New York City Marathon Training: Week Six

Happy Tuesday, I think? Unfortunately, I’m not feeling 100% which means that I’ve been chugging green tea, Dayquil, and water like it’s my job. I feel like this is the marathon’s way of telling me that I’m an idiot for traveling so much during marathon training.

IMG_3859 (478x640)

Just to put things in perspective, let’s review my travel schedule for an eight week time period:

  • San Francisco August 9th-11th
  • Chicago August 11-13th
  • Philadelphia August 13th
  • Philadelphia August 19th-August 21st
  • Cincinnati August 24th-August 28th
  • Philadelphia September 17th-September 18th
  • Los Angeles September 21st-September 25th

As you may recall, during week six I ran in two different cities, New York and Philadelphia. My total mileage for the week came to 28 miles, just short of the 30 mile mark, which I was hoping to exceed during week seven.

DSCF7939 (640x480)

Monday: 5 mile tempo workout

Tuesday: 3.1 miles speed workout

Wednesday: 4.5 mile hill workout in Central Park

Thursday: elliptical+weight workout

Friday: rest day

Saturday: 14 mile long run in Philadelphia

Sunday: 1.5 mile walk+1.5 mile run in Philadelphia

Hands down, my favorite part of last week was running with friends for 3 of my 5 runs!

During all that travel, I’m also supposed to be training for a marathon. No pressure, right? So far, I’ve really been trying to look forward to each new city since it means a long run in a new city each week, rather than the monotony of running the Hudson River path each week. While it’s worked so far, I feel like the travel is starting to catch up with my health and drain my immune system. Therefore, I skipped this morning’s run in favor of sleep. After taking a dose of Nyquil last night at 9:30, I slept soundly until 7:30 this morning. Clearly my body is screaming for rest. My sinuses feel like they are about to squeeze my head, I’m paler than normal, and my normal energy is definitely absent. All I want to do is curl up in bed and sleep for hours upon hours.

    Therefore, this week’s plan will look a bit different than past weeks. I’m going to cut back on workouts this week and use it as a mini step back week of sorts.
    Monday: Personal training session
    Tuesday: rest day
    Wednesday: Personal training session
    Thursday: 12 mile run in Cincinnati
    Friday: 4 mile shake out run in Cincinnati
    Saturday: yoga and 3 miles of speed
    Sunday: We’ll see how I feel after Saturday night’s wedding!

I don’t like that my mileage is so low at this point in marathon training but I think I need to listen to my body this week. Luckily, after this week’s travel my schedule settles down for a few weeks.

Question: Do you step back your workouts when you’re feeling under the weather?

Share Button

Follow:

10 Comments

  1. Gia August 24, 2011 / 12:48 am

    First of all I LOVE your blog. I have been reading it for 6 months now and learn something from all of your posts.

    Your blog has inspired me to run my first half marathon in the fall. I did one about 6 years ago and never really trained properly for it so I am calling this one my official first.

    I think your body lets you know when you need a rest. It is important to pay attention and take the time it needs to heal. You will be stronger because you listened to your body. Keep up the great work and hopefully all of the traveling will wind down soon.

    • healthyh August 24, 2011 / 1:29 am

      @Gia: Oh my gosh lovely, thank you so much for the kind words! Good luck training for your half marathon! You’ll rock it!!

  2. Liz (Little Bitty Bakes) August 24, 2011 / 1:42 am

    If I took anything away from NYC training last year, it’s that listening to your body is more important than the mileage total. Obviously, both are important, but if you’re not healthy, it won’t matter how many miles you put in!

  3. Maria August 24, 2011 / 1:48 am

    listen to your body and rest! I know being sick during training is crappy, but your health needs to come first 🙂 Good luck with everything!

  4. Megan (The Runner's Kitchen) August 24, 2011 / 2:12 am

    I took Friday as a rest day and planned on running both Saturday and Sunday, but Sun a.m. I woke up sore and with a scratchy throat, so I took another rest day. It wasn’t planned, but it was needed. If you’re feeling sick, don’t force yourself! In my opinion, it’s always better to go into a race a little under-trained than over-trained/injured/sick. Plus, you still have over 2 months till the marathon – a down week now is fine. You’ll be ready to go by Nov 6 🙂

    Also, are you running the Philly Half?? I noticed you’ll be in Philly the weekend of Sept 17-18. I’m doing it!

  5. Allison August 24, 2011 / 3:10 am

    Feel better soon! I’ve definitely gotten more in tune with my body in recent years… There’s a difference between being tired and being sick, sometimes I’ll suck it up if I’m tired, but if I’m under the weather, I tone down my workouts!

  6. Tropical Eats August 24, 2011 / 3:57 am

    feel better!

    your body definitely sounds like it needs a lil breakie this week. you’ve been a busy bee!

    im cutting back on mileage this saturday too to about 10 i think. mini rest week is in order 🙂

  7. Megan @ Life As Megan Knows It August 24, 2011 / 12:51 pm

    I am sorry you are not feeling well! This weather is beautiful though so hopefully that makes you feel better!! Good Luck on your training plan this week!

  8. Michelle @ Crazy*Running*Legs August 24, 2011 / 2:04 pm

    Sorry you aren’t feeling well! You are SUCH a ROCKSTAR when it comes to traveling and running!!

    I hope you feel better soon. If you don’t end up getting those miles in this week you KNOW you will be able to get them in again sometime before November 🙂

Comments are closed.