NFIM Training - Week 11

**This was my last marathon training recap -- and I didn't even finish it. **

This is a down week, and it's probably necessary. I have 39 miles, a 13-miler and a 14-miler on the schedule.

Monday: Off
After 20 miles on Friday, 4 on Saturday and 5 on Sunday, I figured a rest day is not a bad thing.  

Tuesday: Double Day! 
Distance: 3 miles, trails
Time & Pace: 32 minutes
Shoes: Brooks PureFlow 2

I didn't feel great, but I got a few short miles in before starting my work day from Virginia. I knew I would run that far during the running store's group run (5 or 6), but 8 for the day is ideal.

Distance:
Time & Pace:
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Wednesday: 
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Thursday: 
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Friday: 
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Saturday: 
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Sunday: 
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NFIM Training - Weeks 9 and 10

Oops! I'm losing interest in recapping, but I am still doing this thing.

Week 9

Goal: 43 miles, no workout, 18-mile long run, sub-2 half-marathon
Reality: 42.8 miles, no workout, 18-mile long run, 2:03 half-marathon

Monday: Easy Run
Distance: 6 miles
Time & Pace: 59:22 (9:53)
Shoes: Adidas Glide Boost

Tuesday: Easy Run
Distance: 3 miles
Time & Pace: 28:36 (9:32)
Shoes: Brooks PureFlow 3

Tuesday: 5k Training Group
Distance: 3 miles
Time & Pace: whatever
Shoes: New Balance 890

Wednesday: Mid-Distance Run
Distance: 9 miles
Time & Pace: 1:28 (9:46)
Shoes: Adidas Glide Boost

I ran from the store to meet the group for its 3-mile run. Unfortunately I didn't bring a gel and didn't eat anything beforehand, so the last couple of miles were pretty awful. I got through them (slowly) and was pretty happy overall. The run included a couple of miles on trails so the fact that I kept my pace below 10 (trails and the last 2 miles over 10) is good.

Thursday: Off

Friday: Off

Saturday: 5k Training Group Run
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time & Pace: 45 minutes (12:51)
Shoes: New Balance 890

This was "the hill," I ran up it and then ran/walked down. Not a bad shakeout run.

Sunday: Long Run
Distance: 18 miles
Time & Pace: 2:55:18 (9:44)
Shoes: Saucony Kinvara 5

So the sub-2 didn't happen, but 18 miles at a sub-10 pace is pretty damn good.

A friend and I met to do 5 miles beforehand. That is a LONG warmup. About half of that would have been better. The plan for the half was 9:10 for the first 8 miles and then to drop the pace for the last 5. I totally failed at that. I ended up running the race at a 9:15ish pace, and that is fine by me. I couldn't seem to find another gear, but I was 1 second slower than my PR from May. So solid.

Week 10

Goal: 45 miles, no workout, 20-mile long run
Reality: 45 miles, no workout, 20-mile long run

Monday: Off
I decided a rest day made sense after the effort of the half-marathon and long run.

Tuesday: Easy Run & 5k Training Group Run
Distance: 7 miles
Time & Pace: not sure (sub-10 for the first 4)
Shoes: Brooks PureFlow 2

I met a couple of friends for an easy 4 before the group run. Surprisingly, my legs still worked.

Wednesday: Mid-Distance Run
Distance: 9 miles
Time & Pace: 1:31 (10:06)
Shoes: Brooks PureFlow 3

I was NOT recovered from Sunday, and it was pouring for the first 4 miles or so. AND I did "the hill" although I was not capable of running the entire thing like I usually can. Given Friday's long run, I felt like it was fine to take it easy.

Thursday: Off

Friday: Long Run
Distance: 20 miles
Time & Pace: 3:25 (10:15)
Shoes: Saucony Kinvara 5 (second pair)

Oh.My.Gosh. I was pretty proud of myself for this run. I took it easy, didn't stop much and just kept moving. I did finish with a 9:35 mile, so that's encouraging. I truly felt like, if I had to, I could have found another 10k. I am confident that I can complete a marathon. I hope future long runs are as successful.

Saturday: 5k Training Group Goal Race
Distance: 4 miles
Time & Pace: 40ish minutes
Shoes: New Balance 890

What a great morning! I ran with a girl from the group who was doing her first 5k, and we came in under 30 minutes! The course was short, but who cares? Then the other coach and I ran the rest of the group in. It was fantastic!

