2/3 of Marathon training is behind me - 1/3 to go!! The last 3 weeks of training are all about tapering, so I feel like I am at the 'beginning of the end'. It's sort of surreal because it seems like not long ago I was re-capping week 1 of training. I pretty much just have to get through 2 20 mile runs in September! And hopefully by September, the weather will be a bit cooler. I am hoping my 20 milers go as well as my 18 miler did last week, but I guess we'll just have to see what marathon training has in store for me!
Since I had out of town guests this weekend, I shifted my training around and did my long run on Friday morning. I use the word "long" loosely because it was only 13 miles. I realize that it sounds delusional to most of you to say "only" and "13 miles" in the same sentence, but marathon training really messes with your perception of a "long run".
So I set out for my 13 miles on Friday morning. I decided to run those 13 in my neighborhood; I usually do my long runs in the "Chain of Lakes" or Minnehaha Parkway area, but I didn't want to waste any time driving to and from as Mandy was at my condo and I didn't want to abandon her for too long.
So I set out and headed for the path where I usually do my 8 mile runs during the week. That is the furthest I have ever run in my neighborhood. I do a 4 mile out & back route usually, but I was thinking/hoping that maybe this running path kept going and I could do a 6.5 mile out and back.
Wrongo batman. The path ended at 4.33 miles.
Hmm... What to do. I am not a fan of running the same path multiple times as I find that mentally grueling so I decided to just "wing it" and keep going. I linked up with this road that looked like it was a major thoroughfare with very few stops lights and was like - yes! I can make this into a 6.5 mile out and back easily!
I neglected to pay attention to the name of the road, though. After running along this road for about a mile I was like, "holy cannasta, this is fricking hilly."
Then I noticed the name of the road: Homeward Hills Road.
Lovely, Lisa. The word "Hills" was included in the name of the road for a reason.
So I did a pretty dang hilly 13 miles. I still maintained a 9:45 pace but I was definitely cursing myself for choosing such a challenging 13 mile route... There is a time and a place for hill work when training for a marathon, but for a novice like me, it's certainly not on your long run day.
So note to self: There is a reason why we don't usually "wing it". I'll plan ahead a little better next time and will avoid roads with the word "Hill" in them. ;)
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Training Tally:
Miles ran last week: 33
Training-to-date mileage: 344
16 comments:
You got it done, you ROCK!!! Yes hilly roads make for very long miserable runs!!! Colony Rd in Charlotte doesn't have hills in the name but oh my word that was miserable on Saturday morning for me!!
Haha, yes, "only" and "13 miles" should never be associated together, and I love that you used the phrase "wrongo batman." Your marathon's gonna be here before you know it!
You got it done though, even though it was supposed to be an easy week! Hope your 20 goes well. Perhaps my wing it attitude is why I seem to be struggling now...haha!
Nice way to work some hills in, though....I agree that it seems like this marathon training is a blur. I just have two more over-twenty runs with a shorter one in between. Then I start to taper!
YOu poor thing....is this #2 for getting lost on runs during this marathon training? ;)
I remember when I was staying with you that one summer and headed out for a run ... I also got lost running on some of the trails, too! ;)
I can't believe you are 2/3 done!
Yes, to us non-runners, a mile seems like a long run! I can't fathom 13, 17, let alone 26! Can't wait to hear all about your weekend!
Haha you make me laugh! That is something that I would totally do...without looking take the hilliest road!
Congrats on getting it done though!
Hehehe. Love the story about the hilly road, too funny!!
I said "I only have to run 20K the weekend after this one" to my coworker today and she laughed her head off!
But, really, maybe you were supposed to find this hilly training path. Because you don't really know what's in store for you in Portland and giving your body "surprises" like that could mimic the actual race!
Nice work, Lisa! I did 13 miles as well this weekend, but mine was much more flat than yours. Hard to imagine this training thing is nearly over!
You are doing so great Lisa in your training!! And only 13 miles lol - 13 miles for me a lot!! Way to go though, keep it up!
Haha oh boy!!! That sounds tough. I really just don't like running on hills at all, I know it's important but like you said NOT during your long run! Good work though :)
Whew! Hills and heat? Impressive.
LOL, only 13 miles?! Geesh. Only for me, is like, 1 mile. Or maybe half a mile. Hehehe. :)
13 miles is awesome girl!!!!!!!!!
13 miles is so amazing! And the hills might have been there to prepare you for what might be in store once the marathon hits. You're going to do awesomely :)
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