Surprised by my blog title?!
Image: Marine Marathon
Remember back in March I received a “second chance registration” email from MCM and and proceeded to sign up for the 40th Marine Corps Marathon? I decided Chicago would be my “A” race and MCM would be for “fun”….oooh I definitely questioned my decision making/sanity while running Chicago last week:
- 11:26AM: Only halfway through and my quad is pinching, how will I run another marathon in 2 weeks?!
- 1:36PM: My quad is hurting and its so hot….I’ll probably DNS MCM.
- 2:44PM: So glad to be done. Going to DNS MCM, wish I could transfer my bib to someone else.
- 3:15PM: Cliff, I’m not running MCM.
- 4:15PM: Actually Cliff, if my quad feels better in two weeks I still want to run MCM (conservatively).
Kind of similar when runners say “oh I’ll never run another marathon again” and they sign up for another one a couple days later. What changed my mind? I think it was one part redemption, one part running the hometown marathon, and one part enjoying the 40th festivities. I decided to give myself one week off running to allow my quad to recover (otherwise my legs felt fine a couple of days following Chi).
Monday 10/12 – Rest day / massage
Tuesday 10/13 – 2 mile walk
Wednesday 10/14 – 2 mile walk
Thursday 10/15 – 2 mile walk
Friday 10/16 – 2 mile walk
Saturday 10/17 – Rest day
Sunday 10/18 – Rest day
Total: 8 miles walking
When I came back to DC I called the PT office to book an appointment, but no slots worked with my schedule until after MCM! My friend Laurel sent me some stretches for my quad and luckily I do not feel it pinching anymore (if my quad was still hurting I would have opted out of MCM – I am not that crazy). This week I intend to add running back in. If my body was 100% following Chicago, I would have followed Hal Higdon’s Multiple Marathon Training Plan for marathons two weeks apart.
How else did I occupy my time? (aside from catching up with work and chores). I went to a Young House Love book signing with my cousin Steph. It was held at a West Elm and we were treated with delicious hand painted cookies.
On Saturday, we celebrated a friend’s birthday at Hellbender Brewery in the Brookland area of DC (the building is easy to miss – it is in a brown building).
The brewery was pretty casual and laid back. There were plenty of tables and games to play. Here is a tasting flight I shared with my friend, Jenn. I am not a huge beer lover/connoisseur, but I thought their wheat version was pretty good (right).
On Sunday I checked out the new Landmark Theater in the U Street/Shaw neighborhood – so nice! I look forward to watching movies there!
Have you ever run two marathons or half marathons in a month?
Do you have a favorite brewery?
Alaina @ thesimplepeach
October 22, 2015I hate that your quad was hurting during Chicago. I want a full recap 🙂 I am sure you are ready for MCM! Good luck!
Alaina @ thesimplepeach recently posted…Fall, Sweat Pink, Hocus Pocus and Star Wars
Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Alaina! Thanks so much, my second one will be up tomorrow hehe 🙂 This weekend I’m catching up on all your posts. Hope you have a good race!
Chaitali
October 22, 2015I’m glad your quads are feeling better! I hope you have fun with MCM 🙂
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Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thanks Chaitali! Chicago recap part deux coming tomorrow, and MCM next week 🙂 Looking forward to catching up on your posts.
Amy Lauren
October 22, 2015I have run 2 half marathons in the same month before- that’s not nearly as hard as two marathons, though. Half marathon recovery is much easier for me and only requires maybe a day or so “off”. I also think I had 3 weeks between them which was a good chunk of time.
Glad your quad is feeling better and hope you have fun with MCM! If I lived in DC, I would run it at least once too and I’m not even a marathon fan. You just can’t beat a big race like that in your city.
Amy Lauren recently posted…Weekly Rundown: October 12-18
Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thank you, Amy! I am on the same boat, my half marathon recovery tends to be easy for me and I can usually bounce back after 1-2 days off. I’ll have my second Chicago recap up tomorrow and MCM post next week. MCM – it was nice running along a familiar course – I knew when the mile markers would come up.
Sharon
October 22, 2015Glad to hear your quad feels better! I am not much of a beer drinker, but do like wheat beers. Do you like root beer? If you do they have a hard root beer and I actually like it. It’s called “Not Your Father’s Root Beer”. Enjoy MCM!!
