Transition Time

Change is inevitable. Lots of change is happening in my life. First and foremost, my little Isaac is not so little anymore. He had to move up to his big boy car seat this week. [sigh] Next thing I know he'll be asking for the keys to the car!

(L) coming home from the hospital, (R) riding in style!

Last week I talked about feeling like I was on the edge of running burnout. I am now 6 weeks away from my marathon and have been training for 31 weeks. As such, the very understanding Marathon Advisor John gave me a light week. I had so much going on this week in my non-running life that I hardly noticed the downtime.

Secondary Mommy Group Halloween party - lil Elvis was a hit!

Primary Mommy Group Halloween party. Here we are with all our friends!

Hanging at a friend's house with yet more mommies. It was a busy week for babies.

With Daylight Savings Time happening in just a few hours, I have made a huge decision. It is time for me to return to my pre-Isaac ways and become a full-time early morning runner. I just have to do it. With putting it off until Chasen gets home, it just pushes our nighttime routine way back. By the time I get done running, if Chasen has not yet cooked dinner, we don't eat until like 8 PM. By the time that is done, plus cleanup, there's hardly any night left. We're putting Isaac to bed and the night is done. So I have to get my rear in bed early now and get up and get it done since the sun will be up earlier! I just KNOW that my days will be better this way. Plus, my marathon (plus all races) will be in the early morning. And I run better in the morning. So let's make this happen!

Another transition, since the big day is 6 weeks away, is working on my mental readiness. I have been reading "From Last to First" by Charlie Spedding. He is quite humorous! Well, he has a dry humor, which I really like. I am less than halfway through it, but I am now a believer in running "perfect" and carefully choosing my descriptives concerning my running. Must train my mind to perform!!!

Today was a 16-miler for me. I ran from my home to Hernando, Mississippi with my ultimate destination being The Velvet Cream, better known as The Dip. It is the best dairy bar in the history of Mississippi! I was to do the run at 6:6. When I was walking, I was quite speedy, I noticed. The runs were decent, also (at least until the very end). It was a hilly course; I climbed a total of 729 feet. The miles went like this: 13:39, 13:43, 14:06, 13:35, 13:16, 13:55, 13:37, 14:31, 14:15, 14:27, 14:00, 14:00, 14:46, 15:11, 14:27, 14:39. The total was 3:46:14 and the average was 14:09. I need 13:45 to make the 6-hr time limit at Rocket City.

Elvis is ready to trick-or-treat.

So long, October. Even though I had a head cold for about a week, I managed to run 137.2 miles in October. That may be a record for me. WOW!

Elliptical, Then and Now

Because Marathon Advisor John was extremely busy at work over the weekend, all of Team Point Two got the blanket assignment today to do 60 minutes of cross training. We have since gotten this week's schedules (at least I have!)

I have to admit... I dreaded this. The bike hurts, we know that. The last time I used the elliptical, (in April, when Isaac was less than 2 months old) I thought I'd DIE. It hurt. Badly. I could only do about 10 minutes at a time. I decided to try it tonight. No matter how badly it would hurt, my "bicycle seat region" would be spared!

Get this: it was a piece of cake! 60 minutes, no problem. Yay me! No, yay Team Point Two training! I really, really have to thank John. I feel like he has brought me back to life! 47 days until Rocket City...

7 Weeks To Go

I started the "Couch to 5K" program the day I got the go-ahead from my doctor 6 weeks after Isaac was born. That was THIRTY weeks ago. I have effectively been in training for 30 weeks. That is a long time. This week I began to feel the effects, I do believe. I just didn't want to run the latter half of this week. But I did.

Early Saturday morning we loaded up and drove to Oxford, Mississippi. Yay - family time! We were going to see Chasen's Arkansas Razorbacks play the Ole Miss Rebels.

Here are my two very cool guys. Isaac is wearing his new shoes!

Self photo taken while we waited on Chasen to go get concessions, pre-game.

Family photo. Isaac and I (tisk, tisk, Chasen!) are lathered in sunscreen.

The Rebels stomped the Razorbacks. Not good. After sitting in the blazing sun for several hours (Isaac was covered) we sleepily drove home. I was supposed to do a 3-miler. It didn't happen. Just 3 miles!!!! But I just didn't have it in me.

Isaac's new favorite toy: a box.

