Marathon training week 10 recap

     

     It was an insane week to say the least, but I managed to make it work.  Twenty mile long run, new puppy, work and a wedding, I sure as hell don't know how I fit in 41 miles but I did.

Sunday:

     Today's run had the best weather I have ever had for a long run, I couldn't ask for any better.  Mandy and a friend was heading to the local flea market so I gave her my route just in case she wanted to swing by and say hello.  When I got started I wasn't trying, but I was bookin it right off the bat.  I got to the end of mile one and looked at my pace, 9:37, and realized this was going to be a good run.  That is until I got another half mile in.  I was getting pain in my inner right thigh, I paused my watch and stopped to check what the problem was.  My compression shorts developed a hole and was causing a major chaffing issue.  Just as this was going on Mandy drove up.  I asked here to run home and get my body glide, so I continued on and she met me a little while later with the body glide.   The body glide helped tremendously, but when I got back home and took a shower, it was pain city.....
 
     Anyway, other than my early chaffing issue the rest of the run was nice and smooth.  I am not going to tell the minute by minute story of how we got our new puppy, Jedi, but while on the run, Mandy called me saying she was in love with a little puppy.  My response, keep in mind I am at mile 12 of 20, I said its up to you honey.  If you think its a good idea than bring him home.  I got home before she did, but when she did he was with her and I have to say I was in love when I saw him.

  
     I pulled my phone out and snapped one quick shot of my view, nothing spectacular but the clouds looked pretty cool.  My nutrition has not been a problem at all.  I did switch up from peanut butter Clif crunch bars to the chocolate chip ones, those seemed to be easier to get down with no issues and should be better if I am low on water.  I also wanted to show off my route.  When I saw it I thought it looked like a gun so I turned the map and sure enough....Bang!

Monday:

     Obviously a rest day following a 20 miler and with a new puppy, sleep is at a premium.

Tuesday:

     I woke up and my thighs still hurt from my long run so instead of an 8 mile easy run I switched some things around and decided to do just a 4 mile easy run.  I am glad I did because my thighs were burning by the end.  It was a full moon so visibility was going to be a lot better, or so I thought.  I did my usual out and back route on the bike trail and when I leave from my house the first quarter mile of the trail there are no trees.  With the full moon I could see low lying fog over the corn fields, but nothing on the trail, that is until I got to the trees.  After that first quarter mile, from that point on there is trees on at least one side of the trail and I am assuming that had a lot to do with why the fog was on the trail.  Once I hit the tree line it was thick fog and I wasn't able to see more than 5 feet in front of me. 

     On this run I really wanted to concentrate on keeping my pace very consistent.  I was shooting for a 9:30 mile and I ended up crushing my goal by being able to keep my pace between a 9:29 and a 9:31.  I was quite proud of myself and happy with how the run played out despite my legs still being so sore. 

Wednesday:

     With my legs still sore from Monday and being tired from my lack of sleep I decided to float my run till tomorrow.  The legs are feeling better but I just don't want to risk it.

Thursday:
     Quite cool and dark out.  First run I have worn long sleeve shirt since spring time.  I did 2 miles out and 2 miles back on the bike trail again.  This time there was a pretty good head wind for my first two miles which kinda explains my pace.  In the first 100 yards of my run I came across another skunk, but this one was in the grass along the edge of the field instead of right on the path.  Despite it being a skunk, it was kinda cute because it started to run along with me for a couple of seconds till I passed him and left him in my dust. LOL  After that it was a nice steady run to the turnaround where at that point I had the wind at my back and was able to cruise on home.  When I got just to the end of my run, who did I see, that darn skunk again.  This time he was almost on the path so I gave him plenty of room and sped past him.  That's all I need is to get sprayed by one of those damn things.    When I saw my splits I could tell that the wind did affect my pace, however I liked that my first two miles were steady as well as my last two miles.  

