30 Days Out

20.11.202521.11.2025 ~ Monica ~ Leave a comment

Adapt or perish, now as ever, is nature’s inexorable imperative.” ~ H. G. Wells

Today was day 214 of marathon training and it looked a lot different than day 214 of my training plan. Getting sick and the recovery required weren’t on the schedule. My runs the past two week have been hard and not even close to enjoyable. I was feeling not so great about this marathon. All the motivation I had left was because this is most likely my one chance at a marathon and I really want to finish. Thankfully, today’s run felt better. Maybe lowering the volume and intensity will pay off.

I do have some doubts. Volume and intensity have taken a big hit. I have accepted that they are what they are, but have some concern around how prepared I will be on the day. I think I hit my highest volume 3 weeks ago and that feels like it is way too early to peak. My current goal is to maintain. I know that 3 weeks ago I was able to do 16 miles, but I currently don’t know what my final long run will be. I’m hoping for 18 miles, but I don’t want to get to taper so beat up that I end up exhausted on the day.

The mental battle of this marathon is unquestionably the hardest thing I have chosen to do in a long time, maybe ever. Most of the time I feel like it’s a very solitary struggle. I run alone. I come up with my plan alone – with the help of google and Hal Higdon, oh and also Chat GPT. I do confer with my medical team. I share my struggles with family and friends and I make it accessible for anyone who has access to the internet. But when I walk out my front door for whatever run I aim to do that day it is just me. And it is hard.

This will be my last push for my fundraiser. I have met my goal, but I’m okay with going above and beyond.

Weeks 25-28, and 29

11.11.2025 ~ Monica ~ Leave a comment

“Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing.” ~ Abraham Lincoln

I was at the point in my training where almost every run felt like it was a mental effort just to get it started. I was spending much more time trying to figure out when I was going to run and then convincing myself to get started than I was actually spending running. So mentally taxing. And then I got sick. Which has taken the mental aspect of training to a whole other level.

A little over a week ago I finished a 16 mile long run. My longest run to date. I felt like it went better than the 15 mile run I had done the week before – I felt better when the run ended and my recovery felt better, too. That was a Saturday. The next day, Sunday, I did a little strength training and an easy walk. Monday was a rest day and then Tuesday I had a 4 mile run. The 4 miles didn’t feel as easy as I thought they should, but they weren’t awful. I assumed I had reached the point of training where I was feeling the compounding fatigue. I went to bed Tuesday night with a bit of a sore throat and woke up Wednesday morning not well. I had a few symptoms, headache, sore throat, low grade fever, and the exhaustion – it was real. I slept. I tried to rally on Thursday, but that wasn’t happening. I managed to move from the bed to the recliner on Thursday afternoon where I slept some more. After about 40 hours of sleep and many more hours of rest I started to feel a little better, but I had a sneaky suspicion that my symptoms did not warrant the level of fatigue I experienced. I know the training fatigue is real and it contributed and I was sick so that would contribute, too, but this is where the constant low level fatigue I’ve adjusted to because of my heart failure really impacts things. It doesn’t add to, it sort of multiplies things. I just don’t tolerate all of this as well as I would like.

So I’ve tinkered with my training plan. I did use ChatGPT. I am well aware that I would be better served by finding a running coach, but I can’t afford it and I feel like this is my one shot at a marathon so it is what it is. I have a small amount of knowledge and I have checked in with my doctor. I’ve got 6 weeks until the marathon. This Saturday was supposed to be an 18 mile run, but I do not think that is smart. ChatGPT says this week should be a gentle re-entry week for me and that between Sat & Sun I should aim for 8 miles. Next week is a Return to Structure with my longest run being 7 miles. The longest run currently scheduled is 16 miles in a few weeks. I feel like the gap between 16 miles and 26 miles is huge and that scares me. But I feel like if I continue with the load from my original training plan I’ll be crushed which is probably more worrisome. Current state is a mix of fear and determination. I had reached the point where I already knew the toll that training for this distance isn’t worth it for a repeat, but it is definitely worth it for this goal. So not finishing feels like it isn’t an option. I want to be smart about it and I want to be successful.

