Shamrock Marathon Training

 I am currently training for the Shamrock marathon and I do not feel like my training has been where it should be. A few weeks ago I was feeling good and did a random 13 miles. The follow week I did 12 and started to get this pain on the top of my ankle. I knew that was a sign to take some time off. As hard as it was, I took a few days off and then gradually started upping my mileage again. I knew I was due for another long run, but I wasn’t sure how it’d go since I haven’t been running.
A quote that I saw on my run. It was from the J &A racing/training team

 In addition to my pesky ankle, I have been taking on extra classes at the gym. After I am done teaching my classes in the morning, I usually have to head to my other job later in the afternoon, so needless to say my longer runs have been non-existent lately.

 On days I do not work after my classes, my excuse is that I am tired. I may not be running, but I am still doing something. Good cross training, I’d like to think of it as. 

Well the other day, I had no classes at the gym, nor a shift at my other job. Today is the day I thought to set out to do my long run. Not sure how far I’d go.  I was hoping to do more than 13 since that has been my last long run in this training cycle. In my mind I was thinking somewhere between 15-16 miles. But since I have not done any long runs since my ankle started acting up we would see how it goes.  

I woke up that morning and of course it was freezing out. Not even in the 30's. That is very rare for Virginia Beach, even in February. I thought about forgoing my run and just heading to the gym instead, but I knew if I did that, I would not go as long as I wanted to go on the treadmill. Also there are too many distractions at the gym when you need to get a long run in. So I downloaded some new podcasts and bundled up. 
When I first started running, I didn’t think it was too bad out. Like I said I was bundled up and that helped a lot, even though it was windy, the sun was out at least. 

Another quote I saw on my run.

 I was planning on doing my route I usually do throughout the state park near by where I live. I arrived at the entrance on the other side of the park where I usually turn around, but was feeling good so I continued out of the park towards the oceanfront and onto the boardwalk. It was very busy at the boardwalk on that day which I thought was odd, because it was so cold out.

 I found out that was the day that the polar plunge was taken place. Brrrrrr! No thank you! I never understood that. I guess it is for a good cause, but I would not be doing that when it was only 30 degrees out.  Between the many people I started to weave through, and the wind that was not letting up, I quickly turned around and headed back towards the park. 

I ended up with 17 miles and felt great the whole time! My ankle did not hurt once. I came home soaked in an Epsom salt bath and made an appointment at a foot spa. It was heavenly. I went to dinner and thought I would splurge a little so I ordered shrimp and grits. After all, I did run 17 miles today. After dinner I came home poured a glass of wine and read my book until I went to bed.  

That night, I slept for 10 blissful hours. I woke up and wasn’t as sore as I thought I would be after my long run the day before, so I wanted to do another run on tired legs to see how it went. I completed 7 miles and felt great. I even kept a decent pace up throughout my run. Its runs like these that make me excited to continue to keep training for my marathon.  

Do you find yourself splurging on foods after completing a long run? 
After completing long runs, do you ever test out your legs the following day with another run, or do you use that as a recovery day?  -L

24 comments:

  1. Yes I get so rungry after long runs and the day after them too. Glad you got in a good long run finally! I don't get the whole polar plunge thing either, no thanks! I usually use the day after a long run as a recovery day since it's a work day, but if I can I will go for a short run or do a strength workout.

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    1. I thought I would be a lot more sore after my long run and use it as a recovery day and not run, but I was feeling good so I thought I would go.

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  2. I don't usually get hungry after a long run until the next day! Then I need to eat all the food.

    Great job and I'm so glad your ankle feels better!

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  3. Glad your ankle is feeling better. I am usually more hungry the day after a longer run and I have to watch how much I "reward" myself. It was freezing last weekend!

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    1. It was freezing here in Virginia Beach last weekend as well.

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  4. Glad you ankle was good! That's always so hard. Yes, I'll totally splurge too!

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  5. Great job with that run! I usually run the day after a long run to help with recovery. If I don't, I feel so awful all week.

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  6. I do splurge on food if I'm going out that day. If I'm not, I stick with food at home. I usually take the day after a run as recovery, but I'm still strength training, so it's only a recovery from cardio.

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    1. I try to do something every day, whether it is cardio or strength training. Sometimes even a HIIT class.

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  7. Yay for feeling good after that long run! It sounds like the rest helped out with your ankle. And the polar plunge thing sounds crazy to me too. I'm pretty sure that's something I would never do.

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  8. That is such excellent news! I'm really happy for you.

    Darlene "always" runs after a long run; I usually take a rest day. But it really all depends on how I'm feeling, what's on my plate, and the weather.

    I really wanted to run Monday, but I was tired and knew I shouldn't. So of course yesterday was snow/freezing rain -- although oddly other than slowing me down, it wasn't bad. I wore Yaktrax even though they're not really for that sort of weather -- but I didn't have any problems.

    Today is warmer, but super windy and dreary. Tomorrow is snow. Another treadmill run . . . and snow + wintry mix this weekend.

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    1. I have never tried Yaktrax but I hear they were great!

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  9. It seems you are so active, that when you have to do your long runs, they are barely an issue. I want to be like you!! go and randomly run 17 miles! my legs would hate me the next day!! keep up the amazing work !

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    1. Thanks Ana! I think with all my group fitness classes I have been teaching lately, it has helped me with my longer runs.

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  10. After my long runs, I usually head out for tacos later in the day (sometimes it's what gets me through those long runs).
    I usually do a short recovery run on the day after my long run ... if I run long on Sunday (I have a social group run on Monday).

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    1. I always try to look forward to something as well during my long runs. That bath and glass of wine helped me through that 17 miles.

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  11. Yes, I really surprised myself! It was a lovely evening.

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  12. Go girl! I am glad your ankle feels better and you could get some great miles in! I will normally lift upper body the day after a LONG run.

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  13. I usually splurge way too much on food after a long run!

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  14. Nice job on that long run AND following it with 7 miles. It sounds like you're in a good flow, now. I'm glad your ankle is feeling better!

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Fairytales and Fitness is a personal blog authored and edited by us, Meranda and Lacey. The thoughts expressed here represent only our own and are not meant to be taken as professional advice. Please note that our thoughts and opinions change from time to time. We consider this a necessary consequence of having an open mind in an ever changing society. Any thoughts and opinions expressed within our out-of-date posts may not be the same, nor even similar, to those we may express today. Some links may contain affiliate links. Some links are just to pages we'd like to share.