Know what's happening this weekend? Ragnar DC and Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon. Know what else is happening. Rain. Lots of rain. Because Hurricane Joaquin. I don't mind running in rain. I don't even mind torrential downpours. But here's the thing: I'm volunteering. Yep, 6 hours for Ragnar and 6-8 hours for WW. I'm pretty sure I will have gills by the end, assuming of course the winds don't blow me away. At least I know how to dress for a rainy volunteer stint. Number 1 rule: If you think you need another layer, you need another layer. Volunteers don't warm up like runners! On the sunny side of things, one of my favorite runner friends is coming in for the race. It feels like forever since I last saw Kim, but really … [Read more...]
Thinking out loud: Hansons Marathon Method
We are 136 days from the Marine Corps Marathon. This translates to slightly less than 20 weeks. Since most marathon training plans run 18 weeks, obviously I've been spending some time thinking about how I plan to train for my fastest marathon. Yes, I do want to PR, which means knocking at least 25 minutes off the faster of my two marathons this spring. So, I'm joining Amanda at Running with Spoons and thinking out loud about my training choices and my chosen plan, Hansons Marathon Method. … [Read more...]
#NovemberMileage and “Thankful to my Followers” Giveaway
I had an AMAZING run on Saturday morning. It wasn't super fast, but I felt strong for the entire 5 miles and my last mile was faster than my first mile. Other than a total wipeout when I stepped on a hidden rock, my body felt good. In fact, it was the first time in a long time where I had unexpected free time and I CHOSE to go out and run! So, while hanging out with my runner's high, I decided I needed a mileage goal and so do YOU. Join me! Details: Choose the number of miles you plan to run this month (whatever number seems right for YOU.) I chose 100. Run your miles, at whatever speed and whatever combination of distances. (One crazy participant is running a 50 mile race! I won't be doing that LOL) Be entered into a … [Read more...]
Adventures in the Rain
This past weekend was all rain all the time. (Ok, maybe there were a few breaks, but not many and there was snow...) It was one of those weekends where all you want to do is curl up on a couch under a warm blanket with a book. Spoiler: That? Was the one thing I didn't do. With 34+ miles to go until I hit 200 miles for March, I knew I'd be busy. When the rains hit on Friday morning, I thought it was going to be a miserable weekend of running. Spoiler: It was not. On Friday, a friend reached out to me and wanted to join me for 5 miles. I took her up on it and we ran 5 miles faster than I meant to. Then I finished up with 4.6 slow miles in the rain. 9.6 down, 24.7 to go. Late Friday night, I got guilted into getting up … [Read more...]
One run won’t matter
I am deep into my training for the five half marathons in five days. I'm beginning to hit the kind of mileage I only hit when I'm training for a marathon or back to back half marathons. The week started off great with an unplanned 10 mile run. Usually I run my longest run on Friday or the weekend, but the weather was AMAZING and I kept running until I ran out of light. Next I hit up 4.7 miles on the treadmill while it snowed outside. Then there was the slippery 6.3 miles on a cold windy day. And another 6.2 miles on a cold but sunny day. That left me with 6.5-8 miles to hit my goal mileage for the week, which should have been no problem. I've learned how to dress for the recent weather: knee high socks, compression … [Read more...]
Rungry and Hangry
I admit, I'm not one of those runners who increases their mileage and can eat anything they want. Instead, as soon as I begin to approach 40 miles a week, my body becomes super efficient at using every calorie that comes it's way. I gained weight when I trained for my first marathon. Did it again when I trained for my second marathon. And, yep, put on a few pounds last spring when I trained for five half marathons in five days. I've tried eating more (just put weight on faster), eating less (umm, hangry comes to mind), reducing carbs (hello, exhaustion), increasing carbs... Suffice it to say, I've messed around with my eating to try to fuel my runs without outgrowing my jeans. (Because, honestly, it's not the number on the scale that … [Read more...]
Do not try this at home
Apparently I've perfected the recipe for exhaustion. Ingredients: 1 part highest mileage week ever with 40 miles! (ok, I hit this number one time before during marathon training) 1 part paleo eating (I'm pretty sure my body is in shock from the lack of sugar) 1 part PMS Mix all together and what do you have? A really exhausted MCM Mama. Seriously, I actually considered going to the gas station in my pajamas because it was just too much effort to put on clothes... I've been struggling with my running all week. I'm hitting my goal mileage and my speed is not awful, it just seems like I'm working really hard and my body seems to be lacking in energy. I'm sure part of it is the increase in mileage after a recovery week. I … [Read more...]
A hell of a lot of miles
OK, I'll preface this by saying I know a lot of you run a lot more miles than I do/will. But, holy cow! I sat down tonight and roughed out the minimum miles I'd like to get in between now and my 5in5 races. It's a very different plan from my typical training. Usually, if I run 5 times per week, I have a long run, two mediums, and two short runs. That's where I'm starting, but that will be changing pretty quick. Some random thoughts: Runs are in no particular order for each week. I imagine I'll move them around as my schedule dictates. I may change to more of a marathon training schedule and make my long run go longer than 13. (Anyone have any thoughts on longer long run with varying length shorter runs vs. trying to get to … [Read more...]
Three Things Thursday
1. This month I got to meet Tonia, G, AJH, and Jamoosh. They were all a lot of fun. I love that I've gotten a chance to meet in person some of the people that I really enjoy interacting with online. So, who's up next? I'll be in Wisconsin in August if any midwest peeps want to try to get together. I'm up for a run or a beer or both. ;o)2. I barely made 100 miles this month. I only managed one double digit run in June. Since I usually run only 4 times a week, that made it really difficult to get the miles in. I'd like to say that July will be better, but I'm not holding my breath.3. Sometimes you buy a beer just because of its name... … [Read more...]
