Seattle Marathon random musings.

Even with the threat of a winter storm in the Cascades pending, I'm realizing that training, taper and marathon recovery fits well for me with the Seattle Marathon in late November.

It was a bit tough to get up for those early morning runs once it got so dark but it did stay warmer this fall.  Yeah, it's been wet but I never find the rain all that bad.  And here it doesn't typically rain that hard or for that long.  Now as I approach the marathon (less than two weeks!), it is a pleasure not getting up in the dark to go for a run.  Ha! And I'm sure after the marathon, I'll happily take it easy with all the holiday fuss and weather issues.

I've tested out what I want to wear for the marathon and I'm prepared for it all.  The worst possible weather I could have would be temps over 50 degrees.  fortunately, that is pretty unlikely here at this time!  I feel like I should go light some candles to the running gods with that statement however.  No heat wave in November, please!  

I looked back at what I've done for taper for the past two marathons and realized it was probably way too much.  I can see that now with some experience.  After a bit of discussion with my coach, I'm planning on about 25 miles this week (60% of weekly mileage) with some shorter and faster stuff (800s at half marathon pace with full recoveries).  I got a massage and really need to focus on staying loose.  next week, I'll just run 10-12 miles in the week before with a couple at just below marathon pace 3-4 days out from the marathon.

It's tough to go from running so much to barely running at all.  I get really stiff and that can pull hips/back out of alignment for me. I've got a slightly annoyed hamstring/adductor which should settle down with rest and some TLC.   I'll continue to do some easy core/weights on a regular basis and my daily yoga.  Keswick as you can see above really enjoys these sessions! 

I really hope it just pours this coming week.  I'll be inside knitting. 

No sign of Taper Madness.  yet.

Giving Thanks!

I made it to taper!  Oh it was getting close there.  I've been consistently hitting workouts although it's been tough the past 10 days as I was definitely getting tired.  I opted for a two week taper knowing with my overall lower mileage, taking too much of a cut was going to leave my legs feeling a bit lost.  I am definitely looking forward to some rest.  Two weeks tomorrow, I'll be lining up at Seattle Center for marathon number three.  I can't wait!  I already have the pub picked out where I want a hamburger and beer (race tradition!). 

Between getting in the miles (thankful I'm healthy enough to have gotten through all workouts), busy work (thankful for a well-paying job I enjoy) and various house projects, it's been very full weeks lately.  

K's parents are in town visiting and we will host Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow evening.  I'm really looking forward to them visiting and having everyone (my mom and K's brother included) over for a nice afternoon.  Last year we ended up doing this as well.  K's parents ended up staying with us as his brother was sick with a bad flu at the time and they didn't want to be exposed.  it worked out well as we were just back from England and dealing with a terminally ill Dexter the Cat.  While we were at work, they were able to hang out with him at home and made this very social cat content.


I still really miss Dexter and Legos.  Looking at photos of Dex still causes a tearing up though of course we have new felines who are near and dear to our hearts now.  Keswick (black) and York (orange) are a year and a half old and goofy, affectionate, friendly, active... Basically they are just wonderful.  Keswick is already a lap cat and just requires a look. He'll then fall over and let you scritch his belly.  York is orange cat cool.  He's busy and into his toys yet affectionate and sweet.  It's not uncommon to have both cats on your lap snoozing. 

I did spend many weekends and evening working on painting trim, walls and ceiling of our new room off the kitchen.  We are calling it the Blue Room 'cause of the blue painted walls. This room was formally known as the Awkward Addition off the Kitchen (AAK) because it was just awful looking and this former garage had been converted to a room long ago.   It's amazing to have the last room of the house renovated.  Finally!  Once I'd painted that room, I realized the kitchen needed a new coat of paint as it's been over 10 years since we remodeled.

That meant painting over one last very visible reminder of Dexter.  He'd walked through paint and left his very clear pawprint on the corner of the windowsill in the kitchen (white paw print) York, continuing Orange Cat Tradition, could not stay out of the windowsill while paint dried.  yep, he too managed to track paint over counter and floor.

