It’s no secret marathon training will challenge you. Getting in all the miles required is no picnic. Add in time constraints due to work, family, whathaveyou, we all have them, and the struggle is real. So is the fatigue. To this point, our winter has been mild but this week I needed to get creative to work around Winter Storm Harper, which showed up, on schedule, Friday afternoon and continued through much of Saturday, dumping a good foot or so of snow on our area, then dropped temps to the single digits. Let’s not even talk about the wind. It’s Chiberia after all.
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: Run 4 miles progression run
Wednesday: Upper body strength/core/prehab
Thursday: 9 miles – conference call – 9 miles (18 total)
Friday: Yoga (did not happen)
Saturday: Run 6 miles (treadmill) core/prehab
Sunday: CrossFit
Overall it was a better, calmer week. I’m still breathing into the space that was occupied by dog hospice duties now that Carlo is gone. My training remains consistent yet lackluster as 11 weeks have passed and I’ve never once made it to a spin class. My intention of running 4x/week every other week has been mostly a fail as well. That said, the runs I am doing are going reasonably well and strength training remains a bright spot. I continue to be committed to prehab, chiro visits and building medial glute strength. My only goal in Tokyo is to enjoy it and finish with a smile, so hopefully I’m doing enough work to achieve that.
Speaking of Tokyo, I’ve never run a World Marathon Major before where there is zero pre-race communication. Not a single email, other than ones from the tour company. They don’t even have an Instagram account. Weird, right?
While London was fairly silent for awhile, with just 98 days to go (EEEK!) they’ve announced their elite field and have been very active on social media. The excitement is building although it’s still pretty surreal to me.
Why Can’t We Stop Judging?
Looks like Sally Bergesen, founder of Oiselle got herself into a bit of a spot with this tweet. Did you see it?
While plenty of people apparently agreed with her, there was also many who took offense. I mean really who cares whether others run outside or on a treadmill? There’s plenty of banter about which is more “badass” and personally I find that pretty judgy as well. To each his or her own. If you like to mill it 24/7 I support you. If you don’t ever wanna set foot on one, I support you as well. If you run outside when it’s 20 below zero that’s awesome, however I don’t perceive that as any more “badass” than someone who gets their run done inside. It’s all running. It’s all good. Running is hard. Let’s support each other.
Moving On
(Google Images)
While Winter Storm Harper raged, we watched the Netflix documentary about the ill-fated Fyre Music Festival. Wow. Fascinating on so many levels. I’m all for going big and taking risks, but festival organizer/scam artist Billy McFarland took that to a whole new (idiotic) level.
I also checked out Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up series on Netflix. I really thought I’d love this, since decluttering is challenging for me, although I’m getting better. I organized three drawers of running gear “Kon Marie” style a few years ago and have kept them this way ever since. That said, I’m sure I still have way too much stuff that doesn’t “spark joy” and I really should part with it. While I didn’t love the two episodes I watched, there were a couple of takeaways. And it does light the fire to get rid of stuff.
Loved this column by Dathan Ritzenhein. How many of us (myself included) scoff when professional runners insist they’re “just like everyone else” when they run like a different, super-human species and training is their job? Here are a couple of notable excerpts:
“If you’re good at something like running, people will often say that you make it look easy. I can guarantee you that it is not. While talent is absolutely essential to being one of the best in the world, you can maximize your own ability no matter your genetics. That is what makes running amazing.”
“One key piece I have learned over the years is that whether you are a weekend warrior, competitive age-group runner, semi-elite or professional, figuring out what works best for you is what matters.
I told you about FRE Skincare before. It’s specially formulated for women who love to move and sweat. I love it so much I subscribed. By doing so, my FRE Skincare stash is automatically replenished on a regular basis AND best of all, plans are 50% off until the end of the month plus you’ll get a free gift with each order. I swear by Purify Me cleanser and keep some at home and in my gym bag. The Detox mask and Revive Me serum are favorites as well. All FRE products are formulated from natural, organic botanicals and Argania Active Complex, derived from the Argan tree. For each set sold, FRE plants an Argan tree!
Check it out here and use code RUNDEF to get the 50% discount. 100% satisfaction is guaranteed. If you aren’t thrilled with FRE Skincare like I am, cancel anytime and you’ll get a full refund within 30 days, no questions asked.
The first Runfession Friday of 2019 is sneaking up! Join me here this Friday, Jan 25 to bare your sweaty soul and soles!
How was your week? Winter storm? Have you heard of the Fyre Festival? Do you need to declutter?
