One of the things I love most about the Marine Corps Marathon is the huge amount of spectator support. From the people lining the streets along much of the races to the amazing Marines and volunteers on the course to the hilarious signs on Hains Point, there are tons of things to look at for most of the course. I'm linking up with Cynthia, Mar, and Courtney to share some of my favorite ones from the race (and there were so so many more!): WTF? (where's the finish?) - This in particular made me laugh because Deena Kastor had just told us a story about how she couldn't believe someone had a sign that said WTF? and she was wondering if it was even appropriate, until she got close enough to read the fine print. Any idiot can run. … [Read more...]
Running Mentally Strong
I recently received the book The Runner's Brain when I was at the Runner's World Half and Festival. I am just about to start it and will be reviewing it when I'm done, but I wanted to share my own thoughts on the role your brain plays in marathon running before I read what the "professionals" had to say. So today, I'm Thinking Out Loud with Running with Spoons. As you know (I mean, I'm certainly not that runner who didn't talk about it LOL), I ran Marine Corps Marathon just over a week ago. It was my slowest marathon by a few minutes, but in many ways it was my most successful. Before the race, I knew my body was not trained to run a PR. In fact, I wasn't sure I was even trained to fully run a marathon at any pace, even an easy run … [Read more...]
5 Things I Learned from 5 Marathons
This past weekend marked the finish of my 5th marathon. I'd like to think that the marathons have taught me something. Core work is key! My back was more sore than my legs when I got done with the Marine Corps Marathon on Sunday. It is possible to run a marathon with a long run of only 15 miles. I would not recommend it unless you are an experienced runner and are doing heavy daily mileage. I think if I had been able to complete the full Hansons plan, I would have had a strong marathon finish. Mental strength plays a huge roll. Last week at Runner's World, Deena Kastor talked about using positive talk to get through a hard race. (Yes, even the pros do it.) I kept telling myself I could run for one more minute each time I got … [Read more...]
Marine Corps Marathon 2015 Race Recap
Marine Corps Marathon October 25, 2015 5:13:18 Temp: High 50s and rainy at the start, 60s and sunny at the end What I wore: hat, MRTT MCM shirt, Skirt Sports Happy Girl Skirt(this is an affiliate link), compression socks, arm sleeves, and Altra Running One 2.5 (affiliate link). I carried a handheld water bottle, two GUs, a cut up rice krispy treat, and an extra nuun tablet. (Oh, and my metro card in case I decided that I needed to DNF.) Pre-race: I met up with some friends at a hotel in Rosslyn to walk over to the start. Due to a snafu on the part of the hotel, we got out a little later than planned and got to the security line right around 6:30am. The back up was crazy! The marines did an awesome job getting people through as … [Read more...]
Tips for Night Races (and a few thoughts from MCM)
I have to admit, I'm still riding a bit high from finishing the Marine Corps Marathon. I was pretty sure I could do it, but I had enough doubt in my mind that I carried enough cash for a cab and also had my metro card. Yes, I believe in being prepared. Know what else is a amazing? By Monday morning, I was barely sore. Seriously. I did five loads of laundry (2 flights of stairs between the hamper and the washer), went grocery shopping (where someone did not believe I'd run a marathon because I was walking normally LOL), and took Shoo to the doctor (where we went up and down multiple flights of stairs.) Feeling fine really blew my plan of spending the day sitting on the couch eating bon bons. Anyways, MCM was such an awesome experience … [Read more...]
Mission Accomplished: MCM 2015 finisher
It was 8 years between my two Marine Corps Marathons. I expect it will be at least another 8 this time. (I've learned to never say never when it comes to running LOL) Race recap soon, but for today, you can find me on the couch, eating all.the.things. … [Read more...]
Marine Corps Marathon Zen
In 3 days, I'll be lining up at the start line for the 40th running of the Marine Corps Marathon. I'll be joined by approximately 40,000 of my closest friends. I'm feeling surprisingly zen about the whole thing. When I originally decided to run MCM, I had a goal of getting a PR. I trained with the Hansons plan to try to finally break 4:30. And there was a portion of the training cycle where that looked like it might actually be possible. And then there were the dark days. The days were I was coughing constantly and my hip had me grounded from running. For a while there, I wondered if I'd make it to the start line, much less actually get through to the finish line. Now, I'm in a different place entirely. Why? Runner's World … [Read more...]
I get knocked down, but I get up again
Is the song stuck in your head now? You all know I've been trying to get over bronchitis in time for Marine Corps Marathon. My training has been completely upended because of it. Running has been a struggle and I haven't made it more than 4 very slow miles. I did have one fast 3 miler last week where I thought albuterol was the answer, but Monday's no good very bad slow as molasses run showed me that the inhaler helps, but I'm not healed. You know what else Monday's run showed me? The "I've run 80 miles this week, so my body is worn" ache is still in my hip. A quick (and painful OMG!) visit to the chiropractor led to the discovery that my entire right side is a bit out of whack from compensating for the hip. After some ART that … [Read more...]
TOTR: Fall Race Schedule
Here we are, a good chunk of the way through summer. Some kids are heading back to school (not mine, sigh) You are almost half way through marathon training if you are doing a mid-late October marathon. 20 mile runs are popping up on the calendars. So, of course, Patty, April, and I want to know: What's your fall race schedule??? My schedule feels kind of light, but it's really not: 7 half marathons and 1 marathon. (OK, maybe what's bothering me that I'll only have a total of 10 races at the half or longer distance this year. No 15 in 2015 for me.) Here's my plan: Source: Mainly Marathons Center of the Nation Series: 6 half marathons in 6 states in 6 days at the beginning of September. This is another of the Mainly … [Read more...]
Hansons Marathon Training + Weekend Recap
Last week was my first week of marathon training using the Hansons Marathon Method. I knew from reading their book that it was a tough plan, but it's the perfect plan for where I want to be right now. … [Read more...]
Long runs and marathons: Thinking out loud
How is it Thursday already? And yet how is it not the weekend? This week has been a weird combination of going to fast and dragging at the same time. Today I'm joining Running with Spoons for Thinking Out Loud Thursday because I have a lot rumbling in my head. 1. I ran my first 20 miler since 2010 yesterday. I did a "Galloway-ish" style run - .45 run; .05 walk, starting from mile 1. From a mental standpoint, it really broke things up. From a physical standpoint, it kept me feeling fresh. In fact, I felt so good at 17 miles that I straight ran the last three miles with the last two coming in just under a 10 minute pace. I've NEVER felt strong at the end of 20 miles before. I don't think Galloway running is my new "thing", but I … [Read more...]
Marine Corps Marathon, here I come!
OK, I admit I do have a few things between me and the actual race, but yesterday I managed to get registered for the Marine Corps 17.75. If you get in (it sold out in about 7 minutes!) and you FINISH the race, you get the golden ticket AKA an entry into the Marine Corps Marathon!!! Now I just need to figure out how to train around this race. It's right at the end of one of my heaviest training weeks - I'm supposed to run 19 and 15 back to back. 17.75 K is only 11 miles + Shoo has a field trip + the boys and I leave that night for my parents... I have a feeling that week is going to be 19, 15, 4, 11, 3. Oy. At least it will be good training for when I run back to back races followed by Ragnar 5 days later. Why, yes, I have … [Read more...]
