Sunday, March 11, 2012

25 Mile Weekend

When I trained for my first marathon last summer, I remember it as physically challenging and all-encompassing of my life at the time.  So when I registered for marathon #2 this spring, my husband was supportive, but a little less than thrilled. Dare I say, with 8 weeks to go until the Wisconsin Marathon, this training cycle is progressing superbly!

Yesterday was my first 20-miler of this training (I will do two more 20's before race day).  A group of Sole Sisters met at 8am for our weekly long run. We all run different paces and distances, but it is so nice to be able to start together.  Schedules and weather have been crazy the past few months, and I feel like I haven't been able to see the Sisters as much as I'd like to.  Thus it was a blessing to see so many smiling faces on a sunny Saturday morning.

I planned a big "lollipop" route for my 20 miles - starting in East Peoria, heading out the River Trail of Illinois, making a big loop around Morton and back.  I really like the diversity of this route.  I find the mixture of trail scenery and city neighborhoods break the long run up into three 7mile segments.  The first three miles are a long gradual uphill and then the rest of the miles are pretty flat - with a long decline at the end (which feels fantastic by that point!).

The first 4-5 miles went by so quickly since I was busy catching up with Karyn and Heather. By mile 8, it was down to Patty, Barb and myself.  Each of us are training for a different spring marathon, but make great training partners since we run relatively the same pace.  I can't even express how great it is to have someone to train with for this marathon. Thinking back to last summer, I can't believe I did all those long runs by myself. What was I thinking?

The homestretch - 3 miles to go and looking strong!

20 miles was the longest run ever for both Barb and Patty!


It's really fun to have friends that understand the desire to
 CHUG CHOCOLATE MILK after 20 miles!

20.2 miles in 3:36 (10:41 pace)

The entire run felt really really good on my body.  I went through two water bottles of nuun and two packets of blueberry GU Chomps. I actually had a third GU on me, but didn't feel the need for it. That's how great the run felt!  Several weeks ago, I ran an 18.6 miler along the same route and was also surprised then at how good I felt.  Again, it's hard not to compare to my previous 26.2 training... the 18-20 mile runs were difficult for me and very hard on my body. I am so pleasantly surprised this time around!
Is it because I'm 20 lbs lighter?
Is it because I have training partners?
Is it seasonal - winter/spring training rather than the busy summertime?
Perhaps I'm just a stronger runner than eight months ago?
Whatever it is, I'm very happy (and painfree) training for this marathon! Woop!


The dreaded morning-after came and my legs still felt good.  It was a beautiful Sunday morning, so I headed out for a recovery run. The kids were wound up and a little stir-crazy, so I took them out on their bikes with me.  Little Girl only lasted about a 1/2 mile, but Big Girl rode 3.5 miles with me!  She needed a little help on the hills, but otherwise did great.  I ended up with 5.1 miles at a 10:10 pace.  The recovery run capped off my week with 39 total miles.

 Big Girl and I during our bike/run together

Pictures like this make me sad how BIG she's getting!

How was your runs/race this weekend?

23 comments:

  1. It was great having you and Barb run this long run with me! I had no idea you took the picture of me laying in the grass. :)

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  2. Awesome run! So glad you felt so good. I'm envious:) I only ran 4.25 and struggled for some reason. I will blame it on the headwind:)

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  3. I have been a lump this weekend! I haven't run at all, yet. But I'm going out to run on the track after work for as long as I can while hubs and my littlest ride bikes. Sounds like you had a great weekend!!

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  4. I ran 6.2 miles in preparation for my first 10k race next week :)

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  5. RUnning partners make things so much better!

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  6. I think you've got so much going for you this training cycle. You are the triple threat, 20 lbs. lighter, a "team" to train with and more experienced.

    39 miles in one week? Damn impressive. Can't wait to see how much time you take off of your full PR.

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  7. I love my running partners. I would say for me to that last year when I didnt have a running partner, running those long runs was a killer. This year have my running partners back. OH HOW SWEET THEY ARE. Great mileage this week, keep it going girl.

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  8. Big weekend! I'm sure it's feeling easier for you for many reasons now, but mainly because you're fitter and stronger! Way running with others always helps, didn't realize this myself until recently either.

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  9. Great training run! You are lucky to have a great group of women to run with. :-)

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  10. Sounds awesome! I need to find a group like yours. Last week my friend ran the first ten of my twenty with me. I so wish it could have been the second ten.

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  11. I love it when those long runs go so well! I always run by myself and I sometimes wonder if it would help to run with a couple of people. It's always hard to find people that can run at the same time as I can though!

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  12. GREAT JOB!!!!!! :) Love, love, love.

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  13. awesome! EVERY time i read your posts, i wanna go out and find running buddies!!! so fun! great job on the long run and the chocolate milk :-)

    you are gonna rock that race!!!

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  14. I did 20 yesterday too! But you are way speedier than me...3:49. I have never run with a group. Tempted, but I do love my alone time :)

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  15. Great run, Jess! I took way more than 2 packets of energy on my long training runs - you were so efficient in your energy it's awesome. Look forward to hearing how the race goes.

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  16. You are kicking butt, girlie! I wish I were closer to soak up some miles with you.

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  17. AWESOME 20-miler! I also trained for my first marathon solo and looking back, I have no clue how I got through those long runs alone.

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  18. What a great weekend!! Way to go!! :)

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  19. Awesome 20 miles! What a confidence boost to feel so great!

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  20. You are so awesome, Jess!! Great 20 miler!!

    I hit my first 20 (+) this past weekend. Crazy stuff!
    http://anotherrunningmom.com

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  21. You are KILLING it! I can't wait to do my 20 milers, still a few weeks off.

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  22. Yum, nothing like chocolate milk after a run!

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  23. Yes, it is such a difference to training with a group or not. I trained for my 1st marathon alone and the 2nd one with somebody. I loved the company and especially the non stop talks about the race and running. Sometimes I missed the quiet time, but overall I prefer to train with somebody! Good luck with your marathon!!!

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I appreciate your feedback and comments!