Hi everyone! For those who don't know, I am training for my first marathon right now. I am almost onto month 2 of training, and it is going really well right now! I hit a small speed bump a couple weeks ago when I decided to rethink my goals for my first marathon. Now that I am back on track, I am feeling great and really excited :)
For my marathon, I am using Hanson's Marathon Method. This method focuses on easy runs, long runs, speed workouts, and tempo runs. The easy runs are ran 1-2 minutes slower than your marathon goal pace. Long runs go up to only 16 miles (I'll explain), speed workouts are done on the track and include 400, 800 and 1200 repeats, as well as 1-3 mile repeats. Each week it gets more difficult, and some weeks it backs off and is easier. Tempo runs are runs that start with a warmup and then are run at marathon goal pace with a cool down at the end. These runs go up to 13 miles and get you used to your goal pace. This method is really tiring, which is basically the point. It focuses on the cumulative fatigue, which is what you experience during a marathon. The reason the longest runs are 16 miles is because these 16 miles are made to represent the last 16 miles of a marathon. The day before a long run, there is usually an 8-12 mile run, which gets you tired for the real long run the next day. It forces you to push yourself physically and mentally. These runs are also used to experience what you will do on race day. For example, what will you wear, what will your pre-race meal be, how will you hydrate, what energy will you use during the race, and how will you recover after the race?
To this point, my longest run has been 14 miles, my longest tempo run has been 9 miles, my easy runs range from 6-8 miles, my track workouts have include 400 repeats, 600 repeats, 800 repeats, 1200 repeats, 1600 repeats, and ladder workouts, which are 400-800-1200-1600-1200-800-400 repeats. I have to admit, my favorite workouts are DEFINITELY the track workouts. They are HARD but they are so worth it and definitely help you get in better shape and faster.
To this point, my longest run has been 14 miles, my longest tempo run has been 9 miles, my easy runs range from 6-8 miles, my track workouts have include 400 repeats, 600 repeats, 800 repeats, 1200 repeats, 1600 repeats, and ladder workouts, which are 400-800-1200-1600-1200-800-400 repeats. I have to admit, my favorite workouts are DEFINITELY the track workouts. They are HARD but they are so worth it and definitely help you get in better shape and faster.
This morning I had a 9 mile tempo run. My marathon goal pace is 8:23 per mile. To start my workout, I had a warmup at an 8:34 mile, a bit quicker than I would have liked. I then went into my tempo run. Mile 2 was 8:16, mile 3 was 8:09, mile 4 was 8:11, mile 5 was 8:18, mile 6 was 8:18, mile 7 was 8:24, mile 8 was 8:19, and finally, mile 9 was my cool down at 8:47. I was pretty beat after this workout, but I felt great! This was my first really successful tempo run and I felt pretty good throughout the whole thing, even with the heat and humidity. Tempo runs are my weakness in training, but I am getting better and better each week, and I understand the importance of them.
Now for some randomness: I got this unbelievable smoothie from Main Street Juice in Mansfield. If you've never been, I would highly recommend it if in the area! This was a mango, strawberry, coconut water, honey, pineapple smoothie. It was so refreshing and filling on such a hot day. The last thing I ever want to do on a hot day is cook, so a smoothie is always the perfect option!
I thought this was funny... I do enjoy talking about my running and I often feel like I am annoying people, but I try not to talk about it unless someone is genuinely interested. Running is my passion, just like an artist's passion is art, a musician's passion is music, a football player's passion is football, and a yogi's passion is yoga. I enjoy many other activities besides running, but running is a big part of my life, and I like to share different accomplishments, goals, and day to day activities involving this!
Have a great day everyone! What are your plans for today? What is your number one passion? What marathon training schedule do you use?
Have a great day everyone! What are your plans for today? What is your number one passion? What marathon training schedule do you use?