NYC Marathon Training | Week 4 of 16

4 weeks down, 12 to go!

This week was a little easier week of training. After 3 weeks of building, I got to back off a little. Monday was a normal Monday - no running and no classes. Instead I baked! First two zucchini breads of the year with zucchini from the garden.

On Tuesday I ran from home. The pups were home alone for a long time during an intense thunderstorm and tornado watch so I figured I’d stop home and check on them before sneaking in a short 3 miler. Another 3 miles on Wednesday - this time around New Seabury.

If all goes well on Tuesday and Wednesdays, I try to take Thursdays off from running as I teach both low impact aerobics and a water aerobics class on Thursday mornings. Two back to back aerobics classes is enough cardio for one day!

I set out for 4 miles on Friday afternoon. I was super relaxed but my Garmin splits were showing that I was running pretty fast too. I felt like I could run forever and I actually thought something was going on with my GPS so I ran an extra 0.25 miles just in case.

Sunday morning we woke up to more thunderstorms and heavy downpours. They were supposed to last until about 11am. Craig and I laid in bed from about 7am until 8:30am just listening to the rain and snuggling with the pups. Once we got out of bed, Craig made eggs and toast for breakfast while we relaxed some more and enjoyed our morning coffee. I was a little worried about when I’d get to run but I was also thankful it was only a 10 miler on the schedule for this week. 

Finally around 10:30am the rain seemed to slow down. It was now or wait until late afternoon/early evening. I was antsy and knew Craig probably wanted to do something later if it got nice out so I changed up and headed out the door about 10:50am. When I started it was about 70 degrees, cloudy with 90% humidity. About a mile into my run the sun started to come out. I usually make fun of the dummies that run in the middle of the day during the summer months but I stuck to some pretty shady roads while keeping it pretty relaxed. I stayed on roads close to home which was pretty boring. I didn’t really pass any other walkers or runners. I didn’t make any stops at the beach for a quick seagrass hunting session. Actually I didn’t have any water views at all - unless you count beautiful Santuit Pond. LOL. I ended my run about 12:15pm. By then it was 78 degrees, full sun and 80% humidity.

After the run, Craig and I stopped by Naukabout for a sloshie before heading over to meet up with Pete, Meg and the girls for a little boating fun and a Chart Room sunset.

Monday 8.7.23

REST

Tuesday 8.8.23

3 miles (24:44)

Low Impact Aerobics

Wednesday 8.9.23

3 miles (23:56)

30 min Mat CORE

Thursday 8.10.23

Low Impact Aerobics

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Friday 8.11.23

4.25 miles (32:17)

30 min Mat CORE

Saturday 8.12.23

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Saturday Strength

Sunday 8.13.23

10 miles (1:19:05)

This week’s mileage: 20 miles

This week’s Reggie mileage: 0 miles

Training totals: 91 miles

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16

Week 2 of 16

Week 3 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

NYC Marathon Training | Week 3 of 16

3 weeks down, 13 to go!

Another Monday off - no running, no classes. On Tuesday there was a Run Club reunion at the Lanes with all my old running friends. I feel kind of silly writing this but I got a little nervous about running with other people - I don’t feel like I’m the same runner since my surgery - so I decided to run on my own after work and just meet up with them post-run for a drink. I hadn’t seen any of them since about the summer of 2019 so it was great to catch up.

I would normally run on Wednesday but I decided to switch my run day to Thursday this week because there was a Naukabout staff outing at the Pilot House. I was happy I got to tag along with Craig for a mudslide and crab cake sandwich. Yum!

I thought Thursday’s run would be tough because in the morning I taught aerobics and water aerobics back to back so I set out with the goal of 3-5 miles. I told my front desk staff that I would be gone for 30-45 minutes. His response was “what is that… like 3.5 miles?” Before I could even answer he quickly added “wait, is that disrespectful?” I laughed but it also made me feel good that I’m still running at a decent pace even though I’m stopping a lot and don’t quite feel like myself out there. Right away as I started running I felt great and light on my feet. Almost effortless. I got in my 5 miles with only 1 stop at the half way turnaround point and was very happy.

It was a little cooler on Friday afternoon so I brought Reggie for my 3 miler. Craig was working so I thought we’d run to Naukabout to give Reggie a break and some water before heading home. Just as we were walking up the road to the parking lot I saw Craig backing out. Lunch break. Reggie definitely needed a break so I told him to drive her home and I finished up on my own. I felt like I was flying on my way back. I guess I was trying to get home so I could see Craig for a few minutes.

At the beginning of the week I wasn’t sure if I was going to keep building this week or drop back down for my long run. I didn’t really map out a traditional 16-week training plan as I wanted to take it week by week to see how my body was responding to training and work, etc. and I knew I wanted to be a lot less aggressive this time around. For example, only one 20 miler vs. two which I always used to plan for.

On Sunday morning Craig encouraged me to run in Falmouth again and even when I started running I didn’t know how long I’d be gone. The plan was an out and back. Head to the water and run along the coast. I knew it was exactly 7 miles to Surf Drive Beach. It was another beautiful Sunday morning. Much warmer than last week. The sun was shining bright but there was a slight breeze and low humidity which certainly helped. At about 5.5 miles I made the decision to run the 7 miles to Surf Drive Beach. I was feeling relaxed and enjoying my time on the roads. I felt good until I hit mile 11... 3 miles from my parents house. The exact same spot as the week before. I thought about calling my mom to see if she was home from pickle ball yet and would hop on her bike and meet me for my final miles. I also knew Craig was out on his motorcycle and I was just hoping he would appear ASAP. He found me with about 3/4 miles to go which gave me a little boost until the end.

