July 15, 2015

Marathon Training- 10 Day Update

Last we chatted about running, we discussed that I was building my own plan. Well, I did quite a bit of research the week before last. The most interesting new (to me) training philosophy I read about was from Canova. Very cool stuff, but he's Italian; so some of the workouts took a LOT of mathematical calculations to figure out. In the end, I decided to return to my old buddy, Pete Pfitzinger. If you recall, he led me to my marathon PR. However, this time, I won't be doing his highest mileage plan. In fact, I won't be following his plan exactly. I will be taking the key workouts from each week and his long run progression (over the training cycle), but filling in my own easy run days and doing the workouts on the days that work best for me. 

Before everyone decided they are coaching and teaching Marathons 101, please keep in mind that I know some of my practices aren't going to be well-received, like running doubles or splitting up certain higher mileage days or back to back "longish" runs. Well, guess what! That's the beauty of being self-coached! I've done 35 marathons, and I'm pretty sure I know how to NOT kill myself. LOL. I want to ENJOY marathon training my way, while setting a reasonable goal for myself. Here is a look at the past 10 days.

M: 8 mile progression run from easy (E) pace (8:34) down to goal marathon pace (GMP) (7:24)
T: 6 a.m. E, 6 p.m. w/ stroller
W: 9 w 4 at Tempo (T). T miles were 6:58, 6:58, 6:59, 6:53.
T: 5 w/ stroller
F: 4 w/ stroller
S: 15 miles at 8:28 pace
S: 10 w/ stroller
M: 5 E
T: 5 E am., 5 p.m. w/ stroller
W: 15 miles (7:55 ave) w/ 8 at GMP. GMP miles were 7:21, 7:23, 7:23, 7:24, 7:28, 7:26, 7:27, 7:16

Positives about the past 10 days- My workouts were outside, not on the treadmill. In case no one knew, it basically feels like an African jungle here. HOT & HUMID. Accomplishing these workouts despite the weather feels like something. Squishy has turned into a super good "rider." I had to wake her up early two days to go run, and she was a real champ!

Negatives about the past 10 days- My legs are not recovering like I want them to. I'm fine; it's just they feel heavy. I know that's a part of marathon training, but I didn't expect it so soon. (Only 4 days between long runs is not ideal; I know that. My husband has a fishing tournament this weekend, and I didn't want to have to do my whole LR on the treadmill. And Wednesday is the only day that I don't run with the high school kids.) My stroller is leading to the right. I'm going to try to realign it tonight, but it's aggravating when you are doing double digit runs. I also have a callous on my hand from the stroller. However, that's kind of badass. LOL. 

Truth: I probably would've quit early on my tempo and GMP runs if I hadn't been running them with Sam & Lizzie. They definitely felt hard. Sometimes it makes me sad to look at the data of where I am now compared to where I used to be. However, I wouldn't trade this place in my life for anything. 

How is everyone's training going? Everyone powering through the heat? 

Run Happy, friends! 



6 comments:

  1. Stroller hand callous is kind of cool!

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  2. Resistance training with the stroller, that's going to make you strong for the marathon...

    The biggest problem I have with being self coached is... Resting enough!

    Bur only 10 days in and you are looking good!

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  3. Looks like you're off to a great start! Which marathon are you doing?

    I'm nowhere near ready to pick my next marathon, but I know there will be another one someday. Maybe next fall.

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  4. Awesome…. Keep It Up…. Big Hugs

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  5. I love your intro! Yep, I think you do know how to not kill yourself, LOL!

    I had my first run back in the jungle today; just a moderately paced one and almost hurled halfway through. Ouch!

    Keep running happy friend! MISS YOU!

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  6. Sounds like the perfect balance of hard training and being with your family! You have so much experience under your belt that I think you know what's going to work for you! Nice job doing those hot workouts!

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