Side note here: The 890s are dead.

Sunday: Easy Run
Distance: 5 miles
Time & Pace: 49:22 (9:52)
Shoes: Saucony Kinvara 5 (first pair)

We had a wedding Saturday night, so after a family brunch, we headed out for an easy 5 miles. I didn't feel that great (full!) and those Kinvaras are pretty dead (not even 200 miles on them). It's a little depressing that the Kinvaras don't last very long for me, but oh well -- I like 'em.

NFIM Training - Week 8

Goal: 41 miles, no workout, 16-mile long run
Reality: 41.75 miles (includes 1 mile of walking), no workout, 16.25-mile long run

Monday: Easy Run
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time & Pace: 34:28 (9:50)
Shoes: Adidas Glide Boost

Just an easy run to start out the week. I ran a mile in the park and the rest of it in the neighborhood. I felt okay, not good or bad.

Tuesday: Easy Run w/ Fast Finish
Distance: 8 miles (w/ half-mile walk afterward)
Time & Pace: 1:18:43 (9:50)
Shoes: Saucony Kinvara

I couldn't seem to figure out what I wanted to do with this run. I was going to do 8 miles from the house, and that just seemed awful. I moved over to the towpath, and I still couldn't decide what distance I wanted to do. As I kept running, I still felt okay and ended up doing the 8 miles. When I was finishing up the run, I decided to run the last mile hard. I finished in 9 minutes, and I felt okay. I feel like finishing fast should be my thing. The way I ran, I ended up hitting 8 miles about a half-mile from the car, which was perfect. Not a bad morning.

Tuesday: 5k Training Group
Distance: 2 miles
Time & Pace: NA
Shoes: New Balance 890

Not much to say about this run. I ran the first mile and ran/walked the second mile. It was extremely humid on Tuesday, so I was glad that I wasn't running hard that night.

Wednesday: Easy Run
Distance: 5 miles
Time & Pace: 45:00 (9:00)
Shoes: Adidas Glide Boost

It was less humid, so that was a relief. I took it easy for the first 2.5 miles, and I really picked it up for the second half. I negative-split the run, and I know my last mile was 8:15, which is probably the fastest mile I've run in August.

Thursday: Easy Run
Distance: 3 miles
Time & Pace: 29:50 (9:56)
Shoes: Asics Gel Lyte

Just a 3-miler before work. I won't go into details right now, but there have been feline issues in the house this week, so I was up early this morning. I still ended up getting to work about 10 minutes later than I wanted to. (I wrote this on Thursday, so I'll do another post about the kitties, and it might even publish before this recap does!)

Friday: Off

Saturday: Long Run
Distance: 16.25 miles
Time & Pace: 2:38:46 (9:46)
Shoes: Adidas Glide Boost

This run was GREAT. Seriously, I have no complaints. I met a friend at 6:30 am to get in 7+ miles before the group's 9 miles. I was really steady around a sub-10 pace, and I dropped the pace a bit for the last 3 miles. Pretty much a negative split.

Sunday: Easy TM Run
Distance: 3 miles (+ .5 walking)
Time & Pace: 30 minutes (10:00)
Shoes: Brooks PureFlow 2

The weather was iffy, and I only had 3 miles so I headed to the basement treadmill for some tv watching while I ran. Nothing too exciting, but all good.

NFIM Training - Week 7

After last week's disaster, I want this week to be good! We may be changing up my training, but I don't know. This isn't the best week for me to get guidance on my training so I'll probably just follow the plan as written and adjust later.

Goal: 39 miles, 9-mile workout (5 ins & outs, 9:10 and 9:40), 14-mile long run
Reality: 39.5 miles, no workout, 14-mile long run

In discussions with my coach-like person, we decided to skip the workouts and just run. So I did just that and will likely do that the next week as well.

How am I feeling? Tired. I need to spend a little more time caring for my body. More sleep, better fuel, lots of rolling and "restorative yoga" (legs up the wall/leg draining).

