Three weeks of Marine Corps Marathon training are under my belt. I’ve covered every mile and missed zero workouts.
Although I’m feeling stronger and so much better as I come back from the Vitamin D deficiency, I am nowhere near where I was pace-wise when I was running my best, nor am I sure I can expect to be since so much time has passed since then. We learn not to compare ourselves to others. Sometimes comparing myself to a former version is disheartening as well.
As you know, it’s been hot. I’ve taken refuge on the mill for many of my weekday runs. Knock wood, these workouts, especially last week’s daunting track ladder have gone surprisingly well.
I’ve gotten outside for all of my long runs, thanks to some deeply shaded trails I’ve reacquainted myself with. I allow myself no pace goals on them, since it’s at least 75 degrees at the crack of dawn and heats up from there. Simply covering the distance is a triumph in itself at this point.
At first I found needing to drive to the trails disconcerting and wasteful. I mostly run right out my front door. With the heat comes hydration issues so I pack a cooler with all of my bottles frozen solid. Last week I looped back to the car at mile 10: having ice cold fuel for the last 5 miles when it was pressing 90 degrees with humidity you could cut was luxurious. As much as I despise running in the heat, I think it’s important I face it head on: learn not to come unhinged by it: physically but more important, mentally. So sweat drips off my nose and chin and the miles slog by. Winter will be here soon enough.
The trails are ‘Mezamashii’ beautiful. The temps, not so much.
My hip has been grinding on and off. Walking as soon as it starts seems to do the trick. Happily my hip behaved perfectly last week. I wish I could say the same for my IT band. I felt just the tiniest twinges of trouble on and off during my long run. I wouldn’t even have noticed if I hadn’t been thru an ITB fiasco before. Par for the course I guess. This too shall pass.
This weekend I’ll cut back with the RnR Chi half, then spend the subsequent two weeks building toward that first 20-miler: a distance I’ve not covered since last summer. If the remainder of this training cycle goes as smoothly as the first three weeks, I’ll be thrilled.
How’s your training going? Do you struggle with the heat?
Last call for Injinji Toesock giveaway!
Gorgeous trails, Marcia! Wow! I’m with you on the heat – Texas during monsoon season is brutal. I’m trying to get myself out the door now, but my motivation is spotty. The miles need to get done, though 🙂 Glad your hip is behaving.
So glad your training is going so well! I used to be of the same mindset – why waste time driving when I can run out the door? But the shade and the scenery is so worth the extra time…
I like your point about learning to manage the heat and not become unhinged by it – I’ve been trying to work on that and not get psyched out by it.
Sounds like your first 3 weeks have gone great! Hope the rest of the training goes as well!
You have been doing very well in the heat! I have been struggling with it too and have been doing my weekday runs on the TM as well. I try to get out the door by 6am for my long runs of the weekends to beat the heat but I think you are dealing with temperatures much worse than I am right now. Great job sticking to your training in spite of the heat. You are going to run a great race since you are training through the worst weather! NICE WORK!
Awesome job getting your miles in, despite the horrible heat. I love trail running, but I know how you feel about driving to them. The best running trails are like 20 minutes away and it just seems like a waste.
My training has been going pretty well. I take it easy on myself and hit the treadmill during the week when necessary. I’m buckling down on weekends, though, and getting long runs in early on Saturdays.
Great job Marcia! The heat is definitely killer but doing long runs outside rather than the mill is better for one’s sanity I think, lol. Those pictures/trails look so beautiful. Good luck at the 1/2 and hope your IT band and hip issues subside quickly. Awesome job with the training! 🙂
ooohhh, i am jealous of your trails! Whenever i buy a house, i want it to be within half a mile of a running trial…
Oh, those trails look heavenly! I’ve been running the same routes lately, and those pictures look so inviting.
I’ve been running outdoors albeit early in this heat and I find it to be killer. We have a treadmill but I can’t force myself on it until winter when it’s a hazard to run outside. I probably should rethink that stance because I have had trouble with some workouts for my marathon training. Blerg.
the ITB, i have an issue where I freak out the second it starts to hurt now because I don’t want to deal with that again 🙂 being uber diligent about my strength and stretching!!
Nice work not missing any workouts! And sounds like you are physically holding up well, too. MCM is yours!!
I am getting all my runs in outdoors–like you said, it really is best just to suck it up and get it done in the heat. We’ll be stronger for it!
I’m really impressed that you have missed any workouts or cut back! We reduced our mileage one workout a little bit because it was on trails, but other than that the workouts have happened.
We’re definitely slogging along here too!
I hate the “self to self” comparison too, especially right now! And I *hate* the heat. I’m not even running long, and I feel winter can’t arrive soon enough. Good for you getting those sweaty runs in. It’s going to pay off for you!
I can’t stand the heat. It’s beating me down!! I’ve been running mostly in the morning when it is cooler but I’m longing for autumn. Tonight i’m actually doing a run at 6:30pm. It is likely to be 95deg or so. Uggggggggh
The heat really kicks my butt. I sweat really bad and dehydrate quickly. I have started riding my bicycle fairly seriously this year and I just can’t seem to keep enough water on my bike or in my camelpack to keep me hydrated. I don’t mind the heat other than the dehydration issue.
I swear every photo I’ve seen of you recently you’ve been glowing. That sheen of perspiration is flattering on you – why does it make me look like I’ve been labouring in a steamy laundry? You’re doing so well with your training. Keep up the good work (and try not to compare yourself with yourself – it can only end in tears.)
These temps have been unbearable! But I am majorly envious of wherever it is that you run – its gorgeous!
Can’t wait to meet you on Thursday!
I know what you mean about driving somewhere to run… feels odd to me, too. Awesome first three weeks! Sounds like good timing for a cut back week, to let your hip rest up before the next 3.
Nice work, chica! I’m so happy things have turned a happy corner for you and the running’s going well. Just think how wicked fast you’ll be once fall comes and cools down drastically for MCM.
My treadmill runs are pretty toasty for me. You’d think I’d sweat off 40 lbs by now. Not so much! 🙁
What you said about comparing ourselves to ourselves is so profound! I really need to learn how to not do that so much, to just relax and accept my running for what it is and be grateful for what I can run! I want to frame that quote and hang it on a wall!
Being a city-dweller, I have no choice but to get in my car if I want to do a trail run. I’m hoping to do a 10-miler this weekend, and at least where I’m headed is 5-10 degrees cooler than the city!
Congrats on your training so far! The trails look lovely.
I really hate the heat as well, so I run at 6am, when it still is already steamy!
I think it’s worth a drive to get a little inspiration and to mix things up in a run. Great job not letting the heat get you down.
Glad you are surviving the heat and that your MCM training is going well. I really enjoyed that race last year. Hope the hip keeps behaving. My husband keeps saying winter is coming… normally I don’t like when he says that in the summertime, but it’s been so hot that even I am thinking about winter. Take care!
I started RLRF this week. Those three days of running are no joke. So hard that I feel like I need to relearn how to breath. Good luck on that upcoming 20 miler. Hopefully it will feel like home.:)
Awesome job keeping up with it in this heat!!!
As a person who sweats like no one else I have ever met I LOVE LOVE LOVE these headbands, they wick up 99% of my sweat. They are cheap too!
http://www.bondiband.com/categories/HEADBANDS/
I use them for running and yoga! Nothing worse than sweat in your eyes!