Tuesday, October 20, 2009

the beginning of the end

well last week was not much to talk about. i rested hardcore, saving up for an attempt at one last long run, and actually started to feel better.

week in review (10/12 - 10/18):
total miles: 39.24
time spent running: ~ 5 hours 45 minutes
avg hr: 159.33
avg pace: 9:00/mile (excluding walks; avg temp: 55*)
off days: 1

monday - easy 30 minutes on the treadmill, theory being i wouldn't have to twist around to check for traffic. i was finally starting to feel better after a few visits to the chiro and was a bit robotic for fear of "undoing" the adjustment. i know, that's not how it works, but i was still a little stiff-neck.

tuesday - 30 minute walk on the treadmill. look at me! taking it easy. i took it serious - it helps that nausea/dizziness is the worst feeling ever. i wanted to feel better for good.

wednesday - easy 45 minutes on the 'mill. feeling a little better each day.

thursday - 30 minute walk on the treadmill. yes, the walks were definitely tallied up in my mileage.

friday - off; loooong day of work + driving.

saturday - big day. easy 60 minute run outside! a whole hour, and not on the treadmill. felt alright, other than the fact that it was freakin' freezing.

sunday - even bigger day. 20 miles easy. was not pretty. it was a little disheartening to see a slow pace and feel the way my legs felt later in the run. i'd had a very light week and my legs couldn't have been much fresher, but i definitely got tired/achy around mile 16. i was glad to have pulled out one last 20-miler though.

it'd been 3 weeks since i had done laundry, so all my 'fancy' running clothes were tied up sunday. i threw on some old soccer shorts from like 1998, a long-sleeved under armor shirt, and a (cotton) t-shirt from high school (circa 2001). it was kind of nice to go "back to the basics"; like lance and his bike, it's not about the clothes.

it seems like the training plan has gone from being crumpled up on the desk to the bottom of the cross-cut shredder. however, it's officially taper time; i can do easy! less than two weeks to go; i've never been good at countdowns. do you count the present day? do you count the day of the event? oh the confusion.

41 comments:

  1. Glad you're feeling better. Between you and Richie, I thought I was going to be dealing with two headcases going into the NYC marathon. By the way, you're in the same corral as Richie. He'll be the loud mouthed New Yorker. I'm sure that will narrow it down for you :).

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  2. Don't count today, DO count the day of the marathon. Or do like I did...get a countdown timer! You got shoutouts in my new post. Check it out. Oh, and thanks! We gotta meet somewhere in NY, by the way.

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  3. NY is getting closer! I'm so excited for you :)

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  4. Hey, glad you rested. I believe in a 3 week taper, so look at the last week as taper plus 20 miler. Rest up and you are going to do great! I took tons of vit C and also garlic pills to help my immune system during taper. I think it works. I am excited for you and hope to someday qualify for NY, too!Take care of you!

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  5. I bet the extra rest will pay off in the end. Sounds like you're feeling better.

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  6. Sounds like you are like me. We know rest is good but it seems like running is better. Are we sure about this taper stuff?

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  7. Wow, the race is almost here! Finally you can taper and rest up, how exciting!

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  8. I am just getting caught up...man I am glad you are on the mend. It must feel good that you are in the taper phase.

    LOL at 3 weeks of no laundry.....I know the feeling.

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  9. Haha, I wear old soccer shorts wayyy too many times than I want to admit... Have great taper, and get ready to kick some butt and just be plain awesome at your marathon!

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  10. It is almost time! Glad you are feeling better and way to abng out a 20 miler. Enjoy taper and hope you continue to feel better.

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  11. You made the 20 miler! I consider how many sleeps I have before the race....I've eleven days! Enjoy the taper!

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  12. How exciting!! You'll do great in NYC I just know it!!

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  13. Yeah girl! So glad to hear you are feeling better-ish. Way to gut out that last 20-miler! And welcome to sweet, sweet (evil) taper! Can't believe NYC is so soon. Hooray for you!! :)

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  14. Glad you are feeling better and were able to get in the 20. TWO WEEKS!!! Wow -- I hope your taper goes well!

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  15. You've done this before. You know that at this point the running isn't going to add anything. In fact - if it gets in the way of a rested body, well, you know the drill.

