Week Three 2/5/2023
37 miles total, 18 mile long run, speed work one mile repeats
2/8/2023
All about the weather again this week! The temp was predicted to feel like 40 on Wednesday.
I planned ahead to be hydrated by drinking water and Liquid IV the day before, then chugging water all morning. I packed a sandwich to eat on my way home since I was working in the morning. Work was a busy blur and I inhaled my peanut butter sandwich, practically choking on it on my way home. As soon as I got home I mixed Tailwind and packed my fruit snacks in my flipbelt, then hit the road. My legs felt heavy from the start and had to push myself mentally.
On my runs I like to pray for a different person during each mile. I started with my aunt, moved onto college students, marriages of some friends, my kids and husband. Praying takes my mind off the discomfort and on this run not only did my legs feel like led but I had to poop. No joke! I had Kleenexes in my running belt but did not want to hike through knee deep snow and drop my doors!
My other challenge was the terrain. I picked one of my favorite routes because it has less dogs and is overall peaceful but it is also hilly.
The final miles I willed my legs to keep turning over, pumping my arms and believing my legs would follow. Walking up the steps to my house was like climbing Mount Everest.
I had 15 minutes to stretch it out and pick up my kids from school. My feet felt sore from growing blisters on my usual hotspot. I had mild tendonitis on my right ankle before I started and used KT Tape to provide some support. My ankle and left hamstring were sore. I did some stretching, foam rolled and used a lacrosse ball after I picked the kids up, later that night used a tens unit.
Logging long distances on days that I work is challenging but I need to keep my long run mid week for the next couple of weeks due to family plans on the weekend.
Positive, even though my legs were tired my heart rate was great for the whole run!
2/9/2023
Easy recovery run today, did a slow 3 on the treadmill.
During long runs and speed work, I use mental strategies to overcome the discomfort.
PRAY
I pray for people during my runs. My first mile is always for my aunt, who is struggling with some health issues. During regular runs, I pray for a random person each mile, whoever’s name comes to mind. When I’m racing I plan ahead and write the names of people going through hard times on my arm and pray for them during a specific mile.
SHORT GOALS
The first half of my runs are usually okay and then it gets real. Make it to the halfway mark, then each mile, the last mile I count it down: .5, .4, .3, .2, .1, done! When I’m really struggling I aim for the next power pole, mailbox, crack in the road.
MUSIC
I know some people like to run without something in their ears but I find music to be motivating. An upbeat song makes me run faster, the lyrics often reflect what I’m praying for a person. I will screenshot the song that’s playing and send it to them later in the day.
BODILY DISTRACTIONS
The other day on my long run I SERIOUSLY had to poop! My body was certainly the distraction, as I thought about running through knee deep snow to drop my drawers. I did have Kleenexes with but really did NOT want to use them. I also had a phone a friend available. I had to laugh as I pictured myself calling for emergency help, “Um Kelly, can you come pick me up and bring a towel!”
Blisters and chafing are other distractions. I try to prevent the pain but sometimes it happens. There is really nothing to do but keep going and deal with the aftermath at home.
HILLS
I’m a heel striker and have been working on being more of a midfoot runner. On hills I like to run up the hill on the balls of my feet. This works different muscles and I find I have better overall form with my arms too.
Three weeks of training down and I'm not even going to think about how many I have left, also a mental strategy!
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