5 things I love about marathon training.
It just started this week in fact! Seriously, I have been looking forward to it as soon as I got into my "A" marathon and get a goal.
It feels good to have a "plan" again. Without one, I kind of flounder. I run here and there, but mostly junk miles. No speed work, no long runs. I haven't even hit double digits since my last half in April. That's sad for me.
I think I've lost some fitness. At least cardiovascularly speaking. Pure barre has been great for toning, but it does not mimic the intense heart rate that running provides. I kind of feel like I'm starting from scratch sometimes.
This year's marathon season holds my biggest challenges yet. A time goal for my November race, to finish the Dallas Marathon strong after the abysmal outing I had there two years ago, back to back FULL marathons with 5k warm ups on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, did someone say ultra?
In some bizarre way, I look forward to those 16, 18 and 20 mile training runs. I always do them on the weekend's my son is not with me to avoid the mommy guilt, but there is something I get excited about leading up to them. Perhaps I just like to watch TV uninterrupted?
Food. Not that I don't eat the rest of the year, but I kind of feel like I can get away with a little more when I'm running 30 miles a week. I don't feel bad about eating those cupcakes or snacking all day. While I'm really trying to hone in on nutrition this year, I'm human, and yes, I run so I can eat. Cupcakes mostly.
Have a great weekend!!
I LOVE having a plan....and I love long runs too. Sounds like you might be another treadmill runner like me from your TV watching comment. Do you listen to podcasts at all? That's what I enjoy on those long runs. Have a great weekend! (by the way, I'm M @readeatwriterun but blogspot won't let me use that as an id)
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the treadmill!! I love running outside when I can, but the TX heat is brutal in the summer. I recently started listening to Another Mother Runner shows...any others you would recommend? I burn through those pretty fast.
DeleteI always feel better when I have a plan and I am training for something. Good luck with the marathon training sounds like you are enjoying so far.
ReplyDeleteConfessions of A Mother Runner
Thanks Deborah!
DeleteHaving a good training plan is crucial to marathon training. Don't feel so bad about enjoy uninterrupted television. I'm guilty of this too! We deserve it!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely!!
DeleteGood luck with your training! I know you'll nail it!! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Lisa!
DeleteI don't have a plan yet, but while I'm thinking of trying to do a Marathon in a few months from now, I'm researching different methods (I like the sound of Hanson and FIRST methods, but I haven't done a lot of research yet).
ReplyDeleteAxel, I've done several....Galloway for my first, Higdon for my second, writing my own, Runkeeper and last year I had a coach. I've enjoyed them all and have seen improvement in every one of them.
DeleteI started marathon training too this summer ( my first). I have a 21 miler scheduled on December 21. I wonder how that's gonna go over!
ReplyDeleteI like how those dates match up! 21 on the 21st! Good luck in your training!
DeleteGood luck with your training! I like to have a plan but have been floundering about this summer with running...maybe the Houston heat has something to do with that...ha
ReplyDeleteRunning for cupcakes is totally acceptable :)