I hope you’re having a great week so far! Can you believe that it’s almost time for Thanksgiving, meaning almost time for Black Friday and Cyber Monday, and eventually almost time for Christmas? I.am.not.ready.
Those big events have been completely on the backburner because I have been all about training for the Philadelphia Marathon! Last Sunday was the main event and I am finally getting back to normalcy. Fortunately, I’d say I’m at about 75% right now!
Forgive me for being a day late with my weekly training recap! This was my last week of taper before the big race, keep reading to see how it went!
I’m linking up with Hoho Runs and Miss Sippi Piddlin for the Weekly Wrap! It’s a great way to see what your favorite health and fitness bloggers are up to each week! I’m also joining Marcia, Patty, and Erika for Tuesdays on the Run!
[bctt tweet=”Sharing my recap of my last week of taper before the Philly Marathon! Full race recap coming 11/23! #runchat #sweatpink ” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
Weekly Wrap: Philly Marathon Complete!
Me at the start lineThis past week has been all about getting ready for the marathon. I don’t know how I let myself become an emotional wreck…oh wait, what am I talking about, that’s what I always do! I always get nervous about races, but the fear of the unknown really took over in my final training week.
As some sort of cruel joke, the Philly Half Marathon was moved to Saturday for the first time this year and they ended up having perfect running weather – sunny and in the 50’s and 60’s. It was the last nice day of the season as the winds blew in and the temperature drastically dropped overnight, just in time for the marathon. Oh well!
The good news is that I made it through and reached my ultimate goal to become a marathoner! I feel extremely blessed that I am able to do these things. I will share more of my thoughts on this experience in my post on Wednesday!
Workouts for the Week:
Monday 11/14: No workouts as my final taper week began. I was really tempted to go to yoga for lunch, but I stayed away!
Tuesday 11/15: Daylight savings continued to be a pain. I went for 3 miles after work, and it didn’t go so well. My left calf pain came back and it was a struggle to run through it.
Wednesday 11/16: No workouts.
Thursday 11/17: 3 miles on the treadmill while on a work trip in DC. Once again, my left leg was unhappy with me after the first mile so I did have a couple of short walk breaks. This was my last training run before the big race! I did a very thorough session with my foot roller and The Stick to try to alleviate my pain and tightness in my calves.
Friday 11/18: Did some walking at the Philly Marathon Race Expo but otherwise no workouts.
Saturday 11/19: Complete rest day! Definitely weird to not be going for a long run on Saturday morning…but I did another good rolling session the night before the race.
Sunday 11/20: The Philly Marathon!! I’m a little off-schedule with posting, but I promise that the big recap will be ready for you tomorrow!
Week 16 Report Card:
Well, I didn’t really have too much to do in my final taper week, but I will say that maintaining my sanity was the biggest challenge of all! I felt really confident at the beginning of the week and as each day passed, I grew increasingly worried about my performance, especially with the “blustery” weather that was expected.
I was also really nervous about this new, random left leg pain that popped up on these final days. But I made sure to thoroughly roll my muscles and properly stretch after my runs. I listened to my body and slowed down whenever I was feeling pain, and the good thing was that with each successive run, my condition improved.
And the Philly Marathon was on Sunday! Overall I’m happy with my performance, though of course, it was full of some unpleasant surprises along the way. I can’t wait to share all the details with you, but I’m going to give my final week of training a B+!
How was your weekend? Are you gearing up for Thanksgiving (which is apparently in 2 days)?
I’m always emotional and nervous the week before my marathon! It’s such a huge event–all that prep comes down to one day! I’m looking forward to your recap.
I know I was unbearable leading up to the race…I had to apologize for being so awful!
Congrats on your race. You are officially a marathoner! Can’t wait to hear the details.
Thanks, Lacey!
I was really nervous leading up to the marathon on Sunday too. But we did it!! I can’t believe it’s over. Can’t wait to hear all about your race. Those winds along Kelly Drive were not fun!
