Roxymama's 5k to Marathon, Time to Collect Another Castle

I'll adopt you if I can also costume your beagle. That seems fair, right?
(also roxyhubby says he is either going to get a beast head thing or just not shave)
The beagle has a lot of experience dressing up in costume. :)
Tough call on no shaving vs. beast head thing - comfort vs. 100% going for it I guess!
 
MONDAY TRAINING UPDATE: IT'S RACE WEEK!!!

I'd say this is the world's shortest training period since it's only about two weeks from start to race, but I also know that I've been basically training for this one since my half plan started. I'll be honest that I'm more anxious/excited/nervous/ready/not ready/excited/nervous for this one than my half only because the half was kind of a "maybe it'd be nice to PR" kinda goal and this one is so much more of a "I WANT TO ACHIEVE THIS!" goal. If that makes sense. I think getting past my Tues workout and doing it correctly will put a lot more confidence in my pocket.

Recap of last week. I did all of my workouts even though I had some seriously late nights at the gym (NO ONE was there on Sat night because it was Cubs playoffs, Hawks game, and the marathon was the next morning. I think it was me and one guy lifting and a bunch of bored staff.)
But we had so much family time together this weekend, that I waited for my people to be asleep and then did my runs. Mom guilt. Hubby and I spoke about maybe switching me to some morning runs when bigger things begin second half of 2018. Ahem.

My 8x400 workout went well, despite me having a hard time telling my body do something only between HM tempo and 5k pace. It's like my brain knows GO GO GO and I'm trying to tell it to ease into the GO GO. So I'm gonna be more aware of that this week. My instructions were easy runs in the 45-60 range and 60-75 range. I did mix up some EA (longer duration) and EB (shorter) but will probably just stick with EA for my easy ones before my race this week. I caught up on Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders making the Team (anyone watch that?) on the treadmill and listened to No Doubt when I ran out of episodes.

RACE WEEK TRAINING PLAN:
Mon 10/9: REST...I'll gladly take it. Plan is to get really good sleep this week if I can and not have too many late night runs (or none actually.)
Tue 10/10: 4x800 workout. Same concept as last week but ~.5 miles instead of .25 mile for the 10k pace. And then 400's again for RI (is that right @DopeyBadger ?)
Wed 10/11: REST
Thur 10/12: Easy 45-60 min run
Fri 10/13: Easy 45-60 min run
Sat 10/14: Heading to Milwuakee with the roxyfamily. Expo and packet pickup and probably driving near the course to get an idea of it.
Sun 10/15: RACE! Milwaukee Marathon weekend 10k. ERMERGERD!
Might as well re-hash my A, B & C goals.
A) finish under 1 hour
B) finish under 1 hour
C) finish under 1 hour
(also meet lots of cool disboard people, and re-meet the ones I've already met. )

Commence weather stalking and tummy butterflies and fingernail biting!
 




We watched the Chicago marathon this morning. The elites and then the coverage of the other normal humans running. When we got into the car to leave for lunch he just randomly says "so you're running the Chicago marathon next year"
Not a question mark. A period. And I said "ok"
Later I asked if he'd been reading the thread where we were discussing the lottery and percentages and he said "no, I just was watching the age groupers and thought you should be doing this"

So I guess that's that.

You can definitely do this! Good luck and I can't wait to follow along on your marathon journey!
 
You can definitely do this! Good luck and I can't wait to follow along on your marathon journey!

Thanks! Congrats on your race; your time is impressive! I just hope that everyone gets some heat relief here soon on all their fall races. 77 seemed a little warm when I was just walking around yesterday, but adding in running and 26.2 miles is WOOF! Maybe it'll snow next year?

Did you have any favorite areas of the course (crowd support or scenery?)
 
Thanks! Congrats on your race; your time is impressive! I just hope that everyone gets some heat relief here soon on all their fall races. 77 seemed a little warm when I was just walking around yesterday, but adding in running and 26.2 miles is WOOF!

Thanks!

Maybe it'll snow next year?

:D

I ran a half where it started snowing around mile 6 or so. It was actually quite a lot of fun right up to until it got slippery! Of course, you Chicagoans have some serious snow, so maybe that's not the best thing to wish for. I was reading the history of the race, and it apparently happened before.

Did you have any favorite areas of the course (crowd support or scenery?)

The finish! :faint:
;)

Actually, several sections were pretty cool. Running right through the heart of downtown at the start, in among the skyscrapers, was awesome. The crowds were super-thick there, and it really provided a nice boost. Chinatown was neat, with big crowds, and several churches we passed had big groups out singing and providing support. I also enjoyed running on sections of Historic Route 66, and starting and finishing in Grant Park. Also, one of the big downtown buildings had "26.2" spelled out in huge numbers using lit windows, which was neat to see as we were waiting to start. Overall, crowd support was great, the organization was excellent (LOTS of water and aid stations, especially in the second half), and it was a fun experience, despite the heat. If you're OK with the 'big race' environment, Chicago is a great choice for a first marathon, especially for a local. It's world-class but also uniquely a Chicago event.
 
Thanks!



:D

I ran a half where it started snowing around mile 6 or so. It was actually quite a lot of fun right up to until it got slippery! Of course, you Chicagoans have some serious snow, so maybe that's not the best thing to wish for. I was reading the history of the race, and it apparently happened before.



