Marathon Countdown
So this morning I made the mistake of looking at our calendar...and then looking at our respective mileage for our Saturday long runs.
Bad idea.
As if this summer weren’t chaotic enough, I’m already starting to get that sinking feeling in my stomach already that I won’t be ready for the marathon.
This past weekend we missed our 14 miler to be in St. Louis for a funeral. I’m hoping to make this up (at least 10-12 of them, but aiming for all) tonight after work.
This upcoming weekend we have 10 miles slated. But we have the Harbor Lights Triathlon the next day. While it probably isn’t the most brilliant thing to do with a race the following day, I’m going to go ahead and do all ten. I mean...the tri is only a sprint. Just spend the rest of the Saturday off my feet and I rest/hydrate well and I should be golden. Right?
The weekend of the 28th...90 minutes. No biggie. I have my first 10k race the next morning with everyone's favorite vegetarian runner, Nicole. So I should be fine. I figure I’ll get around 14-15 miles in that weekend total. I don't anticipate my 10k time to be fast, especially if the temps are anything like they were last year (people were drenched in sweat before the gun even went off).
Then comes August...where long-distance running panic starts to set in...
The weekend of the 4th, we’re in Ohio for a wedding. We have 16 miles to do. Not sure when/where this will take place since we’re driving down. Note to self, book hotel room.
Then the weekend of August 11th, we have the Chicago Distance Classic. 13.1 miles...shouldn’t be a big issue, right? I’m not worried about this since I know I can pull this from my rear. The trick is convincing myself that this is merely a training run with a few thousand of my closest friends. I can’t get wrapped up in the race hype.
And then craziness ensues with Mike’s graduation and our cruise...
The 18th we have to run 90 minutes, but we’re flying to Miami that morning to set sail on Sunday. I’m hoping I can do this sometime on the 17th in between nursing an inevitable hangover, a Cubs game, packing and entertaining my parents. Heck, I’ll even settle for 6 miles if life will allow it.
During the cruise I’m hoping to run once or twice on the running deck. Even if it is only for 30 minutes. We’ll see how quickly that plan is foiled by frozen fruity adult beverages and Caribbean sunshine.
Then...on the 25th...while we’re at sea...we’re scheduled for 18 miles. I dunno about you guys, but no way in hell am I running 18 miles on the ship’s running deck and treadmills. That’s a lot of circles. I’d probably get dizzy and fall overboard. And that’d just be a big waste of time considering I’m there to relax and celebrate with Mike.
So those 18 miles...will either a) not happen at all. b) happen in a very exhausted state on Monday since I took off work. c) be trimmed down to a more manageable distance like 10 or 12 miles once we’re back on land.
Now. In theory (and everything’s nice in theory), over labor day weekend we don’t have a scheduled team run—just 10 miles on our own...so in theory, I could move my 18 to that weekend and do a nice “get back into the groove of things run” on Aug. 27th. But I’m not big on changing the schedule. Thoughts?
Once September hits, we start to get back in a consistent groove of things, knock on wood. On 9/8 we have 16 miles scheduled, which I’m strongly considering turning into an 18 or 20. Then on the 15th we have 20 miles...which depending on how 9/8 goes, may turn into a 21 or 22.
Then taper. Sweet, blissful, can’t wait until you get here, taper. 120 minutes on the 22nd and 60 minutes on the 29th, which may evolve into a 12/14 and 8, respectively. I can't even bring myself to look at the Pfitz schedule for our weekday runs. Those are getting way too scary for me.
Toss in a quick trip to Normal, IL for the Pumpkins show on Thursday with Mike and my buddy Frank...hit up the expo on Friday...chill and carb load Saturday, and then, of course, it’s 10.07.07 before we know it. A date in which this little Jayhawk, come hell or high water, will find a way to cross the finish line in 5:29:59 or under. But I’m a little nervous. I know that once September hits and I’m able to really focus on my running, everything will fall into place. I’m just paranoid that I won’t be doing enough in August to give me the kind of September (and October) I’m hoping for.