Friday:

     I had 4 miles on tap for today, but it wasn't going to happen, and here's why.  Thursday was a very busy day, I was up at 4:45 to run and spend time with the new puppy.  I was on the road to go to work by 7:45 and had a lot going on all day.  My work day finally came to a close a little after six then I headed across town to north Toledo to meet a couple buddies for a concert.  When the show let out at midnight I made my way home, which was almost an hour away, and of course the puppy woke up when I came in.  By the time I got the puppy tired and was able to crawl in bed it was almost 2am.  I was leaving work early so I could attend the rehearsal for my friends wedding so I though I could run before that.  Well the new pup had other plans, because all he wanted to do is play, which was fine because I could run after the rehearsal.
     The rehearsal ran a little longer than I thought and while I was on my way home I realized I didn't have anything to wear.  I made a pit stop to pick up a new pair of pants and a shirt.  By this time it was pretty late and I have 13 miles to do Saturday morning so I skipped the run and called it a day.

Saturday:

     Today's run was 13 miles at race pace and I set myself a goal to not let any mile drop slower than an 8:59 per mile.  It was a little cool out and with the wind blowing it was down right chilly.  Despite the chillier temps I did enjoy the run.  The route I planned for myself gave me a head wind for the a few miles.  I felt really good and got into a rhythm early.  During this run, all the right songs played and mentally I was just feeling this one.  My pace did bounce around a little, but overall the numbers look good and I was able to accomplish my goal.  When I got home, I had to rush around and eat so I could get ready for the wedding.  

Week 11 begins now

* For quick access to my entire Marathon training journal click the "Marathon Journal" tab just below the Running In The Fat Lane header

Wednesday weigh in & a change in my approach

      Got on the scale this morning before work not really sure what I was going to see.  My weight fluctuated so much this week, and I am not really sure why.  I have my thoughts and they mostly stem around my routine/eating habits being off.  First since this weekly post is predicated around what I call my official weight is for the week, let me get that out of the way.

9/10/14 official weigh in

183 lbs

Change: +1 lbs

Total loss from heaviest: 134 lbs

Current BMI: 28.6 (overweight)

Change: +.1

     It is amazing how life can just get in the way of something so simple as running.  I am not trying to minimize marathon training because it is hard and I am putting in a lot of miles, but at the end of the day it is just running and I should be able to fit it in.  I feel like I have done a good job listening to my body and not being so rigid to my schedule that if I miss a run the world is not going to come to an end.  I knew when I made this schedule inevitably things were going to get shifted around.  I just didn’t think it would be this much.  Of course some of it is my own fault, who thinks that bringing home a new 6 week old puppy during marathon training is a good idea, well apparently this guy. 

   

     Before I go any further, let me introduce you all to Jedi.  He is what you would call a cha-weenie, part Chihuahua and part dachshund.  Mandy was introduced to him and immediately fell in love.  Now we already have two other Chihuahuas and a large cat and we needed another animal like a hole in the head.  I have to say the second I saw him I fell in love two.  Needless to say the timing wasn’t right, but we just couldn’t say no, so he is now part of the family and we love him.

     As far as training goes I am hoping to really be back on track in another week.  I have made a few more modifications to my plan and I will be listening to my body if any further changes are needed.  I think once I get past my last 20 miler in a week or so and hit my taper things will settle down for me. 

     After seeing myself stall in my weight loss lately and seeing the scale go up and down over and over, I have come to the realization that I am not going to worry about it anymore; for now.  Don’t get me wrong, I am not done or giving up by any means.  It is just that I want to let go of some stress and I think worrying about it isn’t doing me any good.  It is stressful to get on the scale each week and be so happy at a loss of any kind just to have it ruined by a gain the following week.  Now I am not going to change anything.  I am still going to weigh in each week and post it; I am just not going to care about it.  I truly believe My biggest issue with what is going on is the marathon training.  I know I have said this before, a lot of what I have read and heard from people is they gain weight while training for the marathon.  I have managed to pretty much maintain my weight so I have to be happy about that. 

     The reason for all this kind of came about after I logged my weigh in on my phone.  I was flipping through my log entries and since the end of July my entries looked like this: 182.5, 184, 181.5, 180, 182, and now 183.  This is why I decided to change my approach. 

