Surviving the Taper

I've been neglecting this teeny, tiny corner of the internet for quite a while now. 18 weeks of training, 528 miles, 37 hours of cross-training, and a shiny new half marathon PR (1:56!!!) later, I've reached the taper for my next marathon and all of the typical scenarios are running through my head. Did I run enough? Have I fueled properly? What if I bonk? What if my time is slower than my first? I am trying to remember that from here on out, everything is out of my control. I can't control the weather. Pushing my five miler this morning is not going to make me faster. Don't worry about other runners - I'm not going to win, ha. I'm trying to focus on the fact I have two legs that get to run 26.2 miles through my hometown in less than two weeks. I've covered the full marathon course several times over the years either by doing the half or a five person relay, but this time it's all me. I have an amazing mom who rocked her training and will be running her first 26.2. I am so insanely proud of her. And here I go getting teary eyed. So there it is, I'm doing my best to let go. I of course will still be stalking weather.com and debating what to wear, but I'm ready to enjoy the ride.

Backed Up

I've missed posting weeks 4 and 5 of marathon training. I think I'll avoid the boring details of my weekly runs, but long runs were 11 and 12 miles with weekly mileage totaling 26 and 28, respectively. I'm enjoying getting into the monotony of marathon training and in fact I believe I thrive on it. The past is clearly indicative of the future, as I've found this before: the more I run, the more I want to run.

I reached exactly 100 miles for the month of February. My last scheduled run for the month was going to leave me at 99, but of course I couldn't let that happen.

Rest Days

Week 4 of training included zero actually rest days, but I didn't go all out every day. I won't make this a habit, especially as miles ramp up, but my body is handling it well now. My back has been super tight and knotted in part due to sitting (incorrectly) at a desk all day, so I am exploring seeing a chiropractor for help. Running felt strong this week and I've started searching for a fall marathon! The logical side of me knows I should wait until VCM is over but I just can't help myself.

Monday: cardio core attack

Tuesday: 1 hour of spinning taught by Melissa!

Wednesday: 5 miles at lunch with my little running group. Average pace 9:43

Thursday: 4 miles of hill repeats with a friend at lunch. Average page 9:47

Friday: 6 miles on the treadmill in the evening. Average pace 10:17 - started slow and sped up throughout the course of the run.

Saturday: bodypump

Sunday: 11 mile long run! Felt strong, much better than the 9 miles two weeks ago. Average pace 10:07

Week 3

Last week was pretty standard, took an entire rest day because I definitely needed it. Fatigue, irritability, trouble sleeping? Yes to all of the above.

Monday: REST

Tuesday: 3 miles at lunch and PM bodypump class

Wednesday: 5 miles in a snowstorm

Thursday: kickboxing

Friday: taught yoga

Saturday: 5 PM miles

Sunday: 6 (more PM) miles

It was a step back week and I swapped out a 3 mile run for kickboxing. After this week I'm going to get into the 5 running days per week schedule as that works for me in terms of training. I'm starting to love the increased mileage but 11 miles due this week is sort of scary!

Am I really doing this again?

During the second week of marathon training, it hit me. I am running another marathon. I don't quite have the same level of high that I did the first time around, likely because I am well aware of the pain and long hours that are to come. Either way, I am looking forward to running a marathon in my home state and seeing what I can do with the momentum of friends and family along the course. Although, the first time around, Melissa and Julia were pretty much the best fans anyone could ask for. And Adam, except he missed me crossing the finish line. Still not over that one.

Week 2:

Monday: cardio core attack - 50 mins core work and intervals, like jumping jacks, box jumps, and burpees
Tuesday: bodypump
Wednesday: 5 miles
Thursday: 3 miles on the treadmill
Friday: taught yoga
Saturday: 5 miles
Sunday: 9 miles

Benchmark

Not all runs are blog worthy, certainly not a boring three miles I struggled through on the treadmill. I'd like to forget that. 

When I first started running, I had my signature 5 mile loop. It was fairly flat with a small incline at the end. On a good day, it would take me an hour. There were certain spots along the way where I would check my watch to see where I was at. My mind was blown when I got my Garmin and found out it was in fact 4.5 miles. I was running slower than 12 minute miles.

We moved in August so when heading for a run from the gym yesterday, I knew I could do my old loop. I added extra on to make it a true 5 miles and completed it in 46 minutes. 46 minutes! This isn't fast by some standards, but for this runner who consistently logged 12 minute miles for years, it is. 

Goodbye January

I'm so ready to bid farewell to January. New Years Day, Alice and I came down with a nasty stomach bug and every day since then at least one member in the household has been sick. The latest round included Jack's ear infection, a cold and teething for Alice, flu for Adam, and more stomach bugs for me. What the?? I've managed to not let it cramp my style too much in terms of training so here's what week 1 (eek!) of marathon training looked like.

Monday: 3 miles + 90 mins vinyasa yoga

Tuesday: Fitness Infusion class

Wednesday: 5 treadmill miles

Thursday: Kickboxing

Friday: Rest 

*taught yoga at work, still calling it a rest day.

Saturday: 5 cold ass windy miles

Sunday: 8 evening treadmill miles

21 running miles + 4 cross training

Fridays will be my rest days even, though I teach yoga. It's pretty low key so I think it works. Plus I have a few Fridays off coming up so there's that. I'm taking advantage if swapping out some easier 3 milers with cardio-based classes at work for now. I know in a few weeks I'll need to focus on purely running - a ton of it - and I'm hoping this strategy will give me a strong base.

Fitness Infusion

I stepped out of my comfort zone today and took a class called Fitness Infusion. It was a combination of intervals, like Tabata, and strengthening moves. It was really fun and I hope to incorporate it into my regular routine.

Back at home, we've been struck with the stomach bug twice already and then this weekend came through again for Adam and Jack. I'm hopeful we are over the hump and everyone can get healthy again. And that Alice and I stay clear - we  had it the first round a couple weeks ago. Sick nights means cartoons in bed. 

Training Cycle Day One

Today marks the first official day of training for my second marathon! It was pretty uneventful with a chilly and snowy 3 mile run around town at lunch time. I switched today's and tomorrow's plans since tomorrow's high temp is supposed to be 4 and I'm trying to avoid the treadmill as much as possible. 

I surprised myself and actually did 90 minutes of vinyasa yoga at home with the lights low and my favorite music on. It was incredibly relaxing and nice to spend as much time working on Astra Bakasana as I wanted. Here's to 18 weeks of healthy marathon training!