I received a copy of LIVING WITH A SEAL on Release Day, and the book written by Jesse Itzler was a really fun read — I finished in two days! Itzler has a unique personality and his hilarious storytelling kept my interest (and his conversational tone made me laugh out loud throughout). His life story is already interesting and his personal success in business and his personal life are already engaging. On top of that, he also runs ultra-marathons. And, uh… he’s also married to the woman who founded Spanx!
(This family photo on the book jacket cracks me up.)
In the book, Itzler decides to hire a trainer to shake things up. That trainer happens to be an accomplished Navy SEAL, who he “meets” (nay, stalks) at one of his ultra events, and is widely considered to be “the toughest man on the planet.” There was only one condition from SEAL, however: he would have to do everything SEAL told him — and NOTHING was off limits.
There are some eye-openers in this regimented training that included sleeping in a wooden chair, jumping into a frozen lake and running-while-wearing a 50-lb weighted vest (and training occurring at all hours of the day and night which SEAL only needs a pair of borrowed gloves for training gear). The book includes the 31-day training plan too, if you’re so inclined to follow (please note: I am not a physician do not encourage you to attempt… you know, unless you’re a SEAL).
LIVING WITH A SEAL is inspirational and motivational, to be sure. But also absolutely insane. And I’m giving a copy away for you to enjoy too!
Giveaway: One copy of LIVING WITH A SEAL will be sent to a winner in the US. Leave the craziest thing you’ve ever done for getting in shape in the comments for a chance to win! Giveaway ends on Friday, November 19 at midnight.
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of LIVING WITH A SEAL from Hachette Book Group for review. The publisher will be providing the giveaway copy as well. All opinions in this post are my own.
the week:
Finally got my butt back to spinning (and working out in general)! I’m trying to figure out what my workout schedule should be through December — when I then start training for the Gasparilla race(s) challenge in February 2016. I’m super excited about this destination running event, by the way. I need to sit down and figure out my race and training schedule for 2016 overall too.
I woke up on Tuesday morning at, like, 3:30 a.m. and considered staying up and going to a 5:15 a.m. CrossFit session but I found my way back to slumber (and dreaming again that all my hair was falling out, which is a little too close to reality right now). Daylights Savings Time, amiright? To be honest, I don’t know if my training will ever revert back to regular CF. I have a TRX system now at home (that I still need to set up) and maybe I’ll ask for a barbell for Christmas… but I just can’t stomach the $135/month membership fee anymore when I have a YMCA membership and a yoga pass and own enough equipment to get in decent at-home workouts.
weekend:
It only seems life-appropriate to have some dental work done the week after Halloween, right? I’ll also be watching a bit of the WFTDA Championships. I plan to get my first post-marathon run in on Sunday morning too, before my inlaws come out and spend the afternoon with us.
52 books in 52 weeks:
I finished FOUR books this week — I am determined to catch up! And it’s amazing how much time I have to read when the boyfriend is traveling for a week. HA!
#36: Lion of Hollywood: The Life & Legend of Louis B. Mayer — So happy that I kept with this book (it took me a LONG time to finish but it was worth it. Read my Goodreads review.
#38: Five Weeks in the Amazon by Sean Michael Hayes — well, I just hated this book. But after seeing how quickly I could finish it, I kept with it (hoping that Hayes would become more likable or authentic… and that just didn’t happen). Final thoughts: immature writing and attitude, and what a hypocrite!
#39: Living With a SEAL by Jesse Itzler — I received a Release Day copy of this book from the publisher, and I really enjoy Jesse’s casual writing style. I mean, I read it in two days! His storytelling of training with a Navy SEAL for 31 days was fun and you feel as though he’s one of your closest friends telling you his latest crazy story (and it’s nuts!). He cracked me up more than once! There’s even a tear-out workout page included in the book if you’re so inclined to repeat his insane month-long training schedule.
seven things, seven days:
1. When looking for socks for a Halloween costume, I realized that my ENTIRE collection of derby shorts, tights and socks are GONE (save for one pair of socks and one pair of cat shorts) — likely stored in a bag in the basement and tossed during our sewer backup over the summer. And, well, I’m pretty devastated about it.
