Happy Friday! Since it’s the last Friday of the month, I’m linking up with Marcia from Marcia’s Healthy Slice for Runfessions.
Since it’s “Free Friday”, I’m also linking up for Friday Five with Courtney from Eat Pray Run DC, Mar from Mar on the Run and Cynthia from You Signed Up For What?!
Goodbye Summer
I don’t know about you, but I was very excited to officially say goodbye to Summer on September 22nd. I actually marked the occassion with an Instagram post.
Everyone experienced a pretty brutal summer. Here in CT it seemed like we were just in a constant state of humidity. It was gross and I did more runs that I can count in crazy hot and humid conditions. It was hard and it sucked so I have welcomed the cooler temperatures with open arms! I am not of fan of Summer so I am more than happy to see it go every year. Bring it on Fall!
I’m Tired Y’all
I’m currently in the hardest 4 weeks of my marathon training cycle (almost 2 weeks down, 2 to go). It doesn’t matter how much sleep I get, I am still tired every single day.
I think this is a combination of work being crazy busy and an increase in miles. This weekend I have 20 miles on tap for Sunday. I am terrified because I have never done that many miles, but I know that I CAN do it, it just won’t be easy, lol. I have to say that I am SO ready to embrace the taper. It’s so close I can taste it!
My Eating Habits Suck
When I’m tired, I get lazy, and that means less home cooked meals. I’ve been getting take out a little too often. It’s not that I’m necessarily getting bad foods, or fast food, but you can never REALLY be sure how the food is prepared when you purchase it. I would much rather cook my own food so that I know what’s in it, just to be safe.
Anyways, I really got lazy with meal prep and cooking this month and I vow to do much better in October. With the NYC Marathon in November, I really want to eat my best and hit all my workouts/runs in October. I think this will give me piece of mind going into Marathon day!
NYC Marathon
We’re less than 40 days out from the NYC Marathon, yet I still have the same thought – “Am I really doing this?!” I’m almost done with week 11 (out of 16) of training, yet I still have the same dumb thought. It’s like my body knows that it’s training, but my brain is still in denial. I’m gonna need my body and my brain to get on the same page already, lol.
When I start to think about the Marathon experience, I get excited and I know that it’s going to be hard, but also very fun.
I Need A Vacation
I have taken a few 3-day and 4-day weekends off this year for “runcations”, but I haven’t actually taken a vacation.
Because of this, I have a ton of vacation days to use up before the end of year. I have decided to take off the week after the marathon. Granted I’m not going anywhere (like an exotic island), but I am going to use that time to rest and do absolutely nothing before flying out to Las Vegas for Rock ‘n’ Roll Weekend. Yup, you read that right. I’m doing the RnR Las Vegas half marathon exactly one week after the marathon. There will definitely be a whole lotta walking during that race!
Do you have any Runfessions for September? I hope you all have a great weekend. Happy Running!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets says
I can relate to so many of your runfessions! My eating has been so bad so I’m vowing to do better in October too! I didn’t realize Vegas was right after NYC…wow! I hope you have a great time! And I have a TON of vacation days leftover this year too. I need to figure out what to do…I thought I’d be a wimp if I took off the day after my marathon, lol!
kookyrunner says
LoL, not a wimp at all! You should tatally take the day off after the marathon – you will have earned it! I actually still have more days to use so I may do a few three dya weekends! i know I’m crazy for doing Vegas after NYC but I really want to do that race and I know I will not do it next year! I have my rest day tomorrow so I’m going to do some meal prepping for next week – gotta get back on track!
Jess @ Jess Runs ATL says
Hang in there, you are doing great!! A couple of time-saving tips for meal prep: use your crock pot!! There is nothing better than having that meal ready and the whole house smelling good when you come back from that 20 miler.
Also, I cook up ground turkey with chili powder and cumin to eat off of during the week. I’ll roast veggies (because it takes hardly any time) and make a sweet potato fresh in the microwave on the side each evening. Quick and healthy meal!! I also use the minute rice single serve rice for a quick side 🙂
kookyrunner says
Yes! My small crock pot is currently collecting dust in my cabinet. I really need to use it so thank you for the reminder!!
