Turnips Running Amok

It has been a VERY busy time for me. My sister is getting married in less than two weeks, I am swamped at work, and marathon training is reaching a peak.
I have been doing pretty well with marathon training though. I have taken a more relaxed approach to it since my burnout/frustration a little while ago. I run one week hard....2 easy runs, a hill or speed session, and a long run of 3.5 to 4 hours on trails. The next week is just easy runs. This seems to keep me fresh for the hard sessions although I am still worried if I am really ready for this. If 3.5 or 4 hours is my limit, how does that bode for my projected finish time of 5 to 5.5 hours? And if it is going to take me that long to finish (appears so based on my tral half marathon performance) is my body really ready to be a marathoner? Can I even finish if 4 hours is my upper limit? despite some self doubt and maybe some embarassement at the possibility of a 12 minute mile race pace (sorry, I am just a bit self concious, especially at the starting line with sub 7 and 8 milers) I am pressing onward. I just want to finish, check it off of life's to-do list, and see how I enjoy it. If I enjoy it I will definitely be back, if it is a disaster, I will stick to half marathons and 10K's (trails of course!) I must say that I will be looking forward to some time off after the marathon, not from running entirely, but from taking an entire day of my weekend to train, although I do LOVE trails.
I have also come to the conclusion that the trail who's distance I was concerned about is DEFINITELY NOT 5 MILES. I timed myself on the trail and I know I was running at a semi-decent pace (10-12 minute miles) and it still took me 75 minutes to finish! I know I am slow, but not 15 minute mile slow, especially since I was running at a good pace the whole time! I now think that this course must between 6 and 7 miles, which makes some of my other runs a bit longer than I thought (17 as opposed to 15, ect.) I also timed myself on a trail that I know is a mile, and ran it in 11 minutes just to check myself. I guess I really need a Garmin eventually.
Well back to work, I am swamped and lucky I had time to check back in and have some coffee. Hopefully I can catch up with the rest of you soon! Happy Trails...

Posted by Turnip at 08:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

As we sit here waiting for word, I decided to head out to a great state park in the area.
I ended up having a FABULOUS trail run! There is no other way to describe it. I put in about 7 or 8 miles but had SO much fun exploring this park. The trails were a great mix of easy flat and wide to some technical single track going up and over dunes, hills, with roots rocks and sand. Part of one trail even edged along a bay where I got a beautiful panoramic view as I crested a high dune and stopped to rest a moment.
The temperature was hot (high 80's, low 90's) but the humidity wasn't bad and the nearby bay and ocean gave a nice breeze to keep me cool. Some points I was crossing sand and footbridges near the shore of the bay and in others I was climbing up roots and soft dirt through spanish moss covered trees.
For those interested and are ever in the Virginia Beach area I HIGHLY reccoomend checking out
First Landing State Park. Most of the trails are off-limits even to bikes (although there is one trail) so they are pretty quiet, especially on a weekday. Although I was aiming for closer to 9 miles rather than 7 or 8 , I couldn't have asked for a better trail run adventure!
Tomorrow a rest day with some yoga and then back at it on Friday...hopefully I am over my frustration and complete a long run on Saturday or Sunday of 3 or 4 hours, I may start aiming for time rather than distance for the purpose of not getting to frustrated and bailing and then being dissappointed on myself. Just a thought anyway...

Posted by Turnip at 08:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Wow, a LOT is going on this week.
I can't give details but lets just say my adorable Navy husband may be headed out for awhile (not on anything dangerous) as long as 6 months. It is very short notice but I guess we knew this day would come and there is nothing you can do to TRULY prepare yourself for it. I drove up to where he is stationed on saturday with the cats to visit him and help him prepare for a possible long trip. No word yet but hopefully we will know soon. (those new to the blog, I am finishing up grad school this year while my husband is stationed with the Navy)
Nonetheless being that I am stuck here just to wait for news, it has given me a chance to dig back into my training after my set-back a week ago. In addition, I can explore new trails in the area including a 9 mile trail run scheduled for tomorrow! In fact, the husband and I went to a sport's store and found me a new pair of trail shoes. I selected the new ADIDAS Supernova Trail (Its the bright orange shoe)
My review so far is that I LOVE IT. but there are a few things to note:
1.) The lacing system is a bit cumbersome. The laces are very thin, sturdy, but you really have to yank eveything hard to get it to where it needs to be.
2.) I think the shoe may run a half size too big. I usually wear an eight but I got a 7.5 and it still might be a bit big on me. I have a narrow foot so that might be the case but be aware of that if you are considering this show.
I have only tested this on 5 miles of trails that weren't too technical but so far so good. Personally I don't mind the flaming orange (although the hubby thinks they are hideous!) After my 9 mile run tomorrow, I will report back and we will see how it goes.
I also got new sunglasses - I decided to NOT heed the advice of alot of running mags and purchased a cheap 20$ pair that is wrap around, reflective and, at least after 12 miles so far, has NOT fallen off my face or fogged up. So for the time being I will NOT be spending 100$ o 150$ on sunglasses that I may lose or break anyway.
Other than that, it is just wait wait wait. My two cats were really good on the ride up here but have had much fun turning my husbands apartment into there own personal jungle gym. At least for the moment, my 12 lb. going on 15 lb. white cat (creatively named Whitie) is making himself at home on the keyboard and his 6 lb. sister (creatively named Browie as she is a brown cat!) is chewing on my new trail shoes! Sigh...off to enforce the rule of mommy....