In other news...apparently tickets to The Cure went on sale this weekend and I missed out on snagging some really great seats. I need to make a decision now about whether or not I want to take nosebleeds (and quickly). At least my hopes for a birthday concert with Robert Smith aren’t entirely crushed. I could handle it at a distance. Though it’s just not the same. Plus The Cure is not exactly Mike’s musical forte and asking him to go to two of “my concerts” in a week wouldn’t be very cool of me (the other one is Smashing Pumpkins). I think I’d owe him complete control on the scary movie front, and I’m not entirely convinced that would be an avenue I’m willing to explore. I mean, I had to surrender myself to the new Halloween remake that’s coming out to get the SP show on the calendar...and I’m pretty much convinced that I’m not going to survive to tell the tale. Hmm...is it worth it? Any Cure fans out there who can chime in on their live performance?
Bah.
Okay.
Back to work.
...and back to stressing.
Cause that seems to be what I do so well these days.
Bad idea.
As if this summer weren’t chaotic enough, I’m already starting to get that sinking feeling in my stomach already that I won’t be ready for the marathon.
This past weekend we missed our 14 miler to be in St. Louis for a funeral. I’m hoping to make this up (at least 10-12 of them, but aiming for all) tonight after work.
This upcoming weekend we have 10 miles slated. But we have the Harbor Lights Triathlon the next day. While it probably isn’t the most brilliant thing to do with a race the following day, I’m going to go ahead and do all ten. I mean...the tri is only a sprint. Just spend the rest of the Saturday off my feet and I rest/hydrate well and I should be golden. Right?
The weekend of the 28th...90 minutes. No biggie. I have my first 10k race the next morning with everyone's favorite vegetarian runner, Nicole. So I should be fine. I figure I’ll get around 14-15 miles in that weekend total. I don't anticipate my 10k time to be fast, especially if the temps are anything like they were last year (people were drenched in sweat before the gun even went off).
Then comes August...where long-distance running panic starts to set in...
The weekend of the 4th, we’re in Ohio for a wedding. We have 16 miles to do. Not sure when/where this will take place since we’re driving down. Note to self, book hotel room.
Then the weekend of August 11th, we have the Chicago Distance Classic. 13.1 miles...shouldn’t be a big issue, right? I’m not worried about this since I know I can pull this from my rear. The trick is convincing myself that this is merely a training run with a few thousand of my closest friends. I can’t get wrapped up in the race hype.
And then craziness ensues with Mike’s graduation and our cruise...
The 18th we have to run 90 minutes, but we’re flying to Miami that morning to set sail on Sunday. I’m hoping I can do this sometime on the 17th in between nursing an inevitable hangover, a Cubs game, packing and entertaining my parents. Heck, I’ll even settle for 6 miles if life will allow it.
During the cruise I’m hoping to run once or twice on the running deck. Even if it is only for 30 minutes. We’ll see how quickly that plan is foiled by frozen fruity adult beverages and Caribbean sunshine.
Then...on the 25th...while we’re at sea...we’re scheduled for 18 miles. I dunno about you guys, but no way in hell am I running 18 miles on the ship’s running deck and treadmills. That’s a lot of circles. I’d probably get dizzy and fall overboard. And that’d just be a big waste of time considering I’m there to relax and celebrate with Mike.
So those 18 miles...will either a) not happen at all. b) happen in a very exhausted state on Monday since I took off work. c) be trimmed down to a more manageable distance like 10 or 12 miles once we’re back on land.
Now. In theory (and everything’s nice in theory), over labor day weekend we don’t have a scheduled team run—just 10 miles on our own...so in theory, I could move my 18 to that weekend and do a nice “get back into the groove of things run” on Aug. 27th. But I’m not big on changing the schedule. Thoughts?
Once September hits, we start to get back in a consistent groove of things, knock on wood. On 9/8 we have 16 miles scheduled, which I’m strongly considering turning into an 18 or 20. Then on the 15th we have 20 miles...which depending on how 9/8 goes, may turn into a 21 or 22.
