BQ Hopeful Weeks 4 and 5

Alright, Alright, so my blogging game isn't as consistent as it should be! BUT! My running is getting better and that's really the objective, right? These last few weeks since our trip to Colorado have FLOWN BY! I quite impulsively decided to re-organize the entire house by switching the girls from two separate rooms into one room. I feel like I got it done really quickly, but not without a bunch of challenges. I'm surprised I fit running in at all... So here's a quick recap of the last two weeks! 

Monday, July 22. 8 miles @ 8:11/mi Boulder CO

I can not for the life of me remember what I did without looking back at strava and VDOT. It feels like it's been months since I was in Colorado, but I guess it's just been barely two weeks! From where I sit right now, I can't believe how much I worried about this run. I wanted to get 8 miles in. Looking ahead at the Erie Marathon and looking at how I could possibly increase my long run mileage and still keep the rest of the volume down and somehow do that safely... I had to be able to run at least 8 miles on this day. I'd accept a precautionary and slow 7, but I had to do at least an hour of running! As you read last week, Matt and I spent the weekend in Breckinridge Colorado, so driving from there to Boulder on our scenic route to the airport (we had a red eye) we actually lost about 4,000 feet of elevation... so although Boulder is still considered altitude, it didn't really feel like it after all the hiking and biking we did between 9,000ft and 12,000+ ft. I started this run with an untimed walk just to stretch out. I had KT tape on both calves, shins, and on my right adductor. I also had on calf sleeves. My quads were still a bit shredded from the run down the mountain, but once we started running my major concern was my shins and calf. Unfortunately one of the paths Matt wanted to show me was under construction, so we stayed on the less scenic and more commuter-populated path. It didn't bother me... I was just very focused on finding a comfortable rhythm. The first two miles I was fearful, but by mile three I was holding myself back. It was really hot out so when we got to 8 I was happy to be done and to take a quick dip in the river we had been running alongside. Once we were done we had some food, tea and cupcakes and showered at anytime fitness before heading to the airport. I missed my babies! 

Tuesday, July 23: OFF
Well, I was determined to sleep on our Red Eye flight, but Matt sleeps really bad on planes and didn't even try to sleep. He picked a movie and locked in. As a result, I didn't want to sleep either. I started watching some shows as well and just powered through with him. We got home at 6am ish and it was a dark and dreary day. Perfect for sleep! We slept for a few hours before our girls were brought back home to us. It was the quickest I've ever fallen asleep in my life. We were still pretty lethargic for the rest of the day and had to get Maebel's staples out from her knocking the mirror down, and we also needed to pick up the extra set of car seats from my moms house. I don't remember much else. Just that I was tired. 

Wednesday July 24: 4 Miles 8:04/mi, 30 minutes Bike, 30 Minutes strength
We sent the girls to Daycare and spent the whole day recovering from the trip... unpacking... and getting our $hit together. I spent the whole day working on an upcoming project (not hard to guess what it might be if you poke around my website a bit. More coming soon!) and Matt was catching up on all the work he didn't do while we were away. When the time came to pick up the girls we took them to the gym. Raea had been asking to go since I think she sensed she didn't go on her normal day (Mondays). I had been re-reading training books, listening to podcasts, and thinking about my own training for this marathon and I realize that the biggest challenge I have (other than injury) is really just completing the distance, especially since I'm not shooting for a time that is anywhere out of my natural ability, and I'm not able to run a lot. How can I improve my aerobic base without running? How can I get in long runs and medium long runs? If I can't actually run them, can I replicate them? I decided to start doing a run/spin double. Normally I do the one hour Monday night spin but Wednesdays is the same instructor just a combination of running and strength training so I did all three right in a row. I was tired after but feeling really good! I had to modify some of the strength to align with what my PT had given me for information a few weeks prior, but overall I was able to do well. 

