Goofy Update and Shoe Trees

Week of December 3-9, 2012

Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday: Ran 5 miles, 9:56 min/mile
Wednesday: Ran 8 miles, 10:45 min/mile
Thursday: Ran 4 miles, 10:36 min/mile; 30 min ST with Brandon
Friday: Rest Day
Saturday: Ran 10 miles, 11:00 min/mile
Sunday: Ran 20 miles, 11:20 min/mile

What a good training week, other than the whole sleep thing, but we'll get there.  Started off with a rest day on Monday, which was kind of lazy since I was coming off of a fallback week, but whatever.

Tuesday, I had that annual doctor thingee.  I didn't want to bring Avery, so I made reservations at the hourly daycare thing.  My doctor likes to deliver all the babies that come to his office, so he often runs late.  As a result, I made the reservation for 3.5 hours.  My doctor's office is also, coincidentally, across the street from one of my favorite places to run, Sharon Woods Metro Park.  So, yes, I went to the appointment in running clothes.  The appointment was actually on time.  Since, I pay for the full reservation whether or not I pick up the kiddo early, I simply HAD to go for a run at Sharon Woods before I picked her up.  It. Was. Awesome.  I wore short sleeves and ran in daylight.  Win-win!  No strength training that day because of the doctor's appointment timing though.  I think I'll live.

Wednesday was a nice 8 mile adventure with my running wife Lynne.  All the wooden bridges on the Orange Township trail had iced over and were extremely slick, so on the return of our out and back, we took a little detour to see if we could avoid them on the return.  Luckily, I always carry a phone with a map on it when I run.  So, we didn't get lost, but we also were unable to skip the bridges. We walked the bridges and still had an absolutely awesome run.

Thursday was another fun run with my running wife.  I also had a mediocre strength training session.  He really meant it when he said "we're starting slow to get you used to having strength training in your schedule again."  Very wise, but I also felt like I didn't do much work as a result.

Friday was a fun rest day spent at CoSI with some of my favorite people.

Going to CoSI with my friends and my kid basically means that I am in the same building as my friends while I get to chase THIS around.

Friday was also the first of two consecutive nights of obligatory hubby work parties.

Look!  I'm not in running clothes!  Gasp!

Despite a post midnight bedtime, I still got up to meet the gang for 10 miles at 8am on Saturday.

Saturday night brought a second obligatory work party and more hours in heals than I've spent in a LONG time.  On the way home, I informed my husband that he owed me for the work parties the same weekend as my 10-20 miler weekend.  As a result, I wasn't going to feel guilty about being gone for my 20 mile run in the morning followed by being a lazy bum the rest of the afternoon.  He's so lucky to have me in his life!  HA.

Sunday I met the RUNDMC group at 8am.

This was taken AFTER the first 10 miles.

All the guys ran 14 miles in the same time that Laurie and I did the first 10 miles.  Laurie and I were doing 20 miles, but we did them in two 10 mile loops.  Why?  Because my crazy running wife decided to join us for the second 10.  For the record, Lynne is not yet signed up for a Spring race, she's doing this for fun.  Gotta love that kind of crazy!!  (Lynne was our photographer, so she's not pictured).

One of the funnier trail stories we heard that morning was inspired by this sight as we ran by Thomas Worthington High School...

Shoe trees are the new Christmas trees.

This 20 mile run was tougher than the last 20 miler I did during Columbus training.  (Yes, I know that I didn't run 10 miles the day before during Columbus training.)  It was also tougher than the 18 miler on the 10-18 weekend.  Why?  Mostly, because I was tired.  I hadn't slept well in 5 days by that point, and it showed.  Nonetheless, I did it.   No post-run ice bath and no post-run ibuprofen either.  I'm badass like that.  Or something.

For the first time, I had a rubbing injury on my toe, just below the big toenail.  Never had that before, not even during the marathon in October.  (Same shoes even!).  It was less than pleasant in the shower, just saying.  It looks ever more picture worthy today than it did at the time.

This is for my friends who just LOVE injury photos.  
Taken this morning.

I had a few other things to talk about that are totally fantastic, but I'm saving them for the next post as this is already really long...and besides, who can top a shoe tree and a toe blister?

How was your training this past week??

Do you get blisters on your feet?

Have you ever contributed to a shoe tree?  Would you?

Three Things Thursday

Training Update, a few days late
Yup, I got blog-lazy this past week and didn't post anything since last week's training update.  I even failed to post a training update on Monday.  I'm blaming the fact that last week was a fallback week for my laziness.  