2. All things considered, my Halloween costume turned out awesome for thinking of the idea on the day before.
3. My stylist seemingly mitigated my hair breakage problems with a keratin treatment (even if it has the faintest hint of a rose gold color… which is, surprisingly, kind of awesome). But it seriously looks and feels SO much better, and I got a few other products to use as daily/weekly treatments to help protect it.
4. When it’s 70 degrees on a November evening in Pittsburgh, you go have Thai food on Nicky’s patio.
5. “At distances over 2,000 miles, you are negating the benefit that males have due to increased muscle mass and aerobic capacity.” On Longest Hiking Trails: A Woman Finds Equal Footing {via NYTimes}
6. My definition of work-life balance is, simply, that I’m not living to work. But beyond that… it gets a little complicated. More about the assumptions of work-life balance {via APA Center for Organizational Excellence}
7. The things I learned from being an Ironman. SO GOOD. {via The Things I Learned From…}
weekend:
Trick-or-treat in my neighborhood is always the best. And Halloween marks our four-year anniversary of moving into our house. I like to dub this weekend as “one of two yearly hangovers that I look forward to.” I only just thought of a fun idea TODAY for a costume. So, I’ll be running around tomorrow trying to find a beard. HA!
And I have my post-marathon massage. NINETY MINUTES, BABY.
seven things, seven days:
1. Season 2 of Nicole Antoinette’s Real Talk Radio Podcast is live!
2. I’m really bummed about my hair right now. Last week, it got totally fried, and I’m losing so much hair every day — it’s breaking off completely at my hairline — and it didn’t even lighten properly. Not to mention, for the first time the processing KILLED my scalp while it was on. I guess I’m more pissed than bummed.
3. Moved to my new office at work this week, and was greeted with door decorations, a “welcome to the 3rd floor!” gift bag, and a lunch party (and a giant Snickers bar).
4. It’s tights season! And I’m finding getting dressed to work overly complicated again. Also, who puts tags in tights seams — THE WORST!
5. I participated in an EEG research study at The Scarehouse last year, and I got my brain activity info this week. SO NEAT.
6. On our road trip from Canada, I found “Kool Ranch” Kale Chips at the rest stop. Oh man, they were so good! Definitely not better than Canada’s Intense Pickle Doritos though.
7. This last one is for my Pittsburgh runners. Here, since I forgot to include this picture in my marathon recap:
Can a single blog post even capture the excitement of completing a first marathon? I don’t know, but I’m going to try this. My FIRST marathon was an indescribable experience. The Niagara Falls International Marathon were 26.2 miles that start in the U.S., continue over the border via the Peace Bridge and through Canada, ending at Niagara Falls. Most of the mileage follows the Niagara Parkway along the Niagara River, and it is just a breathtaking course.
This race had a 6-hour time limit, and I was training to finish in less than 5 hours. I felt pretty good for most of the race — no pain in that stupid nagging knee at all — and started to get overall tired and tight about 15 miles in. But Miles 21-26 were just a next-level experience. It was something part out-of-body and part flow state.
Sauconys ready.
I ran most of the course, with a few short walks through water stops and some stretching after Mile 15. No bathroom breaks, despite there being a port-o-pot at every Mile (really!) and no real distress for the duration of the race. I did break the Cardinal Rule of running though, by drinking something new (Cytomax) on the course that I didn’t train with… but I was at a point where IDGAF and, well, gluten-free fig newtons and sports beans weren’t cutting it. It wasn’t until after Mile 20, but I was ready for a bigger boost. And I felt like I drank a Red Bull and “grew some wings” (maybe I need to start trying out some new fueling options?).
Registration and Cost: I registered early bird back in March for $100 — yep, I officially registered for a full marathon before even doing a half marathon. The full marathon was capped at 1,200 runners (there were 721 total finishers so I imagine it didn’t sell out) and you have to have a valid passport in order to register for this race.
I apparently have a race day uniform now. LOL
Shuttle and Bag Check: There was a shuttle option from Canada (again, only for the full marathoners) and corresponding bag check on the buses. I didn’t use either since I stayed in Buffalo and had a pick-up at the finish line on the Canada side.
Expo and Packet Pick-up: The expo was located at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, so we had to cross the border to get there. One last border agent check point at packet pick-up itself, and the rest was easy. I was also able to pick up a fellow Pittsburgh runner’s bag and t-shirt (sans bib) since he was unable to make the race. The staff was super helpful and easy-going about it. Also, we got to fill up the bags trick-or-treat style at a vendor table at the far side of the expo; I couldn’t eat most of the products but it was very generous — including a full-size box of pasta!
