My last training update was during Week 8.
You know, I've been writing these training updates each week during marathon training since I started training for my first marathon as a way to hold myself accountable, talk out my training and seek advice from other runners.
Approaching my 5th marathon, I am by no means an expert, but the way that this training cycle is going, I just haven't felt the need to talk about it as much as I normally do. I think that training is just becoming so much more familiar. I wish I could say the same about the distance!
It's amazing how much time and effort we put into a goal that will only take the better part of a morning to achieve.
You know, I've been writing these training updates each week during marathon training since I started training for my first marathon as a way to hold myself accountable, talk out my training and seek advice from other runners.
Approaching my 5th marathon, I am by no means an expert, but the way that this training cycle is going, I just haven't felt the need to talk about it as much as I normally do. I think that training is just becoming so much more familiar. I wish I could say the same about the distance!
It's amazing how much time and effort we put into a goal that will only take the better part of a morning to achieve.
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Training has been going really, really well. I don't know if it's the increase in cross training, the familiarity with being in training or simply the fact that I'm starting to fall in love with running.
I've never really loved running. It's always been a hobby...something I enjoy doing. Lately though, I've found myself smiling at Mile 18 of a 20+ mile run, feeling strong and empowered after pushing myself to the limit during a workout and loving the way that that makes me feel. This little habit of mine...this whole running thing...started as an experiment...an "I'll see how this goes, and if I like it, I'll pursue it a bit more seriously." Then, it developed into a sort of crush and now, my heart is happy and full and I've fallen in love - not head over heels - but into that deep kind of love in which you know something is going to be around for awhile.
It's like dating. I guess.
So, marathon training is going really well. I'm entering into the Peak Weeks of training and really putting on the mileage. I'm at 40 miles per week right now with the goal of hitting 50 before the marathon. This weekend, I'll throw 22 miles into the mix...a distance I've only run once in training (and ended up in the hospital afterward, thus missing my 2nd Cherry Blossom 10-miler...I know that's not going to happen again) and next weekend, I'll make my way up to Maine to run MDI with some of the most incredible girls I know.
I'll keep cross-training and from this point on, I'll run hills like it's my job. In previous training cycles, I've run hills at the beginning of my training and then transitioned from hills to speed. I had read that this was a good training plan in Runners' World and I've found that it really doesn't work best for me. So, I've been running speed workouts from Week 1 (even before then actually) and now, I'm starting to kick up my long runs by running on tough, hilly courses. I think this will prepare me for New York City much, much better.
Take a look at the comparison in elevation profiles from my last 2 long runs:
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| 20 miles on Sunday, 9/23 |
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| 21 miles on Sunday, 9/30 |
Aside from adding hills to my long runs and incorporating another hill workout into my weekly runs, I'm planning to pick up the pace towards the end of my long runs starting to practice not only fast finishes but continue to hit on that marathon goal pace that I've been nailing during my goal pace runs.
I keep seeing the..."OMG xx days until NYC! Where has the time gone"...posts on Twitter but you know what? I feel like I have all the time in the world. I feel ready and I feel good. I know that I could run the New York City Marathon tomorrow...but I know that the fact that it isn't tomorrow, means that the rest of my training is only going to make me stronger, faster and better prepared to tackle the distance for the 5th time.
"No one should ever be afraid of failing; it's being afraid to give it your all in trying that I urge against." - Chrissie Wellington
Yeah!! So excited! You are training very smart!! You will do awesome, can't wait for NYCM!!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you're enjoying this training, and that you've fallen in love with running :) I hope to get to that point some day when I run 18 miles lol!
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