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Chicago Marathon

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Location:

Salt Lake City,UT,

Member Since:

Aug 18, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Boston Qualifier

Running Accomplishments:

2007 Chicago Marathon 3:49:15

2006 Chicago Marathon 3:47:42

2005 Chicago Marathon 4:19:39

Short-Term Running Goals:

Sub 00:23 5k 

Sub 3:30 marathon48

Long-Term Running Goals:

sub 3:00:00 marathon

Personal:

I have loved to run since I was a little girl when I won my first race against a neighbor boy in his backyard. I have run recreationally ever since, but never really setting any goals other than distance or to participate in a race for the fun of it. So this is all new territory for me and I'm feeling very out of my league. At the suggestion of a friend, here I am... trying to get to the next step in my running. Besides being a runner, I own an IT Staffing company, am a yoga instructor and snowboarder. I have a wonderful husband and beautiful baby girl.

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
346.3526.200.000.00372.55
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

10 mi City Creek

1:38:00

1 - 10:03

2 - 10:22

3 - 11:05

4 - 11:07

5 - 10:52

6 - 09:19

7 - 09:12

8 - 09:01

9 - 08:47

10 - 08:08

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
20.000.000.000.0020.00

20 mi

13 - City Creek

7 - city

Forgot to charge my GPS, but my time sucked. After coming out of City Creek I was exhausted and didn't want to take another step. The last 7mi were grueling.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Randy on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:27:54

Melinda,

If you are training for Chicago, better to do long runs on Jordan river... flat. Specificity is important.

R

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.140.000.000.005.14

0:49:42 Trail

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.460.000.000.006.46

6.46 mi Trail - Millcreek

1:01:54

Felt really good today. The temp was cooler and I didn't feel tired or heavy.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.000.000.000.005.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.000.000.000.006.00

6 mi Trail: Millcreek - Church Fork

0:58:28

I got up there way too late in the morning; it was Satan's griddle out there! I felt overheated and sluggish.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
15.000.000.000.0015.00

15 miles 2:22:56

Felt ok up to mile 10, then it was like I just wanted to lay down on the nearest patch of grass and sleep. The last 5 miles dragged :-(. I think my friend is probably right... perhaps low iron is to blame? I did some research and I guess it is very common, especially among female runners and vegetarians (I'm female and pescitarian - a.k.a. "fish-atarian") to experience anemia and/or iron depletion (low ferritin). I guess low ferritin often goes undetected when getting a simple iron test because doctors are usually looking for hemoglobin and hematocrit levels. The problem is both of these levels can be normal while the ferritin is depleted and which can make a huge impact on running performance. I think I'll head in for a serum ferritin test tomorrow and in the meantime, I picked up an iron supplement today.

Anyone with suggestions or experience on this... please share.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From JamesL on Sun, Aug 26, 2007 at 20:19:18

welcome to the blog :)

From maaron on Sun, Aug 26, 2007 at 21:24:58

Thanks JamesL!

From Michelle on Sun, Aug 26, 2007 at 22:44:19

Welcome to the blog, if we keep this up the girls may soon out number the guys? (someday) Sounds like your off to an amazing start! with some great occupational compliments to your hobbies!

From breanna on Sun, Aug 26, 2007 at 23:28:46

Maaron,

Welcome to the blog. If you think you are low on iron, you can try taking pre-natal vitamins because they have extra iron in them.

From josse on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 01:34:48

I often have low iron I found Iron plus herbs by flora brand works the best and doesn't cause constipation problems. It comes in liquid and pill I would suggest the liquid and take it morning and night to begin with and then after you feel better just take it before you go to bed. I also am a massage therapist and use to a long time ago teach yoga, I despratly need to get back into it.

From Randy on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:24:34

Welcome to the blog!

