That was utterly terrifying and I regret having joined you (comments welcome)

[jmasgat]

Great workouts! My favorite new (to me) sport of the Olympics has been rugby 7s. I have watched nearly all the matches and am looking forward to the semis this morning. Tough ask for the US to get past NZ.

 

[NYC_MW]

Isn't it great? It's just more elegant and faster moving than American football. And that last second try by Sedrick to win bronze was amazing

 

[GollyGadget]

Isn't it great? It's just more elegant and faster moving than American football. And that last second try by Sedrick to win bronze was amazing

I was absolutely losing it watching her breakaway! What an exciting game and stellar ending!!

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Rugby 7s has been really fun to watch! Essentially the only rugby rule I knew before this was that you have to pass backwards, but I feel like it's pretty easy to pick up the basics. I would watch more of this.

 

[NYC_MW]

Somehow missed posting last week. Was super happy with the GMP run. Though barely holding on for 6 miles, how in the world am I going to keep that up for 26? Cooldown miles were mostly uphill so felt even harder than the workout miles. Long run was decent but had to walk some of the last couple of hills.

Yassos this week were a bit of a disaster. Went out too fast during the runs and felt like death. Starting from recovery 3, had to walk the first couple seconds before picking it up to a jog. Ended up throwing in the towel after repeat 6 since I was just too not in control. Mantra during today's long run was just to stay in control, and was successful (yay!) but need to figure out how to stay in control at a faster pace.

Coming up this week: tempo pace workout and then a chill half race (gun time only and course is just marked out with chalk and cones).

Also started trying to plan out Germany. We arrive Friday afternoon, the race is Sunday morning, and we take the train from Berlin to Munich Tuesday morning. My rational mind is saying: maybe a 2 hour walking tour Friday afternoon, expo Saturday + light exploring, more city exploring on Sunday, and maybe a Potsdam day trip Monday. My crazy mind is saying, but all the palaces in Potsdam are closed on Monday, I can totally do a 4 hour walking tour on Saturday, expo Friday. And then can do a 4 hour Berlin walking tour on Monday. I mean, I did do a 5k before the LA Marathon (and ended up having the same pace both days). And this would be nothing compared to Marathon Weekend + all 4 parks.

 

[jmasgat]

Oh the joys of being young.....my weekend would look more like "run Sunday....light walking to the bar afterwards" On second thought, I don't really drink much anymore. Maybe "light walk to a good bakery".....or better yet--a Doner Kebab. Followed by "Monday--attempt to walk normally".

I get it though...so much to see, so little time. And I have done the same on my one Dopey weekend.

 

[NYC_MW]

Oh the joys of being young.....my weekend would look more like "run Sunday....light walking to the bar afterwards" On second thought, I don't really drink much anymore. Maybe "light walk to a good bakery".....or better yet--a Doner Kebab. Followed by "Monday--attempt to walk normally".

I get it though...so much to see, so little time. And I have done the same on my one Dopey weekend.

light walking to good bakery and doner kebab are definitely on the todo list.

 

[azrivest]

maybe a 2 hour walking tour Friday afternoon

If it were me, I'd do the walking tour on Friday, if only for the jet lag to force myself to stay awake until it's bedtime on Friday night. You won't have a lot of time to adjust before your race on Sunday.

 

[The Expert]

If it were me, I'd do the walking tour on Friday, if only for the jet lag to force myself to stay awake until it's bedtime on Friday night. You won't have a lot of time to adjust before your race on Sunday.

THIS! I travel a ton, and staying up until at least 8 or 9 on that first night is key to getting acclimated. That one night will be tough, but you'll be set the rest of the trip.

 

[NYC_MW]

If it were me, I'd do the walking tour on Friday, if only for the jet lag to force myself to stay awake until it's bedtime on Friday night. You won't have a lot of time to adjust before your race on Sunday.

THIS! I travel a ton, and staying up until at least 8 or 9 on that first night is key to getting acclimated. That one night will be tough, but you'll be set the rest of the trip.