Start Line: The race started in Buffalo near the Albright-Knox Gallery — which was open pre-race so that runners could wait INSIDE before the start. We even explored some of the galleries. That was majorly cool. Outside, there were seemingly enough port-o-pots, though I waited about 10 minutes with the influx of users about twenty minutes before start time. The half marathoners started at a different location on the Canada side.
So happy to be running!
Weather: The morning was chilly and low 40s at the start, and I thought it was perfect for shorts (hilariously). I did go back-and-forth on wearing my gloves and taking them off (and glad that I tucked them into my sleeve instead of discarding them mid-race), and I kept my cap on for the duration of the race. It was also super windy at certain points, which I think Pittsburgh winters have prepared me well for. Clouds covered the sky for the first half and the sun came out for the second. Considering I was initially planning for a forecast of rain for the weekend (and what Buffalo/Niagara could be at the end of October), I was overjoyed.
About 10 miles from the finish: Niagara Falls in the background.
Fans and Experience: Not a lot of fans on this course, which I know is troublesome for some runners. But I was OK with it. Running over the Peace Bridge was definitely a highlight, albeit a windy one. Each water stop had a bunch of volunteers, some stops had music, another had a mascot (I think, at Mile 20). The first and last 3 miles had the most crowd activity. One of my favorite moments was high-fiving these two kids after Mile 24 and yelling “POWER UP!” The families were all laughing and these kids were so dang excited. I was too!
Peace Bridge! We had our own lane.
Best Sign: One spectator held a sign with a Buffalo Bills game update (with newly-taped updated scores). I asked him the score of the Browns game OF COURSE. (He laughed and told me the game had only just started.)
Medals and Swag: THERE IS A TINY SPINNING FLAG IN THE MEDAL! This represents the two countries we ran through and HOW FUN. (I was quite mesmerized by it after my finish. See: DELIRIUM) There was also a long-sleeved performance tee — bright green, SQUEE! — as part of our registration/packet.
Finish Line: This was the first race where they gave us these branded zippy hooded jackets at the finish line — they’re super thin and gauzy but they did their job to cover me up at the finish (and look better than foil)!
Naturally, I had chocolate milk.
Bonus: You guys, the volunteers were giving out cheese pizza at the Mile 20 water stop. How amazing (and how torturous for me).
Random Bullshit: Another WTF with the Music app on my iPhone, punking me and playing the same song over and over and over for nearly 2 miles (until I realized there was NO WAY this remix was that redundant). And then my playlist would only advance to the next song if I used the phone and not the control function on my headphones. I had to close and restart the app, which allowed me to advance the songs through the headphone remote but wouldn’t automatically shuffle through the playlist.
Notable 30-somethings: The #1 female finisher was in the 30-39 age bracket (and #7 overall). Congrats, Paulina Golec from Krakow!
After Party: Since the race ended at Horseshoe Falls, selfies were NECESSARY. Then, a champagne and cheese plate back in the hotel. Like you do. Later, back in the States, we walked (yep, walked) over to Buffalo Proper for an amazing post-race meal.
TL;DR: The Great: A freaking rainbow opened up just as I reached Mile 26. I mean, C’MON UNIVERSE. I started yelling LOOK AT IT! And yes, I started crying. The Good: Miles 21-26. Something inside me came alive in those miles. I can’t really explain it but it was transformative. Dare I say it: I was having FUN. The Bad: Experienced some Charley Horses in my right calf around Mile 18. All things considered, that was something I could handle. The Ugly: Since this was my first marathon, I saw some of the bad that happens to runners during a race. I really tried not to let down runners get in my head, and I had an amazing running partner (new friend from Alabama!) who kept me thinking positive.
Caught snacking.
Splits: First off, I thought *for sure* that my Garmin watch would die before I finished, but it lasted the entire race.
