Emily's training blog

Final week! Tapering away! I'm busy feeling alternately supremely confident and supremely doubtful. Such is the marathon. I resolve to be happy and proud of the training I have put in no matter what the outcome!

I ran a little turnover workout this morning. It's tough moving quickly at 5:30 am. But, that's the only time I have to work out today. It was plenty of effort, though.

I warmed up fifteen minutes and then ran 3 x 3-2-1 minutes with 2-1-1 minute recoveries. I cooled down about a mile to hit 7 for the day. 7:12 average. (But my first two miles were about eight minute average.)

Feeling antsy and ready to race.

The weather in Sacramento looks perfect on race day. Low of 45. High of 62. Wind 2mph. Overcast.

30minute run. 4.2 miles. Taper on . . . taper on . . .

Warm up to the track. 2 miles of speed changes. Jog home the short way. Leaving TOMORROW!

Off! Thought I would try the day off two days before method of tapering.

Amber and I joined a big group at the CIM shakeout run. Beautiful weather and fresh legs. I'm so ready to go.

Rough day. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. But, I know some weak areas that I can work on.

All I had to do was stay with the pace group. But, I felt fresh and actually pretty amazing, so I started pushing early. A total rookie mistake, and a costly one. I starpushed rowing down low sixes on a rolling course. It cost me big time. I was feeling so great that I thought the gamble was worth it and I was going to pop a big race. Nope. My impatience was quickly punished.

At 7.5 I started getting a little side cramp. A hammer gel and Heed seemed to help. That was the only bottle Iin the first 15 miles that I was able to snag. I took water and Nuun in paper cups, but I could tell that hydration was starting to be an issue.

Mile 12 I started feeling fatigue, but realized that the course got easier in the second half. I pushed through to the half, but was starting to slow. I knew at this point that I had been too agressive. Still, I was under 1:21.

Within the next two miles it all fell apart. My stomach started cramping. My legs were not responding. The pace group caught me around 15. I tried to tuck in, but it was over. I watched helplessly as my goal ran away from me. Completely demoralized and physically hurting, I pushed halfheartedly through two more miles.

I couldn't face plodding slowly to the finish, knowing it was going to feel worse each mile. I called it quits and waited sobbing for the Sag Wagon.

Coulda Shoulda Woulda. Will I ever learn patience early in a race? I struggled fuel and hydration wise, but it was mostly my impatience that cost me.

I realized quickly that St. George Marathon really helps you out, even when you are tired. No such luck on a regular course. I now have complete respect for the marathon. I'm definitely humbled.

Do I think I would have qualified had I stayed tucked in? I don't know. I probably still would have struggled a bit. I think there are still some holes in my training.

Do I want to keep after an OTQ goal? Absolutely. But, I think I needsome longer marathon paced workouts. Ten wasn't enough. The positive is that I have a base to build off of. Plus, it shouldn't take me too long to physically recover. Mentally and emotionally might take a little longer.I was playing with the idea of running a lower key marathon such as Phoenix and just using it to learn the marathon better and practice staying really under control the first half. Thoughts?

Amber and Jen Hughes were amazing running buddies this weekend. It was nice having friends to chase goals with. And I appreciate all the moral support/good vibes from Allie and Jenny. And Rachelle was awesome and came to cheer. She also got to watch me Ugly-cry to my mom on the phone. Awesome!

Persistent, stubborn, or just plain stupid, I'm going to keep after it through 2015.

Dang. :(

PS. I actually have no idea what my abbreviated time was. 1:20:51 through 13.1. I made up the rest.

Taking a bit of a break this week. Plus, I have sick kids. They were nice to wait until after the marathon!

I'm going to write all my thoughts here so I can make some decisions of "What's next?" I absolutely believe I am fit enough to make that OTQ. However, fitness alone doesn't always translate. I need marathon specific training.

I spoke with Paul Pilkington last night ,and I may have him help me out with coaching. I feel like I need someone who can simultaneously rein me in, yet psh me farther . . . if that makes sense. I liked what he was saying about running tempos of 16-18 miles at 12-15 seconds slower than marathon pace to train the body to use its fuel efficiently.

I have been thinking of Grandma's as another shot. Paul suggested I run Chicago. He feels the conditions are more likely to be amenable there. I think weather is always a bit of a crapshoot regardless of where you run. However, I do think that a flat fast course suits my strengths better than a rolling one.

So here's the analysis:

Grandma's:

Pros: It's sooner, which would give me more flexible family time this summer. Plus, I could still have one more shot if it didn't work out. There are usually lots of people going for the OTQ. I would get my own bottles. It's a good course if conditions are good. It's on a Saturday.

Cons: Flying into Duluth is about 800 bucks. It could be hot and humid, which would kill me. Rolling courses don't play to my strengths as much.

Chicago:

Pros: Fast course. It would be easier to train for without worrying about course specific training. I'm a rhythm/track kind of runner. It may suit me better. They give a 2500 dollar time bonus for hitting the standard. I could build mileage and run some shorter spring races. There's lots of races in the summer that can be incorporated into training and provide a little extra money along the way.

Cons: It's expensive. I added up flight, hotel and entry and it was over 1000 dollars. I couldn't use my own bottles. Would I have other OTQ people to pace with? It's on Sunday. Weather might not cooperate. If I didn't get it, that would probably be my last shot.

Then there's other factors. I have to consider my family's sacrifices and my husband's support. It's tough balancing family and trying to get a big running goal. Sometimes I think that chasing this standard is not worth all the investment. But, I'm so close and so capable and this is likely my last competitive Olympic cycle. It's one year of focused training. Then, I would call it good.