I composed an e-mail to John as I watched Isaac enjoy some crawling time this morning before church. I stated the whole 30 weeks of training bit, and how I felt that I was teetering on burnout. I have come a long way in 30 weeks! But I have more to go, of course, and the marathon is only 7 weeks away. Yikes! John always knows just what to say. He said "It's not burnout, just some easily fixed cumulative fatigue." Well, I don't know exactly how we'll fix it just yet, but I trust that we will. Onward and upward!

Post-church naptime: like mother, like son.

I finally got around to doing my 8-miler for the day. Just 8 - whoo hoo! Because of the whole "blazing sun" issue from yesterday, I opted to do this rather short longrun on my treadmill. Mile 1 was done at 2:1. Miles 2-7 were run sold at 12:30 (supposed to be 12:35, but Teddy Tready does 12:30 quite easily). Mile 8 was done at 2:1. My average was 12:37. Good enough!

Daddy, Mommy, Isaac. Awww!

Tomorrow I have to do 60 minutes of cross training. Oh Lordy... the bike will kill me, as will the elliptical. Stay tuned!

On Track

I called in a favor with a neighbor/friend of mine for a little babysitting and was actually able to slip away to my local track during the light of day! I must say it was awesome.

"I didn't miss Mommy one bit. I was being loved on!"

First I did a one mile warmup at 2:1. Next I did 5 x 20 second striders. Fast times! Next came the crux of the workout: 8x 600 meters (0.375) in 4:30 (12:00/mile pace) with 600 meters recovery running in 5:15 (14:00/mile pace). As John said, "It's a continuous run with alternating paces. This run will help flush out your legs, as well as help you to pick up the pace in the race following a bad stretch." He was right! Even yesterday I had a minimal bit of soreness in my legs left over from Sunday's 20-miler (go figure). Not anymore!

I do love a good track workout. And it was nice to be able to run such a distance uninterrupted. Life is good!

Tough 20 Miler

But, are there any EASY 20 milers? Not in my world. Not as of yet!

I wasn't able to do this run until this afternoon. It was sunny and cool. I aimed to run 20 miles east and have Chasen pick me up, as well as support me along the way.

I started out with a bang! I was using the 6:4 method, and I was having no trouble at all. Just past mile 8 the road ran out of wide shoulder, so I had to change my plan and run toward home. No biggie, I'd just finish the last 4 in my neighborhood.

At about mile 14 is where the wheels started to fall off. For the record, I ran the first 13.1 faster than last week's 13.1. But then I just started to fade. I was eating and hydrating well (but if I EVER see another Clif Bar, it'll be too soon). As Chasen put it, I'd been sick this whole past week PLUS had been taking care of sick Isaac, so cut myself some slack. Whatever - I rarely cut myself any slack. I needed to run strong, not peter out. But 20 miles is a long way!

I went into "survival mode" at about mile 16 or 17, regressing to the 1:1 method. But then I just had to walk. Covering the distance any way possible is better than quitting. Period.

By mile 18.5 it was completely dark and very cold, so I did the last 1.5 on the treadmill. Here's how it all went down.

Mile 1 - 12:41
Mile 2 - 12:54
Mile 3 - 13:27
Mile 4 -12:56
Mile 5 - 13:00
Mile 6 - 13:32
Mile 7 - 13:28
Mile 8 - 12:35
Mile 9 - 13:56
Mile 10 - 13:33
Mile 11 - 12:49
Mile 12 - 13:48
Mile 13 - 13:44
Mile 14 - 14:35
Mile 15 - 14:41
Mile 16 - 15:29
Mile 17 - 17:36
Mile 18 - 17:20
Mile 18.5 - 9:07
Total - 4:21:19
Average - 14:08 (NOT good enough for Rocket City, which has a 6-hr limit)

Treadmill - 1.5 miles in 33:28 (all walked)

John said this would be a test of my endurance, and he certainly was not kidding. This is my longest distance yet this season, so I guess I should not expect it to be easy. But a girl can dream!

Less "Sick and Tired"

What a week! I had a sore throat before running 14 miles last Saturday. After doing so in too few layers, I became full-blown sick. Isaac was already sick with a cold, mind you. So it has been like a sick bay around here. Chasen, who thought he was coming down with it, narrowly escaped.