I was so lazy that I cut two mid-week runs short last week.  One because I was tired, and one because I was too lazy to get up early.  As a result, I felt like a ginormous slug last week.  Nonetheless, I ran a little over 27 miles, and worked out with a trainer twice.  Not terrible for a fallback week!

To make up for my slug-like nature that week, I took my low mileage Sunday run to the cliffs of insanity at High Banks Metro Park.  I may or may not have forgotten to warn my running wife about said cliffs of insanity when she said she'd meet me there.

But see, she still loves me.
Glutton for punishment?

Like Mother, Like Daughter
Apparently all this talk of mountain climbing makes an impression on the impressionable young mind in my household...

I was just helping you get the bag Mommy!

Reading, talking, the usual...
Avery is starting to say all kinds of fun things lately.  She says Cassie's name now.  Of course, two thirds of the time it comes out sounding like "ass-y".  I actually felt obligated to warn the ladies in the church nursery about her new favorite word.  

She also has started saying "A. B. C., A. B. C." over and over while flipping through the pages of her books. 

Dinosaur.  I'm saying DINOSAUR woman.

Anything new and exciting in your lives???

I'm running my first 10-20 weekend for Goofy this weekend.  Luckily, the lazy slug stuff from last week has worn off, I think.

Anyone racing this weekend???  Anyone else running a holiday race?  
I'll be running a Santa Hustle Half Marathon next weekend.

What's the funniest thing you've heard a child say?

Goofy Training Update

Week of Nov. 19-Nov 25, 2012:

I neglected to weigh myself until after breakfast and a cup of coffee.  Since that number is not really a happy number, I've decided to make all of your days by NOT boring you with a weigh-in this week.  You can thank me later.  ;)

Monday: Rest day

Tuesday: Ran 4 miles at approx 11 min/mile avg.; 30 minute ST with new trainer

Wednesday: Ran 8 miles.  First 3 miles 10:16 min/avg, last 5 miles 11:17 min/avg

Thursday: Flying Feather 4 mile Race, Recap here

Friday: Rest day

Saturday: Ran 10 miles, 10:59 min/avg

Sunday: Ran 18 miles, 11:21 min/avg

This is the first week where I've felt like "Hey, I'm training for 39.3 miles in a two day period."  This was a great training week, but I'm not going to lie to you, I'm looking forward to a fall back week this week!

Wednesday morning, I woke up sore (but in a good way) from my strength training on Tuesday.  Quads and hamstrings were making getting onto the toilet a little more tender than usual, if you know what I mean.  (Don't you just love a good visual?)

Nonetheless, I met some buddies for the start of my 8 mile run.  The two that were only doing 3, I knew, were much faster than I typically am.  Silly thing to do when sore and racing the next day.  Luckily, when we sped up a bit too much, everyone was willing to back off a bit.  Before heading back out for 5 more, my friend Lynne and I both looked at each other and said "we're going slower, right?"  Lynne is my running wife if you haven't figured that out yet.  She is not currently training for anything, but does almost all of my mid-week runs with me and some of the long weekend ones too.  I hope we never divorce! 

We'll always have running together, as long as she continues to be willing to run my training plan.

The rest of Wednesday, I was sore enough to send all kinds of whiny text messages to Sarah about how slow I was going to have to run the race.  Nonetheless, the race went great and another PR.  I'm sure Sarah was ready to punch me for all that pointless whining.

The real training issues came on the weekend.  I wore my new half-size bigger shoes for Saturday's 10 miler.  By about mile 3 the outside of my left foot was very tender.  I actually considered quitting after the 5.8 mile loop with my friend Amy, but I'm ridiculously stubborn sometimes and went back out (in the snow) for the last bit.  Surprisingly, it didn't hurt at all for that extra bit.

But, afterwards?  OW.  This time, Laurie got the whiny text messages, since she was meeting me for the 18 on Sunday.  I was preparing myself for the need to call the run off until next week.  I actually prayed about my foot.  Hoping that my foot would make it one more run, I promised myself Monday would be a full rest day.   I think that qualifies me as officially being in the "crazy runner club."  I went to bed by 9 pm, because I'm so exciting, in an effort to provide lots of sleep for my foot.

Besides, icing that part of your foot without using hands is really tough!

I woke up at 4:30 am, and limped to the bathroom.  I almost emailed my friends that I was calling the run at that point.  But, again, stubborn.  Crossed my fingers that it would be better in 2 hours and went back to sleep.  (I never took medication, on purpose.  I do not want to mask any pain.)