The finish! :faint:
;)

Actually, several sections were pretty cool. Running right through the heart of downtown at the start, in among the skyscrapers, was awesome. The crowds were super-thick there, and it really provided a nice boost. Chinatown was neat, with big crowds, and several churches we passed had big groups out singing and providing support. I also enjoyed running on sections of Historic Route 66, and starting and finishing in Grant Park. Also, one of the big downtown buildings had "26.2" spelled out in huge numbers using lit windows, which was neat to see as we were waiting to start. Overall, crowd support was great, the organization was excellent (LOTS of water and aid stations, especially in the second half), and it was a fun experience, despite the heat. If you're OK with the 'big race' environment, Chicago is a great choice for a first marathon, especially for a local. It's world-class but also uniquely a Chicago event.

Thanks for the recap! I am almost more used to crowded big races than the smaller ones at this point, but none carries as much weight or clout as the Chicago full. I've ran the beginning and end of the route several times now during the Shamrock Shuffle 8k which starts the race season every year and is put on by the same group as the marathon. It's those dang middle 20+ miles I have no idea about I guess until I do it. Lots of places in the city I've never seen while running :)
 
Thanks for the recap! I am almost more used to crowded big races than the smaller ones at this point, but none carries as much weight or clout as the Chicago full. I've ran the beginning and end of the route several times now during the Shamrock Shuffle 8k which starts the race season every year and is put on by the same group as the marathon. It's those dang middle 20+ miles I have no idea about I guess until I do it. Lots of places in the city I've never seen while running :)

If you're comfortable with a 40K+ field, Chicago might be especially good for you. There's all the big-time marathon support and organization, but you don't have to travel and all your friends and family can come out and cheer you on. [I'm not exactly sure where you are in the area, so I'm assuming you can get to the start/finish from your place.]
 
If you're comfortable with a 40K+ field, Chicago might be especially good for you. There's all the big-time marathon support and organization, but you don't have to travel and all your friends and family can come out and cheer you on. [I'm not exactly sure where you are in the area, so I'm assuming you can get to the start/finish from your place.]

Our in laws live in view of the finish line so we always walk from there. We are a little (not far) drive from downtown. I've done a few races in the high 20's and 30'ks people but never as big as the marathon.

Very excited for you on Sunday, and I have no question you will achieve this goal! With a DB training plan and on-course pacing, this is going to happen!

I hope so! Ack!
 
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Our in laws live in view of the finish line so we always walk from there. We are a little (not far) drive from downtown. I've done a few races in the high 20's and 30'ks people but never as big as the marathon.

The organizers definitely handle the crowd well, with the different waves and corrals. The first 3-4 miles were pretty packed, but by mile 5, I basically could run my own pace with almost no weaving. The aid stations were a little chaotic, but no more than most big races, and they were very long and well-organized, so you eventually get your hands on a cup of water or Gatorade with minimal hassle.
 
I've been MIA for a while so I know I missed a lot, but ... can we please talk about DCC: Making the Team?
Can we talk about Holly? I'm major bummed about that whole situation. I liked her, and I'm sad that she couldn't get her act together. And poor Jenna is just getting dragged down with her.
Also ... I don't know who I want them to cut. There's nobody I really hate this season.
Also ... that new practice facility is super fancy, but I kinda miss the old one.
 
I've been MIA for a while so I know I missed a lot, but ... can we please talk about DCC: Making the Team?
Can we talk about Holly? I'm major bummed about that whole situation. I liked her, and I'm sad that she couldn't get her act together. And poor Jenna is just getting dragged down with her.
Also ... I don't know who I want them to cut. There's nobody I really hate this season.
Also ... that new practice facility is super fancy, but I kinda miss the old one.

OOOOOOH opinions!
The Holly thing was sort of out of nowhere. I forgot how young she was until they said she was 20. I read that she decided to quit because she didn't want to have to discuss her "fraternizing" on camera. There's no one I dislike of the rookie candidates either. There's definitely ones I forget exist. I felt bad for Brennan because that must have sucked to get sooooo close again! I like the short haired blond girl (obviously I am bad at their names) and Lauren (the curly haired girl.) I mostly just wish I owned some boots and pom pons.
 
OOOOOOH opinions!
The Holly thing was sort of out of nowhere. I forgot how young she was until they said she was 20. I read that she decided to quit because she didn't want to have to discuss her "fraternizing" on camera. There's no one I dislike of the rookie candidates either. There's definitely ones I forget exist. I felt bad for Brennan because that must have sucked to get sooooo close again! I like the short haired blond girl (obviously I am bad at their names) and Lauren (the curly haired girl.) I mostly just wish I owned some boots and pom pons.

My sister follows DCC on Facebook, and she mentioned a while back that she didn't see Holly in any pictures. So I wasn't totally shocked that something was up, but I wasn't expecting that. Its hard to remember sometimes that she's just a kid in a new environment.
I felt so bad for Brennan. So close again! And it sounded like they weren't encouraging her to come back.
I also don't know most of the names. But I do know Lauren! I like her, but ... they mentioned this week that she put her career on hold, and I'm afraid that was foreshadowing that she's gonna get cut.
Most importantly (which is why it's outside the spoiler) ... if I had DCC boots, I'd wear them everywhere. Even though they're white and it's after Labor Day.
 

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