We took Isaac to the doc on Monday. His ears and chest were clear, so that put my mind at ease a bit. The poor little guy was horribly congested. I would take all of his sickness and then some to spare him of his misery... but I can not. So I just concentrate on taking meds of my own and trying to get better.

John decided to go easy on me this week. YAY! However, what seems easy it not always that way. I had to do a 65 minute bicycle workout (on my bike trainer) on Tuesday. Let me say OUCH. Loudly. OUCH! I have not been on the bike in about 6 months now (thanks to running 6 days per week) and I thought my "bicycle seat area" would be in awful shape afterward. Well, not directly afterward. But the next day I had some very sore muscles!

Isaac is making strides at being able to sit up. Not quite there yet...

Wednesday was a rest day - hallelujah. I have been trying to get as much rest as possible, as in napping every chance I get. Must get well!

Today I was to do a track workout. Here's the deal. The sun does not rise until just before 7 AM, and that is the time I need to be back here at home. Scratch early mornings. During the day I do not have childcare. Scratch daytime. The sun sets at about 6:30 PM. Chasen generally gets home just a little bit before that. Scratch nighttime. It's a pickle alright! Now, yes, I used to go out in the pitch black quite a lot back in the day. But I am a MUCH more cautious person now. MUCH. I have Isaac to think about. So I have to be safe. So I did the workout on the treadmill in the warm garage as Isaac watched, sleeping through most of it (Isaac, not me, LOL).

I am happy to report that after 3.5 days of meds Isaac seems to be doing better. I do try to get him to take more naps, but that is easier said than done.

I am just hilarious, it seems.

This weekend I am supposed to run *gulp* 20 miles. I know I can do it. (Did you hear that, John?) And I will be implementing a new on-the-run fuel system. Report to follow!

Worldwide Festival of Races

Today I ran the half marathon for the Worldwide Festival of Races. But I'll get to that...

Isaac says "Hold your horses! Mommy has to post a zillion photos of me first."

Mid-week we visited Cedar Hill Farm in nearby Hernando, Mississippi with some friends. It is a full service kid haven complete with a pumpkin patch.

Must stay hydrated when strolling through the petting zoo.

Isaac slept through his first ever hayride. It's a tough life...

And his first ever pumpkin patch...

Look! A headless baby! LOL

My tired boy was not up to posing. Good thing I wore my running shoes. We went all over creation.

Tired little pumpkin.

This was a tough week because Isaac has been suffering from his first illness - a cold. It came on Thursday (post-farm). As a result I suffered from my first episode of projectile baby vomit. NOT FUN. Not sure if it was 'cold' related (I suspect the nasal medicine), but it wasn't pretty, regardless. Oh the joys of motherhood!

Looks really sick, doesn't he?

So I have been drained, both physically and emotionally. It's tough having your little one suffer. I struggled through some runs this week, just thankful to check them off the list.

I wasn't sure how today's 14-miler would go (13.1 plus an extra .9 afterward). I again faced pre-longrun insomnia, but I did get about 5 hours, which is better than nothing. I headed out just after 6 AM and it was FREEZING. Mind you, I have run through a sauna for months now. I had forgotten how to dress for this. I should have added a jacket and gloves. Lesson learned.

I selected an out-and-back course. I was frozen solid for about the first 2 miles. I did the whole run using the 1:1 method that I ADORE. Before I knew it I was near my "turn off the main drag" point. Then I was at 6.55 miles. I stopped to record that time on my cel phone in the hopes that I could make a negative split happen. Then I proceeded to mile 7. Just as I turned around Chasen called. He and Isaac were on their way.

Chasen took ONE photo, so I had to post it. Beggars can't be choosers.

I hoped to maintain my energy level on the way home. It was awfully windy and did not warm up a single bit. I only saw Chasen once or twice more. I knew by my mile splits that I was gaining speed. Must get home to warmth!

First half - 1:29:34. Second half - 1:25:27. Whoo hoo! I kicked that race in the rear! A 4 minute negative split!

