NYC Marathon Training | Week 12 of 16

12 weeks down, 4 to go!

I can’t even believe how good I feel running and how quickly these weeks are passing by. 

As of today I’m at 60% of my fundraising goal. I appreciate the support from each and every one of you that’s donated so far. If it wasn’t for this opportunity from the MEB Foundation, I wouldn’t be running the NYC Marathon. I just keep thinking back to those days on the couch in the beginning of the year and those first few walks around the block when I was cleared to start moving. It was then that I set this big goal for myself. When the MEB Foundation accepted me as a charity running, I was initially excited but then equally as terrified. I could barely walk a half mile, how was I going to run 26.2 miles again?!

Fast forward to today as I write about running 34 miles during week 12 - my biggest week of training so far…

My week started off with a rest day. I Foam Rolled & Stretched, worked with a few clients and was surprised when I heard from Craig in the early afternoon to see I wanted to go golfing after work. He’d been sick on the couch the past couple of days and apparently was feeling good enough to get out for 9 holes. I made a quick call over the club house and in about an hour Craig and I were teeing off on Hole #1 of the Dunes Course.

For only my second time out this year, I wasn’t all that bad. The weather was beautiful, the course was quiet and I actually parred two of the Par 3 holes.

Tuesday was perfect fall running weather. My plan was to run 5 miles after work but it was so nice, I had to add on an extra mile to make it 6 total. Tuesday was also my 9 year anniversary with Georgie. NINE YEARS. Obviously I took her to Somerset Creamery and we were happy to have Craig and Marky join us.

I ran 5 after work on Wednesday. It was really warm with no breeze and I was definitely overdressed. I didn’t run on Thursday but I did go out for another 9 holes. My parents were mad I didn’t invite them on Monday so I made tee times for Thursday. When we got there, we were offered to switch the Ocean Course. Beautiful day, no wind. Of course we would say yes!

Craig and I were supposed to go to Maine for the long weekend - well actually we were originally planning to go the week before - but plans changed. We both still took Friday off from work and I even got him out the door for a short run with Reggie! What a treat!

Later that day we got Duke's Donuts then headed up to Boston for date night. We stuffed our faces with Dumpling Kingdom then ended up at a Gucci Mane concert at the Roadrunner. So random but so fun. We got home really late. The next day I slept in (kinda) and spent a lazy, rainy day at home.

Sunday was long run day! Another 18 and another beautiful day. The temperatures were cooler (high 50s) and the sun was out but it was WINDY. Running along the water in Falmouth would have been brutal so I decided to run the same 18 miler through Cotuit as I did 2 weeks ago. I also remembered that it was Cape Cod Marathon weekend which reconfirmed my decision to avoid Falmouth.

I didn’t set an alarm and got out the door a little after 8:30. My dad joined me on his bike for the second week in a row. I warned him that Cotuit was hilly but he insisted on tagging along. I think he had it harder than I did on some of the rolling hills. I was feeling strong and much better than the last 18 miler in the rain. I started to get tired the last 4 miles but like last week, having my dad there led to less walking breaks during the final miles.

The Bills played in London at 9:30am so I was getting alerts throughout my run. They were not playing well so it was nothing to rush home for! By the time I did get home, Craig was at work so I spent the rest of the day on the couch watching football with the pups.

Monday 10.2.23

REST

Foam Roll & Stretch

Golfed 9 holes

Tuesday 10.3.23

6 miles (47:39)

Low Impact Aerobics

Wednesday 10.4.23

5 miles (39:17)

30 min Mat CORE

Thursday 10.5.23

Low Impact Aerobics

Golfed 9 holes

Friday 10.6.23

2.15 miles with Craig & Reggie (17:12)

2.82 miles (21:41)

Saturday 10.7.23

DAY OFF

Sunday 10.8.23

18 miles with Daddo on the bike (2:25:00)

This week’s mileage: 34 miles

This week’s Reggie mileage: 2 miles

Training totals: 315 miles

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16 Week 5 of 16 Week 9 of 16

Week 2 of 16 Week 6 of 16 Week 10 of 16

Week 3 of 16 Week 7 of 16 Week 11 of 16

Week 4 of 16 Week 8 of 16

Why I’m running the 2023 NYC Marathon

If you would like to support me and donate to the MEB Foundation, visit my fundraising page: https://www.givengain.com/ap/jen-skiba-raising-funds-for-meb-foundation

NYC Marathon Training | Week 8 of 16

8 weeks down, 8 to go!

It’s really hard to believe that I am halfway through NYC Marathon training! I just keep thinking back to the beginning of the year sitting on the couch dreaming of NYC and saying I had a lot of work to do in the next 8 MONTHS… now we are down to 8 WEEKS!

Monday was Labor Day and I worked all day but took my normal rest day from all physical activities which was nice after last week’s 16 miler.