Monday: Easy Run
Distance: 5 miles
Time & Pace: 49:35 (9:55)
Shoes: Brooks PureFlow 2

I had intended to do a trail run, but when I got to the trailhead, I just wasn't feeling it. I swapped shoes and headed south on the towpath. I started feeling hungry, so after a mile, I turned around to go back to the car and grab a gel. Then I went north on the towpath and ended up on the trail for about a mile or so. Ultimately I ended up with 5 miles for the day, including a nice uphill to the trail.

I felt okay, not extraordinarily tired and not all that great either.

Tuesday: NoBo
Distance: 4 miles (2 before, 2 w/ NoBo)
Time & Pace: NA
Shoes: New Balance 890

It was really hot and humid, so I was glad to just do 2 before the group. I was drenched in sweat and wishing I'd brought my handheld bottle for the run.

Wednesday: Easy Run
Distance: 5.25 miles
Time & Pace: 51:00 (9:42)
Shoes: Adidas Glide Boost

This should have been my workout for the week, but in conversations with my coach-like person, we decided to nix the workout for the week and just do the distance. I decided to split the distance so I could run at the pub run after work. It was raining like crazy so 9 miles before work wasn't going to happen anyhow. Luckily I was able to run sans rain. Overall, the 5.25 miles were decent, and I finished faster than I started.

Wednesday: Pub Run
Distance: 3.75
Time & Pace: 35:00 (9:20)
Shoes: Asics Gel Lyte

I feel like that pace is false because there are so many stops during the pub runs, but regardless, K and I ran it quickly. Felt good, although it was definitely a positive split run.

Thursday: off

Friday: Long Run
Distance: 14 miles
Time & Pace: 2:24:30 (10:19)
Shoes: Saucony Kinvara

Ah, this run. I met two friends for this run. One was doing 20 miles, and the other was doing 13. The person doing 20 ended up with 15. I did cover the 14 miles, but the last 4 to 4.5 miles were brutal. My pace fell off dramatically, and I ran/walked the last 2.5 miles. Not my greatest performance, but it was super-humid.

Saturday: 5k Training Group
Distance: 3 miles
Time & Pace: 45 minutes (15:00)
Shoes: New Balance 890

Pace doesn't matter for these runs. Typically, I run half of it and then run/walk the second half. We did the hill, which was a little bit of a shock for the group. It went relatively well though.

Sunday: Easy Run
Distance: 4 miles (w/ half-mile walk after)
Time & Pace: 39:00 (9:45)
Shoes: Brooks PureFlow 3

This was just an easy run from Aaron's dad's house. I ran into the nearby Metropark because I was wanted the shade. It was mid-afternoon after I'd eaten lunch and had a latte. I can't complain about my pace because it was just fine. I actually felt okay even though I was full and didn't bring any water. I ended with a half-mile walk afterward, which felt pretty good.

NFIM Training - Week 6

I'm a little nervous about this week. I am doing the Parkersburg half-marathon on Saturday, and I have a very ambitious time goal of sub-2ing that bitch. We'll see! (I'm doing this recap as I go. Clearly the half should deserve its own post.)

Goal: 41 miles, 9-mile workout w/ 3 miles 60 on/60 float, 16-mile long run
Reality: 37.25 miles, 9-mile workout w/ 3 miles 60 on/60 float, 16-mile long run

Monday: Easy Run
Distance: 4 TM miles
Time & Pace: 40 minutes, 10 pace
Shoes: Brooks PureFlow 2

It was raining and awful, so I just did this run in the basement on the treadmill. I'm watching The Secret Circle on Netflix, and it was the perfect length. The treadmill is getting a little iffy though.

Tuesday: 60 On/60 Float Workout
Distance: 9 miles
Time & Pace: 1:29:30, 9:56 pace
Shoes: Adidas Glide Boost

The pace isn't important for this run, obviously. I ran on the Towpath near the house, so I warmed up by going out 1.5 miles past downtown and back. Then the workout started! For 3 miles, I basically ran hard for 60 seconds and then "floated" for 60 seconds. I didn't have any time goals for those intervals, so I don't really know if I did okay or not. I think my range was too wide, and I was beat by the end of the 3 miles. Those 3 miles back to my car were not good.