From Sasha Pachev on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:36:14

Maaron - welcome to the blog. I eat a similar diet to yours - no red meat, occasionally chicken, turkey, or fish. One difference is that I am a male, so you should expect to see some differences in handling the diet, although I am not quite sure what they would be. My daily menu consists of a bowl of raw rolled oats mixed with with some fruit, Spanish peanuts, and soy milk. My lunch is my biggest meal - I usually eat cooked buckwheat with some spices, mashed potatoes, or beans and brown rice, sometimes with a bit of poultry or fish, and always some vegetables. For dinner, I eat raw Spanish peanuts mixed with dates, and some other fruit, usually berries. Additionally, I eat a lot of honey sandwiches on whole wheat bread, and drink Powerade when I suspect or feel a blood sugar low. I never take in any alcohol, caffeine, or standard American junk food. With this type of diet I have been able to run 100+ miles a week with no noticeable side effects - no soreness in the muscles, unusual fatigue, inability to hold my regular training, etc. Although I have not had my iron levels tested, I do not think I have a problem, or I would have seen it.

The crash you experienced in the workout sounds more like just running out of glycogen, though. I believe if your iron levels are low, it would make sense that you would start feeling out of breath from the start. If you run 10 miles fine, and then crash and drag, it is more symptomatic of a fuel issue.

From Randy on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:40:48

I'd like it to be known that caffeine and alcohol do not inhibit 100+ weeks! :).

But I agree that fuel is a highly probable issue in this case. Melinda eats like a bird, not a marathoner... jut this can change :).

From Sasha Pachev on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 12:49:12

After looking at your training, I think I have an idea of the cause of the crash. You normally run 5-6 miles a day, and you take 2 days off. With that type of conditioning, 15 miles, and especially 20 is a shock on your body in a number of ways - muscular stress, fuel system stress, neural drive stress. To fix - run 6 days a week, and up your daily runs to 8 miles. Cut down the long run to 12 at first, then up it once you feel fit. Do not worry about Chicago this year too much, think long term.

I also agree with Randy that Jordan River Trail is better for you than City Creek. One issue that Randy mentioned is specificity. There is another - City Creek involves some tough uphill running, which has a potential to make you run anaerobically, which at this point in your training is not good. You need to build your aerobic base first.

To get an idea of your potential, as well as to diagnose some problem areas, it would be good if you ran in a 5 K on a certified course.

From Melinda on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 17:04:11

WOW! Thank you everyone for the welcome and the training advice. I appreciate it very much.

Sasha - typically my diet consists of a bowl of whole grain cereal for breakfast (Kashi or Flax Plus Granola) with skim milk. A piece of fruit mid-morning. Lunch usually consists of one of four things, veggie sandwhich, garden burger, pad thai with tofu or shrimp, or pasta w/veggies. I typically only eat fish once or twice a week; the same thing with eggs. I eat rice and black beans once or twice a week as well. Dinner involves veggies, either salad or steamed along with some form of starch (bread, noodles or rice). I don't drink much alcohol or caffeine, especially the more miles I'm running.

I will stay away from City Creek. Question, should I be running with a heart rate monitor? I know a lot of runners do, but I never have.

Randy - my father used to call me bird when I was a kid because of how I ate... thanks for bringing up what took years of therapy to overcome ;-).

From Randy on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 18:02:45

Melinda,

You might have misunderstood me to mean 'no hills' at all. Actually, I think running hills on an (almost) daily basis is beneficial. Though, like Sasha says, be careful not to push yourself anaerobic at this stage.

This brings up your question about heart rate monitors. Personally, I don't use one. I tried it out for awhile and found that it's really not too hard to tell how you feel on a run (if it is possible, but uncomfortable to talk, then you are near your anaerobic threshold). The main thing is to just not get excited and run too hard on your easy days. Which, as Sasha mentioned, for you at this point should be most days as you build your aerobic base.

Sasha and I tend to disagree on how much fast running can be done early in a runner's development. I think that playing around on grass with quick strides and fartlek (speed play) is beneficial. It promotes good form and leg strength, and breaks up the monotony of marathon training. But I think Sasha and I agree that base mileage is the first-order effect in marathon performance.

Of course, getting to the starting line is the zeroth-order effect. So the mileage should be built up slowly to avoid injury. Remember what I said, if you increase you weekly mileage by one mile per week... in just two years sub 3 hrs will be no problem. Just be patient and consistent.

R

From Sasha Pachev on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 19:24:05

Randy - try living for 3 years without caffeine or alcohol, while training about the same as you do. There is a very good chance of you going under 2:20.

