The first three weeks of marathon training have not gone as planned. Next week is an easy week before I start building again. From here on out I WILL DO BETTER
June's total 45.77 miles
July so far 11.2
Total - 56.97
643.93 to go
Friday, July 2, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Marathon Training - Week 1
Marathon training 1, Me 0
I knew this first week was going to be hard, but the heat made it harder than I expected.
I wanted to ease back into running so I took Friday as a rest day, since I had run the 3 days prior. I had intended to run Saturday. I thought I would go to the park, they have a track around the park that is 2 miles. The surface is much more forgiving than the roads I normally run on, and I thought a change of scenery wouldn't be bad. I asked the kids if they wanted to go along. There are several different playgrounds at the park, and they could play while I ran.
We got to the park around 8:45, a little later than I wanted, but it wasn't super hot out, and I only needed to run 3 miles. As we're pulling in I read the sign at the entrance. I had forgotten today was Community Day at the park. No problem, they were down at one corner, we would play at the other. I see some runners walking around and it hit me again that there was a memorial 5k today, too. I was hoping it started at 8:00. I talked to a couple of runners and they tell me the race isn't until 9:00. One asked me if I was just there to run. I told him, yeah, I just wanted to get a workout in. He told me to run anyway, they were all runners they'd understand. I thanked him and walked the kids to the playground in the woods where it was shaded. The track around the park isn't that wide, and I didn't want to be in anyone's way. I hadn't seen the kids that much this week either. I decided I'd run later. I played with my kids at the park.
We were near the track and I told them that when the runners came by we'd have to cheer. We heard the race start and after a little while I told them to start watching. We saw he first runner, we cheered, he waved, and my son started counting until the next runner. It was about 20 seconds. The next runner went past, we cheered again, then there was a little break. After those 2 they started coming in more clumps. There was maybe only 40 runners, if that. They ran 2 laps, we cheered for all of them twice.
I never did get my run in yesterday. It was too hot during the day. Once evening hit I thought do I really want to run now, then 12 hours from now go on another run?
I made the decision to start running in the mornings. It won't be as hot and humid, and I'll get to see the kids more in the evenings. I'm not wild about getting up at 4:00, but I used to do it for work and after a week or 2 it won't bother me.
If it wasn't Father's Day today I'd have run early. I stayed home to make a big breakfast and all that good stuff. I didn't get out of the house until almost 9:00. I looked at the thermometer before I left and in the sun it was 105. I got 2 miles into my run, I had a pounding headache. I'm running and thinking if I keep going I won't have any shade for the next 6 miles. I knew it was only going to get hotter, and my headache was only going to get worse. I turned around and came back. My 10 mile run today was only 4 miles.
This week was a learning experience. I WILL DO BETTER FROM NOW ON!
Onward and Upward
28.55 miles down
671.45 to go
I knew this first week was going to be hard, but the heat made it harder than I expected.
I wanted to ease back into running so I took Friday as a rest day, since I had run the 3 days prior. I had intended to run Saturday. I thought I would go to the park, they have a track around the park that is 2 miles. The surface is much more forgiving than the roads I normally run on, and I thought a change of scenery wouldn't be bad. I asked the kids if they wanted to go along. There are several different playgrounds at the park, and they could play while I ran.
We got to the park around 8:45, a little later than I wanted, but it wasn't super hot out, and I only needed to run 3 miles. As we're pulling in I read the sign at the entrance. I had forgotten today was Community Day at the park. No problem, they were down at one corner, we would play at the other. I see some runners walking around and it hit me again that there was a memorial 5k today, too. I was hoping it started at 8:00. I talked to a couple of runners and they tell me the race isn't until 9:00. One asked me if I was just there to run. I told him, yeah, I just wanted to get a workout in. He told me to run anyway, they were all runners they'd understand. I thanked him and walked the kids to the playground in the woods where it was shaded. The track around the park isn't that wide, and I didn't want to be in anyone's way. I hadn't seen the kids that much this week either. I decided I'd run later. I played with my kids at the park.
We were near the track and I told them that when the runners came by we'd have to cheer. We heard the race start and after a little while I told them to start watching. We saw he first runner, we cheered, he waved, and my son started counting until the next runner. It was about 20 seconds. The next runner went past, we cheered again, then there was a little break. After those 2 they started coming in more clumps. There was maybe only 40 runners, if that. They ran 2 laps, we cheered for all of them twice.
I never did get my run in yesterday. It was too hot during the day. Once evening hit I thought do I really want to run now, then 12 hours from now go on another run?
I made the decision to start running in the mornings. It won't be as hot and humid, and I'll get to see the kids more in the evenings. I'm not wild about getting up at 4:00, but I used to do it for work and after a week or 2 it won't bother me.
If it wasn't Father's Day today I'd have run early. I stayed home to make a big breakfast and all that good stuff. I didn't get out of the house until almost 9:00. I looked at the thermometer before I left and in the sun it was 105. I got 2 miles into my run, I had a pounding headache. I'm running and thinking if I keep going I won't have any shade for the next 6 miles. I knew it was only going to get hotter, and my headache was only going to get worse. I turned around and came back. My 10 mile run today was only 4 miles.
This week was a learning experience. I WILL DO BETTER FROM NOW ON!
Onward and Upward
28.55 miles down
671.45 to go
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Today is the day
For those of you who don't know, it was 3 years ago today that I got thrown from a horse and broke both arms, among other things. So I believe it is quite fitting that today was the first day of marathon training.