The Long Run

Three weeks from the Seattle Marathon.

I've had some very good workouts lately and have been feeling very strong.  The half marathon (done in the middle of 17 miles) with 6 at goal marathon pace (8:45) and three at go for it pace (8:15) confirm for me that I'm stronger than ever.

I had one of those workouts that I was nervous about this past week.  10 miles with 6 @ 8:20.  it was a little tough to get to sleep the night before. I was that keyed up about it.  Why?  I'd done 5 at 8:19 the week before while recovering from the above mentioned half marathon/long run the week before.  That one had been so tough.  I'd done it and I knew I could do it again.

And I did.  And I even ran that last mile uphill and was only 10 seconds off pace (for an overall pace of 8:12 for those miles).  It had felt easier than last week and heart rate was lower.

So 20 miles on the schedule this week.  This is the longest I'll go and it more of a mental check than anything.  I'd done a very thorough core/glute workout thursday evening and was sore the next day at work.  Then my low back tightened up at work too.  I was careful with lifting at work and made it through the day with no damage.  I quick and gentle yoga session helped.  I woke saturday morning and back was better but still a bit touchy.

20 miles.  I don't even drive 20 miles in a week.  The first 11 were at a very easy pace helping mark a running course for a group run for the Coach Lesley group.  I like marking courses.  It forces an easy pace as you have to stop and pretend you have no idea where you are going and then draw chalk arrows on the ground.  run, run, run and chalk again.  I happened to be running with a couple gals so the chatter helped.  They'd keep running while I chalked and I'd slowly catch back up. 

11 miles over some pretty good hills and I was not feeling great.  Everything felt tight and even a bit achy but nothing was hurting.  I talked myself out of 20 miles again and again but finally decided I NEEDED this run mentally more than anything.  So at 11, I filled my water bottle again and set off this time on my own.  The other gals weren't doing any thing as silly as training for a marathon (at this point).

9 miles.  It really helped to break it up.  I only had 9 miles.  heck, I'd run 10 mid-week.  Again everything was achy and tight but nothing really hurt so onward.  I stopped for another gel and more water and to turn on some music and just continued on.  The miles ticked off quickly enough.  I started to have some math/thinking problems as I figured out how long I had to go out and back to arrange to end at a particular place where K would meet me and we'd have breakfast.

I felt like I was totally slogging on but pace was just typical long run pace if not a touch faster.  Mentally though, it took every ounce of control to keep running.  I have no idea why this was so tough but it was.

20 miles done.  Physically I feel fine the next day and had a great 4 miler where I actively had to slow myself down.  Mentally?  That was EXACTLY the workout I needed.  And I'm grateful for it.

3 weeks.  One more pretty serious workout this friday with a long run to follow.  Taper begins in earnest then.

Pumpkin Push 2010

Pumpkin Push 5k number 5 for me I believe.  I've not done another race for so many years.  The first time I ran a 5k here in 2004, I set a 5-minute 5k PR (personal record) so this race has some fond memories.  usually it's freezing.  Sometimes, it rains. No, there is no pumpkin pushing and i always try to wear a costume. 

Good times!  The Wicked Witch of the East was a great costume.  You remember, right?  Dorothy's house lands on the Wicked Witch of the East and Glenda the Good Witch puts the ruby shoes onto Dorothy's feet?  I got a lot of laughs.  It was fun listening to people working out what the costume as I ran past.  It would usually elicit a snort of laughter.

And it wasn't too bad running with the box on my head.  it was a little hard to see and I was worried about the start which is a little crowded.  No troubles though as I lined up in the right area and I had two other gals with me who ran ahead of me for the first quarter mile.  They ran interference and I could just follow.  That was helpful. 

The last mile, I could feel my neck and shoulders getting tense from holding the box but then i was done.  There was even a costume contest and I was cheered to one of three winners.  Nice! 

And I got a solid workout in and still was able to get my long run in the next day. 

If you've never done it, I highly recommend running a race in costume.  The smiles and the laughter are good for everyone!