GRE

So, I don’t know how to explain this….I feel like a complete idiot. And frankly, I don’t even want to put this in my blog, but I have to.

Here it goes: I’ve been behind in marathon training by about 3 weeks. I have no idea how it happened, it just did. I must’ve counted wrong way back in the beginning when I picked my starting day and never checked it. I just assumed I counted right, and went on my merry way. I think I must’ve been counting only 16 weeks back instead of for the 18 week training program I selected.

Don’t make fun of me TOO much.

SO, here, I thought I was on week 10, but as I was looking at the calendar I noticed that November starts this week, which at first I was like, WOW only a month away from my marathon…..

…But then I started realizing…if I was only a month away, I should be doing my 20 miler soon….and that’s not right, I just did a 15 miler a couple weeks ago…..

Sure enough, I counted, re-counted, and triple counted about 500 times and I started out horribly wrong.

In actualality, I am SUPPOSED to be on week 13 of my training. UGH.

Am I allowed to blame this oversight on my level of stress from work, the GRE and life???

So, needless to say, I was feeling pretty down…and I was contemplating giving up. Here’s where I need all of YOUR help! Has anyone else done this, or am I the only silly one? What would you guys do? Give up? Aim for another marathon?? I really want to do this one…but I’m scared I physically wont be able to.

This is where I’m at running wise last week, based on where I thought I was:

Monday: Rest day. I did rest; this day was leftover-feeling-sick day anyway.

Tuesday: 4 miles. Complete.

Wednesday: 7 miles – not compete..12 hour shift at work

Thursday: 4 miles – not complete…12 hour shift at work..AGAIN. And I don’t run at night, by myself. My neighbor isn’t the best for alone running at night…. Hint, hint: I need a running buddy.

Friday: Rest day, but I did 4 miles. Yes, I ran actually.

Saturday: rest day.

Sunday: Was SUPPOSED to be a 17-miler…but when I got home, and put on all my running stuff, I was checking my calendar and that’s when the realization hit me that I was completely behind. So, It crossed my mind that maybe I should just do the 19 miler that I was due for if I had counted right. But by the time I figured out what was going on, I ran out of daylight, and frankly, I don’t want to right in the dark, by myself. I’m scared to. So, I ran 4 miles instead.

Feeling pretty defeated and down about it all, I ended up getting Monday off from work as well (mostly to study) but I decided to challenge myself and see how far I could run.

That brings us to yesterday: Monday, I ran 16.5 miles (I walked the remaining half mile back home, so technically I did 17 miles, if you want to count that) but I hurt my foot pretty bad. AHHH! I literally was crying part of the way home. The top of my right foot was killing me! I’m so worried that it might be a stress fracture….so I took some anti-inflammatories, and iced it, hoping for the best. So, now, on top of being behind on my training schedule, my foot was hurting.

I woke up today, not as sore as I thought I would be from the actual run, and my foot doesn’t hurt to walk on at all…but then again, yesterday it didn’t either…only when I was physically running.

Here’s my idea about training, assuming my foot is un-injured: Pick up from where I’m supposed to be..if I started correctly. That means this weekend I would attempt a 19 miler, then the 20 miler the following week, and then taper….

So…HELP! Give me some motivation…or advise…what would you guys do??? Should I just continue training from where I’m supposed to be??

Lastly, the GRE is tomorrow…and I’m extremely nervous for it…but afterwards….I’ll be dressing up like this again:

Sexy Zombie??

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!! Stay safe, and eat lots of candy….Oh, come on, you’re all runners! You can afford to eat a piece or two…or 10!

Running News/Marathon Training Updates:

Monday: Rest Day. I love rest days.

Also: No food = grumpy and moody

Tuesday: (3 miles) I ran 4 miles. I was so stressed/frustrated after work…my friend asked if I wanted to run with her to abs class from her house…and I rudely turned her down (I tried to apologize and explain myself after, hopefully my point got across)….but you know those days that you need a really good run to de-stress? It was one of those. All I wanted was a good, hard, fast run, on the comfort of my normal trail. The trail I know eyes closed. And that’s what I did. And I ran HARD. Then I did end up joining her at abs class with a little bit of climbing after.

Wednesday: (6 miles) All I got out was 5.2. LOL So, It’s 4 miles to the lake, around and back. Being me, I’ve always assumed that meant the lake was right around 3 miles and it was only half a mile to my house…this clearly is not the case. So, since I needed to do 6 miles that day, I thought I would just drive to the lake and run around twice. Well, it turns out the lake is only a little over 2.5 miles. I’ve just lucked out with the fact that the trip to the lake, around and back is a nice even 4 miles all these years. So, I only ran 5.2. Of course, at first, I was sure that my GPS failed me..but sure enough, I mapped my course on the computer when I got back and it was correct. I still find it super funny that I have not known this the whole time I’ve lived here.

Thursday: (3 miles) SO BUSY! I didn’t get this 3 miles in until Saturday.

Friday: (rest day) Yep, I rested alright.

Saturday: (11 miles) I moved my long run to sunday and did the 3 miles this day. Inside. On a stupid treadmill because by the time I got time to run (after work and my best friend’s grad/going away party) it was dark outside.

Sunday: (rest day) But, like I said, I did my long run today. 11 miles!!! phew!! Longest, to date, un-aided run I’ve done. It took me awhile to get out the door because I was double checking to make sure I had everything I would need. Water? Check, I ran with a small plastic bottle in hand since I have yet to get a fuel belt of some kind (keep the suggestions coming!!). Energy? Check, I tucked those Stinger energy chews, half of a bag, into my sports bra. Road ID? Check. Phone/Music? Check – Speaking of..my iPod died. I’m super upset about it. Anyway. Sunscreen? Check. Sunglasses? Check. Gum? Check, I hate when I forget gum! Couple dollars for a gatorade on the way back? Check…hehe, I totally grossed out the gas station clerk; we have a gas station right on the corner by our house and I purposely planned to grab a gatorade after completing my run. She took my money and said, “they’re kinda wet” and I replied, “well, they were in my sports bra..nothing I can do about it!” Super gross, I know, but kinda funny.

This has been this week’s motivational quote for myself…Hopefully it’ll do the same for you all!

OTHER NEWS:
My next race will be in two weekends…I’m heading up to South Dakota for a half marathon!! I’m running the Crazy Horse Half. I’m super excited…this is my birth state!

I’ve been super stressing lately about career stuff and what I want to be when I grow up…so, to get the ball rolling, I FINALLY registered for the GRE. I shake my head as I type this because I had told myself I was going to take the test back in JANUARY! ugh. But, at least better late than never, right???