Done!

I stopped writing this log/blog, but not training. I finished my first marathon in about 5 hours. Not great, but I finished. Now for the next one...

And now nothing...

Since that pseudo Herculean 18 miler, I've been sort of out of commission. First I was just too sore, then I got sick. So out of 3 five millers I only did two, and my cross training was nothing more serious than stretches. I've also been going light on weight training. I'm planing an 8 and 13 this weekend. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow morning though.
Next week is another push forward, as I will finish the week with a 20 miler. It is one of two in the training.

I ran a marathon over the weekend.

Well, sort of. In two days. I'm skipping taking about my midweek runs because I didn't do many, due to a sore ankle and an ugly cold. Yesterday it was raining rather hard, so I ended up running on my treadmill for 8 miles, quite at pace, and I have to say, it rather took it out of me, but although boring to stare out of the window instead of running outside, it was good to know for sure I was running at pace.
Today was an 18 miler, and I still need to finish them faster. Mostly I need stamina to finish if not very strong, at least still running. The run was really pretty and up until mile 15 or a little before, I was doing quite well, but then my ass and my hips started paining me quite a bit and I ended up walking for, I would say, about a mile and a half, perhaps two of the last bit, which put on the minutes. I finished in just under 4 hours, and I was really hoping to finish in 3:20 or so. But I'll get there, I hope. Oh, and I know gmaps pedometer says something like 11 miles, but that's because they are being weird with the there and back function, but trust me. I ran 9 miles each way.
Easy week next week, and I hope to find some time to be social too.

This is NOT easy

Last Thursday 28th I had a nice short run and Friday I rested. Saturday's 8 miler at pace was more than comfortable. I think I might have run closer to 9 miles (and I locked myself out of the house). I spent a good amount of time at the gym afterward, no problem. On Sunday I had a 17 miler to run, which I did, but it was really very hard. It took me almost 4 hours to complete because of all the walking breaks I took. I think I let myself be daunted by the distance and thought about it too much during the run. I plan to take a book with me (audio book, of course) for this week's long run (18 miles) which I will also do in a new place, Mt Vernon to Old Town.
On Monday Sept. 1st I did some walking and strength training. Yesterday I could not get out of bed. Today I had an 8 miler, but I decided to just run. As if I weren't training for anything. Just run. I ran a pretty fast, comfortable and enjoyable 10 miles. I plan to do something similar tomorrow and get some strength training in as well. I think I will take Friday off, but I'm not sure right now, I might do something easy. I need to build up for these long runs as well as rest.

The Hardest Week So Far

This week will culminate with a whopping 17 miles on Sunday (and 18 the next week). As I was saying, I feel that my good work last week is preparing me mentally and physically for what is to come. My foot has not been hurting after work outs and I am still being very careful with it. I have however, noticed that my speed is catching back up.
Due to strange mood problems and sleeping habits, I totally skipped Monday's cross training. Tuesday I did a good 4 miles, which, considering how beautiful the morning was, left me wanting more. This morning I ran about 9 miles, this is at least a mile over what was indicated, but as I said, great weather and all, plus I feel that pushing a bit this early in the week might help with what's to come.
Tomorrow I plan to listen to my training guide and do an easy, comfortable 4 miles followed by rest and then the big 8/17 c0mbo. I might get some cross training in, but if I do, it will be rather mild. I want to be rested and ready for what's to come.
I'm almost there!

More about last week.

I ended up indeed running six very good miles on Friday, followed by 7 on Saturday and 11 on Sunday. I also went to lift weights on Saturday. By the time the week's work outs were over, I felt pretty good about myself. It helped that it was a step back week, of course, but I feel like I got a good lead into this week, which won't be so mild.

Week's runs

Monday I sort of took off. It was cross training day, and since the previous day had been so harsh, I just went out for a walk.
Tuesday I ran 4 miles and lifted weights at home.
Wednesday I ran 5 miles and worked on my abs and my arms with my wheely thing.
Today I didn't do anything.
Tomorrow I plan to run as long as I want, probably around 6 miles (I should have run 4 today) and I also want to go to the gym. Although I might leave that to Saturday and work here instead. I need to start going to the gym a little more often again. That will start in earnest next week.
Saturday is a 7 miler, followed by an 11 miler. Easy week. Next week the long run jumps to 17, so that will be a sight to behold...

I need more speed

The drowsiness continued last week, so that Thursday and Friday were a wash as far as exercise of any kind went. Yesterday, however I ran around 9 miles, maybe a little less. Today I ran probably above 15 miles. My pedometer said over 16, but I know it is not accurate and that it tends to log too much when I walk, which I did do during this work out. I'm a bit sore, and my foot is rather stiff, but other than that, no problems. I do have to work a bit on speed. I realize I'm supposed to be doing these well below what I plan to do on race day, but all the same, 2:45 minutes for 15 miles is not really very good.
The coming week is a step back week for me. I plan to follow it and not just add miles one day because I didn't run on another day. I also plan to work on speed. Specially during Saturday's pace run. I want to make sure I finish the marathon in something close to decent time. The way I'm going, we are talking 5 hours, which is still within the limit, so I can still finish, but it is just too terribly long. So I'll be working on speed from now on, always deferring to the sore foot when necessary. But with the shorter runs this week, foot should not be a problem at all.