It’s hard to believe that I ran 14 miles. For me there’s something about the first 14 in a training plan that makes you really feel like you’re marathon training. There’s also something special about telling people you ran 14 miles when they ask how far you went over the weekend. More than a half marathon. More than half way to the full marathon. I’ve come a long way since spending 6 weeks on the couch at the beginning of the year.

Next week I’m going to back off a little before the build - 10, 12, 14, 16 is the plan for long runs over the next 4 weeks.

Monday 7.31.23

REST

Tuesday 8.1.23

3 miles (23:24)

Low Impact Aerobics

Wednesday 8.2.23

30 min Mat CORE

Thursday 8.3.23

5 miles (38:48)

Low Impact Aerobics

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Friday 8.4.23

3 miles (23:40)

30 min Mat CORE

Saturday 8.5.23

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Saturday Strength

Sunday 8.6.23

14 miles (1:49:53)

This week’s mileage: 25 miles

This week’s Reggie mileage: 1.5 miles

Training totals: 71 miles

ICYMI

Week 1 of 16

Week 2 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

NYC Marathon Training | Week 2 of 16

2 weeks down, 14 to go!

It was another good week of training. I took Monday off - no running, no classes - to let my body recover from Sunday’s long run.

I subbed a super steamy outdoor Hi Lo HIIT class for Dana then taught Low Impact Aerobics on Tuesday morning. In the afternoon, I headed out for 4 miles on tired legs but took it easy and only stopped once 2.25 miles in to take a pic of some pretty lilies. As I was driving home, Craig texted me to stop by Naukabout because their slushy machine was up and running and I needed to try their new hard seltzer “sloshies.” SO GOOD.

I was really sore waking up the next morning and that soreness continued the rest of the week. I ran almost the same 4 mile loop again after work on Wednesday - this time a lot more stops in the last 2 miles.

Friday was the hottest day of the summer. I waited until about 6pm to get in my run. Another 4 miler. This time I ran around the neighborhood but I didn’t stop once! This is the only 2nd time I’ve accomplished this since my surgery. Our new outdoor shower sure felt nice after this week of very sweaty running. On all these hot runs, I keep reminding myself how good fall running will feel if I can get through these summer months.

Sunday morning was GLORIOUS. 64 degrees, low humidity, slight breeze. Amazing. I headed to Falmouth for my 12 miler. I felt great for the most part. My usual hip pain started around the half way point. Then about mile 9 I started to get bored. Not tired or out of breath, just bored. I was ready to be done. I was already ready to go to Naukabout for another sloshie. Perfect post-run beverage. I made it back to my parents house and relaxed for a bit before going to Naukabout with Craig. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the beach and stopped for waffle cones at Somerset Creamery on the way home. Great day.

Monday 7.24.23

REST

Tuesday 7.25.23

4 miles (31:20)

Hi Lo HIIT

Low Impact Aerobics

Wednesday 7.26.23

4 miles (31:31)

30 min Mat CORE

Thursday 7.27.23

Low Impact Aerobics

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Friday 7.28.23

4 miles (32:16)

30 min Mat CORE

Saturday 7.29.23

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Saturday Strength

Sunday 7.30.23

12 miles (1:34:23)

This week’s mileage: 24 miles

This week’s Reggie mileage: 0 miles

Training totals: 46 miles

ICYMI

Week 1 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

NYC Marathon Training | Week 1 of 16

1 week down, 15 to go!

My first week of NYC Marathon training went well. I am most likely going to be taking Mondays off from running however it didn’t feel right to NOT run this week on Monday—the first official day of training! Besides, Craig and I tried to paddle board but by the time I got out of work it was way too windy so he was nice enough to distract Reggie while I snuck out the door for a 4 miler.

I ran 5 miles after work around New Seabury on Wednesday then an easy 3 on Friday. I brought along Reggie but it was way too hot and she only made it a mile and a half.

Sunday is long run day and it was the first Sunday in weeks we saw the sun! Instead of long running in Falmouth, I did an old out and back route through Cotuit so I could eliminate travel time and get to the beach sooner. 

I struggled on this 10 miler. The last 3.5 miles were rough. It was sunny and hot. I also forgot how hilly Cotuit is but I made it. Craig drove by me on his motorcycle when I was about 3/4 mile from home. He was out picking up post-run breakfast sandwiches from Cafe Chew. I was done with 10 by 10am and on the beach by noon. Happy Jen.

Other highlights:

• I golfed 9 holes on Thursday with Craig and my parents! It was my dad’s first time out since his hand surgeries my first of the year. It wasn’t pretty but we had a good time.

Monday 7.17.23

4 miles (31:01)

Tuesday 7.18.23

Low Impact Aerobics

Wednesday 7.19.23

5 miles (38:22)

30 min Mat CORE

Thursday 7.20.23

Low Impact Aerobics

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Golfed 9 holes

Friday 7.21.23

3 miles (22:56)

30 min Mat CORE

Saturday 7.22.23

Water Aerobics (from the deck)

Saturday Strength

Mowed the lawn

Sunday 7.24.23

10 miles (1:18:01)

This week’s mileage: 20 miles

This week’s Reggie mileage: 1.5 miles

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