So we hit the halfway point and now we’re getting to the home stretch before taper (but of course I’m writing this at the end of Week 10, and hitting publish in the middle of Week 11).
Week 7:
Monday 2/7: Rest day
Tuesday 2/8: Tough workout with time at steady state/close to goal HMP. 8.67 miles total
Wednesday 2/9: 3 miles recovery treadmill, upper body lifting day
Thursday 2/10: 5 miles easy on the Woodway. Can you tell I’m just hopping on the tread because I’m so sick of winter? Lower body lifting after.
Friday 2/11: Rest day. Had planned to get my long run done early before heading upstate with friends, but made more sense to do Sunday LR.
Saturday 2/12: 3 miles easy upstate with a friend
Sunday 2/13: 2 hours 20 minutes of running for 12.61 miles. My longest run since the marathon. I did a mix of treadmill and outside again, which I really like.
Total: 32 miles
Week 8:
Monday 2/14: Rest day
Tuesday 2/15: Moved my hard workout because I still wasn’t feeling recovered; did 4 easy treadmill miles.
Wednesday 2/16: Skipped the workout because my calf was still super tight.
Thursday 2/17: 6 miles on the East River because the weather was warm and incredible. Went faster than normal.
Friday 2/18: Rest day
Saturday 2/19: 3.25 mile shakeout with strides.
Sunday 2/20: Did the Cherry Tree 10 Mile race in Prospect Park as a tuneup and it did not go super well. I did 1.5 miles warmup (had hoped for a full 2 but ran out of time).
My heart rate spiked after the first hill then barely recovered. I used the water stations as a little walk break then was still struggling up the hill after. Then at mile 7, I was chewing on a Clif Bar Block energy chew and my back rear molar crown popped off. So I had to retrieve that and tuck it away while I kept running.
Laps 1 and 2 were the warmup, then the first loop (laps 3-5) of 3.3 miles went pretty well. I slowed on lap 6 with the water stop and eating my chews, then picked it up again on that sweet downhill (9:09, really?) before trudging to the next downhill. My finish was not terrible and I was able to almost sprint it in, but my legs felt very un-springy the whole time.
Total: 25 miles out of a planned 36 or so. Womp womp.
Monday 1/24: Rest day. Did upper body stuff at the downstairs gym after work.
Tuesday 1/25: My longest, hardest running workout since March 2020. Warmup, 2×15 minutes @ Lactate Threshold pace with 7 minute recoveries in between, then cool down. I could feel the struggle in the second one so had to slow it down a bit, lest it not be a true LT workout/veer into something too fast. I got 7.95 miles total because I cut the cooldown short, but let’s just call it 8. Deadlifts and squats at the nice gym in the evening, but definitely not at my heaviest weights.
Wednesday 1/26: Recoveries – did 2 miles on the fancy gym treadmill then another mile at the downstairs gym treadmill after. Light to moderate upper body stuff at both gyms.
Thursday 1/27: Hour long easy run on the treadmill for 5.3 miles or so. Did Bulgarian split squats at the gym before moving around the rest of my schedule due to the blizzard, so I then switched to upper body (bench press, cable rows).
Friday 1/28: New long run day due to the impending snowstorm to hit that night. I got a later start than I would have liked, but did 5 miles outside, then the rest of the time at the gym. I was hoping to hit 6 miles on the treadmill but ran out of time, so I only got 1 hour, 50 minutes total instead of my planned 2 hours, 10 minutes. It was just about 9.5 miles instead of the 11 I had hoped for.
Saturday 1/29: Total rest day. Could have hopped on the treadmill but stayed inside (taking Herbie out for fun in the snow of course) but decided to recover
Sunday 1/30: Treadmill recovery run. Went for an hour for about 5 miles. Hit the gym later for squats, cable rows, and bench press.
Total: 31.2 miles out of a planned 33-34 or so. Still bummed about cutting my long run short; I think hitting 11 would have been a good ego boost.
Week 6:
Monday 1/31: Rest day.