I am working a bit from memory

Since I haven't updated since a week from today, this is what I think I did.
On Thursday 7th, I believe I didn't do anything. Friday I did around 6 miles. Saturday I put in 7 miles. On Sunday I did do 14 miles, starting from home and running to and around W&OD trail. I ran slower than I'd have liked, but all the same, I am pleased. During the weekend I did do some weight training work at home, but I've not been to the gym, partially because I was missing my card. Monday I did some more weight training work. Tuesday and today I did nothing. I've been very drowsy and sleeping too much. I'm hoping to have a better day tomorrow and this weekend does have a 15 miler in the making. My foot is doing quite well, and I think the break is doing it good. I am a bit afraid of lagging behind and not getting enough training in, but I've got a good 10 weeks to go, so I should be all right.
Also, I used google pedometer and finally managed a much more accurate calculation of my trail. My pedometer is only about a half mile off. The new one sucked, so I returned it. Next week I'll go to my running store and see if I can buy something useful.

I did well today

Had a very respectable 8 mile run (I was to run 7). I think instead of resting on Friday I'll do the 4 I should have done yesterday. Sunday's long run is 14 miles, so I've got to be up early for it and I'm also thinking I'll find another trail to run, perhaps right here by work where the W&OD starts.

The Weekend

I did run on Friday, 9 miles, actually. I'm calling Saturday a cross-train day due to an hour long self-defense class and a hike up a rather cool mountain in Atlanta. Sunday I ran about 6 miles. I'm afraid today I'm too tired to do anything, what with not enough sleep, a flight and the like. I do hope to raise early tomorrow for a good run/work out!

Thursday run

As I'm going to be out of town, I'll update this.
I ran (what I think) was 4.5 miles and had a lot of fun doing so, I might add.
I also lifted weights at home, did some stretching and the wheely thing.
Intend on a long run tomorrow before the flight and will take my shoes with me in hopes of another run while in Atlanta.

I'm pretty sure...

That my pedometer is more or less on track. There is really no way I'm running slowly enough to account for almost 2 missing miles, but we'll see. But for now, let's assume all is well.

Sunday 27th and Monday 28th were rest days. So yesterday (29th) I ran 4 miles and spent an hour and a half at the gym lifting weights. Today I ran 7.5 miles. My foot is feeling a little sore, but I think I'm OK. I am traveling out of town this weekend, so I'll do a long run on Friday before getting to the airport. I'm not sure I'll have an opportunity to run while I am out in Atlanta, but I'm going to try.

Long Runs?

According to me, I ran 12 miles on Friday, 6 on Saturday. Because of other things I had to do and the fact that my foot is rather sore, I took yesterday and today completely off. I'll get back on track tomorrow, running and weight training.

I tried tracking my path the other day and it turns out that I might not be running as far as I thought. Thing is, the path is not actually showing in the site I was using, so I'm not sure, but I might be off by as much as two miles. The pedometers I've used have all been cheap GNC ones, but the time I spent outside seems right for around a 10 min mile. I might be running much slower and less than I thought. I've bought a new pedometer to make sure. In the mean time, I'll go on as before.

This is not funny

Yesterday (23rd) I ran 7 miles. I intended to have a short run this morning (weather was perfect) followed by a visit to the gym and do the long runs Friday and Saturday because I need my Sunday free. Well, by the time I got home yesterday my foot was very swollen (again). I iced it and kept it up all night but this morning it was hurting quite badly, so I did the sensible thing and went straight to the gym to do the stationary cycle and the weights. Such a waste of a perfect morning, but I was afraid that if I pushed it today, I might hurt myself again and be out of the running (ha ha) again. I feel fine now, so I hope my long runs will go as planned.

That's better...

I ran 6 miles this morning instead of the 3 I was supposed to do according to the training guide. I also did get up at 5:40 (not thanks to my neighbors), so it was only 7 am when I got back. I did a bunch of stretches (which I'd planned on doing last night), lifted my weights at home and used that rolling thing whose name I really should learn. It is supposed to rain tomorrow morning, so I might be reduced to running indoors if it is really bad. Ah well, it beats nothing.

Week 5 begins

I'm still rather upset about how bad yesterday's run was, but I'll get over it.
Today I only lifted weights at the gym for about 1.5 hours.
My foot feels much better but my hip is still bothering me. I went to the chiropractor on Friday, so I SHOULD be good to go for a while. I'll just do a lot of stretches tonight.
Tomorrow I'll go out for a short run as early as possible. I've got to get my body used to being up well before 6 am. The only way I'm going to manage those long runs is to be up with the sun when it is safe to be out there. The only way I'm going to manage to get up at the crack of dawn during weekends is if I train my body to do that every single day.

Horrid run

I was supposed to run 11 miles today. I didn't start until past 7 am. It was already above 80 degrees and VERY humid. Much of the paths were I run are in the sun. After 7 miles, about two of them in the bright hot sun, I was in serious discomfort. There were a few bursts of speed along the way, but the last 5 miles were mostly walking. So I did reach the goal, just not running. I have to get up earlier and avoid the hotter parts, even if it means looping the same area five times. I feel depleted and defeated. I'll try for a long run mid-week again. Right now I'm trying to revive myself with fluids.

