Dinner's for Suckers: Maybe, Possibly, Perhaps: Training for Marine Corps Marathon Week 1

Oh it looks like something has come up! I was in the middle of writing lesson plans on Wednesday, when I went on to Facebook for a little break. I saw that my friend, Chris Lamperski, had posted something asking about the Marine Corps Marathon, and was asking about it's location as a DC marathon. Being the troll that I am, I replied, "a race that starts and finishes in VA, is not considered a DC marathon". HARF HARF HARF

Then some back and forth went on between Chris and I. And the prospect of actually running the race came up. Weeeeeeeeeelllllllll I wouldn't consider myself in tip top shape. I actually don't think I'm probably in quality running shape at all. But Chris said he would see if I could get a free entry. On Friday night I got the confirmation that I was able to get a free entry. At first I was pleased, but then it got me thinking. Does getting a free entry into a race, where tons of people can't get in and have to try for a lottery, turn me into ME FIRST GLORY BOY RUNNER? I'm not sure, but I really think that my street creed as a blue collar gritty runner is seriously under attack.

So for the next ten weeks (probably not accurate), this will be my documentation of my training to run a fun pace (2:45) for the marathon. I last ran a marathon in May at 2:41, and since then I had to take two weeks off for a stress reaction, and then after that got better and I was going to dive into some serious training, my hamstring blew (can you say that word when talking about a marathon?) up and I had to take a week off and then humbly ran workouts since then.

Before we get started on this week, let's go to how I was feeling on Saturday August 23rd. Actually I think this picture is how I felt:

Yep. That's about right. That's how I felt during the entire day. What did I do during that time: prepped my classroom, helped out with other classrooms, cleaned my apartment, and apparently wore a bright orange long sleeve shirt and plaid shorts. I don't remember thinking clearly when I got dressed.

Now onto the GLORI BOY TRAINING LOG

Monday:
AM: 4 miles 29:34 Welp it was the first day of school and I was extremely anxious for the day to start. Here's a bright idea, I'll get up at 4:30 run nine miles and then get to school early to prep some more. Here is what actually happened. I was super super anxious and probably had a panic attack while I was running, and going out two miles was going to be enough for me, because I could/was not (going to-if you select was) calm down.

PM: 9 miles 64:37 I ran after work and it was probably an interesting run. Maybe? I can't really remember that much about it. Was the weather bad? I'm not sure. I then did four strides at the end. Oh about the first day of school? It was fine. Like always

Total 13 miles I worked more hours than miles I ran.

Tuesday
AM: 4 miles 29:02 I woke up and ran. I don't remember much about this run.

PM: 7.5 miles: workout 12 x 400 with 1 minute recovery Interesting start to this run. I was turning left onto Piney Branch Park and I kinda had, but not really, the protection to cross the street. Ok there was a timer counting it down, but it did have the flashing hand. I decided, what is the worst that could happen. The worst is getting hit by a car and dying. I went. So did a car. This woman honked her horn at me. I continued to run. About a quarter mile up the road, this woman had stopped her car, and yelled at me for running in the road and that I was gonna get hit. I did the most mature thing and pretended to juggle with invisible balls. She was not amused and honked her horn. This is the time I bet someone is going to be like BRO RUNNERS DON'T GET RESPECT! WE CAN RUN ON THE ROADS IF WE GOT THE PROTECTION! BRO THAT IS HOW IT SHOULD BE! And that's fine, but that's something that requires a lot of energy and really doesn't do much to the situation. Just letting it go and troll on is what I say.
Splits from the workout: 79, 78, 78, 82, 75, 75, 80, 81, 78, 78, 79, 82.

Look at that all my splits were all over the place. I knew that I was feeling good, but it was hard to find a groove and get ready to actually run the pace that I thought I should. What did I think my pace should be for a quarter? Maybe 79. Possibly 78. Perhaps 80.

Total 11.5 miles

Wednesday
PM: 12 miles 85:14 I was planning on doing this run in the morning. Had my alarm set at 4:40 and got up. Went to my living room, turned my computer on, and was like NOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPPEEEEEEEE. Went back to sleep and knew that I had to run this distance and then work on lesson plans. Over/under on when I would get to sleep was set at midnight. I remember this run being really hot and that I stopped after six miles and had to mentally prep myself to get ready to run back. After I got home I ordered a pizza and got a soft drink, which I rarely drink, because I knew I was going to be up late and needed some energy. I was up till 11:30 writing plans and was not finished.

