Training Week #10, 11, and 12

You guys. Holy cow, it's been three weeks. I put in 20 hours in my classroom--before we started back to school. I started back to school. Went camping. Went to a wedding. Chose to enjoy my last days of summer. So now here I am. I won't be terribly detailed--there's a lot happening picture-wise in this post. But here's the long and short of it.

Running wise, it hasn't been my greatest three weeks. This week, between weather and work, I missed most of my runs. Today I attempted 18 and made it 10--with a break in the middle. It's better than nothing, but I'm not feeling terribly confident about the fact that in two weeks, I will have the last long run of my training--twenty miles. So what happens between now and then? I get back to my schedule. I work twice as hard. With just over a month until the marathon, I have no other choice. 

I really owe the good runs I've had--and sometimes, the fact that I went on them at all--to my people. My wife has gotten my butt out of the recliner and into my running shoes more times than I can count. I know she sacrifices a lot so that I can train my little heart out, and I don't always acknowledge that. She's my biggest cheerleader, she's there at every finish line. For that, my dear wife, I thank you.

My good friend, Steph, and I went for a run two weeks ago. It was the perfect run to start out my week--even thought it was mid-week. But committing to going with her got me out there. I planned around it so that I could go. It's been one of my favorite runs yet. It was beautiful. And so was our time together.

My father-in-law. Because when we got up to the campground last Thursday, I had an 8 mile run that I was debating not doing, because vacation. Everyone else was going swimming. It was hot...and I really wanted to go swimming! But he told me, "Just go and do it. Join us when you're done." And so I did. Sometimes it literally just takes that, someone saying, "Go. Do."

And finally, my inspiration, my go to girl when it comes to just about everything, Janet. Today she committed to joining me along my 18 mile run. She came with a backpack full of supplies and water. She met me. She asked what I needed. And when I couldn't go any further, she drove me mostly home (per my request). Never even got to run with me, but was there for me. Talked me through what was probably the issue (over hydrated, apparently it's a thing!) And made plans to bike beside me for my 20 miler. I wouldn't be the runner I am without her!

The formatting is a little goofy on this post, so please excuse!

It was FINALLY nice out, the perfect night  and the perfect run...until...

I fell. Oh yes I sure did. First time in a very long time. I was almost done with my run. And I could have stopped and given up. But I didn't. I got up, brushed myself off, and kept going. Pictured above...grass and dirt from my fall!

Loving my new long run route, but, City of Milwaukee, please, FIX YOUR SIDEWALKS so I'm not running up and down them!

Steph, who opted for a sweaty after run picture :)

Beautiful campground!

Loved the boardwalk trails on the campground BMX trail!

Mikey!

When your Sunday long run gets interrupted by rain...

And you end up at the gym.

What's water and what's sweat?!

Slow down? No way! This 3 mile run was one of my fastest yet!

Wore a hat for my long run and still got sunburned.

My wife, my life!

Janet <3

Beautiful scene on my run with Steph.

This night run was one of my favorite. 

My goal is to run 4 miles in 45 minutes...I got really close!

Seeing lots of these around lately!

Took an alternate route home to avoid my landlord and thought these flowers were beautiful!

So I became a part time photographer :)

Sweaty pictures of me--no blog would be complete without them!

 Shade. Made this run 100x more bearable!

Training Week #9

Make sure you read all the way to the end of this one!

Week #9 had to be a come back week. After my race, I needed to feel like I could do it again. Because, like after all long runs, I felt like I never wanted to run again. But this is the halfway point--I couldn't stop now. So how did it go? Here's is your second installment of "running on the real". (And no, it's not quite like last time! 😬) 

I started out my week with some much needed friend time with one of my work besties. During my birthday, she was doing a 24 hour triathlon relay; during her wedding reception, I'll be at another wedding reception. So we realized we needed some time to celebrate. We chose some adventuring at Devil's Lake, with a pit stop at Parfrey Glen, which was gorgeous 😍 Then we continued on to Devil's Lake, where we commenced climbing one million zillion stairs up to the Devil's Doorway. It was rainy and slippery, but did we die?! Nope! Haha. We finished our adventure with some celebratory beers on the beach. And then got dinner at The Great Dane on the way home, because we like to eat! All in all, time well spent. And although it wasn't a run, I counted all the climbing as my Tuesday workout.

Wednesday brought an early meeting for me, and then an impromptu trip to State Fair with my darling wife to see Cole Swindell 💗 So a run did not happen. and I'm 0% sorry, because the Fair is my very favorite thing to do in summer. I got a cowgirl hat and a large fresh squeezed lemonade, and my heart has never been happier! This is the stuff life is made of, you guys! 



So Thursday I got back out there. It was another day of heat and humidity, so I waited as late as I could to run. It was a 7 miler, so I couldn't wait too long. It was a great run, a hot and sweaty one, as evidence by my drenched shirt haha. No matter how much I stretch, my darn left calf always seems to give me trouble. So the story of this run--as it is with many--is stopping to stretch. 









