Well, as promised what feels like many moons ago, I have done a bit of a better job of sticking to my training plan. I’ve had some amazing runs in some awesome places in the past few weeks.
Prime example? A Labor Day trip to Aspen. While the altitude is no joke (um, at 9,000 feet 11 miles = 14 miles, right? Right. Good.), the journey and the views were ever so worth the heavy breathing effort. I had never been to Colorado in the summer and boy is it amazing. I soaked in every minute of the weekend, and slowed my run down to try to avoid being unable to catch my breath. The views took care of that themselves, and I added in walk breaks from time to time when needed to just enjoy the ride. Though it was shorter than it was supposed to be, it was perhaps my favorite run of this training cycle. Peaceful and beautiful. Wish I could do this more often!
Definitely worth the hike up!
On the flip side, I’ve been going to a PT to deal with some serious hip pain for 3 weeks. And have had 3 long runs abruptly interrupted by sharp pain that reduced me to mostly walking. Fortunately, that point keeps getting later and later in my runs mileage-wise, but it’s still short of 26.2. Honestly, I’m a little scared that I won’t be able to finish Chicago. I’m telling myself that the flat course (serious pain seems to be triggered by hills) and slowing down will make it possible, but the truth is the furthest I’ve gone is 19 miles (and I’m not planning to do anything longer), and when the pain sets in, it really sets in, and if that happens, it’ll be hard to finish. BUT I’m hoping that 3 weeks of easy running, mostly on the treadmill, and continued PT visits will get me there. I’m remembering the goal – only to finish – and will do whatever it takes to get there.
In the meantime, I love the PT I’m going to – she’s a runner and has actually run Chicago – and I know she’ll help me figure out how to make it happen. So I’m hoping for the best, and keeping on keeping on. And have resolved to focus on some major hip and glute strengthening from now on! Let’s be real – this all started because my butt is weak. Which is awesome.
So, the last few weeks in brief :
Week 9:
Tuesday – 6 miles @ 9:40 average. 9PM run. Loving these in the hot summer
Thursday – 6.21 miles @ 10:05. Unremarkable, but happy to get it in before leaving on vacation
Saturday – 3 mile hike, straight up a mountain. Absolutely gorgeous and hard as heck to breathe, but so worth it
Sunday: 11 mile run on the flattest but most scenic route I could find in Aspen + 2 mile hike to see the Maroon Bells. Amazing!
Good friends + gorgeous views = happy Betsy
Over to the right, there’s a stage, where Edward Sharpe and then Journey played. We were surrounded by these views and good friends. It was a rough night.
Week 10:
Tuesday: 6.2 miles @ 9:09. Another 9PM run and finally felt like I could run again. Honestly, other than Aspen, I had not enjoyed a run in awhile until this one. Relief.
Thursday: 6 outside @ 9:15, 1.5 on treadmill @ 10:00; first PT appointment
Saturday: 13 @ 9:45; 3ish @ 11:00 or so – involved lots of walking after hip pain around 12.5
Sunday: log dog walk + tennis
Week 11:
Tuesday: 4.25 mile spontaneous progressive run – splits: 9:37, 9:09, 7:58, 9:08. This felt amazing. My hip didn’t hurt, and I finally felt like pushing it. In hindsight, I probably shouldn’t have, but that sub-8 mile made me remember that I love to push my own limits
Wednesday: 6.2 miles on the treadmill @ 10:00 average
Thursday: PT appointment, skipped planned run
Saturday: 18 miles. The hip was dull but controlled pain through most of the run, then I climbed a steep hill @ 17 and promptly got stopped at a light for about 45 seconds. Felt like someone stuck a knife in my hip after I started again, so I limped back to finish 18. Should have been discouraged, but decided that since it was a hill’s fault, I was ok. Also, it was a gorgeous low 70’s no cloud in the sky day, and Alabama was about to crush Texas A&M, so nothing could get me too down.
Sunday: Terribly played but fun tennis match.
AJ McCarron > Johnny Manziel
“Game Managers” make the best QBs And Johnny Football is just annoying.
Week 12:
This is where things got real. Both from a preventive perspective and a crap-I-could-be-in-trouble perspective.
Monday: Dry needling with the PT. I was scared out of my mind, and googled way too many details about this procedure. Not going to lie, it hurt, and I squirmed, was sweating, and definitely had to exclaim a bit. But it wasn’t so bad, and I woke up the next morning feeling much, much better. No soreness, and my run that night was pain-free. The whole idea of it still makes me cringe, but verdict is that it was worth it.
Tuesday: 5 miles on the treadmill with no pain @ 10:00. BORED.
Saturday (yep, rest of the week was PT exercises only.): 19 miles. 18 around 9:45, with a couple at about 9:00/miles, which is too fast for me during a marathon. Paid for it around 18 when the stabbing hip pain came back. Planned 21 was 19. Scared.
Sunday: Once again, terribly played but fun tennis match. My competitive spirit for tennis will kick back in when my legs aren’t so tired. Sorry partner!
Ups and downs. Highs and lows. But this is what marathon training is all about, right? Hoping that 3 weeks of taking it easy will help. The countdown is on!
Literal B 