![]() Life is funny sometimes. For the last two out of three runs, I have had either someone watching me to encourage me or I took along a novice runner (see picture) on a seven mile run. It has been three runs since I have written and each one has made me realize how much I love running, even when the workout kicked my butt. For starters, I finished my track workout on Monday. I don't know if it was because I was a beautiful track with a gorgeous view. If you ever have a chance to go to Happy Valley, run on Penn State's track; you have a view of Beaver Stadium and Mt. Nittany -- two of the most iconic spots in the valley. Or if because there were other people on the track I was trying to impress them, or maybe it was the person on the sidelines -- probably the biggest reason why I finished. But what matters, is I did it! I say that loosely however, I didn't do the all the 8x600 in the time that I wanted - under 2:50 for each 600m, but I completed them. For someone who hates track running and did close to six miles on it, I consider that a big W. I then proceeded to collapse on the grass hill right outside the track. Tuesday, as usual now, is my off day and I was able to have some fun around Happy Valley -- ahem bowling! Wednesday was supposed to be my first tempo run of the cycle. However, it was also the day I was leaving Happy Valley for I don't know how long. You know when you procrastinate leaving because you know it is hard to say goodbye? That is what happened Wednesday. I didn't want to leave because it was a perfect day in the Valley with a great person and friend, and who knows if I will be able to get back in the fall for a football game. Needless to say, I didn't get the six mile tempo run in. And that is how we got to 15 miles in a day. After driving 1,600 miles in the last month, spending only $207.33 in gas and starting this journey in Detroit, I have made it back to my home state of Connecticut. However, that left me with need to run twice today. The first run -- my tempo run consisted of a mile warm-up, a six mile tempo run and a mile cool-down. I was aiming for a 8:01 tempo pace -- the target I need for my BQ marathon time. However, I only averaged a 9:12 for my tempo miles. That puts me somewhere between a 4:00 and 4:15 marathon. I didn't hit the overall pace I wanted, but I did hit a 7:21 best pace. Two things happened on this run though. First, I got my runner's high for the first time in a week. I was feeling great and strong and invincible. Second, I realized that pacing is going to be a) the hardest part of my trying cycle and b) hardest part of Hartford. I feel great for the first half and even though my mental game is strong, I still slow down during the second part of the run. Ideally any runner wants to run negative splits. Pacing is going to become one of my main goals during this cycle. The second run, I invited my friend Nick along -- a 15 year-old novice runner -- never have done more than six miles in his life. We needed to do an "easy" seven miles for Thursday's workout. If you know me, you know I don't really invite a lot of people to run with me. I find my time to run as a way to escape, block out the rest of the world and really enjoy myself. Yet, after a hard first eight miles, I knew I was going to need some nudging to get through seven miles just four hours later. A few stops along the way and the two of us did seven miles in 1:16. Nothing impressive except that it got me to a total of 15 for the day -- making me feel elite for a) doing two-a-day and b) finishing both runs very strong. Nick asked me along the way why I do it? I said mostly because I can challenge myself both physically and mentally. It also allows me to suspend reality and we all need that sometimes. But the real truth is that as I start to "adult" I'm going to need something to keep me grounded and what better way than pounding pavement?
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![]() Another six "junk" miles down. I call them junk miles sometimes because as my dad says, you have to run the miles to get to the starting line. As I mentioned yesterday, every workout has a meaning and will help me in my quest for a BQ. Some will be easier than others, some will be more meaningful. Today's run was more meaningful than easy or fun. I've recently come out of college and I'm staring down the "rest of my life" (see Stuff I'm Reading post from today). So far the only thing that has stayed consistent with my graduation is my running. Yes, I know I will keep the friends I want to have and I will visit my alma mater (doing that this weekend!!!) but nothing will ever be the same. And you know what? That is a good thing. Running is the same motion, but it never has the same lesson or path (unless you have a routine). That is what I love about lacing up my sneakers and going out. Now you might wonder why is there a picture of a hill with this post? Well, as I was doing my six miles today in 57:07 (basically a whole minute slower in average pace than yesterday), I realize that even on the "easy" six miles I was scheduled to do, I could make it a challenge. When I was a tri-varsity athlete in high school, I loved the preseason hill workout. Today, I wanted to run this hill to see a) if I could do it b) what it felt like at the top and c) to challenge the easy run I was on. I made it to the top in good time, however it cost me on the rest of the run - I have to stop and walk a couple times. It is hard to find a hill in Michigan, but I sure am glad I didn't go around it. For me, running has always been a way to escape the challenges of life and see where the challenges of the workout brings you. Today, I'm happy I found this hill. You know what is really awesome? A f****** fantastic workout! That is how I felt today after a nice day off. Today was a an "easy" six miles but after failing to complete my workout on Monday, I wanted to prove something. I know that a BQ doesn't come in one workout, but man did it feel good to PR during my six mile run.
