Monday, January 11, 2010

M.I.A.

I have been MIA for what seems like forever in the bloggy land!  I am sooo sorry for the lack of comments, but I spent last Thursday, Friday and most of Saturday in bed nursing a cold.  It was awful.  I haven't been sick in so long and I forgot how crappy it can be!  This cold was the kind that just knocks you down, I had zero energy to do much.  The cold symptoms weren't as bad compared to the fact that I had little to no desire but to do anything! 

But in true type A, crazy runner fashion, I still managed to get my runs in.  That was pretty much all I did.  I would sleep in, have some breakfast and then head over to the gym to slog out the miles.  Then it was home for a shower and back to bed to watch all the awful daytime TV I could handle.  I will say though, being home sick does allow you to get caught up on all of your DVR shows!  Score!

I am officially starting BOSTON training today and couldn't be more excited!  Last week I some-what followed the training plan for week one, so I guess you could kind-of say that it started last week.  I am happy to report I got in 40 miles and even managed a long run and a 25 mile bike ride and brick workout!  Whoo hoo!

Wednesday I came home early from work and decided I still needed to get my miles in.  Like a crazy woman, I managed to get my 7 miles in with the speedwork.
7 miles 53:32  -  1 mile warm up at 8:00/mi pace,  5 miles at 7:30/mi pace and 1 mile cool down at 8:32/mi pace. 
I was spent after this!  I felt like I was gonna puke the whole time, but damn it!  I had speedwork to do and I got it done!

Thursday and Friday I just did five miles each at 8:00/mi pace and got the heck out of the gym.  On Saturday I was feeling much better but not wanting to run.  So the hubbs and I got on our bikes and headed over to a really beautiful trail, the Coyote Creek trail and rode for 25 miles!  My butt is still sore!  This is one of my favorite trails to run on, too.  It is challenging with lots of rolling hills.  When we were done, I got off my bike and hit the trails for three miles.  Wow!  What a workout!  I have so much respect for you tri people!  Those were miserable miles but felt oh soooo good!  I managed the three miles in just over 25 mins or about 8:30/mi pace.  I hope to do that again really soon!  Great cross training!

Finally Sunday I knew I had to do a long run.  And I was actually feeling pretty good.  So after Mass my hubbs and I headed out. 
14 miles  1:53:38   8:07/mi pace   I hit this one dead on.  I wanted to keep an 8:00/mi pace and I think I came pretty darn close!  I am shooting for a low 3:30 finish time in Boston, so I am going to keep trying to have my long runs in the pace and time.  I was wiped at the end, but I am not sure if that was because I am still recovering from my cold or it was just plain cold out and a hard run.

I have a quick question for all you running peeps.  As you all know I am doing the Boston 2 Big Sur Challenge.  As you can see, I will be racing on a Monday and then back for another marathon on the following Sunday - less than six days later.  Yes, I know I am crazy for taking it on.  But I am wicked excited!  A once in a life-time experience.  My question is though...should I train any different?  Should I maybe be adding in some double days?  Should I just focus on Boston and then hope to survive Big Sur?  I know I will not be pulling out any great time in Big Sur, but I also don't want to be completely misserable.  So what are your thoughts on this...any suggestions or thoughts are welcome!

I am back to the grindstone this week.  The weather here in NorCal is perfect for running, low to mid 50's.  My week should look a lot like last week so I know what is ahead for me.  I am soooo behind in my Google reader but I promise to catch up everyone!  Congrats to all you peeps that raced this weekend!   From what I hear, you all did awesome!

Have a great Monday!  Happy Running!

14 comments:

L.B. said...

Training for Boston... cool! It'll be interesting to see how a pro like you trains for a big race.

Funny you should mention the two-marathons-in-six-days question. Yesterday in our running group one of our pace leaders (who ran in the 96 Boston Marathon and has ran 55 total marathons) talked about running marathons in close proximity and he said you just want to take it easy on the second one. He said he wouldn't necessarily recommend it (he probably meant that for us rookies) but that you could get away with it, but to just treat the second one as a training run.

He's running an ultra and then another marathon in June so he was asked about such long races in rapid succession.

Anyway, I'm just passing info along since I've yet to run my first 26.2.

Sarah said...

OMG you are such a crazy person running even though you were sick! I'm not even surprised though. :P

Glad you are feeling better and beginning your training for Boston. I can't wait to cheer you on!

Pining for Pinterest said...

It sounds like you never stopped!!! That is one reason why I hate the bike sometimes because my butt will be sore for days after!!! I hope that you have a great week and feel better :-)

TMB @ RACING WITH BABES said...

I was wondering where you have been. Hope you're back to 100%!

Good luck with the Boston training! You are going to do awesome!

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

YIPPEE day #1. So I have zero advice for running back to backs. Have you ever read Steph's 50 challenge blog? She runns doubles and back to back weekends often, maybe she has some advice.

Also the goofy runners would have a plan that may give some tips, but the miles would be higher.

Hope you are feeling better. Big BLOGGY HUGS!!

Anonymous said...

I've run several back-to-back (weekend) marathons and for me the key is treating the first one like an easy training run.

I know you have specific time goals for Boston and that may not be what you want to hear. Hence, keep in mind that is what works for me.

It's important to understand how your body recovers.

Personally, I cannot go out and run two marathons within a week of each at my average marathon pace. However, increase the recovery time to three or four weeks and I am good to go.

Of course, everyone's different. I am sure I have not helped you in the least!

Teamarcia said...

We missed you! Glad you're feeling better. Wow you're hardcore getting in your miles while under the weather--no easy task!
No advice on training for your B to BS as that is way out of my league. I know plenty of peeps who do stuff like that all the time so I'll ask around for you. I'm guessing just your good solid base will get you thru though.

Jess said...

Sorry to hear you were sick, but glad you're on the mend!

Good luck as you start training for Boston! I have no clue as to the approach about training for back to backs.

N.D. said...

Yea for Boston Training!

Tricia said...

Crazy girl, running while sick. :)

I don't have advice for you (sorry) but I'm excited to follow your progress!

RunToTheFinish said...

I am trying to find a training plan to start in a few weeks...eh hem any interest in running Seattle? :) I haven't announced it yet but that's where i'll be headed... I can't do as many races as you so I am going to focus on the build up to one really good race

I haven't been sick in ages, but I totally always worked out...obsessive maybe? who knows!

Jill said...

I'm so jealous you're doing B2B, as you know, but excited for you! I know when I considered doing it and was working with trainer-man, we discussed the training and racing for each. It was higly recommended for my old body to take both easy. But you're young and hip and you'll do well in both. Run Bosotn well and then take B.S. easy, I think. I don't recover from a marathon that fast so I could never take Boston hard if it were me, but I have complete confidence in you doing so!!!

So glad you are feeling better!!
HUGS!!

Tara said...

I'm so excited to see your Boston training. It sounds like you are off to a GREAT start.

I'm jealous of the biking, I can't wait to get back on my bike again.

As for the back to back races, I have NO clue what to tell you. That's why I hired a coach, so that she could figure it all out. It's so much easier just being lazy and doing the work...no planning!

Anonymous said...

I would race Boston adn run Big Sur easy. Like, actually easy. Like 9:20s easy, don't wear a watch don't get out of breath, mellow easy. The last thing you want to do is get hurt so be careful.

Glad you're feeling better!