What a week! I feel the need to interject here that I am not a marathon coach, I have never run a marathon before and I am not in any way suggesting that anyone follow my plan. My marathon training plan is based on Hal Higdon’s Novice 2 Marathon Training Guide. However, the schedule that I set for myself has been in a state of disarray since I broke my rib. I am in the process of getting it back in order. So please bear with me. Week 14 was both a mess and a small success.

Week 14 was all about listening to my body. It started out as planned. I had every intention of following my calendar. I hit the gym Monday morning instead of going for a run while Carlos was at school because he was supposed to have a play date in the afternoon at a friend’s house which would give me enough time to complete the 5 mile run. I did some strength training and was excited about my first bench press experience. I do want to note that I used very light weight. I was more interested in learning the proper form of a bench press. At no time before, during or after was I in any pain or discomfort. I ran comfortably in the afternoon. Unfortunately the play date was cut short at the last minute and I could only do 3.5 miles.

Monday night at work I developed a dry irritating cough. It would not let up no matter how many cups of tea, water, cough drops and hard candies I had throughout my shift. I was grateful that Tuesday was a rest day because although I felt fine by midmorning I began feeling twinges in the injured rib area every time I coughed. Fortunately, for whatever reason, the cough subsided throughout the day. I slept fine with no coughing spells before work. Then, it seemed, as soon as I walked through the hospital doors the cough was back and didn’t let up until the next day. The unit I work on is old, dry and dusty. I also think I had a touch of seasonal allergies. By Wednesday morning I was bracing myself for every cough. My back felt fine unless I coughed with even the slightest force. It felt like shocks going from my right lower back down through my buttocks. I knew before the night was over that I would not run while Carlos was at school. Instead I rested and continued to take it easy for the remainder of Wednesday and Thursday. I resumed taking Ibuprofen. I upped my intake of mineral tea and even drank not so tasty Thera Flu.

By Friday morning I felt like myself again. I wasn’t coughing. My legs felt good. I wanted to run. I didn’t care how far. I just wanted to get back out there and give it a go. I dropped Carlos off at school and drove to the reservoir. I ran six easy, steady miles before taking a break. I had nowhere to go, no plans so I decided to keep going. I completed another four miles before heading back to the car for another break and to make a decision.

I have never run a distance longer than a half marathon. I may have run 13.5 miles before, but I’m not entirely sure. The point is at this time in my marathon training I was supposed to run 15 miles. Psychologically I have needed to push past the 13.1 mile marker for a while now. On this Friday morning the running goddesses were aligned. My breathing was steady and unlabored. My legs were feeling good. I had time (just barely but I could do it). My stomach was calm. The weather was absolutely perfect for running. All of my gear was charged and operating properly. Seriously there was no reason at that moment not to go for 15.

I did it! I ran 15 miles. It was slow and took me much longer than I would have liked. The last 3.5 miles were not fun and I took a few walk breaks. I finished it though with only seconds to spare before I had to get back to the school for Carlos. I am so glad that he’s only 4 years old and isn’t embarrassed yet by his drenched in sweat, red faced mother who looks like she just stumbled out of the desert in search of a glass of water. I was a sight for sure.

I know I was all over the place with my training this week, thus the mess. On the flip side I have finally broken through the half marathon mileage and that was a huge success for me both physically and mentally. I am really looking forward to getting back on track in the upcoming week.