Well first, I need to back up to last week.  I had that sore shin issue for several days, but with a rest day on Thursday, all was good on Friday.  Alan went with me for mile long run, which I changed to be 22 miles instead of 20 because I have not had a “super long” run this training cycle and I like to go to 22 miles.  It just seems like more of an accomplishment than going 20 miles.  And “4 more miles” seems a heck of a lot easier than “only 6 more miles” when I think about completing the actual race.

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So we went for our run after the kids got on the school bus.  The weather was nice, and it was sunny, but not really too hot.  I let Alan help plan the route and thanks to his smarts, we did not have to run back in forth in front of our house for a half mile, or “just another time around the block” to get to 22 miles.  Kudos to him!!  In my opinion, that is a major buzz kill for a long run.

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Alan is a great running partner.  He ran 20 miles on Thursday, but sure, he’ll go for 22 more miles on Friday with me!  And, he doesn’t mind that I like to listen to podcasts and music during our runs.  AND, he’ll take the fall by getting hit by a car for me!  WHAT?  Ok, not exactly but we did have quite the scare on this run.  We were waiting at a stop light for several minutes, and when the “walk” signal came on at the crosswalk, we proceeded to run across.  What we failed to see what a driver who was also waiting to turn left towards us who was in a hurry and started coming straight at us!  She headed towards Alan, which caused me to jump back and then she swerved towards me!  I just stood there like a deer in the headlights.  Luckily she slammed on the breaks, but we were only a foot from her car.  OMG.

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Other than that, the run actually went well, with an overall pace of 9:12.  Considering my goal pace for the marathon is 8:49, and I was just “taking it easy” on this long run, I’d call that a win!

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However, my concern was that by mile 22 I was starving and I literally ripped off my iPod and shoes and flopped in my pool.  I didn’t even have the strength to take off my socks at that point.  Not completely a big morale boost, but it was an accomplishment and I think anyone (even Alan!) would be tired after running 22 miles.  I think the grape Popsicle helped a lot too.

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In celebration of our run we went to our favorite restaurant and enjoyed some refueling.  Kind of a guilty pleasure having a beer on a Friday for lunch!!

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Saturday morning was a fun one too.  I had signed up for a 5K because I got a free race entry from my job.  I didn’t have the foresight to look past the free entry and check my schedule to see that it was after my very long run.  So, the race must go on.  I talked my friend into running with me and I just stayed with her for most of the race.  She is trying to get back into running and is having some respiratory issues so it was a bit of a struggle for her, but she still did good.  After the 3 mile mark she motioned for me to run ahead.  I thought she was going with me, so I started sprinting.  After I saw her reassuring me to go ahead without her, I cranked out my fastest sprint to the finish.  I got 2nd place our age group and she got 3rd!  It was a small race, but still, yeah us!  That first half mile was killer, but after that it ended up being a great recovery run and I think it really helped me the rest of the day.

Sunday was a rest day, and I was sore.  Monday was “hills”.  I did a random hill program on the treadmill and it was nothing exciting or even challenging!

Monday night we went to the running shop’s group run at the park.  I ran 3 miles with the kids.  My daughter cranked out a 7:21 mile, to get a new PR on her new Garmin watch (bought for her new sport, Cross Country!).  My son kept up some strong paces too, challenging both Alan and I who looked like a couple of old runners.  Alan just had a “most mileage ever” week of 105 miles!  Yes, for one week!  He was also exhausted.

This was our 2nd week of winning prizes at the group run.  My son got a nice running bag this time.

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This morning was a VO2Max run on my training schedule.  Oh man, I really sucked at it.  My glutes are still feeling sore from that long run (I think) and I just wasn’t hitting my fast paces.  It was 1/2 mile intervals and I only completed 1 of the 5.  Oh well, those days just happen.

I’m starting my taper for the Erie marathon, so I’ll be trying to get lots of rest, stretching, and keeping it low key.  Hoping to gain some super powers between now and Sept 13th.  haha!

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Q:  What foods do you like to eat after a long run or race?

Burgers and beer are my favorites.

Q: Do you like to listen to podcasts while you run?  If so, which ones?

Q:  Ever had any close calls with cars??

5 thoughts on “My running this week…”
  1. Dang your whole family is on fire! I would love to jump in a pool after 22 miles! And then an AG award in a race the day after?

    I love being reeeeeeeeeeeeally hungry after a long run. It has bunch such a long time since I have done a LONG run, but I look forward to the day and will definitely make sure to go out to eat after and have whatever I want!

    1. The AG award was pretty funny, it was a super small race. But I did see there were at least 10 people in our age group which seemed to be the biggest group. Woohoo! 🙂
      I agree with you on the hungry feeling – it’s a good feeling, knowing you’ve worked it pretty hard (in a great way!).

  2. So treat that you have such a great running partner 🙂 that’s seriously a win 🙂 I would love to convert Curtis but I am very grateful he loves yoga, and feel like that would be very hard to convert him to if he didn’t! Great job on the long run! I am a big fan of cereal and milk after a long run, it just hits the spot. Or a burger! Love me a good burger 🙂 have a great day Lisa! 🙂
    Jessica @ kiwiyogirunner recently posted…The one with the birthday chair tradition and JUST DO ITMy Profile

  3. OMG!!!!! What a close call!!!! So scary!!!!!!!! I can’t say I have had a close call of almost getting hit by a car, but I did get ran after by a dog! glad you guys are ok!!!!

    It is great that you have your hubby as a running partner. My husband doesn’t run…. but is VERY supportive of my running! So still a win for me! 🙂

    After a long run, I tend to down a protein drink, I usually can’t eat for a while after running.

    You are an inspiration for me…. I do hope that one day I muster the nerve to train for a marathon.

    since you are in ohio, do you ever run the flying pig marathon? Half marathon?

    1. Well that is awesome to hear that I am giving you some encouragement!! I have never run the Flying Pig, and don’t know a lot of people who have. I think it’s a bit too South for us. I did run the Cleveland marathon, but outside our area, Columbus Ohio is the other race I have run often.
      That car was a scare. Could you imagine? – “sorry kids, both of your parents were killed by a car when they were on a run this morning”. Terrible.

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