I woke up for good at 6:30 am, and had mild discomfort while getting ready.  Since my plan was three loops, 5.8 miles, 5.8 miles and 6.4 miles, I justified it saying that I would quit after the first loop if it was bad.

As an indication, I told my friends that if I limped or changed my gait to tell me so that I would quit.  Once I warmed up though, the peroneal tendon (the cause of the pain) loosened up, and the entire run felt great!  We saw deer, a bald eagle, and I even got hissed at by a pissed off Canadian Goose.  You haven't lived if you've never been hissed at by a goose.  

Note: I did not take the video below, it's one that I found on youtube with a similar hiss to what I experienced.

The run was great, except for the chaffing caused by the zipper on my sports bra, which I noticed at mile 9.  I've been alternating hydration belts, so, naturally, the aquaphor was in the one I was NOT wearing.  Lynne, my awesome running wife, spotted me money (since mine was back at my car) to buy Carmex from the gas station on the chance that it would help.

While Carmex is not what I would recommend to prevent chafing to most people, if you have nothing else, it actually helped!  So, if you ever find yourself in such a spot, worth the $2.23 paid.  (especially if you are spending someone else's money!)

I didn't take a single ice bath or ibuprofen the entire weekend!!!  28 miles, check mark.  Less sore than the first and only 18 miler I did training for Columbus, double check mark.  I think I'm actually going to be able to do this whole Goofy nonsense after all!

Are you STILL typing Mommy?

This week is a fallback week, so I only have 10 and 5 miles on the schedule this weekend.  I'm kind of looking forward to it a bit.  I may do the 5 miler at High Banks just for fun!

How was your training week?  Hit any new distances or milestones lately?

Do you have a training spouse?  Your secrets are safe with me.

Flying Feather Recap

Race: Flying Feather 4 Miler
Distance:  4 miles
Date:  November 22, 2012, 9 am start
Finish time:  36:49, 9:13 min/mile
What sets this race apart:  Wine for all the finishers over 21! 

Another race, another PR.  It's amazing what a difference a year and 65 lbs makes!  

Mark and I with our wine at the finish.  Our first start and finish together!

On Tuesday I had a strength training workout.  I woke up Wednesday morning sore, and than I ran 8 miles, with the first 3 miles being fast.  I spent the rest of Wednesday rather tender and begging the child not to make me get up.  I sent Sarah several whiney text messages that I was going to have to change my race goal and asking how fast I was allowed to go.  The big concern is that I have a 28 mile weekend on schedule, 10 miles on Saturday, 18 on Sunday.  Pushing when I shouldn't is not a good idea.

So, Mark and I lined up with some of my friends at the 10:00 min/pace flag based on my new adjusted under 40 minutes goal.  (Original plan pre-soreness had been to shoot for 36 minutes).  Unfortunately, the 40 minute pace group lined up several flags ahead of us.  Based on the crowds at the race, they were right to do so, and we should have moved up there with them.

This is the third year I've done this race.  The first year, they sold 1500 spots.  This year?  4000.  Same course.  Same golf-cart sized path for half of it.  (First and last mile are on the road).  Needless to say, we spent a LOT of energy running around people.

Photo of race start courtesy of M3S Sports FB page.

At around a half mile, we'd been at a cozy 10:15 minute/pace, but I was chomping at the bit apparently.  I looked at my husband and said "I want to go faster."  His response, "well, let's go."  We said friendly good-byes to Laura, Mollie and Adam and swerved around some people.  Around 1 mile, I was getting frustrated (this is where it switches to the narrower path), and Mark was good at reminding me "patience, Mandy, patience."  LOL!  Despite the crowds and the energy spent running around people, we ran pretty perfect negative splits.   
Mile 1: 9:48
Mile 2: 9:17
Mile 3: 8:56
Mile 4: 8:38
Last 200 feet (I ran 4.04 miles): 6:35

We finally caught and passed the 40 minute pacers at mile 3.  My favorite comment of the day was by a friend who was running with those pacers.  After the race he said.  "Did you see me?  Did you see me as you went blowing by?".  Love it!

Mollie and I celebrating the race finishers rewards.

I think we could have finished this race faster with less crowds or a starting position closer to the start line, something to remember if we do it again.  Mark and I both agreed that it might be getting a little too crowded at this point.  Of course, it's a holiday race, so that is to be expected.  I always have to remind myself that these races bring out the rookie runners that stop and start and whine about 4 miles with lots of laughter.  :)

Nonetheless, this race has some awesome swag.  And, can't beat a bottle of wine for all finishers over 21!

