Week 13: Marathon Training

This is getting so real! I keep thinking, I have soooo much time! and you know what… I do. But I don’t. I have enough time to prepare, but I’m getting far enough into the training that it’s starting to seem real. I’m actually going to run 26.2 miles.

Especially on my long runs, I keep wondering how in the world I will mentally prepare myself for that run. 26.2 miles. What will I think about? What will I listen to? I will need to compile the most bad-ass playlist ever in history! Then I should not listen to those songs for a month before the race. Keep it fresh, keep me on my toes, keep it exciting. I mean there’s SO much to worry about… I guess if I’m mainly worried about my playlist, that’s good – right? Oh, no. I should be worried about more. Should I? Is it bad that I’m not worried? I SHOULD BE WORRIED! RIGHT? Or should I be anxious? Or excited? What if I have stomach issues?! Here we go… the spiraling thoughts of a runner…

[ week 13 / 17 weeks until 26.2 ]

Sunday – Too Hot to Handle 15k! 9.43 miles, 1:23:38, 8:52 min/mile.

Boy am I proud of myself for this one. This is the furthest distance I’ve run since the half marathon that I signed up for on a whim before training started. Plus, I really ended up running closer to 13 or more miles because, long story short, because I parked so far away (and with what I thought was plenty of time) I ran at least 2 miles to the start line. So, as you can imagine, I had to also get back to my car… which took me over an hour to walk/run back to (maybe it was more than 2 miles each way). The race was great, though! Scenic, great volunteers, not TOO hot… feel free to read my review of the race here.

I was already hot, sweaty and ready for water when I crossed the start line which made the run seem a little longer (as my Nike+ app was telling me I was at mile 9, I was only at mile 7 of the race). But this little hiccup didn’t ruin the day. Once I got into the race, I just focused on my music and the scenery and took it one mile at a time. Rather than thinking “I have 5 more miles left…” I just think about making it to each mile marker, then when even that seems difficult, I just think about the next water stop (luckily they had them about every half mile due to the intense heat expected during this mid-summer race). Once I was finished, I felt great. Sub-9 minute mile average pace and I was happy. Very happy.

After that and the hour+ walk/jog back to my car and I was POOPED. Yes. Pooped. I sat in my car a minute until I built up the energy to drive home. I then managed to shower and lay in bed. So I’d say it was overall wonderful yet exhausting (as it should be, right?)!

Monday – Rest day!

I was a little stiff today but my body and legs actually didn’t feel too bad. I thought I’d be a little more sore considering my mileage yesterday. My lower abs were sore and right hamstring stiff, other than that all OK!

Tuesday – 3.15 miles, 28:21, 9:00 min/mile.

3 easy miles. Still a tad stiff today from the long run Sunday in the hamstrings and a little tired but felt overall OK. Started to feel good after 2nd mile – I didn’t even know I had reached 3 miles until I looked down at my watch at a little over 3! That’s always a good feeling.

Wednesday – 3 miles, 26:49, 8:55 min/mile.

3 easy miles again today and felt even better than yesterday. Even though it was 99 degrees with a heat index of 108, it really wasn’t too bad! Legs were still a little stiff (robot legs), even though I was stretching a lot, but I think I loosened up a lot after this run.

Thursday – Tempo run – 6 miles, 54:35, 9:06 min/mile.

I tried to wake up early and get this run in before the heat of the day (because, ya know, 6 miles…) and I DID wake up. At 4:30am – which is when I’d have to get up and go for my run and still be at work on time. I got up and started getting ready for my run but realized it was still dark out and wouldn’t be light until 6:30am. In order to get to work at 7:30 am, there was no fitting it in before work. (I don’t run in the dark).

So, I went later in the day. It was almost 100 degrees. I didn’t look, but I’m sure the heat index was well above 100. My new Orangemud Endurance pack saved my life (full review on this coming soon). Seriously. It was my first time using it, and it came in the mail just in time. I have never had a bladder hydration pack… it’s a game changer! Other than gushing sweat, I felt good on this run. I wasn’t stiff any more from the 15K. I was just hot and tired. The last mile or two were particularly though, but I pushed through.

Friday – 4.05 miles, 38:13, 9:26 min/mile.

4 easy miles. I actually ran in the morning (yay!) to beat the heat and it was amazing! It was only about 85 degrees… I still got a good sweat going but it felt nice to get up with the sun and run.

I also did a Gold’s Fit class at noon (so I had some rest after my run) and it was pretty challenging on my upper body strength. In fact, as I write this 3 days later, I am still sore in my arms, chest, back, and abs. So, I’d say I got a good workout!

Saturday – Rest!

Total miles for the week (running only) – 25.63

THANK YOU to my coach, Andrew Simmons for all of my workouts, advise on what to do when things do or don’t go as planned, and all of his hard work! I have improved SO, so much already and have him to thank for it. I truly would not be running sub-9 minute miles for 9+ miles if it weren’t for him. Thank you for aiding in my growth and allowing me to surprise myself in my capabilities!

Are you training for an upcoming race?

Do you have a favorite hydration system while running? Why?

What’s your favorite distance to run?

Thanks for reading!