Taper is the life!

The race is getting so close I can feel it....although I can also feel the bajillion boxes sitting in my apt waiting to be moved on Sat - can't wait! Less than 2 weeks til the Pig, and I feel more ready than ever!

Last week was a smooth 5-6-5 week, nothing too terribly exciting, although I've been running considerably faster than normal. And when I say normal I think I really mean than I used to. I have a sneaking suspicion that I've been cheating myself by thinking I can't run faster.......perhaps running 2 marathons in one year does have payoffs!

Saturday I thought about running, I also thought about packing, then Dave kicked my butt into gear and forced me to pack. This ended up being a great option as Sunday brought sunshine to the lakefront! I set out for an interesting 12 miler......

Around 3.5 miles I was still keeping a steady pace at about 7:40 (have I mentioned I think perhaps my Garmin is now lying to me, I just can't believe this) that's when the first "event" happened. As I cruised around the curve I saw a man pushing what appeared to be a woman in a contraption similar to a wheelchair. But on closer inspection it was not a woman at all.......it was a mannequin....no really. Then at about 9 miles, I had dropped to about an 8:20ish pace at this point, I saw the "crazy old cat lady" weird clothes, huge old sunglasses and the biggest bag ever with yes, you guessed it, a cat sticking out of it. Then to cap off a great run (under BQ time!) as I'm walking it off and heading to the apt a man and women put their small dog down and the poor thing is dyed PINK!!!!!!! That's the glory of the big city...you just never know what you're going to get.....

It's a pretty easy week. I'm not even sure what I will do with myself!! I'm getting pretty excited but I'm trying to keep it in perspective. Cincy is not a flat course, I train on relatively flat terrain, there is a chance this could be my worst marathon showing yet - although I think it's doubtful, but I'd hate to go in expecting another PR. I won't lie though, I tracked Boston runners today....and I was jealous......someday.....

Thank you traffic.....

It has been an all around CRAPTASTIC week of commuting, there are not even Cubs games and cars are showing up out of no where and getting in my way! Also, since when did everyone forget how to drive in the rain......we've been driving in snow and ice and crap for 4 months, a little rain never hurt no one!

Anywho....

Got 8 miles in yesterday on the treadmill and with the success of my Monday run I did 4 miles at my normal 8:30 pace and then continually upped it until I ran my last half at mile around a 7 min pace. Felt ok, the calfs were burnin' a bit, but the good burn. I planned on a 5 tonight, but since I didn't get home until 7.....see above.....I canned it. It can wait until tomorrow.

I am not however excited for the weather this weekend. I have my 20, which I totally am ready to tackle.....just not in 40 degrees and snowing. MOTHER NATURE WHY DO YOU HATE ME!? I'm heading up to WI on Sat for wedding stuff with the Mama and I think the forecast in WI is better on Sun than it's going to be in Chi-town, perhaps I'll get crazy and run it in A-town. The thing is I really don't want to carry water on my 20, it's such a pain and Chicago wouldn't require that, we'll see what happens.

Hurray for the new Office tonight, Friday tomorrow and my first whole box packed for the move!

The season of shorts!

Spring has sprung!!! (And now because I've said that, it's likely we'll get 5 inches of snow this week)

The rest of my week included 2 5 milers on the treadmill and I added in some quarter mile hill intervals, nothing crazy, but enough to get me winded.

Saturday however was a dream...a gift...just what I needed to keep pushing forward! I had to get up at the break of dawn, 7am, to move my car - I CANNOT wait to live in a permit area! This did however provide a sneak peek at what the weather would be like for my run - b-e-a-utiful! So I knew I could wear shorts, I grappled with the t-shirt idea and opted for long sleeves that were easily pulls up. Within a mile I yanked those sleeves up, it was just gorgeous out. And it also appears Sat was the last run I'll be carrying my camelbak on, the bubblers are working again!!!!!! This was such great news, I practically turned around and dropped the camelbak at home...well not really but you get my drift.

Although the weather was stellar the run wasn't my best, I ran pretty much on pace for sub-4 but I just wasn't feeling great. Then when I was cruising around the Shedd a biker gave me a nasty comment and shook his head at me. I wanted to put a foot out on his wheel but instead I opted for just saying whatever. Hate to break it to ya, but this is a running/biking/walking/general whateverness trail and we all have to share. Even though it wasn't my best run the weather totally made up for it - running outside in gorgeous weather has officially begun!

This week is my final week of big miles, ending with a 20 on the weekend. And I'm going to WI for wedding stuff and apparently it might only be 35 in WI.....I might save the run for when I come back home.....I'm getting more and more excited for the race - 4 weeks to go!

Enjoy the weather everyone!

What happens in Vegas.........

Doesn't stay there when you fry up like it's your part time job, and yes A-train it's happened before, but I'm going to keep on blaming Dooner.....mainly because that's just fun! HA!