Tuesday 2/1: Hills @ Lactate Threshold pace workout, which I took outside then regretted. The parks are well cleared but the ones near me don’t have any kind of hills, so I was left with lots of sidewalk slush and ice (the streets weren’t much better since the snow was plowed into the bike and parking lanes I would normally run in). It took me a few tries to find a decent hill with clear-enough sidewalks, but it was by a hospital and had lots of cars entering and exiting. I had to cut the repeats short and skimped on the cooldown, but still got 4.8 miles (instead of 8). I haven’t had a failed workout in some time, so it was definitely bruising to the ego, but I was glad it wasn’t a question of fitness, just conditions.
Wednesday 2/2: 4 easy miles on the treadmill to recover. Deadlifts at the gym later, along with bent-over rows and lat pull-downs.
Thursday 2/3: 1 hour+ easy on the treadmill. The snow and ice was finally reduced on the streets but that’s because it rained all day. I took Herbie on a walk in my waterproof On shoes and they got pretty wet inside.
Friday 2/4: 3 miles on the tread as a warmup before lifting and cooldown after.
Saturday 2/5: Rest due to my schedule but did 1 hour of Cardio Tennis class at the gym in the morning. I’m great at the cardio, still working on the tennis.
Sunday 2/6: Cutback long run – 9.3 miles total. Did 1 hour 5 minutes on the treadmill, then 4 miles outside. I love doing these hybrid long runs in the winter.
Total: 26.5 miles cutback. Would have hit a little more if I hadn’t cut the workout short.
The weather has still been so-so but I was able to mostly run outside.
Monday 1/17: Since I had moved my long run to Sunday, we moved my recovery run to today. 4 miles on the dot.
Tuesday 1/18: Lactate Threshold blocks (3×8 minutes) on the treadmill with a warmup and cooldown for 6.1 miles total. Deep tissue massage in the PM. Only two weeks after my last massage, which is a nice cadence if you can get it.
Wednesday 1/19: 40 minute recovery run.
Thursday 1/20: 1 hour easy with some strides in the middle.
Friday 1/21: Rest day
Saturday 1/22: 2 hour long run (my longest since before the marathon). Did 10.5 miles with some light hills (except for the 10% grade one which I walked up).
Sunday 1/23: Recovery run with strides.
Total: Finally over 30 miles! I’m planning to keep Mondays as rest days going forward, then have the option to do a little shakeout on Fridays. Trying to keep up with SAM and core work, as my heavy weight strength has been slipping.
As mentioned in my previous entry, I’m training for the NYC Half on March 20th. My big goals are 1) consistency in training and 2) a solid performance (not necessarily a PR). I feel like I’m already on my way toward the first one, though it might take me to more treadmill workouts on days that have freezing rain and icy sidewalks. I have my go-to clothes and accessories for sub-freezing weather: Sugoi SubZero tights (my 6th winter with these), Tracksmith Harrier (merino wool blend) long sleeves, Lululemon Down for it all jacket, and various buffs, SmartWool tall socks, and gloves. I have half a dozen pom pom wool fats from various races and a reflective Oiselle headband.
I have hired a coach because I thrive on accountability and knowing that someone is looking at my training and ‘relying’ on me to get the run done. I had to overcome my initial “someone at my low running volume doesn’t need a coach; I just need to run more” feelings. Of course I need to run more. But it also feels good knowing that someone will adjust my workouts or long runs as needed and was committed to my (slow, steady) progression in terms of volume and quality intensity. He has also prescribed auxillary work like SAM, balance/proprioception drills, foam rolling sessions, and epsom salt baths.
My long runs have increased from 80 minutes to 90 to 100 (and will keep going up). I had a great one Sunday 1/2 where I planned my route to end at Starbucks and get bonus stars for mobile ordering, but they were out of everything except hot coffee. You all know I’m just into it for the shaken espresso and various sorts of cold brew; it was warm (50’s) and humid and I was starving, so I trudged home.
Week 2:
Monday 1/3: Rest day
Tuesday 1/4: Another VO2 Max Ladders workout, this one with longer intervals. Slow to start since it was in the 20’s outside, but got some good paces in the back half.
Wednesday 1/5: easy 40 minutes on the treadmill since there was freezing rain outside.
Thursday 1/6: Serious Theragun time in the morning. Easy hour of running before sunset. The days are getting longer!
Friday 1/7: Rest day and a snow day. Herbie loved the snow! I trudged around in my snow boots and saw the new Spider-man movie.