     So here is the plan.  I will continue to follow my current nutrition plan and do my absolute best not to cheat or go above my 2000 calorie limit except for my long run day.  I will continue to weigh in so I can monitor and make sure I don't completely fall off the rails.  Once the Marathon is over, I will take at least a week off from running to recover and spend some time with Mandy.  Then I am going to take an official weigh in and set my sights on achieving my weight goal of 173 pounds. 

Marathon training week 9 recap

 

      This week was tough and I had a lot of ups and downs that I had to deal with.  I wouldn't say this was a shining week in my training, but I feel like I made the best of what I could.  I said at the beginning of this adventure that my training plan would be a fluid situation and this week began that.  I am going to sit down and make a couple of changes since next week is going to be a little off from my normal routine.  I am not going to tinker to much, but I need to if I want to maintain a steady plan and not risk injury or over training. 

Sunday:

     Today I headed out on a 9 mile run at race pace and I wanted to be at 9 minute mile or less for this one.  When I left it was cloudy and comfortable until I got around mile 4.  The clouds broke open a hole and the sun started baking me almost like it was doing it on purpose.  I also had a hefty head win that I had to fight through on my last 3 miles.

Monday:

     Today is Labor day and since I have worked Memorial Day and 4th of July I decided to take the day off from work.  Mandy and I relaxed most of the day, we went to Maumee Bay state park and walked the beach, took some pictures, got our feet wet in the cool lake water and chased the sea gulls hanging on the beach.  On our way home we stopped so she can get a slushy and we spent the evening relaxing on the couch together watching movies.

Tuesday:

     I really felt good today on my route that took me 3 miles out and 3 miles back.  I wanted to stay at 9:30 or below and I felt I was able to with little effort despite my pace bouncing around a little.  It was still humid and the temp was a little cooler so I wore sleeveless shirt and that made it pretty comfortable.  I can't tell you how good it felt to go out run and return and feel really good.  Lately most of my runs at some point I end up feeling tired or worn out, but today was perfect.

Wednesday:

     Today and next Wednesday I am working so I had to shorten my running time so I could accommodate work and running. Next Saturday I am presiding over my friend Jim's wedding and had to switch my day off so hence why I am working next Wednesday as well.  Yes if you were wondering I am an ordained minister and am licensed in Ohio to perform wedding ceremonies.  I have pretty much hung up my collar though because getting weekends off from work are nearly impossible, but I made an exception for my good buddy Jim.  

     So now that you know today I did my race pace run let me tell you about it.  It was scary as shit.  A cold front has moved through the area and made the temperature quite comfortable and even though the weather shows 94% humidity, it sure didn't feel like it.  It did however cause some major freaking fog this morning.  I took a picture before I left but it really doesn't do it any justice for just how bad it was.  To be honest it was as thick as peanut butter as good old Yukon Cornelius would say.  I stuck to the bike trail for safety from cars and what not, but with all the trees along the path kept me feeling like I was running through the woods.  It was truly like a scene out of some horror movie!  I was wearing my headlamp and only being able to see about five feet or less in front of me, woo that is scary.  I ended up packing a little high velocity protection with me just in case ;) but of course I didn't need it.  Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

     Despite the lovely picture I just painted for you above, the run went quite well.  I managed to keep my pace right were I wanted to through out the entire run.  I basically did a 5 mile out and back and only got off the trail when I reached the neighboring town and had to run about a quarter mile on the streets before I hit the five mile turnaround mark.  I wore my Camel Bak, mainly because it has a lot more storage room, but it provided me with more than enough water.  I also used my Clif Shot Bloks chews every two miles as well.  I wanted to simulate eating on the run in my marathon pace.  No real issues with it, now I just have to figure how I am going to carry them, because I can't and won't be using the Camel Bak for the race.  Anyway, the sun finally started to lighten things up for the last two and a half miles and even then the fog kept my visibility down to about fifty feet or so.  For the last mile, as I always do, I pushed the pace and had a nice strong finish.  When I got back I stretched out and did two sets of 15 and one set of 10 push ups.

