First Dopey Consecutive Training Runs

This week Jeff Galloway had a 4-day consecutive training run on my schedule.   I had to do a 3-mile, 4-mile, 6-mile, and 20-mile run.  Thankfully for me, I am off of work (between jobs) this week, so I had the time to get in these runs.  I am also fortunate that my husband is home so I could do these runs early in the morning.  I chose to do them early in the morning because I always feel better when I begin my day with a run.  It makes me feel more energetic and I also don’t have to worry about trying to fit it in later in the day. I went out each day at around 6:40 a.m.  The sun rises late now so I wait till after 6:30 to head out.  The weather this week was so comfortable for running early in the day.  The scenery was so beautiful as well!  Here are a few pictures from my second run day (the 4-mile day).

I have been battling a problem with my shin due to my orthotics being 4 years old. When I first started running I thought I had severe shin splints. I stopped running for several weeks, tried calf sleeves and finally gave in and used my custom orthotics. Come to find out that was the answer to my problem. But recently that pain was coming back, so I went to my chiropractor and we decided it was time for a new pair to be made. I put a lot of miles on mine and I am hoping this will solve my problem. I also ordered new sneakers, so I am hoping I can make it all correct again. So during the week I have been careful to ice my leg often during the day. Tylenol made a big difference after my run and I wore KT tape and calf sleeves during my run. After taking Tylenol the pain was gone for several hours. I was told by my coach, Jeff Galloway, to walk all of my runs for this training assignment. I started my runs by walking to warm my body up and I would see how I felt and make my determination on whether or not I could handle the runs.  Thankfully after I warmed up I was ok to run.  I actually felt better the longer into my run and also when I ran longer intervals.  Each day I started the run the same way, a long warm-up walk, and then gently ease into running.  I used 30/30 intervals.  After the first 3 miles, the pain was pretty much gone.  Seems like once the muscles warmed up the pain would go away. As the week went on I was looking forward to my morning shorter runs, but the 20-mile run was on my mind.  I was beginning to dread it.  I saw on the Mickey Milers page that people were talking about the latest episode from Mike and Michelle about running feeling like a job.  I was looking forward to listening to that episode.  I loaded it to my podcast and it was the first thing I listened to as I started my run today.  I was feeling the exact same way as Michelle.  I enjoy running, but preparing for Dopey was difficult for me.  I could handle the short runs.  I was nervous about the long run.  I was mostly nervous because of my shin/arch problem.  I gained confidence that I could do 4 consecutive runs with the last run being the marathon, but I am feeling scared about the Goofy portion of the Dopey Challenge.  I did the 6-mile with the 20-mile run the following day and ran all 4 days.  My body held up for it.  So I know I can do it.  During January the races will be with friends in Disney with photo ops and I won’t be running the races for time.  I’ll be running them to finish and to enjoy myself.  So this gives me confidence.  I just need to get my leg back to normal and keep healthy for the rest of my training. For the 20-mile run I walked the first 2 miles to warm up.  Then I began to add some running with 15/30 intervals.  I did well for the next 8 miles.  By mile 10 I didn’t feel anything with my left leg.  I was also relieved that I only had 10 miles left.  It was supposed to be a very rainy day (Nor’easter storm forecasted), but the rain held off for the first 7 miles into my run.  When it did begin to rain it wasn’t bad.  It was a gentle rain that was very peaceful.  I continued with my 15/30 intervals through mile 13, then I started to walk some more.  I decided to change part of my route so that my husband could meet up with me with water and pretzels.  I met him at mile 15 and took a 10-minute break to have some water.  I didn’t need a lot of water and fuel on this run.  It wasn’t hot so I didn’t go through my fluid quickly.  I also didn’t use Nuun on this run.  I just used water, gummy bears, and pretzels. By mile 17 I was walking a lot.  Then at mile 18, I was able to put in some more running until I got to my street.  I had to burn the last mile by running in my driveway and up my street a little bit so I could earn that last mile.  I didn’t want to cut my run short.  I am happy that I got it done.  I had no expectations of the finish time that I wanted, and am feeling good.  Just a little tired from being so busy all week and running 4 days in a row with a long run.  In my mind, I am accepting that I can do the Dopey Challenge.  It may not be pretty but I know that I can get it done.  The key will be RESTING each day after the race and taking naps. Here are some pictures from my 6-mile run.  It was another beautiful fall morning.  I stopped to savor the peaceful morning and to embrace the alone time I had.             How can you beat views like this to begin your day?!