It's hard to believe that I'm already one week into my marathon training!
I am so looking forward to Grandma's Marathon. It's my 2nd marathon, and the 2nd time I will run this race. I definitely have something to prove!
My weekly recap looks something like this:
28.2 miles
One tempo run with the grim reaper
A new do
Messy peanut butter fingers
Birthday
For this training plan, I have made a conscientious effort to tailor a plan specifically for my needs and my needs only. I also cut back running from 5 days a week to 4, so that I can allow myself enough rest and reduce stress on my body. Last year, 7 weeks in, I suffered a major set back that put me out of training for almost 8 weeks. I am going to try do to everything I can so that doesn't happen again!
Monday
Well, I guess my training started off with a bang. Go big or go home! I was ready. Hill repeats. 0.7 mile repeats in about 6:20 or 9:02 per mile. I'm pretty happy with this because my marathon pace for a sub 4:00:00 hr marathon is 9:09. Throw in the crazy hills and I feel like I pushed myself just right. I was going to complete 5 repeats, but for some reason everyone in my town decided to drive the hill at 5:20 in the morning, so my safety was questioned as the sidewalks were mega icy. I was running on the road and with a blind corner, I was happy to call it a day with 4 repeats.
Tuesday
6 easy miles. No pace expectation for this run, but I did feel sluggish. 9:30/mile completes day 2 of training.
Wednesday
Rest. It's important for me this training cycle to not run more than 2 days in a row. So there you have it. Wednesday's are for rest and rest is what I took. Sweet baby Jesus - it was glorious!
Thursday
I may have died a thousand deaths during this run - but still felt a tad badass when I was done. I'm pretty sure I blacked out at least once AND saw the Grim Reaper!
Ok, so I always did have a flare for the dramatic. No, I did not black out, but it sure felt like I was going to!
It was -11 with windchill that morning, so I opted for my tempo run on "Milly." I TOTALLY stole this nickname from Kim - go check out her blog - she rocks! The name is just so catchy, I find myself saying it a lot, so it's kinda stuck! Thanks Kim!
My plan was 1 mile w/u, 4 miles 8:15/mile, 1 mile c/d. I have to admit I cut out one mile tempo. I hit 3 solid miles at 8:15 and thought I was dying, so I cut it short. My mental game needs some work - but that's a lot of the reason why we train right?!? All in all, I got in a solid 5 miles and felt great after I regained consciousness. HA!
Friday
Is supposed to be my kick-boxing day, but I can't bring my 5-year old anymore due to liability issues, so I'm really missing it and I'm floundering a bit for what to do for cross-training when I have my little with me all day. Hmmm.. suggestions are appreciated!
What I did do was get a new do! What runner doesn't like to be pampered every now and again. Let's be honest - my ponytail holder gets a LOT of action during the week. Wearing my hair down is few and far between. She made me feel glamorous!
On another funny note, my 5 year old watches my 7 year old get on the bus on Friday mornings. He sits at the window, usually stepping on the sill while he watches. Ms. OCD - clean freak, came into the living room to notice that he had written his name on the windows with his greasy peanut butter fingers. My first instinct was to get upset, but I remained calm and actually laughed when I told him his printing looked great. However, I quickly followed it up with a "please go wash your hands, and we don't write on the windows." He thought he was quite the character that's for sure!
You have to look close, but you can see his name written on the window! That stinker!
Saturday
Oh what a glorious long run day! It was absolutely fantastic outside. 39 degrees meant I could run in UNLINED pants! In February! I completed 11.4 miles at 9:08/mile and that was right on target with my marathon pace!
There really isn't anything like perfect running temperatures and a great long run to start your weekend. One other thing I was happy about was that my heart rate stayed comfortable in Zone 4 at 155-160 bpm.
My little also had his 7th birthday party with friends today. We went to a local bowling alley that had pizza, bowling and arcade games and everyone had a blast! How is my baby 7 already?? Right now he's slightly obsessed with Minecraft! :)
I'm not a particularly religious person, but Sunday's are my "holy-days." I don't mean this as a dig on religion AT ALL, but I choose to do absolutely NOTHING on Sunday except relax and spend it with my family. I'm looking forward to sleeping in until 6 and spending it with my boys! I know... I'm an animal - but 6 am is sleeping in at my house. :)
I'm once again linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap! Grab and chair and a glass of wine, read, and stay while!
