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October 13, 2016

Last Marathon Training Long Run!

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This morning I got in my LAST long run of Marine Corps Marathon training!!! So exciting. The race is in 2 weeks and the weekend before the race I’ll be doing a long hike out in Seattle so I’m counting that as my last long run. 😉

dc tidal basin sunrise run

I had to get my long run in early once again this week because tomorrow I’m heading off to FNCE, the big annual Registered Dietitian conference, in Boston! I’ll be doing a couple fun runs around Boston while there but didn’t want to have to worry about a long run, so today it was.

My track coach wanted me to aim for 16 to 18 miles (darn, I thought he might have me go shorter…) with about 6 of those miles at my marathon goal pace. I decided I was going to do 16 because I’m feeling pretty burned out and was also tight on time since I had to get back for a bunch of AnneTheRD calls and meetings this morning. And, I just crushed 22 miles last week. 🙂

washington monument dc long run

To get in the 16, I started out at Iwo Jima in Arlington, with plans to run the 3 miles to Smithsonian metro to link up with a friend to run 10 miles, and then run the same 3 solo miles back. Having company for part of the run = great!

One thing I love about the running community is that people are so friendly. When I got out of my car at Iwo Jima at 6:30 a.m. to start my run, there was another woman also getting out of her car right by me. It was super dark and foggy out and a bit creepy to be honest. We were both like – “Hi, want to be friends and run together for a few miles? Looks like we’re going the same way and it’s really dark out.” 🙂 So – we did!

foggy washington monument

We ended up running 3 miles together and having fun chatting away the whole time. Turns out she’s running the NYC Marathon the weekend after MCM and was out doing a shorter weekday run. If you’re reading, it was fun meeting and chatting with you Kate – thanks for the company! 🙂

At 7a.m. I arrived at Smithsonian metro right on the National Mall to meet up with my friend Ashley – she was coming into the city from Maryland so this was a good in between spot! Ashley is the roommate in San Diego of one of my best friends from grad school; we met when I was out there visiting last year. She’s in DC for a month long rotation for her radiology residency and is also a big runner, so meeting up for a run was the perfect way to hang out. Fun to see her again! 🙂

IMG_1048

Ashley and I had a great time chatting away while doing a nice and scenic monument tour all around DC. Running around DC so much means I really know my way around by this point, which is convenient for showing visitors the sights via our running shoes! 🙂

running on the national mall

We did two loops around the Capitol and a loop around the tidal basin, with some more mileage added in along the mall and down by the Lincoln Memorial. It was so hazy out – cool looking with the Washington Monument disappearing into the sky!

washington monument in fog

10 miles later I said farewell to Ashley and carried on on my own for the final 3 miles. Thanks for the company, Ashley – it was great seeing you! Enjoy the rest of your time in DC. 🙂

I was supposed to do some marathon goal pace accelerations for part of this run as I mentioned earlier but to be honest I wasn’t feeling up to it – I tried to pick it up a little at the end, and I did a bit, but not as much as I was supposed to. Oh well! My overall pace was still decent for me for a super long run, so I’m cool with it. Pace was a bit all over the place but ranged between 9:05 and 9:40 minute miles.

16 mile marathon training run

Speaking of marathon goal pacing, I think I’m going to aim for around an 8:55 minute/mile pace, which would have me finishing in 3:54. My main goal is I’d like to beat my Richmond Marathon time of 3:56:48 (a 9:01 average pace). I think I could probably do a bit faster per my training, and given that all my track buddies (who I did a bunch of long runs with, and who I train with on weekdays) just rocked Chicago Marathon with times ranging from 3:49 to 3:52, but MCM is hillier than Chicago, and I also really want to feel good and have a positive race experience. So – I’d rather be more conservative and aim for just under 3:55 vs. trying to be faster and totally crashing and feeling like crap. Anyway – we’ll see. But that’s the plan as of now. 🙂

As for the rest of my workouts this week, on Monday Matt had the day off for the Columbus Day holiday so I took the afternoon off and we went on a nice long bike ride!

biking

Matt bikes fairly often with his guy friends but I hadn’t taken my bike out in wayyyyy too long. It was absolutely perfect out – 60’s and super sunny – and it was so fun to mix it up from the running!

