May 6, 2013

Marathon Training: Week 9 and the Month of April

Happy Monday! April came and went so quickly and my marathon is approaching quickly! April was a good month. It was the best month that I have has this year. I had a great 18 miler and another great 20 miler. I am finally starting to feel a little more confident about running a marathon. I am hopeful that everything aligns for me on race day. My biggest concern is always the weather which can be a big game changer on race day. I have to stop thinking so much...
  Week 9: It was the week of 2 half marathons!

Run#1: 7 miles@8:31 on the TM. I swore I was going to run this one easy but it didn't happen. It was not totally my fault though. Around mile two, a nice gentlemen stepped onto the treadmill to my left and just farted nonstop. He was sweating like crazy and sweat was flying everywhere. He was breathing so hard and his breath was not very pleasant. The gym was really crowded so there was no chance of switching to another machine. Of course, he finished his run right when I decided that I had enough and left the machine a sweaty mess for the next person to deal with! Sorry to be so critical but I think that he could have been a little more polite to the other members around him.

Run #2: 13.1 miles@8:50 on the Treadmill. This is a record distance for me on the treadmill. It was not as bad as I thought since it was 100 degrees outside! I figured that suffering on the treadmill beat the heat. I was also curious as to when the treadmill would shut down. After running for 99 minutes it started counting down and that was that. I had only completed 11 miles so I had to restart the machine to complete the last 2.1 miles.
Run#3: 13.35 miles (OC Half Marathon) with my friend Caroline. She needed some support out on the course so we took this one on together.

Total Miles: 33.45


I have less than three weeks left until the big day! I have my final 22 mile run in the plans for this week and then it is time to taper. I really dislike the taper time! I feel like I am not doing enough and will not be able to handle the distance when the day comes.

What are your biggest pet peeves about the gym?
Mine would have to be everything that the man on the treadmill next to me did and also people who come to the gym to talk on their cell phone and hold up the machines. I think I also get a kick out of the women who walk freely around the locker room naked when they probably should put some clothes on!

How do you feel about the taper before a marathon?

10 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh!!! I don't think I would have made it next to that guy on the TM. And then no to clean up after himself afterwards??? Nasty.
    I have the nicest rec center just a few blocks from my office. Most people come for the pool. The TM are usually empty so I feel like queen of the gym when I go there. There's also a nice indoor track with windows but then I keep looking at my office building as I go round and round ... not exactly a good way to get away.

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    1. You are lucky to have such a great place to work out. Most of the time people are pretty polite but once in a while you run across people who just don't care and don't respect the place. There is an indoor track at a different location that I can also use but there are not windows with the exception of one so I kind of feel the same way as you about going round and round.

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  2. Another fabulous week! Good luck with your last long run this coming weekend.

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    1. Thank You Suzanne! Last long run and I am going to use it as a practice run to see where I am at and adjust my goals if needed. Now go and get that sub-25 5k!

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  3. I have had to change TM a few times at our gym because of nasty people like that guy...so so rude

    I have taken the elliptical and the TM to the limit..elliptical stops at 60 min...

    You will be so ready for your marathon I know it

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    1. You make me laugh. The gym was so crowded that day that there were no other machines to switch to. The minute I would see someone get off of a machine someone would quickly take it. I am getting really nervous about this marathon but I will give it what I have and hope it's good enough to finish with a better time than 4:05. Thank you for believing in me!

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  4. I'm excited to see how you do! I agree, weather is a huge factor. Bad weather days can slow me 2:00 per mile and is so frustrating. I'm sure you're not that extreme. You will do great! Nice job on your mileage and your consistency.

    I figured out I can't comment from FEEDLY on your blog for some reason, unless I'm on a computer. I have no idea why (it's probably user error).

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    1. Glad you are able to post comments again :) I can also drop two minutes on my pace when things aren't going my way! I have stuck with my training so I guess it is time to trust the training.

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  5. I haven't been in a gym in ages, so no pet peeves that I can remember!
    I just got done w/ my first marathon on Sunday! Taper was a little crazy for my mental health, but only cuz I missed the miles so much! =)

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    1. Congratulations on finishing your first marathon! I have only ran two marathons but my first one was really exciting and was my best so far.I hope my third one is the best one!

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