Life Lately + Marathon Thoughts

Wow. When will Ashley stop posting snow photos all over social media? Uh. Never, guys. I haven't seen this much snow since the blizzard of 1993 when my hometown got more than three feet. The "official" total where we live is 36" by a trained NOAA spotter. I didn't measure quite that much, but I looked up the spotter's latitude and longitutde to find his location, and he's on a hill about a quarter mile from my house. Who knows!

If you don't follow me on Instagram, here's a photo-dump:

// Weight Watchers

I'm back on Weight Watchers strong today. (If you missed it, here are my thoughts on doing it for one month + how much weight I lost.) I never quit, I just got really lazy about it. Part of that is because I've been upping my mileage for marathon training (I'll get to that more below). I've been hungry, and it's hard balancing out how many points I should eat when I'm running more. Does anyone have any advice on that?

Still, I've noticed after being stuck inside that my bad habits have returned. I ate SO MUCH puppy chow. I drank bourbon hot cocoas by and outdoor fire. I have emotional eating issues. I eat when I'm stressed and bored. I eat while watching TV at night. I don't portion out my foods. These are all habits I need to work on if I want to reach my goals and if I just want to maintain a healthier relationship with food.

// Marathon Thoughts

Yes. I'm running a marathon. No, I'm not running a marathon race. Confused?! Don't be. My training buddy and I had a revelation. Let's train for the distance but SCREW the race. We both hate all the logistics. The hundreds of dollars. The getting up early. The stress of if the weather is dreadful on race day. You know, all of the stress. The people. Etc.

We have decided instead to map out our own course and + complete it this spring/summer.

We are still following this plan by Hal Higdon. We are on week 8, but the snow has definitely derailed some workouts. We actually have already mapped out a pretty solid route that will stop by enough places to get water, have bathrooms, and even celebrate along the way. I am excited to share that adventure with you guys when it happens. We are thinking June will likely be the time, but that could change.

I know I've written about it in the past, but I'm a runner. I rarely wear a watch. I am not in it for the racing. For the cheering sections. For the gear. For the metals. For the PRs. I don't care about all that stuff. I haven't since having Ada, it seems. I like moving. I like the meditation. The thinking time. And lately I've really enjoyed the friendship and fun of just being active with someone and talking.

// Track Season

Stephen's spring track season started last week. I heard another spouse refer to herself as a "track widow" at one point. I mean no disrespect to actual widows, but I do understand the sentiment she was expressing. He's just . . . gone a lot. During the week it isn't terrible until the meets start up on Tuesdays and Thursdays. But then on top of that it's every Saturday. Many times the days are like 12-hour days.

Perspective: I know people have it far worse. It's just a big change. I don't like changes when we're in a good routine.

I'm looking forward to the weather getting nicer because I plan to take the girls to parks, playdates, and other things to keep us all occupied. It's hard without family in the area. It'd be nice to just have dinner at the grandparents' house, go play with cousins (Ada and Eloise have no first cousins anyway), or get some babysitting every now and again -- whatever. I am thinking for next year (Eloise is still so small) that I may need to investigate an actual babysitter to help out even just with one night a week.

// Dump Meals

I am OBSESSED with these freezer dump meals, you guys. I wrote about this whole thing when I last shared about monthly meal planning and food buying. Would you like a post on this? The whole thing involves looking up a good recipe. Then you need to modify it slightly so it will work and fit inside a gallon freezer bag. Then you chop and dump in all the ingredients. You freeze it. And then you thaw it and cook the day you're planning to eat it.

So far, I like it so much better than cooking ahead and then freezing. I feel like the food comes out fresher. Tonight we are having a chickpea curry -- OMG IT SMELLS AMAZING -- and I'm going to make some 5-minute Naan for the side. If you haven't checked out that naan recipe yet -- please do. I have made all sorts of naans, but this recipe is SO fast and SO easy and SO delicious.

Happy Thursday!

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Homemade Muesli + Plans

One of my favorite breakfasts lately has been Aldi muesli with homemade almond milk or Greek yogurt. (Here are more of my Aldi favorites.) As I was noshing on it one morning, I thought -- why can't I just make this at home? And, really, this "recipe" is super simple and customizable to your own tastes.

You may even have all the ingredients you need already on hand!