Thursday:
     I was going to run today and then run tomorrow so I could take Saturday off before my twenty mile run on Sunday.  Well I woke up and my body was just a run down mess.  I had no energy and was extremely tired.  I just couldn't see myself doing my speed work and I didn't want to risk any injury so I went back to bed to get a couple more hours of sleep before work.  When I got home from work Mandy and I relaxed, ate dinner, watched a little of the football game, and I took some night quill and went to bed a little early.

Friday:

     It was a humid humid morning but the temp was manageable since the sun hadn't come up yet.  This was the first speed workout I have been able to do after missing it for the last two weeks.  I could tell my body seemed to have lost a little something with how it responded.  I wanted to keep my pace between 8:20 and 8:30 and I did that quite well despite how tired my legs felt.  I did a 2.5 mile out and back route on the bike trail.  Just after I hit mile 2 a small animal crossed in front of me, it was hard to tell what it was at first because it was very dark.  It froze when I was right on top of it and once I saw that white stripe I made sure to give him a wide berth.  I am pretty sure that was the first time I've seen a Pepe Le Pew that wasn't a pancake on the road, luckily he didn't feel threatened and didn't spray any of his perfume on me.  After that my run was animal free and pretty uneventful.  I was able to maintain a nice steady pace till the last mile when I pushed the pace a little bit.  When I got back I did two sets of 20 tricep dips, stretched out and called it a day.

Saturday:

     Well it happened again, I Didn't run.  I have just been so freaking tired.  What clued me in was when I almost fell asleep two or three times on the way to work yesterday.  Also people at work said I looked tired and exhausted, so I decided I really need to get some sleep, with my 20 miler tomorrow I really didn't want to jeopardize that.  

Week 10 begins now

* For quick access to my entire Marathon training journal click the "Marathon Journal" tab just below the Running In The Fat Lane header

Wednesday Weigh In

     Well were back on the scale again.  If I had to guess before I got on, I would have said an increase was most likely.  My routine has just been so out of whack these couple of weeks.  Being out of town most of last week didn't help my cause much either.  This week is no exception either, my work is open on labor day and normally I would be working it, but I made a change so I could spend a little time with Mandy.  This caused me to have to work today so my running schedule for the next two weeks is in need of some adjustments.  I'll explain that in a minute, but let me get this part out of the way....

9/3/14 official weigh in

182 lbs

Change: +2 lbs

Total loss from heaviest: 135 lbs

Current BMI: 28.5 (overweight)

Change: +.3

     Like I was saying, I had to change my schedule around so here is what my new schedule looks like for the next two weeks:

Wed: 10 miles @ 8:55 pace

Thu: 8 miles @ 9:30 pace

Fri: 5 miles @ 8:20 pace

Sat: rest

Sun: 20 miles @ 9:45-10:00 pace

Mon: rest

Tue: 6 miles @ 9:30 pace

Wed: 10 miles @ 8:55 pace

Thu: rest

Fri: 5 miles @ 8:20 pace

Sat: 5 miles @ 9:30 pace

     Today and next Wednesday I am working so I had to shorten my running time so I could accommodate work and running. Next Saturday I am presiding over my friend Jim's wedding and had to switch my day off so hence why I am working next Wednesday as well.  Yes if you were wondering I am an ordained minister and am licensed in Ohio to perform wedding ceremonies.  I have pretty much hung up my collar though because getting weekends off from work are nearly impossible, but I made an exception for my good buddy Jim.  

     So now that you know today I did my race pace run let me tell you about it.  It was scary as shit.  A cold front has moved through the area and made the temperature quite comfortable and even though the weather shows 94% humidity, it sure didn't feel like it.  It did however cause some major freaking fog this morning.  I took a picture before I left but it really doesn't do it any justice for just how bad it was.  To be honest it was as thick as peanut butter as good old Yukon Cornelius would say.  I stuck to the bike trail for safety from cars and what not, but with all the trees along the path kept me feeling like I was running through the woods.  It was truly like a scene out of some horror movie!  I was wearing my headlamp and only being able to see about five feet or less in front of me, woo that is scary.  I ended up packing a little high velocity protection with me just in case ;) but of course I didn't need it.  Better to have and not need than to need and not have!