Saturday 1/8: Long run day – took to the Woodway treadmill for 1 hour, 45 minutes. Broke it up with 1 easy mile with drills @ 4.7 mph, then 2 miles at 5 mph, 2 miles at 6 mph, 1 mile at mph, 1 at 6.2 mph, then 2 between 4.7-5 mph.
Sunday 1/9: Recovery 45 minutes with some strides in the middle.
Total: 28 miles
Outback Steakhouse – gotta start with a Bloomin’ Onion
Week 3:
Monday 1/10: Rest day. Arms/shoulders/back strength training in the downstairs gym.
Tuesday 1/11: Hill workout day – warm up, 12(!!) 1 minute hill repeats, cool down for 6.4 miles total.
Wednesday 1/12: Recovery 40″ but I made it 45 minutes accidentally for 3.98 miles total. Legs were feeling a bit beat up, so lots of Theragun and stretching and resting in the evening.
Thursday 1/13: Easy hour for just over 5 miles.
Friday 1/14: Rest day – 30 minutes Taylor Swift Peloton spin class and some upper body strength training. Got stomach sick (not Covid) later at night and had to move some things around over the weekend.
Saturday 1/15: Total rest.
Sunday 1/16: Felt better by morning but did my long run later in the day. 6.1 miles outside, then 3.9 on the treadmill as it got darker and colder.
Total: 25.4 miles – would have hit 29 or even over 30 if I had done LR Saturday then recovery Sunday but I had off work Monday 1/18 and did my recovery 4 miles then.
Immediately after the NYCM marathon, I wanted to take off any time needed to truly recover but also wanted to stay consistent with running and look ahead to training for 2022 races. I have a 10K early January that I want to be close to PR shape for (my PR is 53:xx from the amazing Monument Avenue 10K in Richmond).
11/8-11/14:
I did some serious recovery activities: steam room at the gym, low-impact Peloton ride, upper body/arms only weight lifting. It felt good to be active but low-key. I did two short recovery-pace runs this week as well since the weather was pretty nice. Saw my PT/acupuncturist which helped a lot as well.
11/15-11/21:
I actually ran less this week but stepped up the lifting at the gym. Got back to my squats and deadlifts but made a fatal error by trying to get back to my previous 10-rep max weights. Stupid. I was sore for days! Also got my flu and Covid booster shots Wednesday. Upper body lifts back to normal as well. On Sunday, I finally got out there for a ‘longish’ run again as per my 10K training plan: made it 6.9 miles/80 minutes. I was totally DONE and it was dark at the end so I didn’t try to hit 7 miles even.
11/22-11/30:
The real return to consistency. Easy shorter (30~ minute) runs Monday Wednesday Thursday, and a 20 minute treadmill tempo Tuesday (sandwiched between warm up and cool down). I had FOMO from all the Turkey Trot photos Thursday and will definitely try to be back in Brooklyn for it next year.
Totally off exercise Friday because we flew to Los Angeles! Then I had a charity 5K Saturday morning that I used as a fitness check. My Stryd Critical Power updated after which means my training paces will now be a bit quicker. Still not to where I was at March 2020.
Took off Sunday and Monday but went to Disneyland on a last-minute lark Sunday and logged a lot of steps.
This “fun run” jaunt tied my debut marathon (NYCM 2016) as my favorite of the three NYC Marathons I’ve run. The crowds were wild and seemed so thankful to have us out there. The lower number of runners made me feel way less cramped for space (except when the crowds were squeezing into us in Central Park and on Lafayette Ave). I had friends come out and watch AND bring me baked goods and cold brew iced coffee.
The plan was simple: run a 12-13 minute mile pace, don’t get carried away in Brooklyn like the 2018 NYC Marathon, walk the bridges and big hills (many of which are in the back half), stop for selfies, and HAVE FUN.
Pre-race:
Couldn’t sleep and woke up in a cold sweat at 5am. At least Daylight Savings eventually brought up the sun. I realized the my Garmin 245 hadn’t charged overnight, so tried to get that some more juice before heading out. Spoiler alert: could only get it to 68% and it died shortly before the halfway point.
Train station bathroom selfie – amazing throwaway clothes from Ian
I took MetroNorth to Grand Central then took the 7 to the 1. Unfortunately for me, the 1 train (and the R which would have also gotten me to the ferry) was only running every 20 minutes. I was very certain I’d make my wave (Wave 3 out of 5 this year) so I just stayed tight and sat on a bench instead of trying to get an Uber. Used the (real) bathroom at the Staten Island ferry terminal then hopped on the buses.
