The fine line between crazy and insane....kickin' asphalt on the way to Goofy '08

[AmyBeth68]

Hello...

Just a mid-week check in because I'm really happy with my run today!!!

The week thus far has been busy...I've taught 4 classes in the past two days! All have gone well and I'm starting to really find my rhythm with the Pilates. I've received some good feedback which helps a TON...sometimes I just stare into those blank faces in front of me and wonder what they are thinking as they stare back LOL! I wonder what they are thinking. Is this class too hard? Is it too easy? Do I make sense? Are they getting anything out of it? Ahhhh...the thoughts of a pilates instructor .

Today I ran my best 6 miler...umm...maybe ever! I finished in 54:41. I was running just over a 9 mpm average! I didn't walk at all...was able to really find a good pace and just went. I didn't even realize I was going so quickly because I had no idea of where the mile splits were located. This was an old running route that I did during training last year. The change of scenery helped a ton....and although it was challenging...last mile UP HILL! I really felt like it was a nice change of pace. I'm just thrilled with the successful run following a quick 10 miler on Sunday!

Thanks for stopping by everyone. I needed this run today. Was having one of those difficult emotional days...I get those and the running seems to help a bunch!

 

[postesf]

GREAT JOB AMY!!! FANTASTIC!!! WONDERFUL!!! WHOOO HOO!

I am thrilled you had such a great run yesterday! That is great for you. I am so glad you are staying healthy and training smart, listening to your body. You are doing so great! I read through your "old" Journal yesterday (yes, all of it, a couple hours worth! ) and I am so happy that things are going better for you so far this year. I know you still have a few aches and pains and I know part of that just goes w/ the Marathoning training teritory, but please take care of yourself!!! Didn't mean to re-hash the past. It's just you've come so far and done so well! I'm so proud of you for what you have accomplished!

Stacie

 

[ScoJo15]

Nice work there Speedy McAimster!!

Seriously, what a great run!! Seems like your pace is improving almost effortlessly...how's your breathing and how do you feel after these faster runs?

Good timing too, 'cause aren't you doing a race again on Thanksgiving?? Keep up the pace you've got going on now and you'll destroy any events on the horizon :

Congratulations again with the Pilates instruction. You knocked out that training and fell right into an awesome teaching groove. I bet your students LOVE you. I'd have to say I'd be sitting there staring at you in class too. (oops..did i just say that? )

Anyway...GREAT JOB with everything! So nice to see you upbeat and feeling good

Have a great day!

 

[toystoryduo]

Great run, Amy!!! Keep up the good work!!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hi guys...as always...thank you so much for the support. It does help .

I'm feeling a little on the tired side today. It's been quite the week of training. I think the body wants a rest day, but that is not in the cards until next Monday. I need to perk up though...I do have a class to teach tonight! AND...that dreaded 12 Miler is looming on the horizon.

Yesterday was a successful XT day.....I did 20 minutes on the elliptical (2.25 miles) and 20 minutes on the bike (7.25 miles). It was nice to get a solid cardio workout. I also taught a Pilates class..and since the group was fairly advanced I went ahead and did most of the exercises with them .

Today was the scheduled 5 Mile run. The time overall was pretty decent...just over 46:26 for a 9:17 pace. I was fairly fatigued during the run though...the half mile hill leading up to the 2 mile mark kicked my butt and mile 4 is nearly all up hill. You can guess where the net down hills are LOL. My splits were all over the place LOL! 8:39/9:50/8:36/9:25/9:35 or something like that. You can tell that I hit hills at mile 2 and mile 4 LOL. KICKED my butt!

So the legs are tired...and a little achey as I sit here. I might do a nice epsom salt bath tonight. Sure as heck beats the torturous Sunday morning Ice bath . Although...I swear by the ice bath. I think it's one of the pieces of the puzzle that helps keep me together...and relatively injury free *knock wood*.

So to date...my formula for avoiding injury is PILATES, CARDIO XT, ICE BATH, CHIROPRACTOR (each week), SOLID NUTRITION (some weeks are better than others), and RUNNING BASE (thanks Scott for putting together a long term training plan for me!). That's what I attribute to my improvement over last year. There are other things...but those are the key components. Just thought I'd share!

Have a great day everyone!!!

 

[MIdanceMom]

Hi Amy,

I hope your bath tonight solves the aches. I do a hot bath. I'm not sure I could do the ice bath. Thanks for sharing your training components. Even though I don't run, I can still use the info.

Have a good class tonight.
Beth

 

[postesf]

Good Lord girl!!! Your times look awesome! I remember reading when your times were in the 10s...now 8??? That hill may have kicked your butt, but wow! Amazing!!! And you were even tired! I am so proud of you! I know you'll do great this weekend on your 12 miler! I can't even fathom! I'm just hoping for 3.1!

So...I'm still thinking a virtual pilates class by Amy sounds great! I can't seem to make it to the gym for pilates...why not try it virtually? Any "circus tricks" lately in class???

Hope you have a great evening! Get some rest!!! I'd love to take your class, just a few too many states away!

Stacie

 

[postesf]

oh, yeah... Noticed you're new avatar! Nice!!! I'd love to get a pic like that during my first 5K, but photographer will be running w/ me!!!

 

[postesf]

Hope you have a great weekend and a successful long run!

Stacie

 

[momof2minnies]

Hi Amy,
Awesome job, you continue to amaze and inspire me.Your times are great I am jealous.

