How’s training going?
I’ll paint you a picture of the current scene: I just hastily stuffed a nuked piece of leftover pizza into my mouth – that was lunch – because it was the only thing I could find that was quick and didn’t require bringing an excavator into my kitchen. My “clean” laundry has been piled on the love seat in my living room for three weeks. In short, my house looks like a frat party collided with a daycare. The pizza? I justify it as recovery carb loading or something. Because yes, this is what my house looks like when I invite the marathon into my life. And not just one, but two; my husband is also training for the Twin Cities Marathon on October 4. This brings scheduling all our runs to an entirely new a$$ crack of dawn early level.
(I hope at least one person out there reading is nodding their head in agreement. Not that I would wish this scenario on any of you, but there’s comfort in solidarity. And perhaps you can suggest a good housecleaning service.)
On a serious note, my summer marathon training is going extremely well. It’s going better than I imagined, especially when I first looked at my new AMR #FindYourStrong training plan and got a little anxious at the unfamiliarity: the inclusion of speedwork and race pace and negative splits. Even though this journey I’m on is all about Finding My Strong, and I know there are pieces that I really should do, because they will, in fact, make me stronger, my instinct is to balk at the tough things. It isn’t natural to move toward pain. Anyone who’s gone through childbirth can relate.
Here are a few things I’ve noted over the past month:
Cross training is a nice break and actually fun. Every year when marathon training begins, I say to myself, “I should really cross train this time.” This is the first time I’ve followed through. For the last month I’ve ridden my bike. I am a former biking junkie who stopped riding after having kids, because it felt more like a hassle than a pleasure. I argued it was easier to just throw on shoes and run. But the truth is, once you’ve got your ducks in a row, i.e., your bike tuned and accessories at the ready, it takes no more time to hop on a bike than it does to lace up your Sauconys.
I’d forgotten that the feeling of flying on your bike; it is like no other feeling. I’m not a fast runner by any means, and whizzing down the highway on the way to work – I’ve been trying to bike commute at least once a week – satiates my need for speed.
It’s also gotten me out on more “fun” rides; I took Clara around the neighborhood on Saturday.
I love this training plan. The plan is solid. Coach Christine is no slouch, and the woman knows running. Not only does she have the knowledge and expertise, but she ran 101 miles for crying out loud. There is enough variety for me to not feel like I’m trapped in a rut of the same workouts every week, the same pace, then the death march – I mean, long run – on Saturdays. I’ve been working on heart rate training, focusing on running my easy runs truly easy (by HR and exertion rather than a pace number on my GPS watch), and it’s made a world of difference. I’ve been able to hit all my paces. No more long run death marches! As a bonus, my ego has survived!
Speaking of my future running, there are four race registrations hanging over my desk at work: The Twin Cities Marathon (my fall marathon), and the Austin Half Marathon in Feb 2016, a race I’m super excited to be running with other mother runners in a new town and at a time of year that I’m typically not running races, because training for a long race in winter in the Upper Peninsula? So. Much. Snow. It will be a challenge, to say the least.
The third is the Ore To Shore Bike Race in Marquette, MI, in August. This was one of those races that seemed like a really good idea nine months ago when I was extremely pregnant and would’ve done just about anything to simply be mobile. Also, I told myself, “Try new things!” I signed up for the 28-mile race, being the more reasonable of the two distances (there is a 48-mile option for the truly insane). The last time I did a bike race was 2006, and it was not pretty. I’ll need to draw on my Bad A$$ Mother Rider strength for that one.
The fourth piece of paper, the one I’m most excited and nervous about, is the Fall Back Blast 50K in November 2015, a 50K trail race. In Wisconsin. In the winter.
The ultra has been a quiet goal of mine for a few years. So when Karen, a fellow mother runner I met in Little Rock, mentioned she was running this 50K, it did not take much prodding for me to sign up. I was more than halfway there; I just needed the right race for me, and this particular one seems ideal.
I realize this might be a crazy goal to chase after; I’ll be eleven days short of Clara’s first birthday when I toe the line in Eau Claire. And I’ve been reluctant to put it out there in the world – on the Internet – because to say so would be to truly commit, which is a little scary. But 2015 is different. This is the year I decided to go out on more limbs, break more rules, step away from convention and really put myself out there. I also reason with myself (and will with my mom, when I tell her about my crazy running plans) that this is a “baby” ultra. It’s not like I’m running Western States 100 or something.