Start Village:
I made it in with not much time to spare before needing to get into my corral for Wave 3. Came to see who was left at the PPTC meetup spot right as the cannon for Wave 2 went off, so I only had 20 minutes to get in before they closed my corral. Went through my bag very quickly and tossed or packed items into my shorts and handheld bottle as needed; ended up not using my gloves or hand warmers at all and left them for any Wave 5 folks with cold hands. I had suffered a gel explosion in transit and cleaned that up while I could. I donated my throwaway clothes, gave my neighbor/training partner Dani a hug, then hopped into the corral. I was able to use the many portapotties in my corral and still have plenty of time to walk up to the bridge.
Staten Island:
Nice and easy up the Verrazzano! I was in green (lower level) and the views were still great. I stuck to the back of my wave and watched everyone go ahead. The descent on the bridge was much-needed, as were the speckle of people cheering just for our wave before it meets with everyone else (ok but that’s technically Brooklyn so I’m ahead of myself).
Brooklyn:
From Bay Ridge to Greenpoint, Brooklyn is probably my favorite part of the course. I lived in Brooklyn for 5 years and Manhattan for 5 years, but I would say my biggest sense of community still comes from Park Slope/Prospect Heights in part because I joined a local running club during my time there. I thanked everyone who cheered for me and ditched my arm warmers in Sunset Park.
Park Slope and Fort Greene to Bed-Stuy were the absolute best because that’s where a lot of my people and my running club were. It seemed like everyone knew PPTC meant Prospect Park and I was still at the back of Wave 3 (faster Wave 4 people began to overtake me around Mile 8). Being at the back made for a lot more space around me (see below from 3rd street) so my friends and coworkers found it easy to spot me. Mile 7 meant the PPTC cheer spot, croissant dropoff from Michelle, and selfies galore.
3rd St PPTC Cheer StationSt Marks – clutching my new croissant
Mile 8 was more of the same along Lafayette with live bands, costumes, and surging crowwds. I slowly ate all my croissant and saw a few more friends amongst the raging party crowds. Then there’s a bit of a lull up Bedford until you get to Williamsburg proper. I knew I had friends to see between miles 10-11 in Williamsburg and was looking forward to that.
Brittany and Gabby provided me with another replacement gel to make up for the exploded one and I got a selfie with them and Kimberly.
Broadway and Bedford with KimI loved stopping for selfies and sweaty hugsK BYEEEEE
Heather and Katie made a sign for me and got a great shot after giving me a Peter Pan donut in Greenpoint as per their tradition.
Queens:
I walked across the Pulaski Bridge and made the tough decision to leave behind half of my red velvet donut. I ran into a friend and got a selfie as we walked. I took the downhill into Long Island City nice and easy and really enjoyed the crowds. My VP from work found me and got a quick hug. I had already told myself that I would be walking up the Queensboro Bridge and it was easy to stick with that plan. There were plenty of other walkers and I was able to pass a few others.
Manhattan Part 1:
The UES scream tunnel coming off the bridge was real this year. I found a few friends (no stopping for selfies though) and I think I made it up 1st Ave to the Willis Bridge before walking again.
Bronx:
My feet hurt pretty bad by this point so I slowed way down. Walked across the Madison Ave Bridge as well.
Manhattan Part 2:
Revitalized by my cold brew from Allison a planned pre-mile 22 stop), I was smart and still walked a mile up the hill on 5th Avenue.
Saw Meagan again at Mile 23.5 right before heading into Central Park and stopped for a selfie.
Then once I entered the park, I felt good again to make it to the finish with a real run. Running down Cat Hill makes all the difference mentally. My second watch died right at Mile 25.2, but the last mile was great and I felt strong again. Wasn’t as amazing a finish as 2017 Richmond Marathon‘s consistent pace and negative split 5 miles, but was happy to get it done.
Hammer dropped just a bit.
Post-Race:
Shuffle out of the park to the meetup spot on the UWS. It felt so good to sit down again. I took in half a can of Coca-Cola then wiped down and changed in a bathroom. Went to Levain and got a cookie with Jimmy and Anya then stumbled down to the Tracksmith popup (I hadn’t reserved a poster because I knew I wouldn’t like my time). After rejecting the pull of retail therapy, I said my goodbyes to friends and walked a little further to Columbus Circle to head home. I decided my post-marathon celebratory meal should be Szechuanese with my fiance and a couple friends, which really hit the spot. Had a glass of rose, showered at home, and passed out at 9pm.