On Tuesday I taught low impact aerobics in the morning, closed up work then headed out for an easy 3. My legs felt great but my mind wasn’t in it. When I got home I had a package in the mailbox from the MEB Foundation. In it was an autographed copy of Meb’s book 26 Marathons! What a surprise!

I had to open on Wednesday but was done for the day at noon! I was so happy to head home and get caught up on cleaning and laundry. I also ran 6 miles that afternoon - a nice, longer mid-week run. It was so hot and humid so I was trying to conserve energy and run easy but at times I felt like I was running in slow motion.

Thursday was double aerobics class day and the *feels like* temperature was 90+ degrees out on the pool deck. That continued into Friday. I opened in the morning again. It was hopefully my last opening shift for awhile with more new staff starting next week! On my way home from work I ran into my friend Matt at the grocery store. He was getting more water for the Zooma Half Marathon on Sunday morning in preparation of the predicted heat and humidity. 

While I was out on my run later that evening, I had a thought that I should sign up for Matt’s race as I had 12-14 on the schedule this weekend anyways. By the way, that run was nasty. I was dripping from the start. But when I got home I texted Matt then signed up. I mean, why not? My last race was Boston 2019 so even though I would use the half as a training run, I thought it would be beneficial to go through the whole race morning routine and experience the pre-race jitters again.

I taught my 2 classes on Saturday morning, picked up my bib number, closed up at work then visited Craig at Naukabout for a Pina Colada sloshie. I was starting to question if running a half marathon the next morning would be a good idea with how humid it would going to be but I knew it would be better to have water out on the course and other runners around me than running alone. When I got home I laid out all my clothes and gear for race morning, drank lots of water and went to bed super early.

Sunday morning I was up before my alarm. I was definitely feeling nervous even though I knew it was a training run. The race started at 7:30 so I left the house around 6:20, got to the Old Silver Beach parking lot at about 6:40 and hung out for a little bit as I finished up my pre-run drink. I walked over to the Seacrest - where the race started and ended - and chatted with Matt for a little bit. I got in line for the bathrooms and by the time I was done there, the race was just about to start!

I made my way to the front of the line. I asked a girl at the start which direction we turned out of the parking lot because I hadn’t even really looked at the course map! The gun went off and we started running. Temperatures were in the low 70s. It was 100% humidity at the start and later learned 99% at the finish. The wind was pretty much non-existent. It was ew.

I tried to keep my pace around 8:00 however I kept looking down at my watch seeing 7:40 and 7:45. It’s so hard not to want to race and pick off other runners in front. It’s a feeling I hadn’t experienced in a few years. I saw my parents around mile 2. Mike from run club was directing runners soon after. Matt was at a turnaround somewhere. His wife Eilis was out on the course too. I saw my parents again around mile 5 and then 8. I stopped both times for a dry towel to wipe off my face. That was HUGE. 

The course itself was nice. A little hilly. I found myself running alone almost the whole way with the exception of a few miles on the bike path where I started passing all the 10k walkers and runners. A girl came out of nowhere and sprinted by me at the finish. I ended up in 5th place. I guess that’s not bad for a training run.

My parents and Craig met me at the finish line. I sat on the curb for awhile and ate an orange before hopping on the front of one of our paddle boards while Craig paddled around Old Silver Beach as I relaxed.

That afternoon Craig and I adventured to Harwich. I’ve been dying to try a mudslide at Chapin’s Fish and Chips but of course we show up and they were closed for a private event. From there we went to the Ocean House Beach Bar. Our luck continued as their mudslide machine was turned off for the season so instead I sipped on a refreshing strawberry mojito with views of the ocean and Week 1 of NFL football games on the TV. We decided we would go to the Sand Bar for food but when we pulled into the parking lot at 4:05pm there was a sign out front with “closing at 4:00 today.” From there we went to the Port for dollar oysters - we had a dozen each - and I tried the peanut butter mudslide.

I don’t remember much about the drive home LOL other than it was down pouring and we were in Craig’s convertible. Craig dropped me off at home and went to Naukabout for a while. I was in bed asleep at 7:45pm.

Monday 9.4.23

REST

Tuesday 9.5.23

3 miles (23:30)

Low Impact Aerobics

Wednesday 9.6.23

6 miles (47:30)

30 min Mat CORE

Thursday 9.7.23

Low Impact Aerobics

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Friday 9.8.23

4.08 miles (32:17)

30 min Mat CORE

Saturday 9.9.23

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Saturday Strength

Sunday 9.10.23

Zooma Cape Cod Half Marathon 1:46:37

This week’s mileage: 26 miles

This week’s Reggie mileage: 0 miles

Training totals: 197 miles

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16 Week 5 of 16

Week 2 of 16 Week 6 of 16

Week 3 of 16 Week 7 of 16

Week 4 of 16

If you would like to support me and donate to the MEB Foundation, visit my fundraising page: https://www.givengain.com/ap/jen-skiba-raising-funds-for-meb-foundation

Weekly Roundup 3.11-3.17

Week 12 of 16

Can you believe there is only 4 weeks left until Boston?!  I can’t.  I mean I know I missed a couple key weeks of training but still.  Time is flying by!  And the good news is that I’m not 100% but I’m pretty darn close.