Melinda - if you asked my wife (The Fast Running Mommy) which animal I mostly resemble in my eating habits, she would probably say a pig due to the high volume. Looks like you and I are eating about the same otherwise, though. Based on what Randy said, it may be possible that you are just not eating enough possibly due to a naturally low appetite. There are times when I know I need to eat more because I am feeling a little weak, but just do not have the appetite. Usually this occurs when it is very hot, or when my stomach gets a bug of some kind. I found that raspberry tea helps a lot in this case, I start feeling very hungry.

From sarah on Mon, Aug 27, 2007 at 23:36:16

Whew!...that was a lot of comments...do you have room for one more? I'm Sasha's wife..Welcome to the blog. Definitely get the iron tested before stressing about it...I've gone off on whole diet changes before I even identified my certain nutritional needs. I'd love to swap ideas with you sometime. Looks like you'll fit in great here...we happy to have you.

From Randy on Tue, Aug 28, 2007 at 11:11:16

Sorry to keep the string of comments going, but you know I can't let Sasha's jab just hang...

Ask Dennis Simonaitis if a little wine kept him from making the trials. Which American hung with the lead pack in the World Champs 10k? Abdi -- who is prominently featured in the latest running DVD, "Showdown," (about the 2007 XC champs) drinking beers. I am not promoting alcoholism... but a glass of wine with dinner is not a problem, as long as you stay hydrated otherwise.

I am convinced that my main problems are strength and flexibility and range of motion. I'll do better to spend 3 years concentrating to improve those :)).

From Paul Petersen on Tue, Aug 28, 2007 at 12:03:06

This whole discussion is really making me want a beer. I'm holding off until the Peruvian Dash BBQ, though.

From Sasha Pachev on Tue, Aug 28, 2007 at 13:02:20

Randy - I think you are making a logical error in your argument. Just because there are runners that are faster than you that drink alcohol does not prove that complete abstinence from alcohol would not give you the extra edge. To illustrate the point, there are people who can smoke and still break 2:30. Not many but you can find them. However, it would be exceptionally unwise to use their example as a justification that a cigarette or two would not hurt your marathon performance.

I could offer a much longer and more logically convincing argument for abstinence from alcohol for a runner. However, I do not believe it would be very effective. I argue mileage and aerobic base with people to death, and they do not become believers until they try it. Same with alcohol abstinence. You will not know how well it works until you try it. I can tell you, however, without mentioning any names to embarrass anybody, that I have been destroyed in spite of running my best race by the people who could not touch me before in long races, and the big part of the breakthrough factor according to them was abstinence from alcohol. When they started to slip up, I was beating them hands down again.

From Melinda (maaron) on Tue, Aug 28, 2007 at 14:16:07

Wow, who knew that my joining the blog would lead to such heated debate? Personally I'm a believer of moderation in whatever you do, but to each their own.

Sarah, I agree with you and I have an appointment with my doctor tomorrow to have my iron levels tested. So we shall see...

From Dave Holt on Tue, Aug 28, 2007 at 15:42:27

Melinda, if you think this is something, you should have read the discussion that followed the Sunday running ?. But let's not bring that up again. Or should we...!

From ashman on Wed, Aug 29, 2007 at 19:43:31

Not! Everyman is free to choose that his way is the best for him.

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.000.000.008.00

PM: 8mi slow and easy at Liberty Park. I feel really good about this considering I was plagued with stomach flu Monday night and most of Tuesday. My only complaint... that park is swimming in vampirous mosquitos!!!

1:17:21

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Ryan on Thu, Aug 30, 2007 at 22:38:18

I too have felt the wrath of the mosquito lately. I think I've got about 20 bites on my body at the moment - its very aggravating.

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.000.000.000.009.00

AM: Didn't time myself today... just ran. If I were to guess, I'd say around 9:45 miles.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
20.000.000.000.0020.00

AM: I purposefully made myself run this extra slow. I slept horribly and was feeling cranky. All in all I'm happy to have covered the miles without hating every step and I feel like I'm turning a corner in my training, both physically and pschologically. I'm starting to relax a little and not beat myself up mentally so much.

3:27:03

10 mi at Murray park, then north thru the city finishing at Sugarhouse Park.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Randy on Tue, Sep 04, 2007 at 22:17:06

Melinda,

Am I to understand that you did not have energy issues on this run? Did you do anything differently? Gels, Gatorade?

From melinda on Wed, Sep 05, 2007 at 13:08:36

Yes, you are correct.

The things that were different...

1) I ran slower.

2) I ran a flat course.

3) I ate a real breakfast that morning.

4) It was cooler that morning and overcast. I was in no direct sun for the first 10 miles.

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.000.000.000.000.00

X-train:

30 minutes of easy swimming.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.500.000.000.006.50

PM: Awesome workout. I felt great. Thank you Jebus for the rain! It cooled down and rained on us and felt SO good.

2 mi warm up around Sugarhouse

Track workout:

1 mi speed changes

400 slow lap

10 x 200 repeats with slow jogging inbetween

1 mi cool down

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Randy on Wed, Sep 05, 2007 at 13:44:32

Sweet! Looks like a WA workout ;).

From Paul Petersen on Wed, Sep 05, 2007 at 14:09:07

Save me Jebus! Why I laugh?

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.000.000.000.006.00

PM: Legs felt a little tentative after last night's speed work, but felt really good after a couple of miles. I ran faster on the return when my legs had loosened up. I'm trying to focus on "relaxing". Demetrio kept telling me that yesterday; that my shoulders are tensing up. This comes as no surprise because my right shoulder has been giving me some grief on my runs.

It was overcast again and nice and cool... this makes a huge difference for me on my runs. I'm ready for fall and the cooler weather.

Sugarhouse "Out 'n Back" - from my house to the park, 2 laps at the park, then back home.

52:36

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.000.000.000.004.00

PM: Great run. Finished faster on the return, not because I planned to but just because it felt good to run faster.

32:31

8:36

8:11

8:11

7:33

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
2.000.000.000.002.00

Easy lap around Sugarhouse.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.000.000.000.007.00

AM:

2 mi warm up

1 mi speed changes at Highland

4 mi home

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
12.000.000.000.0012.00

AM: 6 mi in City Creek

6 mi home

Felt really good today; definitely feeling an improvement in my training. I don't feel like I'm working so hard; the heaviness has gone. I think some of it's due to the cooler weather. I've also been sleeping better. It's funny, but I also think not taking Friday off and just putting in those couple of miles helps too; keeps the legs loose.

Things that must go... almost getting hit by a car at an intersection because the driver was looking left while trying to make a right-hand turn without stopping at a red light while I'm crossing and have the right of way.

PM: 8 mi bike ride.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Bonnie on Sun, Sep 09, 2007 at 21:03:43

Isn't it scary?? Some guy actually ran a stop sign yesterday and missed hitting me by about 2 inches!! I had no idea he did not see me - I was right in front of him! I was glad I wasn't wearing a heart rate monitor, I am pretty sure it would have blown up.

Be careful!! By the way ... where do you practice your massage therapy?

From Melinda on Mon, Sep 10, 2007 at 12:50:34

Whoa! I'm so glad you're ok! You wanna hear something crazy? That is the second time that's happened to me at the exact same intersection about a year ago.

Something else that must go... guys honking at you as they pass by in their car. No, I'm NOT flattered and I don't think it's cute, but you successfully just scared the bejesuz out of me.

Massage - I'm not currently working on many people (I have a full time job with a software services company), but I have a massage room in my house and I occassionally will make house calls. For a fellow runner, I'm sure I could make some time ;-).

From Bonnie on Mon, Sep 10, 2007 at 12:59:04

hello Melinda,

I hear you on the horn blowing, it always scares me when I hear a horn blow in my ear!

I would love to talk to you more about possible massage opportunities ... my email address is bonnie.lafleur@hsc.utah.edu

Bonnie

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.000.000.000.007.00

PM: About 7 miles.

2 mi warm up

8 x 2:00 fartlek workout with 2:00 slow jogging in between

2 mi cool down

I was feeling a little tight today, especially in the hip flexors. Things loosened up a bit after 3 miles.

Question for any of you GPS users... I wear a Garmin and I'm trying to determine how accurate the "calories burned" data is. I want to better monitor my calorie intake to output ratio. Everything I've ever read says that on average you burn about 100 calories per mile. My garmin data says I'm burning between 175-200/mi. Does anyone have any insight as to how accurate the garmin is? The garmin does take into account your age and weight, could this be the reason for the sizable difference?