HOMEMADE MUESLI

What you'll need . . . 

• 4 cups rolled oats, uncooked
• 1 cup flaked cereal (I used Heritage Flakes)
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/2 cup dry fruit of choice (I chopped up apricots)
• 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup flax meal
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• Dash nutmeg, cloves, etc.

Method . . . 

1. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl.
2. Transfer to an airtight container.
3. Serve with milk or yogurt. 
4. Note: You can really put whatever add-ins and spices you want in your muesli. You can also up the ratios to fit your tastes.

// RUNNING

I had a great week of running at the beach, as some of you saw on Instagram. I'm finally getting back into my running groove after a busy summer season of moving, travel, and general craziness. What's funny is that this week of workouts looks almost exactly like it did one year ago!

• Sat: 6 miles at 8:00/mile
• Sun: 8 miles barefoot on beach at 9:00/ mile
• Mon: OFF
• Tue: 6 miles at 8:15/mile
• Wed: 4 miles barefoot on beach 
• Thu: OFF
• Fri: 4 miles barefoot on beach
• Sat: OFF
• Sun: 10 miles of hills + humidity at 9:00/mile

Thing is, I'm a whole month behind where I should week weekend mileage-wise for marathon training. If I were to max out on distance and still feel comfortable, I'd be running 13 miles next weekend, not the 17 that's in my plan. I don't know at this point how to catch up without risking injury, since I'm prone.

I'm disappointed for letting running take a back seat, though I know my body -- and between our move, helping my parents move, and then helping friends move -- there were entire weeks where it was enough to get out of bed with all that soreness, let alone run double digits on the weekend!

Right now I'm trying to make the decision to pay and run the Wineglass HALF Marathon or to skip the race altogether. Is anyone else running the half this year? I think with all the difficult hills in my new neighborhood, I might be able to get a good PR on the fast + flat course. But at the same time, I hate spending more money just because I couldn't stick with my program.

I am registering today for this year's Women's Distance Festival 5K. I seem to be running around the same paces as I was last year, so I imagine I won't necessarily break 22, but I guess we'll see. A highlight? My BFF Erin will be driving up to run the race too! Can't wait!

Have any races in your future? Or did you have fall marathon plans that just aren't happening?

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National Running Day

Happy National Running Day! I started my celebration over the weekend by getting back into more serious training. I did a 3.1 mile loop around my neighborhood at 7:30 pace on Saturday. Then on Sunday I met up with a new running buddy to tackle 10.5. We stopped for a couple quick water/walk breaks, but despite the mental challenge -- it feels good to run distance again.

My marathon training starts on Sunday. I'd be lying if I didn't tell you guys that I've had second thoughts about the Wineglass Marathon. Now that Ada's rounding the corner into 3-year-old territory, baby fever is hitting me . . . hard. It also seems like every woman I know has either just had a baby or is announcing a new pregnancy. We always knew we wanted a larger age gap between kids -- but now that I'm signed up for something that means I shouldn't get pregnant -- it's all I can think about.

Regardless, I'd like to stay with the original plan and run the race. I have decided I am going to run this plan, which is basically Hal Higdon's made into a 4-day/week schedule:


I think I'll modify it just slightly because I'd like to run more than one 20-miler. Otherwise, I haven't run this type of distance since 2010, so I am not going to be a hero and try to do anything terribly ambitious training-wise. My goal is to complete the season injury-free and finish the race strong regardless of time. To me, this mileage -- especially those mid-week numbers -- seems totally doable. We'll see how I feel when I start running over 14 miles at a time, which is the farthest I've gone in years and years.

In other running-related news, I recently switched shoes.


I went from the Brooks PureFlow 2 to the Nike Free 4.0 Flyknit. (BTW: This post isn't sponsored.) I am a long-time Nike Free fan, and I gave up on the shoe when they switched over to a bulkier mid-section on it. Anyway, the Flyknits are a bit of a splurge . . . but they feel lighter than air and don't rub and have all the great features of the shoe I remember from way back when.

It took me a couple weeks to truly acclimate back to the Free platform, as the PureFlows definitely had more cushioning. Now that I've adjusted, they are really comfortable. No rub marks or blisters after my long run. They also just feel great slipping into on a very hot day (I never wear socks and have this weird thing about my feet being too hot. Makes me feel claustrophobic!).

