Elusive 20

Posted on March 17, 2013 by stridingmom

Friday – 6 miles hill repeats
Saturday – 19 miles running, 2 miles walking
Say What? Strides

It’s now T-4 weeks until Bean Town. And honestly, I was (am?) feeling woefully unprepared.

In an ideal training world, I would have at least four 18-20 milers under my belt by this point in time.

On Saturday, what did I have? Oh yeah, that’d be a nice, round…err…ZERO

I set out for my long run this weekend hell bent on finally getting in an 18+ mile run. I haven’t hit any of them and thanks to mother nature, illness and poor planning, each of my 13+ mile runs have sucked.

And the 15-17 mile runs I’ve had have ended with my legs acting like Vanilla does when we go out to dinner:

Fatigue and crabbiness, party of 2.

SUPER encouraging. SUPER.

This weekend’s goal was 20-22. I only got 19 in because my IT band was pissed off and led to general misery. Minus the pain – I felt great. Wait, what?!?!

Honestly, minus the pain I felt I could have easily gone another 3-4 miles.

Huzzah? Who’s legs are these?

I’ve got one week left to get another longer run in and I’m waiting to see how my IT band is to decide what to do. Honestly, my whole goal for Boston has been to go healthy. I don’t want to come this far to blow up now. The name of the game this training schedule has been improvisational training, so why quit now?

Where’s your fatigue wall these days?
Lately it’s been around the 11 mile mark and I just have to push through. For some reason 5-6 has been ugly too.

What races is next on your list? Tell me about your training and goals! I need some final motivation!

Can and Can’t

Posted on February 25, 2013 by stridingmom

After plenty of derailing, I’m working on getting Boston training back on track.
In 8 days I got 49 miles in, which is right where I need to be. In addition I learned a lot about what I can and can’t do.

I CAN do this brutal workout.

Well, I’ll certainly feel THAT tomorrow…

Somehow in the middle of my run, I decided it would be a genius idea to run to the top of a really hilly trailhead so I could get a glimpse of the ocean. Brilliant.

I CAN’T make this noise

My kids have been trying to teach me this sound forever. All this mama wants is to be able to sound like a machine gun like all of the other moms do. But apparently I’m deficient, defunct, devoid of any and all skill making me able to do this…well until my coach gets to me at the end.

I CAN mentally psych myself out
During my long run I spent miles 1-5 berating myself and thinking I’ll never be marathon ready. It was exhausting. Miles 5-12 were fabulous and I was all “I can do this!”. Then miles 12-17.5 (which were straight into a 30ish mph headwind) I cursed the day I started running and my head was filled with fears of walking 13 of the 26.2 in April.

I CAN’T mentally psych myself out
Game on. If I’m going to do an unideal 26.2 training I need to remember that I’m my own worst enemy. Must. not. let. brain. win.

I CAN prop up my legs post run.

For what it’s worth I didn’t get much time right after my run due to soccer games. Instead, I made my way through the Oscars legs up, kids wanting to see who won our selection contest.

I CAN’T expect my children to be normal while I rest.

Any time I sit down for a few minutes my kids utilize this chance to grab my full attention and have some fun with it. For the record, my son had said something that I misunderstood for “sexy shoes” which was very confusing for me. He decided to show me what it meant to wear sexy shoes. Apparently if you’re wearing heels, you should really pair them with shinguards and knee high socks.

What CAN you do?

What CAN’T you do?

Almost Long Running

Posted on February 17, 2013 by stridingmom

10 Miles
Chatty Strides

After a week of triple digit body temps, to say I was NOT looking forward to a long run was an understatement.

Luckily, Sarah and Kristina were kind enough to join me for an early Saturday spin around the Back Bay. If any of us had been good social media folks, we would have taken pictures. Instead we talked about really important things like copious candy consumption and rockin’ Valentine’s Day gifts like tool boxes and candy from office candy jars.

Instead of a running picture, I’ll just show you the best Valentine’s Day present I got.

I set out hoping to do 14-16, but it just wasn’t in the cards. My body was wracked, fatigued and I was sporting a cough that would make any emphysemic pack a day smoker jealous. Not to mention the thought of food for the entire week before made me as green as my super awesome socks, so I was lacking in the fuel department as well.

After 10 miles of running I started hacking up a lung and Sarah and Kristina gave me over to my car and wisely told me to tack on a few miles mid-week to make up for it instead of setting myself even further back by foolishly pushing through.

I celebrated with a calorie binge at Jamba Juice and then took a nap.

Did you have any fun weekend plans?

Do you have local peeps you can call to participate in a long(ish) run with?