I tried to get into the tidying up show but found it a little overwhelming and boring. Does every pair of socks and underwear spark joy? Some things are just necessities. I do know I can declutter a bit and I plan to work on it. Maybe next week 🙂 Way to get that 18 miler in by splitting it up. Did that make it harder or easier??
That was such a shit stirring tweet. But she has a habit of getting into it with people wholly unnecessarily. I’m sure some Oiselle runners also do Peloton so isn’t she also attacking her own base?
Chiberia. Love it
This storm is so weird.
By the way, realized you follow some NYRR runners i know on IG — always fun when worlds collide. You’re going ot love Tokyo – I think I probably owe you an email about it. Eek, sorry
You already know how I feel about Sally’s tweet, lol. It just really rubbed me the wrong way and seemed completely unnecessary.
I watched the Netflix special on the Fyre Festival this afternoon. I think I said WTF about 30 times while watching it. What a damn mess!
I actually liked the Tidying Up show in Nerflix. I didn’t care for the first two episodes but then it got better for me. I think I just really like her positive attitude – it’s refreshing to see that nowadays
The rock I have been living under has served me well, I guess, because I did not see the snarky Tweet and had not heard of the Marie Kondo show until just recently. Ignorance (sometimes) is quite blissful. Your Tokyo training always impresses me…you’re getting in all the long runs and plugging along.That is odd they aren’t more active on social media.
I don’t understand the need to call people out about where they choose to run. They are moving so that’s all that matters in my opinion. That’s kind of weird about the lack of communication for Tokyo. Hopefully the closer you get, the more you’ll hear?
I think you are doing well with your training for Toyko. There’s certainly no need to over train and risk injury. I’m sure you will be smiling at the end too! It’s so weird (especially since Japan is known for being tech savvy) that they haven’t communicationed about the race. I’ve been de-cluttering since we began readying our house for the market. Now that I’m packing, I’m still doing it. It feels good though. Thanks for linking!
I have so much respect for those who can run on the mill. Mentally I just can’t do it very regularly and i wish I could!
I’ve been meaning to check out the Marie Kondo series as decluttering is an ongoing challenge for me – just too much stuff!
I was so disappointed in Sally Bergesen’s tweet – so judgemental and unnecessary! And so doesn’t reflect well on her company.
Awesome job getting that 18-miler done! Off about the lack of Tokyo communication. Hopefully, they’ll start to communicate more as you get closer.
I need to do some major decluttering. It’s just so overwhelming.
You are crushing your training. I guess I need to rustle up some runfessions!
Chiberia indeed! I coached the group run on Saturday and everyone finished with frosty eyebrows and eyelashes. Tokyo’s lack of communication worried me too, especially compared with all the other Majors. But once there in Japan it’s really well organized.
I see all these Peleton commercials on Hulu and never really thought much about it other than I knew they were probably ‘spensive. Then Ms. Abbey and I were at the mall Friday night and I saw a little Peleton “kiosk” store there so I popped over because I was curious. I heard someone giving the spiel and then *cough cough* 5k price tag. I don’t judge (how much is a good Woodway treadmill – 10K? If you got the money and it makes you happy, then go for it. If I had the cashola, I’d buy it (and a Woodway :)) and a personal trainer and a nutritionist and, dammit, quit my job!! 🙂 I have a friend who has the moola to buy all that stuff (and not work), and she battles more personal problems than most. So….
I wish I were going to London with you…. *sigh*……
I miss so much on Twitter! There are so many things wrong with that Tweet. One that comes to mind is people who don’t feel safe running outside because of when or where they have to run. You would think Oiselle would get that, ~sigh~
I prefer races that communicate – lack of information stresses me out.
I think your approach to Tokyo is a sensible one – you are putting in the work so don’t even stress if you haven’t made it to Spin Class in a while. You are getting in all the runs that matter and staying consistent with that. I hope Tokyo starts communicating just to put everyone at ease – also, it helps to keep people excited and psyched for the race.
I think you are doing great with your Tokyo training despite missing some of your marks. I belong to a couple of FB groups that are focused on the WMMs and there is always talk about the lack of communication from Tokyo. It does seem odd. Also they are apparently extremely strict about bringing any type of water containers on the course. Some say even empty ones (like vests/Camelbacks, etc.) might even be confiscated at the start; others say you can bring them through. Who knows.
I remember the stories about the Fyre festival when it was going on. Crazy.
We have AMVETS come every single month so I’m constantly going through things and getting rid of them. Still, we have lots of ‘stuff’ cluttering up our home. We’ll get there eventually!
