Tag: Training

One Week to Go!

On By eatplayrunkirbyIn Marathon Training, RunningLeave a comment

I can’t believe it! By this time next week, I’ll have finished my second marathon! (At least I hope I’m not still on the course come 8 p.m :-P!)

Overall I reflect back on this summer of training with mostly fond memories.  It hasn’t always been easy, but I’ve been very fortunate to have an exceptionally awesome support system of run buddies who got me out for my training runs consistently.  I can’t believe that when I ran Boston I had trained primarily solo.  Don’t get me wrong, there is a time and a place for solo runs, even longer distance solo runs, but I have really found a love for running with friends.

This weekend was my last long run and I ended up putting in 11 miles with myIMG_0257 friend Scott.  I had no complaints in regards to the weather or our route. I can’t remember the last time I was able to comfortably run in a long sleeve shirt!  If anything, it was a little too windy at times, but that was mostly when we made it to Castle Island in Southie (where I made Scott take our photo stop!) .  The leaves are turning and running through the city was a nice change of scenery.

The only thing getting me nervous as of late is that I am struggling with some right hamstring pain.  I’ve gotten so much action from my foam roller I think it’s time he proposed!  I’m basically in a regimen of rolling, stretching, icing and taking anti-inflammatories.  I’m struggling with how much to do in the week leading up to the big run, but I am planning to get in at least one or two days of some easy miles.

At this point I’ve done what I can do and what happens on the day will be what it is.  I’m ok with that. I am so fortunate to be able to run at all I have no pressure on myself for any other goal than to cross that finish loud proudly knowing I worked hard to be able to get to this point.

I’ll admit I took this picture after running, when I had gone in to the city later in the afternoon, but nonetheless the beautiful fall-meets-Boston sights were plentiful throughout my run and I wanted to end with this beautiful shot.

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I’m willing to bet I’ll be a bit antsy the day/night prior to my marathon so I’m thinking you all might hear from me again before I head to the start line 🙂  I’ll at least post some info about following me on my run, for those who are interested, and there’s even a cool app I’m going to use while I run because it allows friends to pre-record cheers and choose where along the course I hear them!  Seeing as I’ve become admittedly so reliant on my run buddies, that’s sounding quite amazing to me and worth running with an ear bud (something I haven’t done in forever!)

Until then, happy running!

Time to Taper? Tackle a Half!

On By eatplayrunkirbyIn Boston, Half Marathon, Marathon, Running, Selfies, Training2 Comments

And what’s better than the B.A.A. Half Marathon?!
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It certainly wasn’t my best run, but it wasn’t my worst.  I’d be lying if I said I was happy with how I felt during this race, but that’s ok.  I actually feel like regardless of overall not feeling on my game, it was a great decision to have a race during my taper time. It helped me step away from all of the pressure I’ve been putting on myself. I know that sounds weird because a race venue for many comes with pressure, but for me it was a beautiful fall morning in Boston that I got to spend with friends and it just so happens I got in 13.1 miles that is helping me keep on my game for my upcoming marathon.  Race bling is always fun, too 🙂

I have had a lot going on which has unfortunately coincided with the final month and a half of my marathon training.  It’s been distracting and I’ve been carrying a lot of life stress and anxiety into all of my training runs. I am positive that has not been helping me feel at the top of my game.  Nonetheless, I’m really trying to take things one day at a time and low and behold those days are slowly ticking away and it’s almost the big day!

So in the spirit of trying to keep things positive and find the fun in every run, here are my pics from this weekend!

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Some pics with friends before the start and in the starting line.

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Running through the Franklin Park Zoo  gave me the awesome opportunity to snap a selfie with a Zebra!!!  I look at this a sign and as practice for The Big Five Marathon , which I hope to tackle one day!

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It was great running with some fellow Race for Rehab alums !

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Lastly, having completed the B.A.A. 5K, 10K and Half Marathon races this year, I got some extra sweet bling with the Distance Medley Medal!

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So I’m heading into this weekend and my FINAL long run (eek!) before Marathon day!  I’m going for another easy 12-13 miles and really looking forward to all of my shorter midweek runs.