10:18 (1) / 10:27 (2) / 10:36 (3) / 10:31 (4) / 10:16 (5)
10:31 (6) / 11:09 (7) / 10:38 (8) / 10:40 (9) / 10:38 (10)
10:50 (11) / 10:42 (12) / 10:49 (13) / 10:33 (14) / 11:29 (15)
11:08 (16) / 10:50 (17) / 11:08 (18) / 11:50 (19) / 11:13 (20)
12:57 (21) / 12:23 (22) / 12:51 (23) / 11:50 (24) / 11:17 (25)
11:04 (26)
Obviously, I slowed WAY down Miles 21-23, which I honestly didn’t notice until I looked at my splits after the race. But my overall strategy was to run the first half at 10:30 pace (which is on par with my half marathon time) which I managed pretty well. I knew that I would probably slow to an 11:30 at some point; I certainly didn’t expect an almost 13-minute mile in that — but what expectations did I have, really? — and at that point in the race I was stopping and taking pictures, enjoying the views and the experience, talking to my fellow runners and to the volunteers. And there was definitely some singing out loud. Man, I couldn’t have asked for a better first time.
Without further ado…
RESULTS Time: 4:57:24 First Half: 2:20:36 Second Half: 2:36:49 Pace: 7:04 (min/km — the metric system always makes me laugh!) or 11:05/mi
The Fineview Step Challenge, pka: Fineview Step-a-thon, takes place in the same-named North Side neighborhood of Pittsburgh. Appropriately named for it’s “fine view” of the city. Puns aside, those steps always gets the last laugh. This was my second year running this race.
Registration and Cost: It was only $20 for this race (plus a couple bucks for online registration fees). All proceeds benefit the Fineview Citizen’s Council and their efforts to beautify the Fineview neighborhood.
Packet Pick-up: This is a two-parter — you get a timing chip for your shoe before the race and a goodie bag after the race.
Bag Check: No bag check
Weather: PERFECT CHILL and my first run this year in some of my cold weather layers.
Course: Described as an “urban trail challenge,” it starts line at North Avenue and Howard Street and the finish line ends at the Catoma Overlook. This course doesn’t hesitate to remind me about how it enjoys kicking my ass! Though part of it is because it’s really not marked well enough. Sure enough, at a point of a “merging in the woods,’ there were three different roads to take. Well, if there’s no marking, you go straight, right? Although, neither direction really went straight. So a few times we had to back-track or loop back around, which isn’t terrible because it adds to the adventure quality. But seriously.
It felt mostly the same as last year — we were routed differently around the baseball fields and I remember it going more through woods… but maybe that’s why I got lost last year. There is no way that I would be able to replicate this course.
Only halfway up Rising Main!
Fans and Experience: I really missed the families on Rising Main who gave high fives and cheers from their porch while you climb the steps and they’re just out drinking coffee and reading the paper. Given the state of the homes in this area and surrounding property debris (and piles of mail on the porch), it looks largely abandoned now. And it’s really depressing to see.
Otherwise, the course is mostly empty of fans.
Finish Line: The finish line game of this race is strong — and always sneaks up on me! It’s a fast finish downhill. And that view!
Medals and Swag: No medals for this one unless you’re the top overall male and female. At the finish line, there is a bag for all those who pre-registered that included a t-shirt, coupon for free Pamela’s pancakes, and a little glass photo coaster (which I thought was a magnet, and it crashed off my fridge and right into my foot!).
Bonus: Shuttle rides back to the start line, since this one ends up on the Overlook.
Random Bullshit: There weren’t any maps this year, and the lack of communication before and after the race leaves me a little miffed. Certainly the fun outweighs the bullshit, but other smaller community races have done much better in this regard.
After Party: No hot chocolate this year as part of post-race goodies but there was hot coffee, which was much-welcome for my cold mile-ish walk back home.
OVERALL The Great: The definitive highlight of this race is the views of the city. I live on the north side and rarely get to see from this vantage point. The Good: I can walk to the start line! The Bad: Loose pitbull on the walk back from the finish line. Yeahhhhhhh. The Ugly: Someone (non-runner, I assume) being taken down on the course. We ran into an incident midway as a volunteer (volunteers?) was subduing someone on the road. I’m assuming the police were called, but that’s some scary shit for an adventure race.
Once again, this race reinvigorated a desire to try out some trail racing. Aside from the 370+ steps you climb (up and down!), this course also includes some sharp road inclines and declines. I also enjoy running the pedestrian bridge over 279. The many different elements of this course will bring me back again.