Friday brought my last short run of the week (4 miles) and my last chance to mentally prepare myself for Sunday's long run. Spoiler alert: it wasn't great. I always love running at South Shore--it's gorgeous. I love the view of the city, seeing all he boats bobbing gently int he marina. BUT. Emotionally, it's been a hard couple of weeks. Turning 30 without my dad has been hard. So when it came to my run, I was not in the right frame of mind. It was a short run, but it felt long. I had to stop and walk at the end, the last half mile. I hated it, but I just couldn't. Mentally, emotionally, I was spent. I needed a slow down.













So Sunday I was staring down 15 miles. After a difficult long run the previous week, and a not so great week of training, I knew I had to go out and absolutely OWN this run. So I got up Sunday morning, run route in mind, and went for it. I started around 8, and it was already hot and sticky. But the route was mostly flat, and partly shaded. Instead of running a route that led back home, I chose one that took me Home. Capital 'H' Home--Mom's house 💓 Overall, it was a great run. For this run I decided to try Nuun to help keep myself hydrated and geared up. I used one tablet before my run and grabbed a water from Walgreens at mile 7 to mix up another one.

It felt much better than the 14 mile race. 9.5 miles got me to the lakefront, at which point I headed south, along the bike trail toward Home. At mile 10, I knew it was time to slow down. On Tuesday, Janet told me about a strategy some runners use--run 4mins, walk 1min. I used the strategy for the next few miles. By mile 14, I was exhausted. So mile 15 was a little more walk than run. But I did it. I finished. Farthest I've ever run. I worked for that shit. I EARNED it. 

So here's where it gets REAL. It was HOT and HUMID during this run. Story of my summer, it's true. But I was sweaty. Really sweaty. My shirt was soaked through. To the point where it was uncomfortable to wear. 

YOU GUYS. I always thought I'd have to be at a certain weight to run with my shirt off.  In just a sports bra. Be toned, have nice abs. Like all the skinny girls, the fit girls. But Sunday, I said FUCK IT. This is me. You don't have to love me, but I love me. I've never felt so confident, so good about myself. Loving myself is a choice I have to make everyday. I can't hang it on other people's opinions. Or what society/the media says I "should" look like. It's all about how I feel. 


And looking at this picture, I feel like I need to hit the beach and even put my runner's tan 😂


And in other news. I retired my old running shoes, the ones that got me through my half marathon, and half of this training. 

But in REALLY BIG NEWS...I finally registered for the marathon! This is extra important because of how I was able to register.

I was presented with the opportunity to do some good for a program I am also passionate about--Girls on the Run. I've been coaching for this program for some time, and it is incredible.

I registered for the marathon as a SoleMate, which means I will be fundraising my way into the race--a minimum of $500, benefiting GOTR. I am really excited to now not only be doing his for me, but for girls in Southeastern Wisconsin. 

So I'm asking for your help. Click on the link below and help me on my journey. $1, $5, anything helps. Thank you in advance 💖
https://www.raceplanner.com/donate/Race-to-Raise 

Training Week #8

Felt really good about my runs building up to Saturday's Fort14 race. My Monday run was nearly a record breaker. I felt really good about my pace. I took a picture of this beautiful part of my 3 mile route. You come around the corner and boom--adorable little foot bridge, beautiful flowers. It's about a mile from the end of my run, and it makes me feel hopeful :)

As a runner, weather is one thing you have to contend with. Wednesday was rainy. I came home from work, ready to run, and it started down pouring. So I had some dinner and waited out the storm. Once it was done, I figured that I had better get going, because anything can happen in 7 miles. I chose a new route for a longer run. Four miles in I had made it to Kopps, and was about to take a picture for my "picture of the run". But then came the rain. Welcome, on a long, humid, run. And, while I thought I was solar powered, I'm now thinking I'm hydro powered, because I had a great pace throughout the entire run. Super excited about it, as you can clearly see.

Thursday's run...well, let's just say it's a good thing I chose my tried and true 3 mile route. Because my watch died halfway through. Which is a bummer, because my first mile was at an 11:00 min pace. Full disclosure, I doubt my other two miles were quite as spectacular. But I guess we will never know!

I decided to do this run backwards. This meant may downhills were uphills, which made for more of a challenge. But what I really like about running a route I know well in the opposite direction, is that I see things I don't usually see. It seems funny, I suppose. Often when I'm running, I don't really see much at all. I'm super focused. But Thursday's picture was a little hidden bridge and arbor, that looked way more picturesque in person. There are lots of little pathways, surprise sidewalks where you wouldn't expect them, bridges, arbors, etc where I run. It makes me think about paths that lead to different places, and how sometimes you don't know what those places will be. Not just in the literal sense, but in life in general. 

So Saturday was the big day. I had mentally prepared for this, but I was nervous. It was HOT. And HUMID. If it had been just a normal training run, I wouldn't have done it.

