We all have bad runs. But what happens when Sufferfest threatens to derail your plans? You don’t let it! Because marathon training waits for no one.
Last week was a bit of a nutty week. I felt fantastic through Thursday. Hills, a “fast” easy run — and then the weekend rolled around. Sufferfest tried to bring me down, but I didn’t let it win. MCM is just 10 weeks away, how could I?!
Opting Outside + Surviving Sufferfest 2017 {MCM Training: Week 7}
Tuesday — 5.07 miles of HILLS! + strength training
Tuesday was a nice morning of hill work. Trixie the Wonderdog and I took to the streets for a nice warm-up. After that, she relaxed in the shade, ate some leaves and sticks, and watched me run up and down a hill 10 times. Afterward, we did one hill sprint together and then cooled down on our way home. She’s the best running buddy, I swear.
When we got home I got in a little bit of much-needed strength training. It felt great.
Wednesday — 6.04 miles
My friend Carole and I tackled 6 @ 6. The moon was full and so beautiful on my way to meet her — I had to snap this photo! And it doesn’t even do the moon justice.
Full moon sighting!
Thursday — 10 miles
Candice and I met up for 10 fast miles on Thursday morning. All felt amazing while we were running, but as the day wore on I swear I thought I was going to pass out from exhaustion and hunger! We ran through what seemed like the entire city to log our miles, but it was a really fun run. We ran a little faster than goal pace but nothing felt too strenuous. Overall it was a solid run and I was grateful for the company.
10 miles: check!
Friday — rest
On Friday I woke up feeling fairly fatigued. I thought it was because I had such a hard run on Thursday but I realized as the day progressed that I was actually suffering from a mild cold. In truth, I was glad my fatigue was caused by illness and not overtraining. Which, let’s face it, is a real fear among long distance runners. Phew!
Saturday — hiking the CVNP
Despite not feeling 100%, we opted outside on Saturday. My husband and I took the kids and the Trix-dog to hike and explore in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. We’re so lucky we live near such a beautiful place, but I was really bothered at how inappropriately some visitors were treating the park. Of course not everyone was disrespectful, and overall we had a really fun time. I had a minor freak-out episode in the car ride home, though, because I found a tick wandering on my seat. Cue panicked mom doing tick checks in the driveway.
Sunday — 16.06 miles
Since I was still recovering from my cold on Saturday, I bumped my long run back to Sunday. I had grand plans for my run. Since I was coaching at 8 and 9 am, I thought I’d loop in those miles and then run home to get the rest of my long run in. I felt the “call of nature” with my first client but ignored it. When I was with my last runner, though, I started to feel a little dizzy. Since my route home included no restroom facilities or access to water fountains, I wasn’t quite sure it would be a wise idea to run. Instead, I went with Plan B. I hopped in the car and ate my peanut butter and jelly I had packed for my pre-run fuel on the way home. After using the facilities and chugging some water, I was off!
By this time it was almost 10:30 am and the sun was blazing. My run was a real sufferfest from the outset. It was getting hot, my headphones were driving me insane and making me sweat profusely, and my hair was insulating my back and making my neck hot. You’d think that was Sufferfest 2017 in a nutshell, right? You’d be wrong.
Suffering yet still smiling!
Sufferfest 2017
I went back home to refill my water bottle, grab some ice, and put my hair up in a bun. Then I went back out to tackle Sufferfest once and for all. I refused to be defeated!
The Freakonomics podcast kept me company for 10 miles. I learned all about shoes and why footwear is basically evil (but we already knew that, right?), and I started learning about Charles Koch of the Koch brothers. Fascinating stories, I tell ya. If you’ve never listened to the Freakonomics podcast before, add it to your list.
Despite my resolve and audio entertainment, Sufferfest didn’t let up. I tried to run in the shade as much as possible. I stopped every mile to mile and a half to guzzle water hydrate. Despite having a full belly, I sucked on energy chews to take my mind off the grueling heat. I’ve run in hotter conditions, yes, but coming off a cold with residual congestion really didn’t help the situation.
I didn’t run all 18 miles like I had planned. But I’m perfectly happy with the 16 I did run. Sufferfest, despite repeated attempts at bringing me down, did not win. I prevailed and conquered the run!
Rock Hall Half Marathon
This week I’ve got some hard runs but no more hills for this girl! They’re easier than they ever have been before and I’ve definitely learned to appreciate them, but I’m ready for new stimuli. I’m also running the Rock Hall Half Marathon on Sunday. A few of my runners will be taking on all three race distances — I’ve got 5K, 10K, and half marathon runners. It’ll be a really fun morning! If you’re in the ‘Land and you’ll be there, give a shout — I’d love to see you before the race!
xo
Let’s talk!
Have you battled Sufferfest? Who won?
Have you had the opportunity to visit a national park? Which one?
Linking up with HoHo Runs and MissSippi Piddlin’ for the Weekly Wrap, and My No-Guilt Life, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and MCM Mama Runs for Tuesdays on the Run.
