Monday, May 16, 2011

Just so you know...

1. I love my regular doctor. I may have made it sound like I didn't in my last post but that simply is not the case. We just don't agree on this barefooting thing and I don't want to fight about it because I've already made up my mind on the whole thing. My doctor is one of a kind. He does house calls. He's come over on weekends, late nights, you name it. He is so willing to do anything to make us better. He genuinely cares about us. Plus he has an awesome garden and brings me fresh produce all summer long. We're good friends, we double date, he lives around the corner and his wife is also a really good friend. My kids all love him too. He brings them treats when he visits and makes sure that he's never the one to give shots. He is awesome and we are so lucky to have him in our lives. So now that we're clear on that one...

2. Push ups: I completed the 6 week program last week. It was hard. I'm sure I'll be going back to it after the marathon's over. The last set on Friday went something like this: 26, 26, 33, 33, 26, 26, 22, 22, 53. And that 53 was HARD. I was supposed to be able to do 60 but just couldn't squeak it out. I'm planning on doing my test for 100 in a row tomorrow. It should be far enough away from the marathon to affect me. It should be interesting!

3. I am feeling so unprepared for the marathon. My 20 miler was 7 weeks ago with an 18 miler 5 weeks ago. As a result I did a split run on Monday to try to simulate fatigue. I know I shouldn't wear my body out this close but needed a little mental training. After running that 5K last Saturday and then another 5 that night at tempo pace, I ran Monday morning 5.5 miles at a hard tempo pace. Then I was going for an 8-10 miler that evening. When I started my legs felt so stiff. My calves were so stiff it hurt to just walk. I considered turning back at mile 2. But I kept going because I had previously decided that I was out there for mental training. Embracing the suck as Mike says. So that was my mantra the whole run. I kept telling myself that this was really sucking. Everything was sore and hurting. But I stuck a fake smile on my face and embraced the suck. I turned on some good music and that fake smile turned into a real one. I was liking the hurt. I was really embracing and loving the suck. By mile 5 everything had loosened up a bit and though it still hurt, it wasn't torture anymore. The last 2 were hard but I just kept thinking about how the last part of the marathon was going to hurt and this was training for that. So although it wasn't a 20 mile run, those 10.5 miles were very hard and it hurt like a 20 miler and it was really good mental training. I was able to practice my own mantras and crazy finger touching techniques and I felt better prepared after that run. I needed that little mental boost.

4. I completed my last long run on Saturday and have begun the real taper week along with the obsessive weather checking for Saturday. Right now it says a high of 65 degrees and showers. I'm sure it will change 5 more times before the real day but if it ends up being that, I can handle it. The last two times I've run this marathon, the finish line was around 90 degrees. It's hard to train all winter and then go right to summer weather.

5. Toe update: Today is not so good. I didn't get retaped last week because of time constraints and after my Saturday trail run it is not doing good. There is no top of foot pain though and I'm getting taped tonight. And I'll be taped for the marathon so I'll just have to see what happens.

Lastly: some pictures of my gorgeous and hard trail run on Saturday. 8 of the hardest miles I've ever done. I ran a new trail that had some serious uphills and downhills that I wasn't really prepared for. My quads are still very sore today. I'll be rolling and resting and rolling all week long. I know. I'm so smart to do that right before the marathon.





Monday: 5.5 mile run in gorilla feet, push ups week 6, 10.5 mile run in Evo's
Wednesday: push ups week 6, fully body weights, 5 mile run (4 miles barefoot, 1 mile in gorilla feet)
Thursday: 5 mile run in VFF's
Friday: 2 mile run barefoot, push ups week 6, yoga
Saturday: 8 mile trail run in Evo's

34 comments:

Teamarcia said...

Woot for race week! you've done everything you can mentally and physically to prepare and you've worked around obstacles. I think you may surprise yourself on race day.
Great job on those pushups!

Average Woman Runner said...

Looking forward to the race! You will be ready. It's 80% mental anyway, right?!

runs with boxers said...

I'm so jealous that you have a doctor that does all of that! My doc would choke on his laugh if I asked for a house call!!!
You will do great for your race! I can't wait to hear all about it!

Sam W. said...

your doctor sounds amazing. great work on the pushups!!

Connie said...

Well done on the push-up challenge! I only got through week 2 before life got in the way.
I'm hoping to try again next week after this half-marathon is over.
Enjoy your taper!

Christina @ The Athletarian said...

I am so jealous of your pushup ability!!! I can't even do regular pushups! I need to do modified and even then I can only push out about 10. Upper body strength is definitely my area of opportunity. You just inspired me to create my own challenge! I think I will have to start a lot slower though...ha

Samantha said...

I'm seriously impressed with those push ups!!

Good luck on your race...rest up!

Doran & Jody said...

Good job, SHEra!!

Pam @ herbieontherun.com said...

I am loving "embrace the suck"! I do believe I have my first mantra! lol

Rachelle Wardle said...

The pictures are beautiful Jen thanks for sharing. I am confident you will be fine in the marathon. You are mentally prepared and when it comes down to it that is all that really matters.

I decided to run Ogden last minute because a girl that has a stress fracture offered me her bib. It was a totally impulsive decision but the group I have been doing my LR's with were all running it so I just went for it. I hope to see you there!

