So today was my last training run before the Mountains2Beach Marathon. This morning was an easy 8 miles. The weather was very nice -- not too hot and not too cool. Hopefully this is the last time I have to wake up for a 5:30 run on a Saturday for a while.
I felt great the entire run. Didn't have hardly any trouble with my legs warming up. No cramps or anything else that would slow me down. Just the road/sidewalk, my music, and me. I haven't had a chance to have a great run like this in a long time because the distance has taken a lot of the enjoyment out it.
I'm have two goals with my first marathon. First and foremost I want to finish. That is what is most important to me. Second, I'd like to finish in under 5 hours. I'm not sure this is doable but if I do finish within that time, I'll be very happy.
I also tried the Garmin Connect mobile app where I link my watch to my phone. It worked for the most part but my watch or phone kept losing the connection and so there are gaps on the route. I'm going to try to go on another training run Monday evening and see if switch arms my phone is on helps any. I don't like wearing things on my left arm but the distance from the watch to the phone will be much smaller, so maybe that will help with the disconnects.
I feel excited and a little nervous about this race. I feel like I am as ready as I can be. I've been hitting my cross training really hard the past couple months and my long runs have been challenging yet I've been able to handle them for the most part. The only thing I am worried about is my endurance. My physical ability really drops off after 13 miles so it will be interesting to see how I do for a full 26 miles. The best key to a good run will be to not start out too fast. I've been running between 10:30/mile and 11:00 for the most part so if I stick to that pace I think I will do fine.
Showing posts with label Marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marathon. Show all posts
Saturday, May 17, 2014
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Week 19 - 12 Miles
This morning I ran a nice 12 miles as we tapper heading into the Mountains2Beach Marathon. The race is in 2 weeks! Wow. Hopefully this is the last time we have to get up at 5:30 in the morning for a run.
The taper seems to come at just the right time in the training schedule. I know your body needs to recover from the hard work you put it through with the 18, 19, 20 mile runs but I think it is good mentally as well. I am perhaps mentally tired after long as I am physically and so it was nice running a "shorter" distance for a change.
It's interesting how training for a marathon changes your perspective on what a long distance is. I used to think 10 miles for training and a half marathon were long distances and now they don't seem so bad.
The only thing that really slowed me down was I got hungry right around mile 10 and so I snacked on a Larabar. I'm very happy with the 10:44/mile pace I ran, even with the temps starting to rise here in Texas.
The taper seems to come at just the right time in the training schedule. I know your body needs to recover from the hard work you put it through with the 18, 19, 20 mile runs but I think it is good mentally as well. I am perhaps mentally tired after long as I am physically and so it was nice running a "shorter" distance for a change.
It's interesting how training for a marathon changes your perspective on what a long distance is. I used to think 10 miles for training and a half marathon were long distances and now they don't seem so bad.
The only thing that really slowed me down was I got hungry right around mile 10 and so I snacked on a Larabar. I'm very happy with the 10:44/mile pace I ran, even with the temps starting to rise here in Texas.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
Week 17 - 20 Miles
This week was a much, much better run. I didn't have any stomach problems since I didn't use the same stuff that upset my stomach the past two weekends. I still have to walk some after the 13 mile mark as I very much have the endurance to run a half marathon. Past that and the distance becomes a lot more cumbersome and taxing. It might be good for me in training runs to run past 13 miles so that I can stretch my endurance to longer distances. That might help make marathon training be less of a beat down, both mentally and physically.
My marathon is just a little more than 4 weeks away. I'm both excited yet terrified. I am very certain I will be able to finish it but I still get freaked out by the distance.
We're at the point in the training runs where we start tapering. Next week we are scheduled to run 10 miles! I am running in a 5k and so while I want to try to be my previous best of 27:15, I really think it might be best to just run at a pace that is comfortable for me that doesn't put too much stress on my body. If I were to run a 9:30/mile pace I'd be very happy. After the race I think we will be finishing the route with a 7 mile run in the area.
Well, I am starving after burning 1,800 calories this morning and so I am going to sign off to raid the fridge.
My marathon is just a little more than 4 weeks away. I'm both excited yet terrified. I am very certain I will be able to finish it but I still get freaked out by the distance.
We're at the point in the training runs where we start tapering. Next week we are scheduled to run 10 miles! I am running in a 5k and so while I want to try to be my previous best of 27:15, I really think it might be best to just run at a pace that is comfortable for me that doesn't put too much stress on my body. If I were to run a 9:30/mile pace I'd be very happy. After the race I think we will be finishing the route with a 7 mile run in the area.
Well, I am starving after burning 1,800 calories this morning and so I am going to sign off to raid the fridge.
