Two weeks to go until Lakefront Marathon!
Last Sunday, I got in 17.02 miles @ 8:57/mile to close out the bulk of my marathon training. The run went well, especially given how the previous Sunday's run was a little rough. It's amazing what a little sleep and hydration will do
Here's what I've been up to during my first week of tapering:
9/18 - 5 miles @ 9:04/mile - should've been 6 and I think I pushed too hard. Crapped out just a little prematurely. I think it was a little hot this day, too.
9/20 - 6 miles @ 9:05/mile - this is more like it
9/21 - 4.08 miles @ 8:52/mile
9/21 - 3.22 miles @ 9:00/mile
9/21 - 3.16 miles @ 9:39/mile
9/22 - 11.01 miles @ 9:00/mile
So ... this weekend. A few weeks back I signed up for the Countdown to Kinnick 5K, not knowing where it fell in my training plan or anything else. Turns out, it fell on a day that called for a 10 mile run. Simple enough. I live about 4 miles from the stadium, so I figured I'd run there, run the 5K, then run (most) of the way home.
And, that's pretty much what I did, with a few caveats. It was pouring when I left Saturday morning and I don't have a good rainy run option, so I just threw on my raincoat, as I've done for other rainy runs. Problem is, it's not designed for running, so I was sweating on the inside and getting soaked on the outside. Not ideal.
I timed the run pretty well so I got to Kinnick Stadium around 8:50, 10 minutes before the beginning of the 5K. Problem was there was lightning in the vicinity. So, it got delayed to 9:15 and then 9:45. Meanwhile, I sat out in the rain getting soaked.
Around 9:30, they cancelled the race ... just as it was clearing up. They said participants could go and pick up their medals anyway (many people run it for the race swag and a chance to be on the field at Kinnick). Hordes of people started heading to the stadium, but I ran into a friend of mine who said he was going to run the race anyway, which I had considered since I needed to get my miles in. So, we ran the route (which is all sidewalk) and were able to finish on the field.
After getting my medal and a bottle of water, I walked a smidge and then ran home. The rain picked up again and I got soaked all over again (not that I really ever dried out after the first 100 yards out my front door).
Getting drenched wasn't ideal, but the bigger issue was running in soggy socks gave me the beginnings of a blister until a toe on my right foot. So, that wasn't great.
On Sunday, I got up, posted the Sundays are for Disney question (do people actually like those??) and checked Facebook. Facebook told me that a year ago today I logged my 1,000 mile of the year. Actually, 1,004 for the year. So, I pulled up Strava, knowing I'd be in the neighborhood and saw I was at 989 miles. Well, I pretty much had to do 11 miles, right? So, that's what I did. They were pretty nondescript, though the last mile was a bit of a struggle. I thought a bit about getting to this point (Dopey Challenge, CRANDIC marathon, etc.), so it was a good moment for introspection.
Did I mention it was raining the whole time? Well, it was. So, when I got home, I was soaked again, the blister was even worse (I had to drain it ... gross), but I was at 1,000 miles for the year again.
I just want to say, I feel really good and fortunate to be able to do this year after year. I know there are so many people out there who are less fortunate than me and for, whatever reason, can't do this. I might not be fast. I won't win any races. But after years of smoking and treating my body like crap, I am grateful for every single mile I complete.
Anyway, I'm feeling real good about Lakefront Marathon. No PRs in my future, but something close to 4 hours seems very reasonable. And, since my only goal is to beat my previous personal worst of 4:31 on this course, I'm feeling really good about a successful race weekend ... and then drinking every beer in Milwaukee.
Miles This Week: 32.4 week
Year To Date: 1,000 (boom!)