Total 12 miles

Thursday
PM: 10 miles: workout 3 mile tempo in 17:38 I woke up in the morning and was not going to run a shake out run. I was tired and exhausted. I was tired and exhausted coming into school. I was also hungry. My goal was really...weeellll...let's go back to a couple of weeks when I tried to do this exact workout. It was really hot, so I knew my sensitive lungs wouldn't handle the poor air and did it on a treadmill. I tried to run 5:55 pace and it was something that was tough. After a mile I moved down to 5:49 and that was impossible. I stopped after two miles extremely defeated.

Fast forward to Thursday. I went through the first mile feeling really calm and fresh. I hit 5:53. I knew that what has been getting me was the second part of a workout. At Rock Creek this section has some hills and you probably have to stop for traffic, unless you want to juggle invisible balls! The second mile was 5:53. And then I remembered why this type of workout was one I disliked running in the park. Oh hello wind! What's that you're at 10-20 mph? Why that sounds awesome. Oh and you will blow on the last mile of the workout! Brilliant! And that's what I had to deal with for the last mile, which was actually my fastest mile at 5:52. I was pleased that I ran this pace, but know that a couple months ago I could do this without even thinking.

Total 10 miles

Friday
PM: 9 miles 65:31 I woke up in the morning and really wasn't having any motivation to run in the morning. I was thinking maybe even taking the day off. But after I got done with work, I was feeling ok to go out there and run some miles in the park. It really wasn't that bad of a run.

Total 9 miles

Saturday
AM: 12 miles 86:20 This was my trail run going OFF ROAD in Rock Creek Park. I saw a couple of African runners on the same trail. Did they look smooth? Yes. But as smooth as I was twisting their bodies over one of the downed trees? Probably even more smooth. I enjoyed this run. It wasn't that hot and it wasn't humid at all.

PM: 4 miles 28:48 After spending most of the afternoon watching FAUTBAW and watching NC State strung-a-ling against some scrub team, I went out for a run around 4pm. It looked like it was going to rain, but it never did. I really think that we need it to rain, because the leaves are already falling and that's not a good thing to occur before Labor Day. (Note: Not a scientist)

Total: 16 miles

Sunday
AM: 14 miles 95:10 I woke up at 5:45 this morning. NOOOOOOOOOOPPPPPPEEEE. Not waking up that early to run. Went back to sleep and woke up at 7:10am. I knew that today was suppose to be hot and humid and that the run I was going to do, would be oh so painful. I really wanted to quit this run at two, but I hung around. The trick is saying to yourself that move on from how the outside elements are and just focus on the simple task of putting one foot in front of the other at a fast pace. I did that. I was thinking about something else as I climbed the hills on Beach Drive. I hit the first seven in 49:08 and then did the last seven in 46:02. Now granted that last seven were for the most part downhill. But I was working, but not pushing it. A familiar feeling came. My socks were totally soaked and I could hear the squishes from them hitting my shoes. I wore my hiking socks so they really didn't help out with my shoes, it felt like I was sliding out of my soles. I finished my run. Some guy in the alley was impressed. I looked like I jumped in a pool.

I had stopped twice, a little after four miles and a little before ten, to get some water. I even let the water fountain cool my body, but placing my inner wrist on the stream. It really works on cooling the body down (Note: I am not licensed to give medical advice)

Total: 14 miles

Weekly total: 85.5 Maaaaan I didn't even realize I ran that much until now.

A weekly segment of me giving advice to people getting into running: Run, don't walk.

A weekly segment of me giving my opinion on a drink: This week the drink is WATER.
Some people say water is free (probably Communists). You can get water from the ground, though it might be a bit earthy if you drink it straight up. Water is made of two hydrogen atoms, the stuff they put in balloons to fill up with air, and one atom of oxygen, the stuff you need to keep plants alive. Water can be boiled, frozen, thrown on people (as a distraction to get people to not talk about what is happening in Ferguson, MO. WHAT YOU DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT FINDING A CURE???!!! WHAT TYPE OF MONSTER ARE YOU????), and it can be consumed (how it can be consumed is up to the reader).

Water can be cold and it can be hot. People use water to do a lot of things. Scientists think that water is going to one day swallow up the Earth due to global warming, but having seen the movie Waterworld, that claim can be refuted, because there was land even though it was said that there was not any.

Water can be bought at the store in 12 packs and 24 packs. Never before has someone said "Hey I just got a 12 pack of water. Party's starting!" Announcements of buying water is something that goes unsaid, due to a long standing tradition from the Depression, where people would not announce they had water, in hopes of getting traveling hordes of the hobo army to leave their land.

Water is usually clear, but not clear like Crystal Clear Pepsi. Water is a drink most people need.

Picture of water: