#mcmtraining

I ran the crap out of that half-marathon I mentioned in my last post that took place a little over a month ago. I wanted to run it in 2hrs (preferably just under) and I know I always go out too fast so I decided to run with a pacer.  Uh... turns out she was running 30-40 seconds faster per mile than the pace group should have been. I learned this at mile 8. Now, 30-40 seconds per mile may not sound like much but for anyone who runs with pacers or knows their limitations, you’re probably like “WTF?!”  ...You don’t start out going fast, you should be staying paced or doing negative splits as a pacer, BUT I DIGRESS. I don’t like looking at my time or even knowing my mileage while I’m running (although I don’t have much choice for the latter as there are GIANT signs during every race I’ve ever run marking the mile), and I also don’t run with music.  I was staying a little ahead of the group until about mile 7 and I could tell I was feeling tired.  I didn’t know why because I shouldn’t have had an issue if I was running a 9:10ish minute/mile which was what the finish pace would have been. It was at mile 8 when I overheard two girls that were also in the pace group near me mention that the pacer was keeping us at an 8:30 and so I looked... and they were correct.  While I had a brief moment of thinking “holy crap, if this was a 10k I would have PRed it” but then immediately went into “Brain does not compute.” mode and it messed with me mentally. As soon as I found out I was way ahead of where I should have been but still had 5 miles to for some reason I just couldn’t handle it and I had to start walk/running. My last 3 miles I was back running my comfortable pace but miles 8-10 were rough. I had to completely regroup. 

I’ve been working on that since the race.  I’ve been running 10 miles every weekend since I was ahead of my training schedule and I definitely think it’s getting better. This past weekend I ran 9.5m in 85 degree, hot and gross weather at my marathon pace (or so I thought) and I actually ended up running a lot faster than usual.  Heartbreak classes are definitely helping with both physical and mental barriers. I’m pushing myself more in those classes which is good.  If I can hold a consistent 8:30-8:40 for 8 miles... I can do that for 45 minutes. I just need to break down these mental barriers.

This month I ALSO did my first 50 sections at Harvard Stadium.  I’m pretty stoked about that especially since I PRed the crap out of my full tour time last month. 32:30?? I didn’t even know I’d ever be able to do that. Guess I need to aim for under 30.  

As for the downer of the post:

I had a cluster earlier this week which turned into just plain exhaustion and migraine with vision changes. Because I mean, who doesn’t love their vision blurring in and out all day. SUPER. FUN. False. It sucks. It also sucks having your first of the cluster in the morning while you’re on a treadmill.  I don’t remember turning the treadmill off but I did. Even when acting up, at least there’s some part in my brain that still makes sure it reacts correctly to them while I have no control. That was one of the worst ones I’ve had in a while. I shook it off after a few minutes and continued with class but had a few more throughout the day. Not my worst cluster but definitely one of the most frustrating. Especially the proceeding migraine and complete lack of motivation to get moving again.  I feel normal today for the first day since Tuesday so I’m going to a spin class tomorrow. Hoping that I can still get my 12 miles in tomorrow.