     Despite the lovely picture I just painted for you above, the run went quite well.  I managed to keep my pace right were I wanted to through out the entire run.  I basically did a 5 mile out and back and only got off the trail when I reached the neighboring town and had to run about a quarter mile on the streets before I hit the five mile turnaround mark.  I wore my Camel Bak, mainly because it has a lot more storage room, but it provided me with more than enough water.  I also used my Clif Shot Bloks chews every two miles as well.  I wanted to simulate eating on the run in my marathon pace.  No real issues with it, now I just have to figure how I am going to carry them, because I can't and won't be using the Camel Bak for the race.  Anyway, the sun finally started to lighten things up for the last two and a half miles and even then the fog kept my visibility down to about fifty feet or so.  For the last mile, as I always do, I pushed the pace and had a nice strong finish.  When I got back I stretched out and did two sets of 15 and one set of 10 push ups.

     Tonight Mandy and I are meeting up with Jim and his fiance for dinner and to discuss how they would like the ceremony to go.  We are meeting up at Frickers after I get home from work so I am already trying to figure out what I am going to do for food.  I think I will get the grilled chicken sandwich and maybe eat just the bottom half of the bun and get the BBQ sauce on the side so I can control how much I eat.  One thing is for certain, NO WINGS TONIGHT!!!!!!! and I am sticking to it!  

 

Marathon Training Week 8 Recap

     

      This was a very busy week for me, and the fact that I was able to get in 30 of the 37 miles I was planning to run this week isn't to shabby.  Traveling to Nashville for work was fun, and seeing all the new product really got me pumped for another year.  

     We stayed at the Gaylord Opryland hotel and convention center where the show was being held.  The Gaylord is a gigantic facility and you have to do a lot of walking to get where you need to go.  I am not exaggerating when I say it is at least a solid mile from one end to the other.  I was lucky enough to get a room very close to the convention center and right where I wanted to be to get out for my morning runs.  I was quite proud of myself that I stuck to my guns and got both of my runs in, when I could of said I am to tired from all this walking.  To be honest though I never really got tired, not like I did when I was here for the show in 2007.  I was a lot heavier then and if I had to guess I was right around the 300 pound mark. 

     Monday night the show began with everyone gathering to hear what is coming for 2015, followed up with a welcome reception.  The next day was filled with a 6 mile run, ten hours of seminars and product reviews followed up with the my group heading to a local steak house for dinner. 

     The Next morning I was up again for my 12 mile long run, followed by another 10 hour day at the convention.   One of the highlights from today was getting to meet Willie G Davidson, the Godfather of the Modern Harley-Davidson.  His visions helped shape the company and the styling of the modern motorcycle movement.

     We then decided to head to downtown Nashville to check all the cool night life.  Nashville has some really cool bars and music clubs that always have some really good talent.  We had a horrible dinner experience at what was suppose to be a local favorite.  Bad service, cold food and the inability to cook blackened salmon in a timely manner was not what were looking for.  After our lack luster meal we headed to a local favorite, Wild Horse Saloon, for a few drinks.  After some time there we headed to Coyote Ugly to see what was going on.  It was busier that I thought it would be for a Wednesday night, I think a lot of that had to do with all the people in town for the convention, because I recognized a lot of them.  We called it a night around eleven because we all had an early day tomorrow.   I was done with all of my stuff at the show so I was planning on heading back in the morning.

     All in all it was a great trip and a great ride on the bike.  I wanted to share with you all a couple pictures.  The one from Coyote Ugly was when I was there in 2007.  The other was this year outside of the Wild Horse Saloon.  I look at photos like these and smile when I think about who I have become, but I also think why the hell did I think that was ok for so long.  It really doesn't matter, keep looking forward at where I'm going and not where I've been.

