sidebar | life and training 10.11 – 10.17

One week removed from Chicago. Isn’t that wild? Such a swath of days devoted to raising the fitness platform for a race of 4 hours, in my case. Sometimes it boggles me that we humans undergo such strain for a fleeting reward, particularly when you also must factor in the aftermath recovery period that disrupts a routine you might be used to.

I feel pretty even-keeled about the race. I know I’m not a marathoner by heart, and while I’m sure I can improve at the distance with time and patience and persistence, I won’t ever be one to adore 26.2 or become competitive in it. Mostly because there’s not enough marathons in which I’m actually interested. I can probably fit that number on one hand, and I’ve already completed two of them.

All that considered, Chicago wasn’t what I wanted, but I still think my finish was respectable particularly for a first true marathon. I ran Big Sur a few years ago on very flawed training, so while that’s technically my first rodeo, I don’t really count it as a race effort since I was in pure survival the whole time. I was fortunately healthy during this training cycle, with no worse problems than niggles here and there.

A Brief Chicago Marathon Recap

I won’t bore you with a mile by mile breakdown, since I’m pretty sure most of the population doesn’t give a hoot about that much detail. I will, however, lend you an image of what race day looked like for me.

We arrived at Grant Park around 6:30 to check our gear bags and get squared away with port-a-potty business. That waiting game actually took us pretty near closing time for our corral, which was frightening, but we made it with a few moments to spare. Buckingham Fountain streamed and gurgled beside us the whole time, a rather stunning sight in the rising dawn.

Our race began around 8:05 or so, and immediately I knew I committed an error by starting too far from the pace groups. I should have breathed on the shoulders of the 4 hour group straightaway, but I wanted to be next to J and he wasn’t aiming for anywhere near that time. Hence, the first 9 miles I ran far too quickly in order to catch up to the 4 hour pace group and eventually the 3:55. I did pass the latter eventually, and held on to my position for several miles.

Mile 13 I felt something was about to go wrong. I hit this halfway marker at a time of 1:55:45, which was on target for the lower end of my goal range, but I noticed my breath becoming a bit shallower and a thickness creeping up in my right rib. Throughout training I did not struggle with side stitches, but they’ve been an issue in almost every other race I’ve run. I hoped that continuing with water and Gatorade on course would help.

It didn’t. Mile 16 I couldn’t gain a deep breath and suddenly a sharp pain spread underneath my ribcage. I slowed to a walk and knew I wouldn’t recover from this setback to regain my prior pace. I found inhaling very difficult, more so than I ever had. This plagued me the entire rest of the way. I felt asthmatic, like my throat was closing, even drinking proved nearly impossible. Never before has this happened, and for a bit I actually felt frightened that I was about to seriously screw up my whole body by trying to run this monstrous race.

I determined to run/walk the remaining 10 miles, grabbing at any chance I felt okay enough to trot to another waypoint – usually a mile marker, aid station, or a specific stoplight. I really don’t remember much from these miles. A drone of crowd noise, music, a few drips of rain, a guy at mile 18 or so suddenly pivoting to grab a banana and throwing off my stride, causing an inhuman squeal to escape me. The abrupt halt hurt. I noticed people weren’t very courteous during this race. Instances such as above proved common, and many people refused to heed the age-old advice to signal and step to the side when stopping to walk. In a crowd of runners as vast as Chicago, this would’ve been immeasurably helpful. Alas.

When I did cross the finish line, a tidal wave of tears burst forth, unrelenting and thorough and inhibiting my breathing even more. Relief is the emotion I’ll tie to this stream. I walked very slowly through the chute, grabbed my medal, calmed only when I reached the snack bar and was handed an apple and a Muscle Milk. I spent the remaining time nibbling, switching from sitting spot to sitting spot whenever a damn bee would harass me, and watching J’s progress as he continued his race.

My final finish time was 4:08:08, a 9:28 per mile average. Way slower than I anticipated, but you know what? That’s okay. I fell off the wagon but not as bad as I could’ve. I didn’t collapse from heat cramps or any sort of alarming illness like many I witnessed did. I fared well enough in the higher temperatures. I’m healthy, far as I know. I own a medal to flaunt. I had an excuse afterwards to eat immense quantities of delicious Chicago food. I’m happy, thus.

My Marathon Recovery Plan

To be frank, I don’t have a written plan set out for the next couple weeks or so. Like I said, I’m not an experienced marathoner, and even if I were the process of healing can look different from race to race; that said, my body will likely take a bit more care than for someone who’s run 10 at that distance.

Generally, 2 weeks of no running at a minimum is advised by people who are smarter than me. I’ve seen many folk coming out of Chicago or Boston who think they’re the exception to this rule and plan to “test the legs out” over the weekend. That phrase makes me chuckle because dudes, your legs haven’t gone anywhere. They’re still attached. And besides, just because you feel good for 1-2 runs after you start up again doesn’t mean the damage won’t deflect to the coming weeks or months.

I am helped here by a very stark lack of desire to run. Even walking for a longer time causes my back to get achy and my legs to want a break. I spent a solid 6 months building up to a race of 4 hours, I find it natural that I’d crave a reprieve from training. I don’t think racing Chicago destroyed my general enjoyment of the sport, but it certainly made me appreciate rest a bit more than I did prior.

