Training Weeks #13 & 14

It's been an AMAZING two weeks of running. My new mantra, when I'm struggling on a run, is, "You are stronger than this mile." And I repeat it over and over again.

Finally, FINALLY, I am feeling like I WANT to do this marathon. Like, I'm excited about it. Tomorrow marks the last long run of my training--20 miles. I'm cautiously confident. But READY.

I got this sweet swag from GOTR and I'm super excited to be running this for them. I am happy to report that I've raised $145 so far. My goal is $500...click below to donate...$5 gets me to $150, and I'm a sucker for nice, neat numbers like that ;-)

https://www.raceplanner.com/donate/Race-to-Raise

So I'll recap in captions, to keep this short. 

Although I feel like I've had a fair amount of obstacles this summer, when I looked at this sign--about halfway through a shorter run--I said, "Hell no!" And pushed ahead. 

See, there I am, repping with my GOTR coach shirt :)

This day. Ugh. This was my worst day of training. I was supposed to run 18. Janet was going to meet me. I geared up for it all week long. I slept in (mistake number one). Which means I started late (two), and unfortunately for me, the humidity and heat were back full force. I also drank too much water too soon (3). From the first step of that run, I could just feel it--it was NOT going to be a good run.  Janet met me, but by mile 7, I was done. I couldn't. Physically. Mentally. This was not my run. I had Janet drop me off 3 miles from home. And I walked one, and ran two. Total of 10 for the day. Emotionally, this was a hard one to swallow. 

So what do you do to come back from a crappy run? Have a a really good one. This run occurred on the first day of school. Bright and early. And by bright, I mean moonlit. And starlit. And I loved that. It was a solid 5 mile run. And I was rewarded at the end, with this gorgeous sunrise.

Hitting it hard the first week of school, my midweek run happened after school, no excuses. It was my favorite run ever. 9 miles (4.5 out and 4.5 back) through Grant Park. On a perfectly beautiful day. Happened upon these butterflies about a mile in, and couldn't resist the opportunity to stop and take their picture. Beauty like this deserves to be shared.

This run was great for a lot of reasons. I was inspired running past these fields where I used to complain about running. Used to HATE running. My, how times have changed!

Like I said, I was one happy girl after this amazing run. 

Stats :)

Signs of fall! This was the only picture that came out of my 5 mile run.  A PR at 57:48. I felt like I was flying!

So all of that led up to this. I thought my 9 mile run was going to be my favorite run ever. And then.

We were down in Evanston for the weekend, staying with family on account of taking my brother, Jonah, to the Fallout Boy concert at Wrigley Field that Saturday. I was super pumped for my Sunday run; it was an important run, my first 14 miler since the Fort14, which, as you know, was a terribly defeating run as well. So I was coming back for those miles! My original plan was to run south toward Chicago along the lakefront for 7 miles, and then turn around and come back. But it was so amazing that I just ran straight 14 (and asked my lovely wife to come and collect me at the end). I love running in new places, because there is so much to look at. And on this run in particular, I was so taken with all that I saw. I especially enjoyed running through the Northwestern campus. Stopped to take lots of pictures, because this painted rocks thing that they do is pretty spectacular. Marriage proposals. BFFs. Memorials. What a cool tradition!

The city, from about 3 miles into the run, across the lake.

The city, from the end of the run. I got pretty damn close!

And totally accidentally turned off my watch at 4.04 when I stopped to take a picture for a family. Oops!

Sweaty, sunburned, but smiling big.

There is so much life on the lakefront down there. So many neat things going on. I mean, we do a pretty good job here in MKE, but this is on a whole other level! Almost makes me want to move down there so I can enjoy it every day...

So this week was a tough one. Monday night I was mowing the lawn and felt a tug in my right hamstring. Just a little twinge, like a string pulled too tight. I made a mental note of it. Tuesday morning I got up to run, stretched, and took off from the driveway, only to feel the tug again. Stretched it out, gave it another try, and realized that this wasn't happening. Frustrated, I almost turned around and went home and back to bed. But what was the point, I was already up. So I thought I would walk a little and see if it loosened up. 2.3 miles. Stopped another two times to stretch. It never loosened up. But doing something is better than doing nothing. So I wasn't too upset. Took it easy the rest of the day, continued to stretch, slept on the heating pad.

And then my midweek run. 10 miles. Took just about the same route through Grant as the previous week. And loved it even more. It was a beautiful day, a beautiful run. 2:08:56--and I'll take it. I'm enjoying these right after school runs. 

Saw this sign on the way back. Love it. This is SO SO important right now.  Don't give hate a home.

Several things went into the decision to forego my third scheduled run of the week. Mostly, I wanted to rest up for tomorrow's big one. Let my muscles rest. Hydrate. Let the chaffed areas on my back and my bra line heal and breathe. And so, as I have just eaten a terrifically carb-y meal, prepared by my wife, I wish you all a goodnight, so I can get some sleep and be bright-eyed and bushy-tailed and ready to take on the day--and all the miles--tomorrow.