Archives

Eugene Marathon Base Building: Week Four

Week four is the last base building recap for a while! It was a relatively slow workout week, which I decided to keep easy. By the time Friday arrived, I actually felt a bit tired and worn. Decided to rest in preparation for Sunday’s 10-miler which turned out to be a good decision. That run […]

Read More

Eugene Marathon Base Building: Week Three

Week three consisted of more running and less gym time. Mostly due to holiday schedule/winter break. Slowly increasing miles and logged first double-digit run since November injury. Finally at a point where my body’s feeling the closest to normal it’s felt since before injury. No noticeable discomfort or difference in the right foot anymore. Starting […]

Read More

Eugene Marathon Base Building: Week Two

Week two was more cross-training than running. Overall, feel yoga is providing great strength and flexibility training. Really enjoyed the personal trainer session. Each session with her helps me build muscle to support running, and trains my body to stay in proper alignment while working. Only one more day of the year to possibly log […]

Read More

Eugene Marathon Base Building: Week One

Week one of base building for Eugene Marathon! Am enjoying working with a personal trainer to help build muscle mass and work areas that’ll help balance out running form. Running is feeling less rusty each time I go. Am careful to assess how I’m feeling with each run. This week saw my highest mileage since […]

Read More

Post-Marathon/Injury Recovery: Week Five

Week five was a good week. Was my first official week with the personal trainer; and I received clearance to re-introduce running into my workouts! I’m enjoying the trainer sessions as she has me doing more strength and weight training. The workouts are tough but they’re the path to faster and healthier running. My first post-injury run […]

Read More

Post-Marathon/Injury Recovery: Week Four

Week four was a somewhat easy week, workout-wise. The good news is my right foot is feeling great and continues to be pain-free. Walking is back to normal, as is getting up and down the stairs. Feels as if nothing happened a few weeks ago. Finally made it back to yoga class, which was fantastic. […]

Read More

Post-Marathon/Injury Recovery: Week Three

Week three of recovery was a good one. The podiatrist examined my right foot and cleared me to remove the walking boot. I’m now in running shoes full time for the next two weeks. Matching shoes – great progress! Foot muscles are adjusting to no longer being immobilized; however, there’s no pain walking, exercising, or […]

Read More

Post-Marathon/Injury Recovery: Week Two

Week two marked my return to working out post-stress fracture. Did various cross-training, all without impact to my foot. What’s good: had some excellent and challenging workouts. What’s bad: I really, truly miss running! Back to the doctor on Wednesday, Nov 28, for a follow-up exam. Hoping for decent news, recovery-wise. Monday: Pilates for 60 […]

Read More

Pensacola Marathon Training: Week 17

Week seventeen wound up being an extra week of taper to carry me through to Pensacola Marathon on November 11. Wrapped up training feeling strong and healthy. Who would have guessed the outcome of the marathon, then? Thus proving that even when training’s spot on, a good race isn’t necessarily guaranteed. Monday: Rest day. Tuesday: […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 16

Week sixteen was meant to be the final week of NYC Marathon training, ending with 26.2 miles through the five boroughs. Hurricane Sandy swept in on Monday, devastating neighborhoods, causing flooding and power outages. After the storm subsided, the NYC Marathon was announced to be on-schedule, as planned. I picked up my race bib on […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 15

Week fifteen was full of crazy taper emotions. One minute excited, the next full of nerves. Cut back on some cross-training, and have poured all energy into keeping my speed work sharp. Am starting to get my gear and plan organized for next weekend. You see that? I said, “next weekend.” One week until RACE […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 14

Week fourteen was the start of taper. Speed work and tempo runs maintained their intensity; long run shortened but required marathon pace. Time to let the body rebuild, and get race day necessities in order. Most importantly, time to appreciate the journey that began in the July heat. Excitement for race day is starting to […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 13

Week thirteen finally ushers in taper! Increased final long run from 20 to 22 miles. Overall, coming out of this week feeling accomplished! As they say: all the hard work is done. Now it’s time to start lowering mileage, keep up pace, and rest up for race day. 20 days and counting. Monday: Rest day. […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 12

Week twelve was an excellent running week. Some faster paced runs are making training fall into place. This was the second to last long run before taper. Over all, my body is feeling good with the mileage and the pace. Monday: Rest day. Tuesday: Intervals. Running commute in the form of mile repeats to get […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 11

Week eleven brought September to a close in the most fantastic way. It was an incredible week in which I met or exceeded training paces for all three running workouts. That’s a first for this training cycle. I’m encouraged to see evidence of progress. I feel more capable on my long runs lately. Sure the […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 9

Week nine was basically a mini-taper in preparation for the Philadelphia Rock n Roll Half Marathon. The half marathon was meant to be used as a tune-up race to assess how full marathon training is progressing. The race went very well and I wound up running a PR! It felt good to replace speed and […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 8

Week eight was a decent training week despite contending with the humidity. Ready for cooler, drier running weather. Happy with both tempo and long runs. Next Sunday (Sep 16) is the Philadelphia Rock n Roll half marathon. Will be running this as a tune up race for NYC Marathon. To accommodate the race, am shifting […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 7

Week seven was an intense training week. It capped off August and my first full month of 2012 NYC Marathon training. Running-wise, I totaled 141.35 miles. This is the highest monthly mileage I’ve had in any marathon training cycle, thus far. I realize Dean Karnazes runs this mileage in a day; but I’m pleased with […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 6

Week six of training had its highs and lows. Some runs were better than others. It was a strong, rather intense, workout week. Thankful it ended on a good note. Lesson of the week: bad runs happen, regardless of physical conditioning. And just as surely, those bad runs are followed by the good ones. As […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 5

Week five went very well. Made it to spin and yoga, so training feels a bit more balanced. Solid running made training paces feel like they’re coming together. Speed work is finally feeling more manageable; oddly enough, it’s from running intervals on the treadmill. Have to go with what works. Keeping close eye on some […]

Read More

NYC Marathon Training: Week 4

Week four introduced the first of five (5!!!) scheduled 20-milers, according to Run Less Run Faster. A hectic schedule, including weekend travel, meant I couldn’t attend spin class; also, rearranged my long and tempo runs. Body is actually feeling good and cooperating with the increasing mileage. Happy to report no noticeable soreness in legs the […]

Read More

Visualization: Like An Athlete

“Those who dream by day are cognizant of many things that escape those who dream only at night.” Edgar Allan Poe ~ Sweat is rolling. I’m inward-focused and forging the last hill. My body is paradoxically energized and depleted. The day before, I ran 17 miles in 87 degrees. Now I’m in spin class. I […]

Read More