Still 2017 & 3 Races In 2018 Called My Name (OK, Technically More Than 3)

As 2017 is slowly coming to an end, there are races in 2018 that already have had registration open; Bayshore, Detroit Free Press Marathon, and Bill Roney 5K. I've ran each of these races before and had a really good experience at each of them.

Bayshore. This didn't require much thought. I'm lucky enough that my work will pay for the registration. I just need to cover hotel and travel costs. I've ran the half marathon before, and am signed up to run it again in 2018. I felt really good about being able to get registered, I had the hotel booked in beginning of November. I've learned, though it is possible to drive 3 hours in the super early morning, run a half marathon, then turn around and drive 3 hours back, it's not the most fun experience. Having a hotel room definitely is recommended.

Detroit Free Press Marathon. I had to think about this one. Originally, I was thinking of running Grand Rapids Marathon for the first time and hoping to get a BQ (Boston Qualifier), taking advantage of the flat and fast course. Though it would be great to run in a race I've never ran before, there was another 'carrot' dangling in front of me. This year, the Detroit Free Press Marathon has the Motor City Challenge Series. Because it's the first year for this, and I like crazy challenges, I decided to sign up for The Supreme (marathon, 5K, 1 mile). I still plan on training hard for the marathon and still am going after that BQ. That part hasn't changed.

Bill Roney 5K. Last year was my first year running it, and I got a 5K PR! It's a flat and fast course. All proceeds from the race go to support the Hansons Brooks Distance Project team too. If I'm able to keep working hard over the winter, I'm thinking another 5K PR might be obtainable.

I know there will be other races I'll be running in 2018 that I haven't signed up for yet. I'll be running Mason State Bank 5K, Crim 10 Mile/5K combo, Capital City River Run Half Marathon. I've ran those races before, have had really good experiences and set PRs there in the past.

Here's hoping to an injury free rest of 2017 and a strong start to 2018!

The Streak Is Over: My Marathon Training Journey For The Half Marathon Race

For my last 10 mile race and last half marathon race of the year, I wanted to get a PR in both. I knew I could follow a half marathon training plan. I did follow the Hansons Half Marathon training plan for Bayshore Half Marathon in May. I did get a 10 minute PR in that race. I wanted something more. I knew getting a PR in both races would be a challenge (my 10 mile PR was set 20 years ago!).

Many runners consider the Hansons Marathon training plan to be tough. I knew I might revisit running a marathon again in the future, and was curious to see if I could complete the 18 week training plan. I planned the 18 weeks to end the same weekend as the Capital City River Run Half Marathon race. During the training, I would also be running the Run Thru Hell 10 mile, Crim 5k/10 mile combo and Lake Lansing Team Marathon Single Loop (5.2 miles). Essentially, I was signing myself up to do something for fun (because, why not?!?)

I really like how the Hansons training plans have the speed/strength workouts on Tuesdays and tempo runs on Thursdays, Wednesdays are rest days and Sundays are long run days. I got used to that pattern when I followed the half marathon training plan, so there wasn't too much adjustment. The adjustment would come with running long tempo runs and higher mileage long runs.

During the training plan, I learned so much about running that helped me with my training.

