Chicago Marathon Training: Week 19/20

Weekly Summary

Miles: 32.53 (L2=27.75, L3=29.75) oops, all those 6.34 instead of 6.0 added up...
Days Run: 5
XT: 1 (I'm counting strollin' with baby boy)
Rest: 1
Intermittent Injuries: nothing, but sore throat came back on Saturday :P
Feelings: happy, relieved, fast, proud, excited, optimistic

Monday

Scheduled: 4mi

Did: 5.07 @ 10:05/mi

Oops. We thought we had 5 on the schedule, but it was only 4. Felt slow and sluggish for the first bit of this guy, but finally warmed-up by the start of the fifth mile. It felt sooooo good to finish well before 6am. I'm loving taper time right now. 

Tuesday

Scheduled: 6mi

Did: 6.34 @ 9:15/mi avg

This is the run I've been waiting for. Oh, sweet taper, you are invigorating! :D 

With a rest day tomorrow and ONLY a 10K on the schedule after weeks of 8-10mi Tuesdays, I was definitely excited about trying to make this a "something of substance" run. We started out with a 10:15 mile, warming up, and then, without really having to shift gears, wound up solidly around 9 flat pace for the bulk of the run. Hellz teaf. 

Splits: 10:14, 9:26, 9:04, 9:00, 8:58, 8:54

Done and done.

Wednesday

Scheduled: rest

Did: walked to/from client meeting... only about 4,000 steps for the day

So, about halfway through today, I noticed my hamstrings were pretty sore. I haven't been doing any crazy speedwork or ANY weight training, so I wasn't sure what I'd done differently in the past few days to have caused it. It took me all day, but I finally figured it out: it's from playing with my baby. I'll hold him at my waist and then bend down so he "falls" backwards giggling-- it's kind of like a 25# squat. Oops. Guess I won't be doing much more of that until after Chicago. lol. 

Thursday

Scheduled: 1mi WU, 3xmile/400, 1CD

Did: 6.09 @ 8:58/mi

It was just Brandi and me for speedwork this morning. As usual, we parked at the Y, ran to the HS, and headed down the path to the track. And then it happened: I saw a dark shadow run across the path, about 20 yards ahead of us.

"Did you see that?"

"See what?"

"That thing... it just ran across the--" (shines flashlight around)

not actual picture, but
OH. MY. GAWD.

There were eyes a couple feet off the ground, and then whatever it was starting making this weird hissing/huffing noise at us... and we BOLTED. We bolted STRAIGHT UP THE HILL, continually checking behind us to see if it was still there, like some sort of horror movie. I have never been so scared on a run in my life. 

behold: the resulting pace/heartrate spikes

Needless to say, we bailed on our track workout this morning. Instead, we did one of our mile repeats up and down the main road, then, finding it a bit too hilly, opted for loops of the YMCA parking lot. Not ideal, or fun, but it was well-lit and got the job done. 

So, splits... I'm not sure on this one, because my watch is all kinds of funky. I've been having a lot of trouble with my GPS watch lately regarding distance. It seems to always short me. On route that have always been 6.36, I'll get a 6.22 reading, while other people in the group get closer to 6.36. When Brandi and I run the SAME route at the SAME time at the SAME pace, her watch will have more distance than mine. It's been frustrating. 

Averaging our two watches, here's what I think our splits shook out at:

7:40, 7:44, 7:20

Goal was 7:36, but, considering: hellhound scare, terrible route, etc., I'm pleased. 

Also, big news today: I hit 200mi in a month for the first time EVER. I remember the first time I hit 100mi in a month. Wow. 

Previous monthly high: 185
Non-marathon training monthly highs: 146 (8mo pregnant, Oct 2015) and 150 (6mo pregnant, Aug 2015)
Previous marathon training monthly high: 152 (April 2014)

Friday

Scheduled: 4mi

Did: 4.14 @ 9:28/mi avg

Man, I am freaking loving this taper. Four miles done, in the house before 5:45am, had breakfast with baby boy... Life is good.

Saturday

Scheduled: 10mi

Did:10.9mi @ 8:59/mi

Two years ago, I hit my first 1000 miles for the year in Run-tober.
It's been a thing ever since. #itsathingcauseisayitsathing

I know colder weather makes it easier to run faster. I had forgotten exactly how MUCH it affected my running, though. OMG.

gotta wear sleeves for the warm-up

Today's route was supposed to be 9, so I decided to meet up with some other Chi marathoners for a single loop of Armour at 6:30am, pre-group run. We took it slow, easy... and had a 9:30ish pace. 

9:30. I've struggled to hit that pace for the bulk of my runs this training season. I've been able to hit it, but I have to actually try to focus on running that fast. Today, I exerted about as much effort on that first loop as I usually do for a 10:30 pace. 

...and then we had the group run. It was a 9+ mile course, with neither Sherwood Forest's nor the Prado's hills to deal with. I was a Run Leader for the half, since we're in taper mode, and found myself up towards the front most of the time, second only to Brandi. I figured we had enough sweep volunteers, so I'd just find whatever middle group needed me and stick with them, probably around a 9:30. 

Splits
yeah.... about that 9:30/mi thing

I couldn't help it. I think everyone went faster than expected today. Just a testament to what temperatures in the 50s will do for you after you've been running in 80s and 100% humidity. I know it's true. My running buddies have reminded me of that fact. I've reminded others of it. However, it didn't really seem like something I could count on until now.

I am now feeling dangerously optimistic about Chicago. What does that mean? It means that for the first time ever I think I might be able to hit a 5% goal while maintaining the level of effort I want to give on race day... and that scares me so much. Today was an easy run. I was conversational 100% of the time... at an 8:59/mi average. 

I don't want to get my hopes up. I don't want to put pressure on myself. I'm a really good state right now as far as not caring about my time and really seeing the race just as a "victory lap". Let's try to keep it that way, shall we? 

After the run, I felt like I'd barely done anything at all. Man, I remember when a ten mile run seemed impossible. Now, it's "just a warm-up". Crazy how much your perspective and frame of reference change during marathon training... 

(most of) the Chicago crew celebrating at brunch

Oh, and, irritating news: I had a little sore throat before quartet rehearsal this afternoon... and, by this evening, a full-fledged sort throat with pain swallowing. WTF.  I don't even know if I'm sick or if singing is causing this madness. I have no other symptoms, so who knows... At least I can still run. :/ 

Sunday

Scheduled: 30min XT

Did: 5K walk with baby boy in the stroller 

Jerry was meeting up with Jody and Courtney this morning at the river, so I decided to tag along and walk with baby boy instead of sitting around the house. The weather was great, so I made sure I wore an unsuitable bra for running, pants, and non-running shoes so that I wouldn't be tempted to run. Thank goodness for that, because I really, really wanted to. ;)