Good call! Totally hadn't factored in jet lag. Running buddies are suggesting going to Expo Friday afternoon and getting dinner that night, so that should help with fighting to stay awake.

 

[NYC_MW]

Gotten bad at updating the journal, whoops. But some good workouts in the last couple weeks, including a fast-finish half marathon race and an 8mi GMP medium long run. Yassos this past week were much more controlled than the last go-around, but mainly because pulled back on the speed. Thinking I may have to reconsider whether a PR is possible. Though as a friend keeps reminding, the actual race will be flatter and with hopefully better weather conditions. Today's fast finish long run turned into a just finish long run, but glad it got done. Plus, got to go to DL last week with a friend for her first time (and my first time with the halloween overlays). We were there from rope drop to almost closing and really got lucky with all the wait times and Genie+. Less than 4 weeks to race day!

 

[NYC_MW]

<2 weeks to go! Am I ready to be done with training? Yes. Am I ready to attempt to PR this race? Nope. Am I excited to get to visit Berlin & Munich? Definitely yes!
Still planning to go for the PR, but also realizing it may not be in the cards, so just bigger goal is just to enjoy an amazing experience not everybody gets to do.

Last week's peak long run was a fail (17 miles instead of 20), mostly because of weather but also poor sleep and poor dinner the night before. I got to the intersection ~1/4 mile from home and just couldn't make myself make the turn to add the extra 3 miles. Also, there were cops directing traffic in the other direction and I let that be my excuse.

This week felt better after the heat wave broke, though again didn't get to bed early enough last night before today's long run (which included the closest call of getting hit by a car in a city where the motorists are constantly trying to run me over). But that's okay because at least it was for a fun reason: Boyz II Men at the Hollywood Bowl (I'm aging myself) ! with fireworks at the end and Paula Abdul to open.


Also had the last of my 10 sessions with the PT today. Felt bad since I've basically fallen off doing my exercises since the last time I saw her at the end of July. But she sent me off with the list of exercises to keep doing, and I'm definitely thankful for all the work she did with me. Fingers crossed I won't need to go back.

 

[NYC_MW]

Bah, one week to go and I got sick. Scratchy throat and some coughing started on Friday. Still went for scheduled run on Saturday and it was fine. Sunday mostly okay except occasional coughs. But have now progressed to productive cough and possibly aches (though maybe that's just taper syndrome).
Scrapping today's last long run but may try to go out in evening for a slow jog/walk (to hit 10k steps) and will play the rest of the week's runs by ear. Further confirming this may not be a successful PR attempt, but still want to enjoy the race.

On the plus side, pretty much packed and ready to leave Thursday afternoon! And did not get into Tokyo (for which I'm again relieved), but now plotting to possibly do the Beach Cities challenge next year or add to my "race in 50 states" list.

 

[GollyGadget]

Sorry to hear you fell ill but that doesn't mean all of your training was for naught. Take it easy this week, the most important thing is to show up healthy. You may surprise yourself come race day or this may just be another step towards your goals. Either way, enjoy your finish lap, you earned it!

 

[col1]

Bah, one week to go and I got sick. Scratchy throat and some coughing started on Friday. Still went for scheduled run on Saturday and it was fine. Sunday mostly okay except occasional coughs. But have now progressed to productive cough and possibly aches (though maybe that's just taper syndrome).
Scrapping today's last long run but may try to go out in evening for a slow jog/walk (to hit 10k steps) and will play the rest of the week's runs by ear. Further confirming this may not be a successful PR attempt, but still want to enjoy the race.

On the plus side, pretty much packed and ready to leave Thursday afternoon! And did not get into Tokyo (for which I'm again relieved), but now plotting to possibly do the Beach Cities challenge next year or add to my "race in 50 states" list.
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Sorry to hear you are under the weather.

Rest up and hopefully the worst may be past by race day

Enjoy the trip and the race.

 

[WillRunForPizza]

Ahh, that sucks! Hope you're able to rest up and recover fully before the race!

 

[azrivest]

Have fun in Berlin! Hope you're already feeling a little better. It may not be a PR if you're feeling sick, but it will be an unforgettable experience!