1. Easy days: You got to keep the pace E.A.S.Y. Don't run these at race pace, or even a fast pace. Take full advantage of these days. Work on learning what an easy pace feels like. It isn't an easy thing to do, but it can happen if you work at it. My goal race pace was 7:30. My easy runs were around 9 minutes a mile. I loved my easy runs! If I felt the run wasn't challenging enough, I would try to focus on getting even, or near even, splits. This helped me keep my mind engaged and it became a game.
2. Rest days: Don't underestimate them! Some runners may want to do some type of workout on these days. I always took full advantage of doing absolutely nothing. I knew the next day would have a tempo run waiting for me. I wanted to be fully rested and able to hit the pace and complete the distance of the workout.
3. Shoes: It should be common sense by now: the more miles you run, the more shoes you will need to buy. What I didn't know was how having a second pair of shoes that you rotate the days you wear them, and how that can help extend the life of your shoe. I ran with the Brooks Ghost 9s (4 pairs of them), Brooks Launch 3s (1 pair) Brooks Launch 4s (1 pair).
4. Strength training: I knew it was important, but when I started to incorporate it in to my routines on a regular basis, I was able to see big gains. I was starting to get stronger with hill workouts and I didn't feel my quads burning as much. The hills on the Hansons Lake Orion store group run were starting to feel less intimidating and I wasn't slowing down going up them.
5. Hydration: It goes without saying, you need to be hydrated when you run. What I learned was how important it is to stay hydrated even when you're not running. If you get dehydrated before you start your run, it doesn't matter if you have a water bottle with you during the run. Your muscles will definitely complain to you. I made it a point of drinking at least 2 bottles of water each day, and 32 oz of water after every workout.
6. Sleep: Many people struggle with getting enough sleep each night. When I started the training plan, I was exhausted by the end of the day. I found it tough to stay awake past 8pm! I was able to adjust and stay awake until 9pm, but I would never stay up later than that. I knew I needed rest to let my body recover, so when my alarm went off I would be ready to get my run in.
7. Weather: Weather is something we can't control...to a point. I wasn't able to change the weather. What I was able to do is change when I got my workouts in. I got most of my workouts in between 5 and 7 am each day. Usually the weather was still cool and I didn't have to have the sun blasting down on me. I really believed this helped me when running intervals, tempo runs, and even long runs. One long run ended up being in the afternoon. It wasn't a super hot day, but I wasn't used to the heat and humidity. I started the run ok, hitting my paces. As time went on, I was struggling to hit my pace and had to finish the workout using the walk/run method.
8. Group runs: For majority of my workouts, I did them alone. It's something I'm used and have done for most of my running life. I found making it to a group run every now and then can be a lot of fun. One of the local groups I started running with was very inspirational. The girls in the group weren't the fastest, but they were determined and were able to run twice as many miles (or more!) for their long runs. I really enjoyed the conversations we had when we would be out at Dark O'Clock on a path to get some miles in. Another group I ran with a few times was with the Hansons Lake Orion store group. This was a different group than the local one. This group was more focused on getting the miles in and getting the job done. That focus isn't a bad thing though. It helps when there are other runners trying to hit the same mile pace. I found the course challenging, but fun at the same time.
9. Preventative Maintenance: This should be baked into every runner's mind. There are reasons why a warm UP is called a warm UP and a cool DOWN is called a cool DOWN. You need to get both of them in on interval, tempo and race days. A warm up helps get your body ready for the workout. A cool down helps get your heart rate down after a workout. Stretching should be thrown into this category as well. I didn't know much about the different types of stretching. This was before I was getting injured and seeing a physical therapist on a regular basis for those injuries. I learned to get in a few dynamic stretches, like high knee lifts or butt kicks, will help get your body ready for a workout. After the workout, that's when the traditional static stretches are done. I would spend 5-10 minutes taking my time with each stretch. I found I was way more flexible at the end of the training plan than when I started.
10. Social Media Groups: Like most things, if there are others who are going through a similar experience, it usually helps you get through it as well. There are many runners who have used Hansons Marathon training plan in the past and many who are still using it. This really helped when I would be hitting a rough part of the training plan. I was able to look on social media to see others who have completed the same workouts and survived it! They all have told me the same thing - trust the plan.

By the end of this training plan, I had racked up a lot of personal bests.

• Most miles in a single training run
• Most miles in a single week
• Most miles in a single month
• 5K PR (since I was in high school)
• 10K PR
• 10 Mile PR
• Half Marathon PR

One of the additional goals I had added to my list was to run 10 consecutive weeks of 50+ miles or more. Looking at the training plan, I was looking at the training plan and thought I would be able to hit this goal by running one more week after the training plan ended. That last week would be more of a 'victory lap week', and would be solely focused on getting miles in. I was on track week after week to hit this goal. I wasn't getting injured and I was still able to follow the training plan. After week 9 of this goal is when things changed. I started to get sick and could start to feel the wear and tear of marathon training on my body. I knew I was close to hitting 10 weeks and had only around 35 miles left to go in week 10. I decided to pull the plug and let my body rest and heal. I would rather make sure my body is able to recover and get back to training again sooner, than push for a goal. It's tough when I know I was so close. I look back at what I've accomplished with my other goals and PRs and know missing one goal didn't define my race season.

There were some people who thought it was odd or maybe a bit funny that I was following a training plan for a marathon, but not running a marathon. I like challenges and proving people wrong. I chose one of the tougher marathon training plans out there and survived. I got a lot of PRs and was able to get in the best shape of my life. I would definitely do it all over again.

Why not?

I've been thinking a lot about what's out there in the running world I haven't done yet. I've ran fast times. I've ran multiple half marathons and even a marathon. I've set PRs this years (post high school PRs). I consider high school version 1.0 of my running life. I don't think I'll ever get back to those times. That's ok! I'm running on borrowed time now and want to get as many things checked off my 'running to-do/accomplishment' list as possible.

This August at Crim, I'll be running a 10 mile race, then right after I'll be running the 5k. Why not? The mileage adds up nicely to a half marathon. I've ran 10 mile races before and survived. I've ran half marathon races before and survived. I'm guessing the 5k will be more like a cool-down after the 10 mile...but who knows?

