Reflections: The Countdown

There are officially 10 days, 12 hours, and 24 minutes until the marathon! (...and counting...)

I am super excited.... and scared out of my mind. Plus this week (Week 2) I can't do any weight training and I only have 3 super short runs scheduled. I'm getting kind of antsy.

I feel like I have all this free time (and in free time I mean time that I usually would spend exercising) on my hands that I don't know what to do with.

That's coupled with this anxiety I can't seem to shake. So instead of driving myself NUTS I decided to do a little reflection.

There were a couple of runs I didn't get a chance to mention on the blog yet. Plus I want to let you all know about my race day routine.

Here I am at the end of Week 1. right before my run. I had to do my 8 miles on Friday because it rained all this weekend. I ran it in 1 hour 3 minutes.

My last long run

This took place on January 20th after work. I usually run on Sundays. However, it was planning on raining that weekend so I had to rework a few things.

The plan was to make this a true "mock run" for the marathon. I wanted to wake up at the same time, eat the same things, and wear the same clothes.

Since I had to go after work, the whole waking up at the same time thing didn't work out. I wanted to at least still eat the same thing though.

I've written about how I usually don't eat before a run because I get stomach problems tons of times. But I wanted to give it one more chance and see if I could do it.

• So I ate an apple and a slice of whole wheat bread with almond butter 3 hours before running
• 90 minutes before running I drank 16 oz of a sports drink
• 30 minutes before running I ate a pack of Sports Beans with some water
• Throughout the day I made sure to stay hydrated

 

Once I got off work I got dressed and and set out. This time around I ran a bit faster than my first attempt. I wanted to see if I could do it. Even though I knew this would NOT be my pace for the marathon.

Things went really great except that on the way back I did get stomach cramps and almost vomited. I didn't stop though (unlike last time) and finished in 2 hours 55 minutes.

I was really happy with this run. Again, I DO NOT plan on running this fast for the marathon. It was more of a mental challenge for me. Now I do feel like I can actually finish the race. I won't, however, eat anything before the race. 

Honestly, it doesn't seem to matter how much time I wait to run after eating. It still upsets my stomach. I didn't eat breakfast (although I got up at 7am). Instead I waited until 10am to eat my snack and then 1pm for the Sports Beans. I didn't refuel until around 430-5pm! A really big span of time. I don't recommend this. So I just have to do what works for my body and work on fueling better the next time around.

RACE DAY MORNING

As far as fueling goes, I am going to mimic what I've been doing for all of my runs since my training started. I recently incorporated the Sports Beans. But I love how my body feels and my performance level while running.

• Take 1 pack of Sports Beans 30 minutes before running with water
• Take another pack around mile 18 (or as needed)
• If I need to munch on a few more while running I will do so around miles 21-23
• At the end I will take another pack with water to refuel

 

This should work for me. I will bring extra packs with me just in case but I doubt I will need anything else. I am usually very good about refueling after running. So I will be sure to munch on a banana or whatever else is available at the finish line.

Other than that, Week 2 is coming to a close. I ran 20 minutes on Monday and will probably skip my second short run this week. My feet need a break.

I went on a 2 hour walk today, which I feel was good to get my  muscles moving. I'll probably run my last long run of 4 miles on Friday so that I have the entire weekend to relax. Then my final week, Week 3, starts!

Marathon Training: Updates

How I map my routes sometimes. I ran to the end and back for a total of 14 miles.

I know I said that I would start giving updates weekly with my training but I just found that it would be kind of boring. 

I also lost track of the weeks and just realized that this Saturday, August 27th 2011 marks Month 2. Incredible.

Sunday, August 21st: I ran 14 miles, which is the longest run (not counting Day 1 where I ran 16 miles) I've done since starting training. I ran it in 1 hour and 52 minutes.

I've been trying to run my long runs slower. I didn't feel burnt out or anything during my run. I just want to try and run slower so I can focus more on my running form and my breathing.

Sunday, August 14th: I ran 8 miles in 1 hour and 6 minutes. 

I really tried hard to run slower and it worked out. I typically run at a pace of 8 minutes per mile. So I should have run it in 1 hour and 4 minutes. That's my steady, not even trying pace. 

When I do shorter runs I try to run a bit faster (avg. 7 minutes/mile) and Fartlek I sprint.

The 14 miles I ran 8 minutes/mile so I didn't really accomplish what I wanted. 

This Sunday, August 28th: I have 5 miles to run. Since it is a distance I can run easily, I figure it'll be no problem running at a slower pace.

Last week and this week I've been incorporating Fartlek into my routine. I did 20 minute circuits last week and 25 minute circuits this week. I still have the last one to do on Friday. I like them because it breaks up the monotony of running for distance. Plus they are an incredible workout!

Tuesday, August 30th: My last day of training until the move. 

I'm a bit nervous about it because I have to miss a week. I get to the States on Thursday, September 1st but I can't exactly start running right away. I have to map out another route. 

My goal is to continue my training Sunday, September 4th.

All in all I feel great and can't wait until my half marathon in November. (I plan to talk more about my half marathon once the date is closer but I am not aiming for a PR.)

I ran my first half marathon in 1 hour 36 minutes and I was happy with that. This race is just preparation for the marathon in February where my goal is simply to finish.