Here is the tricky part with posting a weekly recap on a Monday – when something big happens on Sunday, you need to back it up a week and start from seven days out.
Although I am dying to do a full recap on all that was the New York City marathon, this is where I pause to set the stage.
WEEK OF THE NEW YORK CITY MARATHON – 2015
RUNNING: Despite it being the final seven days until the marathon, I still had some work to do:
Monday: 2400 yard swim with 6 x 200 odds with pull/evens swim and 50 kick after each 200
This was sort of a tough workout, especially with all those kicks! The worst part? It only registered as 1700 yards because when my arm isn’t moving, but laying on top of a kick board, it looks like I’m taking a long rest. #GPSFail
Tuesday: Pre-race track session with 4 x 1 mile @MP (7:30)
It was actually hard to keep this under control. After running speed work at the track low in the 6:00 minute range, plus being full of pre-race angst, I think I did pretty well with 7:01 (oops!), 7:20, 7:20 and 7:21. It felt easy and that was very encourgaging.
Wednesday: 6 miles easy/8:09 pace
I breezed out the door, started my watch and then didn’t look at it until I finished my run. I wanted to see what my “easy” pace looked like. I was very happy to see a low eight at the finish. This was also my last real run before the big day!
RESTING: My plan called for rest Thursday and Friday with little notes from my coach like “if you HAVE to do something, do 20 minutes of pool running but keep an easy effort.” She knows me so well. But, I’m happy to report that I felt the need to simply rest. And pack. And organize. An agonize. And anticipate. It was exhausting.
FUEL: I love a good carb load. Although I don’t truly “carb load” I don’t shy away from pasta and bagels during race week. I made my first meal from the Runner’s World cook book “Meals on the Run,” and it was just the comfort food I needed three days out.
One of the best things about this cookbook, because it was made for runners, is that the recipes are broken into categories specific to our needs like “recovery,” or “pre-run,” and they have tons of gluten free options.
GEAR: I cannot believe how concise I was with my packing this time around. Having experienced overpacking for the Maine half marathon, under packing for the Runner’s World Half and Festival, I was finally able to Goldilocks myself into “just right” for NYC. It also helped that race day weather was predicted to be almost perfect.
Of course cowbells for everyone in my cheering section was a must. I had exactly 5. Coincidence? I think not!
THINGS I LOVE: I LOVE NEW YORK
Oh I did. I did indeed.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: I don’t know if it was nerves or overthinking or just reading so many posts about people getting sick but, I woke up on Thursday feeling like I was getting a cold. I tried my best not to completely freak and just attacked it with all.the.meds and Emergen-C. If nothing else, it really helped to keep me on my hydration game!
I’m going to chalk it up to nerves and allergies because once I popped a Claritin, everything was once again right with the world.
The mind/body connection is truly amazing but sometimes it can work against you!
READING: It’s crazy how much time you have in a day when you don’t exercise! People are always asking me the dumb question of “what do you do with all your free time now that the boys are in school?” Instead, I should be asking them “what do you do with all the time you don’t spend exercising?”
But I digress.
Some greats reads from the week include:
Easy DIY Marathon Map Phone Cover – Run Wiki | So, if you haven’t noticed, I would usually rather DIE then DIY but this? Oh this is something one of my kids could make and, coming off of the NYC marathon, I think it’s a must! It would also make a really great gift for your favorite runner.
Source: Run Wiki
The Least Disgusting Ways to Use A Public Toilet – Greatist | I had to read this just to see if they talked about port-o-potties, of which I have used way too many in the month of October. The good news is that public toilets are very clean, it’s all the other stuff in there that is horrendous…well, I guess that is also the bad news.
The Finish Line by Meb Keflezighi – Players Tribune | I know the race is over but a great friend of mind posted this to my FB book a few days prior to my race. She knew I had lofty goals and that I pressure cook myself before big races. The best takeaway from this heartfelt article is how running unites us, and all runners can find themselves in each other. Our common goal, no matter how we get there, is that damn finish line. *warning: this may cause you to have human feelings*
“And every person who runs a marathon hits a wall at some point. It’s the point in the run where your mind really has to take over where the body is failing. That’s when you look inwardly, but also think about those people around you who are cheering in support. That’s when you’re most thankful to part of this amazing community.”
TV: Thanks to taper/rest week I was finally able to catch-up on some necessary television watching. The Walking Dead continues to amaze and disgust all at the same time. I absolutely love how Rick is going bat shit killing crazy, I truly hope that main character they killed off is really dead because that would just be lame, and Carol has somehow become my favorite. Sorry Michonne but you’re out…for now. < – – obviously besides Daryl because come on
Just one example of Rick going off the deep end. I love it.
I’m also inching my way toward being caught up on Orange Is The New Black. I have to say though, season three is a total snooze fest. They could learn something from The Walking Dead. And yes, I realize most people watched season three last year. Womp whomp.
PODCASTS: You know I’m a huge fan of the podcast. Some of these carried me though the depths of marathon training and I just had to share with everyone via Women’s Running Magazine:
5 Essential Podcasts for Runners
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK:
“I’m never doing that again!”