Swag Bag: Hat, gloves, hat and a mini bottle of whiskey

Extra shout-out to my awesome friend Sarah for watching Avery while Mark and I ran this together.  It was absolutely AWESOME to run a race with my husband for a change!  And, I sprinted the finish faster than he did, beat him by 6 seconds.  :P

Don't worry Mommy, I was a perfect angel.

After the race, I started cooking an awesome Thanksgiving Feast.  Payment to Sarah and her family for helping with the kiddo.  (Plus, I kind of like them).  We realized afterwards that no one took a picture of the spread, but trust me, it was delicious!

For the record, my previous 4 mile race PR was 45:15.  If I've done the math correctly that's an 8 minute, 26 second PR.  For a 4 mile race.  It's going to be a lot harder to PR after this one!


Anyone else race recently???

What's your take on crowds and holiday races?

What's your favorite finisher's reward (other than a medal) for a race?  
I think I have to go with the wine.

I want to spin in circles, plus training update

Week of Nov. 12-Nov 18, 2012:

Current Weight: 156.8 (Up 0.8 lbs from previous reported week)

Total Lost to date: 64.0 lbs

Waist: 32"

Hips: 42"

Monday: Rest day
Tuesday: Ran 4 miles, 10:48 min/mile avg. pace; ST and Step class
Wednesday: Ran 4.31 miles, 10:16 min/mile avg. pace (last 2.2 miles avg 9:30 min/mile)
Thursday: New Trainer evaluation, no other significant exercise
Friday: Rest day
Saturday: Ran 8 miles, 11:13 min/mile avg
Sunday: Ran 16 miles, 11:11 min/mile avg

Every time I looked at my dailymile image this week, I felt totally lame for my skipped 7 mile run.  I was tempted to add my trainer evaluation from Thursday to DM for the sole purpose of eliminating that big blank spot for Thursday/Friday.  I have issues.

I made a long run rookie (but delicious) error by eating pepperoni, sausage and banana pepper pizza Friday night.  I paid for that during Saturday's run, which felt harder than it should have.  I generally can get away with pizza the day before any run that is 6 miles or less.  Both times I've done it the day before an 8 mile run, that run has felt way more difficult than it should have.  Some day, I will learn this lesson, maybe.  I was pretty beat the rest of the day, which made me nervous about Sunday's run.   So, I did all the eating and hydrating stuff right on Saturday.  Water, pasta, etc.

Sunday's run felt a million times better, despite being twice the distance, and I spent the rest of the day energized and happy.  Again.  I may have issues.

And, apparently, this "I have issues" thing is one thing that my kid may have gotten from me.  Either that, or my husband drugged her while I was out running 16 miles.  You be the judge...

Other good things accomplished this weekend?  I was able to exchange the shoes I bought at the Columbus Marathon expo.   At the expo, I was talked into buying the PureFlow because my preferred shoe, the Brooks Launch, is being discontinued at the end of the year.  Brooks is replacing it with the PureFlow.  The shoe was a beautiful shade of purple, but once I got it home, I never wore it on a single run.  The day I'd intended to try it out on a run, I took it off after wearing it around the house while getting ready to leave.  That's how much I didn't like it.  It hit my heal in a funny place and I just knew blisters would result if I wore it for a run.  Utter Fail on the replacement shoe Brooks.  Luckily, I was able to exchange the PureFlow for another pair of the Launch.

I'm not sure what I will do on the whole shoe situation going forward, because I have run all my races (except the pregnant ones) in the Brooks Launch.  I'm a firm believer in "if it's not broke, don't fix it," but unfortunately, Brooks is in charge on this decision. I don't think I can talk them into continuing to make the shoe just for me.

For those who were wondering, I did apply for the lottery for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC this April.  I should know whether I got in the week of December 10th.   If I do get in, please remind me, repeatedly, that it is a training run and that I am not allowed to race it.

Don't worry, I'll remind you. Repeatedly.

How did your training week go?  Anyone race this past weekend?

Are there any "rookie" errors you repeatedly make during training??

Have you ever tried to get into a race that had a lottery for getting in?

Don't you wish spinning in circles was still as fun as it were when you were a kid?

Three Things Thursday

1.  Met with a new trainer today at my no-frills gym.  Did an evaluation session to see about setting up strength training sessions.  I made it clear that my goal with strength training is to improve my running (and mountain climbing) and not strength for strengths sake.  The amount of effort he put into evaluating where I am and where I want to be was really nice.  I kicked a$$ on the push-up evaluation too, just saying.

