18 mile training run
Fakest smile ever.
How I really felt after the run.
A little bit like this.
And a little bit like this.
Today I ran 18 miles in my training run for the upcoming marathon. This is the first Sunday in a few weeks when the weather has been nice enough to run outside. It was sunny and cold—my kind of running weather.
My technique was to run a 9 mile loop, then back to my house for a bathroom/water/cookie break before running a different 9 mile loop.
The first 9 went really well. I had a lot of energy and had a good tempo going. I finished the first 9 miles in 1:23 with no walking breaks.
The second 9 was a little rougher going and took me 10 minutes longer. I definitely slowed my pace and walked whenever I felt tired. I didn’t pick a very good route for this one because it was boring, windy, and extra cold. In my last 3 miles, though I did run by Santa Claus in front of a Christmas tree shop who gave me a high five and told me to “keep on truckin’!” It definitely kept me motivated. I can’t wait to see what Disney characters will do!
I am not exactly looking forward to running 20 miles next week knowing what my legs felt like after my run today. But at least that will be my last long run before I start to taper. I don’t understand how some runners complain about the taper. I’m excited for it!
Holiday Health Challenge Update:
This is week 4 of my Holiday Health Challenge and I think I did much better than last week.
1) Keep a food journal – B
I only missed 2 days of journalling.
2) Eliminate processed sugar – B
3 days without desserts again this week. Woot!
Matt and I made some caramel corn last night to eat while watching Just Got With It (which was really funny by the way) which ruined me for the weekend.
3) Floss my teeth every day – A-
I only missed a couple of days.
4) Start the day with lemon juice and water – C
I missed a bunch of days this week, unfortunately. Again I’ve been waking up later and later every morning :/
5) Run 150 miles – A – (138/150 miles)
I ran 30 of the 32 miles I had scheduled this week.
6) Squat 155lbs for 5 reps – A+
This week I squatted 155lbs for 6 reps, in each of 4 sets. I had an amazing workout on Friday night. So good that some guy came up to me and said, “I see you here all the time. You work out hard! Do you play sports?”
I did 4 sets of each of these exercises:
Squats: 155lbs x 6reps
Deadlifts: 155lbs x 5reps
Dumbbell Rows: 60lbs x 5reps
Bench Press: 125lbs x 4reps
Turkish Get-Ups: 10lbs x 8reps (<—my new favourite exercise)
7) Make my walks with Bagigis 5 minutes longer – C
I did a pretty bad job at this, but she did get a day at the doggie spa with extra special scented shampoo 
8 ) Take all my vitamins – B
I only missed a few days this week.
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- e-mail: samanthaamenzies@gmail.com
- Samantha Menzies is an opinionated young firecracker who just happens to enjoy distracting web surfers with chronicles of her mildly entertaining daily pursuits.
You still look good after running 18 miles!!
I am excited and terrified at the same time of my marathon training and the long runs progressively growing longer each week. The longest I’ve ran is a half, and my marathon is in April, so I have some time to train. It’s nice and inspiring to read updates from other runners like you about your own training!
I can’t understand not being excited about tapering either. I mean, that means the end of training and more importantly, the race is near!! You did killer, girl! I am so impressed with your pace!! You’re going to own that race..and the 20-miler
Wow, you are tough! 18 miles? I’m happy when I can do 2.
You are going to rock that marathon!