Week 11 Recap

Total Mileage: 32.  Total Miles Run: 30.5
Achievement: Ran 18.5 miles, which is my longest run my life! (see separate post to follow)

So I only skipped one run this week, which is good saying that I skipped 3 last week.  I've also made an effort to go to bed earlier and I haven't been up all night watching TV because there really isn't anything to watch.  MasterChef started up again, which is good.  And, I also watch Suits, which wasn't new Thursday night.  And, the odds must be in my favor because Jim has come home at a good time most nights so we've been able to eat dinner early.  So, overall, this week has gone well.

And, it's Friday as I type this to you and I feel pumped up, energized and ready to have a kick ass weekend!  I've been on this strange OBSESSION with cupcakes and I ran downstairs to get some from Flirty Cupcakes on wheels.  On lunch, I close my door, chow down on my food and eat the cupcake with a fork and with my door closed.  Weird, yes, but it makes me feel better being all quiet about it. :)

Anyway, my 4 miler Tuesday morning was good and was done in a little over 39 minutes.  I actually ran a 10 minute mile and a little over 10 minute mile for the first time on my own.  I then ran the next 2 miles in 9:36 each.  I felt really good, but was really tired during the day.  I should have gotten another coffee, but skipped it.  I won't do that next time.

Wednesday:  I had an 8 miler scheduled and was going to go in the morning, but passed up on it for more sleep.  I went to bed before 9:00 Tuesday evening since I was so EXHAUSTED.  I decided to do the run when I got home and was orignally going to run 6 that evening and another 6 Thursday evening.  I got out there and went for 8.  My splits were wonky and I ran way too fast in the beginning and really paid for it at the end.

Also, I started to get weird pain in my left hip area, which really threw off my gait about 4 miles into the run.  I really struggled and my splits shot up from the 8:30s to the low 9:00s and them into the 10:00s with a split at 10:38 (!).  I really wanted to quit on the run, but I couldn't since there wasn't a shorter way to get home.  So, I turned around and ran back.  My left hip issue managed to work itself out toward the tailend of my run, but then the right ITB started pulling away as usual.  Quite frankly, I was just pissed that I hurt so bad during the run.

Hence the skip for Thursday - I was intending on running and was taking a little break at home.  But, Jim showed up early so we made some good use out of the extra time if you know what I mean. ;-) And, I don't feel bad about that one bit!  Besides, this way, the legs will be rested for the 16 mile beast which will pretty much kill me on Saturday.  I thought briefly about doing something today, but eh, maybe I felt like shit after last week's long run because I did do some cardio (albeit light) the day before.

Oh, and PT is fine - I'm trying to cut down my session and my PT is working on my left hip tightness, which is caused by weak hip flexors.  He did these stretches on my left hip since evidently there are four places for the tip and they definitely felt uncomfortable and I'm not sure how much they helped if I had hip pain during my last run.

Mentally, I'm back on the boat, but there is a little piece of me that doubts if running this marathon really is a good thing for me and if I can really pull it off.  I have not missed a long run (thanks to the group), but I haven't been exactly diligent about my weekly runs.  I haven't been cross training, strengh training and I'm hit or miss with pre and post warm-up/stretching as well as my at home PT exercies.  Diet?  Ha, that's a joke - see cupcake rant above.  Sleep - meh... I'm lucky to pull off 7 hours at best.  And, I can't seem to sleep in on Sunday either.  Last weekend, I was up at 5 to watch the marathon. 

So yeah, I mean, as of now, I'm going to run it.  Physically, I can.  Mentally, I'm still trying to stay on that boat.  This new feeling in my legs that I experience after the long runs doesn't feel good at all.  In fact, it makes me just want to stop and stick to half marathons since they are a lot easier on my body.  But, we'll give this marathon thing a go and see what happens.  Hopefully I can make it to that starting line.  If I make it there, I know that I'll finish (no matter how long it takes) unless medically removed from the course.