Supermodel and I ran the Park City Half Marathon today. Two years ago we completed the full marathon and had a blast. [At least, that's what I keep telling Supermodel. Remember? We had fun!]
The past couple of weeks have been hectic for both of us. We recovered from the Steeplechase, but it took longer than we expected. We felt sluggish on our training runs for days. Supermodel had house guests and welcomed a foreign exchange student to her home. We both have been preparing for our kids to start school. And I had the misfortune of losing my grandmother on August 20th. Her death was imminent but observing and experiencing the emotion leading up to her passing was draining.
But, we are not special because we ran a half marathon and managed to squeeze in training runs during busy schedules and exhausting life experiences. All runners do that.
Our finale, the Mid Mountain Marathon, is in three weeks. Today marked our last endurance run before the marathon and our training plan specified a 20-miler. Because the half marathon was only 13.1, Supermodel and I crossed the finish line, I hugged and kissed our adoring fans [Chris and the boys], Chris took a few quick pictures of us, then we returned to the race course to run seven more miles so we could complete the 20 miles; per the plan. I like plans. I like to adhere to the plan. Supermodel? Respects a plan, but is comfortable screwing with changing the plan. She was a good friend today and adhered to it. For me.
[I like this picture because you can see my oldest son standing behind us with a video camera.]
We backtracked on the course 3.5 miles, then turned around, returning the last 3.5 to the finish line. By this time some of the faster full-marathoners were heading towards the finish line too. Our timing chips were removed, but we still had our numbers on so we could take advantage of aid stations. People were cheering for us because we appeared to be FAST marathoners. At first I tried to explain as we ran by, "Oh! No. We finished the half. Just trying to pick-up seven to make it a 20-miler, but thank you!" [smiling stupidly]
After several times trying to politely explain, speaking as quickly as possible as I ran by, looking over my shoulder while finishing the too-long and complicated speech, I finally quit explaining. Supermodel and I found it easier to wave, smile and graciously receive everyone's cheers and expressions, Looking good! Great job! You're almost there!
We pulled off the course several hundred yards before the finish line and ran on side streets. It felt good to get the attention of someone who completes 26 miles in the time it took us to run 20, but we needed to back-alley it for a bit.
The next three weeks will be a taper, per the plan.
**********
For you, my friend...
Blue = completed workouts Red = workouts awaiting me
Week of August 10th
M - 10 mi easy
T - Cross train 40 minutes [bike]; lift weights
W - 4 miles with 6 x 20 sec strides
Th - 8 miles on trail
F - Cross train 40 minutes [elliptical]; lift weights
Sa - 13 miles on trails
Su - OFF
M - 10 mi easy
T - Cross train 40 minutes [bike]; lift weights
W - 6 miles with 5 x 20 sec strides
Th - 6 mi easy
F - Cross train 40 minutes; lift weights - OFF [felt tired]
Sa - Park City Half Marathon PLUS 7 miles for a total of 20 [per THE PLAN]
Su - OFF
I beg to differ - you guys ARE special because you totally stick to your plan even in the middle of all that life going on around you. I'm so impressed! I love that you finally just gave in and let people think you were super fast marathoners - so freaking funny! I shared this with my husband! hehe. Good job!
Posted by: christy | 08/23/2009 at 04:20 AM
I like plans, otherwise I wouldn't get much done. nice job adhering to the plan!
Posted by: Jamie | 08/23/2009 at 09:24 PM
Hahahaha... that's hilarious that people thought you were running the marathon and were rooting for you. Nice job on the half and the training! I dont know how you ran another 7 miles after the race. I HATE having to run extra after a race. My legs are always dead. Nice work. And good luck with the taper.
Also, sorry to hear about your grandmother.
Posted by: Amy | 08/24/2009 at 10:24 AM
Ha! That's great that people thought you were the fastest marathon runners! Congrats on your half and the stamina to do an extra 7 miles! WOW.
Posted by: Tara | 08/24/2009 at 12:42 PM
So nice article.Self-distrust is the cause of most of our failures.
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Supermodel and I are falling apart. She's battling IT band syndrome on both legs now, and a lateral ankle-lower-calf-thing. We don't know what to call it. The way she describes her pain, it sounds like a tendon to me. Neither one of us are doctors... but we could be if we wanted to.
I continue to deal with chronic knee pain, but that isn't the problem right now. It's my foot. I'm worried I have the beginnings of a stress fracture. I hate to even type it. Maybe I don't. I don't know.
Supermodel has already left town for the 4th of July weekend. We're leaving tomorrow and will be in Arizona for a week. We've agreed to take care of ourselves and pow-wow when we return, hopefully having benefited from a little cross-training and a break if necessary.
I've been able to run through the foot pain so far, but today I've chosen to forego my speed workout. I'm supposed to run 15 miles on Saturday and I'd rather save myself for the endurance run. The endurance run in the hot desert. I'm a little worried. I haven't had an opportunity to acclimate to the heat this summer because we've had so much rain. The morning temps have been pleasant.
Please keep a good thought for our various pains. If anyone knows what Supermodel's lateral ankle-lower-calf-thing could be, let us know. My foot pain seems to be on the top of a metatarsal, but I'm not noticing swelling, which typically accompanies a stress fracture. Again, if anyone has any ideas, I would appreciate it.
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