This week started out with a beautiful 6 miles on Monday.  I was feeling super sluggish throughout the day—daylight savings always kicks my butt—but I couldn’t help but have a great run with the sun shining and hints of spring weather.

I decided to take it easy on Tuesday and opted indoors on the elliptical plus a strength training session.  It was another nice day but I didn’t want to overdo it after 10 miles on Saturday and 6 on Monday.  I was back outside on Wednesday for 4 miles with temperatures dropping again.  I pulled out my 2018 Boston Marathon jacket for some extra motivation.

Thursday night kicked off “birthday weekend” with two really fun spin and swim classes.

I got my nails done on Friday morning before seeing Kathy for PT.  Even though I’d been feeling much better, she suggested I come in for some manual work and to get taped before my weekend long run.  It’s so hard to say no.  She’s too good to me!  I also never get to see her because her only days in the Mashpee location are on Fridays when I’m off so it’s always fun to get to chat with her.

The rest of the day was great.  I treated myself to a big iced caramel macchiato at Starbucks and an everything bagel at Bagel Havel.  I went for a short run with G—our first together since my injury!  Later in the afternoon I went to Naukabout for some day drinking with Craig then came home to carb load and get to bed semi-early to rest up for my long run.

My alarm went off much earlier than I wanted on Saturday morning but I was headed to Plymouth to meet up with my friend Steve who then was driving us to Boston to run on the course.  The Marathon Sports Wellesley store is located at Mile 14.7 which is perfect to run and experience the later stages of the race.  They held group runs each week during Boston Marathon training but this was the first I was healthy enough to attend.  Running out was great.  I was looking around trying to take in some of the sights along the course.  Sights I did not see on April 16, 2018.  Seriously though, nothing was familiar.  Nothing!  When I said I ran with my head down to block out the rain, I was telling the absolute truth.  

Along the way we got to run the Newton hills and I now know what hill is Heartbreak Hill.  In case you missed my race report from last year’s Boston Marathon, I was halfway up Heartbreak Hill when I asked another running if we were on Heartbreak Hill.  It’s still not as bad as I imagined.  I’m still thinking it’s more of a mental battle for people.

Once our watches hit 7 miles we turned around to face some nasty headwinds all the way back.  The wind was constant and brought us to a standstill at times.  I remember turning to Steve and saying it felt like we were running in slow motion!  It was brutal.

We got back to the store to a little party with Hoka and I finally tried 26.2 Brew—the beer brewed by Sam Adams made specifically for the Boston Marathon runners.  I also picked up my Boston Marathon jacket as an early birthday present.

After the run I went straight to my parents’ house for a *late afternoon* birthday brunch.  My mom made French toast casserole, bacon and a nice fruit spread while we sipped on mimosas.  

We also made a stop to Dairy Queen.  It was opening weekend and we couldn’t pass up buy one, get one.  I met up with Katrina for a while that night to complete the day.  I was exhausted but it was so good to see her and catch up.

The birthday celebrations continued on Sunday.  David and Lindsey made me feel special all day at work.  One of the spinners brought us Irish soda bread.  I am pretty anti-St. Patrick’s Day but I gave it a try!  After work I had my annual birthday lasagna with my parents along with my mom’s famous birthday cake.  Overall a fantastic birthday weekend.  Big thanks to everyone that made it great.

Other highlights:

·      My birthday is on Monday!!

·      I always like to share cool products so check out these awesome custom socks Lizzie sent me for my birthday.  It’s Georgie!  The company is called Divvy Up.  Aaaamazing!

Upcoming events:

·      4 weeks until the Boston Marathon!

Monday 3.11.19

6 miles (45:55)

Burdenko H2O

Tuesday 3.12.19

30’ elliptical

1/2 Taught spin class

Lift

Wednesday 3.13.19

4 miles (30:36)

Thursday 3.14.19

1/2 Taught spin class

Power Water

Friday 3.15.19

2.06 miles with G (20:43)

10’ elliptical

Saturday 3.16.19

14 miles with Steve (1:56:45)

20’ walk with the fam

Sunday 3.17.19

1/2 Taught spin class

Burdenko H2O

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16             Week 5 of 16             Week 9 of 16

Week 2 of 16             Week 6 of 16             Week 10 of 16

Week 3 of 16             Week 7 of 16             Week 11 of 16

Week 4 of 16             Week 8 of 16

This week’s mileage: 26 miles

This week’s G mileage: 2 miles

March Totals: 54 miles

2019 Totals: 214 miles