There are 75 days until my 1st marathon. Oh, and 166 days to my 2nd marathon. If you read my blog, you know I don't go into much detail about training. I just can't make it seem very interesting. {I ran 6 miles at race pace. It was hot. It was humid. It was hard. See what I mean?} I do usually mention my long run every week.
 |
| CHICAGO COMES FIRST |
There is a method to my madness, sort of...
 |
| GETTING SET FOR A SKI RUN |
The other junk I do...
I'd gotten into the habit of walking my dogs for 2 miles each evening. Recently, I've cut back due to the heat and also in an attempt to give my hip extra rest. For my Fitbit friends, that explains my lower numbers. Most nights I foam roll, stretch and do a few exercises. I've even tried a yoga routine for hips a few times. {I know...ME! I heard you gasp!} I also kick around in the pool a bit. It helps keep my legs and hips from getting sore after a long run. My hip is so much better than it was in June and I've got to be prudent now.
What I want in 75 days...
My goal for the first marathon is to finish strong. I constantly toss around pace and finish times in my head, but since I'm training in difficult conditions it's hard to estimate. There will be no A, B and C goals. Trying not to crawl across the finish line is basically MY GOAL. Between my first and second marathons, I will have 13 weeks of cool weather. I can't wait! The goal for my second marathon is to beat my time from my first. I hope I beat it up pretty bad!
 |
| DISNEY IS SECOND |
This weekend's long run...
Sunday morning, it was the usual muggy 75 degrees at sunrise. I hit the payment at 6:00 and clocked 14 solo miles. I used my CamelBak again. I really like it for long runs. I ate two GUs and took 2 salt caps. Unfortunately, the 3rd salt cap melted all over my phone before I could use it. I tried to pick a flat route, but other than looping in the park 42 times (ugh--no way) it's not very flat around here. It was 86 degrees when I returned home and took the plunge. If the weather in Chicago is warm this year, I won't like it one bit --- but I guess I'll be used to it.
Do you follow your training plan to the letter?
What do you do for cross-training?
I'm linking up with Tara. She is the gracious host of the wonderful Weekend Update.
I'm linking up with Tara. She is the gracious host of the wonderful Weekend Update.
Please visit Tara as well as all of the participating bloggers.
Sounds like you are training smart. If the weather is warm in Chicago, I won't like it much either!
ReplyDeleteAnd I think waterskiing is crosstraining! I always counted it in the past!
Well, it definitely gets my heart rate going. And, my upper body is always sore so I know I'm getting some strength training too. Let's hope for perfect weather.
DeleteYou should definitely count water skiing as cross-training! I've never done it, but it sure doesn't look easy! I would imagine it would have to be a workout.
ReplyDeleteSo you ran 14 today--is that a distance record for you, or have you run that far training for half marathons before?
No, it's not a distance record. When I was training for Route 66, I went above and beyond on the half marathon distance training. I think 16 is the current record.
DeleteI definitely think you will finish, that would never be a doubt in my mind!
ReplyDeleteI don't really train with training programs, for myself I don't really like them. But when I am in marathon training getting the mileage in and the long runs is the most important part. Which it seems like your doing, so that is why I think you'll do fabulously!
I bet waterskiing is a great core workout, I haven't been in a few years but I remember thinking it was a great core and stability thing:) Not that I have ever been as good as you, I never could stay up like my friends who owned boats who could stay up until they wanted to be done. I think the longest I ever stayed up was a minute or two:)
I definitely will not skimp on my long runs. Do you usually hit 20 miles, or more? Skiing always makes my upper body sore. Your right, the lower body is used for stability. I would love to know what my HR is. I can tell it's up there.
DeleteI usually run 4 days a week, too. Only being slower, basically most of my runs are shorter.
ReplyDeleteI have to walk the dogs in the morning, basically when I would be running, because Chester really can't tolerate the heat.
I have a hard time NOT following my plan to a T, but since the knee is bothering me (although not outright painful), I decided to skip today's easy run & swim instead. My steps will probably be pitiful again but I know it's the wiser decision.Whether or not I get in all 4 runs remains to be seen. Probably not, it would mean running too many days in a road.
It's funny because I'm not really type A, but I feel like if I don't do every workout I'll have a terrible race, while in reality probably the opposite is true!
After a pretty bad injury, I once made a rule that I wouldn't run more than 3 days in a row. It's not an issue right now with running 4 days a week, but I still stick to that rule. I'm "older" and need more recovery time. I hope your knee is better soon. It's smart to swim instead of swim today!
DeleteYay for your first and second Marathon! Disney will be my 2nd one too and I don't o those A, B, C goals. I figure if I finished, then I met my goal! -M
ReplyDeleteI've only done their half marathons so this will be so much fun. All four parks! Yippee. It reminds me of the first half (at Disney), and how just finishing felt like such a great accomplishment.
DeleteSounds like you have a great plan for training!! I am following a new half marathon training schedule and have been sticking to it however I feel I need to do more cross training. What are salt caps?
ReplyDeleteSalt capsules replace electrolytes. I sweat tons and will get cramps in the heat (especially in races when my effort level is higher). They'e helped me in the past, so I always take them now. SaltStick is the brand I use.
DeleteThanks for sharing your plan! I was curious what you were using. Just curious why you switched from 5 runs last summer to 4? I also stretch every day & do yoga a few days a week, and that seems to really help keep my hip pain away too. 75 days! Very exciting!
ReplyDeleteI'm just being overly cautious since I've never trained for a full marathon and choosing to run 4 days instead of 5. The waterskiing is very strenuous too. If I wasn't doing that, I might run 5 days. Trust me, I'm pretty beat up by Monday morning. LOL.