Results: Beat last year’s time by 36 seconds! 1:09:00 even for me.
27th overall of 69 participants
the week:
My anxiety has been calming, though my concentration factor is nil. So… see you next week!
weekend:
If you’ve been playing along, you know that I’m running a marathon this weekend. Which I will be pulling along my boyfriend for observation who is also celebrating his birthday. Poor guy/what-a-guy. 🙂
52 books in 52 weeks:
#35 Aziz Ansari: Modern Romance — hey, this was a fun book! Aziz cracks me up and the dating research and focus groups feedback made for an entertaining read.
seven things, seven days:
1. Went to Arts & Drafts again this week because Beauty Slap was performing…
2. … and we ended up with some new artwork.
3. I bought my second pair of Cobb Hill boots. They are SO COMFORTABLE — even the heels, in walking over a mile to work. And I just found out that they are made by New Balance!
4. Do you use Evernote? Let me know about your favorite features. Trying to figure out if it’s for me.
5. Give it up: Grit… isn’t all that great. Well, this is interesting. {via The Atlantic}
6. This was totally written for me, but maybe it resonates with you too: How to prioritize, pursue goals and focus when you have many interests. {via Tiny Buddha}
7. Who Am I Without My Uterus? You must read this. {via Huffington Post}
I have continually asked myself: Am I ready for this?
Like most of my races in the past year, I haven’t really been sure until I start running. But as you probably know, every run feels different. I know this marathon is going to be tough both mentally and physically. But I’m feeling… really anxious. Especially after starting to experience some knee pain on my long run last weekend.
WEEK 18 MONDAY: Rest Day
TUESDAY: Rest Day; concert after work and Uber-ed home with friends, so only walked to work (1.5 miles).
WEDNESDAY: Disappointed that run//yoga run club was relocated because of the post-season game, but that was exactly why I wouldn’t be driving anywhere. I was annoyed enough by merely walking through the crowds to get home that I didn’t feel like running around downtown anywhere. I’ve been feeling *really* burned out, so was looking forward to our weekend get-away. Walked to-from work (3 total miles)
THURSDAY: Ran my commute home from work (with an extra loop around the Point State Park fountain). 2.18 miles at average 9.19 pace
FRIDAY: Packed, prepared for our trip. Lots of stretching in between loads of laundry.
SATURDAY: Guys, I went swimming. OUTSIDE. Our resort pool was beautiful and warm and it was so wonderfully relaxing. I did some water exercises, walking, and some laps.
SUNDAY: Again, another beautiful day for swimming (maybe a bit cooler than the day before). Not so exercise-intense as the previous day, but I stayed active to keep warm. Then, realizing that it was probably a little too chilly to hang out at sundown, we spent 15-20 minutes relaxing in the hot tub.
Truth be told, I intended to do my long run Sunday morning, but I woke up either severely hungover (wine pairings with dinner the night before, so… incredibly likely) or sick from something I ate. I attempted to get out of bed a few times — once even meeting the boyfriend for a quick game of putt-putt and lunch. But then as I sat in the restaurant, I got nauseous again and had to go back to bed. Around 5pm, I felt well enough to keep food down and start moving around. I didn’t trust my stomach in the shuttle bus either, so I walked both ways. It was probably a 4-mile round trip! Alas, I moved my long run to Monday.
Total runs: 1
Total miles: 2.18 miles
WEEK 19 MONDAY: I was supposed to do 10-12 miles for my long run, but ran out of time in the morning before checking out of our hotel at Nemacolin. I suppose it was a blessing, given that my left knee was starting to hurt around 6.5 miles in. I’m hoping it’s because of all the rolling hills around the resort property and not an actual injury. I have been dealing with really tight hamstrings and piriformis issues, which might be related to the . Strangely, this is the SAME knee that was acting up prior to the Pittsburgh Half Marathon, which didn’t bother me at all during that race; it hasn’t bothered me since, actually.
I continued for another couple miles — the pain lessened after a mile, but flared up again as I finished. The grounds of the resort were pretty neat though, especially running around the Animal Sanctuaries (I’m pretty sure that the white tiger was trying to chase me). Alas, another 8.74 miles logged at average 10:57 pace. Although now I don’t know if I should just rest until the marathon, do a few easy/low-mile runs, if this is what happens to every first-time marathoner at this point in training or what. Maybe it was from swimming?