Week 22 – It’s Getting Real

22.09.2025 ~ Monica ~ Leave a comment

“The difference between try and triumph is a little ‘umph’.” – Marvin Phillips

This week’s long run was 10 miles. I wasn’t worried about it. When I finished last week’s 9 I was confident that I could do 10. But it turns out 10 felt very different from 9, and I’m not sure why. I got them done, and I felt pretty good through the whole run, but it also felt like a lot. Maybe it’s because it’s double digits and that feels like a mental jump and also, even though it was 10 miles, that’s less than half of the 26.2 I will be running. I also struggled a little more throughout the weekend. I wasn’t totally crushed, but things were definitely a struggle. I think I’ve hit the marathon training is hard portion of my plan and looking forward it doesn’t look like it really lets up. I guess it’s all fun and games until the going gets tough. Or something like that…

How’d I fuel this week’s long run?

Pre Run:

~ Honey Stinger Chocolate Waffle (4/10)

Intra Run:

~ Glukos Fruit Punch Energy Liquid Gel (8/10)

~ Ucan Strawberry Banana Edge Energy Gel (7/10)

~ Bonk Breaker Sour Blue Razz Berry Energy Chew (9/10)

~ SaltStick Peach (10/10)

Week 21 – Workin’ Hard

16.09.202516.09.2025 ~ Monica ~ Leave a comment

Remember why you started, remember where you’re headed, think of how great it will be to get there, and keep going.” ~ Ralph Marston

Long run this week was 9 miles. It’s been a while, a long while, since I ran 9 miles and I was a little nervous about it. It was not so much the actual run that had me in my feels – it was the aftermath. I choose to do my long runs on Saturday mornings and really don’t want to spend the rest of the weekend recovering. So far I’ve not been crushed, but I’m sure that will change as the distances get longer.

I’m also trying to lose weight. It’s not an appearance thing, it’s a health thing. My pulmonologist says if I lose 20 lbs. I might not need supplemental oxygen at night. I would really, really like that. I’m also pretty sure that my hips and knees would really, really like it, too. I have this theory that I really believe to be true, so I refuse to google it. It goes like this – when you are gaining weight you have weight gain momentum. No matter how fast or slow you are gaining the weight train is moving forward. In order to lose weight you have to slow the train, stop the train, and get it into reverse. This is making my current effort of tracking macros and counting calories while still trying to fuel my marathon training frustrating. Because nothing is happening. Well, I’m to the part that the slow gain is no longer happening. So I guess I’ve stopped the train, but it really doesn’t seem to be all that interested in going into reverse. I’m just gonna keep trying. I’ll get there. I just want it to be easier.

How’d I fuel my long run?

Pre Run:

~ Honey Stinger Peanut Butter Waffle (9/10)

Intra Run:

~ Lecka Energy Gel Banana (8/10)

~ Precision Fuel Chew Mint and Lemon (7/10)

~ SaltStick Peach (10/10)

14 Weeks Done and Dusted

29.07.2025 ~ Monica ~ Leave a comment

Jogging is very beneficial. It’s good for your legs and your feet. It’s also very good for the ground. It makes it feel needed.” – Charles Schulz

I struggled a little with last week’s long run. It just felt hard. This week’s long run was longer than last week’s so I wasn’t looking forward to it, but I knew I had to get it done. I’ve been trying to figure out the nutrition stuff – I know that is part of my problem. I’ve always found exercising on a full stomach a bit nauseating, but I also don’t care for the idea of getting up earlier than I already do. So it’s a struggle – what to do? what to do?

This week I opted to try out a Vanilla Honey Stinger Energy Waffle (super yummy). I had it waiting in the bathroom so I could wash my face, brush my teeth and then eat something before I did anything else. I’m a slow getter readier so it was another hour or so before I’d done all the things I needed to do (get dressed, stretch, do the dishes, the normal running prep stuff) and was out the door for my run. I then topped up with a gel at the half way mark. The gel was Glukos Lemon-Lime. I was not a fan of this. Texture wise it was good. Flavor wise it gave serious colonoscopy prep vibes. It is sold out on their website, so someone must like it. I did notice a difference in how I felt though, in a good way. It definitely was encouraging.

I’ve also found my way to #runnertok. I love the tips people give – sharing their running challenges and strategies. I’m a little terrified by those that honestly share their need-a-bathroom-but-there-isn’t-one-near stories – so far I’ve been able to plan routes where I know in advance the location of porta-potties and public restrooms. Maybe I’ll do all my training on these routes.

Where am I in my training plan? I’ve got a 10k scheduled this weekend. I figure if I’m gonna run the distance I might as well get the medal. Next week I officially start my marathon block. I have registered for a 1/2 marathon this fall. There just happens to be a half marathon in the Springs the weekend I am scheduled to do 14 miles. So why not?