Saturday, April 12, 2014
Week 15 - 18 Miles
Today I ran 18 miles. This was by far the hardest run I have ever completed. When I look over the training schedule I will run 20 miles next weekend and 22 miles after that. We will start tapering in May.
I can tell I am best conditioned right now to run a half marathon. I start having to walk more and more after 13 miles. I still finished the route but I have never been so physically tired in my life.
There is no doubt that this will be the hardest thing I will have ever attempted in my life.
Looking back on this so far I do know there are some things I need to do differently if I ever decide to run another marathon. I need to log more miles during the week to get my weekly mileage to no less than 50. That could mean running somewhere between 6 and 10 miles at least twice a week in addition to the long runs I do on the weekend.
I can tell I am best conditioned right now to run a half marathon. I start having to walk more and more after 13 miles. I still finished the route but I have never been so physically tired in my life.
There is no doubt that this will be the hardest thing I will have ever attempted in my life.
Looking back on this so far I do know there are some things I need to do differently if I ever decide to run another marathon. I need to log more miles during the week to get my weekly mileage to no less than 50. That could mean running somewhere between 6 and 10 miles at least twice a week in addition to the long runs I do on the weekend.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Saturday, March 29, 2014
Week 13 - 16 Miles
I had a really good run today. I ran with a new pair of Brooks Ghosts and I did not have any trouble with my Achilles tendon, so I think I found what was causing the problem. Glad I seem to have that behind me but I will stay play it safe in the mean time. As soon as I post this I'm going to ice my ankle and roll my legs.
I ran my longest distance ever - 15.83 miles. I also ran my fastest 13.1 at 2:14. Very good day indeed. If I could run with that kind of effort next weekend at the Big D Half Marathon I'll PR for sure however the weather isn't looking good (rain).
I really couldn't ask for better conditions for running. It was a nice, brisk 48 degrees this morning with a relatively light wind. It's a little cold starting out and so long as the wind isn't blowing too hard, I felt great temperature wise. It was nice watching the world wake up while I was running through the neighborhoods of Plano.
It's runs like this that makes me think running this marathon in May is doable. I hurt and am tired but I feel like I can do it.
I mixed the packet with about 16 oz of water the night before and put it in the fridge so that it would be nice and cold. I guess I need to do a better job of mixing it right before drinking as it was a little grainy as I finished it off. I struggle sometimes even eating early, early in the morning so it was nice being able to drink this and not experience a gag reflex.
I also brought several Larabars in my fuel belt that I snacked on while I ran to help keep my energy reserves up. So far my favorite flavor is Apple. 190 calories with some really good ingredients -- nuts (almonds & walnuts), apples, cinnamon, dates, & raisins.
I ran my longest distance ever - 15.83 miles. I also ran my fastest 13.1 at 2:14. Very good day indeed. If I could run with that kind of effort next weekend at the Big D Half Marathon I'll PR for sure however the weather isn't looking good (rain).
I really couldn't ask for better conditions for running. It was a nice, brisk 48 degrees this morning with a relatively light wind. It's a little cold starting out and so long as the wind isn't blowing too hard, I felt great temperature wise. It was nice watching the world wake up while I was running through the neighborhoods of Plano.
It's runs like this that makes me think running this marathon in May is doable. I hurt and am tired but I feel like I can do it.
Fueling
I tried some new fuel sources and they seemed to work out well for me. Before I left the house, I had a bottle of the chocolate Generation UCAN protein drink. It didn't give me any stomach issues and I felt like I had good energy throughout my run. I'm going to go back to my local Luke's Locker and pick up some more packets for future runs. If this works out I'll get the canister.I mixed the packet with about 16 oz of water the night before and put it in the fridge so that it would be nice and cold. I guess I need to do a better job of mixing it right before drinking as it was a little grainy as I finished it off. I struggle sometimes even eating early, early in the morning so it was nice being able to drink this and not experience a gag reflex.
I also brought several Larabars in my fuel belt that I snacked on while I ran to help keep my energy reserves up. So far my favorite flavor is Apple. 190 calories with some really good ingredients -- nuts (almonds & walnuts), apples, cinnamon, dates, & raisins.
Saturday, March 22, 2014
Week 12 - 14 Miles
Today was both a good and a tough run. I started, as usual, with tight muscles. My Achilles tendon started out fine and last through most of the run. After about 3 miles my muscles loosened up and I was able to get into a more comfortable pace.
It wasn't until after mile 9 that my Achilles tendon really started hurting and I had to start walking. The last two miles were the hardest as it seemed every leg muscle was exhausted and I just didn't have the will power to try to leg it out.
I suspect my legs were worn out at the end of the almost 14 miles because I have subconsciously modified my form & stride and so I am most likely working my legs harder than if I wasn't injured.
