Marathon Week (WW # 23)

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap! 


This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your adventures. You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!   {See complete rules}

 

Speaking of Tricia, look at the delightful gift she surprised me with.  We can now have our weekday morning virtual coffee dates while sipping out of our Weekly Wrap mugs.   Thank you, Tricia!

By the time this posts, I will have completed my first marathon -- hopefully upright and with my foot not scattered in pieces along Main Street, USA.   For those of you who've followed me for a while, you know I was supposed to run the Chicago Marathon in early October but developed a stress fracture in my foot just 2 weeks prior.  You graciously listened to me whine for a few weeks (make that months!) poured out an amazing amount of support, and followed as I went through some tedious alternative training to stay marathon ready.  {Pool running anyone?}

Monday I opted for my second alcohol injection to hopefully kill the nerves in my foot neuroma (the aftermath of the original injury).  Let me say...OUCH for those of you that have never had one.  My doc couldn't believe I didn't make a sound.  I prefer to suffer in silence, ma'am. 

My new Garmin 225 arrived Tuesday and I spent a few days trying to memorize the functions.  It is different from my old Garmin 110 which died after recording 666 activities.  When it kicked the bucket, the light was actually flashing and smoke filled the inside.  It was truly possessed, I think.



R.I.P. Garmin 110  --  You did an excellent job for 4 years!

I had already heard this, but now I know it's true -- Fitbit's service is second to none.  I reported my broken Fitbit on Tuesday.  They shipped me another with no questions asked, no receipt provided and no returning of the broken device.  You can't ask for anything more...except for it not to break this time.

This was an anxious week.  My left hip was cranky so I decided not to do much of anything but rest.  I did pedal on the bike trainer Thursday night for 30 minutes just to work up a sweat.  And, then I ran 2.5 miles Friday morning just to make sure I knew how to use my new Garmin.  Of course there was some walking Saturday at Disney.  From a stamina perspective, I felt ready after cycling and pool running for countless hours for weeks -- nay months -- on end.  But I also knew nothing replaces that time on your feet:  the conditioning of  those IT bands and those frustrating old lady hips.

I lined up exactly 15 weeks from the date of my injury with the goal to simply finish.  It was not the way I planned to run my first marathon.  Heck, it was supposed to be my second one.  I had no strategy, just to run slowly and take walk breaks if needed.  I wouldn't dwell on the circumstances leading up to this race.  I was confident there was nothing else I could have done to be any more ready.  I kicked alternate training's ass!  {Sorry kids.}   And hello...it's Disney for goodness sake.  How could I not have fun? 

I decided I would ENJOY,  I would FINISH, and I would CRY LIKE A BABY. 

UPDATE:  I finished!  I cried like a baby!  My official time was 5:07:12.  And I loved every single joyful, painful, blissful, excruciating, soul-searching, entertaining second.  More to come... 


And that's a wrap!

Does anyone else get emotional during a race?

An InLinkz Link-up

Happy New Year (WW # 22)

Welcome!  This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  The purpose is to connect with and support other active women.  We want to hear about your adventures. You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!   {See complete rules}

Don't forget to use this badge in your post.
 

I didn't post a 2015 recap so I thought I'd do a quick number summary:

Running:   151 times for 944 miles

Road Cycling:   30 times for 733 miles

Pool Running:   9 times for 15 hours and 41 minutes 

Water Skiing:   30 runs for roughly 15 hours

Dog Walks:   Not Counted

  

Half Fanatic:  Jupiter / 4 HMs in 21 days

# Half Marathons:   8
# Other Races:   10

# New States:   1 = Mississippi

I was surprised when I saw my mileage after being sidelined for 10 weeks out of the year.  And, holy cow -- I spent almost 16 hours pool running.  Pure insanity.

On to the Weekly Wrap.  Well, it was another rainy week.  And busy!  Work was crazy due to year end, holidays and traveling.  I'm so far behind on reading blogs too.  The rain followed me to the beach later in the week.  I think I need a little, no make that a lot, of sunshine.  

Tuesday I ran 6 early morning miles @ 10:03 pace.  I was pleased with this run after struggling with a 15 mile run 3 days earlier.  Wednesday morning I rode on my new bike trainer for 40 minutes.  

I've never been a fan of New Year's Eve.  I just don't like it.  But this year, I took a helicopter tour along Florida's panhandle coast.  I've been coming to this area since childhood and have watched this yellow helicopter fly overhead countless times.  I figured New Year's Eve was the perfect time to take the plunge.  It was awesome!  Even in the gloomy weather, the beautiful emerald green water color was still apparent.  You could see dolphins swimming below.