Ride ‘Em Cowboy

Posted on January 15, 2013 by stridingmom

14 Miles
Startling Strides

Sunday was my second valiant attempt at a longer run. I’m not going to sugar coat anything. Since the amazing runs of December, leading to a big PR mid-month leading to about 3 weeks of nothingness, well….

I haven’t had a good run since.

It’s completely disheartening. I’ve been in slumps before, but usually after 2-3 weeks I can at least pull a decent run out of my behind. And speaking of behinds, let me explain why this run was a bust.

[please note, this is gross and personal...intrigued? read on. disgusted? stop right now]

I should be ashamed of myself

You know that phase, it really chaps my ass?

Well, I learned what it mean to have a chaffed ass. I have faced a lot of pain running – pushed through pulls, tweaks, etc. But when things got a little, err…uncomfortable in the southern hemisphere around mile 12.5 I thought it was no big deal to make it the 2.5 miles home. By mile 13.75 I called for a ride and by mile 14 I was walking down the side of the road awaiting my chariot like a cowboy who rode from LA to Vegas on his horse.

Everyone in the car laughed watching me waddle down the street.

It’s okay, I might have laughed too.

I wouldn’t wish that pain on anyone. When I literally say I could not run a single step further, there is no ounce of exaggeration in that statement.

So there’s a first time for everything.

The best part is that when I got picked up, I was asked if I should have used BodyGlide.

Me: I don’t know…I’ve never had an issue like this before.

A little back story on the body glide. Last summer, Strawberry won a stick at a Road Runner Sports night and I quickly confiscated it from him.

As this conversation about appropriate places to put BodyGlide and how exactly does one’s bum get chaffed is taking place, a little voice from the back seat chirps up chiming into the conversation.

Strawberry: Uh, well if that’s the case, I certainly don’t want that Body Glide back from you mom. Thanks.

Ahhh, out of the mouths of babes.

So the saggin’ wagon picked me up, because my butt hurt. How about ‘dem apples when it comes to excuses to not finish a run?

Where’s the weirdest place you’ve chaffed?

Have you ever stolen something from your kids?

Best Laid Plans

Posted on December 30, 2012 by stridingmom

A few 5 milers
Some Spins on the Bike
Frozen Solid Strides

I’m still hanging in Chi-town. And let’s just say nothing is exactly going as planned.

A fun-filled healthy week.

Flu – party of two. Pneumonia – party of one.

Goodbye high mileage runs. Hello handful of 5 mile runs in the wicked cold (a slight nod to Boston there…).

In addition, my sister and I tried to go out for her belated 30th birthday dinner. My niece selected my jewelry…don’t you love it?

World’s best She She necklace. Sadly, the world’s worst Mexican food. Luckily the meal ended with a candid conversations with the owner and we left hungry, bill free, and wielding free tequila. Still not sure how it happened, but it sure was fun.

Dirty 30 be darned…we shall not feast, but we shall celebrate!

There were a lot of disrupted plans. In fact, this week I’ve spent a significant amount of time trying to decide if I should continue forging ahead with full marathon plans in 5 weeks. I’m nowhere near ready…mentally, physically, or enduranceally (my new word!). Those mental conversations with myself have left me frustrated, flustered and flummoxed.

So instead, I’ve looked at the last week’s events and trying to remember that sometimes, it’s not the end of the world when things don’t go according to plan. My race schedule will work itself out, I won’t totally bomb Boston if I don’t get a marathon in before then, and sometimes life gives you limes and you get free tequila.

What best laid plans have been disrupted for you lately?
What’s your favorite naughty beverage?

‘Cause Tramps Like Us, Baby We Were Born To Run

Posted on December 9, 2012 by stridingmom

17.5 Miles
Super Giddy Strides

Last Thursday morning I snuck in about 4.5 miles…due to scheduling constraints they had to be faster than I’d like on hills.

As I cruised, I mentally lamented about the fact that lately…it feels like all of my runs lately…well…

they suck.

My legs feel like lead, my mind is in another place, 1 mile feels like 3…and it’s been a while since I had a good old fashioned, endorphin raising, “Ahhh this is why I love this” kind of run.

Dear Trader Joe’s, Your cookies are amazing, but because of your overachieving you’re destroying my marathon training.

This probably has something to do with the foundation I have laid lately which includes things like:

-Not spending time stretching, rolling, etc.

-My food pyramid looking something like: fruits, veggies, Christmas cookies, protein.

-Lack of sleep

-High stress

But Saturday…oh Saturday long run, you changed that.

For all intents and purposes, it should have been a terrible run (more on that later).

But, it turns out, my body and brain weren’t about to let that happen. I went out at an 8 minute mile and had to literally slow my body down with some coaching (“Um, Sheila, there’s still like, I don’t know 17 miles or so ahead…take a chill pill“) and settled into a nice 8:30 pace spot on for about 13 miles…and then somewhere around there I just picked it up and kicked it in high gear for a fabulous negative split long run finishing with 8-8:15 minute miles.

