It’s amazing the difference a few weeks can make. But before we get into running, I want to share a few fun links and things I’m loving right now. Because hey, sharing is caring, right?
- Emily, the bad ass runner who inspire the heck out of me. First this lady runs 100 miles in one week and then she rocks Hood to Coast as part of the NUUN team? What can’t Emily do? Just reading her posts makes me fall more in love with her. Amazing.
- I’m in love with this easy, yummy squash casserole. Last night Bo and Meg made a delicious squash casserole to pair with our roasted chicken while I was out running.
- Sometimes winning the race means coming in last.
- Today, I was honored to be featured with other health and wellness bloggers as part of Well+Good NYC’s Fall Fashion must-haves post. The post definitely has be excited for cooler weather and lusting over more than a few items especially this fun vest.
Okay, back to marathon training.
Last week I was excited to embark on another week of training, feeling far better than the week before after a few quality runs. Overall my mind was in a better place. This week I’ve already spent time analyzing this week and next week’s plan, figured out how it will work with my upcoming travel plans to Seattle and Los Angeles, studied this week’s running splits, and spent time focusing on the other important non-running aspects of marathon training. Instead of being worried I’m really excited for this week training, especially after tonight’s tough run. Gia is great at reminding me that every workout won’t be easy and the ones that happen on tired legs tend to be some of the most important. There will be times during the marathon that my legs feel “too tired” but I’ll need to push through. So, while I didn’t hit the 30 miles I so wanted this week, I did log each of my runs and felt stronger during them than weeks past.
Tonight’s 5 mile run over the Queensborough Bridge after 19 miles in the past 2 days was no walk in the park. Instead of worrying over my speed I told my co-workers that my legs felt heavy and that I’d run behind them. In his normal style, Marcial refused, and instead made up for my silence as I focused on running by telling me about his fun weekend. Since I had gone out slow and steady, by the time we came back over the bridge I was able to let loose and pick up speed to the point that I finished our last mile running down 2nd Avenue at a sub 9 pace. Not bad for tired legs!
This week’s workouts will include a new mid-week distance record and some fun West Coast running with Bo!
- 5 mile run
- Personal training session
- 5 mile progression run
- 8 mile mid-week run
- Yoga/Cross Training DVD
- Hiking
- 10 mile bridge race+warmup+cooldown miles
Oh and last but not least, guess who crushed his first double digit run in over a year and then has done 8 more miles since Saturday? BO! His doctor has given him a clean bill of health to start training for the New York City marathon and we’re both so thrilled. Fingers and toes crossed he’ll make it to the starting line with me this year! What better time now that we’ll have his sister Meg to cheer us on along the sidelines?! I’m so pumped to have my running buddy back!
If you’re training right now, how’s it going?
Awesome job!!! Glad to hear others have tough runs sometimes, I was pretty down yesterday after a horrific 15 mile run. Did you have trouble on the bridge? It’s a disaster zone during the morning!!! And congrats on the feature how exciting!!!
I’m unofficially training for my first 5k and it’s going well! Aside from temporary lack of running due to Hurrican Isaac at least 🙂
I don’t know about winning = coming in last philosophy. I understand that it’s important to try your hardest and sometimes a person has a terrible race, but as a teacher I’d hesitate to promote that attitude in the classroom. If I came in last in my age group, I’d be pissed and use that energy to push myself harder next time.
I completely agree that some of the most important training runs are the ones where we push through fatigue, lack of focus, and other deterrents. I almost welcome feeling unmotivated as a spontaneous challenge!
Training so far is great. I’ve arrived at the week in my 70.3 training plan that I’ve been “dreading”. But instead of being my own Debbie Downer, I’m practicing my mental toughness and pushing through each workout keeping in mind what tactics work for keeping my focus. 6+ hours of racing is surely going to play with my mind at some point, so I may as well be prepared. In the next 5 days, I’ll run 3 times and bike 4 times and swim twice.
I’m so excited that you and Bo will get to train together! Keep it up!
Love it Chrissy! Do you read Meghann’s blog? She is training for a 70.3 too!
Hi! Good work on your training! I’m training for my 2nd marathon, Toronto on Oct 14th. I am enjoying my training so much this time and I can’t wait to schedule my next marathon. Mid week long runs are tough with the work schedule but I’m loving it! Only bad part is I’m hungry all the time! I try to just eat extra cals that are healthy to not feel bad about pigging out! Good luck with the rest of your training!! 🙂
My first race ever, a 10K night race, is coming up in a week and a few days.
That thought is frightening.
But I look forward to my runs, so that’s fun.
Also, I’m eating too many cupcakes. 🙂 Which is fun.
So if fun > frightening, then clearly, 10K training equals cupcakes.
Hi! I just found you through skinnyrunner. I love finding other bloggers in NYC, and an added bonus- my boyfriend and I are running NYC this year too! It’ll be my first marathon, so super excited 🙂
Nice work on your training so far!