This post is SUPER long, so sit down, put yourself a glass of NUUN (or wine) and settle in.
I have some exciting things to share and I want to get them all out there in my weekly recap post. However, if you didn’t check in here the rest of the week, be sure to look back at this post of running favorites from Rita and this post recapping my experience at PIZZA CAMP!
First of all, you read that title correctly. I registered for the Houston Marathon! It’s 7 months away (January 20th), but I am SO excited to have a marathon again on the horizon!
This does mean that I will go a full year, all of 2018, without running a marathon. I haven’t done that since I completed my first marathon in 2005!
2005: 1 marathon, 2006: 2 marathons , 2007: 1 marathon, 2008: 1 marathon, 2009: 1 marathon, 2010: 2 marathons, 2011: 3 marathons, 2012: 2 marathons, 2013: 2 marathons, 2014: 2 marathons, 2015: 3 marathons, 2016: 5 marathons, 2017: 4 marathons
2018: Zero. That’s what happens when you break your tibia/fibula in February.
But the great news is that I will be running marathons in 2019!
Second bit of news, I signed up with a new coach as well that I’m really excited about. My old coach was awesome, but I thought this was a good opportunity to shake things up. I realize it might be a bit early to start working with a coach again when I’m running so little, but I want to have the guidance of a coach to give me a program to follow and to keep me in check. My PT sessions are almost done, so I won’t have a physical therapist telling me what to do. I want to have the structure and guidance of a coach to bring me back to running the marathon distance again in a safe way.
On the initial call with the new coach, she pointed out that this 5 month break was probably a very healthy and important hormonal reset for my body, (i.e. with burnout being a hormonal issue). I had run 29 marathons in 10 years; that’s a lot. Most likely, my body needed that time off (as well as my mind, I’m sure) in order to come back to running. Now I will be ready and able to make improvements as an athlete. She said I could potentially get a lot faster now, which is fun to think about.
But that “get faster” part won’t be happening for Houston. My goal for Houston will be to get back to marathon distance safely and healthily, but there will be no time goal whatsoever. I just want to be able to cover 26.2 miles feeling good.
Physically, my training won’t be the same for this marathon. I won’t be able to run 70+ mile weeks with double runs some days; instead, I will be training on a much lower mileage plan to keep my bones and tendons happy as I increase the volume of running.
My PT at Mayo agrees with this plan and with my expectations for Houston; of course, he constantly reminds me to adjust my expectations in terms of pace and volume; stress fractures near the healing bones are very possible if I don’t let my bones recover between each run, as well as tendinopathy if I don’t keep up with my PT exercises.
So I will be careful.
But I’m still super excited! In our 50 state quest, we haven’t run a marathon in Texas yet, so Houston will be a great opportunity to do so.
I also excited to share that we officially are running Antarctica next year too! Hopefully this time works out right? (If you’re new to my story, read this article in Runner’s World. Attempt #1 for Antarctica was a dramatic bust.)
I’m hoping that 2019 will be a much better running year than 2018.
Okay, on to the weekly recap!
Monday: Elliptical 45 minutes, 10 minutes on the stair stepper, PT exercises.
Tuesday: 30 minute appointment on the AlterG Zero Gravity treadmill. I covered about 3.5 miles at 75% of my weight. Then after work, I ran home, which was almost 6 miles. My longest run post-broken leg!
My friend (and coworker) Vicki joined me. It was so great to be able to run commute again!
I use this Patagonia backpack for run commuting.
Wednesday: [solidcore] before work (50 minute pilates-type strength class.)
Thursday: A 4 mile morning run with my friend Vicki.
I wore my new Oiselle Flyout tank that I purchased based on Rita’s recommendations. It’s awesome!
Friday: 2,000 meter swim before work, PT appointment at Mayo that included lots of jumping/strength/drills.