60 seconds on: ranged from 7:43 to 8:57, averaged 8:23
60 seconds float: ranged from 9:58 to 10:54, averaged 10:31

Wednesday: off (well, 1.25-mile walk)

After Tuesday's workout, I was feeling pretty tired. I talked with J (boss and "coach"), and he told me to take Wednesday off. I had planned to run 8 miles or so in order to get my 41 miles for the week. I will be short of 41 miles, and that's okay. (I keep telling myself that!)

But it was weird to not run with the half-marathon training group. I took a walk and socialized while they were running their 5 miles. Everyone did so well, and I was a little jealous not to be part of it.

Thursday: Easy Neighborhood Run
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time & Pace: 10:30 pace
Shoes: Hoka Bondi

This run didn't feel good at all. J told me to do 4 on Thursday and maybe 4 on Friday. I ran before work, and I was back at the house at 3.5 and didn't see a point in slogging along for another half-mile. I'm not sure if I'll run on Friday. If I do, it'll likely be 3.

Friday: Easy Neighborhood Run
Distance: 3.5 miles
Time & Pace: 10:04 pace
Shoes: Adidas Glide Boost

This run felt better and required less effort than Thursday's run, so that's good!

Saturday: Long Run
Distance: 16 miles
Time & Pace: 2:21, 9:48 pace
Shoes: Saucony Kinvara

This looks like an acceptable long run, except that there was the Parkersburg half-marathon in there, and I totally crashed and burned. Clearly, I did not sub-2 that bitch or get anywhere close to that. I sincerely almost quit, but I wasn't sure how to get back to Ali's if I did so. It was awful. I feel like I've already talked about it a lot, but I should probably do a race recap to help identify where things went wrong.

Sunday: Off

I took Sunday off even though I was supposed to do a 3-miler. I needed the day to recharge.

NFIM Training - Week 5

This is a bit of a down week and also my first week with any sort of workout. Here goes!

(I'm drafting this post and updating it periodically throughout the week instead of recapping everything at once. I'm hoping I'll include more info that will be useful to future me.)

Goal: 39 miles, ins & outs workout (7 miles), 14-mile long run
Reality: 39.83 miles, workout and long run accomplished as prescribed

Monday:
Distance: 5 miles
Time & Pace: 56 minutes, 11:12 pace
Shoes: Nike Terra Kigers

Monday was the last night of our summer trail mixers. Most of the group planned to go longer, so I turned around with another woman at the 2.5-mile mark. I knew I had a workout to do the next morning, so I didn't want to kill myself. It was an easy trail run. The bridle trail at Bedford Reservation is pretty kind, very runnable, although there is a new mountain bike trail that is more difficult. There were a lot of bikers out so it didn't seem wise to do a group run on the trail.

Tuesday: Workout
Distance: 7 miles
Time & Pace: 1:09:47, 9:58 pace
Shoes: Saucony Kinvara 5

This was my first workout for this training cycle! It's called an "in & out," and the purpose is to train you to recover at your marathon pace. Because I don't really have a time goal, we're using 9:40 as my marathon pace (sub-4:15). This was my first one so it wasn't too long.

Miles 1-3: warmup in 31-something. Funny thing. I started on the Towpath at Mustill Store. I started with 1 mile south and planned to go 3 down to Big Bend and then back. Unfortunately the Towpath is closed between Mustill and Memorial, so after my first mile, I had to hop in the car and go to Memorial Parkway. Glad it was in the middle of the warmup and not during the workout.

Mile 4: 9:07 (goal 9:10)
Mile 5: 9:39 (goal 9:40)
Mile 6: 9:09 (goal 9:10)

Mile 7: 9:55 cooldown

I can only say that the workout was a success, right? I had a lot of trouble finding the paces, and I just let my watch tell me what to do. I hope that gets easier. The Akron portion of the Towpath isn't quite as flat as Brecksville, but it's fine (it's a little hilly going toward downtown).

Tuesday: 5k Group
Distance: 1.5 miles
Time & Pace: doesn't really matter
Shoes: New Balance 890

Wednesday: HM Group
Distance: 6 miles (2 before group, 4 w/ group on the hill)
Time & Pace: 58 minutes, 9:58 pace)
Shoes: Newton Distance III

I felt pretty good during this run, but I didn't push the pace at all.

Thursday: off

Friday: Easy Run
Distance: 3.25 miles
Time & Pace: 32:50, 10:06 pace
Shoes: Adidas Glide Boosts

I was definitely sluggish on this run, but I warmed up and finished feeling okay.