Reflections:
This was my slowest marathon of the 4 but supremely enjoyable. The energy of the crowds was incredible. Honestly I finished 4 minutes faster than my Stryd predicted (only 81 minutes slower than my Garmin) so I was proud of that. My fast final 1.5 miles made me really happy because then I felt like I had left it all on the course.
My PT/acupuncturist took care of my troublesome leg on Wednesday and I’ve done a couple 12-minute mile+ recovery runs since under Zone 3 Heart Rate.
What’s Next:
5K as a rust buster Thanksgiving weekend
consistent Stryd 10K training plan
mid-December 5K race
goal 10K and hopefully PR attempt early January
maybe a late March Half if I can stay consistent and injury-free through the winter
Fall 2022 big PR half or full goal race TBD
all of this on top of continued visits to my acupuncturist/PT and strength training at the gym, plus mobility work
I had a really good second taper week! Finally feeling jazzed for the marathon. The weather is looking good (to the point where I really wish I could fell send this thing at peak fitness) and I think the crowds are going to make it such a good time.
10/25: 3.3 mile easy run outside. It was humid but cool enough and we knew we were about to get a lot of rain, so I’m glad I fit this in early evening.
10/26: Hour-long treadmill intervals for 4.65 miles (my recovery paces are still extra extra slow).
10/27: Easy hour on the treadmill for 4.2 miles (literally my Zone 1/Easy on Stryd is closer to 14 minute miles. Will take a fitness test a couple weeks after the marathon to change that but happy to keep it lighter for now).
10/28: 3.44 mile outside easy run with strides in the middle.
10/29: Rest day
10/30: Last 10 Miles of the marathon course with my Brooklyn-based running club. I brought my Stamford running buddy and she had a great time (and could finally run with the faster pace groups). It poured rain at mile 2 and again at mile 8, but I was able to change clothes right after and grab some Starbucks. Had a busy rest of the day (after my must-have shower and nap) and came home late.
Catching up with Brooklyn club matesWaiting to get started and lead my pace group
10/31: Rest day – slept in, took a nap, had pastrami Reuben for lunch, watched Dune. My watch gave up on telling me to move more.
Real Coca Cola and Pastrami Reuben at Rye Ridge Deli in Stamford
Total: 25 miles. Same as Week 1 of taper (whoops).
Week 18:
11/1: It’s kind of cool when a new month starts on a Monday, no?
11/2: 2.4 easy miles early AM. Wore 7/8 tights and a long sleeve since it’s getting a bit brisk. Getting a bit chilly but of course you get warm after a mile or two.
11/3: 2.4 easy treadmill miles.
11/4: Work day at the hospital followed by early dinner at USA Brooklyn Delicatessen (I love pastrami). I should have brought more casual shoes but wanted to look cute, which was dumb because my slightly heeled ankle boots caused the front of my ankles to be sore for 3 days after.
Ali on the Run live show with friends. I got to see Emma Coburn and Dani Jones from New Balance and also chatted after with Selena Samuela from Peloton about our dogs.
Happy audience members (no wine for me)
11/5: Expo day! Met a friend by the marathon finish line, then got dim sum in Chinatown before heading to midtown to get my bib.
Popped into the air relax boots, stopped by Lululemon, then had pizza dinner with a friend visiting from Chicago at Emily.
Train home had major delays due to police activity which put a damper on my mood but at least I got to rest my legs after 7 miles (and 6 in ankle boots Thursday).
11/6: Rest day – meant to do a little shakeout run but my ankles were still sore from Thursday so I kept it cute on the couch.
11/7: Race day! Will do a little recap after. My slowest marathon by far but definitely my most fun. I stopped for selfies and snacks and finished in 5:19:09.
Peak Week (and taper week #1)! Not the 40+ miles I’ve seen in previous cycles but I threw down a few miles and workouts.
