Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!! We seemed to have escaped Nemo’s wrath for the most part – we got about a foot of snow Friday night but thankfully didn’t lose power or have any damage from the high winds. I have to admit – we were pretty darn excited to get a real snowfall. This is the first substantial snow that my 2-yr old has seen! Needless to say, we were happy campers when we woke up Saturday morning and saw this:
Once my youngest went down for his morning nap, my oldest and I got dressed and joined my husband (who was shoveling) for some snow fun:
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I got up at 4am on Friday to get my 20 miles in on the treadmill. Well, my alarm was set for 4, but I got up at 330 to nurse my son and didn’t see a point in laying down for <10 min. My husband had to leave for work by 730, so I knew that I had to be off the treadmill just after 7 in order to have time to shower.
Within a few miles of running, I was bored OUT OF MY MIND. Last week’s 18 miler was different – the time seemed to fly. But, this week I felt like I couldn’t zone out. I broke my own rule about long runs – I started thinking about how much further I had to run. And it really started to pysch me out. I decided to start playing around with my pace to keep my mind off of the remaining miles. I loved last week’s steady state run and so I started doing a MGP (Marathon Goal Pace) mile every few miles. The miles started to tick by and I got back into the zone. It gave me something to push for and made the rest miles a welcome break.
This worked really well until about mile 14-15 when the boredom crept back in. I was THIS close to quitting. At one point, I was literally holding my finger over the stop button. I kept telling myself to finish that one mile…that I could run on a treadmill for another few minutes.
I did that until mile 17…when I reached a really low point. I was getting tired, bored, and completely hated/questioned what I was doing.
And then something amazing happened. I got a series of tweets from some of my favorite girls:
It was exactly the push I needed to get through those last few miles. I got a surge of energy. I had goosebumps from excitement. I was literally smiling ear to ear from happiness. THEY pushed me – virtually – while tens and hundreds of miles away.
My splits:
- Mile 1: 8:21
- Mile 2: 7:58
- Mile 3: 7:54
- Mile 4: 7:51
- Mile 5: 7:13 (MGP)
- Mile 6: 7:56
- Mile 7: 7:55
- Mile 8: 7:51
- Mile 9: 7:13 (MGP)
- Mile 10: 7:58
- Mile 11: 7:50
- Mile 12: 7:50
- Mile 13: 7:11 (MGP)
- Mile 14: 7:54
- Mile 15: 7:55
- Mile 16: 7:11 (MGP)
- Mile 17: 7:40
- Mile 18: 7:31
- Mile 19: 7:27
- Mile 20: 7:07 (~MGP)
- Total Time: 2:33:59
- Pace: 7:42
I ended up with 5 miles at or just slightly faster than marathon goal pace. I’ve never done quick pickups during a long run before…and have to say – I loved it. It was great to pick up my pace and it definitely made the run go by much faster.
There is no long run scheduled for this week. I’m racing THIS trail 10k on Saturday and will gladly welcome the lack-of-long-run week! Hoping that there is nothing preventing me from my next long run being outside.
One mistake I made on Friday was fueling. I didn’t eat anything before the run (so nothing for 9 hours before) and only had a few PowerBar Energy Blasts.
Usually for runs over 18 miles, I eat a piece of bread with peanut butter and then try to take 1-2 power gels during. While I felt okay during the run, immediately after I could tell that I had not consumed enough calories.
But despite that, I still managed to maintain almost the same pace that I had for my previous marathon PR (7:41). Excited that I still have a handful of 20+ milers left before the NJ Marathon on May 5.
Oh and swim training for the Lake Placid Ironman begins this morning at the crack of dawn – AGHH!! =)
Have you ever done marathon goal pace miles during a long run?
Did you get snow this weekend?
Did you watch the Grammy’s? Favorite dress? I didn’t watch it – but DVR’d it and hope to watch it during my run today/tomorrow!
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Friday morning I was up at 3:30 nursing Jack too (I had set my alarm because it was the last possible time to nurse him before his surgery) and I thought of you! I thought that you’d be getting on the treadmill to run in just a little bit and I sent you some positive run vibes:) I wish I had tweeted you! But I’m so glad you had motivating tweets to keep you going:)
Sarah @RunFarGirl recently posted..There is No Pain Worse
My only comment is UNBELIEVABLE! Great work!!
Danielle recently posted..13.1 Miles for Cancer
you are amazing for doing 20 miles before 7 am!
