OK- it's taper time!! The time you wait for for months and then dread when it actually comes!! Finished my final 20miler (2:36:37/7:50) on Friday and now time to give my legs a little break and work on my mind!!!
Soooo-in typical random format, I'm listing whatever comes to mind as I think about and reflect on the last 6 months:
*I've run over 1300 miles since my October marathon. I have had zero injuries!
*Tuesday April 13th will mark 1 year of continuous running for me (no training breaks). Stats from April 13th, 2009 (3 miles/8:41/pretty much all out effort)
*I am absolutely certain I am the only person in bloggyland that has never taken an icebath!! Apparently, these work wonders and at some point I will need to jump on the bandwagon!! Also, never used a foam roller or worn recovery socks!
*I've run through snow, wind, temps up to -8 below, had frozen snot, frozen eyelashes, frostbit cheeks and fingers and had 2 ice wipeouts in front of people!!! Not to give myself too much credit because I also have MANY MANY miles logged on the treadmill.
*I spent 2 solid months running between 4:45 and 5:00 am everyday. I finally moved most of my running to the evenings a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, I still get up at this God forsaken hour but instead drink coffee and read blogs:)
*I've run only one race-a 10 mile in the last 6 months. First time is always a PR!
*I've spent 3 weekends at home since the middle of October. I've traveled nonstop with my kids and hockey and did not travel one weekend with my husband until March!!!
*My family has made more sacrifices for the sake of this training schedule and I promise they will get their wife and mother back 100% on April 20th!
*I wasn't a huge success case on the cross training but I managed more of it than I've ever done since October. Some P90X, some 30 day shred, some biking, some weight lifting, hundreds of pushups and situps....
*I ran my first ever 70 mile week while working and traveling over the weekend.
*On paper, I've greatly improved my training paces in every aspect except the speedwork since my last marathon. Darn speedwork:) Improved Yes. Greatly improved?-NO!!
*For the first time, I've connected with people who have the same running aspirations as myself through this blog! I follow so many of you and not to name names but I have to list a couple (all running Boston):
Jill-LOVE this blog-Always makes me laugh-This is like marathon #17 or something for her! She is SO encouraging with her comments and I can't wait to meet her at her Birthday party in Boston!!
Meg- Kick ass Grandma Meg. She is the coolest grandma around and I could only hope to be like her! Amazing runner and I expect her to rock it in Boston!
Katie- nobody runs as many races as Katie! She is also running Big Sur the week after Boston and then a relay the week after that. Unbelievable! She is so prepared and will celebrate the end of tax season with a GREAT race in Boston!
Running and Living-She ran a 3:29 marathon in October. Based on a recent half and her current paces she should be under 3:15. Definite award for Most improved! Amazing progress and on way less miles than I run! I will be stalking her results!!
To all these gals and the so many others that I didn't mention but am also rooting for, I cannot wait to experience this and know you are all there with me striving to reach your own personal goals! I can't wait to meet many of you and I wish you all the BEST of luck!!
I've also made what I'm certain is a lifetime friend! Not running Boston this year but killed it last year with a nursing baby, training outside all through the winter in CANADA!!!! I could go on and on about how inspirational she is to me and I could NEVER thank her enough for the impact she has made on my life the past few months! Thanks J!
So-there you have it-Episode one in the book of Reflections in the life of a 30 something MN mom who is going to run and finish the greatest marathon in the world in just 2 short weeks......
20 comments:
You run serious mileage. Do you mean by continuous running that you have run every day? No injuries is amazing. I guess you don't need the ice baths (I never have either) recovery socks (not those either) or foam roller (swear by it). Good luck in Boston. You will kill it.
Hi Jenn,
I agree with ajh...you are going to rock Boston!! I loved reading this post:) Reading this just makes me realize how hard you have worked your ass off to prepare for Boston!! I am very proud of you and know that you are going to great things when you are there!! You are my Minnesota Blogger friend....Super Star!!
THe past year has been great for you! Can't wait to hopefully meet you in Beantown!
Running at 445-5am in the morning is crazy but fun too. No one else is out and its quiet and there is less traffic! Your training seems to be going really well! Hope you enjoy the taper!
