Monday, June 29, 2009

Day 7, Week 2

Today was a cross training day. I decided to head over to the gym and use the stationary bike. I am not big into the bike at all, but I have heard it's good for your cross training day so I sucked it up and used the bike. It wasn't all that bad either! I took a magazine with me and read while I biked for 48 minutes/10 miles. I think I will start using the bike more often. I also ended up strength training for back muscles. I love being in the gym during the summer. I never have to wait for any of the machines or a bench in the free weights area.

Day 6, Week 2

Hal had me running 7 miles, but I decided to run 9. It must have been a slightly rough run because my pace was 8:51. I have been pretty consistant with an 8:30-8:45 per mile pace. I really need to start putting in some time for speed work!

Friday, June 26, 2009

It's Official!

I am officially registered for the Detroit Free Press Marathon. My estimated finish time is 4 hours. Now I need to buckle down and do some speed work.

Day 4 & 5 of Week 2

Last night I ended up doing close to an hour of cardio kick boxing and also some core work. I had no desire to head to the gym and I couldn't run outside due to the storm.

Today is a rest day, which is good because I have a wedding to go tonight.

I need to map my run for tomorrow morning. I am hoping to get 9 miles in before I have to get ready for an 11am bridal shower. It's a busy weekend, but I will make time for my training.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Today is day 3 of week 2

and it's 94 degrees out!! I ran 3.2 mile yesterday (I know, not as long as I planned on) and it was so hot! But that wasn't the worst of it. What was hard was mowing our lawn. Chris NEVER lets it go for 2 weeks, but did this time. And is out of town so who was left to mow it? Me. I think I got more of a work out mowing that lawn than I did running. I had sweat dripping in my eyes!!

Today I will be going to the gym...the air conditioned gym! I will strength train for shoulders, back & chest and then run 3 miles on the indoor track. I know sometimes you have to deal with the elements you have, but since I have the option of running in the A/C, you bet I will take advantage of that!

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Week 2 started yesterday! day 2, week 2

Yesterday was day 1 of my 2nd week into marathon training. The schedule was a rest day, but of course, I did not listen. lol I ended up at the gym doing 40 minutes of intervals on the AMT machine and then lifted for biceps and triceps.

Since today is day 2 and I am scheduled to run 3 miles, I mapped a 4.25 mile route. It's going to be a hot one! It's 87 degrees today! I also have to cut the grass, so I will consider that an added bonus exercise for today. lol I NEVER cut the grass, that is Chris's job! :o)

I had a gentleman approach me while I was on the AMT machine last night at the gym. First he just said "hi, how are you doing". I responded with "hello". I thought maybe he had me confused with someone else he knew. He then came up to me and said "you did a good job in the Trenton 10K race. You finished right behind me and just in front of my friend". He also told me that he always sees me running near my home because he runs the same route. We chatted for a couple minutes and then off he went to run the track.

I always recognize people that I have seen at races. You can talk to them as if you know each other and it's never weird. I think runners have a certain connection with each other.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Day 7, Week 1

Unfortunately, nothing to report. This day was very busy being fathers day and all!

Day 6, week 1...2 days later

Saturday was day 6. According to my buddy Hal, I was scheduled to run 6 miles. I upped it to 8.66 miles. I woke up around 7am, ate half a Kashi chewy bar and was out the door by 7:40am. It was a nice, easy run with a pace of 9 minutes flat.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Day 5, week 1

I missed my run last night. It happens. My son had his last regular season baseball game and they mercied the first place team. After the game, his team made a trip to get ice cream to celebrate. By the time I got home it was 7:30pm and I still had so much I had to get done around the house. So 40 push ups was the only form of exercise I got in yesterday.

Tonight I will be going to the gym for a 40 minute interval work out on the elliptical and will strenght train for back and shoulders. My training program has me running 6 miles tomorrow, but I have upped it to 8.5 miles. This will be an early morning, wet run! Tomorrow is playoffs for my son's little league baseball so I have to get up early to squeeze in my run.

