Sunday, August 18, 2013

Week 16: Imperfect

Well, it finally happened: I wasn't able to complete my weekly mileage. First time this training cycle! It was, though, not because I made an excuse and skipped. (I've been super good at doing that in the past!) It was because my body just wasn't cooperating this weekend. It might be that my training has caught up to me. It's probably at least in part (possibly a big part) some medication I took. Whatever the case...my weekend runs (yesterday and today) were amazingly difficult and disheartening. Feeling like that during runs carries more weight when you are training for an ultra and have asked all of your friends and family to financially support a cause. I worry about my mental toughness. What happens when it gets miserably tough at JFK?

I have to finish JFK! I keep telling Wendy, when things aren't going my way. You will. She responds. Every time.

Whatever the case. I still put in a 50 mile week. So that's solid. I just hated feeling so awkward and rotten out there. I can take ownership of not doing enough strength/core work. I've gotten really lazy about that. And I'm feeling it with lots of niggles. I really can't mess around with that stuff. I've gotta be solid going into this thing.

Oh, also, I registered for a 50K like it was no big deal and would just be a helpful part of my training. It will be my first ultra and it is something I am just going to do in passing. Seriously: How did I end up here?! I'm a sprinter! ;)

Fundraising, though, has been going spectuacularly! (That's not a word). As of Friday I've raised $945! Thank you, everyone! I'm well on my way to that $3500!

Again, if you want to join my journey virtually, you can do that here: https://www.facebook.com/events/493045564117335/

If you'd like to support me financially, you can do that here! http://jacobsladdercenter.com/50-for-35-fundraiser/

And again, thank you, in advance!

Training Mileage Summary
Week 1: 30
Week 2: 31
Week 3: 36
Week 4: 36
Week 5: 27
Week 6: 32
Week 7: 40
Week 8: 34 
Week 9: 43
Week 10: 44
Week 11: 40 
Week 12: 33 
Week 13: 49
Week 14: 50
Week 15: 38
Week 16: 50

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Halfway to JFK!

Not much to report, but it felt important to note that I am HALFWAY through my JFK training! Crazypants! Today marks the end of week 15 of my 30 week training program.

Last week, week 14, I ran 50 miles equaling my highest mileage week ever. I ran a 50-mile week leading up to the NYC Marathon in 2011...and I believe I ran one leading up to whatever marathon I ran before that. The difference this time was that it wasn't the culmination of my efforts. In fact, it was just run of the mill. I ran the miles and got them done without any drama. The longest run was a 20-miler, and though I definitely felt it, I completed it at a decent clip and felt pretty great at the end. This is good news. It was by far the easiest 20-miler I've ever run.

This week, week 14, was a step-back week. I ran 38 miles and it felt like nothing. Really. It did. I put a wee bit of speedwork back into my training and really enjoyed that. It felt great and I'm not feeling any lagging effects. On Wednesday, I did a fartlek. Today, I ran a couple miles at tempo/half marathon pace and did some 100-meter strides at the end. It all felt invigorating and none of it felt strained. Again. Good news.

Looking at my schedule, which Wendy just updated for me (I get it weekly on Sunday night), assuming all goes well next week will be my highest mileage week ever: 55 miles. It will be a challenge. I am psyched.

Fundraising update: I've raised over $500 towards my goal of $3500! A big fat thank you to those of you who have donated thus far. It takes me a while to get updates on my fundraising...so if I don't thank you immediately, that's why. I get reports from the school every one or two weeks. Hopefully they will start updating my fundraising page soon so that it shows both how far I am towards my goal and who has donated to my efforts. Again, to all of you: thank you! I'd love for any and all of you to "join" me, virtually, on my 50-mile/$3500 journey. You can do that here: https://www.facebook.com/events/493045564117335/

If you'd like to support me financially, you can do that here! http://jacobsladdercenter.com/50-for-35-fundraiser/

And again, thank you, in advance!

Training Mileage Summary
Week 1: 30
Week 2: 31
Week 3: 36
Week 4: 36
Week 5: 27
Week 6: 32
Week 7: 40
Week 8: 34 (Grandma's Half)
Week 9: 43
Week 10: 44
Week 11: 40 (trail marathon)
Week 12: 33 (5-miler)
Week 13: 49
Week 14: 50
Week 15: 38