Thursday July 25, 5 Miles 8:17. Sneakerama Block Party!
I got to the block party a little early to get two miles in before the group did 3. I started really slow but bumped into someone who pulled me to a faster second mile. After that I settled into a decent pace with Geoffrey Smith, 2x Boston Marathon Winner who frequents the store. Every time he runs at Sneakerama we end up running together. I think he wants me to get fast again and is always checking in. Unfortunately not much positive to report in the grand scheme of big goals but I got some tips. I asked him how long he thought I needed to run in order to safely do Erie. He said "you need to do at least 2 hours but probably 2.5 well... No kidding... ha! So I am now setting my goal to get to 2 hours of running by at least August 23rd. Anything more is Gravy.

Friday July 26: OFF
My husband was gone all day and over night at the Lake Placid Triathlon. Obviously since I didn't have to work all week I had too much creative energy not being zapped by work and had to get into another project. The girls birthday party was a week away so of course I should just re-do all their rooms before everyone comes over. How fast can I do this? I had a planned cross training day but instead of Cross Training I went to the Super Walmart to start shopping for new bedspreads, and many other new things to accommodate my plans for the rooms. Yup. Not very productive on the workout front... but if you've ever been shopping with two kids under 4 who wont sit in the cart, you know can definitely be considered cross training! 

Saturday July 27: OFF
I honestly have no idea what I did this day except for shop on amazon and walmart app and try to get the best prices I possibly could and everything delivered as quickly as I could and mentally plan out how I was going to achieve everything I wanted to by next Friday. I did Move the futon from one room to another and build two of those cubby things by myself when the girls went to bed. That's a workout! 

Sunday July 28: 8 Miles (4 with stroller) 8:30/mi
Took apart a toddler bed in the morning and then started to move everything around in the rooms. I thought the bunk bed would be delivered to Walmart for pick up today, but got a text message that it was delayed until AUGUST 9!! So I called, cancelled it, and had Matt drive half way across the state to get one that was in the stores. I had to empty Maebels closet because I couldn't get the crib out of there until the mattresses and bunk bed were set up on Wednesday... But I wasn't ready to have her out of her crib and sharing the futon with Raea yet. Too many changes!  I basically ran these miles fasted because I was so busy I forgot to eat (that happens to me when I get into these projects) and I wasn't sleeping well because my mind was obsessing over this project. I stopped A BUNCH on this run to check my calves. When I'm on my feet a lot at home I often have my shoes off (doesn't everyone!?) but I'm still really dependent on the orthotics and so after a few days of puttering around with these projects without my orthotics, I was a bit sore and tired and my lower legs had some pain that scared me. Fortunately I survived and my legs seemed to recover quick! 

TOTAL MILEAGE: 25.2 miles
This week basically had two long runs in it because of the Monday and Sunday long runs instead of Sunday to Sunday. As a result I felt like it was important I took extra days off to prepare myself and also recoup from the trip and the lack of sleep. I did some cross training in there and also exerted myself in other ways trying to prepare the new room for the girls. Maybe next week I'll hit a full marathon in one week! (yikes!)

​Monday, July 29: 5 Miles @ 7:59/mi
I went back to work today and then when I got out Matt and I put together the bunk bed. The mattresses weren't scheduled to arrive until Wednesday, but at least having the "hard part" together would make the rest of the work easier. I'm one of those weird people that really enjoys the process of step-by-step assembly. It seemed overwhelming when we first opened the box, but in the end it was really very easy. It was a tight squeeze with the bunk bed and the crib in the same room but I could not take the crib away until I had the mattresses! I had PT at 6:15 and planned to run at the rail trail around the corner before the appointment...but I was running late so I parked in the parking lot and ran from the PT office and timed it so that I had just​ enough time to fit in 5 miles before my PT session. It was hot out... Really hot... I ran 8 miles with the stroller the day before and I had just started session 2 of summer school so I was a bit more tired than usual... which seemed to actually help the PT session. Mike was excited to see how I was progressing and see how I would perform the exercises while fatigued. He was really impressed with most of them. The only exercise I really flopped on was the one that required a mirror. (remember, my mirror shattered over my daughters head because I took it off the wall to do the exercises and then turned my back for half a second and she needed staples) I explained to him what happened. I've been using my phone to view the exercise but it's hard to see and perform really well without a mirror. I told him I didn't buy another one yet because I had bunk beds with no mattresses, and children sleeping on the futon, and all the clothes in boxes and laundry baskets until to closet door could open again... AKA: When I took apart the crib/changing table combo... I couldn't have another mirror in my house until we settled into our new rooms first. He understood. I discussed some of my challenges and some of his concerns... but mostly it was all good. I told him I felt immediate progress within two days of getting the exercises. Dramatic difference. The last time I saw him he strongly advised against Erie Marathon... This time when another PT asked me how I was doing, Mike answered for me and said "she's running a marathon".... so I joked with him saying "you're a believe now, huh?" he pulled back on his enthusiasm a little bit reminding me to not get greedy and change the plan (ugh! SO hard!)... but that it's looking more doable. Then he gave me follow up exercises.