Sunday morning verdict: Tired, but not really sore.

Good girl. A long run “push” at an appropriate pace. I’ll take it.

And because the magic of my morning’s long run needed to continue, the boys and I bumped into this pretty little fella on the way home. Ain’t she a beaut, Clark?

Have you had any magic runs lately?

What was the coolest thing you saw this weekend?

The Little Engine that Tanked

Posted on November 4, 2012 by stridingmom

15.4 Miles
Just When You Think You’re Awesome You Remember You’re NOT Strides

Yesterday I was all set to head out for a nice 15-miler. I was dressed, hydrated, filling my water bottles and ready to head out the door when I got a text from a friend. Here’s the short version.

Missy: Want to run tomorrow?
Me: I was just about to head out for 15, would that work?
Missy: I would love to do 15, [insert details]

The old proverb says that “Hope deferred makes the heart sick”, but let me tell you, “A long run deferred makes the heart happy”.

When we met this morning she informed me of her hopeful workout – run Top of the World trail and down, and then do some 3-5 minute pickups X 6.

I kind of peed my pants a little at the thought, but pretended I thought it was brilliant idea since one day I’d like to run 1/4 as good as her.

The first two miles are easy peasy then we hit the 2-mile 1,000 foot incline. Hi, isn’t walking and trying not to die fun?

See those cute little runners on the right overlooking the ocean (the other side pictured on the left overlooks the valley which had beautiful mist & haze in it this morning)? I’m pretty sure they were surprised that the awful wheezing, barking sound behind them was not a dying animal, but a scrawntastic woman trying to run.

Hello 11 minute miles. It was super not fun. Let’s not do it again anytime soon.

After we wrapped up the 8.2 miles up and down our little mini-mountain, I fell for this idea of doing 3 minute pickups X 6. For the record, I lasted 2 before my achilles staged a revolt and I just settled into nice 8-8:30 minute miles for the last 5 miles not wanting to push it, and trying not to throw up. Missy did her pick ups and jogged back to me to catch up as we finished up the run.

That’s why she can run a sub-3 hour marathon and I can’t. And I think I’m okay with that.

But I did finish feeling like the little engine who couldn’t. Apparently I’m not ready to run with the big girls for more than 6-8 miles yet.

Naturally you’re probably wondering why I’m wearing that weird shirt with a chimpanzee on it. By the end of my run I couldn’t handle my runny nose any longer so I took my shirt off and used it as a hanky. NBD.

Oh wait, except I couldn’t run into the grocery store for bagels without one. Luckily my son had left his shirt in the back seat so I got my snack on. Saved by the 7-year old boy.

Do you have a fun running buddy?
Have you ever been the slow kid on the block?
What’s your favorite post-run food?
I literally daydream about bagels on long runs.

Circus Polka Dot Afro Training

Posted on October 28, 2012 by stridingmom

Saturday
15 Miles
Sporadic Strides

Sunday
4 miles running
2 miles jog/walking
Strolling Strides

I’m a checklist kind of girl. Every day I make all sorts of checklists to track what I need to do. And I get a thrill checking things off the ol’ list. In fact, my obsession is so ridiculous sometimes I’ll write something down that I’ve already done just so I can check it off.

Type A all the way baby.

When it comes to training, I have typically loved myself a plan. I’d carefully select my race, research training plans and then customize it in an Excel spreadsheet, print that bad boy out and check off each day until the race came.

But lately, my training plan is a little more like Vanilla’s Halloween costume – a total circus.

Kids, let me tell you a little story.

On Saturday morning I got up, fueled up, dressed up, pottied up (is that a word??) and sat down on my couch. I didn’t want to run. Like at all. I feared that Sarah had infected me and I had become an unintentional member of the Long Run Haterz club. It wasn’t pretty.

But I went. I made it 4 super slow, cold, crabby miles and then wanted to cry when I realized I was meeting my super speedy friend Missy after I finished those miles to put in a few more. She had an hour to run and I knew she was going to try and fit at least 8 miles into that time.

Sure enough, we hit the trails and pushed through 8 miles in our hour. I decided to scratch the last 3 I was hoping to get in after we finished and drove 10 minutes to meet some people. Turns out I had an extra 20 minutes when I got there so I decided to stop being a pansy and get out there and finish the run.

4 – 8:45ish minute miles
8 -7:40ish minute miles
3 – 8:30ish minute miles

Lately, this is how my training has been. I get long(er) runs in when I can, do what my body is feeling/telling me and it seems to be working for the time being. No checklists, no Excel files taped to the wall, just clipping away day after day.