bike northern virginia

We parked in Old Town Alexandria and then biked the 10 miles down to Mt. Vernon and back for 20 miles total. I don’t usually do this section of the trail (I always run the more northern section) so it was fun to have some different scenery, although I always forget how many tree roots there are under the trail – a bit bumpy on a bike! Things you don’t notice while running… 🙂

biking mt vernon trail va

On Tuesday morning, I met up with my track group for a workout. We had 2000’s on the agenda – 5 laps around the track – with 4 of them at a threshold pace and the last lap even faster (5k pace). It was a tough one – I did three rounds + an additional 800 – but I felt GREAT out there thanks to really cold weather and lots of sleep over the weekend. 🙂 I think running in the 40 to 50 degree range is my favorite – felt so good! I did an additional mile warm up and nearly another mile cool down to make it about 6 miles total.

track workout 2000's

Gloves + a t-shirt = the coolest. 😉

And yesterday, I had a great session with Paul from Capital Energy Training – we focused on some really deep stretching this time which felt good on my tight muscles following the fast track workout the day before – and got me ready for today’s long run!

I will leave you with this morning’s post-long run refuel. Hit the spot! Microwave wilted spinach + avocado + 2 fried eggs + a savory waffle with some strawberries on the side.

post long run breakfast

Stay tuned – I’ll be sharing a fun pumpkin recipe round up tomorrow before heading out of town. Have a great day guys!

Fellow fall marathon friends – how is your training finishing out?

p.s. Exactly 4 years ago today Matt and I were getting ready to embark on our greatest adventure yet. <3 Here’s to many more! (photo credit: Taylor & Ben Photography)

