October has felt a bit like a roller coaster. The weather has been cold and hot and every where in between. That could pretty much describe my running as well.
I kicked off the month with a long run with a “meh” half marathon in the middle. The distance and pace were fine, but the course surface left me with achy hips and general muscle soreness. I’m giving this run a Pass as it served its purpose.
As soon as I finished that run, I overembraced the taper. Yeah, I dropped mileage faster than a politician changes their opinion. I was just OVER the Hansons Marathon Method. Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a great plan. It’s just a lot of miles and my body was ready to recover. I did get in 2 “long runs” of 10 and 8 miles as well as a handful of shorter faster runs, but I really dialed it back faster than the training plan called for. I still haven’t decided if the hurt me or helped me, so I’m going to give my taper a Pass, but if I were talking grades that would be around a C or C+. Good thing October is a pass/fail month.
The highlight of my month happened on Sunday with my 4th running of the Marine Corps Marathon. I’m not thrilled with my time, but I’m happy it was sub-5 hours. I made some mistakes and the weather did not leave a margin of error, so it was a lot rougher than I’d hoped (in addition to being slower.) But I finished, I got a medal from a cute Marine, and I can walk today. All of these are good things. So, my running at the Marine Corps Marathon is definitely a Pass.
I think I’m feeling a bit of post-marathon blues today. I need to give my body an easy week or two of running and then start figuring out my next goal. Thankfully I actually feel really good and have a massage booked for Wednesday, so things should be looking up soon for November (where I have a relay race that ends at a brewery and the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Half Marathon…)
How was your October?
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Congrats on MCM #4!! Sounds like you deserve to treat yourself a bit! My October has been busy with a little bit of everything included.
Thanks. I’ve been “treating myself” all week. I need to get back to doing things and eating right.
Congrats on finishing your marathon! I bet you will be looking forward to that massage. I got one yesterday and it was lovely!
Thanks! And yes, the massage was awesome.
You had a busy month! I’m always impressed but the running that you do.
Over here, my ride on the RA roller coaster continues. Once I figure this thing out, I’ll be much happier!
Got my fingers crossed that you figure things out soon! So frustrating for you.
Hanson’s is challenging so I completely understand! Congrats on MCM4!
Yeah, I’m not sure I’m up for doing that again.
A massage sounds really good right now. I hit my longest run and I feel like I need some stretching and foam rolling. Great job getting the sub-5, and I saw what the weather was. Crazy.
The massage was amazing. Painful, but amazing.
Just reading the Hansons plan exhausts me so kudos to you. Finishing a marathon is always winning in my book! MCM is definitely one I’d run again!
I know. I may try a different plan. If I’m just in it for the fun, I can use an easier Hal Higdon plan and still finish.
I’ll be recapping October next week — there’s one last Tuesday in October!
You forgot to mention meeting Rachel. 🙂
Seriously, warmer temps almost always make for disappointing races, but I think you did great. And the fact that you feel good physically — that tells me that all the training wasn’t wasted, at all.
Sounds like an A+ month to me (because that’s what I give anyone that runs a marathon).
Yeah, but Halloween!
Way to go with MCM! I know it was hot and tough for so many- but sub 5 is great!
Thanks. That was my main goal for the last few miles – keep moving fast enough to go sub 5.
i’d say you had a strong october! All of that running!! Congrats on MCM – i saw so many people o n social media who were doing it and i had some race envy. Hope you rest up and feel back to running soon!
Thanks. I love this race. I don’t love training for it, but I love running it LOL.
It sounds like you had a great month, especially with that marathon! The weather really has been all over the place lately. I never know what to expect when I go out running!
It has been a pretty good month. This weather though…
DANG WOMAN.
GO YOU.
Im planing a kick ass 2018
is it wrong Im already over ’17 🙂
Thanks, and I totally understand. Totally.
Congrats on running the Marine Corps Marathon!!! That was my first marathon and one of my faves 🙂
Thanks. It was my first one. And my 5th, 6th, and 7th LOL.