When we got back home, I made sure to spend a lot of time foam-rolling my legs.
TUESDAY: I did some hip exercises and strengthening for possible Runner’s Knee (per Dr. Google and Runner’s World recommendations).
WEDNESDAY: I joined in with my run//yoga run club friends for a slow three miles and it felt REALLY good. I skipped power yoga afterward to focus more on stretching at home. No knee pain.
3.04 miles at average 11:09 pace.
THURSDAY: Rest and stretch.
FRIDAY: Had to work late, so Rest Day.
SATURDAY: Fineview Step Challenge – review coming this week! FIVE MILES OF FUN.
SUNDAY: More foam rolling, stretching.
I also walk-commuted to work three days this week.
Total runs: 3
Total miles: 16.51 miles
Total training miles: 252.58 miles
the week:
My buddy Glen Hansard spoke those words {see post title} in Pete Holmes’ podcast You Made it Weird. A beautiful sentiment, no? He’s so dreamy. But seriously, I’ve been ruminating on those words for a week.
Nonetheless, interesting to think about mastery in terms of love — and not just in loving other human beings. Becoming passionate about something comes with the process of mastery, but you don’t necessarily love it any less when it kicks you down or breaks your heart. That continuous growth is what keeps it exciting, fulfilling, challenging, content… what keeps you humble. All the things that keep romantic love alive just the same. No more philosophical thinking from me. Much to anxious this week.
weekend:
Saturday morning is the Fineview Step Challenge — a course that is one part road race, one part trail race and another part obstacle course. Not to mention the many, MANY flights of stairs. I loved doing this one last year. Of course, I’ll be taking it easy and enjoying the view (and the hot chocolate) from the top.
I still need to pull out my Halloween decorations from the basement too.
52 books in 52 weeks:
#34: Wild by Cheryl Strayed — I LOVED this book, and was entertained and engaged throughout. While her personality is mostly annoying (at times, even repulsive), I enjoyed reading about the characters in the story and how those connections impacted her growth. To be honest, I’ve longed to become a hiker since I love the outdoors so much, and this book — while wholly improbable for an over-planner like me — provided a little kick-in-the-ass to start somewhere. Is there a hiking group in Pittsburgh?
seven things, seven days:
1. I started my week IN A POOL. Outdoors. In Western Pennsylvania. Oh, did I mention it’s OCTOBER. I savored every moment.
2. I also started my week with a gnarly drinking-induced sickness. Woof. No more wine pairings with a 7-course dinner.
3. I also took a vacation day this week; though this week still feels long.
4. Got notice as well about having to move my office soon-ish. I figured it was inevitable, and thankfully I still have an office. With a door.
5. Last weekend, to unplug, I deleted my social media apps off my phone. I still haven’t put them back, although since coming home I find myself going to Facebook via the browser from time-to-time. Certainly, much less than usual though. While I feel “unplugged,” I also feel wholly disengaged. I’m texting more, ironically.
6. Have you guys tried FLYJOY bars yet? I AM OBSESSED.
7. IMPACTFUL: The Digital Breakup {via The School of Enough}
the week:
I’ve felt rushed, tense, and scattered all week. I’ve felt burned out by city life. I’ve been mostly unmotivated to work out. Not enough hours in the day to do everything on my list. Not enough days in the week to catch up. Craving to slow down and feel some sense of peace… but apparently not this week.
weekend:
Checking out for the weekend. Bye, Felicia. See above.
Although I’ll admit that I am super-bummed to be missing the Harvest Moon race this weekend. This 5K has been my regular race each year (or more closely: my annual fitness test), even when I wasn’t training at all. There’s also a 10-mile race as part of the fun.
52 books in 52 weeks:
#33: In the Unlikely Event by by Judy Blume – I haven’t read a good bit of fiction in SO LONG. And I absolutely loved this book. True to form, upon reaching the last 100 pages, I couldn’t put it down.
That said, I’m still 6 books behind schedule for this year’s goal. Since I’m shutting down over the weekend, I’ll definitely finish another 1-2. But I’m definitely feeling some stress at being able to catch up (for what it’s worth: at least, I’m still enjoying reading outside of school materials every day, very much).
seven things, seven days:
1. So, they’re filming a Ewan McGregor movie literally right outside my door this week; however, don’t let that hype fool you — it’s wholly disruptive and annoying. Thankfully, night two of filming was a lot quieter.
