Post Marathon, Sans Watch

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I did my first post-marathon run last Monday. I had intended to go out Sunday, but it was drizzly and dreary so I went to the gym for a work out instead. I ended up blasting my legs, so I was feeling some extra self-induced soreness Monday. I forgot my watch, but I didn’t want to put off that first run any longer so I took off for what I knew was a 4 mile route after work. After a bit of a hobble to get going, I felt great. Part of it may have been the liberation of not timing myself. I was out to loosen up and get back in the groove again. At the same time, I’m really curious what pace I was running. This is one of the dangers of the Garmin. I know my mileage and I know my pace. If it feels good, I still judge the run against the pace my watch is telling me. I know it is good to occasionally just go out for a run without mileage or time, but so far I’ve only done it when forced to due to forgetfulness.

Best Marathon

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It’s amazing to me how the most brutal marathon conditions I’ve experienced yet can also be my best marathon yet. This doesn’t mean PR, but I felt good and did better than I anticipated, especially considering I started the training with a bit of injury. I’m also pleased with how I was able to maintain a pace through just about the whole marathon. This pace did slow a bit the second half, but this was also when the brutal head wind came out in full force. It honestly felt like it occasionally took a few extra steps to regain forward momentum.

I do believe part of the reason the cold, snow flurries, wind and hills didn’t deter me and the reason I could still keep a smile (most of the time) was the great support I had from my parents and a few friends, including my Running Friend. It is a different feeling to have a running partner cheering you on from the sidelines instead of running with you. She knows how I run and how to recognize my ups and downs and what encouragement I need at the moment. I hope to return the support when she runs her next marathon.

And another great thing about this marathon was no hill was an excuse. I ran up every single one, even the crazy one at mile 26. My finish was 4:25:17.

Heading Out

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I missed giving updates on my training the last few weeks because I was running through the hills in Brittany France. Now it is the day before the Eau Claire Marathon and I’m packed up and ready to head to Eau Claire. Taking a vacation a few weeks before a marathon may not be the best training, but I just have to believe I am ready. I appear to have also successfully avoided a growing number of sick people around me. A friend and mentor of mine pointed out this was a great way to kick off a summer of running. I like that thought. Already in April I'm ready for a marathon so there must be many good runs ahead this summer, including Sunday.

Last 20

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Today I did my last 20 miler before the Eau Claire marathon. It went well, but it wasn't quick. I've been struggling with a pain in my glute that flares up any time I try to increase my pace. It happened earlier in my training when I started working in speed work so I had to back off. The weather has changed and I've been feeling good so I've tried to increase my pace and sure enough, the pain is coming back. I was a little apprehensive of today's run because of this, but keeping it slow and steady seems to have kept the pain at bay. I'm certainly not looking at a PR for this marathon.

Phone. Off.

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I rarely run with my phone on me but since I was in an unfamiliar town and running alone, I squeezed it into my water bottle pack. Well, when I finished my run I discovered I had butt-dialed an acquaintance four times. Although we don't talk on the phone, at least she was someone I could comfortably phone and apologize. We did have a chuckle, but my lesson is if I do carry my phone, it serves the same purpose off.

Scoping the Course for Bumps

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Tomorrow I'm going to scope out the Eau Claire Marathon course. I'm not running another 20 until next weekend, but I'll check out what I can and then will find a good 12 miles of the course to run. I'm less worried about boredom on the course than I am about where the hills are. I'm desperately trying to improve my relationship with hills. My goal for this marathon is to not use any hill as an excuse to walk. I've found myself in previous marathons thinking "I don't like hills, I'm tired, so I'll run to the hill and walk it." Well, any bump in the road turned into an excuse later in the marathon. I want to take the bumps out of it this time!

Today's 20

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Friends are making us dinner tonight so of course we're bringing some wine. These friends really enjoy wine, so while I was at a store Friday I noticed the Wine Monkey and thought it would be a fun way to dress up the bottle of wine and present it as a gift. When I got home and pulled it out, I discovered I had paid $10.95 for a sock! Wow, I was suckered.

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Today's solo 20 actually went well. I had a rough patch between 11 and 15 miles but things picked up at 15. My legs were hanging in there, but I was showing a bit of signs of dehydration. How is it I get dehydrated in the winter? I consumed enough nuun and water and when the painful symptom subsided, I knew I wasn't going to have trouble with the 20. Meeting up with my friend also kept me focused and motivated. I didn't want to be walking when I met him. When I knew he was a mile away at mile 19, I kept moving. And the final mile I also knew he was meeting me again so I ran through it. I don't think running on my own was too much of a problem today. Now just to run another 20 in a few weeks!