This week marks the end of a training streak that I never imagined EVER doing in my life. Nine weeks of high-milage marathon training. With a 20 mile run under my belt, two fast-ish half marathons, a long run every Saturday and speed work during the week, THANK GOODNESS the running is lighter these next two weeks. Yippee! That’s right, we are two weeks away from the Almond Bowl Marathon in Chico (my very first full marathon!) and it is taper time.
The two week taper period reduces milage from 40 something a week to around 20 something miles a week, a huge cut back! And what to do with so much extra time? I could bake a million zillion fall pumpkin recipes and stuff my face with huge amounts halloween candy, but that would probably/maybe cancel out some of the hard work put in over the past few months- not good! Instead, I will take this time to concentrate on friends and family (who may feel slightly ignored during this training), get a race strategy ready and make a few yummy pumpkin recipes! My favorite thing to make so far is Protein Pumpkin Chocolate Chips Cookies, the recipe is from my favorite healthy eating web site: Dashing Dish. I also need to restrain myself from buying everything and anything pumpkin that Trader Joe’s puts on the shelves! I mean, where do they come up with this stuff: pumpkin granola, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin greek yogurt, cream cheese, ravioli..the list goes on. Can you tell I’m one of those pumpkin fanatics? Now the goal is not to look like a pumpkin by Thanksgiving!
The one thing I am going to try not to do during these next two weeks is google! Google is the worst when you are worried or anticipating something like your first marathon. There is so much information out there from various sources on what to eat, how to train, how many miles your long run should be, what you should carry with you during the race etc. This running information overload can cause a headache! I am trying to remain positive, keep my goals in mind and stay confident that the 20 mile training run, run a t a very good pace of 8:13, was a long enough run pre-marathon.
SO I mentioned I ran two half marathons during this training period, and they were amazing. No PRs, but I blame the high milage and less half marathon speed work for that, but still decent times. Rock and Roll San Jose 1/2 was on October 6th, I ran this with my brilliant little sister who is so fast I never see her the whole race! Time of 1:40 on a flat course. This was the 4th time I have run this race so I knew the course like the back of my hand. Awesome race for anyone who wants flat flat flat.
The second race was two days ago on October 20th, the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in San Francisco! This was the first time I had done this race and it was so inspiring, especially at the fork in the road when we went to the right to finish the last two miles of our 13.1 and many many women continued to the left of the fork where they went on to run another 15 miles and complete 26.2. Since this race was San Francisco the course had many challenging long uphill battles. Thankfully my marathon training consisted of runs with lot’s of hills. I kept repeating in my head “it’s a hill, get over it!” and sure enough the worst parts weren’t so bad! My sister and many of my friends also competed in this half marathon, and marathon. Such an awesome day with tons of support. Not to mention the swag! We received a Tiffany’s Necklace from a tux clad firefighter at the finish, now that is something to run for! Highly recommend this race if you are looking for a challenge.
And just to brag a little bit, my friend Ashley (brunette in the photos) got 11th place overall out of over 30,000 women with a time of 1:25! My sister placed 27th with a time of 1:29! I placed 232 with a time of 1:41. Another friend of mine, Carrie, ran this race as her first half marathon, EVER, she did awesome with a time of 2:24, very impressive on a hilly course!
I have many many pictures from the two races; I have included a few below. Don’t mind the “this is for marathonfoto.com only” labels, I’m just showing them off not stealing! Nike I am in pink, San Jose I am wearing yellow.
Pretty Runner 