I love your tips for meals. Thank you so much! Sometimes I overthink meals when really they just need to be quick, healthy and simple.
lacey@fairytalesandfitness says
Good luck on your 20 miles this wkend. I did that last wkend and now I am on taper. It feels good ro get that put of the way. You will do great!
kookyrunner says
I have one more 20 miler after this one but I have my fingers crossed that it will go well!
Marcia says
Try to focus on today. This run. This mile. And don’t get overwhelmed by OMG NYCM! It’s going to be epic and you’re going to be ready for it. And you’re going to rock this weekend’s 20. Just a 10 and to 5’s. Run them easy and practice positive self talk. It will be such a huge accomplishment and confidence builder. Once you pass 20 at NYCM you’re in CP and the crowd carries you in. You’ve SO got this!
Yay for RnR Vegas. FWIW, I ran my half PR 6 days after a full marathon. The body does crazy and amazing things. Just enjoy it.
kookyrunner says
Thanks Marcia. You always give the best tips. I need to work on the positive self talk. Often times I douby myself during the run and ask myself “how am I going to do this?!” I’m definitely going to focus on being in the mile I’m in on Sunday, and take it at a nice easy pace,
You’re amazing for running a 1/2 PR after a full marathon – WOW!
Kristen says
Ooooh that week off will be so nice after running the marathon! I actually love taking vacation days and then not going anywhere. It’s so nice to just relax!
kookyrunner says
Yes I am a huge fan of the staycation! Also it gives me the opportunity to run errands too!
Wendy@TakingtheLongWayHome says
You are so doing this! I think the whole point of being tired during marathon training is to get you mentally ready to push past mile 20. The taper gets you rested. You’ll be fine!
kookyrunner says
Thanks for the vote of confidence Wendy!!
Sean says
I just ran my first 22 miler a few weeks ago. While it was definitely painful, like you said, it is survivable. I found that trying a new route and just making it up as I went kept things interesting. And yes, the taper will feel amazing!
kookyrunner says
I love trying new routes. You are right, it does keep things interesting! Congrats on your 22 miler!
Mar @ Mar on the Run says
the end is near! you’re gonna thank yourself for that week off! I took one day after my marathon then was on a train to NYC for a work event in heels. Eesh. That was 2 years ago and I still don’t think I’m recovered, lol.
kookyrunner says
Oh wow – that sounds painful! You are superwoman for being able to pull that off!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude says
We have to meet up in Vegas! You are going to do great with NYC! Good luck with your 20 miler this weekend!
kookyrunner says
That’s awesome that you are doing Vegas! I’m sure there will be a WeRunSocial meet up at some point that weekend!
Thanks for the well wishes on tomorrow’s 20 miler!
Kimberly Hatting says
Like Marcia said, break the 20-miler down into smaller segments (so your brain can rationalize it won’t be so bad LOL). I had a 14-miler on tap for this morning. I have run many 13.1’s and have done five 26.2’s (and farther)…so I know my body is capable, but my mind was having doubts. I ran most of the 14 miles with a friend, and we did 2 loops of our usual 5-mile route. Then, she had to head home, so I had “only” four miles left to do after that. It really went well, and felt so good to finish 😉
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much for the advice Kimberly! Today for my long run I actually “stayed in the moment” and just went mile by mile. It was the first time I have been able to do this and it really paid off!
Abby @BackatSquareZero says
You are killing your training and you are doing amazing. You are almost to another cut back week.
kookyrunner says
I am actually looking forward to “only” 16 miles next weekend – that sounds crazy!
Sophie says
Good luck on your 20 miles!
I need a vacation too. I’ve been working non-stop the past year and have taken a few extra days to get long weekends, but I understand you completely when you say you need a vacation, “not a stupid weekend”! 🙂
kookyrunner says
Thanks so much Sophie! I think we all should take at least a one week vacation every year. We work so hard!
vicki says
I totally understand the eating habits thing. It is so easy to do what is easy, I usually find that my body tells me when I need to eat better.
I am sure you crushed your 20 mile run yesterday!
Jen @ SprinklesHikes.com says
Your post made me laugh because I’m pretty sure we are the same person right now. With the heat/hating summer and the food anyway. I’m pretty sure I’m so exhausted because I’ve been doing so much hiking for work, but add in the heat and the backpacking-friendly meals and I’m just DONE!
kookyrunner says
We sound like we are definitely the same person. What I real say is that I’m feeling much better this week so I think our bodies just need to get used to the exhuastion LOL