I iced my ankle as soon as I got home and so I hope it helps with the recovery process. I'll roll my legs and IT Band as soon as I get this entry posted.
I'm still going to my boot camps to continue my cross training but I am modifying some of the exercises if my Achilles tendon starts hurting. Calf raises actually seem to help reduce the pain so I try to do those whenever possible. I need to try to do them multiple time throughout the day.
It wasn't until after mile 9 that my Achilles tendon really started hurting and I had to start walking. The last two miles were the hardest as it seemed every leg muscle was exhausted and I just didn't have the will power to try to leg it out.
I suspect my legs were worn out at the end of the almost 14 miles because I have subconsciously modified my form & stride and so I am most likely working my legs harder than if I wasn't injured.
I iced my ankle as soon as I got home and so I hope it helps with the recovery process. I'll roll my legs and IT Band as soon as I get this entry posted.
I'm still going to my boot camps to continue my cross training but I am modifying some of the exercises if my Achilles tendon starts hurting. Calf raises actually seem to help reduce the pain so I try to do those whenever possible. I need to try to do them multiple time throughout the day.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Dealing With an Injury -- Achilles Tendinitis
So it appears I have become injured and have come down with I believe is Achilles Tendinitis. I have pain, especially when trying to run, in the tendon right above my ankle. This is your Achilles tendon. I am able to walk normally and there is really no pain when I am not do anything non-exerting, so it currently it not severe -- yet.
I suspect it occurred due to a combination of overuse and perhaps inadequate support from my shoes. My current shoes are getting older and I just bought a new pair of Brooks Ghost 6, but I have't had a chance to phase in the new pair and phase out the old pair.
I need to sit down and think about how to approach this. I need to continue to work on getting my mileage in for my long runs but I might see about limiting the amount of running I do during the week to in order to give my Achilles tendon as much rest between long runs. I may eliminate almost all running in my cross training (Boot Camp) and substitute some additional leg stretches.
I found this blog about dealing with Achilles Tendinitis, which gives a personal account to one person's dilemma and what he did to overcome the injury and still run his marathon. I hope this blog provides some decent advice on what to do to treat and continue to train for my upcoming marathon.
Here are some good articles on LiveStrong about dealing with Achilles Tendinitis:
Most importantly I need to stay positive and not let this get me too far down. I came out stronger from my last injury and will come out stronger from this injury as well.
I suspect it occurred due to a combination of overuse and perhaps inadequate support from my shoes. My current shoes are getting older and I just bought a new pair of Brooks Ghost 6, but I have't had a chance to phase in the new pair and phase out the old pair.
I need to sit down and think about how to approach this. I need to continue to work on getting my mileage in for my long runs but I might see about limiting the amount of running I do during the week to in order to give my Achilles tendon as much rest between long runs. I may eliminate almost all running in my cross training (Boot Camp) and substitute some additional leg stretches.
I found this blog about dealing with Achilles Tendinitis, which gives a personal account to one person's dilemma and what he did to overcome the injury and still run his marathon. I hope this blog provides some decent advice on what to do to treat and continue to train for my upcoming marathon.
Here are some good articles on LiveStrong about dealing with Achilles Tendinitis:
- Achilles Tendon Warmup Exercises
- Can I Run With Achilles Tendonitis?
- A Sore Achilles Tendon After Running
Most importantly I need to stay positive and not let this get me too far down. I came out stronger from my last injury and will come out stronger from this injury as well.
Saturday, March 8, 2014
Week 10 - 14 Miles
Today I ran the furthest I have ever run. Started out with shin splints in my right leg and stiff muscles in the my left leg. I ran through it but it must have taken like 5 or 6 miles before the pain completely went away. I've given up trying to keep up with the main group as they run slightly faster than what I can maintain and still finish fairly strong. I am trying to keep my mile time between 10:00 and 10:30. If I could average 10:30/mile I would finish my marathon with what I feel is a respectable time of about 4 hours and 30 minutes.
Perhaps what is most interesting is that even though I was hurting pretty bad I still felt like I could run several more miles. My hips had started hurting around mile 11 or 12 but stopped around mile 13. At that point my legs were pretty sore but it felt like they still had some go in them. I feel this bodes well for me in my future longer runs and in the marathon race itself.
Overall I feel pretty good about the run. Despite the muscle pain early in the run it really didn't slow me down that much. Perhaps the one thing I lack the most right now is the mental strength to push through hills on some of my training runs. That is something that will just take time and might not be something I develop before my race in May but could eventually get much better at later on. I have only been running for almost two years now, so I feel it still makes me pretty green. I think my marathon will teach me a lot about myself that I do not know right now.