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.500.000.000.008.50

PM: 8.5 miles - legs are sore and tired. I cut this a little short of the 10 miles I was planning on. :(

1:16:47 - I ran pretty even splits of about 9 min / mi.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.000.000.000.005.00

PM: Liberty Park - legs felt better today and I picked up the pace.

42:36

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
10.000.000.000.0010.00

AM: 1:28:39

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
20.000.000.000.0020.00

AM: Provo Canyon - got a late start this morning. It was a beautiful run thru a canopy of trees and fall colors erupting all over the mountains.

Despite having run this same distance faster than 2 wks ago, my legs were heavy and tired. It took 7 miles just to get into the groove, then the last 5 were awful with a bad headache coming on.

3:13:16

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.500.000.000.008.50

PM: Highland track - Good workout tonight.

2.32 mi warm up

1 mi speed changes

400 recovery

3 x 1600 repeats with 800 recovery inbetween

1 - 7:03*

2 - 7:21

3 - 7:22

800 cool down

*Having never done 1600 repeats and being new to speedwork, I was a little over zealous on that first one.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Sasha Pachev on Thu, Sep 20, 2007 at 13:09:27

Did 7:03 hurt?

From melinda on Thu, Sep 20, 2007 at 13:41:37

No, it didn't hurt... but I wasn't able to maintain a 7:03 for all three repeats. Maybe that doesn't matter??? I assumed it was best to run them at about the same pace.

From Sasha Pachev on Thu, Sep 20, 2007 at 17:50:54

Can you explain "wasn't able to maintain 7:30"? What do you feel slowed you down? Was it legs feeling like lead, and/or being of our breath, as opposed to just being stuck in a comfortable gear, breathing fairly comfortably but not being able to push yourself to go faster?

From melinda on Thu, Sep 20, 2007 at 18:02:12

No, it didn't hurt... but I wasn't able to maintain a 7:03 for all three repeats. Maybe that doesn't matter??? I assumed it was best to run them at about the same pace.

From Melinda on Thu, Sep 20, 2007 at 18:18:20

OK, I can't explain why my previous response was sent thru a second time??? ...sorry for that.

It's funny you mention the breathing... I have always been an all nasal breather. Randy once told me I had to breathe thru my mouth to run faster, naturally I ignored him. I started going to the WA track workouts where another runner also told me to breathe thru my mouth, so I acquiesced. This has been a difficult transition and I often don't feel like I'm in a smooth 'thoughtless' rhythm. Half the time I naturally start breathing thru my nose, the other half thru my mouth and sometime in one and out the other. I don't feel out of breath, just all over the place with it.

My answer is part breath, part legs. By that third repeat, I had to push pretty good to maintain the 7:22.

From Sasha Pachev on Thu, Sep 20, 2007 at 18:49:06

The nasal breathing could seriously hamper you. Since you do it all the time, you are more adjusted to it than me, I but I'd say I'd have a hard time going faster than 6:30 with my mouth closed. With it open, I can comfortably sustain 5:30.

What could be happening is that your aerobic development is being hampered by the limitations in the air flow to your lungs. I rarely recommend people to get on a treadmill, but in your case I would. Get on a treadmill, set the speed to 8.8 mph, and do what it takes to stay on it for as long as you can. Imagine you are getting paid $10 a minute (up it if that does not motivate you enough). What happens when you put yourself in a desperate situation is that at first your body tries to convince your mind to quit. When it realizes this is not an option, it learns to deal with the stress and finds amazingly effective ways of coping. Your mouth will hopefully open and you will have no desire to breath through your nose.

From Melinda on Thu, Sep 20, 2007 at 19:21:13

Thanks for the recommendation Sasha; I will give that a try. I'm sure it will just take some getting used to.

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.000.000.000.005.00

PM: Laps at Liberty Park

41:29

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.000.000.000.004.00

PM: Sugarhouse Park - just trying to keep the legs loose.

33:47

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.000.000.000.004.00

PM: Liberty Park

1.5 mi warm up

10 x 1:00 (run at about 6:30 pace) with 1:00 recoveries inbetween.

cool down

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.000.000.000.004.00

PM: Wet, muddy... I loved it!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
12.500.000.000.0012.50

2PM: City loop with laps at Liberty. Fantastic weather, great run. It felt so good outside today. Crisp autumn air that smells wet and earthy. This is my kind of weather. It started to lightly rain the last 3 miles... I couldn't have asked for better!