I'll probably get out and run for maybe an hour later today (around 7 miles for me -- we'll see). I have trouble transitioning from spring weather to summer because it's basically cold here until, well, now and then the temps jump abruptly into the 80s, leaving little time to realize what's happened. One of my goals for the summer is to get good about hydration before a run so I'm not desperately thirsty and headachy at the end of the run. I see lots of chia frescos in my future.

Fellow runners: How are you celebrating today?

And if you'd like to check out some more running posts from the archives, visit our Running Page. I love looking back in time to my old training. I can't believe how much running used to be, well, the center of my universe! It's still very important to me, so I am excited to dive back in with this whole marathon business!

Like what you just read? Browse more of our posts + recipes on Pinterest. You can subscribe to the feed of these posts or follow us on Twitter or Facebook to be the first to know what the (never home)makers are up to. And we’ll love you forever!

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I Might Be Crazy

Call it a post-race high . . . or just insanity. But yesterday afternoon I registered (again) for the Wineglass FULL Marathon that's being held on October 5th this year in Corning, NY. I'm sure many of you remember how both of us registered last year for this race after writing a long, rambling post about if that 26.2 sticker ever expires.

Then we eventually switched over to the half. Then life got crazy and we skipped the race altogether.

// WHY?!?!?!

I don't know why I feel compelled to do another marathon. I have this love-hate relationship with the distance. Well, minus the love. I think a lot of my fascination has to do with my last attempt, where I earned my first DNF at a race ever. It was a horrible experience, and I suppose I've been waiting all these years for my redemption run.

What's different about my commitment this year is that Stephen has graciously offered not to race that weekend -- at all, which is rare. We do mostly the same races, and in the past I've worried that marathon training would push our family over the edge. I know lots of couples with kids who can train for mega-distance, but the whole idea puts my world order out of whack. Gives me anxiety and is, thus, counterproductive to my training. So, I am thankful we won't be juggling 20-milers while passing our toddler (preschooler?) back and forth between us.

And on race today, Ada will be with Stephen . . . so I don't need a second worry there either.

I also know for certain that after the race is crossed off my list, we'd like to go for baby number 2. So, this is a last hoorah race of sorts. I know myself, and I know after we have another baby, doing a full marathon won't be comfortable until another almost 3 years later. (If ever, honestly.) Half marathons aren't too much to muster with sleepless nights and breastfeeding and other mishaps, etc.

But fulls? Yikes. No thank you.


// GOALS

As for goals, I've made grand declarations in the past of busting through the 4-hour mark. (My PR is 4:10:40, and I've trained for three races, but only laced up to two and completed 1 due to injury.) A crazy calculator armed with my three latest race times said I could finish in 3:28, to which I nearly fell off my seat laughing.

Obviously I'd love to run a strong time, but I think this marathon business is more about the training and the process versus the race itself. This is something huge I'm doing just for me before my body and mind are again shared for months/years. It feels selfish knowing I'll need so many hours to train, but now's the time to do it.

// TRAINING

That being said, I want to train properly. I will likely follow some hybrid of Hal Higdon's Intermediate I plan with possibly a day of cross-training in place of one of the easy runs. The main mission is to avoid injury, and I'm already in better shape this year versus last in that regard. (At last year's half marathon race, I felt like my IT-band was going to snap at the finish line. This year? No pain.)

Last year I had tossed around the idea of trying one of those 3-day plans, but I'm no so sure about that. I'd love to hear more experiences with those programs, which are intended to lessen risk of injury and use lots of cross-trianing to keep up cardiovascular endurance.

Whatever I do, I'm running another MARATHON . . . and this time I have no excuse but to finish the darn thing. I woke up today feeling slightly insane and a lot unsure of myself. Oh, and $100 poorer. But I'm hoping to share bits and pieces along the way and hopefully gain some friends and build confidence through chatting with those of you in the same boat!

Anyone else registered for a fall full? Even Wineglass? Training begins in like a month!

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The Marathon Decision

After I crossed the finish line at the Bridge Half Marathon, a lot of thoughts ran through my mind. First: "Hell YES! A new PR!" but that was quickly overshadowed by: "Ouch. Why is my IT-band hurting after months of being completely fine?"