I have to say a big Roll Tide for Alabama's win over Michigan State on New Year's Eve.  Of course we will be glued to the TV next Monday night as they play for another National Championship title.  After the game, we attempted to shoot fireworks on the beach in the wind and rain.  That was not much fun. 

Friday I ran 9 miles @ 10:17 pace.  This was an early morning, rainy, cool and windy run along the beach front road.  I felt strong during this run and only stopped once for water and GU from the good old mailbox.

Sunday afternoon I ran 4 easy miles.  Being off my feet for 10 weeks and then quickly increasing miles has taken my old lady hips to the edge.  Let's hope they don't fall off the cliff.  Oh by the way, this run was Garminless.  My 110 died after 666 activities.  Hmm...possessed perhaps?  I have a new 225 en route.  I'm also wearing PoPo's Fitbit as mine conked out on Christmas Eve.  Aggravating!

I had a little time to catch up on blog reading Sunday afternoon and realized I can't comment on any Blogger blog using my laptop.  I think every electronic device I own is possessed.  I apologize!  I am reading.  Ugh...just don't let me touch anything else.

In summary, I ran three times for 19 miles and rode on the bike trainer for 40 minutes.  I also did a 20 minute yoga routine for hips probably 5 times this week.  I didn't count.  {I know!  Me!  Who am I?}  And yes, the Disney marathon is only a few days away.  EEK.  I'm both thrilled and admittedly anxious.  Come on foot, hips, IT band -- let's do this thing!

And that's a wrap!

Have you flown in a helicopter?  Did you like it?

What model of Garmin or other GPS device do you use?

An InLinkz Link-up

Weekly Wrap #2

Welcome to the second ever Weekly Wrap!

This is a new weekly linkup hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin.  We want to hear about your weekly adventures.  You are encouraged to include anything you did to be active or anything you considered fun.  We want to hear everything and how you amazing women accomplish it all.  You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  See rules here.

Monday started with the typical rest day.  I don't even remember Tuesday's 4 mile easy run.  I guess this means it was a typical run.  I do remember Wednesday's however.  Holy Moly.  I had the worst side cramp during this 4 mile run (which was supposed to be 5).   If I get any type of pain, it is usually the I-need-to-burp-really-bad pain in my shoulder. This was very low, very painful and therefore quite strange.

I saved my longer 8 mile pace run for Thursday thinking the weather would be a bit better.  It wasn't.  My side tried to cramp again but never became as painful as the day before.   Unfortunately, my pace was slower than last week's.  I also stopped a mile short when I realized I wasn't going to make it to work on time.  Friday was another rest day.

So far, this summer has been spent water skiing on Saturdays and running long on Sundays.  Due to a baby sitting commitment, I ran 17 miles on Saturday morning and skipped water skiing altogether.  There was no official cross training this week, unless babysitting qualifies -- and I believe it might!  Having a 5 month old 16 pounder on your hip is tough stuff.  How quickly we forget!


During my long run, I decided I was going to keep this post positive.  I would not blog about how bad it is to run in the heat and humidity.

Mmm  .....  Argh  .....  That's very hard to do!

I know I sound like a broken record.  I live in this climate. I should get over it already!  In full disclosure, my pace was actually worse than what is shown.  This didn't take into consideration the few times I stopped,  put my hands on my knees, and had those internal tantrums and soul searching conversations.  Here's a little fact to illustrate the tough conditions:  I drank about 96 ounces of fluid and still lost over 4 pounds.



As promised to myself, here is my list of positives:

• I earned another Personal Distance Record, beating my previous of 16 miles.
• I had no chafing or blistering thanks to Trail Toes.
• I had no cramping anywhere.  This was truly amazing as foot cramping is usually a given.  Saltstick works.
• I earned a Trail Shoe Badge from Fitbit for taking 35,000 steps.
• I've now selected by marathon bra and socks. 
• I was not struck by lightning, bitten by a dog, or stung by a bee (even though one was riding on my Camelbak).
• Nothing hurt.
• I kept going.

And the Big One for THE WIN...

• I cannot tell I ran 17 miles.    Woot, woot!

It's not often we are asked to babysit our grandkids and we had a lot of fun.  Our grandson stayed in the pool all weekend with our teens.  After they were picked up on Sunday, this butterfly and I (see it on my toe?) floated around a few hours.  I'm not sure if she was tired from babysitting too or just drawn to my purple polish.  There may have been some napping involved.