Posted by Turnip at 08:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (17)

Ok, I have decided to STICK WITH THE MARATHON. After many supportive comments and helpful suggestions I think that I am going to go ahead with it and just see how it goes. You never know if you can do it if you don't try right?
To answer some of people's questions out there:

Yes, it is a TRAIL marathon. I really prefer trails because I love being out in nature, mud, dirt, ect. I love the adventure, I enjoy a 15 mile trail run alot more than a 5 mile road run. That said, I think sticking with the trail marathon as opposed to a road marathon is best suited for me, at least at the moment.
I do refuel on the run. I have hit on my magic combo of saltines, fruit snacks and gatorade. However, is this enough or should I try more calorie-dense foods?
Taking a suggestions I did try gmap-pedometer but even at close zoom, you can't see the trail by the satelite image or the hybrid. I guess I can possibly ask a forest ranger to get his opinion of the length of the trails. I think I am also going to finally break down and get a garmin. I think this will really help me out as far as determining my true pace AND distance and give me a better idea of where I am.

Posted by Turnip at 11:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

The short version is my 18-miler did not go as planned.
The long version is this....
I am seriously reconsidering this marathon. I have noticed that as my runs get longer, I tend to get more and more frustrated and impatient, I just want it to be over. I am having fun until about mile 15 - then I get aggravated and cranky. In fact, it got to a point this week that is where I stopped - 15 miles. Its not so much that I couldn't have possibly finished (although I was very tired and had to stop and rest just a mile before that) its that I reallly had NO desire too. I had been on the trail for 3 and a half hours and I simply had enough. I turned around and went back home and not an ounce of me feels bad, guilty, or dissappointed in that.
One question I have is that maybe these trails are longer than posted, because at that time, I am running a FOURTEEN minute mile which can't be right at all, I know that there is no way that I am THAT slow. I would have to be walking to do that, and I was running! Also, ALL of my long runs on these trails seem to be slow.
Nonetheless, I really have no way of knowing how long those trails are, I can't exactly call up the SC State Forestry Commission and demand they re-measure the Stewardship trail! Should I finally invest in a Garmin so I can get a more accurate measurement of pace/distance? Or am I really and truly that hopelessly slow on my long runs?
I don't recall my long road runs (had a 14 miler and a 12 miler on roads that were definitely on target for an 11 minute mile)
All I know is that regardless, I feel really unprepared for this marathon. I am looking at a possibly a longer than 5:00 finish here, if these 14 min miles are right (which may not be the case), we are talking a 6:00 finish!
I really am not sure what to do, but I am reconsidering the marathon for a couple of reasons:
1.) Its getting to the point that on long runs, I am not enjoying running anymore. I won't spend 4+ hours on a Saturday doing something I am not enjoying at all.
2.) I am doubting if I even have the time to devote to this. Devoting 3-4.5 hours on a weekend to just running is more daunting and frustrating than I thought. Again, I am having a blast until mile 14 or so and then it I get pissed. (Or the 3 hour mark which, again who knows how far I am going, I have my doubts)
3.) I seriously doubt my ability to do it at all. I won't run a marathon if it is going to take me 6 hours to finish. Maybe other people are ok with that and I respect that, but I just don't have the patience or the endurance at this point in my running life.
4.) I wouldn't mind focusing on 10K's and Half-marathons because I think, eventually, I could kick ass on that eventually I think (especially the 10K) and probably enjoy myself alot more which would keep me more motivated, and thus healthy and happy.

Well that's my rant. I welcome anybody's input...

Posted by Turnip at 05:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

It is TOO DAMN HOT!!! 100 degrees with 100% humidity! and it is just going to get hotter, reaching up to 104 degrees on Thursday!
Needless to say I have been up early this week but even though I was gone by 7 or 7:30 this morning it was still VERY muggy and very hot! grrrrr....I need to move to San Diego where it is 75 degrees year round!
Despite the heat, the marathon training is proceeding as scheduled, an easy 7 miler yesterday and a hot and humid 8 mile run this morning (including 6 mile TEMPO at 9:00 / mile pace).
This week is an 18 mile run and I must say I am a bit intimidated. I know I can do it but it won't be easy especially with this heat!
I also have Windsurfing to look forward to this weekend! My friend found someone who gives lessons in the area so we are going for a day this weekend. This should be interesting and fun!
Happy Trails....

Posted by Turnip at 09:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (7)