Saturday: 5 mile run with my friends Tricia and Vicki, as well as Matilda (my dog), though she wasn’t feeling it, as it was really hot. We took lots of breaks for her to get water wherever we could and the pace was slow enough that I think she was okay, but I definitely don’t want to push her too much in that kind of weather.
She was pooped after the run, but she did rally for a fun little dog-friendly festival in the afternoon at Lakes & Legends
So many dogs, including a dalmatian puppy!
That evening, we went out to a belated birthday dinner for Dustin at Octo Fishbar in St. Paul. So good.
Sunday: I took an early solidcore class, before pinning on a race bib for the first time since last year!
I ran my first ‘official’ race since I broke my leg, which was the Raspberry Run 1 mile in Hopkins.
I ran with my sister Cresta, who ran her fastest mile since high school, 8:20!
It was fun to run with her and help her push herself. A 1-mile is HARD. She definitely prefers the long distance on the trail, but it’s good to switch it up sometimes and get out of your comfort zone.
And me, I’m just happy to be running but it was good to know I could still run a mile at that pace too.
Kids under 16 race free, so my niece Clara also ran it- she ran a 7:42 mile, and that was with starting with Cresta and me vs. just running her own pace the whole way. Impressive!
The 1-mile is at high noon on a hot, hot July day, but there were plenty of watermelon, oranges, water, and a fireman’s hose to cool you down at the end!
We also tried out some of the Thai rolled ice cream as a treat afterwards.
No visit to the Raspberry Festival is complete without a stop by the World’s Largest Raspberry!
Summary: About 20 miles of running, 2 solidcore classes, 1 swim, 1 elliptical day, 1 PT appointment. Yay to be running again!
If you made it through this whole post, AMAZING. Sorry, I just had so much to share this week that I am super excited about.
I’m linking up as always with HoHo Runs and Taking the Long Way Home for their weekly wrap. Check it out!
Congrats on your first post-injury race! It looks like you were having a blast out there 🙂
Hooray for signing up for your first marathon of 2019! I know a few people that have done the Houston Marathon and they really enjoyed it! I think that will be a perfect race to mark Texas off your list for the 50 state challenge.
Thanks so much Kim! We had a great time today (though I did get a little sunburned 🙁
I’m glad to hear you have heard good feedback on Houston! It should be a fun one!
Lovely seeing you running with co-workers and friends and family – very special. It is a worry going out with other people in this heat. One of my friends had a little panic this morning but we all reassured her we didn’t care about speed, just time on feet, and she rallied and did further than she’d expected – yay! Amazing mile times, I think that would be my worst distance so I’m in AWE! And that’s a heck of a lot of marathons in 10 years, awe again, but I agree it’s good to have a break (but not… Read more »
Thanks Liz! Yes, in hindsight, I can recognize that the “break” was probably a good thing for my mind and body. But I’m so excited to get back at it.
The heat is REALLY tough lately on runners. Matilda is actually my 9 year old dog, but it’s tough on the humans too!
Oops, I hadn’t grasped that, mind you, I needed a lot of water breaks, time in the shade and praise yesterday, not much different from our canine friends perhaps!
Yes, humans and canines both struggle in that weather! I felt like her panting wasn’t cooler her down though and I worry she can’t “tell” me she’s not feeling great, so I just try to be careful.
Don’t feel bad–my recap was long too! Sometimes there’s so much to share! That picture you guys and the raspberry cracked me up! LOL
I had no idea you’ve run 29 marathons! Holy moly girl! I’m so excited for you to get back on the horse. Houston in January sounds perfect. And of course, Antarctica.
Yes, 29 marathons! Antarctica would have been my 30th….Now Houston will be, a bit later than planned. I am in love with marathons, which was why I think this injury was even more devastating for me. But I’m excited to have one on the horizon again!
Congrats on the 1 mile race. I’m super impressed with your pace — after all you’ve been through…WOW. I think having a marathon to focus on is a very smart way to get back in the game. It’s very exciting to be working with a new coach too. A fresh perspective is always a good thing. Thanks for linking!
Thank you so much! Yes, I figured what better time than now to have a new perspective to help me with my running, vs. going back to my old habits and workouts. A fresh set of eyes monitoring my progress will be very helpful.
The 1 mile was a blast today!
So happy to see you counting down to a race again. 2019 is going to be your year and ultimately you are going to come back a stronger and faster runner.
Great post and I can tell how happy you are feeling now.
Thanks so much Allison! I am feeling very optimistic today.
I am impressed with how well your recovery has been going and that you will be running Houston in January! That’s awesome that you will finally get to run Antartica!
Fingers crossed I didn’t just waste $175 on registration, ha! I really hope marathons are back in my life. 7 months should be plenty of time, right?
That’s so exciting! And what great motivation to keep things easy for the time being and slowly ramp things up. P.S. Love the new tank!
Thanks Angela! The flyout tank from Oiselle is so light and breathable, I love it
That’s exciting to have another 26.2 on the distant horizon 😉 (actually, I guess there’s a couple of them!). I think you have a great strategy in not having any specific time goals for Houston. There’s much less risk of injury or relapsing, and so much potential to increase your strength & endurance safely. Best of luck!!!
Thanks Kim! I will try very hard to build back strong and healthy. I don’t want to be sidelined again!
What exciting news! All the best with your return to training and I’m also so glad you’ll be able to get Antarctica in next year as well. Great work on the 1 mile race! That humongous raspberry is hilarious!
Thanks Marcia! It’s hard to get too excited about Antarctica after the disappointment of this year but I’m holding out hope that 2019 is the year!
You had a lot of great things to share! I bet your [solidcore] workouts will pay off so much with running. So many running injuries start with weak core/glute/hips.
Off to read about pizza camp!
Thanks so much Coco! My broken leg didn’t start with weak core/glute/hips but I’ve had other injuries that definitely did, so hoping the Solidcore strength will prevent those!
Sounds like a great week! And it also sounds like you have a solid plan to train for the Houston marathon 🙂
I hope so, thanks Chaitali!
I’m super excited for you Jessie!! This was definitely a fun post to read. It will be fun to see your comeback journey to your next marathon in Houston!
I appreciate that Jen!
Yay! Yay! Yay!! I am so excited for you! What a fantastic and happy week and I am so excited you will be back to running marathons! Didn’t realise you have already done so many – 29 in 10 years! Now that is amazing! I am all about numbers – so I love that your first marathon post-injury will be Number 30. That will be special in so many ways.
Thanks Shathiso! Yep, marathons were kinda my thing. Glad I have one to look forward to again! 🙂 It will be very special!
SO happy to finally see “X weeks until a marathon” as the title instead of “X weeks post-broken leg” !! Glad you like the flyout tank – it’s so great for heat and humidity 🙂
Thanks Rita, for following along and the well wishes and of course for the recommendation on the flyout tank. I just bought it for a friend for a birthday gift too, ha!
[…] « Weekly Recap: 27 Weeks Until the Houston Marathon […]
Great news Jessie! Sorry I’m a bit late in reading this. Very excited to see you have a marathon (two!!) scheduled. Great to hear about the coaching change. I agree that sometimes it just helps to hear a new voice.
Exactly! I have nothing but great things to say about my old coach, but it has been a nice change so far, and it’s my first time having a female coach, which I really like!
I’m loving watching your return to running, Jessie! And that’s incredible news you’re signed up for Houston! I think your new coach is right, too – a solid break is so good mentally and physically. No doubt you’re gonna come back even stronger and faster 🙂 Two other things: dalmatians are adorable, and Octo Fishbar – must go!
Thanks Erin, much appreciated!
[…] Last summer, this was my first time pinning on a race bib after breaking my leg (catch up on that HERE); I ran it with my sister Cresta. This year, Cresta and all three of her daughters ran it, but I […]