1:48:12

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
9.500.000.000.009.50

PM: Sugarhouse / Highland Track

4 mi warmup

1 mi speed changes

400 cool down

800 x 5 with 400 recoveries inbetween - the goal was 3:20 or better

1) 3:13

2) 3:17

3) 3:15

4) 3:20

5) 3:22

1200 cool down

I was pretty tired after the third repeat. I think mostly because I did a 4 mile warm up instead of my usual 2.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.000.000.000.004.00

PM: Highland High Track

30:12

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.000.000.000.005.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.000.000.008.00

1:07:32
Legs feel pretty good. The extra day of rest on Friday helped. 

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Shauna on Mon, Oct 01, 2007 at 20:23:56

Great pace! I noticed that you took a significant amount of time off your marathon in one year. How did you do it? Any special training?

From Melinda on Wed, Oct 03, 2007 at 12:15:50

Hey Shauna - sorry to take so long to respond; it been a crazy week. To answer your question, here are a few differences in my training from one year to the next.

1) I increased my weekly mileage slightly

2) I did a few weeks of hill work in the Spring

3) The first year I ran by myself, last year I ran the race with someone.

4) I was more diligent about stretching

5) I got a light massage the day before the race

6) The night before, I used Biofreeze all over my legs and slept with it on.

Are you currently training for a race?

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.000.000.000.004.00

PM: Sugarhouse Track

1.5 mi warm up

8 x 200s with 200 recovery

800 cool down

Legs are feeling sore; I over did it in my yoga class last night.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.500.000.000.003.50

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
2.000.000.000.002.00

Just keeping the legs loose.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Race: Chicago Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:49:15, Place overall: 2432, Place in age division: 95
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

Considering the circumstances, I am satisfied to have finished without harm or injury.

In the history of the Chicago marathon, they have never had conditions this hot (87 degrees, with humidity a heat index of 90 degrees). Of the 45,000 runners that registered, 10,000 didn't show up for the race and another 11,000 didn't finish (which of course is why I placed much better than I would have normally). Over 300 were taken to the E.R. by ambulance and that does not account for all the people hauled off the course and taken to the medical tents. The marathon was officially closed at 12:00 PM to participants who had not crossed the halfway point.

Despite there being less runners, it felt more crowded than the previous 2 years. I often felt claustrophobic and "boxed in". I think the heat made for some rude runners with poor running etiquette.

I took a Gu 20 mins. before the start and 1 every 6 miles. I took water at every station - 2 on my head and at least 1 down my throat. (Gatorade only once, my body didn't want it.) Everything got wet and heavy... my shorts felt like a soggy diaper and because of the humidity, never dried. I ditched my singlet at the halfway point and felt like I lost 5 lbs.

My strategy was to run conservatively for the first half (about an 8:45 pace) and then pick up the pace the second half if I was feeling ok. I was pretty successful until the last 3-4 miles when my left hip started giving me problems. I debated pushing myself, but given the weather conditions, decided it was best to finish without the need for a wheel chair or paramedics ;-).

A big mistake on my part was that I forgot to transfer my orthotics into my race shoes. I NEVER run without my orthotics. I could feel that my feet and legs were responding differently without them. This could be the reason for the left leg / hip pain.

So I crossed the start at: 0:02:54

5K 0:26:55

10K 0:53:49

15K 1:21:03

20K 1:48:26

Half 1:54:26

25K 2:14:49

30K 2:41:28

35K 3:08:06

40K 3:37:27

Finish: 3:49:15

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Sasha Pachev on Wed, Oct 10, 2007 at 19:18:33

Good job doing a negative split and running near PR in the heat. It would be interesting to see what you could do under normal conditions, though. Are you up to another marathon in a couple of months?

From Melinda on Wed, Oct 10, 2007 at 19:25:29

Thanks Sasha. Had conditions been ideal, I'm confident I could have pulled in a 3:30.

LOL... right now, the answer is no... ask me in a couple of weeks ;-).

From Dallen on Wed, Oct 10, 2007 at 21:48:09

Congratulations!

Coincidentally, you ran the race about 30 seconds faster then me (although our splits were very, very different.)

