July 2, 2014

#breathedeeplyandrunchitown-Marathon Training Update

Here we go again-training to conquer 26.2 miles. The 2014 Chicago Marathon is only 101 days away. Say what?!


Yes, I'm starting my own hashtag #breathedeeplyandrunchitown. I will need a lot of deep breathes and smiles to make it through another cycle of summer marathon training. 

Since I've already made it through one marathon I should be feeling older and wiser, right? Not really. I think the pressure is on more this year because even though I had goals (which I met!) last year, just finishing was an accomplishment. Now I'm looking to shave ten minutes off last year's time. Of course, this is all self-imposed pressure. Of course.   I'm looking at eventually getting that shiny BQ (Boston Qualifying) time. Right now I'm trying to run another strong marathon except in a city I've never visited. Big goals set you up for big accomplishments, right?


 Here are my goals for this training cycle. 

1. Stay strong and injury-free. No brainer. 
2. Play around with my training. Try new techniques, tweak nutrition, and listen to my body. This is my second time around so I feel a little more comfortable making the training plan my own.
3.Up my mileage-slow and steady. One piece of really great advice I got from Sarah who just ran an AMAZING PR and BQ time was that upping her mileage was a huge help in getting faster. My easy runs need to be just that-easy and slow or else I won't be able to run as many miles!
4. Keep smiling. Enjoy the ride and recognize that making it to the start line AND the finish line are both huge accomplishments.  

I ran my first long run of training 2 weeks ago but just finished my first full week of the training plan. I'm in the same awesome Charm City Run training group  as last year. The structure of the plan is pretty much the same as last year with one weekend long run, a speed work or hills run, tempo run, and 2-3 easy runs a week. 

On the Road to 26.2-Week 2
Long run: My first long run of 10 miles felt great. I was with my training-turned-real friends and we kept it to a slow pace around the water. This past weekend I had to fit in 12 miles while away in Savannah at Fitbloggin. It actually worked out great despite being soaked from the ridiculous humidity. I did 6 early miles by myself at Forsyth Park (the park from Forrest Gump!) and then met up with the conference group to go run the 10K with Fitbloggers. I felt strong and kept my pace slower around 9:15s for my solo run and ran it slightly quicker during the 10K. There was some incline to the route, and we ran over a bridge which was a first for me!
Wonder Woman is my spirit animal.
Weekly runs:Since it was my first week of training and Fitbloggin' week I was feeling really motivated to start training. It's been taking some time to get used to the heat and humidity. I got in a couple great, easy runs and made sure to get in my mile a day while I was in Savannah for #RWRunStreak at Fitbloggin thanks to the hotel gym. 

Thumbs up: I can't really believe it, but for the first time in 3 years I'm not running in Brooks running shoes. 

Don't worry, I still love love love my Brooks and will definitely wear them again after this training cycle and for shorter distance races. I trained in Brooks Ravennas last summer, and while they served me well I was looking for a lighter shoe. I thought it might be the Brooks Transcends, but the winner was the Adidas Energy Boost 2, which I also had wear-tested at a Charm City Run Thursday fun run. They had the same cushion-y feel as the Transcends but just felt less bulky to me. I love the responsiveness of the shoe and the minimal upper of it. So far so good!


Thumbs down: With marathon training and getting back into running a lot again, I forgot how tired I get. I think the heat also plays a big factor because spending time outside all day takes it out of me too. I definitely am going to be forced to move up my bedtime to get the necessary sleep! 

Are you training for any fall races? Do you find yourself needing more sleep with increased summer exercising? 

22 comments:

  1. Fingers crossed I move back to Baltimore soon so I can do some runs with you! Chicago is beautiful and you know how I feel about Charm City so obviously I trust that they put you in some good shoes. I love the feel of the Adidas upper. So comfy.

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    1. Well I'm a pro and actually just went in there and said I wanted to try on two of the Boost styles haha but I <3 CCR!

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  2. Way to go! I'm still so impressed that you got in 12 miles in that hot Savannah heat! That 10K (especially that darn bridge) had me sweating bullets! You are awesome! Also, I LOVE those hot pink shoes. So cute!

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    1. Thanks-I was definitely drenched in sweat! Yeah I'm pretty happy the shoes happened to come in one of my fave colors :)

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  3. I'm also impressed you continued the training in Savannah. I saw you at the conference but we didn't really get to talk. Next time I'll be sure to change that!

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    1. Definitely-I'm a little shy but am feeling inspired to talk to more people next year!

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  4. Marathon training so exciting but so much work. I had no idea you were running Chicago! That is very cool. Sounds like you have everything together so it won't be a problem for you. And you getting your BQ time won't be a problem in the future. You are fast! Stay strong and healthy.

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  5. Sounds like a great week of training!! Best of luck in your journey to Chicago!

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    1. Thanks so much-it seems so far away yet so close!

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  6. Oh man, sleep for sure! And great job on your training start! I hope to do a half this fall but not sure if money and schedule will allow it.

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    1. Yeah races are so $$$- try to find maybe a smaller local race to run !

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  7. i run in those same adidas and i LOVE them! my current ones are just about ready for a replacement (they lasted around 500 miles!) and i can't wait to get a new pair :)

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    1. YAY for shoe twinsies. I'm glad to hear they actually lasted so long for you. I'm going to have to buy another pair before the race anyways but good to know these will last through all the miles I'm putting on them!

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  8. I'm training for 2 fall goal races! Yikes! Chicago is one of my all time favorites!

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    1. That's awesome! I've never run Chicago, but I thought go big or go home!

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  9. I just bought my first pair of Brooks and i'm loving them! Brooks Ravennas actually, I'm loving them so far. Good luck with your training!

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    1. Ah I ran last year in the Ravennas and still do some workouts in them. They last a long time and are great shoes!

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  10. I'm in my second week of training for my first full. Really nervous about it! I also love Brooks, I've been wearing Pure Cadence for two years now. And yes, yes, yes to sleeping more! I always look for excuses to go to bed earlier when I'm in a training cycle. You don't realize how much it takes out of you!

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    1. You'll do great! Keep following my training because I'll talk about my ups and downs and hopefully make you feel a little less nervous! Ah I LOVE the pure cadences-Brooks shoes are great.

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  11. Do you need a corrective shoe? If not you might want to consider Brooks Glycerin. I worked at a running specialty store and so many people loved how cushioned it felt. But it's a neutral shoe, so you might want to stick an orthotic in it if you feel like you need support.

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    1. Thanks for the suggestion. I don't need corrective shoes-I'm neutral all around. I just don't think I could go super minimal for a higher volume of training!

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