MY FAMILY 💕
TRAINING:
Hello everyone! Welcome to WEEK 11! Here it is, the week of the 20 Mile Monster! As much as I would like to hate this run, I just don't. It is what it is. It's the last long run before we taper down the miles. For some people, the run is a predictor of race day timing, for others, it's about getting the miles in to ensure that they cross that finish line. For me, it's a bit of a combination of both, as long as there aren't any too many anomalies that occur during the run that can affect the outcome. As for prepping for this run, I had to find a balance between keeping my legs loose, but not tired.
Coming off the 16 miles, I started the week sitting in my daughter's pool. I spent most of Sunday sitting in hose cold water, in the sun, watching football outside and drinking some bubbles.
I needed to really wash away the 16 miles...physically, mentally and emotionally. It was a great reset and Norah and Vik loved it too!
I did one 5-mile bike ride on Tuesday; my legs were not ready for a run at all. I noticed a ton of stiffness even during the ride.
However, it did improve my pain and adjusting resistance and incline helped me on a cardio level forcing different heart rate zones, which is crucial since a run as long as 20 miles, your heart will go through sprints, walks, steady pace running and stops.
I felt much better by Thursday and did a hot and steamy, 2
Mile run to Norah's daycare in the afternoon. I don't know why
I do that to myself. I hate running any time after 12pm. It's the
worst, especially when the high is 95 degrees. Ridiculous. Little did I know then what was in store for me on Saturday....ugh.
Strength training, I had a dedicated leg day that really helped work some kinks out. I also did an upper body dumbbell work out, superset with another leg-based bodyweight set of exercises. I only did band work and a TON of stretching on Friday. I just kept things pretty conservative this week so that I felt strong and ready for Saturday's run. I did 2–50-minute wellness sessions and walked about 15 miles to boot!
THE 20 MILE MONSTER!
So before even getting to Saturday, I sent out a social media distress signal about how bad the weather conditions were going to be this weekend. Saturday was going to be hot, humid, sunny and Sunday was going to be cooler, rainy and cloudy. Pick your poison. I went with the former, mainly so my family could join me on this run, as it's apparently frowned upon to take your toddler on a 2-hour run in the rain in not-so-great temps. Lol. Well, Saturday morning came and for the first time in weeks, NO PAIN. Nothing, it was glorious. Then I went outside and got hit in the face with this thick air and darkness at 6:15 am. So it began, I really didn't have a plan, I figured I'd adjust as the miles increased. I was doing pretty well until I hit about 6 miles when I realized the usual aid stations were NOT THERE! For weeks, CARA and Fleet Feet had stations scattered along the lakefront. Where were they on the longest, hottest run of the whole training program???? I definitely did not have enough Gatorade in my Hydro flask and the water in my Camelbak warmed up so fast. I immediately called Vik and told him to meet me closer to my 8-mile mark and not the usual 10-mile mark and to bring more hydration. That being said, that sun rose up fast and hot. The lake didn't do us any favors as there was ZERO breeze, it looked like glass. I walked the massive incline at the Navy Pier Flyover and sprinted down the other side. I met up with my kid and hubs and fueled up with hugs, kisses, electrolytes and energy chews I don't do gels. They are just disgusting in so many ways that aren't even appropriate to write about. I think about Mile 13, I just started to fall apart a bit. I mean, I still had 7 miles to go! I started to run/walk for a few miles, then went to walking a few miles, back to running a few miles. I stopped at all fountains to hydrate, splash water on my face, resulting in salty sweat stinging my eyes, it was just a circus. I swear those last 7 miles took an eternity to finish. I questioned all my life decisions at Mile 17, realized I have no one to blame but myself for this misery. Norah kept my spirits up for most of the 12 miles they did with me, by serenading me with toddler songs, family sing-alongs, I-spy games and just telling me I'm doing a good job. I love that kid. Vik had a speaker blaring from the stroller and I listened to "Shake It Off" more times than I can count since Norah was making requests. Amidst all this heat, sweat and fatigue, 20 miles came to an end...SOMEHOW, 20 miles happened.
