Cupcakes, NyQuil, and a DNS

Hola friends! It was a long weekend of NyQuil induced comas and cupcakes. Oh like you don't wash down your cupcakes with NyQuil. Pshaw. 

That's right. I got sick this weekend. I initially felt it coming on Thursday during a run of the mill six miler. My legs felt super heavy and I wondered what the heck was going on. Then, I really felt off on Friday morning as I awoke with the always lovely STOD (Sore Throat Of Doom). Ever the conservative, when I couldn't sleep Friday night due to the scratchy throat and building of phlegm, I decided to take my DNS with my NyQuil and skip the aquathon on Saturday AM. Yes, I was totally bummed, but since marathon training is upon me, I figured there was always next year. My first DNS. I'll never forget you DNS, never. Tear. 

My weekend basically consisted of: sleep, read Game of Thrones, take some NyQuil, and repeat. Pretty exciting stuff kids. I did feel well enough to see Star Wars on Saturday so that was a big treat, you know, getting dressed and leaving the house and all.

On Sunday, I decided a full day of rest was in order, with the exception of Baby R's first birthday. No plague was going to keep me away from my Godson/nephew. I had toys and clothes to give him. And a few four cupcakes to eat. Don't worry though, I was sure not to breathe on him and I'm certain he had a great time.

I did feel a bit better Monday morning but I was still zonked by the time I got home from work last night. Fortunately, the S.O. picked up dinner for us and we watched an episode of Dexter before heading to bed nice and early. I feel 100% better today. I am crediting the extra sleep and NyQuil comas. And maybe, the cupcakes. 

As the weekend looms, I am reminded that I am again moving. Yes. I'm moving. Again. I know, it feels like I just moved. And while it's only been a year and a half, I'm really going to miss my neighborhood and tiny apartment. I'm not going too far, but my commute to work is definitely going to be longer. Sigh. Oh well, co-habitation, here I we come. 

My Chicago Training Plan

I FINALLY got my Chicago Marathon training plan together. It took a bit longer than I expected but I think I've done a pretty good job with it. I must state, I am not a certified coach and this is the plan that works best for me based on my past experiences and my conversations with various running coaches.

First, I started by using Hal Higdon's personal best marathon plan as the base. I then switched the days around to better fit my schedule. I also shortened the plan to 22 weeks. (The first few weeks are really just base building.) I like to do my speedwork on Tuesday (TRACK TUESDAY!) and I like to do my long runs on Saturday. I prefer to get up early on Saturdays so that I have at least one weekend day to sleep in. Training for this marathon during the summer means early morning long runs and if do my long run on Saturday, I can do my cross training on Sunday a little bit later in the day. I have a rest day and a cross train with five days of running.

Second, I decided on four 20 mile long runs. I asked a lot people about this and everyone varied in their opinion. I decided that three 20 milers and one 22 miler would be best for me. I think this is a very personal decision and having run a marathon or two, I feel most confident when I do three to four 20 mile long runs. Some of you may be aghast at four, but others of you will nod in agreement.

Third, I emailed my plan to three trusted coaches: Coach EK, Navy Steve, and Mary B. I took a lot of what they said to heart and implemented the ideas that I thought worked best for me. (See a pattern here?) All three agreed that I needed to up my weekly mileage. Oof. I had originally only intended three 20 milers but Navy Steve and Coach EK both expressed that more experienced marathoners should do more. Oof again.

In addition to the things they agreed upon they all felt a little differently about taper and pace versus tempo runs. In the past, I have used pace runs to train. I am thinking that for this go round I'll do a mix of tempo runs and pace runs. They are a similar but the tempo allows me to train a bit faster than the pace run and there again I get a bit of a confidence boost. I am going to mix the two and see how it goes. Mary was a big proponent of the tempo and training closely to how you would run come race day.

Lastly, as for taper, I decided to do a two week again. I know my body and I know I can handle the two week taper.It's....best for me.

And there you have it. None of it is set is stone which is a nice reminder because if there are days that I feel too tired or if my hammy non-injury-injury flares up I can always scale back as I see fit.

I have decided just to get going in my training and then think about my goals later. I am not sure where I'll end up but I'm hopeful for a PR at least.

Happy Friday friends! I've got an aquathon tomorrow that I'm just going to have fun with. Good luck to any of you racing this weekend. I know the CLE folks are rarin' to go!

Let's look at our vacation photos!

Per the title of this blog, I hear the groans. No one likes to look at other people's vacation photos, but we all force each other to do it anyway.

The S.O. and I had a great time in Puerto Rico! We relaxed, hung out at the beach, ate entirely too much mofongo and guava, drank a billion some Medallas, kayaked in a bioluminescent bay, and almost got car jacked by a pack of dogs. Good times!

Here's a few snapshots of our vacay. You're welcome.

Enjoying empanadas and the local beer Medalla.

Selfies!

From the fort overlooking the Capitol in San Juan.

Beach feet, hers and his.

Turn left for frogs, horses, trees, and birds?

Sufficed to say, we only got in one run while there. Our resort hotel beds were entirely too comfortable and we just couldn't pull ourselves from them that early. Plus, you know, it was vacation.

I'm happy to be home and can't wait to catch up on all of your lives. I hope at least one of you did something exciting while I was away.