Sharon recently posted…Last Week’s Workouts and Weekly Wrap 10/12-10/18
Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thank you Sharon! I do like root beer – I’ll have to check it out 🙂
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils
October 22, 2015Ha! Love how you changed your mind within a matter of hours! Will you get marathon maniac status?
Jennifer @ Running on Lentils recently posted…Review: October Fabletics Salar Capri & Lexi Capri
Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Haha thanks 🙂 Yes it qualified me for marathon maniac status. Now its whether I want to pay for membership.
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero
October 22, 2015Two marathons in a month is slightly crazy, but a ton awesome.
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Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015I felt crazy running MCM! I’ll have Chicago part two up tomorrow and MCM next week 🙂 Glad to see you back on your feet running – I’ll be catching up on your posts this weekend.
Kelli
October 22, 2015I have run two half marathons on back to back days. I also did MCM and Richmond within 3 weeks in 2013. I got a last minute bib for MCM so I figured it would be my last long “training run” for Richmond. I didn’t taper for MCM, ran a 10 minute PR (still well shy of the goal time I was training for), got sick in my recovery, and didn’t have the race I wanted at Richmond. I probably won’t do that again. But that’s me…and I was looking for a time goal rather than a completion goal so therefore approached it the wrong way and was disappointed. Stay healthy, get your rest, and enjoy. I love MCM.
Kelli recently posted…Fitbit Charge HR
Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thank you, Kelli! I think this is my one and done for back to back marathons. I’ll have the rest of my marathon recaps up tomorrow and next week.
brittney @ corral b
October 22, 2015i still think you’re crazy for doing both so close together! but that doesn’t mean i’m not excited to hear how it goes 🙂
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Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015I agree, I AM crazy 🙂
Tracy
October 23, 2015You are amazing! Crazy, yes, but also amazing 😉 I’m glad you were able to work out some of your quad issues. Wishing you a great race weekend!
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Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thanks Tracy. Yes I was a bit nuts! I’ll be posting Chicago part 2 tomorrow.
Pam
October 23, 2015So glad that your quad is better and you can run on Sunday. We are headed to DC now and I am so excited about cheering for the runners on Sunday. You are a real warrior to try two marathons so close together. Have a great time and feed off the crowd!
Pam recently posted…Five things I love – running version
Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Pam, thank you for the nice message and thanks for cheering during MCM 🙂 I’ll have Chicago part 2 up tomorrow and MCM next week 🙂 Ahhh looking forward to catching up on your/Christine’s blog – I see you made a London announcement.
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running
October 23, 2015So glad to hear that your quad is feeling better! I’m so proud of you for going after two marathons in such a short period of time. Can’t wait to cheer you on Sunday during the race!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Friday Five – Five Things I’m Currently Loving
Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thank you for your support, Kathryn!
HoHo Runs
October 24, 2015I’m happy to hear your quad is better and you’ll be lining up at MCM. I have run 4 half marathons in one month (earlier this year). But I don’t think that compares at all to running 2 full marathons. That is impressive!! You rock! Good luck at the race!
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Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thank you Holly! I would say 4 x half marathons in one month is impressive! I imagine it was taxing on the body. Im slowly getting back to norm for Fitbit, will need to do a challenge again 🙂
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets
October 26, 2015I can’t even imagine running 2 marathons so close together – congrats! Sorry to hear about your quad troubles in Chicago – glad that you’re not feeling that pinching pain anymore!
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Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thank you, Janelle. See you this weekend!!
Nathasha
October 27, 2015Way to go on completing TWO marathons!! Can’t wait to read your MCM recap (I’m still working on mine.. ha). I’ve never trained for or have even considered running two marathons back-to-back. You’re a rock star for doing so! We’ll have to celebrate soon. 🙂
Nathasha recently posted…Marine Corps Marathon Training – Week 17 (Awesome colleagues, recipe for crispy sweet potato roast)
Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thanks Nathasha – your recap was great! I’ll have my Chicago Part 2 up tomorrow and MCM up next week 🙂 Yes, lets plan on a HH/dinner soon.
Jennifer @ The Final Forty
October 27, 2015I’m doing it, too — NYCM and Richmond. I feel like I’ve completely lost my mind this time, but I figure that as long as you run smart and take care or yourself (and put in the training, which of course you have) then it can totally be done! Super excited for you!
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Run Jenny Run
November 19, 2015Thank you, Jennifer!! Can’t wait to read how Richmond went and what plans you have for next year 🙂