My first marathon was a 'I just want to cross the finish line' race. I wasn't able to properly train for it and did most of the training getting in bike miles. But...I still crossed the finish line! Next year, I'm thinking of running my second marathon. I was looking at shaving off 3 hours from my current PR. That would put me at 3:30. Being able to do that would be AWESOME! It's not often you're able to say 'yeah. I shaved off 3 hours from my marathon PR'. Looking at the 3:30 finish time got me thinking though. I wondered what it would take to qualify for Boston? I've never really thought I'd be remotely close to that time. I know I'm talking about a marathon - 26.2 miles. My comfort zone is with the half marathon. I don't think I'll be running many marathons in the future either. My body has been reacting well to the training I've been running this year. I'm more fit, stronger, and faster than I've been in about 20 years. If all goes well, I'll be running the Grand Rapids Marathon in October 2018. Why not see what my body can do and if I can get a 3 hour PR or even qualify for Boston?

Found Really Comprehensive Running Playlist - Part 25

Here are the comprehensive running song playlist - the X, Y, and Z bands.

XX	Crystalised
XX	Intro
XX	Islands
XZibit	Hey Now
XZibit	Los Angeles
Yahel Sherman	That Night
Yeah Yeah Yeahs	10x10
Yeah Yeah Yeahs	Date with A Night
Yeah Yeah Yeahs	Gold Lion
Yeah Yeah Yeahs	Heads Will Roll
Yeah Yeah Yeahs	No No No
Yeah Yeah Yeahs	Y Control
yeah yeah yeahs	Zero
Yeasayer	Sunrise
Yellowcard	Bombers
Yellowcard	Breathing
Yellowcard	Cut me mick
Yellowcard	Fighting
yellowcard	Hollywood Died
Yellowcard	Ocean Avenue
yellowcard	Way Away
Yes	Owner of a Lonely Heart
Yes	Starship Trooper
Ying Yang Twins	Shake
Young Disciples	Apparently Nothing
Young MC	Bust a Move
ZZ Top	Doubleback
ZZ Top	La grange
ZZ Top	Legs

Found Really Comprehensive Running Playlist - Part 24

Here are the comprehensive running song playlist - the W bands.

Waking Ashland	I am For You
Walkmen	the rat
Wall of Voodoo	Mexican Radio
Wallflowers	6th Avenue Heartache
Wallflowers	One Headlight
Wang Chung	Everybody Have Fun Tonight
Warp Brothers	Going Insane
Warrant	Cherry Pie
Warren Zevon	Lawyers guns and money
Warren Zevon	Things to do in Denver When You're Dead
Waycross	Nineteen
We the Kings	Check Yes Juliet
We're From Barcelona	Oversleeping
Weather Girls	It's Raining Men
Webb Wilder	Tough It Out
Webbie	Independent
Ween	A Tear for Eddie
Ween	Help Me Scrape the Mucus off My Brain
Ween	I Got to Put the Hammer Down
Ween	Piss Up a Rope
Ween	Spinal Meningitis Got Me Down (Live in Chicago)
Ween	Stroker Ace
Ween	The Stallion Pt. 3
Weezer	Beverly Hills
Weezer	buddy holly
Weezer	Hash Pipe
Weezer	Pork and Beans
Weezer	Perfect Situtation
Weezer	Say It Ain't So
Weezer	undone
Weezer	Memories
Weezer	This is Such a Pity
Weird Al Yankovic	Pretty Fly For A Rabbi
Welle Juli	Perfekte
Whatever You Want	Status Quo
wheatus	teenage dirtbag
White Stripes	Blue Orchid
White Stripes	Catch Hell Blues
White Stripes	Icky Thump
White Stripes	Seven Nation Army
White Stripes	Theres No Home For You Here
White Stripes	blue orchid
White Stripes	icky thump
White Stripes	there's no home for you here
White Tie Affair	Candle Sick
White Tie Affair	You Look Better When I’m Drunk
White Zombie	More Human than Human
White Zombie	Thunder Kiss '65
Whitesnake	Here I go Again
Whitney Duncan	So Sorry Mama
Whitney Houston	I want to dance with somebody
Whitney Houston	It's Not Right but It's Okay
Whitney Houston	Love is a Contact Sport
Who	Baba O'Riley
Who	Eminence Front
Who	However much I booze
Who	Pinball Wizard
Who	The Seeker
Who	Who Are You
Who	Won't Be Fooled Again
Why On Earth	Get That Back
Wicked	Defying Gravity
wideawake	Maybe TOnight Maybe Tomorrow
widespread panic	action man
widespread panic	you got yours
Wilco	Heavy Metal Drummer
Wild Cherry	Play That Funky Music
Will Smith	Gettin Jiggy With It
Will Smith	Miami
Will Smith	switch
will.i.am	Scream & Shout ft. Britney Spears
William Orbit	L'Inverno
Willie Nelson	Highwayman
Willie Nelson	The Maker
Winger	Seventeen
Winter Sounds	Candlelight
Wiseguys	Start the Commotion
Wolf Parade	You Are A Runner and I Am My Fathers Son
Wolfmother	Dimension
Wolfmother	Joker and the Thief
Wolfmother	Woman
Wreckx-N-Effect	Rump Shaker
wu-tang clan	da mystery of chessboxin
Wu-Tang Clan	Gravel Pit
Wu-Tang Clan	Protect Ya Neck
Wyclef Jean	Sweetest Girl/Dollar Bill

