Marathon Training

And just like that, ten weeks of Cleveland marathon training is done. As B would say “Wowwowweewaa!”

This week’s training called for Tuesday: 3. Wednesday: 7. Thursday: 4. Saturday: 15, for a total of 29 miles. I stuck to the mileage this week but switched up the days slightly due to traveling for work, again.

Monday: 4.28– Knew I was due to travel this week for work so running on Thursday after my car trip would probably not happen. I happened to feel pretty good on Monday morning, so opted to do my 4-miler before work. It was foggy and warm out – warm enough to wear shorts at 6 a.m.!

Tuesday: 3.17 – Slept in and ran with B after work. The weather was still in the 70s when we made it out of the apartment at 7 p.m. and it my first night of the season wearing a tank top with shorts. Love the feeling of having my arms free when running!

Wednesday: 6.91 – SO close to 7! I’m trying not to beat myself up for not completely finishing the run – I had mapped out a 7 miler, I swear, but I was half asleep and have to give myself credit for even waking up at 5 to go for a long-ish run, so I probably made the wrong turn. Had a happy hour scheduled for after work so I knew if I was going to get out and do a good run I’d have to do it before work. And despite not quite getting to the full 7 miles, I did it!

Thursday and Friday: Off! Had completed my pre-long run mileage by Thursday and Friday. Thursday involved a work trip, meaning I had to be in Toledo by 9 and spent almost all day there. Friday was just rest and then a post-work Fish Fry!

Saturday: 15– From this point on, nearly every long run we do will be my longest run yet! This weekend’s run wasn’t bad – the weather was in the 60s but cool, and I ended up doing a hilly 15-miler on the eastside with B, Mary and our friend Dave. Mary and Dave stayed out front, while I kept pace with B who was struggling with all the hills. We did stop and walk for a few minutes when B needed to get water Gu, etc. but we finished the full 15 miles and nearly collapsed. My legs felt SO heavy after the run, but at least I wasn’t feeling sick to my stomach like B!

15-miler elevation - steady uphill for first 3 and then again 8-11 miles

Weekly Total: 29. Yahooo! What a great week, mileage-wise. This week I’m looking forward to hitting 30 miles and 16 on our long run – just about ten short of the marathon!

Question for you – how do you stay motivated and not bored out of your mind on your long runs? My biggest issue with our 15 miler was boredom! Even though it was a new route and new scenery for me (we don’t usually run on the eastside), after the 10 mile point (our final water/Gu break) I was just SO bored at some points I wanted to scream! I tried to think of games to play while we were running, but nothing really worked. Since I was running with B, I didn’t bring my headphones but I’m seriously considering it for next time.

Week five of Cleveland marathon training is complete! This included a nearly fallen off toe nail, a new running shirt and our first double digit training run! BUT I’m feeling good today, not too sore and my toenail is still (fingers crossed) intact!

This week called for Tuesday: 3. Wednesday: 5. Thursday: 3. Saturday: 10, for a total of 21 miles.

Monday: Rest day. I slept in and rested my knees and whole body, still sore from Saturday’s nine miles in the snow and wind.

Tuesday: 3.67 mi, PM indoors. Was really worried that this run would turn into the dreadmill nightmare that last Thursday had been. I had a 3 miler scheduled and B and I were going to run on the treadmill before our Valentine’s Dinner Date. For some reason, it was SO much better than last week! Watched Batman on the treadmill at the gym and did 30 minutes (3.22 mi) and then walked the rest to cool down.

Wednesday: 5.08 mi, PM outdoors, kept a sub-10 min mile pace. Such a great post-work run! Wonderful weather, new ellasport long-sleeved running shirt, and legs and toe felt great. One of those “Why can’t every day feel like this” runs.

Thursday: 3 mi, PM indoors after work. Yet ANOTHER miserable dreadmill run. The whole time I just kept thinking, “This has to get better,” but it didn’t! What is it about indoor 3 mi dreadmill runs on Thursdays that are just unbearable?

Friday: Nothing! Slept in before work and then at night we hosted a few others training for the marathon for a pasta dinner, with homemade pasta (yes, B and I are loving our pasta maker!).

Saturday: 10 mi, outside at the metroparks. Ran with Brian and his sister and stopped off and got energy gels to keep us fueled pre-run. (Sidenote: Did you know if you join Second Sole’s texting club you get 2 free energy gels your first time in?) The weather was so much nicer than last week’s long run, with temps in the 30s and windy (not perfect, but so much better!). I got to wear my new running shirt again and taped my toenail to my toe, in hopes it would stay put during the 10 miles of pounding. Kept it at about a 10 mile pace the entire time and even picked it up slightly at the end.

Sunday: Working – no I don’t have Monday off, so stop asking – from Starbucks, blogging, new church for Mass and no running!

I didn’t take any photos of anything besides my new running shirt this week – so I leave you with a dinner photo from Wednesday – chicken sausage, peppers and onions. Yum!