    It's nice to hear that you are feeling better. Are you sure you don't have something like a little inner ear infection? That can cause the balance issues that you were having.

    And thank you for the great message on my blog! I really did enjoy myself this time. I'm hooked now - for all the right reasons.

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  16. I know what you mean about the race countdown. Now that you're tapering, you can rest and ease up a bit without worry - good! Thanks for the track tips on my blog!

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  17. Happy taper time! Let your muscles soak up that much-needed rest! Getting done with the last 20-miler always seems to be the mark of: "Oh, OK, I guess I AM doing this marathon." As in, even if I do nothing else before race day, I'm good.

    Countdown: I have reverted to little-kid-at-Christmas mentality, with race day being Day Zero. What helps: The Marine Corps Marathon offers a little countdown ticker letting you know the days, minutes, etc. left until the starting gun fires. :)

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  18. Sched. looks good girl. LOL about the count down, I never know which day to count either.

    Taper time here you come!

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  19. Well, well - finally taking it easy! Hooray!

    Your taking it easy is still more than my pushing it though :)

    Have a wonderful taper...

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  20. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one who goes weeks without doing laundry. Happy taper time!

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  21. I usually count the day BEFORE the event as "1".

    Congrats on making it to taper! Wishing you fresh legs on November 1st!!

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  22. Final countdown! Take care of yourself these next two weeks!

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  23. So glad to hear you're feeling better and that you got some rest.
    Ha! I have several basketball shirts/shorts from 1998 that I still wear. They are the best for pj's. :)

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  24. I adore going old school. I love all the new techy stuff, too but going old school is my favorite.

    great job on the 20 miler, they're such confidence boosters!

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  25. yahooo!!!!!! taper!!!

    rest up and enjoy..

    im kinda in the same boat this week.

    rockon'

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  26. Glad you are on the mend! I am so proud of you for taking it easy!!!!

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  27. Glad you're doing better. Did you ever find out what it is that has you feeling so crappy?

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  28. glad to hear you're feeling better and you made it through your last 20 miler! happy taper...try not to go too crazy!! :)

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  29. Happy Taper! Wish I was running NY. I will live through you this time..

    Glad you are feeling better. It was wise to take it easy for awhile.

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  30. I'm so glad you're tapering. I hope your legs like it. You are going to do great.

    I also hope that naseau is gone for good.

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  31. Chiropractor, huh? I would never have thought of that helping out with nausea. Interesting ...

    Hope you continue to feel better throughout your taper. You've put in some solid training earlier and have proven that you can run well when you're feeling good. Fingers cross that things come together for you on race day!

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  32. You made it to taper!

    Sorry I've been missing out on your training . . . but I'm glad I'm here for the home stretch. Don't overthink it, Lindsay; your training's in the bank.

    Heal up and run smart.

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  33. Good luck with that taper. Sounds like you're more than ready.

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  34. Great job on the 20-miler, NYC is just around the corner! I know it hasn't been the best training the past couple of weeks, but I'm sure you'll still knock 'em dead come race day. You have plenty of running experience to race well. Just don't dwell on the past runs and focus on the task at hand. Enjoy your taper, I think mine may be coming up soon too!

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  35. Have fun with your taper ... remember to take time for those things you didn't get to do during the hard training times...

    ... and I count days until the actual start of the marathon (i.e. Tuesday 8am until Sunday 8am is 5 days)

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  36. Resting is hard... Good job pulling it off!

    I'm sorry your 20-miler was rough, but I think you'll do good if you continue to rest through this taper. I'm not sure of the "proper" way to do a countdown, I'd say go with whatever makes you personally feel better!

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  37. Hope you're having a restful taper time and that sick stuff is staying away. Thanks for the comment on my blog - it made me laugh!

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  38. Depends. If you can't wait, you don't count today. If you CAN wait, you count it twice ;)

    I'm super excited about you and your upcoming marathon. Rest up, so you can kick that marathon's ass up and down the entire 26.2 mile route!!!!

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  39. Look at it this way, you've done multiple 20 milers, you have done marathons before, you know what to expect.

    I love your "old school" outfit description!

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