I usually run in the morning but between staying up late last night to finish a book and then watching Wimbledon this morning, I didn't get started until close to 1:30 p.m. A loop around Belle Isle is about six miles, give or take and today I completed the loop in 51:25. I averaged 8:34 per mile and my best time pace was 6:52. I know it was supposed to be an "easy" six miles, but I wanted to prove to myself that Monday was a little hurdle, not foreshadowing of failure down the road. I might be high on my horse today, but I have to make sure that I am able to go kick six miles in the butt again tomorrow. I'm off to see The Rolling Stones play Comerica Park in Detroit. Happy 22nd birthday and graduation to me!! As I said yesterday, Mondays are the new track day. During a training cycle not all runs are expected to be great, fun or even successful; but they all teach a lesson. After running in a circle 36 times yesterday, I wasn't really too keen on the running in a circle today, but I knew I had to. I am usually a morning runner, however we arrived home from Chicago around 2 a.m. and I stayed up to finish a book -- bad idea for the speed workout -- so I ran in the afternoon.
This is my first speed workout of the cycle and I was supposed to do 12x400 with 400 recovery. I got to 6x400 and quit. I hate being a quitter. I also hate that my heart wasn't in it. But that is exactly what happened. I waited until late in the afternoon expecting the temperature to cool down -- it didn't. There were a lot of other people on the track -- I don't really like that when I want to focus. All of these sound like excuses and they are, but I couldn't finish the workout. I know it isn't going to break my back come Oct. 10 that I didn't finish this workout. But it taught me something, I really do love the stress and the self-motivation needed to run 26.2 miles. I just don't love it all days. I still ran 4.2 miles, but I didn't do six reps. Tomorrow is my day off. I plan on going for a short bike ride and recovering from the weekend. Our hotel was out by O'Hare Airport and near some major roads. I needed to run six miles. I didn't feel safe running on roads that felt like highway so I did the next best thing. I did 36 loops around our hotel's parking lot. For one mile I tried to run in the opposite direction, that didn't help. I had three people walk their dogs while I ran, two smokers smoking for the entire time and I discovered that there were 19 different licenses plates in the parking lot. Did I mention I also had to run with music -- something I hardly ever do anymore. As much as I hated it though, it felt great to run and get my six miles in. When I walked in the hotel, the smokers thanked me for my workout, it was somewhat ironic.
Also, seeing as my race in on Saturday I have had to push my schedule back a day. That means long runs on Saturday instead of Sunday. It means track workouts on Mondays instead of Tuesdays. It will take some time getting used to but it will be worth it. You know what was also great about this day - attending a Cubs game at Wrigley Field and then sitting in Lincoln Park with thousands of #USWNT fans watching the US defeat Japan in the Women's World Cup. I feel really bad about the fact that I didn't run for the third or fourth. They aren't my scheduled days off and I only have one of those. I have good reason though. My dad and I got up at 4 a.m. on Friday to drive to Chicago for the holiday weekend. With no real plan except for a "To Do" list of things to see in Chicago, the weekend was a crapshoot. However, it was an amazing one. I won't bore you with the details of the two days, but here are the highlights:
As my dad said during yesterday's run, day two is the hardest. He was right (as he is some of the time). I did the same loop around Belle Isle, this time going the opposite direction -- so I guess not the ~same~. It was hard, but rewarding. I didn't go as fast as day one, but I'm not too sure it is about speed quite yet. To me, miles matter because they prove mental toughness. After five 26.2 journeys I think mental toughness is 50% of the battle. Having my dad on these first two runs has made the start even better. It will be bittersweet when we can't do it anymore -- a week and day until we cross that bridge.
Thankfully no cuts from my sports bra today, just a lot of sweat from kicking butt!! I don't know how long these post will go each day or even if they will be each day - guess that is why you have to keep coming back. ![]() Today starts my journey to the Hartford Marathon on Saturday, Oct. 10. I've never raced a full marathon on a Saturday so that should be interesting. Second, I am running the Staten Island Half Marathon the next day -- a race I signed up for in May when I was in denial that I graduated college and needed something on the calendar. For the first time, I won't be using Adidas MiCoach training program. I am taking the advice of a dear friend and using "Hansons Marathon Method's" Advance Program. I'll build up to an over 60 mile week, but I want to BQ (Boston Qualify) so I am going to trust the process. Today's run was six miles. That is close to a fourth of a marathon. If I can run six on day one, I have hope that I can make it to a PR during 26.2. Today was a good run though as I got to have my dad along for training. If you read the first page, you know he is the one who inspired me to start all this crazy running. As we ran along Belle Isle Park, me on foot, him on a bike, I began to think just how crazy the next 15 weeks are going to be. I want to cut 27 minutes off my PR to BQ. I'll be attempting it on a course I have never seen before, in a race I have never run. But that is what I find running to be all about -- exploring new towns, cities or countries. I felt strong after the run, really strong. My sports bra might have felt stronger though as it chaffed and cut me. It is part of the journey, though. Day two will be harder, I guarantee it! |
Megan FloodMegan is 29 and a 14-time marathoner. She is hoping to Boston Qualify one day. She doesn't know exactly how this blogging will go, but she is giving it her best shot! Archives
June 2019
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Marathoning Megan