So between a trip to Vegas (did I mention it was like 75 the whole time), work, planning wedding stuff, and thinking about moving I'm fairly proud of the runs I've gotten in. I've been one busy bee! I won't bore you with the gory details of my 15 or so runs but I will say I'm boycotting running outside until it gets warm here. I'm tired of my under armor, mittens, hat, gloves, 80 million other layers. I even opted to do a 13 miler, by choice mind you, on the treadmill rather than run in the cold! WHO AM I!? Lucky for me it might climb all the way to the 40s this weekend, hurray for small miracles!

Vegas week however cramped my training style (although really I'm not complaining) I got in 2 of my week runs before I left on Wed and planned to do the 3rd in Vegas, hahahahahaha silly Heidi, people don't exercise in Vegas! I even packed running clothes which is amusing, such good intentions. We got back with plenty of time to get a run in on Sunday, but the run I was supposed to do was 20. Again, laughter ensues here, 20 miles....really....after I've just partied in Vegas for about 4 days straight??? I have 2 20s worked into this training so I'm not concerned I skipped it, I got 11 in and frankly that's amazing all on it's own.

But I'm back in the saddle this week! The marathon is about 4.5 weeks away, YIKES! I wanted to make up a little mileage, yes yes, I know that's not necessary but honestly I added one extra mile. So instead of 5 tonight I upped it to 6, I'm such a rebel. I got a good treadmill in the back and everything was butterflies and sunshine until about 5.25 miles. That's when what I can only refer to as "stinkman" showed up on the treadmill next to me. Let's be honest, no one smells great at the gym, but I don't walk into the place smelly already, I have the courtesy to throw some deodorant on so as not to kill the people in my general area. I seriously wanted to die, if there had been more than a mile left I don't think I would have made it. What I don't get is.......seriously........I know when I smell bad......how does this guy not know!? YIKES. Perhaps the only good that came out of "stinkman" is he forced me to finish faster.......ew

I'm an F-word!!! And I'm happy about it!

It's not the naughty f-word you're thinking of either.........I'm a fiancee!!!!!!(I spelled that correctly for you mom) Last night Dave proposed by Lake Michigan and of course I said yes! Just a Cheeseheadrunner on cloud 9! Haven't really been able to stop smiling - have that stupid your cheeks hurt you've smiled so much thing going on - but I'm not going to complain! We didn't get to properly celebrate as I has an 18-miler this morning, but we'll make it up today with all our friends!!!!

So back to running.....although who can run when they have such a beautiful sparkly thing distracting them!

I had an 8 on Wed which I was sort of dreading. I knew before I even stepped on the treadmill that my legs would be heavy. And I was right. I somehow managed to fight through and finished all 8. Days like that make me feel good that I can push myself that far, but I certainly wish it wasn't so tough sometimes!

Thursday brought a late night at work so I raced home and only had time to put in 3 before Lost came on. Yes I completely realize I could have skipped Lost and watched it online. But I'd had a long day, I deserved some quality couch time with my favorite tv show. I figured 3 is better than nothing, right!?

Today I hauled out of bed at 6:50 am (this is starting to feel like summer runs) threw some yogurt in my system and hit the road. I wanted to be done and still have time to celebrate St. Patricks day! The first half I was fast, too fast, approx 7:40 miles, for me that's a little too fast, I just can't maintain that....yet. But the adrenaline of last night and wanting to get home soon fueled me. When I turned around that was another story, the wind was my enemy, my face was cold, my sweat all got cold, I was an unhappy camper to say the least.

I ended up running with a guy for about a mile and a half, we were just the same pace. When he broke off to take a different route he gave me the little runner salute. I LOVE that about running, I don't know you, good chance I never will, but I know what you endure, I know what keeps you going, and I respect you for that.

The last 2 miles were unpleasant, I was just ready to be done, then I had to pass a stupid (sorry CARA runners) CARA group of about 20 people and it just irked me that I had to go out of my way to pass them. I understand the appeal of running like that, and it's great for some, it just wasn't what I needed at 17.5. But I made it. Only 4 min off BQ pace, now I don't think I could have kept it up, BUT this still makes me feel like my Flying Pig time won't be so bad after all.

I'm off to be "that" girl all day, sorry it's my weekend, I'm going to live it up. And hopefully I'll drink a few green beers too!!

Just another week

It's been a pretty solid week so far. My legs were talking to me all day Monday, practically begged me not to crosstrain, so what did I do, broke out the Gliding video. Now, I'm not a huge fan of workout videos but this particular video was recommended when I was in therapy for my ACL so I figure it has to be good right?? Also, a day later I can't even get out of a chair from all the squats you do during it so that's probably a good indication.

As a side note, I would never say I've been so confused by daylight savings time in my life. On my drive home Monday night I actually asked my mom what time it was, I thought I left work too early (I had not changed the clock in my car yet) It's funktified my whole week and I can't imagine why, it's never happened before...

Today was beautiful. I didn't wear a hat or mittens at lunch, there were runners on the trail as I flew down LSD, signs that perhaps spring is ready to make an appearance here and there. I was looking forward to perhaps my first outdoor weeknight run, but alas it wasn't meant to be....