 

 

Sunday:

     I really had a lot to do today to get ready for my trip and to make matters worse I really wasn't into this run at all.  I had 8 miles on the schedule, but while I was out I just couldn't get into a groove and nothing seemed to be going right.  I had been having some chaffing issues and I forgot to use my Body Glide which made things worse and my pace was atrocious.  I wanted to be in the low 9:30s, that didn't happen, and my mile splits were all over the place.  I got to mile three and couldn't take it any more so I turned around destined to only do 6 this day.  After my run, I also had to mow the lawn, wash the bike, wash the dishes and pack the bike for my 8 hour ride down to Nashville.  At the end of the day, missing those last two miles actually helped me with time to finish everything else I needed to get done.  

Monday:

     Today was my rest day from running, but I was traveling to Nashville for the Harley-Davidson dealer show.  I road my bike down which was fine but to stay in a mostly fixed position for almost 8 hours I can't say it was really a good rest day for my body.  However I did have perfect weather for the ride and was nice to put some miles on the bike.  

Tuesday:

     I was up at 5am to get my 6 miles in and holy shit it was super humid even that early with the sun not even up yet.  I had pre planned my route using google maps, but once I got out and started running everything quickly changed.  One of the roads was really an entrance to the Opryland and was closed off.  I decided to take the long way round a local mall and headed toward the road that leads to the running path.  Turns out that road was really a private drive with a large iron gate.  I stopped and looked at the map on my phone, with this new information I quickly realized that there was no direct route to get to the bike path and so running in circles it is.  After retracing my steps a few times I ended up getting in my 6 miles and realized I would have to rethink my run for Wednesday.
   
      After my run I got ready and headed down to breakfast around 8am.  From that point on I was on my feet walking the show floor or from one seminar to another till after 6pm.  So far the show has been great and the food has been plentiful, but I am feeling pretty good about how I have handled my eating.

Wednesday:

     Last night we went out for dinner following a long day at the convention and I was able to get back to my room around 9:30ish to relax.  I attempted to map out my long run which turned out to be another flop.  I had to get a little creative on the fly and retrace my steps to get in all 12 miles.  It was just slightly cooler this morning but man that humidity was brutal.  I headed out around the hotel campus first before heading to run around the mall parking lot.  I then took the long way around to the main road which headed down hill to a nice loop around the local campgrounds.  I was 3/4s of the way around the large loop when I started to realize I wasn't even close to 12 miles.  I ran up and down a couple of side streets and then headed back towards the mall.  I pretty much followed the same route back which when I reached the starting point I had about a half mile left to get in.  I cruised past my hotel entrance and then doubled back till my gps watch struck 12 miles.

     When I got back to the room every article of clothing I was wearing was just soaked with sweat.  I hoped in the shower, got dressed and headed down for breakfast.  I was so dehydrated from the run I drank almost an entire pitcher of water by myself.  I had another full day of walking the show floor and attending seminars.  Despite all that my legs didn't feel all that bad.

Thursday:
     My rest day would have been a little more relaxing if I didn't have 500 plus miles to ride my motorcycle home.  The weather was very cooperative for my entire ride.  I strolled into town around 3:15 and proceeded to unpack my stuff.  I ended up crashing on the couch waiting for Mandy to come home from work.  I was out like a light almost immediately. 

Friday:

     Today was my scheduled tempo pace run and I would love to say yes I got it in,  but that wasn't the case.  I made the conscience decision to pass on the run and take a true rest day following that long ride yesterday.

Saturday:

     It was nice to finally run where the humidity wasn't so high, it made the low 70s feel a lot cooler.  6 miles at easy pace was my scheduled run and I found it a little tough to actually keep from going faster.  The extra day of rest really helped my body recover from all the time I spent on my feet.  The run was pretty routine and uneventful except when I was close to my turnaround on my out and back route.  I saw a pair of eyes glowing on each side of the road and as I got closer I realized they belonged to a couple of raccoons that decided to come out and say hi.  They waited till I was right next to them before they turned tail and ran back into the corn fields.  I kept my pace steady and right where I wanted it till mile 6 when I turned up the heat a little bit for a strong finish.  When I got back I did my stretches and 2 sets of 15 push ups. 

Week 9 begins now

* For quick access to my entire Marathon training journal click the "Marathon Journal" tab just below the Running In The Fat Lane header