​One was related to the mirror exercise I hadn't mastered yet. He warned me "do not add the weight until you have mastered the exercise! The first level you are on is making the mold, the weight is pouring the cement. We don't want to pour cement into a bad mold".... That just stuck with me. It basically is what I did running pregnant for longer than I should have. I shifted my center of gravity and changed the position of my hips and created a bad mold... (which I had to do to have the baby fit in there!) but then I continued to run like that and I poured in the cement. I strengthened my body in the wrong position and can't reverse it so easily! I don't know... I have to stop blaming myself, but I should have just stopped. I'm going to keep writing about this because we went from a society that didn't want women to do anything pregnant to one that allows us to do everything because it's safe for the baby... which is important. BUT what about what is safe for me! I can't blame myself because no doctor told me no. I like my doctor. I liked all the doctors. They delivered me a healthy baby... but I wish someone was looking out for me a little more. I just honestly don't think anyone has enough information on this subject. The pendulum swung too far in my opinion... and we need to let it come back a little bit. I get a lot of hits on my blog for the weeks I ran pregnant. Ladies out there are looking for answers or someone to guide them. Since people are looking at what I did I want to also look at what I did wrong! I think running in the third trimester could be perfectly fine for some... but I think the risks outweigh the benefits. Moving on. 

Tuesday, July 30: OFF
I didn't workout today, but did a crazy art project that took a ton of energy. Another non-cross training day that still took a lot out of me! I had a bunch of canvases that I found in my parents barn when we cleaned it out over the summer. They had all sorts of art assignments from my undergrad degree in Painting. It didn't make sense to throw them away when I could just paint over them, but I didn't feel inspired yet. I made a rash decision (that turned out amazing!) to just paint over them with spray paint and then get some cheap acrylics and some painters tape and let the girls help me create a project. I had three different widths of tape and a bunch of colors of paint that matched the foldable bins that went in the little cubbies that I was planning to hide the toys in. It was a really hot day so I figured I could let them paint with their fingers toes and bellies and then they could run around in the sprinkler to clean up. The project came out SO NICE! and I took pictures of them making the canvases to display in the room to tie it all together. It was a lot of work and my husband was overnight in Connecticut so it was something fun for us to do while passing the time. 

Wednesday: July 31: OFF
Another Off day only this one wasn't planned. Today I planned to finally complete the bedroom (minus some small finishing touches).... but more shipping drama slowed me down quite a bit once again. So today I was supposed to get the mattresses and they were supposed to be delivered to Walmart for pick up. When I was leaving work I got a text that said they were delayed until August 7th! Mind you, I have a party planned for the third! and tomorrow is Raea's birthday so I wanted to room totally done for her and only be working on the small details and deep cleaning of the rest of the house. Instead of going straight to Walmart like I planned, I went home to go online and make a phone call or something. I was going to just cancel and buy the more expensive mattresses that were sold in stores. When I called the woman on the phone said that they were at my Walmart and she was 100% sure. She said the delay was for the bed. I told her I already cancelled the bed and that if it wasn't cancelled it needed to be (money wasn't returned because it was 5-10 business days) So she cancelled the bed. I got a notification saying she cancelled it. I go to my Walmart to pick up the mattresses that are 100% there and sure enough they are... but I can't have them because when I cancelled the bed they also cancelled the mattresses instead of individual items So now I couldn't take the mattresses unless I a. Paid for them again (which I couldn't because I needed my money back first!) or b. Waited for customer service to sort this out but the in-store customer service can't override the online... so... wait. wait. wait. In Store was very helpful but I'm still waiting for my money back and half expecting a bed to show up tomorrow. 