As always, I kept it super classy by running a few errands post 15 mile run in my disgusting clothes, then ended up at soccer games, etc. and did not find my way home until 6 hours later where the world breathed a huge sigh of relief when I finally showered.

No, a bowl of Trix cereal did not throw up all over me. I ran voluntarily and publicly wore this everywhere on Saturday. #classypants

How was your weekend?

Are you a Long Run Lover or Hater?

I’m usually a big long run lover, but my behind struggled with motivation this weekend.

Sporty Spice

Posted on October 22, 2012 by stridingmom

Saturday
14 miles running
1 mile cool down
Makeshift Strides

The name of the game this weekend was Athletics R Us. The boys had a bye week, but we had a chance to hit up the UCLA Women’s Soccer game for free. And who can turn down free? We watched, chatted, and discussed how communicating on the field and looking at your teammates is generally a good idea.

As per ush- we worked some speed work into our spectating. I mean, why waste half time just sitting around?

Plus the boys got to meet the UCLA men’s soccer team which was certainly one of the highlights of their night.

I woke up the next morning and ~~I begged~~ my aunts generously offered to watch the boys while I got a run in. In my excitement I took off woefully unprepared for my SoCal cold run at Balboa Park.

I didn’t really eat breakfast and was out of Gu in my car stash. I didn’t have my iPhone holder for my arm to run with my phone. I usually run with it for safety reasons and the iMapMyRun app is my tried and true Garmin substitute….or at least usually is. Plus I was scrounging to find my Nuun tabs and a water bottle in my car since almost every container I found was empty.

I found some random fruit snacks to munch on since I was STARVING before I started and my jacket made a for a rockin’ hip pack to stash my phone and crusty fruit snacks.

Given it’s “living conditions” my phone staged a revolt and refused to track my run.

I lost track of time and without my GPS I had no clue how far I had run until I got home.

Turns out it was 14 miles and I walked one to cool down. Since my knees were all cranky and creaky during the run I grabbed some ice to make amends with them. My aunts basically gave me the “you’re old” lecture and said it was the rain making my joints stage their insurgency.

I just blamed my lack of foam rolling…no way I’m on the slippery slope down to…*shudder* OLD. Fun times.

Signs you’re getting old – jaunts around the lake, fanny packs and copious amounts of ice.

We spent Sunday doing homework (boys), working (me), cooking (all of us) and watching football rounding out the Sporty Spice weekend.

How was your weekend?

What’s your best makeshift running/sports story?
I actually have one far better than this that I’ll fess up to one day….

The Long Run That Finally Was

Posted on September 16, 2012 by stridingmom

16 miles
(13.5 during the half marathon + 2.5 pre-race run)
Off the Beaten Path Strides

I finished off “testing week” (seeing what my ankle could handle) by putting in 40+ hilly, mostly trail miles this past week and feel okay to move forward with CIM.

So on Saturday I got up and drove my butt down to Escondido to the SheRuns Half Marathon. I thought it would be fun to vlog about it. So I did this:

Then the caffeine kicked in and I remembered how ~~awesome~~ awful my vlogging skills are, so I decided to go back to pictures about the day. I’ll give a full race review later this week, but here’s my account of the overall day.

I was clearly tired on my drive because the 76 looked a lot like 78 and I took a wrong turn which left me traveling through a place called “Gopher Canyon” which, until I was there, would have surmised it was a fictional SoCal place.

I cruised to the race start with just enough time to get 2.5 miles in pre-race and literally hit the starting line 30 seconds before the race began.

After 13.5 miles of racing (more on that during my race review later) I finished and it was only 89 degrees outside. As they warned, the course was challenging and was about 80% on hilly dirt trails.

Just me, my Stick, my blanket and my giant blister that is my big toe hanging out resting on the side of the road post-run.

So the 16 miles was probably more of an 18-mile level of exertion from my normal road/paved trail, mostly flat long-runs. After, I sat on the side of the road and rolled my legs and hydrated for a while, before making a pit stop at the outlet mall sporting this fabulous outfit.

Thanks to Aspaeris Pivot shorts and my ProCompression socks, I was not only feeling the squeeze, but I think the Google maps satellite picked up my Froot Loop inpsired outfit as I trekked through the Carlsbad Outlet mall.

I then celebrated with the only thing that sounded good to eat after the #heatpocalypse long run – a giant pretzel and lemonade.

So worth it.

All in all, feeling pretty good today after the run and I’m excited to give you a race recap here soon!

Anyone else have a good long run this weekend?
Any exciting news?
Did you eat something super fabulous you normally don’t?

Striding Mom

Taking each day one stride at a time!

Tag Archives: long runs