Good morning all. How is your Tuesday going? So far mine is okay. I went to bed at a decent hour last night, so I was able to catch up on some of my sleep. However, Mr. Murphy did try to get me up at 5:00 a.m. this morning, which was not appreciated. I really hate when he decides he wants some attention bright and early in the morning.
Did everyone make it through their Monday okay? Mine was a little tough because I was so exhausted. I started off the day with an easy breakfast because I had zero motivation – Kashi Heart to Heart cereal with almond milk and cranberry juice.
It wasn’t a thrilling breakfast, but it was all I could manage. I trudged through the day still feeling a little bit sore from my 20 mile run on Saturday. I didn’t even change out of my sneakers once I got to work.
Lunch was also less than exciting. It was some Triscuits with Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese and a small bag of carrots.
My afternoon snacks were Chobani yogurt with Kashi Go Lean Cereal and an unphotographed apple.
As the work day came to a close I actually started dreading my run for that evening. I was contemplating moving my 8 mile run up to last night because there was a threat of rain on the radar, but once I got home and changed I knew that 5 miles was going to be my max.
I set out for a run along the East River and hoped my lingering soreness wouldn’t make things too difficult. After a few minutes my legs actually started feeling better – maybe I was working some of the residual tightness out. Here are my stats from the run:
Mile 1 – 8:23
Mile 2 – 8:09
Mile 3 – 8:11
Mile 4 – 8:01
Mile 5 – 8:11
Total mileage – 5.05 miles in 41:20. Average pace was 8:11 minute miles.
I’m glad I forced myself to get out there. I was really thinking about taking another rest day. Hopefully today I can will myself out for my 8 mile run. For some reason, 8-mile mid-week runs have been sounding so daunting as of late. But the truth is, my marathon training schedule isn’t half as intense as some other runners I follow. My highest weekly mileage of my training is scheduled for next week and it’s only 45 miles. I follow this runner, who is tapering now and has 50 miles as part of her taper plan!! Or this runner who crushes long runs left and right, even when she’s NOT training for a marathon.
It leads me to question if I’m doing or have done enough to help push me toward a BQ. I know that each runner is different and that for me, running really high mileage would put a lot of strain on my body (not mention being able to find the time). I’m running more miles this time around than I did for my first marathon training – that is for sure. But I’m nowhere near an average of 55-70 miles a week, like other runners who have qualified for Boston.
Plus, I was chatting with one of Hubby’s bestfriends this weekend and he told me he has a few friends who participate in triathalons and couldn’t qualify for Boston. Eeek – what makes me think I can come even close to qualify if these tough and toned athletes couldn’t do it?!
As you can tell, I’m having some doubts and starting to get pretty nervous. How do you cope with doubts/nerves about upcoming races or goals you’ve set?
After my run I rolled my legs out a bit with my marathon stick and it felt AMAZING!! Then I made us an easy dinner of pork chops with a side salad on the George Foreman.
A little A-1 sauce on the side. BTW – I love A-1. I could put it on anything, much like ketchup. Mmm soo good!
Then for dessert I ate a pusty.
I’m pretty sure this is an upstate NY dessert. Hubby’s mom picked up some pusties while we were there this weekend and sent two home with us. It’s basically a small custard pie with various fillings. Hubby and I both love the vanilla-filled pusties. I think the name “pusty” sounds kind of weird, but they are really delicious.
Exhaustion began to take over shortly after dinner. I made it until around 9:45 and then called it quits.
I hope you all have a nice Tuesday – hopefully my 8 miler tonight isn’t too painful. Have a good one!
Eat, Read, Run 
Goodluck on the 8 miler tonight! You are going to be fine! I have total faith in you…don’t compare yourself to anyone else or it will drive you crazy! Trust me! Just be the best you can be and I promise all those peices will fall into place. You are a great runner and I know you will BQ! 🙂
Thank you! I know I need to stop comparing, it’s just so hard when you don’t know what race day will bring.
Best of luck on the 8 miler tonight! I have a feeling you will do great, considering that you were able to cover 20 miles this weekend. 8 miles is just a drop in the bucket comparatively!
Those pusties look delicious! I’ve never heard of them before, but now I’m greatly intrigued!
I am trying to tell myself the same thing – I ran 20 on Saturday, so 8 tonight should be easy-peasy.
Based on your splits I’d say there is no reason to doubt being able to qualify for Boston. Good luck with your 8-miler tonight!
Pusty is a funny little name for a dessert. I’ve never heard of it before 🙂
It’s such a funny name and it grossed me out in the beginning when I first heard it – kind of made me think of puss. Eww.
Pusty is a fun word… 😉 And they look delish!
No worries! You’ve worked so hard- and it shows! You’re golden! 🙂
Hope so – thank you!!!
Sorry you are having doubts. I always just try to focus on the fact that I am doing my best and following a plan/goals that work for me. I really try to limit comparing myself. All we can do is give it our best and where that takes us has to be enough at the time. We can still pursue more goals, but in the moment we have to be satisfied knowing we are giving our all.
I know comparing is not the best idea – I need to work on that. And if it doesn’t happen, it’s not the end of the world! I need to keep it all in perspective! Thanks.
Never heard of a pusty???? But, it looks good!
Sounds like you are in a bit of a funk…hang in there. All you can do is test for marathon and do your best. If you don’t qualify, well at least you tried (more than I can say for me!). Just remember you are doing much, much more than many Americans out there, so be proud!
Yup – little funk. Thanks for the support.
Yeah – I’m almost certain now that it’s an upstate thing, maybe even a Utica thing. They sure are delicious!
The name pusty is a little off-putting … but then I saw the pic and was like, “Mmmm, pusty.”
I think I’ve read your blog before but never commented; found my way here via RunnerBelle this time. I’ve only done 5Ks and never more than four miles, so your eight (and even five!) are an inspiration to me — and at that pace! Wow. 🙂
Hi Lindsey! I’ve never heard of a puster. Maybe a utica/syracuse thing? Looks good though! It’s difficult not to but you can’t compare yourself to others. You are super speedy! You just have to run your own race and rely on your training. You can do it 🙂
Pusty? Couldn’t they have found a more appetizing name for that?!
Well as you have seen I’m not one of those high mileage marathoners. I never have been. I probably never will be, I don’t have the time or the desire to run THAT much. I’m all about balance and running much more than 40 miles a week is too much for me.
Focus on your own training and the plan you picked. I am sure there is a reason or reasons you picked it. Don’t worry about those triathletes, just because they do triathlons doesn’t mean they are BQ-ing runners.
There are also plenty of runners doing Boston that don’t believe in doing a long run over 16 miles. But they are still BQ-ing.
Trust your training, run your own race and believe in yourself!!
Thank you!!!
A couple of people have said it already, but hammering out high mileage does NOT equal fast times! Even in the marathon. What will definitely give you a slow time is getting injured/sick from over training. Again, comparing yourself to other runners – while tempting, and over unavoidable – will get you nowhere. Good luck! Stay consistent and believe in your training.
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