From here until Nov 1 there are no more excuses. It doesn't matter how hot or cold it is. It doesn't matter how windy, rainy, early, or late it is. If it's lighting I better run fast and hope I don't get hit. If there is a tornado coming down my normal route I'll have to pick a different path. If the roads are flooded I'll have to run in place. The only thing that can stop me now is a leg falling off or a death certificate with my name.
I got my 4 miles in today. It wasn't pretty, but I did it. It was 80 degrees, but cloudy, which helped. It had rained some on my way home from work, I was hoping to get some of that during my run but no such luck. I have a long ways to go, but I'll get there.
I think I missed adding 4.2 miles last week so I'm up to 12.4 miles complete 687.6 to go.
From here until Nov 1 there are no more excuses. It doesn't matter how hot or cold it is. It doesn't matter how windy, rainy, early, or late it is. If it's lighting I better run fast and hope I don't get hit. If there is a tornado coming down my normal route I'll have to pick a different path. If the roads are flooded I'll have to run in place. The only thing that can stop me now is a leg falling off or a death certificate with my name.
I got my 4 miles in today. It wasn't pretty, but I did it. It was 80 degrees, but cloudy, which helped. It had rained some on my way home from work, I was hoping to get some of that during my run but no such luck. I have a long ways to go, but I'll get there.
I think I missed adding 4.2 miles last week so I'm up to 12.4 miles complete 687.6 to go.
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
A journey of 700 miles...
Yeah, I know, my marathon training plan is 794 miles, and I'm doing the pre-training now so I should hit more than 794. Thing is I'm old. My body reminds me of this regularly. I just spent the last 6 or so weeks not running because of it. So my goal is to hit 700 miles during my marathon training.
I want to get to the marathon starting line prepared and uninjured. I anticipate substituting some long bike rides for some of the runs, and that's ok.
I did a 4.2 mile hilly loop here near home tonight. I chose the hilly route because I knew it would force me to walk. Since I haven't run in weeks going out and running 4 miles tonight would be inviting injury. I walked up and down the hills, I ran the flats. In a few weeks I'll be running the entire thing, but you have to start somewhere, right?
4.2 miles down, 695.8 to go.
I want to get to the marathon starting line prepared and uninjured. I anticipate substituting some long bike rides for some of the runs, and that's ok.
I did a 4.2 mile hilly loop here near home tonight. I chose the hilly route because I knew it would force me to walk. Since I haven't run in weeks going out and running 4 miles tonight would be inviting injury. I walked up and down the hills, I ran the flats. In a few weeks I'll be running the entire thing, but you have to start somewhere, right?
4.2 miles down, 695.8 to go.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
This is getting very frustrating
I haven't run in weeks. I think I'm a few weeks away from running, too. This is starting to get irritating. I have been doing lots of Yoga. I have also been doing some spinning on my bike. My fear is I'll have to start from scratch when I hit the roads again. :-(
MCM training starts June 13, and there is a small buildup to that. I'm hoping to start running the week of May 31st.
I have started using a heat pack and muscle stim regularly. After I do Yoga or bike, I've been using an ice pack. I'm hoping, I'm really hoping that this heals soon and doesn't nag me or the next 6 months.
I need to start getting back in the pool regularly, too. My swim has really dropped off, but that could be because of losing running fitness, too.
Must work harder!
MCM training starts June 13, and there is a small buildup to that. I'm hoping to start running the week of May 31st.
I have started using a heat pack and muscle stim regularly. After I do Yoga or bike, I've been using an ice pack. I'm hoping, I'm really hoping that this heals soon and doesn't nag me or the next 6 months.
I need to start getting back in the pool regularly, too. My swim has really dropped off, but that could be because of losing running fitness, too.
Must work harder!
Friday, May 7, 2010
Injured
So I didn't run the half marathon in Pittsburgh last weekend. It was a tough choice to make, but I got some good advice. I want to be healthy to start training for the Marine Corps Marathon soon. This wasn't my A race, why risk further injury. It ended up raining, too. I'm glad I didn't run. Not that I couldn't run in the rain, but when you're already protecting an injury, running on wet roads is not the most helpful.
Instead of running I worked at an aid station with my friend and her tri group handing out water. I have a new respect for the volunteers now.
I did the math for my marathon training plan. In 20 weeks I should run around 794 miles. I would like to say 800 happy healthy miles, but anything over 750 and I'll be happy. Depending on how the body holds up there may be the occasional long bike ride substituted for a short run. I have seen shorter plans, several with less than 500 miles. I want to go into it strong and prepared though. I don't think a training plan with 1 long run of 20 miles is enough to fully prepare me for 26.2. YMMV though.
Instead of running I worked at an aid station with my friend and her tri group handing out water. I have a new respect for the volunteers now.
I did the math for my marathon training plan. In 20 weeks I should run around 794 miles. I would like to say 800 happy healthy miles, but anything over 750 and I'll be happy. Depending on how the body holds up there may be the occasional long bike ride substituted for a short run. I have seen shorter plans, several with less than 500 miles. I want to go into it strong and prepared though. I don't think a training plan with 1 long run of 20 miles is enough to fully prepare me for 26.2. YMMV though.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Closer to the weekend
It's been a couple of days since I ran. I did put in 7.1 miles around the track last Friday with the kids at school. The hamstring is feeling better, but still not 100%. I keep telling myself that my goal for Pittsburgh right now is just to finish. Then a little rest before I start focusing on a couple of tri's coming up and training for the MCM starts June 13th. With the marathon training going on I should be able to ROCK the RNR half marathon in September.
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