Week 15:
Monday 10/11: Watched as much of the Boston Marathon on TV as I could around my meetings. So inspired by this and Chicago (especially Nell Rojas and Emma Bates and Edna Kiplagat, but yes, also the actual winners). Did an easy run late afternoon, soaking up the good weather and trying to stay under Zone 3 for Heart Rate for 5.7 miles on Stryd (Garmin said 6 even).
Tuesday 10/12: Upper body day at the gym – assisted dips and pull-ups, bench press PR, cable rows and pull-downs PRs. Jog home plus some extra for 2.6 miles/30 minutes. Day 0 of a Stryd 10K plan for my next real goal race in January (and a tuneup 5K or two along the way). I figured a good way to motivate my consistency through winter (and through NYCM taper) was to actually have a date for an honest to goodness PR attempt (hopefully will be my first since 8K/5 Mie PR November 2019). Not gonna keeping beating myself up for ‘wasting’ my March 2020 fitness on a hilly half – time to seize winter/spring 2022.
Wednesday 10/13: Next Stryd workout – warmup with a few faster moments, 15 minute tempo, cool down for 5.2 miles total. My chest was so sore from Tuesday’s upper body workouts at the gym, but the pain calmed down a bit after the first mile or so. Worth it to get into the lower 9’s for my tempo pace; hoping to see the mid-8’s again in a couple months.
Thursday 10/14: Rest day for running, heavy compound lift day at the gym (squats, deadlifts, plus hip thrusts). Finally bought some of my own protein powder at Target afterward.
Friday 10/15: Easy 3 miles with some mid-run strides thrown in, as per Stryd plan. It was WARM (over 70) and sunny and I honestly just couldn’t handle it anymore/wanted to save something for tomorrow and walked the last mile.
Saturday 10/16: Decided to move my long run to Sunday due to sleeping poorly (and my running buddy’s dog passed away Thursday night). Kind of kept pushing out a workout time at all and ended up not going to the gym.
Sunday 10/17: Herbie woke me up at 3:30am to puke (I had taken some Sleepytime tea at 9pm to try and get a better night’s rest). Then my own stomach was giving me issues so I decided to just run later on after all my errands and do what I could, then finish the rest Monday and count it as a Jack Daniels style bunched run. I also pulled my trapezius muscle doing absolutely nothing at all on the couch. 9.6 miles total – 7.3 outside, 2.3 on the treadmill.
Total: 28 miles (could have/should have been higher if the long run was all there, but glad I got a few in over 5 miles)
Week 16:
Monday 10/18: 8 more miles as part of that bunched run. I chose the first several miles on a fairly familiar route, then did the last few with some big hills. Nice cool weather.
Tuesday 10/19: 4.4 miles in Central Park, doing another of those 15 minute tempos from Stryd. These are fun! But I’m still dreading longer tempos just a bit. Wore long sleeves and shorts but it was just a touch too warm (it was cold in the morning when I packed my stuff).
Wednesday 10/20: Rest day
Thursday 10/21: Easy 2.2 mile run that I abruptly ended at Dairy Queen by getting in line for a Blizzard.
Friday 10/22: More beautiful weather – tank top and shorts. 3.2 flat miles on one of my usual routes. Managed to resist the pull of Dairy Queen this time.
Saturday 10/23: 1.4 miles running with Arya the husky. Was supposed to do 12-14 taper miles in the AM with my running buddy but we were both feeling worse for the wear.
9/27: 3 mile recovery run on the treadmill after a full upper body workout. Definitely still had some soreness from the longer long run Saturday. Not as easy breezy as last weekend’s recovery.
9/28: 3 still-recovery pace miles in Central Park.
Jackie Onassis Reservoir in Central Park
9/29: Woke up feeling blah. Sinus pressure, sleeping in, just not feeling it. Didn’t even go on a walk.
9/30: Not much better! Slept in until 7:15 and had a busy morning at work. Went into the city for dinner and had a lovely meal at Noreetuh in the East Village.
10/1: HOW IS IT OCTOBER. Still blah. Got dressed and ready to run during some errands but speed walked instead.
10/2: Long run day with neighbor friend Dani. Did ok on the first half, but the back half was a struggle. Basically walked the last two of 17 miles (out of a planned 18). I sent Dani on her way to do the last few without me because she was flying up and down the hills and I was spiking my heart rate.
North Stamford Reservoir halfway through the long runHot pot at a friend’s Saturday night
10/3: Rest day. Brunch and boba in the city.