anne   matt-792

- anne
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34 comments
  • Lauren K October 13, 2016 · 1:00PM:
    Love this post! Seeing the picture of you and Ashley made me smile! Congrats on finishing your last big run, and happy tapering!
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 13, 2016 · 2:33PM:
      Wish you could have joined us!! :)
      Reply
  • Tara October 13, 2016 · 1:15PM:
    It's my 15th!!!! Anniversary today as well. Happy Anniversary!
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 13, 2016 · 2:33PM:
      Aw yay! Happy anniversary!! :)
      Reply
  • Laura October 13, 2016 · 1:50PM:
    Great job on your long run! Your plan for your marathon sounds really smart. I always start out too fast and then hit the wall but I'm going to use your strategy for my next one (Paris 2017!) and be more conservative so I finish strong. Your breakfast looks delicious!
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 13, 2016 · 2:34PM:
      Paris Marathon is on my bucket list! :) How cool!
      Reply
  • Amy
    October 13, 2016 · 2:14PM:
    Congratulations on your anniversary! And what a beautiful run. I miss fall now that I live in a place with no seasons. Then again my toes are hardly ever cold so it's a trade off. Sounds like your marathon is going to be amazing!
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 13, 2016 · 2:34PM:
      Definitely a trade off! :) Loving DC weather now but summer... not so much!
      Reply
  • masala girl
    October 13, 2016 · 3:27PM:
    Happy Anniversary!! Also, I'm SOO excited for FNCE!! It will be my first time attending!! :)
    Reply
    • masala girl
      October 13, 2016 · 3:30PM:
      also, will you be speaking this year? (i haven't looked at the schedule THAT closely yet :) )
      Reply
      • Anne
        October 13, 2016 · 5:41PM:
        Not speaking this year but I am doing a live recipe demo at the Lipton/Unilever booth on Monday at 11 a.m. - demoing the Mediterranean Green Tea Quinoa Salad recipe I shared yesterday! :) Please come say hi!
        Reply
        • masala girl
          October 16, 2016 · 12:41AM:
          i will be there!! can't wait! :)
          Reply
  • Track Buddy October 13, 2016 · 4:12PM:
    Missed you at the track today - congrats on a great long run!! That fog was totally crazy / spooky - would have been a perfect Halloween. Also your marathon plan sounds fantastic, I bet you'll crush it! MCM is definitely waaaaay hillier than Chicago...what they call "hills" are Chicago are really gentle little bumps lol.
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 13, 2016 · 5:40PM:
      So bummed I missed you guys today -- I need to hear all about the race in person! Congrats again on crushing it! :)
      Reply
  • Julie October 13, 2016 · 4:29PM:
    I totally agree on 40 - 50's being prime running temps - makes a world of difference for me! Happy anniversary!
    Reply
  • Roadrunner October 13, 2016 · 4:33PM:
    Great runs, impressive discipline, a nice bike ride, and a lovely closing photo! Very nice!
    Reply
  • Nikki October 14, 2016 · 7:11AM:
    If it's not a too personal a question, do you guys plan on having kids in the future?
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 14, 2016 · 12:47PM:
      Did our families pay you to ask this? Juuuust kidding! :) We definitely want kids, but wanted to make sure we didn't go for it before we were fully ready. :)
      Reply
      • Nikki October 15, 2016 · 7:12AM:
        I only ask because I've been following your blog forever and you guys would make adorable kids! I'm actually almost 37 weeks pregnant with my second. This time it's a girl after having a boy.
        Reply
        • Anne
          October 17, 2016 · 3:21PM:
          Aw thank you :) Congratulations on your second addition - so exciting!
          Reply
  • Lynn @thenotdeadyetblog
    October 14, 2016 · 9:52AM:
    I love running in DC! It gives me a chance to play tourist. I like to do the Mall, and then swing by the Einstein memorial near Lincoln. The Boy Scout memorial is also hilarious for runs near the White House.
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 14, 2016 · 12:46PM:
      Boy Scout memorial?! I've never seen that one!
      Reply
      • Lynn @thenotdeadyetblog
        October 14, 2016 · 9:21PM:
        Do it. It's a naked man following a boy. I'm not even kidding.
        Reply
        • Anne
          October 17, 2016 · 3:22PM:
          Omg WHAT. That's amazing
          Reply
  • MaryBeth October 14, 2016 · 10:00AM:
    The pictures from your run are absolutely beautiful!
    Reply
  • Riley October 14, 2016 · 12:40PM:
    Congrats on 4 happy years! Love your wedding photos - it just seems like yesterday that you were getting married!
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 14, 2016 · 12:46PM:
      Thank you! Time really flies, huh?!
      Reply
  • Coco
    October 14, 2016 · 2:05PM:
    great job on finishing the last long run! you're so ready! So excited for your MCM. I meant to ask you, who's your coach? how did you find him/her? Do you see any difference between having a coach to train for a marathon vs on your own? what are the pros and cons? I'm thinking of hiring one or joining a running club too.
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 14, 2016 · 2:12PM:
      I pay for a coached track group that meets twice per week (although I often only go once) via Potomac River Running. So I just ask our track coach what I should do for my long runs each week, right before I do it. Keeps it low key. :) It's nice to have someone to bounce everything off of - love having a coach. Especially love having the coach in person at the track, though! I've done virtual coaches before and it was nice to have a full training plan but not as great as in person advice!
      Reply
      • Coco
        October 14, 2016 · 2:15PM:
        Yes, I prefer in person coaches too. I have PR close by. I'll ask. Thanks! :)
        Reply
  • Coco
    October 14, 2016 · 2:06PM:
    oh... and congrats on anniversary. Mine is upcoming too. How are you celebrating it? any idea for the gift for the men? I haven't decided yet.
    Reply
    • Anne
      October 14, 2016 · 2:13PM:
      We celebrated with our trip last weekend! We don't do gifts for anniversaries - just a trip together and then we exchange cards. :)
      Reply
      • Coco
        October 14, 2016 · 2:15PM:
        I love the idea of a trip to celebrate. unfortunately with two kids is hard. But we'll celebrate with a good meal solo for sure! :)
        Reply
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anne mauney fannetastic food
Hi, I’m Anne! I'm a Washington D.C. based Registered Dietitian, mother, runner, and lover of travel, adventure, and the great outdoors. I've been blogging since 2009, sharing a mix of lifestyle content, recipes, and fitness tips. Come for the recipes – stay for the fun!
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anne mauney

I’m Anne, a Registered Dietitian and mother. I've been blogging since 2009 and love showing others that eating nutritious foods and staying active can actually be fun rather than overwhelming!

When I’m not writing or cooking for fannetastic food, you can find me running, coaching nutrition clients, or on an adventure with my family. Feel free to reach out - I'd love to hear from you!

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