MY FAMILY 💕
TRAINING:
Hello everyone! Welcome to WEEK 6! This is the week that leads up to the dreadful 10-Mile-long run. Why is it dreadful, you may ask? Well, for me it’s the longest mileage I have done since 2020, pre-baby and the first double digit run of this training cycle. This run has always set the tone for how the rest of my training goes. I know that may sound dramatic, but this run begins to test my mental strength as well as my physical endurance. Quite frankly, historically, this run has always SUCKED! In the past, I have had two 10 Mile run weekends, but with my recent vacation, I only had one shot at it. So, no pressure, right? UGH!
The weather this week was definitely not my friend, my Tuesday 2 Mile shakeout was hot, humid and made it hard to breathe. I also got to that point where a 2-mile run feels far worse than 8 or 10 miles. My legs never warm up, they feel like lead. My breathing never gets a chance to settle, when it does, the run is already over. It almost feels useless to do the run, but I know in the middle of a 10-mile run, I’ll be thankful that I did this hard early week run.
My second weekly run was on Thursday. This is when I test my speed and heart rate recovery. This week it was raining so I was in the gym for the first time since before the pandemic! Yeah, I haven’t been back in a gym working out since March 2020!!!!! I know, I feel weird just saying that! However, that doesn’t mean that I haven’t been working out, just always at home between Norah naps and daycare days (MY! How life has changed!). I forgot how much I enjoyed that stationary bike! There’s a weird invincible feeling when you are pedaling hard and fast for 2 minutes and then leaning back for a leisurely 5 minutes. For those of you that aren’t familiar with my marathon training, I used to swim and/or bike instead of additional runs.
Cross training with other modes of cardio and low impact leg movement allows you to rest your legs from pounding on the pavement, but allows you to condition for improved mobility, heart rate endurance and recovery and overall fitness. I also did a quick medium tempo run on the treadmill at a consistent 8:50/9 min pace.
My other workouts this week consist of band workouts, 3 days of strength training and core work, Mommy-Norah swim class, 25 miles of walking, two 50-minute wellness sessions with clients and mostly, running after an almost 3-year-old!
10 MILER DAY!!
I don't know why I keep waking up nervous before every long run. It just happens! Well, the humid air you can wear weather trend continued into the weekend. As I mentioned before, we now live in a different neighborhood from my previous races. Along with navigating new run route/process, running with a toddler, running half of the distance on my own, running on the other side of the lake, new people, new landmarks, new mileage markers, new bathroom and water fountain locations…it’s just a lot. I used mt 6 and 8 mile runs to ease into the transition and get the lay of the land. Anyways, I started my run at 6:25 am and was drenched in sweat before I even hit 2 miles. It’s all on par for the course, I get it. On my current route, the first 4 miles are local, with a lot of traffic lights. Mile 4 onwards is all lakefront. That being said, there is no wind for 4 miles, but I take advantage of the traffic lights to hydrate, stretch and reset. Once I got to the lake, I unleash and as usual, found my legs after Mile 4 and have at it. Vik, my hubs, and I are still trying to find the perfect meeting place and we are getting close to finding that balance. I met up with him and Norah to finish my final 3 miles. My daughter gave me the biggest smile when she saw me running past her and screamed, ‘You’re a great runner, Mommy!” MELT MY HEART! I realized it’s the first time she’s seen me run past her and in front of her instead of behind the stroller or right next to her. That alone reminded me that giving up is not an option because this little girl is watching me. We finished the run right into North Avenue beach and had ourselves a fun, beachy morning! As nervous as I was about this run, it went better than I even could imagine. After being off for a week and missing a long run, you never know how much you have lost, especially after a 4-year hiatus from long distance running. I was proud of myself for not only having a successful 10 Miles, but also faster than my 8-mile run! It was truly a great reminder that I am an endurance athlete, and it felt really good to get that back for myself.
NUTRITION:
This week was my first official marathon training meals week. I started with higher protein meals, with some lower carbs mixed in. I slowly transitioned to a balance of carbs and protein and ended the week with a full-on carb load, keeping in mind sodium and salt levels. I have reinstated my “Quinoa of the Week” series and started this week with a Turkey Club Quinoa. I make a half cup of tri-color quinoa, mix in some proteins (beans, meat), serve it with fresh veggies and greens for lunch on Wednesday, and then with eggs and fresh veggies for breakfast on Friday (day before long run). My nutrition plan was ON POINT this week, so I am glad that I can continue to trust my process.
Meals of the week included and pictured are:
1. Quinoa of the Week – Turkey Club (Black Beans, Ground Turkey, Bacon,
Tomatoes, Red Onion, Cheddar Cheese, Coddled Egg) (Lunch on Wed with Purple Kale, Breakfast on Friday with Scrambled Eggs)
2. Smoked Ham and Turkey with Smoked Gouda on Texas Toast (Tuesday Lunch)
3. Grilled Salmon with Grated Heirloom Tomato Sauce & Green Beans (Monday Dinner)
4. Smashburger Tacos (duh, Taco Tuesday)
5. Summer Fun Pasta - Linguine with Grilled Corn & Cauliflower, Lemon Butter Sauce, Fresh Grated Tomato and Parmesan (Wednesday Dinner, Thursday Lunch)
6. Wagyu NY Strip with Asparagus, Coddled Egg and Sweet & Spicy Mustard Sauce (Thursday Dinner)
7. Herb Marinated Grilled Lamb Chops, Yellow Dal, Basmati Rice, Greek Yogurt and Fresh Cucumber & Tomatoes (Friday Dinner)
In addition to meals, I snacked on cured meats, cheese, chocolate milk and my Friday lunch was my usual sodium laden deli sandwich, this week was a Grinder Sandwich from JT’s Genuine in Irving Park. Great local spot with really nice owners!
OVERALL:
Week #6 was a great welcome back from 2020! I felt like I was finding my groove even with all the changes since then. Marathon training does take over my life, but this time I can’t afford to be selfish about it. I have other priorities that will always take a front seat. I am learning to balance my training, self-care and being a mom. This week was overwhelming at times trying to meal prep, workout and get ready for a long run. I utilize Norah’s day care days as much as I can for myself and focus on her home days solely on being there for her and being Mommy. I am still learning, some moments this week were tense, especially when Norah’s ThreeNado moods are on deck. I could have eaten better breakfasts, or even any breakfast on some days. I need to tweak some nutrition decisions. Physically, I have a niggling issue with my left quad/hip that I need to focus on this coming week. Mentally, I’m in a good place, trying not psych myself out for 12 miles. Emotionally, I have had some tears, mostly because I can’t believe I am actually going to be running my 5th marathon with my daughter watching and cheering me on, something I never thought would happen for me.
Marathon training is a long process, being that I am in the middle of it now, some days are hard to talk yourself through. You must look at every run as an accomplishment and every progress point a victory. I noticed my hard work this week paid off on Saturday, but that's where I leave it...on Saturday. I have 12 miles next week, there's no telling how those 2 additional miles will affect my pace, endurance or just even my mental process. At this moment, it's back to the drawing board to see what I can do this week to conquer my next victim...MILE 12! 😈😈😈😈😈😈
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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