I was wondering if you could tell me what type of sneaker you wear, I know it is individual but I am looking at a few choices. I went to a specialty shop and they analyzed my walk- They said I could go with a neutral or stability shoe.Now I am price comparing.

Have a great weekend
Linda

 

[ScoJo15]

Hiya Amy!

Good to see you still kicking butt with your training!! Looks like we're to that point where there are going to be aches and pains daily for the next couple months (why are we doing this again? are we that desperate for a mickey medal that will go for $15 on ebay during the weeks after the race? LOL)

But it is SO nice to see that you've got a plan in place to combat any injury or severe pain You are proceeding thru this with a very smart thought process...I just know it's going to bring you tremendous success at WDW :

GOOD LUCK on your 12 miler this weekend!! I'll be thinking about you while I'm doing mine

 

[ScoJo15]

Hey buddy...

Just wanted to wish you the best on the run tomorrow. We only have to get through four true long ones (12,14,16,18) so let's make the best of it. Just remember the miles logged are more important than the pace we run them in. Try to have fun out there...you'll be in my thoughts

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Amy--wow you had a GREAT week of training!! You are doing so great! and those times are awesome, you are really improving!!! It amazes me how much you are able to get into your schedule, I need to take some lessons from you!!! Keep up the great work!

Hope the 12 miler goes well today!! I will check in later on to see how it went!

 

[postesf]

Hey there Amy! Hope your long-run went well this weekend!

Stacie

 

[ScoJo15]

...just seeing how many times I can post in your journal before you do....

 

[ScoJo15]

(this would be 4)

Hope that "long" run went good for you over the weekend!! Why "long" in quotation marks?? Cause it's all relative...12 miles just seems long right now...compared to 13.1+26.2 it's a walk in the park!!

Seriously, hope all is well :

 

[AmyBeth68]

OK OK...geeze Scott....pushy! LOL...kidding. YES...I've been a journal slacker extraordinaire lately.

Sooo....what's up in my world...

Weekly Overview:
Ran: 29 Miles (ran/walked 6 of those at around a 12 or 13 mpm)
Pilates: 360 minutes
Cardio XT: 40 minutes
Taught: 7 Pilates Classes

Was a successful week of training which culminated with a 12 mile long run. This run hurt more than recent runs, I think the cold kind of got to me this weekend. Also...the week of training was brutal....I did so much Pilates that my body was pretty worn down. In addition...both my weekday runs were pretty fast. The Saturday run/walk on the treadmill (6 grueling miles lol) also took more of a toll this week. Anyway...I finished the run with a 9:56 mpm average. Fortunately...I came out without any injury and feel very strong today . Yay! Last year I finished my 12 miler in tears and was injured for a few weeks after. So a victory...YES!

I guess a lot of people notice that Scott and I are ramping up the miles a little slower than others in marathon training. Our philosophy is based on the fact that we are doing the Goofy Challenge...so we are always doing half the distance the day before which adds a big stress on the body. Also, after marathon training last year we both feel that once you hit 16 miles...every mile thereafter STINKS and it's all a mental battle. Being prone to injury as I am...I feel that showing up healthy is more important than showing up with a 20 plus mile LR under my belt. We plan to run our longest weekend with a 9 mile Saturday walk/run (hopefully around a 12 mpm) and an 18 mile Sunday LONG RUN (goal of 10 mpm). So with that said....I don't need the long run to convince me that I can do 26.2. I have the experience to know I can complete the 26.2. I did it last year injured...and sure it was slow...but finishing is not the issue. We really hope to finish in a very respectable time. I won't post any goal times b/c I don't want to jinx myself...but if we are successful and do what we set out to do (injury free), we will be SUPER happy. But anyway...I thought it would be good background for why we aren't running as many miles per Long Run as others. We'll see how this philosophy pans out. I'll report back after the Full Marathon .

The upcoming week looks something like this...

Monday: Teach two pilates classes (DONE..Yay)
Tuesday: Run 6 Miles, Teach two pilates classes, Work with my Pilates trainer for an hour of torture..um...fun .
Wednesday: Teach a Pilates Class, 40 Minutes Cardio XT
Thursday: Run 5 Miles, Teach a Pilates Class
Friday: 30 Minutes Cardio XT, Teach a Pilates Class, Take a Pilates
Mat Class
Saturday: Teach Pilates, Walk/Run 4 Miles
Sunday: 8 Mile Long Run!!! Yippeee Back off week

Thanks for stopping by. I'll try to visit everyones' journals today!

 

[AlyssinWonderland]

Wow! Amy you and Scott are both nuts! In a very cool and entertaining way! I hope to one day be 1/2 as motivated as you are and I'll be doing so much better! You are awesome! 26 miles in a week and here I am happy about 2! Sounds like you are doing great! Thanks for sharing!

 

[postesf]

HI Amy!!! So glad you made it through your 12 miler and can call it a VICTORY!!! Pretty Speedy to! WOW! You must be grinning from ear to ear!

At this point in my training, all your runs look like LONG RUNS to me! You are doing amazing!!! I will be so excited for you come January when you successfully complete the Goofy in a very respectable time!!! Cheering you on!!!

Hope you have a great evening!

 

[hockeygirl]

Hey Amy--Sounds like you and Scott have a solid plan for training for the Goofy. Both of you are going to do awesome, and I have no doubts that you will both finish with a very respectable time!!

Every time I read your log and all the exercise you do in a week, I get tired just reading it! I am a pretty active person, and I don't think I get in half of what you do. Reading your journal really inspires me to get myself in gear!!

Keep up the great work!!