The first 7 miles were decent. Not a terrific pace, but made it. The course was beautiful, lot to look at. Ate some grapes at one of the water stops, which was a first for me.The first 5 ish miles were shaded or partially shaded. And then. Ugh. 

I ran/walked the second half. I hated having to do it, but it was necessary. No matter how many water stops there were. So I guess the point is that I finished. I do, however, have serious doubts about running a marathon. I've spent a lot of time thinking about it this week. I'm going to register. Because I thinking finishing is the goal. As much as I want to run the entire thing, I just don't know if it's going to be possible. But I'm going to keep training. And just see what happens. 

Training Week #7

Running on the real. That’s the theme of this week’s entry. Because this is the week that things fell apart a little bit, in some unexpected ways. Maybe turning 30 in the middle of it had something to do with it? I'm not sure, but here goes.

I was all geared up for morning runs. I'm in this routine now--been going to bed earlier so I can get up earlier. I put my clothes right next to my bed before I got to sleep, so I can roll over and put them on right away. I drink a little water, but not too much, use the bathroom, stretch, and go.

So Tuesday I set out like normal. Went through the routine. Running at a decent enough pace. And then. I know it happens to runners. But it's never happened to me. And it was terrifying. You guys, I'm sorry, but I warned you--this is running on the real. So about half a mile in, my stomach starts to bubble. Not unusual--my stomach has been weird for a couple of weeks. Keep running, I think, It'll pass. 3/4 of a mile in...my digestive system has woken up...half an hour after the rest of me. And I have to go. There's been a lot of construction around, there has to be a Port-a-John somewhere. 8/10 of a mile--no Port-a-John. Panicking now. 9/10 of a mile. Woods. There are woods up ahead. It's still dark. No one will know. No one can see me. 1 mile--Woods. Big tree. I won't go into any more detail. But I think I own that tree now. And also that we might be kicked out of the village...

But if it means anything, I kept going. And it was a pretty good run. Regrettably, I forgot to turn my watch back on after I exited the woods. But, as I was running my new favorite route, I knew when to stop. So I ran three, even if my watch doesn't show it. And along the way, I saw this kitten at my favorite part of the route. He had a collar on, so he has a home (Chels, you're lucky ;-) )

My Wednesday morning run went much better. It's officially the earliest I've ever gotten up to run, as I had to do 6 miles. It was hella dark. I decided to stick close to home for this one...just in case...but it was all good! Ran around the big block 3 times, which got super boring, so ventured out towards the village at the end, when it was lighter and when I felt comfortable enough. My hair does crazy things when I run. I'm not even sorry haha.
Thursday I took the day off, because it was my birthday. Okay, that's not entirely true. I would have gotten up and done the damn thing. But Wednesday night was spent putting together a "shouldn't-have-been-so-complicated" entertainment center with my brother. took a little longer than expected, was up late. So no morning run. But I did turn 30, which was pretty cool. Went on a field trip to Comedy Sportz, got asked up on stage (because, you know, birthday) and ended up with two free tickets to come back. Went out the Umbrella Bar and got to see lots of incredible people, came back home for a fire after--a great day, all around. And a great weekend followed!

So the Thursday run became a "I'll do it Friday" run, because I had the day off, you see. But Friday was filled with all kinds of fun things (plus a frustrating phone call with a loan company over my loan forgiveness application) so the Thursday pushed to Friday run became an "Okay, Saturday for sure" run. So Saturday I waited until really, the last possible second--another night of fun was planned. So I set out, bound and determined to just get it done. It was going well. But somewhere towards the ends of mile one, I started to feel nauseous. Again, I've run through this before. I stopped to stretch and get a drink, then kept going. Decided to slow it down. Made it another tenth of a mile or so, and knew I had to stop. I'm big on listening to my body, and my body said--stop, or your'e going to puke.  So I stopped. And walked home. It was defeating. And knowing that my next run was 12 miles...I wasn't feeling so great about it. But it was what it was. 

So Sunday comes. Spent the morning visiting some old friends, with some very cute little babies :) Spent the ride home getting psyched up. And I've found that this is the key. Using the week to mentally prepare. Telling myself, "On Sunday you are running __ miles; these little runs are nothing. On Sunday, you are running  ___ f*$!%^$ miles..." So I did it. I ran for the longest I've run since my half. Chose a new route. Changed it up when my feet felt like chasing off in a new direction. Most of the run was pretty good. Not fast, but consistent. And when I got toward the bitter end, I started thinking to myself, "Your body knows how to run. It knows how to run fast. It knows how to run slow. It knows how to run 3 miles. It knows how to run 12. You can do this. Your body knows how to run." So I got it done. It was dark by the time I got home. It's getting to that point in the summer now, where the clock is going backwards...its getting darker sooner. I hate this time of year.


About halfway through the run, I came across this crazy cool house. Look at all the stuff!










So here I am, rolling along through week 8, the halfway point of my training. Saturday brings my longest run ever, 14 miles during the Fort 14. I am terrified! My body can run...but can it run that far?!