I hold a pretty strict "you can't start a run in the dark" policy in Chicago. I'm ok if I'm ending a run around dusk but I just don't think it's safe for me and my headphones to chance it. I don't particularly want to be headline news, unless of course I've done something superbly awesome :) I had to take care of some apt papers after work so that meant hitting the gym, bugger!

Stretching today felt like a gift from God, my muscles were thrilled with me. I ran a pretty easy paced 5 miles, but still managed to stay strong in the end.

Ooooo new running song of the week - I like this song so much I even lip-synced while I was running - I'm positive I looked insane, but when you've spent as much time as me on a treadmill lately you'll do anything to make yourself smile - I Don't Wanna be in Love (Dance Floor Anthem) - Good Charlotte, check it out, love a good tune!

I Finally Saw Him!

I've read about him, seen pictures of him, I was starting to believe he was actually a myth....but then it happened........as I rounded the corner on North Ave beach the JOGGLER!!!! For those who don't know about the joggler check him out here. It was very inspiring to see him today, I have a hard enough time just running, adding juggling (which is something I can do, quite well if I do say so myself) to the mix sounds just insane to me. I caught him about mile 15 and it certainly helped me on my last 2 miles!

So, as you may have gleamed from above I had a 17 miler this weekend. Due to apartment shopping, and for those who care we found and secured an awesome place :), I decided to skip runnning Sat and instead tackle the beast on Sun. This proved a good idea for quite a few reason, but mainly because it was cold as HELL on Sat. Walking around to apts I thought my face would freeze off, running would have been just brutal! But having found a place, and a good friend and fellow runners birthday on Sat night I wanted to have a few drinks. I wasn't sure how this would affect me, granted I watched myself and was my no means cashed. I sucked down a big glass of water when I got home, slept till 10 and really I was fine.

It was still pretty cold out today, and the longest I've run on the trail lately has not exceeded 12 miles. Most of my long runs for Chicago this year were done while we were travelling whereever we were at. So long story short I ran pretty far south, farther south than I've ever gone, infact I would venture to guess most people avoid that part of the trail. There were considerably less runners, I saw less than 10, and it's just not as pretty. I also used 2 gels this time which I think really helped. I was hesitant to use the second but when I thought about how it would help me finish strong that was all I needed to get it out. Although I will say that it was so cold today that my gels were more gummy than gel-like, not a big fan of that. Then I saw the joggler at North Ave Beach, highlight of my run, and I was almost home. Finished in 2:26:43, which I'm VERY happy with, I was ready to be done today, but that kink of time for 17 miles indicates that a sub 4 is in reach. Maybe not the Flying Pig with all the hills, but soon, heck that sort of time makes me feel Boston qualifying is not so crazy either!

After my run I actaully had a productive day too. I have a tendency to be uber-lazy following a run like that, not today, ran errands got groceries, I haven't even napped! Looks like we might get up into the 40s this week, I'm so happy I could cry, peace out old man winter!

The barker is back.....

What a week of training it was!! Monday had me skipping crosstraining to get all my runs in as I knew I would need a night off for an appt. I ran an easy 4 miles but found I was in extreme pain on Tuesday. My right arch has major issues, it was so painful it was even bothering me in ugly flat work shoes, who knew! I have never had problems with my arches and really this was only one as it just hurt on my right foot. Troublesome let me tell you.

Not wanting to skip my run Tuesday night I ventured to the orthotics aisle in Walgreens and purchased arch supports, which by the way are not cheap. I figured I should wear them in both as it might be weird if they were only in one shoe. They helped tremendously, leaps and bounds, it was still a little painful but I could tell they helped. This is an interesting dilemma to me though. In the past I have NEVER run this much on the treadmill, could that be the source of this? I've never had arch issues before?? Or is it really all downhill once you hit 25.....just kidding.

Thursday was a quick 3 miles so I could get home for lost, and low and behold the barker is back at the gym. This guy's grunts and noises could rival Sharapova, no lie. He lifts weights, and I haven't seen him at the gym in months but he made his reappearance on Thursday and boy did I hear about it heh heh. I suppose I understand that perhaps that makes him get the extra umph to get the weights up, but c'mon aren't you mildly embarassed that the whole gym is listening to your barking/grunting/you name it weird noises? And if I was your wife, I don't think I'd be caught dead at the gym with you making all those animalesque noises....

I only had 9 miles to do for the weekend and thankfully I did on Sat as it is arctic temps out today! I ran a little earlier and it felt like there were a million people on the trail, which was nice to see. I fought for the first 1.5 miles to get my Camelback to cooperate, it was extremely obnoxious stopping to adjust every like 3 min, but eventually I showed it who was boss! On my last half mile back I passed a guy who gave me the biggest goofiest grin ever. He must have known me, I however had no clue who he was, and if he didn't know me perhaps he was smiling at my ridiculous get-up. The weekend miles pretty much steadily increase from here on out, so there's not much to look forward to in that department - although maybe if I just grunted every half mile or so that would give me the motivation to go the extra mile.......