Saturday: 5k Group
Distance: 3 miles
Time & Pace: 33 minutes, 11 pace
Shoes: New Balance 890

I ran the turnaround sign out for the half group beforehand, and then I ran with the 5k group. All was well.

Sunday: Long Run
Distance: 14 miles
Time & Pace: 2:19, 9:55 pace
Shoes: Saucony Kinvara

It was a little humid that morning, but I felt okay. I stayed under 10-minute pace for the last 5 miles, so that's good. I wasn't trying to do much but finish the run feeling okay. Mission accomplished.

NFIM Training - Week 4

There's not a whole lot to say about last week's training. I did what I was supposed to -- 41 miles with no workouts and a 16-mile long run -- and I ran six days and hit the gym twice. But for consistency's sake, here goes:

Monday:
5.25-mile trail run with Aaron at Sand Run Metro Park. I led us on my usual loop that starts with a quarter-mile or so on the Towpath and hits both Dogwood and Mingo trails. It's nice, it wasn't speedy (1:05 for a 12:22 pace).

Tuesday: 
I ran to and from the gym before work, which is 4 miles, and it took me about 38:30. I did some strength-training at the gym (duh). Later on, I did 1.5 miles with the 5k group.

Wednesday: 
The half-marathon group had 5 miles, but I wanted to do 6. I ran out 2.5 with the group and then continued on so I was solo for 3.5 miles. I caught the tail of the group, so that made me happy. It was quick for me -- 54:25 -- and I was happy that I held the 9ish pace throughout.

Thursday: 
off

Friday: 
My long run day! I had 16 on the schedule, and I managed to find some company.

• Miles 1-3 with K at a 10:35ish pace
• Miles 4-7 solo at a 10ish pace
• Miles 8-10.5 with A at a mid-9 pace
• Miles 11-16 solo at mostly a mid to high 9s pace (last mile at 9:10)

I ended up just barely coming in with a 10-minute pace. I'm pretty happy with that. I wore my Adidas Glides, which may have been a mistake. Or maybe not. Still testing those babies out. I ate an English muffin with butter and cinnamon sugar for breakfast; I also took a gel at miles 4, 8 and 12. I don't know if it was too often, but I felt okay -- I may stick with every 4 miles for a while.

Saturday: 
I started with 2 miles with the 5k training group and finished up with 5.25 miles for the day.

Sunday:
To get to 41, I had to do 3 miles. I ended up doing them at the gym; I followed that with a strength session.

Overall, I hit my training for Week 4, and I am happy with that. I'm feeling okay, although I'm starting to feel tired. I'm trying to stretch and foam-roll and use my Addaday more regularly. I've also had some plantar faschiitis twinges, but I think they might be related to my New Balance 890s breaking down. I wear those with the 5k training group, and I think I need to start bringing shoes to swap for my Saturday post-5k group runs. Or get some new ones. In any case, I have iced a little (the frozen water bottle for the left foot and also a little on my left knee).

I keep track of my shoes' mileage on my spreadsheet, but I wonder if I should do so here as well (with more details) in case I ever come back to this...

NFIM Training - Week 3

Week 3 was another success!

Goal: 39 miles, no workouts, 14-mile long run
Reality: 39 miles, no workouts, 14-mile long run

• Monday: off. After rally times and running Sunday evening (even though it was a paltry 3.5 miles), I was tired Monday. I got lazy.
• Tuesday: 8-mile easy run in the morning (1:20); 1.5-mile NoBo run. I didn't exactly intend to run 8 miles on Tuesday morning, but I ran around. Once I got to the park, I felt better so I decided to do the 2-mile trail loop in the park and then head home. Given 2 miles on trails, a 10-minute pace is good.
• Wednesday: strength-training in the morning; 4-mile hill run w/ HM group (35:15). That's definitely the fastest I have run the hill. Now I want to do it under 35. 
• Thursday: off. I planned it. 
• Friday: 8-mile easy run (1:19). Originally I didn't intend to do another 8-mile run, but one of the girls in the HM group couldn't run on Saturday so I told her I'd join her. It was a perfect morning for running.
• Saturday: 3.5-mile run (2 miles in 19 + NoBo). With 14 on the schedule for Sunday, I just wanted to do enough mileage to get my 39 miles for the week. So I did.
• Sunday: 14-mile long run (2:21). A few people from the HM group couldn't run on Saturday, so they planned to do 8 or 9 on Sunday. I planned ahead for that and did 5 beforehand and then 9 with them. It was HUMID. I swear, it was the sweatiest I've ever been, but overall, this was successful. I ran the last 5 miles under a 10-minute pace, so overall, win. 