Yes indeed!! Loved your recap, by the way! Congrats!!
Why no yoga during taper? I usually do a lot of yoga before a half, but of course, “it’s just a half”. And my body is used to yoga. Although I did once strain something before a half trying a new yoga DVD, which was utterly stupid on my part.
If I were to run a marathon, I’d probably be really nervous — just nervous about whether or not I’d end up injured.
I’m pretty sure there’s always something to be learned from any race at a new distance. You finished — that’s all that matters!
You know I probably could have done the yoga but I didn’t even ask my Coach…so I wanted to play it super safe!
Yay! Can’t wait to read your recap.
Thanks, Lesley!
Congratulations on completing your marathon! I look forward to reading all about it! I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets nervous before a race, although my distances are so very small (right now), maybe one day I’ll do a marathon too, I look forward to it! Have you sorted your intermittent pain?
Thanks a lot, Lesley! I always hoped that I’d do a marathon one day but never thought it possible, so you just never know!
Thankfully my pain issues have gone away…foam rolling really works! Now I’ve significantly cut back on running.
I can’t wait to hear the details! Congratulations marathoner!!!
I had a very similar little pain pop in my left shin right at end…I am going crazy now trying to wait it out and run again!
Thanks so much, Karen! Boo to random pains!
I can’t wait to read your recap!!! So proud of you, congrats!!
Thanks so much!!
I can’t wait for your race recap! And CONGRATS on your completed marathon 🙂 I am a total basket case before most races – 5k to the full. A little nervousness is a good thing but pretty sure I go overboard! Have a blessed Thanksgiving this week!
Thanks so much Amy and I hope that you had a great Thanksgiving! I hate being such a head case but thankfully things are never as bad as I forsee them to be LOL
I had a random pain pop up as well during my taper. A strange little something in the groin area, just below my left hip. I felt it off & on for about 10 days or so,but never when running,so I didn’t think it was an issue. Well…..all of those hills in Tulsa totally spanked my “non-issue,” and I had a rough and tough time. I’m anxious to hear about Philly! My recap won’t be ready until Friday (hopefully).
Yeah, isn’t it awesome to have these random pains come out of nowhere at the worst time? (sarcasm). Sorry it took a toll on you…my last run was a 7 miler and in the last mile that feeling came back, so I def need to follow up and make sure I’m not seriously injured.
Can’t wait for your recap ! Congrats !!!!
Thanks, Karen!
Congrats marathoner! Sorry to hear about your issue with your calf. Looking forward to your marathon recap!
Thanks a lot, Sherry!
Congrats on becoming a marathoner! The week before a big race is so stressful, and how frustrating about the weather! But you did it! Looking forward to the recap
Thanks a lot, Lisa 🙂
Congrats on becoming a marathoner! Can’t wait to read your recap!
Thanks a lot, Michelle!
Congrats on completing your first marathon! Now you get to relax and relish in the awesome accomplishment.
Thanks a lot, Sean! It was so weird realizing that I finally did it!
Conditions Sunday were brutal! Can’t wait for the full recap!
Man I was unlucky with the weather but I’m glad I made it through!
i don’t envy you racing in that wind! I went out for a run on Saturday just as the front was moving into DC and the wind was so crazy I had to head back home! Can’t wait to read your recap!
Thanks a lot! Yes….the wind is definitely the worst, but I guess it had to make my marathon even more memorable haha!
Can’t wait to read your marathon recap! 🙂
Hope you enjoy it!
It’s pretty cruel how we runners get blessed with these random pains during taper. It just adds to our anxiety! I’m never nervous about the race itself but the logistics of one drives me insane. The weather, the travel, the expo, getting to the start line — that’s the stuff that sends me over the edge. I’m relieved when it’s time to race. I can’t wait to read all about your experience. Congrats again MARATHONER! Thanks for linking, Janelle!
Thanks SO much, Hoho, I really appreciate it! The logistics were freaking me out for sure, on top of everything else! I’m just glad it all worked out in the end!