Found Really Comprehensive Running Playlist - Part 23

Here are the comprehensive running song playlist - the V bands.

Valley of the Queens	Star One
Vampire Weekend	A-punk
Vampire Weekend	Cousins
Vampire Weekend	The Kids Don't Stand a Chance
Vampire Weekend	Walcott
Van Halen	Ain't Talkin' Bout Love
Van Halen	Cant Stop Loving You
Van Halen	Dreams
Van Halen	Hot for the Teacher
Van Halen	humans being
Van Halen	I'll Wait
Van Halen	It's My Life
Van Halen	Jump
Van Halen	Panama
Van Halen	Right Now
Van Halen	runaround
Van Halen	Running With the Devil
Van Halen	Unchained
Van Morrison	Bright Side of The Road
Van Morrison	Brown Eyed Girl
Van Morrison	Come Running
Van Morrison	Comfortably Numb (Live) FT Roger Waters
Van Morrison	Sweet Thing
Vanessa Carlton	A Thousand Miles
vangelis	chariots of fire
Vanilla Ice	Ice Ice Baby
Vanilla Ice	Ninja Rap
Vapors	Turning Japanese
Velocity Girl	Finest Hour
Velvet Revolver	Fall to pieces
Velvet Revolver	slither
Vengaboys	Movin' Around
Vengaboys	We Like To Party!
Veronicas	4ever
Veronicas	Untouched
Vertical Theory	Haujobb
Veruca Salt	Seether
Veruca Salt	Volcano Girls
Verve	Bitter Sweet Symphony
Verve	Love is Noise
Verve	Lucky Man
Verve Pipe	The Freshmen
Victorious	Tiesto
Victorious Cast and Victoria Justice	Make It Shine
Vince DiCola	Training Montage
Vince DiCola	war/fanfare from rocky
Vines	Get Free
Vines	Ride
Vintersorg	Odemarkens Son
Violent Femmes	Blister in the Sun
Violent Femmes	Gone Daddy Gone
Violent Femmes	Kiss off
Virgin Black	The Everlasting
virgins	rich girls
Vitalic	No Fun
Von Bondies	C'Mon C'Mon
Vonda Rhea	Over Like a Fat Rat
Voodoo & Serano	Blood is pumping
Voodoo Child Radio	Rogue Traders
Voodoo Glow Skulls	Los Hombres No Lloran
Vowel Movements	Eligible Bachelors

Found Really Comprehensive Running Playlist - Part 22

Here are the comprehensive running song playlist - the U bands.

U2	Bad
U2	Beautiful Day
U2	City of Blinding Lights
U2	Desire
U2	Elevation
U2	Get on Your Boots
U2	gloria
U2	Helter Skelter
U2	I Will Follow
U2	In a Little While
U2	Like a Song
U2	Out of Control
U2	Pride
U2	Rattle N' Hum
U2	Staring at the Sun
U2	stuck in a moment
u2	Sunday bloody Sunday
U2	Sweetest Thing
U2	Unforgetabble Fire
U2	Vertigo
U2	Where The Streets Have No Name
U2	Yahweh
U2	Zoo Station
UFO	Natural Thing (Live)
UGK	One Day
Umbrellas	Boston White
Underoath	It's Dangerous Business Walking Out Your Front Door
Underoath	Reinventing Your Exit
Underworld	Born Slippy
Underworld	King of Snake
Underworld	Underneath the Radar
unearth	zombie autopilot
Union Underground	Turn Me On "Mr. Deadman"
Unwritten Law	Fight
urizen	my friend says you're ugly
Used	I Caught Fire
used	Let It Bleed
used	pretty handsome awkward
Usher	DJ Got Us Falling in Love feat. Pitbull
Usher	Love in This Club
Usher	More
Usher	Moving mountains
Usher	OMG (Disco Fries Remix) feat. Will.I.Am
Usher	Yeah!
Utada Hikaru	Keep Tryin'