut the run short if my legs hurt too much... Above all I don't want to be hurt for the marathon.  I'm just trying to figure out what kind of pain is "too much" during a long run.  This 20 miler is important for the marathon training but it's pointless if I get so injured during it that I can't run my marathon.  It's the last big run before the taper. 

I'm really looking forward to the taper because I feel like my legs are ready for a break.  My marathon is Nov 14th so this will be a three week taper.   I think my plan is to run 4-5 days a week but less miles than I have been... also to run some shorter races.  There's a 10 mile race on Oct 30th I was thinking about doing.  Then either a 5k or 10k on Nov 6th. 

My first 20 miler!  Averaged 8:32 pace.  

Splits: 8:57, 8:51, 8:37, 8:20, 8:04, 8:04, 8:10, 8:01, 8:09, 8:14, 8:09, 8:07, 8:11, 8:01, 8:10, 8:06, 9:04, 10:04, 10:05, 9:04

I ran with "super fast girl"... found out her name is Laura and her PR is 3:33.  She's running Boston this year.  We also ran with a new guy to our group named Monty.  He's a 3:00 marathoner.  It was a great run.  We talked the whole way.

First 4 miles we got lost through this neighborhood and it was dark so our splits were a little slower because we kept turning around.  Around mile 5 we made it to the trails and it was light out.  Our pace was challenging from miles 5 thru 17 but I didn't feel like I was in over my head.  I was feeling pretty good actually. 

Mile 17, my IT band started acting up and I had to slow down.  I let them go on.  BUT it was really good because I figured out exactly what I need to do in this situation.  I didn't stop but slowed to a pace where it didn't hurt...about 10:30 pace.  I kept telling myself not to panic.  I took deep breaths and concentrated on my form.  I started telling myself that it was only a cramp and nothing serious.  I thought about how great I had been running today and how proud I was.  In other words, postive thoughts.  And it worked. 

I was able to speed up a little bit and then a little more... and by the end I was back up to a 8:30 pace and my IT band was barely hurting.  Weird!!?  Is this common, I wonder?  I even caught back up to within maybe a 150 yards of the two I was running with the whole way.  

So I'm actually most proud of the last 3 miles.  Running through that pain and coming out ahead, I think I have finally gotten the confidence to run 26. If my legs would just hold out for another 6 miles I felt like mentally and aerobically I could handle it.... although I think I was in the middle of a "runner's high" when I finished... so I might have crashed after that. 

7 miles at 6:30 pm.  Splits (9:59, 10:10, 9:26, 9:07, 9:03, 8:27, 8:16)

This was a crazy run!  I made a deal with my husband that I would take both kids in the double stroller for 2 miles to give him a chance to eat... Then I would go out for solo run for another 5 miles. 

First mile was downhill with the stroller with baby crying and 3 year old whining about the sun.  Second mile was uphill with both kids now happy and me struggling pushing it thinking this was possibly the hardest mile I have run in a long time. 

So then I started solo run...  was going easy just listening to my music around mile 4.5 at about a 9 min pace when all of a sudden I get passed by another runner.  Thing was this guy that passed me did so on an pretty big uphill and he was about as unlikely of a person to be going faster than me that I could imagine.  He was maybe 40ish with a pot belly and a strange gait and he wasn't wearing running shorts or shoes.  He was thrashing his arms accross his body when he ran.  

I thought he'd slow down before the top of the hill.  But no.  He sped up.  Then I thought he'd stop at the top of the hill.  But no.  He kept going.  I followed him for another mile or so and he kept getting faster.  The gap between us got up to 150 ft.  Finally, I decided I would try to catch him.  I had to get up to 8:03 a mile going uphill to catch up.  Then he turned one way and I went another.  I guess you can't judge how fast a person is by how they look!! 

Then as I was turning the other direction, I saw another runner ahead of me about 200 ft.  I thought... ah well, why not.   So I tried to catch this guy.  He had a pretty good pace and there were some more rolling hills so it was tough... but I got within 20 ft of him before I turned to go another way. 

So I guess good workout.  I didn't even know my splits til I got home.  One problem with running at night is my stomach was cramping the entire run.  I don't seem to ever have that problem in the morning.  It's just so dark and cold in the mornings now, I have been opting to sleep in and do evening runs. 

I'm loving this cool weather.  Legs feeling great! 

Splits (9:13, 8:56, 8:57, 8:36, 8:33, 8:30, and 7:25 pace for last .4)

Same route as yesterday.  Felt a little more tired today.  After the first couple miles, I charged every hill and tried to run them in under 8:25. 

Splits (9:31, 9:00, 8:41, 8:29, 8:37, 8:39, and 8:02 for last .4)

Tomorrow my running coach has the group doing 10 miles.  My plan is to do another 4-6 afterwards. 

Ran 10 miles with the group this morning.  7:56 average pace.

Splits (8:10, 8:14, 7:48, 7:51, 7:56, 8:03, 7:59, 8:03, 7:39, 7:35)

All the girls were there today.  I ran with Brenda, Laura, Ashley, and a new girl whose name was Amy (I think).  It was challenging and fun to run with so many fast girls!  I'm calling the whole thing a tempo - threshold miles.  The first 4 miles I was seriously doubting my ability to hang with them but I pressed on.  If I had been by myself, I wouldn't have gone so fast.  But that's why I like running with these girls!  They are making me a better runner.   By around mile 4.5, I got into a great rhythm and started feeling great at that pace.  

Then around mile 8, I started having some IT band "tweaks", so I put in my ipod and zoned out to Lady GaGa concentrating on my form... and I ended up getting faster and faster.  I didn't even look at my watch until the end.  I got ahead of everyone else in the last two miles.  I wasn't trying to "win" but I just wanted it to be over and I got totally into the zone!

It was cold -about 45 degrees.  Last time it was cold, I underdressed and was cold the whole run... so this time I might have over-dressed.  I wore a headband and hat over my ears, long tights, a short sleeve tee, a long sleeve tee, and gloves.  Actually, the only thing that I was annoyed with was the long sleeve tee.  I ended up taking that off at 2 miles and had to endure it wrapped around my waist the rest of the run (which was super annoying).   Good to know, if my marathon day is this weather.

Yesterday's 10 tempo run wore me out!  How I felt afterwards was just as bad, if not WORSE, than after I ran 19-20 miles.  My guess is that it was mainly the last two miles when I did 7:39 and 7:35...  I think that was in the anaerobic mode for me.  I'm thinking I had major lactic acid build up afterwards.  That's the only thing I can think... because 10 miles is normally not that big of deal for me. 

I'm a little confused about what to do the next two weeks leading up to my marathon.  This is my first taper.  I've read so many different theories...   I don't know if I should run fewer days a week than usual but keep it at 6-8 miles each day that I do run...  or to run 5-6 days but only 3-5 miles each day...