I spent the rest of the day frustrated, icing my knee on // off to get ahead of the inflammation. I stretched and rolled on some BioFreeze, too. Lots of you suggested massage via foam roller, which I do religiously, but never seems to help much.

Then I started to have flashbacks to 2010. The last time I dealt with this injury in acute-mode, except on my other leg. I took 11+ weeks off and had to resort to aqua jogging, rigorous physical therapy, and even cortisone therapy (not injection, but STILL!). Even when I felt "better" it was a long road back rife with walk breaks and all sorts of disappointing workouts.

When the pain continued into the next morning, I had pretty much decided that doing a cycle of marathon training -- even if I didn't get injured -- followed by a 26.2 race might be a recipe for disaster.

See me gritting my teeth here?


I guess for now I'm letting my marathon sticker expire.

I've reached a point in my running "career" where I'd rather be happy than hurting. If that means less aggressive or impressive goals, so be it. I'd rather not be the person constantly canceling out on training runs, making appointments to see specialists, or talking about the best KT taping methods.

And strangely enough, after I had clicked yes to submit my change of registration for Wineglass -- my IT band mysteriously got better. Coincidence is more likely than what I'm thinking was the whole pain-thing being some sort of divine sign. Still, I think half marathons are my sweet spot.

I haven't chosen a training plan, but I know the following worked for my last cycle.

• 4 days/week running schedule instead of 5 or 6
• Speedwork -- 800 repeats and mile repeats, mostly
• Tempo workouts -- running at or faster than race pace
• Strength training -- mostly kettlebells and squats
• YOGA -- less for the athletic aspect, more for the stretching

Here's where I think I can improve:

• More cross-training, I want one day in the pool/week, if possible
• More variety -- definitely adding at-home spinning to the routine, maybe every other week
• Longer tempo workouts -- increase from 5 to 8 being the longest
• Longer long runs -- I'd like to do a couple 15-16 mile runs in the next cycle
• More practice -- perhaps a test race is in order?
• More watch runs -- I hate it, but running occasionally w/ a watch helped me get faster

I'm starting a training log on this site soon. Once I pick my half plan (which will likely be similar to the last go-around, just longer than 8 weeks), probably. As you can see, my goal is 1:40 (7:37/mile) . . . how realistic that is, I'm not sure. But I'm going to do my best to try.

So, more about training soon! And tomorrow I'll write about some diet plans. Well, not actually dieting, you know the drill. Also, some of you asked what I do between training cycles -- I could write about it, but in short -- I just do some unstructured running. Get my legs moving and think about what's next.

Are you chasing any big goals for an upcoming race? How do you tweak your training from event to event?

Pssst: For a review of the Brooks Pure Flow (that I'm wearing in the race photos), just visit this post. Again -- totally not sponsored -- they held up great for my race. Very light + comfortable.

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Thoughts on Boston

I can't write another post about running without first sending our deepest love + sympathies to the runners, spectators, volunteers, etc. impacted by yesterday's tragic events in Boston. As much as the attack has stunned us as Americans . . . we, as runners, are far more disheartened than we could have imagined.

Marathons -- especially the Boston Marathon -- are events rife with energy, pride, and soul. I don't even need to explain to other runners the strong sense of unity, of camaraderie among all people of all shapes/sizes/colors/genders/beliefs that arises before, during, and after those 26.2 miles.

At most races, for that matter.

It's a spirit so absolutely antithetical to the motivations behind terrorism, which makes the whole thing even more difficult to reconcile. (As if these sorts of things can ever have sense made of them.)

You may be watching the news. But if you'd like some less sensationalized thoughts to mull over:

Explosions and the Meaning of the Boston Marathon  

(The New Yorker)  

From Marathoner to Medic in a Moment  

(Runner's World) 

Runners Share Stories of a Day that Turned Tragic  

(Runner's World)  

Heroes on Boston Marathon Day
(social media collection)

A Time to Unite  

(#RunChat)

"If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon"  

(Washington Post, great quote by Kathrine Switzer)

Now I don't feel like writing much about my training, but I'll give a brief overview because it's been two full weeks since I've updated my half marathon training cycle.

In NYC, I planned to run very little but managed two 6-milers and a 4-miler. I'll write a post about sightseeing via running another day (it was going to be my focus today, but things change). Overall, a good week, though with all the walking we did, I was spent and skipped my long run.