2. It’s on my 30s Life List to bike the GAP Trail — now revised as a “luxe” cycling trip.
3. Speaking of my 30-something bucket list, I have a LOT of stuff to cross off in less than two years!
4. Relevant: WHY you should taper {via Runners World}
5. Also relevant: How to stop skipping your workouts FOR GOOD (or, at least, for today) {via MyFitnessPal blog}
6. The psychology behind FOMO {via Slate}
7. MORE RELEVANCE: What happens to your body during a marathon. Pretty interesting video!
This is it. The hard work is done, and I am officially in my taper (hashtag, taper madness). I’ll certainly do a reflection post on my training later on but right now? I’m exhausted.
MONDAY Rest Day
TUESDAY Had a grad school open house after work, so another Rest Day (and I am seriously on, like, four snooze alarms in the morning now. Sigh). I realize that I need to bring a set of workout clothes, my yoga mat, and a pair of running shoes back to my office. At some point, I took everything home and never brought my workout gear back; there have been so many times that I’m sitting at work, stressed, and totally want NEED to run it out.
WEDNESDAY Again, plans after work, so another Rest Day (I realize that this is too many in one week, especially in days off in a row after the Akron Relay. Feeling disappointed in myself, my training, and super antsy about not making this more of a priority). So my Thursday run was rough…
THURSDAY 3.96 miles with some speed bursts — It was fun to play Dodge the Drunk as Steelers fans encroached upon the North Shore though. There are always those idiots who have no idea how to move over when you call your path to the left (or worse, those who step right in front of you). I’m not ashamed to say that I put my shoulder in a guy when he stepped in my way, and I refused to break stride.
But my body did not feel good. At all. My shins were bothering me, and I was super stiff with heavy legs and my foot felt like it was attached crooked (??). I guess I needed a better warm-up, since Miles 3 and 4 felt much better. Mentally though, I had to talk myself into that last mile. I did a lot of stretching when I was done.
Splits: 10:26 (1)/ 10:04 (2)/ 9:52 (3)/ 10:04 (4)
FRIDAY Sick day from work, so I needed to rest and work this out of my system. I guess I’m not surprised at this point that my body’s immunity is being tested.
SATURDAY I’m always nervous about running the day before a long run, so after my massage, I did a half hour of strength-based yoga for runners at home (since I missed my weekly yoga night on Wednesday) and did SO much stretching.
ETA: I nearly forgot! I went for a 60-minute sports massage in the morning. She helped me stretch, which felt amazing. I’ve been having a lot of tightness in my piriformis, and she spent a good bulk of the massage time on my legs and glutes. Next month, I’m doing a 90-minute FOR SURE.
SUNDAY Long run — 20 MILES (and the Penguins/Lemiuex 6.6k race). I was freaking out about this run, especially since I missed a 18-mile run in my training. I was allowing myself to get *as close as possible* to that 20. But once I was close to 18, I needed to keep running. And then needed to get past 19. Because my GPS wouldn’t connect at the start of the training run, I knew that I had to add about .75 to my total mileage.
If you want to know what kind of person I am: I needed to see 20 miles on my watch, so I kept running beyond my actual 20 just to get the pleasure of seeing that number. Those last three miles were slow and felt terrible BUT I RAN TWENTY FREAKING MILES. Actually, 20.76 (Total time: 3:37:39).
Some of those splits are outliers because I forgot to pause my watch walking up to the start line of the 6.6k race (and, again, afterward when I finished and walked back to where I was meeting the group), and I obviously ran the race WAY TOO FAST. But… eh. I slowed WAY down on those last three miles by myself (and I was really starting to hurt everywhere). I need to trust that I can run the bulk of my race at an average 10:15 pace though, slowing to an 11:00 for that last portion. I think I can, I think I can… finish less than 5 hours?
And, yes — LOTS of stretching and moving around after this run! (And I ate, like, 8 meals.)
Total runs: 2
Total miles: 24.72 miles
Total training miles: 233.89 miles
SEPTEMBER NUMBERS
Total runs: 10
Total miles: 66.55 miles
Increase: 5.89 miles over August
