Sometimes RFP is all we can ask of ourselves. I set off Saturday morning for a three hour long run. I had hoped the run would bring me to about 15 miles, and at last week's paces it would have. But some days are tougher than others, and I finished 2 hours 55 minutes at 13.5 miles for my long, slow run. (If I'd done those last five minutes I may have hit 14 miles, but I was wiped!)
Sarah ended up being the only person who could meet me, but she stayed for the entire run when she had originally just planned to run 10. I committed a blogger faux pas and took zero pictures. The run itself was uneventful; despite having my favorite pre-LSD meal, I was more tired than I expected but I got it done. And that's all I can say about that.
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| Sushi is always my go-to before a long run or race. |
The minute I got home, I stripped off the non-essentials and jumped into the pool. Because the run was long, it was already in the 80s and super sunny when we finished!
Archie joined me for his own little birdbath, then attempted to dry off on my head.
I enjoyed chocolate milk (am I the only
one who likes to put ice in my milk to make sure it stays as cold as
possible?) with breakfast, then relaxed while Matt and his dad installed
a new window in the room that, once cleaned up, will be our office.
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| Two eggs over-easy, bacon, and chocolate milk. The breakfast of champions! |
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| Men at work. |
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| The other shelves Matt built a couple weeks ago. After we put up all those decorations, we discovered another box filled with books, so I have to get back up there and remove the decorative stuff so the books have somewhere to go! |
One reason I like running long on Saturdays instead of Sundays is that I know I can be lazy afterward without pressure to be productive. Laundry, grocery shopping, grading...all that can wait! We spent the evening watching The Family.
Next week my long run will be shorter, and I've already mapped out the route for my next LONG-long run. I'm feeling more confident about upping my miles again, which is good; yet I can't help but get nervous about finishing the marathon before the finish line closes. I know taper will help my legs, but right now they're just so tired! It's hard to imagine running 26.2 miles at the pace I'll need to finish in time.
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| Perspective. |
That's a real fear; I'm putting it out there, because maybe that will help me come to terms with it and work through it.
Have you ever been worried about not finishing a race before cut-off?
What's your favorite post-run meal?
Raw sushi: yay or nay?
ABK
I love having sushi before running too! It's good in that you feel fuelled but not 'full'. And you're so lucky that you can jump in a pool after a long run - must be perfect!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure that you'll be able to do it, we are always a hell of a lot stronger and more capable than we think. Plus the adrenaline you get on race days helps you to perform significantly faster so there's always that! And you have two more months to go, you've got this :)
I know you're right; I just have to convince the voice in my head!
DeleteI have confidence that you can do this! Mind over matter :)
ReplyDeleteI actually put chocolate milk in my protein smoothie today with PB, ice and banana. YUM!
Mmm that sounds like a perfect smoothie!!
DeleteI can't do sushi...I've tried...I just don't get it!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to do great in your marathon...I know it's hard....but trust your training and your legs...you've got this!!!
I know some people just don't like sushi/fish, but I can't fathom it. Seafood is my favorite!
DeleteWhat a cute video of Archie! Does he like to see and hear other birds through the screen?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't worry about the time cut-off too much! Don't most races start "the clock" on cut-offs after the last person has crossed the start line? That tends to give everyone in the front / middle a nice buffer! Plus race day adrenaline will definitely carry you to the finish, or at least that is what I keep telling myself :)
He is VERY attentive when he hears other birds! He gets all skinny and long, like a meerkat!
DeleteYou're going to do great!
Yummmmmmy! That sushi looks delicious! You are going to totally rock your marathon. Race day excitement will up your pace and you still have two months to focus on speed work and just getting miles under your feet. My marathon running friend has a marathon in December that he wants to PR in and he just did his first speed workout yesterday. I know you are going to be just fine!!
ReplyDeleteI think because a marathon is a big unknown to me, it worries me...if I'd done it before I'd already know I could! Does that make sense?! Thanks for the encouragement!
DeleteI thought my stepmom was the only person who put ice in her milk! She lived in south Texas for many years!!! :)
ReplyDeleteIt is good to put your fears out there - you have such a supportive following! You will rock your marathon Ali!!!!!
I first heard of it from Cindy Crawford or some other model who did the Got Milk? campaign...I always thought it was weird but when I moved to Florida it started to make sense.
DeleteYay for raw sushi and YAY for that pic of you and Archie. I mean that is just ADORABLE you look like you are 17 (I mean that as a compliment) and he is just like, "yeah, I'm chillin'!" As for a 3 hour run- huge milestone, right!!?? You got this Ali. You have 2 more months of training, and you will taper. Your legs will be fresh, your heart will be full, and you are going to FREAKING RUN A MARATHON!
ReplyDeleteI get mistaken for one of my own students in the halls all the time, especially on "dress down" days when the kids are out of uniform. I still get carded at R movies. So I'm not surprised you think I look 17 in the pic lol!
DeleteYES. I AM GOING TO RUN A FREAKING MARATHON!
I love that picture of you and Archie! So cute!! Your training is going great and I have no doubt in my mind that you will make the time cut off. You got this!!
ReplyDeleteHe looks like a little explorer!
DeleteThank you for the encouragement!