Then taper. Sweet, blissful, can’t wait until you get here, taper. 120 minutes on the 22nd and 60 minutes on the 29th, which may evolve into a 12/14 and 8, respectively. I can't even bring myself to look at the Pfitz schedule for our weekday runs. Those are getting way too scary for me.
Toss in a quick trip to Normal, IL for the Pumpkins show on Thursday with Mike and my buddy Frank...hit up the expo on Friday...chill and carb load Saturday, and then, of course, it’s 10.07.07 before we know it. A date in which this little Jayhawk, come hell or high water, will find a way to cross the finish line in 5:29:59 or under. But I’m a little nervous. I know that once September hits and I’m able to really focus on my running, everything will fall into place. I’m just paranoid that I won’t be doing enough in August to give me the kind of September (and October) I’m hoping for.
In other news...apparently tickets to The Cure went on sale this weekend and I missed out on snagging some really great seats. I need to make a decision now about whether or not I want to take nosebleeds (and quickly). At least my hopes for a birthday concert with Robert Smith aren’t entirely crushed. I could handle it at a distance. Though it’s just not the same. Plus The Cure is not exactly Mike’s musical forte and asking him to go to two of “my concerts” in a week wouldn’t be very cool of me (the other one is Smashing Pumpkins). I think I’d owe him complete control on the scary movie front, and I’m not entirely convinced that would be an avenue I’m willing to explore. I mean, I had to surrender myself to the new Halloween remake that’s coming out to get the SP show on the calendar...and I’m pretty much convinced that I’m not going to survive to tell the tale. Hmm...is it worth it? Any Cure fans out there who can chime in on their live performance?
Bah.
Okay.
Back to work.
...and back to stressing.
Cause that seems to be what I do so well these days.
Labels: Chicago Marathon, stress
posted by Iron Jayhawk at 11:55 AM
13 Camper Comments:
There's a place called "normal"?! That's awesome!
Yeah, don't remind me how Chicago's date is closing in; it freaks me out. Must only look at things week by week; the big picture is too intimidating!
Yep - Normal was named after the Illinois State Normal University (originally a teaching college, hence a "normal" university, as opposed to one which taught medicine or law). I grew up in Peoria, so Bloomington-Normal wasn't too far away.
Don't stress too much about Chicago. You can do it, even if your training is less than optimal. Just try to focus on the next week or two, instead of always looking to October.
maybe do your long run on friday so you can recover and put forth a good effort on sunday?
Wow! i thought my summer was crazy. Remember just take one run at a time and you will be fine!
One day at a time, girl. That's all you can do. You will do great. Work at your pace - don't overdo if you are not ready.
>But I’m not big on
>changing the schedule
You can change the schedule - its YOUR schedule, right? Make sure you get it in, that's the big thing...long runs, right? Coach Leah says get the long runs ins... :)
I say go with the flow in regards to your training. You know what you need to do, and I have no doubts you'll get it done. You'll beat your time goal, of that I have no doubt.
Sometimes I wonder why I chose Pfitz for the LONG RUNS! Tee hee...I have 18 miles scheduled for this weekend.
Ugh...
Double ugh..
i concur with the one run at a time sentiment. that's about all you can do!
I'm with the others. One day at a time, one run at a time, it will get done.
For the record, I am totally jealous that you are doing the Women's 10k. I signed up and then realized we are leaving for vacation the day before. So sad.
WOW you've got a busy summer! I'm sure you'll do what you can and you'll do great in October! I find I'm usually most productive when I'm super busy because everything needs to be pre-planned to be manageable. I'm envious about your cruise too, that's sure to be awesome!
crap, at least you have a plan. that is half the battle. move it, alter it, do it. you can get it done. later.
Maybe you can do some of the LRs on Fridays instead. Just make sure you get lots of distance in to feel good on race day!
I enjoy reading your posts. You've got some challenges getting in the LRs. But hey, you've got an actve life. Training for Chicago again? My favorite marathon of them all. I'll be back again this year. Keep up the great running and posting!
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