I do regret not having that plan I mentioned above. I should have run at a faster pace up front before the heat to cover more miles, instead I chose to keep a steady pace that only got worse. The last few miles would have been the same outcome, I just would have ended sooner. I don't know. I do believe in running smarter and not faster, but maybe this time faster would have been smarter? Eh, who cares, I am not running another 20 miles to find out!
NUTRITION:
With the 20 miler in mind, I focused my food on 3 things.... protein, energy and COMFORT....all my food this week had an element of comfort either flavor wise or the dish itself... here is the food for the week!
(PLEASE NOTE: All meals are home made by Vik or me unless otherwise noted in the description (i.e. restaurant website link, or source (parents, family, friends))
1. Quinoa of the Week – Chicken Biryani (Ground Chicken made Hyderabad Biryani Style, Kidney Beans, Sauteed Onions)
Served Halal Guys Style (iykyk) with Lettuce, Onions, Green Peppers, White Sauce & Red Hot Sauce on Wednesday for lunch and Friday, added a hardboiled egg, mint chutney and Maggi Sauce, another ode to a Hyderabadi classic.
2. OTHER BREAKFASTS THIS WEEK:
Gobi Paratha - Cauliflower Stuffed Flat Bread
Smoked Salmon Toasts - Veggie Cream Cheese, Smoked Salmon, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Fresh Dill, Everything Seasoning
Special K Protein Fortified Cereal with Whole Milk (pictured before)
Chicken Biryani Quinoa with Hardboiled Eggs (as mentioned/pictured above)
3. LUNCHES THIS WEEK:
Smoked Brisket & Charro Beans Bowl (made from Sunday Night Football Leftovers)
Jar Salad - Chicken Salad, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, Baby Spinach, Cheddar Cheese, Spicy Ceasar Dressing
Halal Guys Quinoa (as mentioned /pictured above)
Poke Bowl - Tuna Belly, Jasmine Rice, Avocado, Carrots, Cucumbers, Fresh Cilantro, Spicy Mayo & Sesame Rice Wine Vinaigrette
Italian Sandwich from my favorite West Loop Spot - J.P. Grazianos - https://www.jpgraziano.com
4. DINNERS THIS WEEK:
Grilled Lemon Dill Salmon with Mushroom Brown Rice
Taco Tuesday - Taco Sliders (Yes, these are a thing and are so fun!)
6-Hour Italian Sausage Ragu with Pappardelle Pasta
Wagyu Strip Steak, Lemony Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans
5. PRE-RUN DINNER THIS WEEK:
Chicken Tikka Masala, Saag Paneer, Yellow Dal, Raita, Basmati Rice & Garlic Naan (all classics)
OVERALL:
Week #11 was the week you train all summer for. It's the week that the miles are more about mentally achieving than they are physically. 20 miles is no joke, adding the weather and lack of hydration made for a tricky run, but when you power through, you feel like you can take on anything.
Physically, I HAVE NO PAIN! My leg feels amazing, and I don't know why!!!! Alternately, I have the worst sinus infection that seems traditionally accurate.
Mentally, I am glad the longest runs are done, and I can focus on tapering the miles, healing the body and focusing on the start line.
Emotionally, I can't believe that this may be the last time I run a 20 Mile training run. After October 13th, I may never venture past 13.1 miles in one go. While I'm closing and locking the doors on 26.2 after October, I'm not throwing away the key just yet. I kept thinking that on my run on Saturday and was hit with a huge wave of emotions. 26.2 has been a huge part of my life over the last 8 years, I never thought I'd make it to 5 after having a baby at 40. I sometimes surprise myself at what I set out to accomplish, and these potentially last 20 miles reminded me of what I am made up of.
With the 20 Mile Monster behind me, the miles go down, the focus goes up and the nerves start to unsettle. While I wasn't super happy about my 20-mile pace, I have to remember that I am not on pace to BQ (Boston Qualify, PR (Personal Record) ...I'm on pace to RACE.
I am running the Chicago Marathon 2024 for the same charity as in previous years, The Chicago Diabetes Project - Cellmates on the Run Foundation! Click on the link below for more information, race updates and donations! Every dollar counts, help us find a cure!
See you all next week!
~Giz
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