So, lots to think about. Thoughts and opinions are appreciated!

Is anyone planning on running Chicago?

After a week sitting on my butt, licking my wounds, I decided it's time to get back at it.  It felt really good to be running again. I thought of all the big goals I want to achieve, and what I am going to do to achieve them. I'm excited to actually have a base fitness going into 2015. I always feel like I am starting from scratch. The trick will be reigning in my enthusiasm and drive the next few weeks. After a crappy race, you want some redemption. But, it's the off season, so it's important to take a step back.

7:32 average. Total Body Conditioning class later this morning. It's gonna hurt!

I am soooooo sore today. That's what happens when I start neglecting strngth work. I probably won't do any significant speedwork for a few weeks, but I do want to throw a little fast paced stuff in here and there.

I ran an hour progression run, starting at 7:30 pace and finishing at 6:03 pace. I picked up every half mile. It was tough on lactic acid filled legs.

Another class tomorrow!

The air was gross this morning. Car exhaust didn't help matters. I saw a woman smoking at a bus stop in the inversion. Double whammy! I ran Costco loop with a SLCC loop thrown in for a little extra. Then I ran the long way through the neighborhood for a little extra. 7:25 average.

Later AM: Total Body Conditioning round 2: There were some variations on the lifts and drills to keep things interesting. It was marginally less torturous than Monday. I'm loving the variety in my workouts. It's a nice change.

I started easy this morning and built in to my run. I'm a little stiff. I notice a little soreness in my left knee. I think it's mostly from wearing my dressy boots yesterday. I should not try to be fashionable. It causes pain. It seemed to warm out over the run. It's something to keep an eye on. I also need new running shoes. Maybe Santa will bring me some.

I would have finished eight, but I really had to go to the bathroom. So .15 short.

7:33 average.

I was reading an article about optimal race weight. According to their calculator, my best weight is 108 lbs. Hmm. That seems awfully thin. I hover around 115 and I'm 5'5". My best races have been around 112. Maybe I'm just a fatty though.

(I don't really think that.) I haven't seen 108 since I went through puberty.

I warmed up three miles and then ran 10 x 2 minutes on/off.I cooled down until I hit ten miles. It's crazy how quickly you lose your speed adaptation. Good thing I don't really need it right now!

I decided to go with a midlong run today. I will add some miles over the coming weeks. I took advantage of the later start, the nice weather, and a shorter run to push a bit today. I was at 6:51 average at the turnaround point. I made a go al to drop to 6:40 average over the second half of the run.

I ran 6:39 average. The second half felt more like an aerobic threshold run.

7:07, 6:50, 6:40, 6:56, 6:45, 6:41, 6:22, 6:30, 6:45, 6:34, 6:24, 6:31.

You can tell the run was a little rolly. Last three were rolling uphill.

I ran on the treadmill this morning, since it was pouring outside. I'm not worried about getting wet, as much as visibility that early in the morning. I ran easy for about twenty minutes, and then got bored. I decided to throw a little tempo running into the workout. I read about a 3 x 3k, 2k, 1k workout at marathon, half marathon, 10k pace with a minute recovery in between. A 2:30 marathoner, whose name escapes me, does this workout. I decided to try for two sets. That would be 12k worth of work.

I tried to start easy. First set: 6:18, 6:07, 5:49 pace. Second set, 6:15, 6:00, and then I was finished. I probably should have gutted out the last 1 k, but felt like I was starting to dig pretty deep. I wimped out a bit. Recovering in 1 minute after the 10k effort is what makes the workout really tough. I will try it again, and I want to build to three sets. I barely cooled down because I needed to get home.

I will go back at nine for Total Body Conditioning class.,

It felt so good to run this morning. Which is surprising since I am sore from class yesterday. It took 3 to 4 miles to warm up, but after that I felt great. The strength and endurance drills are already helping me maintain my form and power. At least, I would like to think so! 7:34 average. Probably a longer run tomorrow.

I met a group in North Salt Lake this morning for a run along the Jordan River Parkway/Legacy Parkway. I was the only girl. I definitely had to run a bit faster than usual for early morning. It was good for me, though. I tried to tuck in and practice drafting. It's always good to run with people who are a bit faster. I definitely need a nice easy day tomorrow. 6:56 average.

I waited until after the Christmas festivities to run today. I was happy that the roads were clear after a little dusting of snow. The roads were a bit slippery, though. I felt pretty cruddy after only a few hours of sleep last night. I was busy playing Danta, trying to get my daughter's leap pad to download the games. But, I always love getting out for a Christmas run. It's my Christmas present to myself.

Merry Christmas bloggers!

7:30 average

Treadmill run. It's icy outside. I warmed up two miles and then ran an abbreviated version of a workout I read about this morning. I ran eight miles. The first two miles I ran 6:45 pace, then two miles at 6:30 pace, then two miles at 6:15 pace, and finished with two miles at 6:00 pace. The full workout is four miles at each pace for a total of sixteen. I will work into it. I liked this workout. I cooled down ten minutes.

I weighed myself today. I have gained three pounds since Thanksgiving. Too much Christmas food!

Cold weather and lack of motivation equal laziness. Treadmill run this morning. I spent the hour contemplating the possibility of fostering two children in our ward. They are being raised by their grandparents, but their grandmother has terminal cancer. She has reached a point where she struggles to care for the children. I don't know if taking them in is a possibility, or an actual solution to a tough situation. I don't know if it's a good thing for my kids. But, the impression to at least explore the possibility keeps coming to me.

Heavy thoughts are often made clearer when I run.