Ideally, I would have run six days, but with two 8-mile runs, five was the magic number. This week will be similar for the week, but I'm doing my 16-mile long run on Friday. By myself. Entirely by myself. I'm nervous. 

NFIM Training - Week 2

I was closer to a model student this week!

Goal: 37 miles, no workouts, 12-mile long run

Reality: 37.13 miles, no workouts, 12-mile long run

I was a little overzealous at the beginning of the week because of the rally last weekend. I intended to get in all 37 miles in five straight days. That involved a couple of double days, and Coach was getting a little concerned. I reworked my week:

Monday: 5-mile trail run (58:45)
Tuesday: 5-mile run split between neighborhood and trail (51:50); 2.63 w/ 5k training group
Wednesday: 5 miles to/from the gym (48:40) + strength-training; 4 miles w/ FF HM group (38:53)
Thursday: off
Friday: 12-mile long run (2:02)
Saturday: off Sunday: 3.5-mile run (36:20)

Friday's long run was tough! We ran from the house to Kent and around campus. Hilly! But we were rewarded with grilled cheese sandwiches so that's good. Then we headed out for rally times. Sunday's post-rally run was tough and slow, but ultimately a good idea.

I am aiming to be on target again this week, but I might end up a little over with my mileage. Not too much though (depends on Friday and Saturday and how much I run with the half-marathon group). I'm slightly concerned about Sunday's 14 miles, but I know I'll be okay. I'm running that from the Towpath so I'll get a break from hills during my long run.

NFIM Training - Week 1

I have a marathon training plan! And last week was my first week "following" it. I use quotes because I technically overdid it.

Week 1

Goal: 35 miles, no workouts, 10-mile long run
Reality: 38.5 miles, 1 workout and 1 race, 13.1-mile long run

On Tuesday, I did six quarter-mile repeats (1:57, 1:55, 1:56, 1:55, 1:57, 1:50 -- pretty consistent, eh?), and I did a 5k on Sunday (25:48, which is a new PR). Friday's long run ended up being a little longer than prescribed, partly because I wanted to run to the end of the Freedom Trail.

My long run was slow (13.1 in 2:14). I felt okay, but I couldn't seem to push through and drop the pace much. I think it was a negative-split, though, and I know the last few miles were a little quicker. I ran in the neighborhood to the Bike & Hike/Freedom Trail, which I took to the Portage County line. And then I turned around and went home. It's a much hillier route than I usually do for long runs, so it's not surprising that I was tired.

I promised my coach I'd be on point this week. I didn't tell him that I'd already considered doing a longer run than scheduled. Since he kind of almost reprimanded me (I got a pass because this is Week 1), I'll do my best not to screw up this week.

Week 2's goals are 37 miles with a 12-mile long run. We're going to a scooter rally on Friday, so hitting 37 miles seems rather tricky. Lots of miles in five days. I did a 5-mile trail run last night and then another 5 miles (2.25 on trails) this morning. I have my 5k training group tonight, so I'll get a mile there. I might try to get some extra as well. I'm planning 8 miles tomorrow (4 before work and 4 at the pub run). That leaves me with 6 on Thursday (ugh -- probably should aim to get in a few extra miles tonight) and 12 on Friday with Saturday and Sunday off.

This week is VOLUME, I guess. I am feeling tired though. Over 77 miles in July thus far.

Almost Time...

I officially have less than 16 weeks until that silly marathon. My "coach" wants me doing a 14-week plan because my base is pretty solid. I'm not going to go through some boring recaps, but I barely 100 miles each for May and June (but I *did* hit 100). And I've been back in the gym a little more regularly. It's a good start.