Last week was fine. Two high notes: I got in a difficult workout I've been dreading. 4x1600 at 7:20/mile, a total of 7 miles in 55 minutes. Felt speedy and really happy I'm making the effort to actually do speedwork this time around. Then I ran a 12-mile progressive long run yesterday afternoon and felt surprisingly strong, which is a huge improvement from last year's training cycle where I definitely was building mileage again after my pregnancy.

Then last night Stephen pointed out that I somehow haven't been living in real-time and that I actually have another week of training before the race (my training plan wasn't dated and I kept thinking the race was earlier than it actually is). I am going to repeat last week's workouts this week, so round 2 of 4x1600 is on Thursday. Phew.

I think that's enough for today, all things considered. I know many of you would like some notes on my new shoes, the Brooks Pure Connect, so I'll try to do that soon. I have run in them exclusively for the last several weeks and feel like I wish I had switched sooner.

If you have thoughts to share (or poignant + anti-CNN or FOX news articles -- I absolutely hate that they are sharing the carnage in such graphic detail) about Boston, leave them in the comments below.

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Marathon Training Plans

I know I keep talking about this marathon like it's happening, well, TOMORROW. Fall feels so far away. Thing is, the training for this beast will start before I know it (likely the beginning of June). I don't need specifics yet, but I am going crazy trying to figure out the best plan to follow this time around.

For my first marathon, I followed Hal Higdon's Novice II plan blended with the Intermediate I plan, with 5 days of running versus 4. With the exception of getting sick for a full week of training during the taper period, I didn't miss many workouts.

// I felt pretty good lacing up to the start and finished the race. Not at the time I wanted, but finished. Good enough the first time around.

For my second and third training cycles, I used the Intermediate I blended with Intermediate II. The honeymoon phase with the distance was over. I felt exhausted. I missed many more workouts and felt like I was constantly lagging behind.

// I'm not blaming the training plans, but for whatever reason, I experienced major burnout. I DNFed Wineglass and didn't make it to the start of Philly 2010 due to a nagging IT-band injury.


So, yeah. I'm sort of extremely phobic about choosing the wrong plan, getting injured, DNFing, and having to take another 11 weeks off from running.

If you ask 10 marathoners the "right" plan to follow to do a decent job in a marathon, you will likely get 10 different answers. "High mileage, building a strong base, is the only way to prepare," says one. "Psssh! You can do it in just 3 runs a week and PR," says another. "16 miles is the longest you'll need to run -- no joke," says yet another.

And what it all boils down to is personal experience (iffy and there's baggage there), goals (sub-4:00 WITHOUT injury, please), and individual ability (steady + strong, but not necessarily at high mileage).


How to Choose the Right Marathon Plan? I don't have the answer to this difficult question, but here are the plans I'm considering . . . and why.

// Hal Higdon's Novice II:

It worked for me once, it could work again. I default to Hal's plans because they have gotten me over the finish line more times than not and with continual PRs. Versus what I did my first time around, I might even heed the 4-days running "rule" with a fifth of cross-training and play it on the safe side. I would likely bump up one of the long runs to 20 so I could complete two of that distance before race day.

The plan is 18 weeks in all, topping off at only 35 miles, though. Compared to the 55 I did in my last training cycle, I am both extremely relieved and majorly skeptical. I could play around and make some of the mid-week runs longer, possibly blending it -- like I did in my first marathon -- with the Intermediate I plan.

// F-I-R-S-T:

A couple of you have shared this 3-day/week "less is more" plan with me that I actually remember first reading about way back in 2005. There's a book, Run Less, Run Faster, too. Honestly, this schedule is looking more and more appealing, as it emphasizes "hard" cross-training (think spinning classes, ashtanga yoga, and mile-long swims in the pool) to keep up cardiovascular endurance and keep bones/joints/etc. happy.

This 16-Week Plan that includes targeted, "quality" workouts (speed, tempo, long run) in, again, just 3 -- t.h.r.e.e -- days a week.  Some people have noted that, despite the name, FIRST isn't a beginning marathon program at all; the workouts are all focused effort. And others have told me that the only way to do well in a marathon is running, even if it's those junk miles. Could just three days a week cut it?