Your reward for all your hard work is coming soon, and you're gonna rock it!!!! Enjoy your taper, it's well deserved :)
WOW! You were a busy girl!! I hope you have a wonderful week :)
That's a helluva training cycle woman! Speaking of Boston, I need to get you in on the Bloggy Meet up! Shoot me an email so I can send you the info.
Oh, no pressure for me:) Just kidding, thanks for the kind words. I think you are going to have a great marathon, you've trained hard, and you are fast. I still have no idea how fast I want to go at Boston, it will most likely depend on the weather. I don't deal well with heat! Enjoy the taper. I am already going nuts!
I am so excited for you! You have worked so hard, made so many sacrafices that Boston is more than just icing on the cake - it is a huge victory for you and I am honored to have followed you through all of this :)
So, do we have this right - you have made BIG improvements since last April? Awesome, me too! It's funny, all of a sudden the speed clicked and things took off! Thank you for the kind shout out, I hope we get to meet up in Boston!!! Or, I'll have to come and race with you in MN!!!
Have a happy Taper!
you are truly amazing. how you do it all is beyond me!
Way to stay healthy, happy, motivated and strong. You are one of those individuals that inspires other moms, runners and *bloggers* to work hard and yet, put your family first. I love that message and I hear if loud and clear from you in every post. It can all be done...all of it, depending on where you put your head and that is a great message. OK, seriously, NO PAINS and NO ICE BATHS? Seriously? You are possibly bionic then! Can't wait to give you a hug and meet you!
i took 1 ice bath and it was so freaking painful! i only have a standup shower at my apt now but sometimes i soak my feet in a lobster pot with ice. You're training really has gone so well! you run SO fast! if you did 7:50 pace for a training run of 20 miles, wow, i can't even imagine how fast you are going to run Boston in! you are amazing! i will see you there! you are staying at the Hilton, right? i wonder which side of the building you will be on. The Hilton is what i see when i look out my bedroom window, lol. maybe i'll write "Hi Jenn." and put it in my window! hoping to meet you in less than 2 weeks!
You are my new hero! 1300 miles in 6 months??? WOW! And I've never had an ice bath, used a foam roller or recovery socks! Rock on!
Great training! You're just a baby! When you hit 41, the ice will become so important. Speeds recovery for sure. In my 30's I recovered fast without it too.
Hi, just found your blog and really enjoyed reading this post. Good luck in Boston:-)!!
No ice baths or foam rollers! Wow, I am so impressed. Especially considering your hard core training. That's amazing! I can't wait to hear about how everyone does at Boston this year. After reading about your 10 mile race and following your training, I think you'll kick Boston's butt!
Super impressive!!! I too have never taken an icebath :)
enjoy the taper! You deserve it!!!
Thanks for your very nice shout-out of my bloggie and comments, you ALWAYS make my day when I see you there, you always tell me I should write for RW and it makes me smile to know I've touched you in some way! You truly amaze me with your miles and speed and injury-free and kids and husband and online shopping at 4a.m. and hockey mom extraordinaire and .... the list is endless. I'm SO excited to see how you will unfold in Boston, I know it will be nothing but truly remarkable and I know you will hit your goal cuz that's what you do, you persevere at everything you do...even text messaging ;). But what I'm also excited for you is that for the first time in a long time, you are getting a much-needed break from the rat race you've endured for the past many, many months. I know it's part of your mom-job and you wouldn't trade it for the world (well, maybe you'd trade it to win the Boston marathon??!??) but you've given so much to others and now it's time for Jenn to shine in Boston and then just relax with the hubby. Ahhhhh....nothing sweeter! Can't wait to meet you, it's going to be truly one of my weekend highlights! Now rest up, stay away from germs and let's see get this taper thing done so you can have the perfect race!! Hugs!!!
Wow, what an inspiring list, I am so proud to read all your accomplishments!! Congrats on all you do and Kick Arse in Boston!! I look forward to reading the recaps!!
I'm wondering how you're doing - less than a week out now. Sending good thoughts and vibes your way and hoping you're not going to stir crazy while you taper!
Best of luck!
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