The Road to Strong hasn’t been easy. At first it was tough seeing slower paces and feeling like my body wasn’t cooperating. I was longing for the runner I was and for the runs I’d had a few years ago, but in reality, they were nothing special. This weekend, something I heard on the AMR podcast with Katie Arnold struck a chord with me, big time: I am not running back toward the runner I once was, but the moving toward the runner I am going to be. (sorry for the awful paraphrase, Katie!) As someone who can get stuck thinking wistfully of the past – of paces, of PRs, of jeans I wish I could still wear – this was something I needed to hear.
So I’m thinking ahead and dreaming BIG of the Future Runner that is Me. I have no idea what she will look like or what she will do, but I’m excited to find out. And the best thing is, she is forever evolving. Even after I’ve crossed the next finish line.
My house looks exactly like that. Exactly. And I’m toying with the idea of an ultra right now too. Good luck with your continued training!
Thanks! I did manage to carve out a tiny spot on the love seat last night when I finally put away all the kids’ clothes. :)
What a great read after coming home from my 4th weekend. All the chaos and you are still training! You go girl. Thanks for taking us along on your journey. Heck I might even dust my own bike off!
Get your bike on! :) I’ve really enjoyed the riding, even if it is just a few minutes away from the crazy at the house. It’s a chance to breathe and regroup.
My house sounds the same. Messy teenage boys! I’m fighting a losing battle. I’m riding in the Ore to Shore too… It did sound like a good idea at the time, cross training motivation! Now I’m pretty sure I’m in over my head, and it’s gonna take a whole lot of BAMR strength to get there.
Heidi! I know, right? I’ll have to spend a lot more time on my mountain bike before then, and I’m not sure when that’s going to happen. The last bike race I did was a lot more technical single track and way too difficult for my training and ability, so I’m hoping – or at least I’ve been told – that this is not that bad. We’ll see. I should also get the mountain bike tuned up before then. Ahem. We’ll have to hook up at the race!
Amy – Clara is so darling I could just eat her up!
You would be right at home in my house!
I am running the TCM again this Fall and have just looked up the trail race you reference here. Because apparently I will be following you around?
Kate
I’m thinking there should be a huge BAMR meetup at TCM. Let me know if you decide to do Eau Claire!
Wow – my sister lives in Eau Claire, and I’ve been wanting to do a 50K forever. Hmm – you have definitely got me thinking about this now!
It seems like it should be a fun time for sure. The course is naturally chunked up since it’s repeats of a loop. That’s going to be a huge part of my strategy for this. Let me know if you decide to do it!
Love this post and enjoying your journey! You should go for the 50K! And that quote…I’m looking forward to listening to that podcast on my long run tomorrow!
You’ll love the podcast. Katie is inspirational, for sure. Also not the first time I’ve gotten choked up during an AMR podcast on the run.
Awesome post, Amy!
Thanks, Heather!
Amy! So excited to cheer you on at TCM! And I am all for a TCM meet up. I know for sure there are some other STP ladies who would love to see you as well. So, we should add to our list of things to do: figure out a meet up.
Also excited for the Fall Back Blast…. I’ll be waiting to cheer you on as you finish, since I’m doing the 25k loop! :) I’ll have a beer ready for you….
hi amy! i live in eau claire! let me know if your in town and want to run before your race. good luck with your training!
Awesome post! I’m cracking up over the “frat party collided with a daycare” part…LOL!
Well done, Amy! Such a realistic and comprehensive description of the reality of marathon training with a child ( a baby !)) and husband to consider! Love that you included her picture on her first bike ride! Precious! What a sweet companion you have as you move toward the runner you will be! May you find great joy in that journey and thanks for your willingness to sharie it with us!
Hi there! I did one of the Fall Back Blast runs last year — my first trail race. Loved it. It wasn’t 50K (perhaps 10K), but fun. Maybe I’ll see you there! (I think I know the Karen of which you write in your blog post! I live close to Eau Claire. All the best, and hope to see you this fall. I’ll be doing the Looney Challenge during the TC Marathon weekend so hope to cheer you on at the marathon too.