// Train Like a Mother:

My friend Nicki let me glance at her copy of this book last weekend at this plan that promises you'll "Not Lose Your Family, Job, or Sanity." I like the idea of flexibility. There are "finish it" plans and "own it" plans for beginning to expert runners. Though with a race of this nature, I don't know how much flexibility would be good before I'd start that slippery slope into skipping too many workouts.



I'll write more about choosing the right plan soon. It's a big deal in my head these days, and for good reason. It will basically be my bible for 16 to 20 weeks, dictating much of what I do, eat, and experience (pain-wise, that is!). I actually got some excellent advice yesterday after I wrote this post, so I'll share that, too.

What I will say is this:

In my searches far and wide on the internets, it seems like everybody and his/her brother has written up "the best ever" plan. Heck -- I know people who have run sub 4-hour times with even the more nonexistent of buildups! Please respect the distance and be careful when choosing your own plan, modifying multiples, etc. I usually stick with the big name people with credentials. But that's just me.

How do you choose your training plans? For any distance, really, but especially for the marathon? Any plans to share with me?

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Does the 26.2 Sticker Expire?

I recently had to renew the registration on my car, which led me to tip-toe outside one night + write down my license plate number (I can never remember it!). Anyway, I had somehow forgotten that I'm proudly sporting a 26.2 sticker on my bumper.

And yet it's been years since my butt has finished a full marathon or even trained for one.

My parents often proudly talk about their marathon-running daughter. They recently told me how impressed their neighbor was about the whole thing, and I was super quick to correct them. I was actually quite embarrassed, too. "I run half marathons," I said, almost scolding them.

Yes. I have completed that major feat on one occasion (Philadelphia 2009). It is an amazing accomplishment/milestone. Right up there with graduating college, getting my first job, getting married, having a baby. I DNFed at another (Wineglass 2010). I didn't make it to the start of yet another (Philadelphia 2010).


Three training cycles in all.

I have sweated out more 18-20-mile runs than I can remember. 
I have been injured.  Many times. Many ways.
I have been proud of my 8:45 long run pace, only to run well over 9 on race day. 
I have felt lousy when sickness made me miss "important" runs. 
I have simultaneously loved and hated the 40 to 50 mile weeks.
I have felt like a rock star -- mega-confidence and self-esteem.
I have said many times I never, ever want to run a marathon again. 
I have also been frustrated at not breaking 4:00 and vowed to do so.

So, should I take this sticker off my car? I'm not sure. As you can see, it brings me more conflicted thoughts than simply positive ones. I have no current plans or desire to run a marathon either. Well, aside from that beating the 4-hour mark. I go back and forth on "needing" to do that every few months. *** See my added "news" below!

In many professions, people are made to re-test and keep up certain licenses, titles, or other requirements. Otherwise, they are stripped bare. Is this much the same thing? Am I a runner who has run a marathon, not a marathoner? I think that sounds accurate.

What are your thoughts? Does the 26.2 stick or "marathoner" title expire? If so, when? If not, why do you think so?


I actually have some news that I'm hesitant to share. Yesterday I registered for this year's Wineglass Marathon (image source). Stephen and I went back and forth and back and forth about doing a marathon. In the end, we figured it'd be something good to "get out of the way" before we consider baby #2.

It's my DNF course, and I'd like to finish it this time around, you know? The race is the first weekend in October. I will be sharing much more as I train (my plan starts June 2nd), so I hope you'll come along for the ride. 

Using my half marathon time, pace projector says I can finish in 3:42. I'd just like to finish and break 4 hours. Oh, yeah. And not get injured during the race or training. That's my biggest concern.

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26.2 and Our Current Running Goals

Stephen and I have been chatting a lot about our training plans for the next year and beyond. Mine is pretty well set until the end of the year -- taking it easy, doing what's best for the baby, and just having fun moving for as long as I can. Stephen has chosen to focus on shorter races for the summer and half marathons for the fall -- building his speed and taking a break from high-mileage training.

What we've both agreed on, for the next couple years, at least, is that we're taking a break from marathons.

It's funny how the distance sucked us in. We each ran Philly in 2009 as our first full marathon. Before we knew it, we were hooked. Other races didn't seem to compare or feel as satisfying. Training at a lower intensity (mileage-wise) didn't feel like enough anymore.

So this time last year, we signed on for two 2010 marathons. And we were diligent about our training from July through October.