In review, I ran a total of 32 miles but certainly didn't have the best week of training.  I'm worried now because there are not many opportunities left to run extra long mileage before the Chicago Marathon.  I would feel so much better to be able to have couple of solid 18, 20, or even 22 mile runs under my belt.  But, it may not be realistic in this weather.  However, the race will go on and I will still run it.

And, that's a wrap!

Is anyone else worried about their training?

Tell me something about your week!

And we'd love you to also WRAP IT UP WITH US.

An InLinkz Link-up

Weekend Struggle

The weekend started great.  This little bling arrived in the mailbox.  I can now wear my Fitbit all dressed up.  I found this charm for only $13.89 on Amazon.  I also wear it with the colored bands for a casual look.

Saturday was spent riding and skiing at the lake.  We are still breaking in the boat's new engine, which requires that I ski at varying speeds (normal is 30 mph).  It's tough on my body to go any faster or slower than normal, especially my hands.  In hindsight, 3 long runs may have been too much.  We stopped at our favorite oyster bar on the way home appropriately named Aw Shucks.  Naturally, a couple of refreshing margaritas were consumed.

I planned to run 12-13 miles early Sunday morning.  Because of the too-much-fun day on Saturday, I didn't wake as early as planned.  It was 6:45 by the time I hit the pavement.  It was already over 80 degrees with humidity well into the 90s.  There was not one whisper of a breeze.  Not.A.Puff.  I believe this was my worst run ever.  EVER.  I struggled.  My whole body felt like lead in addition to the fact I could not find the air!

Talk about a Humbling Experience.  I shuffled through 9 miles.  It was not pretty and I had to walk a lot.  My Fitbit recorded a total of 11.5 miles including the walking breaks.  It definitely leaves me questioning my sanity in choosing to train for a fall marathon in these conditions.  If I struggle to pound out 9 miles, how will I run 15 or 20 or 25?

I took the plunge when I got home (again).  I even jumped in with my running shoes on.  My sweat was already squishing out of their sides and I figured the chlorine would help the ensuing smell.   It was too hot to do anything but stay in the water, so that's what I did most all day.   We even got our dogs to float for a while. The grandkids and granddog came later so we had our normal wild and chaotic afternoon in the pool.

Is anyone else struggling with their long run?

What fun thing did you do this weekend?

Did you hear about That Time of the Month?  It's this Saturday.  Please join us.

I'm linking up with Tara who is the gracious host of the wonderful Weekend Update.  

Please visit Tara as well as all of the participating bloggers.

Fitbit Fanatic

Saturday morning was the scheduled Jubilee 8k Run For Cancer.  After being sick with a nasty cold for 10 days I thought I'd be OK to give it a whirl.  My plan was to treat it like a slow training run if I didn't feel well...and I didn't.  Before I could get through the first mile, my lungs felt sore.  I guess I wasn't quite over the crud.  It was also very warm and humid so I'm not sure I could have run very fast anyway.

I also participated in the 1 mile memorial walk/run to honor those we've lost to cancer.  There have been quite a few in my family.  I was satisfied to complete 6 miles.  Admittedly, I ate a huge White Chocolate Macadamia cookie as a consolation prize.  Remember the old adage, "Feed a cold, starve a fever?"

I surely need some Fitbit bling!

I finally swapped the Fitbit I received as a Mother's Day present and started wearing it Saturday afternoon.  I love this little strip of black rubber!  I ran Sunday morning with it and checked my heart rate periodically.  I never liked the chest strap monitor than came with my Garmin.  However, the Fitbit Charge HR is just awesome!  Along with lots of other information, the app also told me how much time I spent at peak HR, aerobic HR and fat burning HR during my run.  Don't you just love all that data?  It was also a nice little surprise to receive an alert that I had already reached 10,000 steps around 9:00 in the morning!  {Score!}

I was pleased and encouraged that my 5 mile run on Sunday felt much better than the day before.  My marathon training starts in a few weeks and until then I'm still taking it easy.  No long runs!  I'm also working on strengthening my hips, but the exercises are making my hips sore (obviously a Catch 22).

It's definitely summer where I live!

I continued to work in my back yard.   I would like to have everything looking neat and tidy by the coming Memorial Day weekend.  If the weather cooperates, that is where we will be for three days...except we might hopefully skip off to the lake for a little water skiing too.   It's time!

Are you a Fitbit Fanatic?  What do you like?  Any tips?

Did anyone race this weekend?  If not, what did you do?

Please visit Tara the gracious host of Weekend Update
 as well as all of the participating bloggers.