Tag: running

Down With the Sickness

~ Monica ~ Leave a comment

You can’t get much done in life if you only work on days when you feel good.” ~ Jerry West

Woke up Wednesday morning feeling ick. Super ick. I had a 2 mile run programmed and I had a little internal debate about getting up and doing it or turning back over and going back to sleep. I opted for sleep – telling myself I’d do it on Thursday. Thursday morning came around and it was a repeat of Wednesday. Back to sleep I went. Friday is currently strength day so I got that done and added in a walk just to get some miles in. Today was a comfortable 5k. I got up and did it. Still not feeling great, but feeling somewhat better. I was super slow and that was okay.

I find that I have to keep reminding myself of my goal – finishing a marathon. I’ve got no goals around time. I’m not worried about my pace. I just want to cross that finish line. Do I think I’ll have improvements between now and run day? I sure hope so, but I can’t let that distract me. My only focus over the next few months is building mileage and the mental strength to get it done.

Didn’t want to, but did it anyway.

Week 15 – In the Books

~ Monica ~ Leave a comment

It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” ~ Confuscius

Wrapped up this week by running the Freedom Fest 2025 10k. My goal was to run it – not race it. How’d I do? Sorta okay, but also, it was a 10k PR for me. My Garmin reported I PRd my 1K, 1 Mile, 5K and 10k. I did know I was pushing it, but I was also feeling okay so I went with it. And when I was done my Garmin told me I needed 50 hours to recover.

For this run I gave SaltStick FastChews Electrolyte Tablets a go. I was a fan of these. I also tried a Krono Nutrition Maple & Raspberry Energy Gel and it was a definite nope. I had a package opening malfunction and ended up wearing most of it so I only got to try a little bit of it, but it coated my tongue for a long while. It was also super sweet.

This run also proved to me I can run a marathon. I have read several times that when you train for a marathon you are really training for the first 20 miles and the last 6.2 are no man’s land. So I have now decided that the 6.2 I ran today proves I can do the last 6.2 – and I just need to train the first 20 miles now. That makes sense, right? Of course it does.

There are a few other things I’ve read recently that I put into practice today. One of them is that wearing sunglasses can reduce your Rate of Perceived Exertion. Sunglasses are challenging because I can’t just pick up a cute pair. I need them to be prescription. I have a pair for everyday wear, but they are not great for running. There is a lot of pushing them up my nose. So I ordered myself a pair of Zunnies. I’m a fan. The other thing I read is that smiling while you run improves your run. And the article specified a real smile.

Maybe I need to work on the real smile, but not bad for mile 6.

14 Weeks Done and Dusted

~ 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?

Porta Potties at the 3 mile mark

Running the Runway

~ Monica ~ 1 Comment

Some of us have great runways already built for us. If you have one, take off.” ~ Amelia Earhart

Today’s programmed run was a 5k. So I signed up for a 5k – The Centennial Airport Runway 5k. Other than an early morning wake up I had no idea what to expect.

The FBI & the DEA both had a booth. The police and their drug dog were there along with the bomb squad. The fire department was present. There were all kinds of planes on display. Blue Bell was giving out Ice Cream – I peeped Cookie Cake, but the line was so long. I now regret not waiting. Nothing Bundt Cakes was giving out legit personal size cakes. There was a brewery giving out beer. I did the age check so I could get one, but the line convinced me 9:45a was sorta early for beer. No regrets there.

But how was the race itself? We for real ran on a runway. A real live runway. It was pretty close to flat. There was a lot of asphalt. There was no shade. My time wasn’t impressive, but I did set a post heart-failure diagnosis PB. Which has me wondering how do we measure PBs? (PB = Personal Best)

I have most definitely been faster. But that was at a lower altitude, a younger age, and a healthier heart. I feel like the heart thing is a metric I should consider. Like it’s outside the norm of aging and location. And maybe it’s not an actual PB. It’s some kind of different category than PB. It’s an improvement for sure, but it doesn’t compare with what I was able to do “back in the day”. And is it a measurement I should even be worried about?

What really matters?

Those are working propellers.
On the runway!!

Adap-toe-ble

~ Monica ~ Leave a comment

If I do have a strength, it probably is adaptability. ~ Monty Williams

Accidentally kicked a door and now I’m negotiating my first unplanned training adaptation. Wasn’t going to go to the Dr because what do they do for an injured toe? But the limp I have started causing discomfort up my leg and I thought it best to know what I was dealing with – a break, a jam, a sprain, just some swelling – and how best to recover without causing other issues.

I managed to get a same day appt and then a quick trip to radiology for an X-ray. All to end up with a very unsatisfactory answer. They don’t see a break, but the doctor doesn’t have confidence that the X-ray is reliable due to swelling. So I’m in a boot for 10 days. Then we’ll reassess. Best case scenario that will be enough time to allow it to heal or at least give evidence that it’s healing. We’re not gonna talk about any other scenario.

So no running for now. Thankfully I have other options for continuing to train – janky bike and c2 rower to the rescue – and I’m still a ways out from actual marathon training.

working out with myself 🤣

A Clecision

~ Monica ~ 3 Comments

“It is difficult to train for a marathon, but it is even more difficult to not be able to train for a marathon.” ~ Aaron Douglas Trimble

Once upon a time I ran a half marathon. I did not love it or even like it. I actually sort of hated it. So makes total sense that a marathon – a whole one – would make it on my bucket list.

I’ve signed up for my first (only?) marathon. The Texas Double – Day one. I had to find a marathon with no time limit. I run a super slow mile now and I don’t think that time will get faster doing 26.2 of them. My only goal is to finish. My plan is to run/walk and I have no expectations of a time. The website for the run even says “Enjoy the luxury of no cutoff times!” It’s gonna be luxurious. It is gonna be hard. Luxuriously hard. Oh, wait, #luxuriouslyhard

I have talked to my cardiologist about working out and limitations and he seems super unbothered by it, but I haven’t specifically asked about running a marathon or run/walking a marathon. I have an appt on Friday. I’ll ask about it. We’ll see. I guess that is my first hurdle.

I’m assuming I’ll get the all clear there. So breaking down the rest of it – at least my understanding of it right now –

The pros?

  • There is a gun start. How wild west is that?
  • The run is not until December. I have plenty of time to train.
  • I have a training schedule and enough time to build my mileage up before the marathon training begins.
  • The course is at about 500 feet above sea level; most of my training will be done at about 6800 feet above sea level.
  • It’s a flat, fast course. I feel like flat is a promise the organizers can keep, but fast is in the feet of the runner.
  • Learning to fuel for a marathon.
  • Committing to this run probably means Christmas in Texas.

The cons?

  • There is a gun start. Don’t get shot.
  • My heart. Well, my heart is not a con, but it could be a reason I can’t complete this.
  • The time commitment training for a marathon requires.
  • Other possible injuries.
  • Learning to fuel for a marathon.

Currently the pros outweigh the cons. I expect this will shift back and forth through out this season, but I can do hard things. I can.