Perhaps what is most interesting is that even though I was hurting pretty bad I still felt like I could run several more miles. My hips had started hurting around mile 11 or 12 but stopped around mile 13. At that point my legs were pretty sore but it felt like they still had some go in them. I feel this bodes well for me in my future longer runs and in the marathon race itself.
Overall I feel pretty good about the run. Despite the muscle pain early in the run it really didn't slow me down that much. Perhaps the one thing I lack the most right now is the mental strength to push through hills on some of my training runs. That is something that will just take time and might not be something I develop before my race in May but could eventually get much better at later on. I have only been running for almost two years now, so I feel it still makes me pretty green. I think my marathon will teach me a lot about myself that I do not know right now.
Saturday, February 1, 2014
Why I Run
I got the inspiration to write this post from the LiveWire Fitness blog, so I wanted to share why I started running which is different from why I still run today.
Let me start off by saying that I never thought I would be one of "those people" you see running early in the morning or in the evening. I thought running was pointless unless it was for some type of sport like football or basketball. My mind would eventually be changed and now I start looking forward to my weekend runs midway through the week.
I first started running around June of 2012 to improve on my cardiovascular fitness and it morphed into something more. I had been doing boot-camp type exercises for several months and was looking for a way to further my fitness journey.
Today, I run in part as a get away from the stress of life and I guess now you can consider me an addict as I ran 6 half marathons (should have been 7!) in 2013 and am planning to run a similar number of half marathons plus a full marathon this spring!
I love the challenge that comes with running. I am always out to try beat my best time/pace. I get excited and motivated when I run a great pace. It makes it that much easier to put on my running gear and go out for another run a few days later.
I also run for the fun of it. Despite the pain I might feel after a long run, I really do enjoy it even if it's not always a good run for me. The best part might be the runners high that I experience when finishing a run.
I'm already signed up for 4 halfs and will likely run at least 3 to 4 more in the fall/winter in addition to my first marathon in May. I have a page with all the races I have run, races I am currently signed up for, and races I want to run at some point in the future.
Right now I do not participate in triathlons but I won't rule that out in the future. The biggest barrier would be that I do not own a bike. I also would need to find a gym where I could do some work on my swimming. I have a gym in mind but I need to see what the cost might be.
Let me start off by saying that I never thought I would be one of "those people" you see running early in the morning or in the evening. I thought running was pointless unless it was for some type of sport like football or basketball. My mind would eventually be changed and now I start looking forward to my weekend runs midway through the week.
I first started running around June of 2012 to improve on my cardiovascular fitness and it morphed into something more. I had been doing boot-camp type exercises for several months and was looking for a way to further my fitness journey.
Today, I run in part as a get away from the stress of life and I guess now you can consider me an addict as I ran 6 half marathons (should have been 7!) in 2013 and am planning to run a similar number of half marathons plus a full marathon this spring!
I love the challenge that comes with running. I am always out to try beat my best time/pace. I get excited and motivated when I run a great pace. It makes it that much easier to put on my running gear and go out for another run a few days later.
I also run for the fun of it. Despite the pain I might feel after a long run, I really do enjoy it even if it's not always a good run for me. The best part might be the runners high that I experience when finishing a run.
I'm already signed up for 4 halfs and will likely run at least 3 to 4 more in the fall/winter in addition to my first marathon in May. I have a page with all the races I have run, races I am currently signed up for, and races I want to run at some point in the future.
Right now I do not participate in triathlons but I won't rule that out in the future. The biggest barrier would be that I do not own a bike. I also would need to find a gym where I could do some work on my swimming. I have a gym in mind but I need to see what the cost might be.
Sunday, January 5, 2014
First Post - Week 1 - 7.2 Miles
I am starting my training to run a full marathon, the Clif Bar Mountains2Beach Marathon, in May 2014. I have created this blog to document my experiences leading up to my race. I plan to share both the good and bad experiences.
To start this blog off right, I ran yesterday for 7.2 miles. I did fine running at a nice pace that will help me PR at my next half. I need to run a 10:00/mi or better pace if I am going to get to 2:10. However after a water stop around the 3.5 mark, I suddenly got the heaves after I drank some water. After that I fell apart and had trouble running. I suspect it had to do with running to hard (I was around a 9:15 pace) in the cold and then perhaps drank too much water.
Here's hoping next week is better.
To start this blog off right, I ran yesterday for 7.2 miles. I did fine running at a nice pace that will help me PR at my next half. I need to run a 10:00/mi or better pace if I am going to get to 2:10. However after a water stop around the 3.5 mark, I suddenly got the heaves after I drank some water. After that I fell apart and had trouble running. I suspect it had to do with running to hard (I was around a 9:15 pace) in the cold and then perhaps drank too much water.
Here's hoping next week is better.
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