train for a marathon

It was a challenge to stick with the Runner’s World Marathon Training plan for beginner’s, but I stuck with it and when it was race day. I actually thought the race was a lot easier to run than the training.

All, well the weather has been cooperating up to this week and I have been following the Runner’s World Marathon training for beginners. I actually PR’d last week when I ran a half marathon. Next week on 1/29, I will run the Miami Marathon and am feeling very relaxed and ready for the race.

Ok, tonight I ran a 6 mile run after work. Last night it was 3 miles. I was a bit stiff last night, but looking at the stats I can understand why since the Hurricane and Earthquake caused me to skip a week. I’m running strong and my legs are craving each run now, so I think I’m well on my way. The race calls for a 14 min/mi pace and currently I’m running a 13 min/mi pace with signs of running as fast as a sub 10 min/mi pace. So, I’m picking up speed and endurance. This weekend its a 10K and maybe a 20 miler, but I’ll see how I feel after the 10K. I don’t want to push it too much.

Well, I started training for a marathon. To be exact, the Miami Marathon. I am now in week 3 of the Runner’s World marathon training for beginners. This was a change of training from the Nike program, since I would always make it to about week 3 and get bored or tired of the training due to fatigue. However, this training program seems to work well with my busy life.

Well, I returned to marathon training after getting my physical and the green light from my doctor. This week was the first week back and was a good time. The 8 miles didn’t even feel like a challenge except for the soreness the next day. Now it’s week 2 of training. woo hoo!

Now that the icy weather is finally starting to break here in the North East USA. I am starting my training again as of yesterday. I ran a 8 min / mi pace in a 5K race with icy conditions. Now tomorrow its an easy 2 miles to get back into the groove. To keep me motivated I just mapped my training plan in Excel and am looking forward to changing all the red into green as I rack up the mileage. Plus to keep things competitive, I have enlisted some more Nike + friends to run against me.

Ok, tonight I was supposed to originally be a cross training night, but since I skip the very first night of training due to storm conditions and not having all my gear ready. So, tonight I had to makeup a 3 mile run. There are a few things I learned from running tonight which are: 1. Don’t eat pizza before running because much like a Big Mac you will end up eating/tasting it a zillion times as you run; 2. I’m going to really hate Wednesdays since that will normally be the third consecutive day in a row of running every week. This first run of the three will be ok since I will have rest, the 2nd a bit tougher and the third just hell; 3. Don’t answer the phone before running if you think its someone that will iritate you because you will focus on them instead of enjoying the run and alittle “me” time.

As for song of the night, I’ll give to the crawdaddies with “accordian” since its a fun cajun song. For those not in the know the crawdaddies are a local Maryland band that usually play outdoor venues in the summer for free. Catch them if you get a chance or look them up on amazon.com.

Well, time to get some work done as I enjoy my antioxidant popsicle and then tomorrow is a cross train night. YEAH!

Well, tonight I got a late start, but I did get my 4 miles in tonight. I didn’t drive to my usual training grounds since it was so late. Instead, I strapped on my head lamp, fleece, water pack, shoes and iPod and ran the lots in a local business park. It was ok, since I didn’t get the hills and challenges my usual training area provides, but it was nearby and I think the security guards liked that I broke up their boredom with something to watch. I didn’t run with the stabilicers on tonight since there were only a few patches of ice, which were very visible in my head lamp and easy to avoid. As for song of the night, I’ll give it to Michael Jackson with History since I hope to make history in July when I run my first marathon.

Well, that’s it for tonight as right now I’m headed to the shower, change of clothes, a post run antioxidant popsicle and then off to bed. Tomorrow it’s work and a 3 mi run.

So far week 1 of 26 is going as planned.

Well, today I luckily only had to do a 2 mile run, but last night the North East of the USA had an ice storm. Would this stop me from getting my run in? NO! I just strapped on my stabilicer sports onto my running shoes and the ice was no problem. The stabilicers do weigh the shoe down, but its better to be safe than sorry when running on ice. Next up is a 4 mile run tomorrow. And I’m closing in on the blue level of Nike plus with only 6 miles left to go. Woo hoo! So, things are going well since restarting my training.

Well, after having a virus for 2 weeks and relatives for the holiday. I am back running again. I just ran a 5K on Jan 1 and am starting my marathon training program tomorrow with a 3 mile run. Hopefully winter won’t be too bad as I make this journey to run a marathon in 2011.