Am I Ready?
Workout today: 9+ miles on the legs doing the "Forest Gump" around town. It went really well. I am still using a short walk interval at the beginning of each mile. I walk very briskly for 1 minute and take a drink of water. It works very well, and I've been able to get a little faster average over long runs. It sounds counter-intuitive, but the 1 minute walk break helps oh so much!
I've been having lots of time to think on these long runs. Many times I do the run-nerd thing and analyze my training. It used to be that I would run two, maybe three long runs of 8 miles or more while preparing for my half marathon each May. Those long runs would be difficult and involve soreness and at least 2 days of recovery.
In this new year of 2012, I've tried to be more consistent with the mileage after the Half to continue to widen and build my base. I was a person that said "I won't ever run the full Marathon." But having started the sport of Triathlon, I have longer distance dreams than ever. I want to move beyond Marathon, even, and possibly do a 50k. :) What happened to me??
So, instead of running 3easy, 3 easy, and 5 on the weekends - I am now running 3-4 speed work, 4 easy, and 8-10 on the weekends. It's amazing how the resilience of my muscles and joints has increased. I know what you're thinking...I only run 3 days a week. Yep. I bike and swim for an hour the other two days to make 5 cardio days. Works for me and keeps me injury free.
So, anyhow...after that incoherent babble...
Today I realized something.
I am ready!
After working to lose some weight (8lbs down, maybe 8-10 more?) and expanding my running base, doing some speed work, and mentally committing - I am ready to register for my first Marathon when it opens up on December 1st.
I'm taking my training more seriously, and taking my GOALS more seriously. Maybe someday I will give up Jalapeno Cheddar Cheetos and get all the way in!
Maybe.
I've been having lots of time to think on these long runs. Many times I do the run-nerd thing and analyze my training. It used to be that I would run two, maybe three long runs of 8 miles or more while preparing for my half marathon each May. Those long runs would be difficult and involve soreness and at least 2 days of recovery.
In this new year of 2012, I've tried to be more consistent with the mileage after the Half to continue to widen and build my base. I was a person that said "I won't ever run the full Marathon." But having started the sport of Triathlon, I have longer distance dreams than ever. I want to move beyond Marathon, even, and possibly do a 50k. :) What happened to me??
So, instead of running 3easy, 3 easy, and 5 on the weekends - I am now running 3-4 speed work, 4 easy, and 8-10 on the weekends. It's amazing how the resilience of my muscles and joints has increased. I know what you're thinking...I only run 3 days a week. Yep. I bike and swim for an hour the other two days to make 5 cardio days. Works for me and keeps me injury free.
So, anyhow...after that incoherent babble...
Today I realized something.
I am ready!
After working to lose some weight (8lbs down, maybe 8-10 more?) and expanding my running base, doing some speed work, and mentally committing - I am ready to register for my first Marathon when it opens up on December 1st.
I'm taking my training more seriously, and taking my GOALS more seriously. Maybe someday I will give up Jalapeno Cheddar Cheetos and get all the way in!
Maybe.
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