For me, the results were f.a.r from ideal. I DNFed at the Wineglass in October after 17 miles at near my target 3:50 finishing time pace. And my injury carried over, making me miss the 2010 Philadelphia Marathon in late November. I had done ALL the training. Even gotten in my first 50+ mile week. To say I was disappointed is an understatement.

By the end of the year, though, I was still injured and frustrated. I enjoy and can handle the training, but running the actual RACE is another story entirely. It's unpredictable no matter how prepared I am. It's just not fun for me. Plus, the recovery time is llllllong.


Stephen, on the other hand, ran a great effort at Wineglass -- earning his current PR of 2:55:48. But when he turned around and ran Philly a few months later, his performance wasn't exactly as he had hoped. He was burned out and disenchanted with racing 26.2.

He had qualified for Boston this year, so after some time off in the winter . . . he started training again. But a stress fracture kept him off his feet for almost 11 weeks. And, as you suspect, he missed THE big marathon race of all races.


Summer always seems to be the big planning time running-wise. It's the period when fall race registration begins. It's when training must begin to ensure at least some success. So, naturally, our goals have been on our minds. But this year, it's more complicated. Our time won't be entirely our own.

And we definitely have some other priorities we need to put before our racing schedule.


My after-baby plan? Well . . . the mere idea of training for a marathon while caring for a newborn seems like way too much for me to handle. Especially when I don't think the distance is for me -- or ever will be. Plus, I know it will take some time to get back into running shape, period. I'm first looking to establish a regular running schedule that works with our new lives. I have no idea if squeezing it in will be difficult or easy. Or maybe a mix of both.

From there, what I DO know is that I love running 15Ks and half marathons versus shorter distances because I get a great sense of accomplishment and don't have to sprint from the minute the gun goes off. My long-range goal is to PR in the half marathon distance, ideally with a time around 1:40:00. My current PR is right around 1:46, so I know it will take a lot of work to shave off those minutes. But I don't see myself running another full marathon until I reach this half marathon goal.


Stephen is shooting to PR in the 5K this summer. He'd like to finish in the low 16s . . . and even possibly in the high 15s. He's anxious to find the right race to try this feat. Otherwise, he would also like to focus on PRing in all distances up to the half marathon. To accomplish his goal, he's looking for less mileage-heavy weeks and more time on the track.

Smarter, better quality miles versus quantity, junk time on his feet.

Also note that Stephen DOES want to run a marathon in a couple years. He feels his burnout is more to blame for his performance/disenchantment than his body. But he's being nice and already a good daddy. I basically told him I wouldn't love if he was spending hours running on Sundays when we have a baby to care for. (Hahaha. OK. Seriously, though, he came to this conclusion all by himself.)


No matter what happens, we're both committed to continuing our running and learning from both our good and bad experiences. It's almost like we have this relationship with running . . . and like with all relationships, it's constantly shifting and evolving. What remains -- stays constant -- is that commitment, no matter where we shift/move.

What are your current fitness goals? Have you had any major revelations or life changes recently that has made you alter them? We'd love to hear your thoughts!

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Philadelphia Marathon Recap & Marathon Season Musings

From Stephen:

I think that many runners can agree that how you feel the day of the marathon or how you feel mid-race (of any length) can be quite unpredictable. In my case, I woke up feeling great. Fresh legs, clear head, and loose arms. I ate yoga bread from a local bakery with peanut butter and drank two cups of coffee. To avoid the morning chill, I even fashioned makeshift pants from drawstring trash bags. And before waving us to the start, Bart Yasso wished us luck and shared inspirational words.

All the components to make a great race!


The gun went off and the first few miles flew by. My mind was lost in the cacophonous cheers from eager crowds who lined the streets and the methodical steps of ubiquitous runners. I clocked the first 9 miles in 1:00:23. I felt elated -- euphoric, even. At mile 6, I heard the familiar notes of my father's voice: "Hey STEVE!" and I gave him a arm pump salute.



Fast forward just a bit. By mile 13, I had fleeting thoughts of finishing with the half marathon crowd. The vice grips slowly started to compress on my lower legs, so I stopped at mile 17 to stretch against a tree. I crossed mile 18 around 1:59:10, 4 seconds per mile faster than my first 9, but the lower leg tightening continued; I knew I would no longer be chasing a time goal, but instead, struggling to finish.

