Well, it is taper time. 2 Saturdays ago, I did my last 23 miler. I did it in 3:10 this time and finished much stronger. By the way, I did it in the pouring down rain on muddy trails. The trail had puddles so big you couldn't go around them and you couldn't jump over them. I have never been so wet in my life. It could have been worse. At least the wind was down and it wasn't very cold. I ended up with the worst rash I have ever had under my arm. I completely ruined my shoes, but it was probably a good time to get a new pair anyway.
So, this new pair of shoes... I don't know when I am ever going to learn. I have run in Mizunos for years now. Every time I try something new, I get hurt. So, my running store hosted the last long run with support from Brooks shoes. A Brooks guy was there with all the new shoes and of course, they are the "best." I know better than this. So why is it that I think 3 weeks before I run a marathon it will be Ok to try a new shoe? 15% off should not have that much influence over me. The guy tells me I will never want another shoe after I run in this one. The selling point was the additional cushion in the forefront where my neuroma is. It did feel better when I walked around in them. Mind you, I had just finished 23 miles and my shoes were ruined. Anything would have felt good. So, I bought them.
I didn't put them on again until I ran on Monday. They felt too big. I had Pete feel them (like I am 5 years old and can't tell if my shoes are too big). Yep, they are too big. Apparently, my feet were so swollen after the run that I needed a 1/2 size bigger than usual. My street shoes are a 6. My Mizunos are a 7 1/2 for plenty of toe room. The Brooks 7 1/2 were way too big.
Oh well, I decided I could run in them anyway. I laced them to be tighter around my ankle and took off for a 7 mile tempo run. I had a great run, but my feet hurt like I had tied my shoes too tight. I checked, they weren't. The tongue of this shoe is kinda weird. There is a cut out in the middle which leaves a pointed edge on either side. Would you believe, they bruised me? I thought I may just need to get used to them and get a smaller size. I exchanged the shoes and tried again. This past Saturday I did 14 miles and they hurt the whole time. This is stupid. Thankfully, my store gives you 30 days to try a shoe and if you don't like them, you can exchange them for something else. I am running back to Mizunos. If I ever say I want to try something new, please slap me.
On another note, I am starting my taper. I have decided to really cut my miles but increase my intensity when I do run. I know some of you are thinking I am already too intense. You may be right, but I just am not fit to live with if I cannot run hard every now and then. So, I have not run since Saturday and this morning, I did 5 in 36:50. I feel great. I will run one more time before a weekend run of 10-12. Then, I have one more week before the big day. I probably won't do much at all that week, but rest, stretch, eat and hydrate. Instead, I will get my hair done, finally see the dentist and start organizing for the move. I'd rather run.
The difference between people who “always” workout and those that don’t is the fit people accept that they will always be in a state of “coming back.” Life will get in the way of your fitness strives. Accept it and make today the day you come back…again.
Training
Running Clothes
Running Gadgets
Paris Half Marathon
Shelly, Bobbi, V, Delores
V and son after Berlin Marathon
Bobbi and V in Prague
Back then
Back when we were together...I miss my friends! (Christy, V, E, Aura Lee & Angie)
Army Wives
Angie, Christy, V, Aura Lee and E
Cathy and Angie
Christy & V During 2007 Army Ten--Miler
3 comments:
I am not looking forward to taper week and it's not for 8 weeks. I had my first 'easy' week and hated it... very hard to not keep going when you feel so good... and then I read about possible weight gain with tappering... how do you manage not to put on pounds?
Hi Rachel,
Each time I have trained for a marathon, I have lost a bit of weight, so tapering is a good time to put a few pounds back on. When I get up to 40 miles a week, I find it difficult to eat enough. During the taper, I catch up again. Not too much because I want to run fairly lean. I just want to fill the hollow in my cheeks a bit.
That said, I still watch what I eat and it is still clean. At the end of my high milage weeks, I didn't care if I eat more bread or more carbs. Especially the carbs since I burned so many. Now, I watch the carbs, lay off the bread and stick to grilled meats and veggies. I also don't need as much for lunch, so I split it into 2 little meals. I think I am wandering. Here's a typical day during taper:
Breakfast(7:30): 3 egg white, maybe one yolk. Mini bagel and fruit.
Lunch 1 (10:30): Cliff bar or protein bar and yogurt.
Lunch 2 (1:30): mini can of tuna with Kashi crackers or lean lunch meat rolled up with mustard and fresh spinach and fruit.
If I am hungry and dinner is late, I have mini popcorn, a handful of nuts or granola.
Dinner: grilled meat, steamed veggies (I do use a bit of smart choice spread and fresh dill) and maybe a small portion of roasted potatoes or brown rice.
I never deny myself food if I am hungry, but I don't eat just because I want something in my mouth. If I am working out on a day during taper, I eat a bit more (I am also hungrier). I still have my snack before bed, but I watch portion. I have more time on my hands and I find that I want to graze. That's OK as long as I am not also sitting down to big meals. That's why I went to 2 little lunches with a possible snack.
The 3 days before the race are the most important. That is when I will start the carb load with plenty of hydrating. Those 3 days of eating are critical to glycogin storage so I don't worry about calories then.
Your thoughts?
I'm screwed. :)
I am on full-feed majority of the time (I do eat healthy however), I gained two pounds on my easy week (...not that anyone but me can notice and it's already gone, but...) but I like the hallows of my cheeks and never deny my hunger, I guess I will have to just change my mindset to, I will burn it all off on the big day!?! :)
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