First Long Run

Mind you, it should not be. This should be the second. It was 9 miles and it exhausted me so very much! It should not have been that hard. This is just another sign that I am seriously out of shape. I'm glad I took the training down to the Novice 2. I'm sure I'll get much better. I am serious about sticking to the schedule strictly, unless there is a good reason not to. No more, "I just don't feel like it." Also, Fridays are going to be low wine days. Finally, starting on Monday, I am also going to keep a record on this blog on my weight (which is too high) and what I am eating.

I have to say, I was proud of myself for doing my run. It is a good start. The week was perfect!

Change in Plans

The last two training seasons, I've noticed at some point or another that I can't put up with the Intermediate 1 schedule. This year, I am once again walking into training in pretty bad shape. I did notice last weekend that getting the 8 miles on Sunday was not possible.

All this is to say that from now on, I'm switching down to Novice 2. It basically takes away the Saturday semi-long run and adds one extra day of rest. It is possible that I will cross on Sunday AND Monday (the new rest day), thereby helping with the weight lifting problem. As I go on, if I feel I'm getting stronger and doing well, I might jump back up to Intermediate 1, but from now on, I will step it down a notch.

Treadmills are BORING!

Thursday 7/19 - I again chose sleep over a nice outdoor run this morning (shame on me). So I put in 3 miles on the treadmill at a pace of 11:34 or so. I then did 300 sit-ups and about 70 push ups. I need to step up my weight training a bit.

Moving Right Along

Wednesday 7/18 - I didn't get up in the morning like I was supposed to, so I was reduced to running on the treadmill in the office during my lunch time. It is too hot to go outside, close to 100 F. I ran 5 miles at a more or less reasonable pace 11:21, which is about what I want to shoot for the marathon. As much as I dislike treadmill running, it can be helpful when trying to get a pace going.

Into Week Two

I had some tourble with the weeks leading up to training.  The first week (July 9-15)didn't go quite as planned:

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday were fine.  Cross, 3 miles (+strength training), 5 miles.  Thursday I skipped due to a dinner engagement, thinking I'd run the 3 on Friday.  Friday my stomach had the runs, due to the dinner.  Saturday I had a nice 5 miler, but Sunday, the 8 miler did not happen.  Mostly out of lack of organization.  Got up too late and didn't get another chance until the evening, when there was a bit of a thunderstorm.  I decided to let those 8 go and instead concentrate on this week.

This week is going fine so far.

Monday 7/16 - Although I did not get up early, I did walk/run on my treadmill for about 4.5 hours after I came home (cleaning people came for the first time ever!)
Tuesday 7/17 (today) - I got up early, ran 3 miles outside before the heat got a foot hold on the day (rather slow) and then did about half an hour or so of core work - 300 sit ups and 300 repeats with the rolling thingy (must find a name for it).

From now on, I'd like to try to update this a bit more often.  If not daily, then at least every other day.

Let's get back to it.

In the time between that last post and now, I've run two more marathons.  All in all, 4 MCMs.  This year, it is Richmond, which is much hillier.  Also, I'm totally out of shape.  With any luck, keeping this blog updated will lead to a better training plan.  Training officially begins the week of July 9th and ends on November 10th, the day of the marathon.

Today I'm at around 138 flabby lbs, which is at least 20 lbs too heavy compared to my lean version on my first marathon in 2008 when I believe I was at 115 with a goodly amount of musculature.

I've been running an average of 20 miles or less a week for the past few of months, with some exceptions.  The first week of training has 24 miles in it. 

Today there will be no run, as I don't feel very steady on my feet due to a bit of vertigo that wants to hit me.  Starting tomorrow, I'm going back to a normal schedule which should seamlessly lead to that first cross train of Monday July 9th.

Must keep up!

This is for my own benefit.
Marathon is over. I hurt my foot rather badly around mile 13, and by 17 I was in serious pain. This was after many stops to massage foot. I did finish, but angry and at 6:13 and some. But I did finish.
Since then, I've been recovering well.
Monday - Wednesday I rested. I mean rested. Didn't leave the couch, much less my house. Slept as much as I could and ate well.
Thursday I went for a short @ 2 mile run. Followed by a long walk around Georgetown
Friday I took most of the day slow. All the activity the day before did have a toll on me. But I did do the static bike for about 2.5 miles and lifted some weights.
Saturday I went with my parents to Great Falls National park, and although there weren't many easy running trails and I didn't have a watch, I must have run around 2 miles again. Beautiful spot with great views!
Today, Sunday I went for my first real run. I went about 1:20 or so. I took it slow and stopped to walk twice. I suppose I ran somewhere between 6.5-7 miles.
I feel rather sore, but my foot has been perfectly fine since the day after the marathon. Thanks to an ice bath, elevation, and a nice rub. Figures!