Week 1, so this week, I took a full day off formal exercise on Monday, though J and I ambled around Chicago a fair bit mostly en route to dining spots. I think walking helped shake some of the immediate soreness out. Tuesday and Wednesday I utilized our nice hotel lap pool for a couple 30 minute swims, very slow and easy effort, and Thursday and Friday I biked for 45 minutes and 65 minutes, respectively. Saturday was a 40 minute elliptical spin. All of those days contained some measure of strolling as well.

Week 2 I hope to reintroduce some lower body strength training, nothing terribly heavy and no HIIT to be found. I might try to get a few elliptical sessions in and perhaps some very short bursts of power during bike rides if I’m up for it, but running still doesn’t enter the picture until the end of the week if at all.

Week 3, if I feel well enough, I’ll try to run, 3 times at most 30-60 minutes apiece. No speedwork, just slow gentle efforts and perhaps run/walk if that feels more achievable. I’ll continue to bike and swim on my non-running days, perhaps with a longer ride of 2 hours wedged in if I feel like it. Which I might not.

As far as nutrition goes, I’m generally healthy with my food choices, but I’ve plenty of Thanksgiving-themed recipes to test and plan to discard MyFitnessPal for awhile to just get my body tuned with regular eating patterns again. No need to be super strict with my food since I’m not training and in performance mode. Again, goes with the theme of relaxing after the race and enjoying the fruits of many weeks of labor.

The Fall 2021 Guide is Here!

Have you received it yet? If not, I still have it ready in the virtual landscape! Bonus recipes, tips for enjoying your training in the increasing dark hours, and more! Sign up in the dialogue box on the FMG homepage and I’ll blast out the little digital pub straight to your inbox.

A Few Things I’m Digging

Morning tea and biscuit…I started this little ritual in Chicago when I picked up a box of maple leaf cookies from Trader Joe’s and it’s honestly so comforting! I steered away from coffee awhile back to accommodate the insane levels in my preworkout, so tea became my #1 early in the day. It’s lovely sitting down in front of my computer to work before J is up and watching the day slowly grow brighter.

Speaking of…Trader Joe’s Maple Leaf Cookies…These are my new obsession! They will feature in an upcoming Halloween concept (hehehe) if I have any left from my constant snackage. Try a couple out with the Autumn Harvest tea. Amazing combo!

Not running…Yep, you saw that coming. Not marathon training = more time and probably more energy too! I love to exercise and enjoy the aftermath of doing such, but my body needs to repair, and I’m more than happy to give it that time.

Sheetpan Glaze Coffee Balsamic Salmon… This is one of my favorite recipes of late. I paired the succulent fish Friday night with a roasted carrot recipe I’ll share in the coming days. So tasty and fabulously easy.

Week in Training

Monday, 10.11: REST

J and I walked around Chicago a fair bit, but I did absolutely no formal exercise that day. I slept nearly 11 hours after the race, having slid into bed at around 7, and woke up feeling totally refreshed, albeit sore. We had breakfast in the hotel buffet, swapped sleeping grounds, and passed most of the remaining hours dining and exploring.

Tuesday, 10.12: 1,250m swim (31:16)

For whatever reason I’m always way slower when I swim in meter pools rather than yard pools. I guess the further distance adds up after awhile. The hotel pool contained 3 lap lanes and an adjacent hot tub, which I definitely enjoyed afterwards. Though very slow and sluggish, the water made me feel way better and when I returned J and I garbed in the hotel bath robes and ordered some room service. So luxurious!

Wednesday, 10.13: 1,300m swim (31:56)

Slightly longer swim, only by 50m, and this time J joined me in the pool. A small crowd actually formed waiting for the lap lanes – they’re far too narrow to share so I cut my swim off (I was basically done mentally as is) to relax in the hot tub.

Thursday, 10.14: 12.1 miles, 16 mph cycling (45:00)

The hotel gym housed some Peloton bikes, and while my stance on the culture of the app is no secret, the bike itself was largely fine. I don’t like the fit of stationary bikes in general and this one was no exception, but the scenery of the landscape rides was well done and I appreciate the care put into the graphics. I rode in Patagonia and oof, despite averaging 100W this felt really difficult!

Friday, 10.15: 21.66 miles, 20 mph cycling (1:05:00) + 30 minute walk

We arrived home around 9 in the evening, and I determined to wake up around my normal time to reestablish a comfortable routine. Riding Pittor was much nicer than the Peloton bike, and I kept it very relaxed (112W average) though I was starving towards the end! Rounded out the morning with a quick walk before sitting down with hot tea and a maple cream cookie. I was looking forward to that little ritual the whole time.

Saturday, 10.16: 40 minute elliptical + 30 minute back & biceps

Okay, it was 42 minutes. The elliptical was a welcome change but disproportionately hard compared to usual, which considering I’m only 6 days removed from the race, I expected that. Still, it was nice to throw in some running-esque motions and even gave me a glimmer of desire to hit the road again. Not yet, though! The strength workout was low weight but felt really amazing. I’m eager to put more focus on heavy lifting once I recover and swap out my high mileage with high weights!

Strength:

• 3 x 10 biceps curl
• 3 x 10 bent arm side raise
• 3 x 10 row
• 3 x 10 single arm biceps curl
• 3 x 10 bent front raise
• 3 x 10 back press
• 3 x 10 hammer curl
• 3 x 30 bicycle crunch
• 3 x 15 leg drops
• :90 plank

Sunday, 10.17: 45 minute elliptical

And a 25 minute walk to enjoy the morning breeze and incoming cold front!

Total running mileage: 0

Total cycling mileage: 21.66

Total swimming meters: 2,550