Thursday August 1: 6 miles @ 8:10 for the Fun Run
Happy Birthday to Raea! The girls went to School for the day and Matt and I went to work. I worked a little bit more on the house and started buying the food I needed for the party. We went to the fun run for the night. Most people probably would think it's not fair to bring your kid to the fun run on her birthday, but Raea has been going to the fun run to celebrate her birthday since she was born. They had a cake and a snowball fight and everything. I got to get some miles in and the girls got some presents. My phone ran out of battery so no pictures, but it was a lot of fun for them. We went out to eat after with all our favorite fun run people. 

Friday: OFF
I had a scheduled cross training or OFF day and a podiatrist appointment. I was going to switch Wednesday with today but when I looked ahead at my schedule it just didn't make sense to run at all. I'm not trying to OTQ, I'm trying to BQ...and for me the hardest part of that is being healthy enough to complete the distance so opting for an extra day off to ensure I could complete the whole long run was much smarter. I was tired from all the cleaning and again... forgetting I needed to wear shoes at home... and Matt and I were in pretty deep with all the birthday party things we needed to tie together on top of all the bed room things. I basically spent all day labeling cubbies and sorting and cleaning clothes and tidying every last corner of the house. I spent the night painting the finishing touches to their room (a sign for the door and for each of their foot boards) something they could open to represent the bedroom as their gift (most expensive birthday present ever!)

Saturday 6.5 @ 8:27/mi
Today was the party! We spent all morning getting everything ready! It feels like the longest process of getting ready for a party since we added so much to our plates with the two room switches. It was worth it though! Everyone loved the rooms and the kids had a lot of fun showing it off! The weather even held off for the party to be mostly outside and so my house didn't get too messy! We had people over from 1:00-5:30. LONG DAY! When we finally were done we just left the mess and took the girls to the rail trail. Matt and I needed to get out. The girls wanted to stay at home with their presents but I explained to them that Mommy and Daddy worked very hard to make their party fun and special and now it was their turn to let us have something fun and special. I also told them we could have another piece of cake after the run. Not sure which worked better! Matt pushed the stroller the whole way and everyone 

Sunday 11 Miles @ 8:02/mi
Matt got up to meet some people to run at 9:00 and I had the choice of going before him or after...but since we ran at night I wanted to go in the afternoon to make sure I was recovered and not rushing. I got to the trail with the girls at about 11:45 and we swapped. I had lunches made for him and the girls and hydration and sunscreen so they could go to the playground. Then I went on my way to do 10. I got to 5 out very easily but knew there was a bathroom just a little ways up and I had to go. Turns out it's a half mile up so my 10 mile run (which was already a stretch) was now 11 miles. I had no water and no fuel because I always forget that 10 miles is a lot when you haven't done it in a while... and it was noon time during the middle of the summer. Smart. Anyway, it was basically a sufferfest for the next 4-5 miles and every bike that rode by me with water I considered begging for a sip. Just. One. Sip! I had a mile to go and I severely regretted the bathroom stop. Like I could have gone in the woods its not a big deal. Then I got a text to my watch- it was Matt saying the girls were overheating and he was going home. I stopped dead in my tracks to beg him to wait for me! I left my drinks in his car! All I had thought about for the last 30 minutes was the gatorade waiting for me like that scene in 127 hours (okay, exaggerated example, but true!) Thank fully he waited and we went to my moms house after for a quick dip in the pool. I was surprised that my splits weren't effected by the desperation. Maybe I ran faster just trying to get there sooner. I didn't pay that close attention to it. Technically this is my "goal marathon pace" so I can afford to slow down quite a bit, but goal marathon pace is a little strange when you are low-balling your time goal as much as I am. It's not that I'm sandbagging... I'm just too fragile to pursue something that challenges me more than the distance itself at this point in time. We'll see what the next few weeks bring!

TOTAL: 28.7- the first time I've run the marathon distance in a weeks worth of runs! Yikes! A little over a month to go! I wont be tapering really, so that gives me a bit more time to build, but... still... it's so soon!