Hey everyone! I hope you all had a great weekend! Luckily mine continues to today since we have the day off for Rosh Hashana. Lucky for Molly, this means extra attention from me! I’m watching her through Wednesday, so we have plenty of quality time together.
Yesterday I did my 20 mile training run!
I have to start off by saying how THANKFUL I am that I was able to complete the run without injury. I was very, very, VERY anxious and worried about it since I had to take a week off for my IT band, and then my left knee was hurting me as well. I said my thanks several times Sunday because I was so happy I could do it!
The run started off bright and early. They organized everyone in “flights” that were each 50 people all at a certain pace. Which meant there were multiple flights at each pace. My flight included most of my regular group that I run with every Sunday, so it was great to have some familiar faces!
The problem, however, was that many people there were not in the CARA training program, and weren’t used to running two by two or calling out when you’re passing or a bike is coming. It kind of turned into a huge mess when my group leader dropped out since his marathon is next weekend.
I started out feeling really strong, the first 5 miles were nothing. The first ten? Piece of cake. When we hit 15 my group was slowing down to near 10:30 min/miles so I broke out of the group and went ahead. I was feeling good so I was running anywhere between 9:00-9:30, although my splits were slower since I’d walk the water stops. Unfortunately, when we hit the last 3 miles it was all sun.
I. Was. Dying.
I kept up a good pace but it was rough, it felt like the longest 3 miles ever. But I finished! I was sooooo happy to cross that finish line, but then the pain set in. My legs were so tight I could barely waddle around. I found my cousin and we stretched for a bit, then headed to the buses.
The race is a point to point race, which meant we started way up north on lakeshore and ran waaaaay south past the city. They had school buses taking everyone back, and luckily it worked out well and we got out quickly and back to our car. When I got home I decided to take Molly to the DOG BEACH!!! She’d been home almost 6 hours alone so she deserved the trip. I forgot my phone in the car so I didn’t get any pictures, but it was a blast. She was having the best time running around with other dogs, and even just playing alone with her ball. She was great about sticking her face under the water, she’d lose her ball and try and search underwater for it! It was the cutest.
When we got home, we were both pooped. I tried to wash her off, and then finally showered off myself. I went to Sultan’s Market and grabbed a salad from their salad bar. It was close and I wanted salty food so I got a ton of kalamata olives, and I added sundried tomatoes, epic amounts of hummus, hearts of palm, tomatoes… and I can’t even remember. Totally hit the spot.
And don’t worry, that’s not all I ate… haha I had a Kind bar on the bus back, an egg sandwich before the dog beach, an apple with a packet of Justin’s almond butter and a serious trip to the froyo place down the street.
Molly and I were wiped, and I think she’s missing her parents, so we had a pretty relaxing rest of the day.
I spent the evening watching TV, the Blind Side was on! I love that movie, and the woman Sandra Bullock plays was also a Kappa Delta! My goal today is to actually get some schoolwork done… Haha yesterday was definitely a lazy day.
Have you ever been to a dog beach?
What’s your favorite lazy day activity?
We watched the Blind Side too! Love that movie! Great job on your 20 miler! I was thinking about you!
Thanks! And it’s suuuuch a good movie!
great job on the 20 miler! you’re going to rock that marathon in a few weeks 🙂
Thanks, Kaitlyn!
Great job! It’s been a looooong time since I’ve ran 20 miles. Haven’t done any double digits since May:-(
awww 🙁 I love double digits! Haha although I don’t think I’d do 20 very often…
way to go girl! I can’t believe you did it even after coming off some serious injury pain.
Thanks, Alex!
Great job on your 20 miler! If you can do 20, you can do 26.2!! Trust me. The last couple miles are all mental… and you are totally mentally prepared for a few more.
Haha I hope so, those last few miles I kept thinking, this sucks, but the marathon will suck so get used to it!
Congrats on the 20 miler!! So awesome! And I’m glad Molly had fun at the dog beach, sounds like the most adorable activity ever!
She was pretty stinkin cute!
sometimes those last couple of miles of a long run can be the absolute worst. at least you pushed through and did it!!!
Thanks, Kelsey!
so excited for you and SOOOOO so happy that you ran it without injury. also i’m super impressed that you took molly to the dog beach. my legs were so tired the rest of the day. when my friends and i were out, we were walking from the restaurant to the bar (about a mile probably) and i was complaining about it. they were all like “god molly it’s not that far” and i’m like…I RAN 20 MILES THIS MORNING OMGGGGGG. dying.
HAha I was still amped up on adrenaline. I totally crashed the rest of the day
That salad looks amazing! Well done on your run, sounds like you did fantastic!
Thanks, Laura!
Great job on your run (I’m bummed I didn’t see you though)!! It’s officially taper time now 🙂
I know, I am so excited for taper! Haha
Woo hoo! Great job on your run girl! I looove The Blindside too! It’s easily one of my favorite movies.
Ahhh such a good movie!!
great job on the 20 miler!! and molly is adorable as usual 🙂
Thanks, Julianna!
Woooooo! Good work on your 20 miler! One of my friends texted me yesterday and was all, “There are so many runners in Chicago right now. Why.” And I told her it was because you were all kicking booty on a 20 miler and she had to cheer for all of you because you’re so bomb 🙂
haha I thought the same thing yesterday – there were SO many of us! I felt bad for anyone else on the path!
Nice job!!! I remember I was on a totally high for the rest of the day the first time I ran 20 miles. Such an awesome feeling.
We took our German Shepherd mix to the beach when she was still with us. She didn’t quite know what to make of the waves 🙂
Molly tries to pounce the waves!
Awesome job on the run! Molly makes my heart melt…sooooo cute. Dog beaches have to be such happy places! That salad looks incredible. I’m a sucker for anything Greek-style!
Me too, I love greek food!
My long run yesterday consisted of 6 miles. Haha. When I was tired near the end I though, at least I’m not running 20. Maybe someday!
Great job with the 20 miler! I can’t wait to see how you do in your marathon. It’s going to be great.
Thank you, I sure hope so!
Congrats on your 20 miler! You are going to rock that marathon.
Thank you, Christina!
Great job, that is one long-ass run!
Love the Blindside, it’s a fabulous movie. 🙂
I love it, such a great movie!
So glad you made it through your run injury-free!! I’m not a huge fan of running a point-to-point run (however, it worked well for me today! Fluke! haha.) — it makes me feel trapped almost, because I know I’ll be stranded if I need to stop … Definitely more a fan of doing a loop and having the option to cut it short if anything goes wrong.
I can always hear the smile on your face (does that make sense? maybe …) when you’re Molly-sitting. She’s adorable and sounds like fantastic company! 🙂
I didn’t mind the point to point for a 20 miler because I feel like if you have to stop you’ll be pretty far from home no matter what!
My favorite lazy day activity is to find a favorite TV show on DVD and have an epic marathon!
sooo great to hear u were able to get the run in without the injury flaring up!! i kno exactly wat u mean where u feel slight panic attacks thinking that the IT Band will suddenly revolt on you! keep giving it that TLC and get yourself ready for race day! 🙂
I am soo so proud of you Katie, what an accomplishment to say the least 😀 You are sooo ready for that race, and also the fact that you ran injury free is of course even better! Very understandable to be in a state of fear of not knowing what could flare up though, yeeshe.
Molly is obviously adorable as usual and although she might miss her parents, I am sure you are a wonderful substitute 😉
Yay I’m so glad you were able to run the 20 miler and that you felt good for most of it! 🙂 we are so close now!