Last week's training:

Monday: 4-mile trail run w/ a friend
Tuesday: 6 miles at the track (four 800s w/ 4:30 recovery)
Wednesday: upper body & abs + 1-mile walk; 3-mile run w/ group
Thursday: lower body; 3 quick miles before training group
Friday: off
Saturday: 13.4 miles
Sunday: 3.1 miles to the gym; full-body strength; 1-mile walk

So 34.5 miles for the week with a long run. I'm probably doing too many 3-milers, but I do kinda like them.

This week's tentative plan (for at least 30 miles):

Monday: trail run (4 miles)
Tuesday: track workout (6ish miles)
Wednesday: strength + easy run (3 miles)
Thursday: off
Friday: long run (10-12 miles)
Saturday: easy run (distance TBD)
Sunday: 5k race

Looking at that, I should probably boost the distance on Wednesday and really aim for at least 5 on Saturday. We have the half-marathon and 5k training groups that morning, and I know I'll be coaching the 5k group. Plus I want to be relatively rested for the 5k because my friend thinks I could place in my age group, so I don't want to screw that up :)

Marathon Training

I have started thinking about looking for a marathon program. That's progress, right? I need a first-time marathon program, but not a beginner program. I also want it to line up with K who is also doing the marathon.

So many requirements, including actually accomplishing the long runs FOR ME.

I will consider this morning's annual checkup as my first step in marathon training. I even got an EKG - normal - and my blood pressure was 120/68. I'll get my blood work done on Friday, and hopefully that will be normal as well. Actually if it shows a Vitamin D deficiency, that would be okay too -- it would explain the fatigue. It would be nice to get that taken care of before training really starts.

 I'm also concerned I'm anemic again, but I'll know that soon enough too.

This week's training has been going okay. Nothing crazy, but I feel relatively accomplished: hill run, pilates, speedy 3-miler. I'll probably take it easy on tonight's run so that I can get up tomorrow and hit the gym before work and get in a good run after work.

 So much running. But to take a little break from that, I'm going to work on my freelance project a bit before heading to the store.

 Happy Wednesday!

Mile Repeat Fail

Up and early this morning for pilates (I should really try not to be so tense), so I thought I'd do a speed workout afterward. I programmed my watch last night and planned to do three mile-repeats under 8:45 pace. That didn't work.

1. I was tired, and I was cold. 
2. After 1 mile, I was still cold, but I started on the first mile repeat anyway. It clocked in around 8:50. 
3. My 3-minute rest didn't appear (clearly I screwed up something when I programmed my watch) so the watch was yelling at me to speed up when I was trying to recover.
4. I gave up on the workout and figured I was tired and covering 6 miles is better than nothing. 

So I ended up with 6.23 miles at a 9:57 pace, which is fine. It isn't the workout planned. I'll try again Thursday night, I think. Tonight is our 5k group's halfway celebration and tomorrow is a hill run for the half-marathon group.

I'm trying not to think about how I couldn't hold pace this morning. I know I'm tired, and I was underfueled for the workout too. I know this. It'll be fine.

(Failed workouts really frighten me when I think about marathon training. I was talking to my boss who is going to help me with my marathon plan, and one of the workouts kind of scared me. And multiple 20-milers scared me too, but I think mentally I need to cover that distance more than once. Yes, the ultimate goal is just to finish my first marathon, but I really don't want to run for 5 hours.)

Eek!

Yesterday, I did the unthinkable: I signed up for a marathon, specifically the Niagara Falls International Marathon on Sunday, Oct. 26. I just might restart this blog to document that whole debacle.

I am attempting to recruit others, and one person has actually signed up for the full. There is also a half-marathon so I am hoping a large contingent from Northeast Ohio will join me. I even booked my room for Saturday night. The other person who signed up has a place somewhat nearby, and we will spend time before and after the race there. That part should be fun, at least.

Obviously I have plenty of time before real training starts, so I will consider myself in base-building until the beginning of July, I guess. (And by "base-building," I kind of mean just keeping up with what I've been doing.) That will give me a 16-week training plan for the marathon.

In other news, Athens Half-Marathon is very soon (3ish weeks), and I am somewhat confident I can PR. A sub-2 doesn't seem extremely likely, but I think I'm going to go for it. I did a hilly 15k last weekend (9.3 miles), and it was at PR pace. I haven't been following a specific plan, but I have been running a decent amount. We'll see.