Mile 1 - 13:49

Mile 2 - 13:49

Mile 3 - 13:35

Mile 4 - 13:28

Mile 5 - 13:45

Mile 6 - 13:37

Mile 7 - 13:27

Mile 8 - 13:01

Mile 9 - 13:13

Mile 10 - 12:55

Mile 11 - 12:52

Mile 13 - 13:01

Mile 13.1 - 00:56

Total - 2:55:01

Average - 13:22

I am so surprised and so very pleased. I was aiming for 3 hours! Yay me! Yay Team Point Two! Nine weeks until Rocket City. I just might make it!

Semi-Sweet Sixteen

This video is for Donna from Team Point Two. Her marathon (Portland) is tomorrow!

Today was to be my 16-miler. Wouldn't you know I woke up at 12:30 AM and couldn't get back to sleep until past 4 AM? Grrrr! I hate that. So I turned off my alarm and resolved to do the run mid-day. I have just about decided to have a glass of wine on the evenings before long runs to knock me out!

My options were either the 11 AM - 3 PM time slot or 3 PM - 7 PM time slot. I opted for the latter because today we wanted to go to a Greek food festival in nearby Bartlett, Tennessee. I was definitely "well fueled" for my afternoon run.

I am here to tell you that it was hot (80 degrees) and very windy - always at my front. Ugh. I ran about 5 miles away from home and then headed back. I somehow got back to my neighborhood with about 9 miles on the Garmin. I went back home momentarily for a pit stop and some Ibuprofen. A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do!

FYI, I always write my Marathon Advisor an e-mail after my long run. At this point in today's run it would have gone something like this:

Dear John,

Are you trying to kill me? This is just not working. I am so slow. This is my longest distance in 22 months. I am never going to make it.

Sorry,
Susan

I decided at this point to do the remaining 7 miles in my neighborhood. They would have been bad anywhere; might as well be close to home. Amazingly, the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees. Now we're talking! I seemed to actually be getting faster (still doing the 1:1 method) although my splits do not really show any improvement.

I dreaded the fact that the last 3 miles were to be run solid, and at a 12:48 pace. Yikes! But, as I said, I seemed to be gaining speed as the temp dropped. It had to be approaching 60 degrees by now. Hallelujah.

At about mile 12 my fabulous neighbor (and friend) Nelms drove by. I demanded that she go and fill my G2 bottle with ice water. HA! That's what friends are for. After that refill it was just nearly time to do the 3 solid miles. Here's how the first 13 went down at a 1:1 ratio:

Mile 1 - 13:53
Mile 2 - 13:57
Mile 3 - 13:57
Mile 4 - 14:05
Mile 5 - 14:15
Mile 6 - 14:45
Mile 7 - 14:33
Mile 8 - 14:03
Mile 9 - 14:23
Mile 10 - 14:55
Mile 11 - 14:29
Mile 12 - 14:15
Mile 13 - 14:03
Average +/- 14:14

Then I started hoofing it around the 'hood and it felt GREAT. The last three were just awesome (and faster than 12:48!)

Mile 14 - 12:29
Mile 15 - 12:35
Mile 16 - 12:41
Average +/- 12:35

Total - 3:43:28
Average - 13:58

On the all, I am really glad I stuck it out (not that I really had any other choice, mind you). This could be my amended e-mail:

Dear John,

You know what, you just might know what you're talking about after all! Bring on Rocket City!

Your Adoring Student,
Susan

Tomorrow I have a lovely 2-miler on the docket. Yesssss!

One-Armed Running

Today was actually a dream come true: the weather was COOL and I got to run with Isaac! We headed out after he and I ate breakfast. I had to bundle him up, as these close-ups show.

This is nearly his only warm outfit. Time for warm big boy clothes!

The racing stroller is in the right side of this photo. I opted for the "travel system" stroller because it has storage compartments and cup holders.

We're all ready to go! The camera was set on top of the trash can. Not good!

I was to do 3 miles at 1:1. What a joy! And the weather - wow - 60ish degrees and windy. Heaven! Isaac and I stayed in the neighborhood, of course. I found that I was going quite fast while I was doing the running part. So fast, in fact, that my hamstrings are sore now that it is said and done. Go me! I averaged 12:58 per mile, which is about as fast as I can go doing solid running (how is that?)

Isaac started to fuss at 2.21 miles. Grrr! It came and went after a little soothing from Mommy. I had to finish, by golly!

It really was a dream come true. All summer I wanted to be able to get out there with him, but it was just disgustingly hot. Hopefully autumn will hold great things for us!