Said by everyone, including me, upon finishing the NYC Marathon
How was your week?
Were you tracking runners at NYC? How did they do?
Any good reads this week?
(LMAO AT YOUR RETORT ABOUT THE EXERCISE. I didnt love when people asked me that about E going to school either!!)
I loved this.
I LOVED YOUR EXCITEMENT YESTERDAY AFTER FINISHING.
3:31, sister.
YOU DID IT.
Oh I just love how you tie The Walking Dead into this post! It’s been on my mind all week. Can’t wait to hear all the details of NYC!!!!!
Nice job at the race. It’s funny because two years ago after finishing NYCM, I definitely said the same thing. No way I wanted to do that again. I’m proud of you and will be eagerly waiting for your recap!
Congrats again on NYCM!! I wonder the same thing about ‘free time’ ha! I didn’t track anyone but I did stalk everyone’s social media pages. Including yours! 😉 you ran a solid race! You know, every time I finish a marathon I say, ” I’m never doing that again!! ” but before you know it I’ve had runner’s amnesia and registered for the next big thing lol
I would have been totally happy to rest those two days too… and panic and overthink everything. You did it!! Congrats! Can’t wait to hear the whole recap. Hope you’re recovering well!
This post is such a tease….looking forward to your full report…. speaking of podcasts, I started listening to one suggested by a friend…The “Problogger Podcast” by Darren Rowse…. great suggestions on how to build a better blog for bloggers…I just don’t really have the time/energy to incorporate many of his suggestions.
Oh that sounds very interesting! I will HAVE to check it out. Thanks!
Can’t wait to read about your marathon! I know you crushed the course but I still adore your words 🙂
I can’t wait to read your race recap!! It’s hard not to freaking love that marathon. The crowds are AMAZING. I just love that Meb. As well as being an amazing athlete he just seems like a good dude. Hope you’re recovering well, ladycake. xo
I can’t wait to read your full recap!
My week was great – I’m tapering for the Monumental Marathon this Saturday and starting to get pretty excited. I took my son (he’s 2.5) trick-or-treating for the first time and he loved it! He wanted me to carry him after like 10 minutes though, so my arms are super sore from carrying him for almost 2 hours. I think we’re all still recovering from a long, fun night on Halloween and then daylight savings time ending.
I want a recap!!! LOL!
I’m gald you weren’t too sick. That DIY phone cover map is so cool. And the portapotty tips… blech.
Congrats again, you crushed it! And that race is no joke – between the course and logistics, it’s a tough race….huge kudos to you, I’m super impressed! Can’t wait for your recap! As soon as I finished, I said the same thing – why do I do this, this might be my last one, I’m not doing this again…..then I reminded myself that’s what everyone says as soon as they cross, it’s supposed to feel like this, and it will feel better 🙂 And Meb is just the best!
Congrats on NYCM! I can’t wait to read your recap! I definitely said the same thing after my marathon – and now I’m looking at other ones.
Ummmm, where’s my recap Allie??? 🙂
See? So many people are waiting with bated breath (which I always want to spell as “baited”) to hear about your race. Congrats friend. You are amazing and so inspiring and I hope that you did get to enjoy it. I forgot I wanted to read that Player’s Tribune story! I had it open and then must have closed my browser. Thanks for reminding me!! xo
Patiently waiting for the recap … But first CONGRATS on a great win!! I felt like I was stalking you on the tracker. I usually go to spin class on Sunday morning, but not yesterday. I told my husband I had to track you! My husband laughed and said ok – so you’re going to sit on the couch and stalk ‘track’ Allie for 3 hours or so? Me: yes sir! I thought it was so cool and I was so proud of you!! You’re inspiring and so awesome!! I ran RNR Philly and it was so much fun! I didn’t get a PR as I was taking in the scenic course and of course the foliage was breathtaking!! Thanks for sharing the cook book. I’ll definitely look in to it and that Podcast. Occasionally I’ll listen to TedTalks Health. Can’t wait to hear your recap! Till then enjoy your week of R&R!
I can’t wait to get to the race day post! I am so proud of you even if you didn’t meet your goal time you still rock and looked so strong (I saw finish photos on NatRunsFar 🙂 Congrats Lady!!!
I hope the marathon went well Allie! Glad you aren’t sick. I swear my husband starts to feel sick and then he just decides he isn’t going to be sick and it somehow works for him!?
Oh my gosh let’s not talk about port o potties!! You had a pretty great week leading up to the big one and I’m so glad you didn’t get sick!! Thanks for the podcasts link because you know I love me some podcasts and I totally agree OITNB was terrible last season and honestly I’m not even sure what happened at the end. It may require a rewatch. Or not. Lol. So great seeing you this weekend and I am also waiting patiently for your recap!!
Totally agree!! OITNB is soooo boring, I gave up on the 3rd season! Loving the Meals on the Run cookbook, there are so many great recipes in there!! I’m not a very good DIY person either, but that phone cover is AWESOME! I may need to try that with all of the free time I have now 😉 Can’t wait for the NYC recap!
eagerly awaiting your recap. did your kids love halloween in NYC? and the walking dead makes me so tense and nervous every freaking week…