Nicole recently posted..Our Newborn Photographs & Christina Bohn
You continue to inspire and amaze me Michele! Way to get it done and I cannot wait to hear how your IM training goes (and your swims!!). While I’m happy to have escaped the storm and to be in CA with family, I’m kind of sad to have missed the first real snow in NYC. The boys have been itching to play in the snow. They’ll get a little bit this week while we’re skiing but it’s not the same as seeing your neighborhood blanketed in snow.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..Memories Captured: Cousins and Chinese New Year
Cute photo of your son in the snow! We got a lot of snow too, the kids have fun sledding
I didn’t tweet, but I did think of you when I was running 10 miles on the treadmill yesterday! I love those strawberry & banana energy blasts, yum! I didn’t watch the grammys, I generally just look at the photos of the clothes the next day.
Amy @Honey Badger Runs recently posted..Longest long run
Congrats on getting the 10 miler in on the treadmill! The strawberry/banana blasts are my favorite – but I only use them when I’m on my treadmill b/c I don’t like to carry anything with me outside (I use the gels and put them in my sports bra) =)
Glad to hear you guys had a great time in the snow too!
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
We talked a bit about adding MP to long runs at the certification this weekend… it makes a lot of sense. Like Kristin, I can rarely motivate myself to do it. You are a machine, I’m so impressed!
And please enjoy a little snow for me.
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast recently posted..RRCA Certification Recap
I know RRCA has the saying ” To run at a faster pace, you have to run at a faster pace”. I kind of agree to that, but also feel that you don’t need to do a ton of runs at that pace (Randy loved that phrase when I was in the class!) =)
Read your post earlier when I was nursing Ryan ! LOVED it – such a good summary of what we covered in the course!
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
Congrats on staying on the treadmill for 20 miles at a very speedy pace! I’ve done a 20 mile run on the treadmill with the last 5 at MP. It feels great to see that you can get in some MP on the long run!
Thanks, Tina!! And I agree – felt so good to know that I could dip down to those paces – they felt comfortable – not crazy fast!
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
Amazing! You are an inspiration to all of us that have to use the treadmill. I live in Northern MI so we have a ton of snow right now
Keep up the great work, you are a treadmill rock-star!
Maria recently posted..Training Plan…it Has Begun!
I’m sure our 12″ of snow is nothing compared to what you guys have! HA.
Thanks so much, Maria!! =) I’m just hoping for some warmer temperatures again!
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
Holy cow. I did NOT know you woke up that early. Seriously, you’re my hero. I never run race pace for long runs. I just can’t do it. I want to come hang out in the snow!!
STUFT Mama recently posted..Just Some Things I Learned Over the Weekend
HAHA. Just on Friday. Other mornings is usually about 5. But I’m in bed at 930/10! Pretty lame-o
YES! Bring the boys!
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
I’ve been waiting to read how your 20-miler went. You are a rockstar!!!
We didn’t get any snow here in VA and I’m disappointed. My kids looooooove the snow.
Natalie recently posted..PRO Compression calf sleeves review
Aww! Thanks, Natalie! =)
Santa brought my son a sled LAST christmas and we never got a chance to use it – wanted just a bit of snow so he could play…now that he did, I wouldn’t mind the sun/warmer temps to come back to melt it all away!
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
you are so inspirational!!! i haven’t done more that 15 on the treadmill, but i watch a lot of tv shows to pass the time. great job girl, keep up the amazing work!!
courtney recently posted..hello marathon hunger… aka holy crap i’m hungry
15 is pretty close to 20 =) Not many people could probably say they’ve run 15!
YES about the tv shows – I had DVR’d Top Chef, Grey’s, and Nashville and watched ALL three – haha =)
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
Very impressive! We didnt get any snow here, so we were able to make it outside for our 18 miler. Only in my dreams to I run a pace as fast as yours! Hoping that will come in time
It will! Just takes patience! Trust me! =)
Praying that the weather holds up for the next long run I have – fingers crossed =)
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
Good for you for finishing despite all the mental it took:) 20 miles on the treadmill seriously blows my mind. You should be so proud of yourself…and what a smart way to keep boredom at bay with those mile pickups! I will keep that in mind for a twist on my long runs once i get back at them post baby:)
I am happy but I don’t know if I will ever want to attempt that again. I get much more pleasure of running outside for super long runs! Back to back long runs on the treadmill was a little too much for me!