Real Long Runs and Sore Ankles

Thursday 17th I ran about 3.5 miles. I was feeling rather tired, so I didn't even try to go too much over board. I did however go work out at the gym afterwards. Friday I took the day off as I was supposed to do. I honestly just ended up feeling rather tired all day. Today (Saturday 19th) I ran 7 miles and lifted weights at the gym. My foot is rather tender, so I'll ice it later tonight. Tomorrow I'm supposed to do 11 miles. I'm hoping my foot will feel well by then and I'm thinking of trying for the old 12. We shall see...

Half way into week 4

After my last post on the 12th, I did go to the gym to lift weights. Sunday 13th I ran 6.5 miles (6 was what was indicated. That week (week 3) was to be a step back week, and seeing as I mostly ran in my mind, I did indeed step back.
Now Week 4 was to start (as always) with cross training on Monday 14th. Instead, I rested. Sunday was a tough day in ways that don't relate to running at all.
Tuesday 15th I ran around 4.5 miles (3 were indicated). I also lifted weights at home, plus the rolling thing.
Today, Wednesday 16th it was 7 miles (6 were indicated).
It may seem like I'm running too much, but again, considering how I used to run pre-injury, this is pretty tame. I mean to sort of stick to shorter runs during the week until I'm fully healed. I also plan to start resting on Fridays and cross training on Mondays.
This week's long run is 11 miles. I might try to go up to 12, my old standard.

What kind of drugs am I on?

Right, about last week. I'm clearly hallucinating some of my work outs. Monday HAD to be a rest day because I worked too hard during the weekend, including Friday. Wednesday I was feeling very sick, and I might have dreamed about 10 miles, but I doubt I ran them. The rest of it is right, I think. From now on, I'm either posting every day or at least using dates.
So today I just ran a very, very HOT 5 miles (as I was supposed to). I didn't get started until around 9:30 because I just could not get myself out of bed early. I've got to start using Friday as rest days and sleep in before work, so I can get up early on Saturdays. Most of the reason I ran just the 5 was because it is just too hot to do any more!
I am now deciding between lifting weight here or walking to the gym.

Prequel to the Last Post

OK. I just noticed I skipped over last weekend. On Friday I took a long walk with my pedometer in hopes of measuring out some trails, but it looks like my pedometer clocks at different rates when I run and when I walk, and I'm not quite sure either is right. So I'm still sort of guessing, but I'm sure I'm within half a mile of being right. Saturday I ran a six miler and worked with my weights at home and Sunday I ran 9 miles, then went to the gym. All in all, only one mile over what was suggested in the training guide. I have the feeling at some point I'm going to have to back off a bit of either the running or the strength training not to peak too soon, but so far I'm doing all right.
We will see what this weekend and next week bring.

Quick update

Seeing as this is merely a training tool for my own use, I really should post more often to keep track of my runs before I forget. I was supposed to:
Mon: cross train
Tues: 3 miles
Weds: 5 miles
Thurs: 3 miles
Friday: rest
With some strength training in there. This is what happendded
M: cross for about 1.5 hours (weight lifting)
Tue: (I forget, see the problem?) But I think I didn't do much past the three miles and I can't remember if I lifted weights, but I think I ran 4 miles and lifted dumb bells at home, plus the rolling thing
Weds: 10 miles
Thurs: 3.5 very tough miles (I've been sick and my stomach wasn't happy I was running) plus some gym weight lifting
Friday: 8 miles.
I plan to stay close to the recommended long runs this weekend, because I'm afraid I'm overdoing it. I've got a 5 and a 6, and I'll try to not go above a 6 and 7, but preferably no more than two 6s.
So that's about 27 miles so far plus another 12 or so this week. If I could run the marathon during the course of a couple of days, I'd be all set!

And it starts

Technically, I'm on my second week of training. I'm attempting to follow this training guide. The first week, as I was recovering from the swollen ankle still, I just ran two 6 milers during the week. That weekend, I ran 6 miles on Saturday (one more than I was supposed to) and lifted weights. Sunday I stuck to the recommended 8.
This week so far I've been sort of staying within the training guide, although I do tend to add a mile or so to each run. I was (before the injury slowed me down) used to regular long runs (around 12 miles 4 or 5 days a week), so without tiring myself for the long runs and allowing for the build up that is requested here, I am trying to keep myself amused. I like running, and those short short runs don't quite do it for me. I'm sure that by week 7, I'll be singing another tune. As it is, I plan to run no more than 4 miles tomorrow and visit the gym as well. Since Friday is a rest day (and a holiday) I might spend some time measuring tracks so I can vary where I run a little.
That's it for now.

Preamble - The Swolen Ankle

I started this blog thinking I would use it to keep track of my training for my first marathon (MCM). There is only one slight problem, for the past several months I've been trying to nurse a problematic ankle that is just not healing all the way. So unless this thing finishes healing, I'm not going to be able to train.
We will see...