#GOTRSoleMate

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Half Way There...

August tends to mark the beginning of the end of summer. It also marks the back end of marathon training. I can honestly say its going better than my training for NYC in 2016. I am training smarter but I still am trying to find a happy medium between a plan that is handed to me and my normal schedule. 

The last two weeks things have shifted. My last two long runs were cut short. My mid week runs have been sparse. The weather has been terrible, I’ve been accidentally sleeping in, and my life has been blossoming in so many amazing ways( and I’m so excited). Now I will say, I’ve been doing well with my nutrition/meal planning (on route and in life). Drinking more tea and less booze is always a constant goal. My cross training, while has happened less, is still happening even with my crazy schedule which helps. If I were giving my training a rating of effort, I would say I’m giving it 70-75 percent. 

I will say, my fundraising hasn’t hit the high point I was aiming for but I will say that knowing I am doing this race for Girls on the Run really does motivate me in some ways I would have never thought. My mental game has been much better this go around with training. I am tougher, my mantras continue to work and I have been pushing myself. I will continue to stick with the intermediate plan as I still have 50k dreams post Chicago.

We are almost 60 days out. I have a 17,18, 20 and a 22 miler to crush before this race. So now is the time for me to really dial in, get some strong runs in, recover well and stay healthy. Now the real work begins. 

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More Miles and More Fatigue

The first two weeks of this intermediate training plan has reminded me of quite a few things: 

Running is harder than cross training. 

Running on tired legs is tough for a couple miles. 

Spin classes kill my speed. 

Runs by myself can be enjoyable. 

Warming up is key. 

Humidity still sucks. 

Just a few tidbits. Honestly, these past two weeks are the most mileage I have put on my legs in maybe two years. When training for a half, I didn't need this much mileage as my focus was more towards strength building. 

By the time I got to my second long run, I was a bit concerned that I was doing more harm than good. My mile times have gotten slower, even slower than anticipated with the heat and humidity. I could not get enough sleep. My thirst was unable to be quenched. 

To say I was worried, was an understatement. Had I bitten off more than I can chew? Was I already falling apart? Well last week, I decided to do one of my 5 mile runs by myself along Pony Pasture. The temperature was in the mid 60′s, humidity was not bad for running next to a river and I did an out and back stretch that is one of my favorite routes in Richmond. The first mile hurt. I could hardly get a comfortable shuffle. But as I got further down the road, I loosened up and realized I can progressively getting faster. By the time I hit mile 5, I took 3 minutes off of my mile time from the start. 

Another redeeming run? My track workout this morning. I haven’t kicked off my track work this season yet as I am still learning this schedule. Tuesday track days make more sense so I plan to move them to Tuesday to get the most out of the workout and keep my Wednesdays as my cross training for TRX or yoga. I really hadn’t done any track work since the summer of 201. But today, it felt right. After a two mile warm up, I was able to kick out a 15:15 with a pretty decent degree of ease. It was literally a nice change of pace. Even my cool down mile stayed in the 15′s which was the boost I needed. 

For now, I am going to stick with the intermediate schedule with my modification of doing activities on specific days. I might add in at least one rest day a week. I might try and stick to it as is and let it fly. We will see what the next three weeks bring. 

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Where did summer go?

With the start of September, brings the official end of summer and just one month shy of the Chicago Marathon (oh and my 50k attempt). Somehow, this summer I have maintained my long runs, got some midweek runs in, consistently cross trained, took on new responsibilities and relationships and stayed on my nutrition plan. To be honest, compared to my NYC Marathon training cycle in 2016, I’m mentally, physically and emotionally in a better place. 

While I have done many of my runs alone and unsupported, I am not upset about it. I found more ways to meditate, pray and recenter in my runs no matter how long or short. I am able to maintain more stamina for my longer miles without completely running out of gas. My body is not in complete pain and frustration. 

It has been a long hot, humid summer but I feel like it will only make me better and stronger. Yoga, cycling, TRX and resting properly, have only make me better. I’ve hit the track and gotten some decent speedwork in. I’ve run in the heat of the day. I’ve taken the hilly route enough times to have it not effect me.  I’ve run more miles this summer, more consistently and I feel the difference. 

So now what? 

Well I have a 22 miler before happily trotting to Taper Town. Where I keep doing the same things but just in a less intense volume. The Air Bnb is booked. I have my dog sitter on deck. I met my fundraising goal. I even have my limited edition CTA card. Most importantly, I feel like I can do it. It’s beyond comforting. 

A majority of the work has been done, now its time to put the cherry on top and finish my primary goals strong. Lets get it. 

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Hello Old Friend: Marathon Training Round 3

They say that “third times a charm” and full disclosure, I am hoping that whoever they are is right. I hope that my new training plan, new goals, fresh mindset and a different motivations for training will all contribute to a successful and injury free marathon season. 

The new training plan is different than what I would normally do. More running on fatigued legs, a little less cross training and more base building rather than long mileage all the time. Due to my time goals, I am going to give the intermediate plan a try. Its easier to start with that plan and scale back if needed.

Raising money for a charity provides a different feel for training for a race. On top of the personal commitment to completing the race, you feel like you are training for the cause you are supporting and the donors that are helping you to reach your goal. On days where I feel like I can not possibly run more miles or do anything, that will be the extra motivation I need to get the job done. 

I have no intention of cutting out my cross training completely. To insure that I am going to be strong and injury free, I will be doing 2 sessions of yoga a week, spin class if I need a lower impact cardio and keeping my strength training to two sessions a week or so. 

I’m excited, I’m nervous. I’m determined. Sounds like a good mix for training right? 

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