Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Yet another new schedule

I have decided to change my training schedule for what will hopefully be the last time. I set my sights too high and as a result I am behind training and need to re-evaluate my plan of attack. I have reduced my running to 4 days a week instead of 5, 2 rest days and a cross training day. I may alter the day that I do my long run if Saturday does not prove to be efficient for me. Here is the new schedule:

I actually turned out to be almost right where I needed to be in this novice training program, so hopefully I can keep up with it and no longer have any fatigue issues.

I am going to eat a big pasta meal Friday nights as well as getting a large amount of carbohydrates Saturday evening so I can recover better. I am going to really concentrate on hydrating on a consistent basis and cut back on my fatty intake - more or less I am going to try and get more veggies and fruits and stop eating junk food. (I don't eat much, but I am going to cut it out of my diet completely) I am going to make use of the blender as well - from what I've read smoothies can be very helpful. Going to pick up some protein powder, flax seed & wheat germ as well.

Monday, June 29, 2009

behind schedule

Well I am behind schedule. I was supposed to run 11 miles last Friday, and it didn't happen. I didn't do a long run at all last week, and attemped one today... decided to run 9 miles and keep up with my schedule Friday and attempt 12. I think I am going to have to reassess my training once again and figure out what I need to do to get back on track. I had difficulties today - around the 6.5 mark I started getting pretty bad stomach cramps and had to stop and use the bathroom. After I used the bathroom my Ipod stopped working and I kind of felt sick everytime I attempted to run. I probably ran another mile, and walked another mile. At least I got through it - but it was a struggle. I am starting to get a little discouraged and am also starting to realize I need a serious change in my diet if I am going to be able to do this. Going to work on some research this evening and will post afterwards with updates.

Monday, June 15, 2009

WELL! I haven't posted in awhile, sorry to leave all my avid readers in the lurch... lol.

Its not that I haven't been training, I just haven't really had much to report. I am in my 9th week of training, and all is well - I am just where I need to be. I can complete 9 miles (that's the farthest I've gone so far) with little to no problems - I have walked a few minutes here and there (my last one I walked probably 5 or 6 minutes total throughout the run) but I have been told its OK and actually helps with the training. It's better to walk when you want to, not when you HAVE to. I guess?

I have changed my schedule around a bit, however. Doing two of my longer runs on the weekend just wasn't working with my lifestyle and schedule. The schedule I borrowed from Hal Higdon was for intermediate runners - I thought if I followed this schedule I might be surprised at the time I finished during the race. I now realize that the two runs, the long and the pace back to back, is definitely for INTERMEDIATE marathon runners, not a novice like I am. Its OK though, I caught the mistake early enough in my training where I do not think it will affect any of the outcome. I have decided to isolate the long run. I moved the day of the long run to Friday, because for some reason I am just motivated to work out at the begining of the weekend. The marathon pace runs are now reserved for Sunday, which I personally think just makes the best sense. Here is my new schedule:
I am a little worried that the race is on a Sunday and my long runs are all on Friday now... I will have to see as the time gets closer if I should adjust my long runs to Sunday again. Any input on this matter would be appreciated!

Getting ready for a nice easy 3 miler... I remember the day when 3 miles was tough!

Thursday, June 4, 2009

It's been awhile since I last posted, probably because not much has been going on since last week...

I think the last day I updated on was last Thursday or Wednesday. Either way last week was bad. Being sick took a lot out of me - I tried to run 5 miles Friday and it got reduced to barely 3, and I walked a good portion of that. Saturday (after DMB) I only ran a mile, only really to get the blood pumping and get moving for that night's show. Sunday could hardly move, Monday similiar, Tuesday I ran 5 miles, pretty decent after being sick and not running for awhile. Yesterday I skipped (too tired again) and today... well I ran about 9 miles, because I got lost again. I set out to do 7, and despite my setbacks in direction my run was actually pretty good. It was a true test of my stamina - I kept running most of the way (I only stopped a few times to get my bearings). Overall though I am happy with my progress even though I haven't really been feeling too great lately. I think I will bounce back and hopefully have some better updates with times and all that good stuff soon!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

man oh man...

Well, its been awhile since I last posted.
Last Friday I did a 3 miler in Rehoboth. Nothing really to remark on - it was incredibly hot and I didn't do too well.
Saturday... well a few people know the whole truth on this one - I'll keep the details to myself - but needless to say a 4 mile run turned into 3 because of stomach issues. Enough said.

Sunday was my birthday, didn't feel like doing 7 miles because of the day before.. Took Sunday and Monday off, and yesterday was sick as a dog...

Today I attempted a 7 mile run and didn't realize that part of my route was blocked off, so I had to improvise... I had to walk a few times and the total run was like 6.8 miles. So I would say total I probably ran 6.5. Nothing to laugh at, but I need to do better on my 2nd try. I think most of it had to do with the fact that I was sick yesterday. I think I am going to run 3 miles tomorrow, then 5 on Friday... DMB concerts this weekend so I am not sure what my schedule will actually be for the weekend. I am going to try and stick to schedule and do a 5 miler on Saturday... I will probably delay the 2nd 7 miler until Monday. Until then...

Thursday, May 21, 2009

blisters are the death of runners

I have a blister on my right heel. It didn't occur to me that if you have a hole in your sock you will pretty much be in agony for the next three days... at least. haha! seriously, I didn't really realize there was a hole in my sock, but I definitely felt the blister coming on around 4 miles on my 6 mile run on Tuesday. I have never regretted not checking my socks before wearing them more in my life!

My run was actually really good Tuesday, probably can chalk that up to the fact that I took 3 days off in a row... gotta stop doing that btw... I am starting to notice how tired I get after stuff!

4 miles yest... pretty good run, the blister totally put a damper on it. I got pretty tired on my last mile... but I get pretty motivated thinking that if I push harder on this run, it will be just that much easier next time.

Today was like 90 degrees. I waited until after 730 to do my run, and I could already tell 1/2 mile into my run it wasn't going to be fun. I felt pretty good until I got to like 2 miles... The last mile was pretty rough. I think it was a combination of coming off of 2 relatively longer runs and the heat that got me. I pushed through but the last mile I was struggling, a lot. Usually I feel pretty strong the majority of my runs. Anyways 3 miles was not as fun as it usually has been, lol.

Trying to push through the weekend, we'll see how that goes, with the birthdays and all :-)~

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

i need to stop partying... lol

well another weekend and no running. ran last friday @ mike's, beautiful run, 3 miles... good time, think I ran in about 24 minutes. Could not bring myself to run Saturday, (late night Friday) and went to an all day concert on Sunday, so I had no time to run then... Monday I was absolutely exhausted, and not feeling well (I actually got sick for the first time in years) so I took 3 days off in a row. So I'm a little behind... but I looked at it this way, I ran 5 days in a row last week, and my schedule calls for 5 runs a week... so I think I may be just a day behind schedule. I ran 6 miles this evening, and it was wonderful!! Ran in just under an hour, and I felt great the whole time... can definately feel my endurance building!

So instead of trying to play catch up, I am going to do the scheduled 4 mile run tomorrow and take it from there. I figure missing a few 3 milers here and there isn't going to affect my training all that much. I think I also may go back to my original schedule and keep track of what I actually ran in like red or something. More on that tomorrow!