Katie said...

That trail run looks beautiful!!

Stefanie D. said...

I love all of your pictures! So so pretty! It reminds me of my grandma's house. Her house is surrounded by oak brush, and there is a creek right next to it. There is just something magical about it. :)

Penny said...

Jenn when you say gorilla shoes are talking about your running shoes? If so I am having to put mine back on and going between the vff's and running shoes. It is always something. I've started to have pain around my ankle. I really think I just ran to many miles to fast in my vff's. So going to rotate between the to so my ankle can get a little stronger. Love all of your pictures.

Anonymous said...

Your train run looks amazing! Very peaceful and beautiful! That's exactly how a run should be :-)

anna jo said...

jen!! okay, so I've fallen off the blog world lately so I'm way out of touch. but I want to know more about your barefoot/minimalist running experience!! and what marathon are you training for? ogden?? okay, I will have to read all your recent posts to catch up. :)

Unknown said...

Beautiful pictures! Way to go on the pushups that is amazing! I was pleased with the three sets of 10 I did today...until I read your post!! I hope you have a relaxing/pain free week.

Elle said...

Great pics of your trail run. Nice going on the pushups. You have inspired me to keep at them. I love your mantra... I am going to think about that next time it gets a bit tough for me.

Your dedication is amazing. Good for you!

Erin@gosupermamago said...

I love "embrace the suck"--I think I'll use this for my last couple weeks of half marathon training! :)

I'm on week 6 of the push-up challenge too--I'm curious to see how the final test goes for you!

Have a great and relaxing taper week!

Mel said...

YOU ARE READY!

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

You do more pushups than I have ever done in my whole life combined. Don't worry...I know you love your doc but you just have different views about barefoot running. How do you always look so beautiful?!! I know that you are going to ROCK Ogden!! Fill that beautiful head of yours with positive thoughts and it will all work out. Praying for that toe of yours!

Nelly said...

Both of your doctors now seem really awesome, haha Seriously, I would kill to have doctors like that who care that much about getting me healthy and being able to talk to them. I have found good doctors around me, but it hard to get an appointment sometime, and they always seem like they have a ton of things going on.

Good luck on your marathon! Sounds like you might be a little underprepared, but all you can do is to pace it out correctly and see how your body performs on raceday. Just listen to your body and you'll be fine.

You have the best run photos of anyone on the internet (maybe along with Fast Cory http://www.fastcory.com) Though he is also in Utah I think, so that might explain it, haha

Unknown said...

maybe the good outweigh the bad here, right? This marathon should just be to complete, for mental health. Maybe then you can physically heal and get do another 100% ready. I totally have been in your spot. You know whats best. oh and my doctor is a good friend too. Love it!

Amanda@runninghood said...

Gorgeous trail Jen! I've been trying to find a moment to read this all day. :) Did you get my e-mail this morning? I'm not certain you are getting them. No worries if you just have not responded though. Embrace the suck and enjoy whatever this marathon brings you! :) I think you might be more prepared that you think. And girl, oh my! I'm going to do push ups right this second. 25 one set. Good grief. You're amazing!!

Unknown said...

Wow! I've been quoted on "Why I Run". Such an honor! Thanks for the shout out Jen. I know, know, know you can do this marathon. Go forth and do it. Mike

LisasFitLife said...

52 push ups. That's awesome!!

zapmamak said...

Girl, I've been missing you! I haven't been reading your blog and have a lot to catch up on! BTW- Congrats on going completely bare at that charity 5k. You've got the Fiyah! And if anyone ever asks you that ubiquitous question "Aren't you afraid of stepping on glass?" You can always say "only when I'm drinking!" Ha! Or maybe that won't go over so well, but the irony of it might be kind of funny. (grin)

At any rate, glad to hear things are feeling a little better with your foot. I'm curious what you'll be running your marathon in... Evos or your VFFs?

Jess @ Blonde Ponytail said...

Beautiful pics!!! You have listened to your body Jen and though you are battling discomfort, I feel like you know what's best! I will be thinking of you this week and most definitely on Sat!! Go for it and if you have to ultimately embrace your mantra then you do!

Great job on the pushups !! You inspire me!!!

Laura said...

Woohoo for race week...Rock it.
Love the pics!

Holley @ Lunges and Lashes said...

beautiful run! i am jealous! so glad you have a great doctor, doesn't that just make all the difference? i need an amazing physical therapist. then he could work out all my kinks!

ash & diz said...

So so so excited that you are back in action and going to run Ogden!!! Can't wait to see you friday!!! Carb loading!!!!!

katie thompson said...

good luck on saturday! i will most likely just be doing the half. my leg has felt really good the past few days.
btw i HATE push ups, i seriously need to work on them.

Stephanie said...

Gosh! Your doc sounds awesome!!!

Julia said...

I am so devastated that I almost missed this post!! How could you even resist the beauty of that trail...I would have totally done the same thing! I love your mantra: embrace the suck. I gotta work on that :) you are ready..ready or not you know it,..you just are. Yeah training did not go how you imagined but you are mentally strong. I believe in you and know you can do this!! Can't wait to hear everything!! Good luck!

Unknown said...

SEE JEN
SEE JEN RUN
RUN JEN RUN!

Ogden Marathon needs you!

M