The mile pickups totally kept my mind off of things. I was only focusing on 3-4 mile increments instead of the whole run =)
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
ha ha I really don’t blame you:) You sure are a trooper! I have 5 weeks left:) Not too much longer! Home stretch!!
Oh wow! Seriously home stretch! How are you feeling? =) Boy or girl?
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
I feel amazing! Lots of energy still and runs still feeling GREAT. I even have been doing some progression runs lately as they feel good so why not! I dont push too hard tho:) But it feels good to go faster and faster throughout the run and more fun than a steady slow run. It’s a boy! I’m beyond excited to have a little man:) I can’t wait to take him on runs/bikes with me! Hopefully he likes the running stroller (which has the bike attachment). If not at least i have my trusty treadmill! Right now my dog hangs out and lays beside me while i run. It’ll be cool to have them both there if he’s not feeling a nap or something.
PS. How much longer do you have!?
You are a beast! I was reading that and saying, “I would have pushed that stop button!” Way to get it done.
I love MP miles during long runs. I think it really helps. This weekend, I have 17 miles of progression running in my 22-miler. First six are 15 seconds over MP, next 7 are at MP, and last four are as fast as I can go. I think I will probably be dead when done, but it will be a good dead!
misszippy1 recently posted..Post-run slug
It’s funny how we look at each other and think “badass”. I am constantly looking at you running in 10 degrees and thinking that =)
I am seriously seriously seriously thinking about doing something like you mentioned on my next long run =)
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
i believe in you so much!! Keep it going friend. LOVE YA!
lindsay recently posted..Sunday Sweetness
THAT means so much to me, Lindsay! Love you too! xo
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
We had about 30 inches of snow here in NH, but it didn’t stop us from getting out there to run. I am blown away that you can run 20 miles on the treadmill! That is just amazing! I will never complain if I have to do a long run inside again
AmyC recently posted..TrainingTruths: NYC Half Marathon Week 5
I seriously don’t know how you guys managed with THAT much snow in such a little amount of time. LOL. We had a hard enough time with a measly 12 in! It wasn’t fun or pretty – I wanted to quit SO many times during that run. HA =)
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
LOL, No snow for us her in Florida. My Coach often has me do 4-6 miles of a long run at the goal pace, right in the middle. I enjoy that…
ANd yes Kudos to you for doing all that treadmill running. Longest I’ve survived on a TM was 12 miles. And I had people from the gym stopping by to entertain me…and I still wanted a pencil to stick in my eye…
Holly recently posted..Marathon Training Day 8
I’ve heard a lot of people do long runs like that – and then slowly increase the # of MP miles with each week…
I find that I do better when I have my kids in front of me – gives me something to preoccupy me! But no one was up at 430am!
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
Hi,
I just started following you these past few weeks and just love your energy and enthusiasm! Congrats on the new goald for training for an Ironman! I am currently doing Tri training as well and will do my first triathlon this summer. I am also trying to qualify for Boston this spring! Look forward to reading more great posts to keep me motivated!
Cheers!
Hi Kendra, Thanks so much for your comment! Glad you found my blog too =) How is tri training going? Sounds like you have some pretty big awesome goals this year! What race are you running this spring? Are you having a hard time managing training for both at once? That’s my only concern with IM training right now – I have BIG goals for a spring marathon and want to continue to focus on that but also need/want to put in the time for IM training. :/
nycrunningmama recently posted..20 miles on the treadmill + Fun in the Snow
Well, tri training is just commencing and I will tell you, the first few weeks I WAS SORE! I didn’t think my calves would make it out alive, but with some good stretches, power yoga, a little tune up from the chiro I feel brand new
I think it was a shock to my body doing all 3 sports at once. Now, I am not doing an Ironman however I am doing some longer rides on the bike with my buddy who is and we are both set out to qualify for Boston this spring in Fredericton, New Brunswick (I guess I should mention I am from Canada 
So, to answer your other question…we designed our workout plan to incorporate both races and they both just fall into place quite nicely, plus biking and swimming are a great compliment to running. Just take it 1 day, 1 week at a time and it will all work out…I think the training plan when you look at it as a whole seems more deceiving than just taking it day by day! Your inspiring to so many setting these huge goals for youself, just keep believing!
Looking forward to following you on your Ironman/Marathon training..hey maybe we will see each other in Boston 2014??????
Cheers!
Kendra