Total:23 miles over 3 runs.
Sunday brunch at Cafe Enrique in Long Island City
10/4-10/10:
10/4: Rest day. Rainy and pretty glum.
10/5: Easy/recovery pace 4 miles in the early evening after heavy squat/deadlift/etc day at the gym.
10/6: Treadmill warm-up, progression run, and cool-down for 3.3 miles in the AM. Acupuncture for my hamstring scar tissue etc in the PM.
10/7: 2 recovery treadmill miles and upper body workout in the gym (skull crushers, rows, French doors).
10/8: Rest day
10/9: Long run day. Goal was 19 miles. Mile 0-8 were a dream, then out of nowhere my heart rate started to spike. I was hitting a nice park where I planned to use the bathroom and refill my water bottle (decided to switch away from my beloved Hydration vest and to my Nathan QuickShot handheld since we won’t be allowed hydration vests during the NYC Marathon). No sign of real bathrooms, just some rough Port-o-Potties. I normally have no qualms using one, especially before or after a race, but these had no TP. I finally found a water fountain and it worked, but was only a dribble. I wasn’t able to get any into my water bottle. Defeated, I shuffled to town (New Canaan) and stopped at Dunkin Donuts after 11 miles. Used the bathroom, got a pumpkin cream cold brew and pumpkin donut, took an urgent call, and took the train back to downtown Stamford. I felt better and ready to run again, but then my whole right leg cramped up. I decided to shuffle home and call it a day at 12 miles. This was technically supposed to be a cutback to 14 miles between 18 (just did 17) and 20, but I was hoping to build confidence about my endurance.
10/10: Rest day. More delicious food in the city with friends.
I’m finally caught up – with blog posts, not with my training miles. But my long runs are finally where they should be, albeit a few weeks behind. It wasn’t smart to train like this (and have no real cutback weeks) but I did it out of mental and physical necessity. I’m honestly dreaming about a 5K, 10K, or in between PR attempt next year (this November/December is getting tight with race availability coinciding with any potential fitness gains). But for NYCM? Let’s just finish. Ideally before the sun goes down.
9/13-9/19:
9/13: 3 easy miles on the treadmill and lifting at the gym.
9/14: 4 miles running
9/15: 5.4 miles running including some speed pushes.
9/16: Weight lifting and 3 miles
9/17: Rest day. Sichuanese for dinner.
9/18: 14 mile long run with a neighbor/friend who is also training for NYCM. Turns out I need an accountability buddy all along. It was pretty humid so we tackled the hills first, then kept to a flat final 6 miles down by the water with walk breaks sprinkled into the last 3 miles. I used my Salomon Advanced Skin 8 hydration vest and loved it – drank ALL the water and Skratch by the end.
9/19: No running. Went to see the Yayoi Kusama exhibit again at the New York Botanical Garden and did a lot of walking. I felt shockingly good after the long run (since my longest in the 6 weeks prior was 7 or maybe 9 miles. Do not recommend). Going slow really helped as did all my recovery efforts after.
Total: 29.4 miles (of a recommended 36 – my midweek runs and long runs are still a bit behind).
9/20-9/26:
Great weather for lots of walks to the park, both with and without Herbie. Could have done with a few more runs.
9/20: 2.3 easy recovery treadmill miles after some lifting at the gym.
9/21: Longer walk with Herbie. 5.5 mile run with intervals. These felt good! I could mostly do them at my new estimated 10K pace of 9:15-9:20 (my old pace of 8:30, not so much). Recoveries around 10:15 minute miles.
9/22: Rest day – long walk
9/23: 3.3 mile run
9/24: Rest day – longer walk with Herbie.
9/25: 16 miles. The temperature and humidity dropped a lot from the prior week, so we definitely took this one a bit faster. I struggled on the bigger hills going up to the turnaround point (where we had bananas and Gatorade waiting for us). but the back half had a net downhill that was awesome (for morale and for my legs/lungs).
9/26: Rest day. Tried on more wedding dresses in the city. Got great Korean at The Jin in Hell’s Kitchen, had coffee at Rex, then got so many mochi donuts in Nordstrom at Oh Mochi. It was a perfect fall day, weather-wise.
Ddukboki, fried chicken, katsu, paleontology, and bulgogi at The Jin
East Coast Appetite 