Modifications…
I just talked to Cory, my running coach, about the remainder of my training. I’ve been thinking a lot about it today, and thinking that maybe I should just stop at 18.5 and begin my taper. Cory gave me some good advice, which is basically take it day-by-day. She suggested doing as much walking and biking as possible to keep my heart rate up. She also suggested that I not worry much about getting my 12 miles in this weekend—start off planning a nice long walk, and if I can throw some slow jogging in at the end, go ahead, as long as it’s pain-free jogging.
Her other suggestion was to attempt my 20 mile run, but start out by walking the first 5 or 6 miles, and gradually add in running. Take lots of walk breaks and go slowly. Don’t even worry about 22 miles at this point.
Her suggestions all make sense, and confirm what I’ve been feeling in the pit of my stomach—if I want to make it to race day, I’ve got to make more modifications NOW. Not slog through 20 and 22 miles just to get the miles in. That’s not quality, and will probably wear me down too much.
I just don’t know how to tell Val. She is going to freak out. At least she’ll still have her Dad for the 20 mile run, but I don’t know about the 22 mile run. I hope I can make her see that we have the same goal still—Grandma’s Marathon—but I have to take a different path to be there.
I also asked Cory about “Did Not Finish” vs. a time worse than last year. She gave me some kind words, saying that “you can only do what your body can do.” She also said that the number one goal is to finish. If the finish time is better than last year, great. But beating that time is a secondary goal. And I think she’s right. What’s Val’s shirt say? “Dead Last is better than Did Not Finish?” Maybe I’d better make a shirt that says that.
I still feel anxious and upset, but at least now I have a plan.
Long time, no type! Been so busy with finishing up the semester, and with training and moving and work and life and all that jazz.
First of all, marathon training—we ran our 18 miles last Sunday. It turned out to be more like 18.5. Just a straight out to Minnehaha Falls and back. I felt pretty good for most of it, but on the return trip, running down the hill near Lake Nokomis, I could feel my IT Band starting to hurt. We were taking a rest stop at the SA about a block ahead, so I urged Val to go on without me. I told I’d walk the rest of the way to SA, and meet her there. It felt good to walk, and I stretched a little at the gas station.
I made it about another 2 miles, and had to slow my pace considerably to keep moving. We had been going about 11:30 min/mile, and I slowed to 12:30 min/mile. Val and John got ahead of me, and I finally just said “go ahead” to them. I managed to focus pretty well on Lake Harriet and keep moving, but by the time I got to Lake Calhoun, with 1.5 miles left, I was shot. I could barely bend my right leg. And I had weird shooting pains down into my ankles. So I walked it in.
I felt so incredibly defeated. I’ve heard so many stories of people training for marathons, making it to 18 miles, and then some injury blows them out of the water. I really just wanted to cry. Val and John were waiting at the coffeeshop, and Cory and Jim were there, too, but I did not want to be social. I wanted to go home and cry. So I said hello, and Cory gave me a hug. I was worried that I’d get a lecture, but I think she could see how upset I was. I went to Starbucks and got a treat, and went to Abe’s and cried. He was so sweet, give me hugs and kisses and telling me that it would be ok. Abe, you’re a doll, and I love you.
We have a down week this week (12 miles on Sunday), and then back up to 20, and then 22. I know I can at least finish these training runs, even if I have to walk the last few miles. But I really don’t want to walk the last 6 miles on race day. My God, that would just suck an unbelievable amount. I had considered ending my high mileage training with 18, but I don’t think that’s such a great idea. I’ll push through to 20 and 22, and see where that leaves me.
Because of moving stresses and being temporarily displaced, I have not been very good (again) about doing my yoga and my stretches, so I’ve stepped that up again. Icing, ibuprofen, stretching, everything I can think of to keep this leg moving. But I guess if it comes down to it on race day, if I can’t do it, I can’t do it.
This is it for me and marathons for awhile—I reserve the right to revisit the distance again, but not for some time. I think half-marathons are where it’s at for me. I’d rather be able to run shorter distances faster, then suffer through long, slow, sludgy miles.
Also, once we move into our new fancy apartment with the fitness center, I am going to begin a weight-training program. Maybe Corina can give me some pointers on what she does. But multiple people (and articles in Runner’s World) have mentioned how much strength-training the legs will help running, so I think it’s time I hop on.
