Done!

I stopped writing this log/blog, but not training. I finished my first marathon in about 5 hours. Not great, but I finished. Now for the next one...

And now nothing...

Since that pseudo Herculean 18 miler, I've been sort of out of commission. First I was just too sore, then I got sick. So out of 3 five millers I only did two, and my cross training was nothing more serious than stretches. I've also been going light on weight training. I'm planing an 8 and 13 this weekend. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow morning though.
Next week is another push forward, as I will finish the week with a 20 miler. It is one of two in the training.

I ran a marathon over the weekend.

Well, sort of. In two days. I'm skipping taking about my midweek runs because I didn't do many, due to a sore ankle and an ugly cold. Yesterday it was raining rather hard, so I ended up running on my treadmill for 8 miles, quite at pace, and I have to say, it rather took it out of me, but although boring to stare out of the window instead of running outside, it was good to know for sure I was running at pace.
Today was an 18 miler, and I still need to finish them faster. Mostly I need stamina to finish if not very strong, at least still running. The run was really pretty and up until mile 15 or a little before, I was doing quite well, but then my ass and my hips started paining me quite a bit and I ended up walking for, I would say, about a mile and a half, perhaps two of the last bit, which put on the minutes. I finished in just under 4 hours, and I was really hoping to finish in 3:20 or so. But I'll get there, I hope. Oh, and I know gmaps pedometer says something like 11 miles, but that's because they are being weird with the there and back function, but trust me. I ran 9 miles each way.
Easy week next week, and I hope to find some time to be social too.

This is NOT easy

Last Thursday 28th I had a nice short run and Friday I rested. Saturday's 8 miler at pace was more than comfortable. I think I might have run closer to 9 miles (and I locked myself out of the house). I spent a good amount of time at the gym afterward, no problem. On Sunday I had a 17 miler to run, which I did, but it was really very hard. It took me almost 4 hours to complete because of all the walking breaks I took. I think I let myself be daunted by the distance and thought about it too much during the run. I plan to take a book with me (audio book, of course) for this week's long run (18 miles) which I will also do in a new place, Mt Vernon to Old Town.
On Monday Sept. 1st I did some walking and strength training. Yesterday I could not get out of bed. Today I had an 8 miler, but I decided to just run. As if I weren't training for anything. Just run. I ran a pretty fast, comfortable and enjoyable 10 miles. I plan to do something similar tomorrow and get some strength training in as well. I think I will take Friday off, but I'm not sure right now, I might do something easy. I need to build up for these long runs as well as rest.

The Hardest Week So Far

This week will culminate with a whopping 17 miles on Sunday (and 18 the next week). As I was saying, I feel that my good work last week is preparing me mentally and physically for what is to come. My foot has not been hurting after work outs and I am still being very careful with it. I have however, noticed that my speed is catching back up.
Due to strange mood problems and sleeping habits, I totally skipped Monday's cross training. Tuesday I did a good 4 miles, which, considering how beautiful the morning was, left me wanting more. This morning I ran about 9 miles, this is at least a mile over what was indicated, but as I said, great weather and all, plus I feel that pushing a bit this early in the week might help with what's to come.
Tomorrow I plan to listen to my training guide and do an easy, comfortable 4 miles followed by rest and then the big 8/17 c0mbo. I might get some cross training in, but if I do, it will be rather mild. I want to be rested and ready for what's to come.
I'm almost there!

More about last week.

I ended up indeed running six very good miles on Friday, followed by 7 on Saturday and 11 on Sunday. I also went to lift weights on Saturday. By the time the week's work outs were over, I felt pretty good about myself. It helped that it was a step back week, of course, but I feel like I got a good lead into this week, which won't be so mild.

Week's runs

Monday I sort of took off. It was cross training day, and since the previous day had been so harsh, I just went out for a walk.
Tuesday I ran 4 miles and lifted weights at home.
Wednesday I ran 5 miles and worked on my abs and my arms with my wheely thing.
Today I didn't do anything.
Tomorrow I plan to run as long as I want, probably around 6 miles (I should have run 4 today) and I also want to go to the gym. Although I might leave that to Saturday and work here instead. I need to start going to the gym a little more often again. That will start in earnest next week.
Saturday is a 7 miler, followed by an 11 miler. Easy week. Next week the long run jumps to 17, so that will be a sight to behold...