As I transition into marathon training, I’m going to keep up with regular weekly updates on how training is going. Tuesdays = training updates day from now until May!
I didn’t really have a week 1 of training since that was my first week since the half. So here we are in week 2 already.
Workouts
Last week, I followed my training plan but didn’t run all the miles I planned on. Although I fell a little short, it was nice sticking to my plan anyway.
It showed me that I do like having rest days on Mon/Fri. That actually turned out to be perfect. I’m not sore for my long runs and I’m not sore on Monday either. And trust me, I don’t need anything else to make me cranky on a Monday 😉
Monday: rest day. Felt odd since I normally work out every Monday, but I let it go and now I’m very glad I did.
Tuesday: 3 miles (treadmill; 29;05) & this weighted arms & legs circuit.
Wednesday: 3.5 miles (treadmill; 34:31). Was aiming for 5. This was after work and I’d had a headache going on a few hours. Still had it at this point so I just had to stop from the pain.
Thursday: 2 miles (treadmill; 19.47). Wanted to do 3 but ended up running out of time. And 2 rounds of this abs circuit.
Friday: rest day
Saturday: long run day. 12 miles? Details about this below…
Sunday: did some stretching. This is supposed to be my “yoga/stretching” day. I didn’t have time to whip out a full yoga DVD like I intended, but stretching was done.
Long Run
This run was brutal. All the trails were snow-covered, icy, wet or all three. There were very few spots with dry ground. I got tired fast due to sloshing around on the snow. It was a good run for about the first 7-8 miles or so. Then around mile 9 I just hit a wall and felt terrible. My hip was hurting. My Achilles were on fire, which is very odd to me. I remember looking up at some girl who was in front of me thinking “Dang, she’s going slow. And I’m behind her. Ugh.”
Nike+ says I ran 13 miles, but I stopped short from what I had planned so I think it was off and I really ran about 12.
The only redeeming factor of this run was, of course, the view. And that I did it.
Overall, I feel good about this week of training. I showed up for all my workouts and didn’t make any excuses. I need to improve on making more time for my workouts in the AM. I’m use to only running 2-3 miles in the morning, but now I need to up the mileage plus the time to do that. It’s going to be a challenge, but I should be able to figure it out.
This week, I’m planning on taking it pretty easy. For the past two days, I’ve been feeling like I’m coming down with something and my throat is sore. So I’m not going to push it. And with moving a little during the week and this coming weekend, I want to save my energy for that. I might not have time for a long run this weekend, and I’ll be okay with that. But we’ll see!
Questions for You:
- Are you still happy with long runs just because they’re done, even if they weren’t good runs? I’m really trying to embrace this for marathon training. I know not all runs can be great ones.
- Favorite thing you’ve seen on a run, walk, or workout lately?
I was always so happy to complete a long run that the world would have ended during my run, but as long as I finished it was all good!
How you ran 12 miles in snow just blows my mind!
Yeah, I just hope I. don’t have to do 13, 14, and longer in the snow too!
Looks like a great week of training and cannot believe you pulled off 12 miles with those conditions! I would have said no way, lol. I loved long runs whe nI was training, but mine were never as long as a marathon!
I’m glad your marathon training is going good. I know it can be harder to get up earlier for longer runs during the week, but to me, it is always worth it when I do. It is just getting your body used to it. I would recommend one week getting up ten minutes earlier a few days, and then make it 15 minutes earlier than usual, and then get to 20 minutes earlier than usual. This way you aren’t shocking your body into waking up so much earlier than normal, but you are still getting up earlier and getting more miles in. Keep up the great work! I am amazed that you ran in the snow! I ran 16 miles Saturday in really cold weather, and it was not fun even without snow!
Running in the cold and on snow covered/icy trails definitely sounds like no fun! At least you got out there and did it though. I think I would’ve totally passed on that! 😉
Since I do not run long distance, I have to say that yesterday’s workout wasn’t fantastic, but I was happy I at least did something and was sweating afterwards. I hate when I leave the gym disappointed, but I’ve learned that some workouts will be better than others.
Great training week! Sounds like you’re listening to your body which for me was so key during marathon training. There’s a balance between pushing yourself and stepping back when you need it. I still get nervous for long runs, but I always tell myself it has to be over at some point – right?! I’m also always disappointed by the trails along the Charles during the winter – with all the runners training you’d think they would manage to clear them better. Keep at it, you’re doing awesome!
This is such a tough time of year to get in long runs… way to go! I’m excited for you with your marathon training!
I don’t mind running in colder weather but I am really excited to not be running in snow, ice and slush! I am still in awe that I can run long distances that most long runs feel like a victory to me still. Even when I have a bad long run (or any run), I’m always glad when it’s over – and glad that I stuck with it til the end. Nice job with your second week of training!
Looks like a great training week, well done! I think it’s very smart to listen to your body and pull back when you have to. There’s nothing wrong with that at all 🙂 Have a great weekend and good luck with your move!
Yes, I’m happy with long runs just because. Not every run is easy, but I think they’re all helpful.
Sometimes a really miserable run gives me a much greater appreciation for a really good run! And I feel like a conquerer for getting through that tough run.