Even the roaring crowds, music, and palpable energy in Manayunk weren't enough to push me through, for from miles 22-25, I took what seemed like 30 stretch breaks to ease the pain.


What helped me get to the finish line most were the inspiring words from a fellow runner and reader of our blog, Stephen (Steven?): "Come on Stephen! Let’s go!" he shouted as he passed by. So I did. I leaned forward and committed to the controlled fall that is running. When I caught up to Stephen, I thanked him and wondered how he knew my name. It didn't seem like he had enough time to read my bib.

"This is going to sound ridiculous," he said, "but I read your blog . . . and get a lot of great recipes from it!" What a small world! So, thank you Stephen for inspiring me to "push through," as our Philadelphia Marathon tech-shirts read.


Now that my fall marathon season is over -- I can relax and muse on my experiences. I've learned that running two marathons in 7 weeks was certainly doable. Some can even complete a marathon every weekend.

But racing two marathons and expecting to PR in both may have been a bit too ambitious for me.


I'm still new to this race, and until I have at least 10 finisher's medals, I'll refrain from offering any true wisdom. It's trial and error that will get me from now until then.


Here is a glimpse of my training regimen for both races.

• My training for the Wineglass Marathon consisted of 60-70 mile weeks, 22-23 mile long runs, and biweekly Yasso 800 repeats. The result: a PR of 2:55:53.
• In the two weeks recovering from Wineglass and the 4 weeks training for Philadelphia, I focused on 35-50 mile weeks, 20 mile progression runs, and tempo workouts. The result: 3:10:43.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

I had fun. I truly did. I learned that I don't have to PR in every race, nor should I expect to. The pain and suffering I felt in the final miles made me realize that I'm lucky to have experienced the pain and suffering. I'm thankful to have my health, fitness, and loved ones to support me.


CONGRATS TO EVERYONE ON A GREAT RACE!

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No News Isn't Always Good News

The weather was perfect. The participants were enthusiastic. The finish times were speedy. This weekend's trek to Philadelphia for the marathon was definitely fun. And pretty difficult. For both of us, actually. Of course, I couldn't run (though I did get a moment of "what-if" on Saturday and considered running the half . . . and then quickly talked myself out of such a foolish idea). And Stephen's race didn't go exactly as he had planned. But I'll let him tell you about that later in the week.

For now, some photos:


We drove down Friday night so we could be there in time to see my friend Meg (you remember Meg, right?) finish the 8K on Saturday morning. It was Meg's first race . . . and she did an amazing time, finishing in around 50 minutes (OK. That's an AWESOME first race time!).

Congrats, Meg!

After we visited for a bit, Stephen and I headed back to his brother's apartment (he lives near Rittenhouse Square -- ALSO dangerously close to Lululemon). Along the way, I snapped some fun shots of the downtown scenery.

At Logan Square/Circle:





From the tops of buildings:




Of family:


We shopped. We ate. We enjoyed being away from home. We were merry. And then Sunday, Stephen suited up and ran the marathon. I did a lot of standing around. Watching. Photo-taking. I think the hardest part of the weekend and no running was the expo, actually. All the "good lucks" and "have a great times" really got to me after a while.

UGH. More on what it was like to be a spectator later.


I have a TON of other photos, many of which are from the marathon, that I'll post sometime soon. For now, a quick knee update: No news isn't exactly good news to me. I seem to have stumped the ortho doctor, and didn't get any sort of diagnosis for my problem this morning. I have a physical therapy appointment on Wednesday, so I'm hoping that'll shed some light on my issue.


Which, by the way, isn't any better. I did learn that it isn't ITBS. It isn't my kneecap tracking strangely. It isn't a stress fracture or other bone issue. Still, I can run at max a 5K right now. And even THAT is with some pain. No pain while walking. No pain while aqua jogging or cycling. So, I'm off to do a bit of that now. Very frustrating.


What'd YOU do this weekend? Also -- to Stephen (not my Stephen, another one who ran Philly): THANK YOU for encouraging Stephen along the route yesterday! He'll give you a more proper shout-out in his recap. But it meant a lot to him!

Anyway, we'd love to know what you've all been up to. Just leave a comment or email us at neverhomemaker [at] gmail [dot] com.

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