Week 6: Illinois Marathon Training

Week 6 was a rough week for marathon training and I. I had a little cold or something early in the week and it knocked me outtttt.  Like going to bed at 8:30 and sleeping until 7AM knocked out.  Oh and I pretty much lost my voice all week, which was super fun. Needless to say, I stayed away from the gym – it was hard enough to get through a day at work without passing out.

This is what my week looked like: the cat sleeping on my head and no working out.

Here is the ole recap:

Monday: Nothing
Tuesday: Nada – I canceled PT
Wednesday: Yeah still nothing
Thursday: 1 hr physical therapy sesh
Friday: Nope
Saturday: 7 Miles… OUTSIDE!
Sunday: 1 hour conditioning class at Equinox ( Class was titled “The Skinny Jeans Workout”. Ha!)

Soooo yeah. Silver lining of not working out all week? Feeling super fresh and motivated for Saturday’s long run!  This is the first time all training cycle I’ve run with the CARA winter marathon training group. The weather was the “best” it has been in week.  And I use quotes because it was only 30 degrees, but felt like heaven compared to the temperatures we’ve been seeing.  I was hesitant to run with the group because I’m new to legitimate winter running and didn’t know how the lake path would look. We had a serious rain/slush/snow/ice situation on Thursday and  on Friday night the sidewalks around Lincoln Park had 2 inches of solid ice, so I was skeptical that the path would be ice-free.

Straight nastiness – and this was only be beginning!

Because I am an internet creep, I tweeted CARA to ask about da path.  The assured me that we’d be safe.  And they were right!

Snow on the beach, but path was clear!!

The path, for the most part, was clear.  There were only a couple of slick spots, but the park district did a really nice job of shoveling and salting the path (well I’m assuming it’s the park district who does this?). I’m so glad I didn’t chicken out and hit the treadmill again.  I think I’ve maxed out on long runs on the treadmill. Plus, the regardless of how cold it is, the ‘mill can’t compete with this:

Sweet Home Chicago

I also am still pretty bad at dressing myself for long winter runs.  Temps were hovering around 30 at 7:30am (when we start) with a little wind, but no sun.  From head to toe this was my getup: smartwool socks, fleece lined lulu pants (with hardshell on the front of the leg), thin long sleeved base layer, merino wool pull over, puffy TNF vest, wicking mittens, ear/head band.  My bum was so cold and my upper half was on fire.  I believe I need to lose the vest or wear a less heavy one and get some type of under armor  boyshorts or something to keep my butt warm?!  I also ran with a hand warmer for the first 3 miles… my digits were sooooo cold!  This genius idea is courtesy of Molly.  So great!  After my hands warmed up,  put the lil guy in my pocket next to my Cliff shots to keep them from getting too cold. Genius!  Next week looks like it’s going to be a lot colder – only a high of 24! And I think we’re running 13? Eeks!

Lastly, major props to the people who come out to feed us Gatorade and water. It’s so awesome to not have to carry a water bottle or wear a fuel belt. And seeing the gato table at the end of a long run is also so sweet.

Orange cooler = end of the run

In non-running related news… JK! There isn’t any because I was pretty much a hermit all weekend.   Well, I was a hermit besides getting brunch with Ashley after my run.  Yummo.

Obligatory mimosa pic for Instagram (bc if it isn’t on Instagram, then it didn’t happen).

While being a hermit/trophy cat lady last night,  I started watching HBO’s Girls. I seem to be the last person to see this show. It’s awkwardly excellent and I’m hooked.  And I have old school DVD Netflix (yeah yeah, I need to get the streaming) and my “vintage” DVD/VHS player from college finally bit it, so I had to watch the show on my Mac.  Nothing like watching a DVD in bed at 9pm on a Saturday night… with your cat and iPhone. Here is a recap of my night, in pictures.  You’re welcome in advance.

Episode one begins. MCH want to play fetch (note the 2 pompoms). I ignore him.

Still watching. The cat now has dropped of another pompom for fetch. I’m still ignoring him.

He is staring me down because I won’t play with him.

Straight pissed that I won’t play fetch with him. Bad cat mom.

Yes, I know that I am huge loser.

OH. SPEAKING OF LOSERS… HOW SWEET WAS THE ILLNI GAME ON THURSDAY?  I about lost my MIND at the end of that game.  I thought my twitter feed was going to explode (I follow way too many Illini people).

PEOPLE WERE LOSING THEIR MINDZ

I think this post on The Champaign Room pretty much sums up how every Illini felt on Thursday night.

Hahahahhahahahaha

And if you are an Illini fan and like sarcastic game commentary, you need to follow this blog on twitter.  He has THE BEST live game threads.  I’m laughing to myself just thinking about the crap he writes.

Haha, and on that note….

Grumpy Cat gets me.

And I’ve maxed out on cat pics.  Until next time, internet friendz.