From Rand on Wed, Oct 10, 2007 at 22:10:56

Melinda, I am not sure you appreciate how unique your performance was at Chicago. To be within 2 min of your PR on that day is incredible. I know of several people who expected to run 2:30ish that ended up 3:00+. Nice job.

From Christi on Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 00:20:28

Amazing job! I was watching the news regarding the Chicago race- its cool to hear about it first hand from a blogger. I grew up in FL and remember the humidity very well, but I still can't imagine running a marathon in it! Well done!

From melinda on Thu, Oct 11, 2007 at 18:37:26

Awe...shucks. Thanks you guys!

Congratulations to you Dallen! It would have been easy to quit, but you stuck it out. After reading your blog, I would definitely suggest adjusting your body to eating breakfast everyday... even if it's as simple as a piece of fruit with toast or a bowl of cereal. Try it for a few weeks and see how you feel.

From Shauna on Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 12:43:49

Congratulations, Melinda! What an amazing performance, with the heat and all!

Thank you, by the way, for your training tips!

From Maria on Fri, Oct 12, 2007 at 15:56:14

I think you did a great job, considering the heat. You ran even splits and finished strong. You're in at least 3:35 shape, most likely. I had a similar experience in Rotterdam last April, including early course closure. I believe I was in 3:35 shape, but could only do 3:45:45 due to the heat, with a similar even splits as yours, 1:52:xx for the half. If you can carry your fitness into December, there are some marathons you can run that should give you 3:30-3:35 (St. Jude, Cal International, Rocket City).

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
2.500.000.000.002.50

PM: Sugarhouse Park - took my dog Lucy... she pretty much pulled me the whole way.

Legs seem to be recovering ok. My left hip feels better today.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.003.00

AM: Yoga followed by a little run

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
4.500.000.000.004.50

My left calf is giving me grief today. I think it's a result of either the yoga or swimming from yesterday.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Sasha Pachev on Thu, Oct 25, 2007 at 12:02:15

How is your training going?

From Melinda on Fri, Oct 26, 2007 at 01:04:40

It's going well; i've just been slacking on getting my data on the blog. I'm feeling good though. Right now I'm out of town in Salem, MA. It's gorgeous out here and makes for a nice change of running scenery!

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.000.000.000.006.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.000.000.000.006.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.000.000.000.005.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.500.000.000.008.50

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.250.000.000.006.25

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.000.000.008.00

AM: Beautiful morning in Salem.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Lybi on Tue, Oct 30, 2007 at 20:44:59

Hey! It's good to see you again! Great job on your run, as always.

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
5.000.000.000.005.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
8.000.000.000.008.00

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
7.500.000.000.007.50

PM: Sugarhouse / Highland Track

1.5 mi warm up

400 meter repeats x 8 - not worry about pace on these, just doing them

400 meter recoveries inbetween

2 mi cool down

Legs feel pretty good. It was good to be at the track after missing last week.

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
3.000.000.000.003.00

AM: OK, I have to own up and just say that I was lazy today. The run felt great, but I should have put in another 5 miles. For some reason I am DEAD TIRED today... I took a 5 hour nap!!!

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
6.500.000.000.006.50

OK, I have been a VERY BAD blogger!!! I am so behind on logging my miles... it's shameful, I know. I'm re-committing.

PM: Sugarhouse Park / Highland Track - I felt heavy in my knees tonight. The heart was willing, the legs not so much.

1.5 mi warm up with speed changes the last 800 m

400 repeats x 8 at a 1:40 pace with 400 recoveries

2 mi cool down

Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Sasha Pachev on Wed, Nov 14, 2007 at 15:25:43

On the positive side of things, your lack of posting lately, and then coming back allowed me to find and fix a bug in my new "Lone Faithfuls" feature. A Lone Faithful is a runner that has blogged in the last 7 days, but made the top 7 least commented blogs in the last 7 days. Naturally, a runner that has not blogged for a while, and just barely put some entries in would fit that definition, and I noticed that you were not on the list. This comment will take you off the list, though :-)

From MichelleL on Sun, Nov 18, 2007 at 23:02:10

Keep blogging so we can track your training and then we can help each other in our training. There is a group of ladies and men on the blog now who have a sub 3 as a goal.

Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
346.3526.200.000.00372.55
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
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