I’m with you on “to each his own.” When I heard about the Peleton ‘mill I was like – hell no I want to watch the Today Show. LOL. I don’t mind the mill. I run on “hills” and it keeps me in shape and not injured in the winter. I also love to run outside and I don’t want some celebrity to tell me what to do. That said, to each his own. If you’re active and happy – go for it!
Good job on your training! It’s tough to stick with it. I’m have a half marathon coming up at the end of February, and its approaching sooner than I though, ha!
So I finally watched that Tidying Up show after I heard SO many people talk about it! It does have some good tips. I started doing some work on my closet, but it will be a gradual process!
you know sometimes training cycles are amazing and perfect and sometimes they are less than optimal. you are going to TOKYO and no matter what on race day it’s going to be epic. Because TOKYO!!! I have no doubt that you will be able to dig deep and find what you need right inside of you to make that race work for you.
I don’t know why people have to judge people on anything really. Whatever. If you run every day. If you run on the mill. if you only run in fair weather. if you are outside only. WHATEVER. does it make you happy? Do more of it!!
my husband is one of those that makes it look easy but he assures me ALL THE TIME it’s not. Is he more talented than me? Yes. Does he have more of a society-defined runner’s body? Yep. But it’s still hard for him. and he works REALLY hard. So hey, when I want to up my game like that (nope) then maybe I’ll be better too (probably not, don’t care hahaha!).
I *just* watched the documentary a couple hours ago about the Fyre Festival. Insane. I never heard of it until it blew up, but then again I’m not the target audience.
I also watched a bit of Tidying up a few weeks ago and threw away a whole bunch of stuff almost immediately! ha! minimizing is what sparks my joy!
If the weatherpeople are right, then the snow is coming tonight. I’ll be laughing at all of the chaos around me when it happens (this whole country SHUTS DOWN with one flake – buses, trains, cars… it’s like Snowpocalypse every time). I just keep telling people “I grew up in Chicago – there they have REAL winter” haha!
I’ve never heard of the Frye Festival. I’ll have to look it up! I don’t know anything about it.
That’s crazy about the zero communication from the race. That would stress me out to no end. I’m an information hound, especially when it comes to races, and i will regularly check the website and read FAQs, race info, etc. OMG, I would be a mess if I were you. Good thing you’re not me! LOL
I’ve been hearing recently about Marie Kondo but clearly, I have my head in a hole in the ground because I have no idea who she is. Clearly, another thing i need to look up! 🙂
Apparently Sally didn’t take into consideration that weather and safety are concerns for some people. I don’t like treadmills but I know people that only run on treadmills because they don’t like to run outside. To each his/her own. Just get it done. 🙂
You’re doing amazing with the training. The lack of communication from Tokyo would stress me out.
While I’ve trained for marathons through the summer here, I can’t imagine doing it through the winter. I’d probably have to take to the treadmill, if that’s okay with Sally 🙂
Never heard of the Fyre Festival. I did hear about that tweet, but that wasn’t really what sparked my IG post yesterday. I mean, you can say whatever you want on your own social media, it’s when people (sometimes in RL, or sometimes on social media) talk about how they could never run on a treadmill — actually, I get that they’re just sharing their experiences (mainly), but it can also be painful & come across as yet another form of shaming, i.e. you’re not a “real” runner yadda yadda moving on.
I actually have been alternating 3 & 4 day weeks, but now that I’m at my peak I’m finding I need those 4 days (because I just can’t face that many miles on a treadmill!). I started training thinking it would really just be about fun — I mean, it always is — but training has been going well so I decided to push it a bit.
Weird that the excitement is already building for London but crickets for Tokyo!
My issue with the tweet is that she had to single out the one brand when I know “normal” runners with treadmills that are just as expensive. Just do your own thing and let others do theirs! I have the Peloton bike and treadmill because my husband was concerned for my safety when he wasn’t with me. It’s helped me and our marriage!
I think that taking care of yourself is the best plan for Tokyo. Obviously, running in this crazy winter stuff will definitely help you get and stay strong too!
I don’t have Netflix but I may pop in a trial account to watch the documentary. Hulu has one too but I just haven’t made the time to watch it. I did get rid of labels and stuff in my bathroom and I do like the new vibe so there’s that!
That’s what scares me about running a marathon. How do I get in those and still have a life?
I have a hard shell I guess. I guess I just ignore what people say and do what I want.
Of course, I must have said a zillion times that I Hate the treadmill and can’t run more than a few miles on it. Would have never considered it “shaming”
I admire those who can. It would make my life easier but I just can’t. It’s about me not them.
Some people are too sensitive (or insecure), in my opinion.
Sorry for the rant. Having a bad day.
** get in those miles