I apologize that my posting has been a little off schedule, and fairy uninspired.  In addition to marathon training, I’ve had some additional work projects and I’m in the process of buying a new place and moving.  Everything is coming to an end at the end of October so I’ve been a real test of prioritizing and productivity lately, neither of which I feel like I’m doing all that awesomely!  Nonetheless, I’ll get through it and I really cannot wait to share my experiences of my time in D.C.  Fortunately I’m off from work for over a week and it will be a wonderful end to a long training and couple of eventful life months!

Lots more excitement to come! And until then, Happy Running!

20 Miles, 20 Selfies!

On By eatplayrunkirbyIn Marathon, RunningLeave a comment

So I’ll get it out of the way.  Today was TOUGH.  In fact, I’m pretty convinced the only way I got through this run was because I mentally committed to this “20 Miles, 20 Selfies” idea before I started. (What’s funny is you can totally see the decline…it was only fun for like the first 10 miles, but more on that in a bit!)

It’s been awhile since I have not only had SO much internal negative talk, but also that I’ve not been able to overcome it.  I don’t know what exactly happened. I’ve been thinking about it for awhile and have gotten no further in my efforts to try and describe what I felt. I definitely wasn’t feeling physically awesome, especially by mile 16, but I just could not mentally get out of my own way.  I did more walking than I wanted, but hey, I finished!  That was what was really important to me.  Second in line for importance was I hoped to finish before the course officially shut down (4 hours).  I expected to have more wiggle room, but I finished with 4 minutes and change prior to the shut down so I’ll count that as a “win.”  The course was tough.  The loops we 20-milers did was not super scenic.  The volunteers were great as were the other runners, especially the other 20-milers. It was kind of like a special club, tackling 20 miles together.

So let’s enjoy the 20 selfies, because that’s more fun than my continued thinking about how tough today was (though near the end, you’ll start to see the shift from excitement to “Oh my god I hate everything right now”).

Arriving at the start, bright and early!
Arriving at the start, bright and early!
Nice view near the start
Nice view near the start
Mandatory pre-race selfie
Mandatory pre-race selfie
Mile 1, let’s do this!
Mile 2, still "fun"
Mile 2, still “fun”
Mile 3
Mile 4, kinda cute! (minus the shaky wobbles)
Mile 4, kinda cute!
High Fiving at Mile 5!
High Fiving at Mile 5! Kirby’s CLIF Gel time!
Mile 6, Amanda’s on to her nutrition and I’m starting my cute faces
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Mile 7, Getting our selfie on with some water in the background
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Apparently 8 miles gets me so excited I strain my entire face! (PS I don’t have a double row of top teeth)
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Mile 9, trying to capture some scenery
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Looking pretty good for Mile 10!
Yeah, this is where the run started to lose us both, Mile 11
Yeah, this is where the run started to lose us both, Mile 11
Mile 12…speaks for itself
Mile 13, buddies break off
Mile 13, buddies break off, but I gained a double chin for this pic 😉
Just anything to keep me going at Mile 14
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Mile 15, lost Amanda for good d/t the dizzies and I legit am not amused with this run!
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Mile 16, pretty sure I was trying to optimistically “thumbs up” but honestly only thinking about hitchhiking (or Ubering, actually)
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Mile 17, rallying for a selfie. (For the record, totally faking the happiness)
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Mile 18. Yeah…
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Mile 19. One. More. To. Go….
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Mile 20. Done! Cute medal and I’ll receive my 20 mile tag in the mail.

So in the end, I got it done. It was not the pace I was hoping for (I certainly wasn’t hoping to walk!) I wanted to feel better, mentally and physically, but I have to deal with the fact I didn’t and just move on!

I have a “shakeout” 5K run tomorrow with the Cambridge Classic 5K which I’m really looking forward to as those are always a fun event.  Next weekend I’ll go for 18 and the following I’m going to attempt 22.  Part of my training this go around was to do 2, 20-miler runs, so we shall see!  Trying to keep positive because I have been putting in the work. Sometimes running is just tough and nothing productive can come from being hard on myself!

Until next time, happy running!

Race Route
Race Route