Damn.  Must get faster!

I do remember the first time I tried push-ups a couple of years ago, and I could barely do any, even if I had to do them to save my life.  There is still room for improvement, but I'm pretty happy I can do them.

Push-up recovery requires lots of crackers.  All. At. Once.

2.  I always have these grand plans for all the things I will get done during naptime.  In reality, it's like.  Hmmm...naptime.

Blast from the past in celebration of naptime's awesomeness.
September 2011

I typically wind up just enjoying me-time and brainstorming how I can get the household chores done while Avery is awake.  I know, not my proudest moments.

3.  The Nike Women's Marathon is adding another location and race this spring.  Half Marathon distance only.  Of course, there is a Tiffany Necklace as the medal.  This lastest addition is in DC, the week before Flying Pig.  A bunch of my running buddies are talking about putting our names in as a group for the lottery.  

If I got in, it would have to be run as a training run with a marathon the next week, but a pretty shiny necklace for a training run?  I could live with that!

Do it Mommy, I love necklaces!

When was the last time you did a push-up?  Love them or hate them?
I used to hate them, but now that they aren't as hard, I kind of like them.

Tips for being more motivated during Avery's naptime?  Or should I just give in to temptation and nap as well?  LOL

Have you ever done a women only race?  Would you?  Anyone else looking at this Nike Women's one?

Monday Training Update

Week of Nov. 5-Nov 11, 2012:

Current Weight: 156.0 (Down 0.2 lbs from previous reported week)

Total Lost to date: 64.8 lbs

Waist: 32"

Hips: 42"

Second week of training for Goofy = lots of running.

Lots of running this week, and despite the best of intentions, not much else.  I'd intended to either add in a strength training session this week OR go to a strength/pilates type of class at the gym.  Neither happened.  On Monday, the kiddo was still somewhat sick from her weekend of cold, so no exposing her germs to other kiddos at the gym.  I'm nice like that.

Picking me up and putting me in that crib would be a great workout Mommy.

Wednesday, I unintentionally ran 10 miles.  I did my scheduled 5 mile run in the morning.  And it stunk.  I'd intended it to be tempo, tried to run it as tempo, and my brain (and lungs) were never into it.  I actually stopped every 1.5 miles or so for the sole purpose of STOPPING.  Not, I slowed down and walked for a bit during the run.  No, I came to a complete stop.   I tried a couple of strides to get myself into it, and it never happened.  Nonetheless, I give myself points for not bailing at my 2.2, 3 or 4 mile loop possible cut-out points.

Afterwards, I felt none of the normal stress relieving benefits of having gone for a run.  Cue Cranky kiddo.  Avery had her 3rd day in a row of crying most of the day.  Luckily, hubby allowed me to join my usual group for their 5 mile run that night.  And, that's how you accidentally run 10 miles on a Wednesday.

Avery seemed to be more herself by Friday, thankfully!  The weekend was beautiful!  Both days I ran and then went to breakfast with the people I ran with.  Without the kiddo.  My husband is clearly stocking up on those brownie points for something big!

What are you talking about?  I'm more fun than runs, races and breakfast!

The New Rules of Lifting for Women book arrived in the mail this weekend, but I haven't started the lifting part yet.  My intention was to start today.  I have to admit, the first set of workouts looks like a LOT less than what I was doing with Adam before a took a break for the marathon.  BUT, I've had over a month off from strength training, so it's probably going to kick my a$$.  

It may be stupid, but I didn't realize that the book was a "lose weight" program rather than simply a "strength training" program.  As a result, reading the initial chapters has me a tiny bit annoyed.  I can't explain why, that's just the way it is.

I had good intentions of doing the short program during Avery's nap today, but then her 15 month appointment at the doctor was more stressful than I'd expected.  Loudest. Screams. Ever.  For the first time, I almost cried during her vaccines and hemoglobin test.  Let's just say, the experience involved me having to hold her down for the exams and for the needles.  I've used it as an excuse to read and eat candy during her nap instead.

Speaking of eating - I can't STOP eating the past few weeks.  I even started texting Sarah when I was making bad eating choices to see if it would help.  No, instead it almost seemed like I was boasting about how bad I was eating.

This may explain the weight plateau

How was your training this week?  What are you currently training for?

Anyone else ever training the New Rules of Lifting program?

Do you ever go through those phases where you just eat all the time?  How do you break the cycle?

Note:  Wrote this Monday and forgot to publish it.  I am moving through life in a fog these days!  Anyone have a lighthouse handy?  HA!