I'm still mixed on the compression socks, by the way. I can't decide if they work or not. I started wearing them originally because they were trendy and - let's face it - I'll follow any fad. I kept wearing them because I don't really have many answers on my whole blood clotting issue and it seems better safe than sorry. But I can't decide if they actually help my muscles or my circulation. I can decide that I absolutely, positively do not like the way they look on. My lower legs become green sausages. Ah, well... it's not about the fashion.
I'm getting used to slightly higher mileage, although this week was not without some trouble. I'm still feeling burned out, more physically than psychologically (the cooler weather helps!). My long run was, well, longer. It wasn't my weakest run although it was slow as molasses. I need to be getting more sleep, which means going to bed earlier.
- Friday: blessed, blessed rest day
- Saturday: 17.07m. This took me from northern Manhattan (where I met up with one friend) to a lap of Central Park (where a 2nd friend took over conversational duties) and back up nearly to the George Washington Bridge (alone, but my dog met me for the walk back from the river).
- Sunday: 5k over the Brooklyn Bridge
- Monday: rest, sweet sweet rest. Well, except for a hot yoga class with some friends. The class was good, although it beat me up so much that I had to rearrange my schedule and put my recovery day on Tuesday.
- Tuesday: 4.1m on the treadmill. I am CLAIMING that .1m.
- Wednesday: 2.5m on the treadmill. Did you hear that? 2.5. I intended to do 6, but I lost my mind at 2.5 and stopped. Cold.
- Thursday: 5.0m, sort of. More on that "sort of" next week.
I had a weird run Wednesday. Per usual, I didn't get up early to run in the morning, which meant the treadmill at night. I was chugging along, trying to watch tv and take my mind off of that hamster wheel feeling. About a mile in, I noticed that the woman on the treadmill next to me had a crumpled up, well-worn chart of treadmill paces and time spent running versus calories burned. And she was consulting it regularly.
That bugged me. Like, really bugged me. Since I started keeping this blog, one of the things it's done is to make me more aware of why I run (you've surely noticed all of my silly ruminations). On that treadmill at that moment, that was NOT why I run. I don't run to burn calories (added bonus, sure) and I don't run for the experience of wasting my evening in an-overcrowded gym on a treadmill like a hamster wheel watching crummy television to take my mind off of the run.
So I got off the treadmill and went home. There was another issue at play, too. Some... I hate to say it... pain. I'll be seeing a doctor about that next week. I'm sure it's nothing though, right? Totally nothing?
17m is amazing you should be proud.
ReplyDeleteone of the hardest things about marathon training is, lets face it, staying motivated through the training. you are not alone, its TOUGH.
i just got compression socks yesterday. i love them.
Wow! Are you already running 17m long runs 2 1/2 months before the marathon? My first 17 miler for this training cycle is scheduled for mid September...Hmmm...do I need another schedule?
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jen! I think you're right about the motivation. I also hope that my leg pain turns out to be nothing, since I've found that part of training is also trying to discriminate between "this pain means you should stop" and "you're doing something hardcore and pain is to be expected in small amounts." Let's hope for the latter!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd Silly Girl :) - do NOT rethink your training program because of me! First off, you just ran a *marathon*, so you're already in awesome shape. Secondly, my sister created this program for me because I might be running Chicago in mid-October. My program might be too ambitious, but I'm trying to stick with it. Never change horses mid-stream, okay?
Tracy- seriously though, it's tough. I have HUGE issues with 'is this real pain or am I just not in the mood' Usually I try and distract myself with a list (groceries, errands, to do, vacations, etc) or with thinking about the next water fountain etc. Mine, luckily, is hardly ever pain, it's lain (lame-pain).
ReplyDeleteJLT - 'Lain' - love it. Personally, I just become obsessed with icing. At random. All the time.
ReplyDeleteTracy, I sincerely hope it's nothing. And also hope that you shower before your next long run nap.
Thank heavens for washable couch cushions, eh? :)
ReplyDeleteRan 4 this morning with no pain, so fingers crossed...
Loving the "lain" too!