Deletewater ski'ing definitely counts! I like my fit camp class, yoga and a quick 25 tabata workout are my favorites right now! Happy Monday!
ReplyDeleteYoga is definitely not easy. The routine I've tried for my hips is challenging. Is your fit camp like boot camp with a variety of exercises?
DeleteI've blocked out how many days there are until my marathon but now I know it's less than 75 since mine is the weekend before yours. I've been on the Euro vacay plan. Which equals little to know running. Whoops.
ReplyDeleteSorry to stress you out. LOL. But, you are recharged and ready to go after your fabulous vacation, right?
DeleteI'm think I'm being more cautious than usual. I'm worried about injury since I've never trained for a full. I'm not going to lie, the 14 miles was pretty tough. AND SLOW.
ReplyDeleteYep - at least you'd be prepared for heat. So much better then not being used to it.
ReplyDeleteHope your phone was OK with a salt tab melting all over it.
My iphone acts up if it gets wet. I'll use it for music when my shuffle acts up - it's dying and unreliable. I had it in the CamelBak pocket but I guess I sweated enough through it for it to get wet, and the salt cap. It dried out and is OK now. I guess I need to put it in a baggie from now on.
DeleteI think you are being very smart in your training! I also think you'll do much better than you expect because of it in Chicago! I have no doubt skiing is cross training! Just look at all the muscles you use doing it! I too have a rule of not running more than 3 days in a row. Here lately I haven't come close to it with only 2 days back to back. In the next 3 weeks I have 8, 6 and 9mile long runs. Only 5 more long runs til the Tupelo Half for me. Gosh just thinking about running a half in this weather is depressing!
ReplyDeleteI hope the location will make a big difference in the weather. As you know, it's hard to always be positive when running in this swampy air. My paces are so off. You'll do great at Tupelo. I wish I would have signed up. It was already sold out when I checked.
DeleteI try to follow my training plan as closely as I can but I've definitely been modifying it in the heat. I do some time on the elliptical machine, strength training and yoga for the most part for cross training, with some random dance workouts thrown in for fun :) I'm looking at Disney for possibly my first marathon in a couple years.
ReplyDeleteThe dancing would be fun! The heat definitely changes the meaning of doing a run at race pace. I can't hit those paces right now. Disney was my first half and the miles just flew right by. I loved it.
DeleteSounds like a really smart training plan to me! I am thinking way down the road and hoping to tackle my first full in 2017...I already looked into a lot of training plans, and what I'm going for sounds a lot like what you're doing, schedule-wise. Your cross training looks a lot more fun though :)
ReplyDeleteI was going to do one in 2014 and kept dragging my feet. These two may be the only ones I ever do. You never know.
DeleteWow your first marathon! That's so exciting. It's something that you'll never forget so I hope you enjoy it! Let's see how many times you curse yourself for signing up for a second one during the race though :) But,as soon as you finish you'll want to do 100 more. Runners are crazy people!
ReplyDeleteWith already signing up for the 2nd one, I figure that 1) if Chicago is a bad experience I'll want another one to give it a second chance and redeem myself or 2) if Chicago is a great experience I already have another one to look forward to. Either way, it's a win.
DeleteGreat job on your training. Especially on these hot muggy days. I'm sure your camelback is a nice addition. I can't believe you only at Two GUs during 14 miles. I'd be starving.
ReplyDeleteI took one at 5 and 10. Any more miles than 14 and I'll probably go to 3. I was also drinking Gatorade Endurance and getting carbs from that.
DeleteSounds like smart training to me! And I like that you're keeping your goal simple for your first marathon - I have no doubt you'll finish upright ;) I usually follow my training plan fairly closely, but right now I'm just winging it depending on what my knee will tolerate.
ReplyDeleteI hope your knee is better soon! I know that is very frustrating having been through a few injuries myself.
DeleteAhhhh can't believe its 75 days! I was loosely following RLRF and my training plan from last year, but decided to change it when I had to skip my runs two weeks ago. I am now following the Nike training plan Chicago posted.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious, I'll have to look at that Nike plan. Yes, it will be here before we know it. And whether I'm ready or not!
DeleteI had no idea that you were doing the Disney Marathon in January as your second marathon. Water skiing would definitely count as great cross training. That is a tough sport! Wow, I just looked at the countdown for my fall marathon and it is 96 days....and my longest run to date is 6.5 miles. I guess being injured has really set me back.
ReplyDeleteActually, I thought I didn't get into Chicago and Disney registration opened the next day. Disney was my consolation. Come to find out, I DID get into Chicago. Oops. I'm sure you will bounce right back into marathon training. I hope you are better!
DeleteI think it's much better to make your own plan using a formal plan as a guide. Love the water skiing. I gave up my weekend rest day when I fell in love with cyclng.
ReplyDeleteLast year, I ran and water skied on the same day. I'm not doing that this year. I'm trying to be cautious.
DeleteThere is no doubt in my mind that you will finish the marathon. It's all mental and you've got so much experience, perseverance, and fortitude. BRING IT ON.
ReplyDeleteAwww, water skiing! Such a wonderful summertime activity that actually works those muscles in very different ways! It's a great cross-training exercise. =)
I am glad that your hip is doing much better!!!
I admit I need to work on the mental aspect. I have doubts some days when the runs feel so tough. Water skiing is rough on my upper body...biceps, shoulders, back. It is such a fun summer activity!
DeleteGood luck on your marathons! Historically, I've been terrible at following through on training programs, but this summer I've actually been sticking to one. Don't worry if you miss a day -- one workout won't make or break your success. The key is to listen to your body, which is sounds like you are doing!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I'm sticking to this one more than I anticipated. I haven't missed any runs yet and make sure I run at race pace once a week.
Delete