Marathon thoughts

I'm going to try to run a marathon Saturday.

My training has been virtually non-existent on the blog, but it has been happening. Slow and steady.

Monday I was in a near panic that this is marathon week. Then I got busy and stayed busy enough to forget about it most of the time. More than any other new distance so far, I'm scared of this one. And that's probably fair. A marathon is a big deal for a reason. But I don't remember ever doubting that I could run a 5k or a 10k or a half. And I'm doubting myself big time on this one.

A friend gave me one of those daily calendar thingies for Christmas that has running quotes, tshirt designs and signs -- both funny and inspirational. One that has been getting me through lately has been:

That one calms me down a lot, because I feel like I can't a lot. But someone else has felt that way before, and they did it. And I only have to do it this one time, and then I'll forever be a marathoner.

I found another good one on tumblr tonight.

Hopefully, the next time I post I will be a marathoner. Wish me luck this weekend.

See you on the other side.

Training Tuesday [1.28.14]

It feels like I've been gone from this space for a while!

Sorry about that.

And I'm sorry I'm reverting into the pattern of books-and-running-posts-only. I promise I will do my best to post other things but guys. If you saw my schedule right now...

Luckily, it will calm down a bit after Valentine's day. (Our Career Fair is the day before, hence the business.)

But I will do my best even in the meantime to be here, now and then at least.

On to training! I had a pretty good week! I needed it, too.

That first two there is intervals. They are ALWAYS my favorite. (I warm up for five minutes, then do one minute fast, two minutes slow, and repeat till I've done 6 fasts, then cool down. Goes so quickly!)

I was supposed to put in three miles Friday, but a new friend invited me to a free Zumba class, and you all know I love Zumba, so I couldn't say no. Plus, new friend! Yay!

10 miles was easier than I could have hoped. I had to walk a bit on an uphill when my knee was being funky, but once I was running flat again it was fine, and it pushed through the next uphill with no major issues.

Then two today was a deal I struck with myself. I've been a wimp and training inside and I know it's going to be frigid the morning of my next race, so I told myself I didn't have to do that many miles outside if I just ran outside. In the end, I definitely could have done more, but homework was a callin' my name, so I ended there.

I'm less than two weeks from my next half and it's funny how the prospect of training for a full has changed my perspective. I'm sure I will get nervous and excited, but it's kind of calming that in my head, it's not only a race but just another training run for my full marathon. I can push through my training runs, almost always, because I know it's building to bigger and more challenging things. So I'm feeling pretty zen about this upcoming half.

Except for the weather thing. It's sure to be freezing at 7:30 am in February.

I'm sure I'll keep you updated!

Is the cold affecting your workouts? What else in your life is altered by the cold? I know it changes what I'm in the mood to eat rather drastically!

Training Tuesday [1.21.14]

Hey friends!

Not a lot to say, but for posterity's sake, here's this week's training:

Not my best, but a crummy week always makes me hit it way harder the next week!

(Though that six was actually a five and a half :)

Happy Tuesday!

Training Tuesday [1.14.14]

Hey friends!

Popping in really quickly tonight to check in with my training. Here's what this week looked like:

Wednesday, Jan. 8: This run totally almost didn't happen. Or, more accurately, I almost quit after three miles -- actually stopped running and texted Pat that I quit, then ran two more miles. I'm just so so bored of running inside.

Friday, Jan. 10: Intervals -- 2.31 miles. Always goes by fast!

Sunday, Jan. 13: My mantra on this run was, "Pace doesn't matter. Just keep moving." I have such a hard time with feeling like my long runs need to be a certain pace when really, everything I've read says to take your long runs sloooow. So I did, and I powered through the whole dang thing -- even up the giant hills. Proud of that one. Also, proves that the troubles I've been having have been totally mental -- my body easily handled the 8 miles. Probably helped that it was gorgeous and I got to run outside!

I've slacked so far this week -- I was supposed to run yesterday and today. I have excuses, but you know what they say about excuses (probably a million things. pick your favorite).

Hoping to get back on track tomorrow! Not too concerned at this point -- just used my rest days in the beginning of the week instead of the end. :)

How are you all doing with your healthy living/fitness goals?

Training Tuesday [1.7.14]

(I think that might only be the second time or so that I've used 2014! Woah.)

Training this past week was less than ideal. I missed a couple days last week visiting friends/being lazy/reuniting with Pat. And then, the weather decided to be frigid, icy and scary for driving. So, I've only got two runs in the books this week.

I'm not too worried about it. I missed a 4-mile run, and five days off during training isn't ideal but it's also not the worst thing ever. I'll survive!

The two runs I got in were pretty solid. Not super long -- the first was actually 2.51 miles, even though it's showing as three. That was a nice interval run, which always goes by fast! Then tonight I really wasn't feeling it -- my stomach has been funky all day -- but I feel SO much better having gotten that run in!

Has anyone out there set some new fitness or healthy living goals for 2014? I'd love to hear about it!

Training Tuesday [12.31.13]

Hey friends! Stopping in again today for a quick Training Tuesday, as promised.

Kind of funny in graph form! I'll probably play with the format for next time. :) I've been very lucky this week that the weather has been WONDERFUL and I've been able to run outside. In December. In southwest Missouri. Hallelujah.

Wednesday, 25th -- Rest day. Christmas!
Thursday, 26th -- These 3 miles are a trick. It was actually 2.61 miles in intervals. Which I always love.
Friday, 27th -- Three miles. I was fast! Felt great.
Saturday, 28th -- Six miles. I was not feeling prepared, but mistakenly thought it was only 5 weeks out to my next half -- really it was 6 weeks. But still, it was the motivation I needed to get out there and I did great!
Sunday, 29th -- Rest day
Monday, 30th -- Took a second rest day. Had a weird headache-y gross feeling
Tuesday, 31st -- Three miles. Got really hard near the end -- I had to stop when my hair fell out of its braid and then it was hard to restart, but it was really nice outside, so totally worth it in the end!

Overall, it's been a good week of training! Getting my confidence back after that accidental two weeks I took off. Amazing how quickly I get nervous again.

Also, it's about this time last year that I was training to run a 10k and ran 6 miles for the first time. Apparently, I'm just a winter runner.

Hope you all are having a fantastic New Year's Eve! As I write this (around 3 pm...) we're still trying to figure out plans. I'm sure I'll keep you posted!