Not-so-fast-running-blog

Workout:

• Easy run / 8.05 mi / 10:28

Workout:

• Easy run / 8.04 mi / 10:20

Workout:

• Easy run /  8.09 mi / 10:07 
• Light drizzle of rain the entire run
• This is my last longer mileage until I leave for the Chicago Marathon. This is my final marathon EVER! It's really nice going into a marathon with a simple goal to have fun. I can't express my elation, but I know that my feet will feel that expression with each stride on the streets of Chicago!

Workout:

• Easy / 6.49 mi / 10.11

Workout:

• Easy / 5.05 mi / 10:02

Workout:

• Easy run / 6.16  mi / 10.01

Quick Race Recap:

I qualified to run the 2020 Boston Marathon. COVID shut the race down for the year. Promoters offered a virtual race option. Although not the same, I knew that I would not qualify again based upon my pandemic training. This option allowed me to acquire the medal if world circumstances had been different.

Knowing that I'd be running Chicago in two days, I kept my pace at an easy, easy jog.

Race Recap:

There was nothing positive about my race performance which was fine. My only goal was to finish the race as this was going to be my FINAL marathon EVER! I finished so I met my goal!

This marathon was amazing! I was overwhelmed by the spectators. There was no section of the race without a throng of screaming people offering encouragment, food, and wet towels. They certainly came out to cheer all of the runners. I was stunned to hear the crowds constantly calling out individual runners by their names. The seasoned Chicago Marathoners know this is going to happen because they put their names on their running shirts. I soon became known as the "red-haried girl." Everywhere I ran the crowd cheered, "You got this red-haired girl!" "Looking good red-haired girl," and so on! It really helped me along the course.

My two children were constantly moving through the course to cheer me on as well. This was a huge mental support especially toward the final 6 miles as my calves were really cramping up. Knowing that they'd be along the race course I kept pushing forward even though my running was at a crawl pace. By the time my race ended, they had walked over a half-marathon!

Since this was my final marathon, it seems fitting that I ended up in the medical tent. I crossed the finish line, received my medal, and gathered my food rewards, but I couldn't walk any further. My calves were cramping so terribly and I could no longer put any pressure on them. Some kind runners summoned the medical team and I was whisked away on a wheelchair. I stayed in the tent for about an hour receiving physical therapy massage on my calves and feet. If I had known this was the treatment runners receive after a race, I probably would have faked cramps at other marathons! lol

My advice to anyone running a marathon, do NOT run two marathons within two days of each other!

On another side note when encouraging a finisher on his/her race, there are probably nicer comments then saying, "At least you had a good first half of your marathon!" Ha-Ha! This is what one of my sisters said to me! She is some kind of special!

Workout:

• Easy run / 5.93 mi / 10:52
• I felt so slow while running and my Garmin confirmed it! lol

Workout:

• Recovery run / 6.25 mi / 10:59
• My calf soreness finally subsided yesterday. I had zero issues during my run this morning!

Workout:

• Recovery run / 3.26 mi / 9:34
• I have zero desire to run. I need to get back into a routine. My son and I are doing the Disney Princess Challenge in February so I don't want to lose my fitness level. The races are purely fun, fun, fun so absolutely no challenge to train hard! I do, however, like how fit my body is for my age!

Workout:

• Easy run / 6.01 mi / 10:53
• I felt as if I was running in place. I thought that the cooler weather might add some speed to my runs. I was wrong! I'm still a snail.

Workout:

• Easy run / 6.26 mi / 10:57
• Slower this morning! I didn't think that was possible! lol

Workout:

• Easy run / 6.56 mi / 9:58

Workout:

• Easy run / 7.41 mi / 9:53
• Today was the first day since my two marathons that running felt light and free again. It was unfortunate that I had to end my run to get ready for work! On the plus side, it's Friday!

Workout:

• Easy run / 6.10 mi 
• It was a hat, gloves, and seeing my breath kind of early morning run.

Workout:

• Easy run / 7.86 mi / 10:18
• I got up early in hopes that I'd be able to run outdoors before the rain settled in for the day. I did! I love these small victories! Now if I could just beat this sinus infection out of me, I'd be golden!

Workout:

• Easy run / 7.18 mi

Treadmill Workout:

• Speed / 12 x 400 w 400 recovery 

Workout:

• Easy run / 6.10 mi / 10:22
• I felt so fast this morning, Alas, I am a 10 minute miler no matter how I feel!

Treadmill Workout:

• Easy run / 6.53 mi / 9:45
• Rain forced me inside. I tried to wait it out. If I waited much longer, I knew that the run would never happen. This was better than nothing.

Workout:

• Easy run / 8.18 mi / 9:34
• At 5.67 mi I was contemplating how 3 weeks ago I ran back to back marathons. Now I was already worn out at this short distance. It amazes me how quickly one can lose fitness especially in their 60's. Fortunately, I did not throw in the towel. My next 2 miles were my fastest.