Sunday I am supposed to cross train and fully intend on doing so. It won't be until later in the day that I am able to get my work out in. It's fathers day and my dad is competing in an X-terra duathlon about 1 hour from my house. I have to leave by 6:45am. I asked if I could bring my shoes to run the trail, but a) it's for race participants only and b) there is no way my dad will want to run it once the race is over. I also need to see my step dad on Sunday as well. So it will be a late afternoon Sunday trip to the gym for cross trianing and strength training for biceps & triceps.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Day 4, week 1

and scheduled to run 3 miles. I talked to my dad last night about my training and he told me that I have enough of a fitness level to not worry about the shorter runs during the first few weeks. He said to keep doing what I am doing, but also to watch my schedule to make sure I stay up on my mileage. So it's settled. I will go back to my 5-6 mile runs during the week and my 9-10 mile runs on the weekends for the next couple weeks. That way, I can make sure to incooporate strength training too. Then come the 4th of July week/weekend, I will begin to follow the program as it is written.

So, instead of a 3 mile run tonight, I plan on doing at least 4-5 miles. Last night I was suppose to run 3 miles but I ran 3.5 miles (in 29:15), strength trained for shoulders, did 30 push ups and some core work.

It's supposed to be a nice day today! Sunny and 80. Since my son has a baseball game, I won't be able to run until 7-7:30pm this evening. So hopefully it won't be as warm. But even if it is, I won't complain. We get shafted in Michigan when it comes to summers so I better enjoy this while I can!

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Day 3, Week 1

It's day 3 and I am scheduled to run 3 miles. They are calling for rain today with a high of 72 degrees. I mapped out a route and I also plan on lifting weights. I know it's not part of my training program, but I have worked very hard for the muscle definition I have that I feel it is important for me to continue weight training while marathon training. If the weather cooperates, I will be running a 3.25 mile loop around my neighborhood and then lifting weights for shoulders in my basement gym. If the weather decides to be difficult, then I will run 3 miles on the indoor track at the gym and lift weights there.

Last night I ran 3.25 miles in 26:53. It was a great run, but seemed awfully short. For the past couple months or so, I've been running shorter runs of 6 miles once or twice during the week and then 9-11 miles on Saturdays. On off running days I have been concentrating on the elliptical and lots of strength training. So running 3 miles last night just seemed like I was short changing myself. I know I could add distance to my required runs, but I'd rather follow the program as instructed. The only modifications I am making is to add strength/weight training.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Week 1, Day 2

Well, it's day 2. Only 124 more days to go! I am scheduled to run 3 miles tonight. I created my route using www.usatf.com like I usually do. I need to make sure I find other places to run while I am training. Running in the busy city I live in can get very boring. Boring is not what I want. I want to keep my training fun and I want to look forward to each and every run.

Anyway, I mapped out a 3.25 mile route. It's a loop around my neighborhood and out on to a main road. It's about 80 degrees today so I will be dressed in my shorts, sports bra, no show socks, running hat, ironman watch and my trusty Brooks.

Monday, June 15, 2009

Training Program

I guess I should explain the training program that I am using.

I will be using Hal Higdon's Novice I marathon training. It is an 18 week program that will take me to the day of the marathon, October 18th.

http://www.halhigdon.com/marathon/Mar00novice.htm

I followed his half marathon training and had success both times I used it. I hope to have the same success with the marathon training as well.

Week 1, Day 1

The day has finally arrived; my first day of marathon training. And it's a rest day. Yep, you read correctly, a rest day! How am I supposed to rest when I have been counting down to the start of my training? Well, instead of resting, I intend to do core work tonight. I am sure it won't hurt my training.




I also wanted to introduce everyone to my shoes. Since my blog is named after them, I figured it was only right to let them have there 5 minutes of fame. :-)
Brooks Adrenaline GTS 9's


Friday, June 5, 2009

I just couldn't wait...

until June 15th for my first update. I never thought I would be this excited to begin an 18 week marathon training program, but I am! I am counting down the days (10 to be exact). I know it will take extreme dedication and will be very intense, but I am so ready to take it on! I will be following Hal Higdon's Novice 1 program, per the advice of my dad. And for those that do not know this, I will be running my first marathon with my dad. Now, he is faster and a much more experienced runner than myself, but he has made the decision to run with me. and when I say with me, that means by my side the entire way. Thanks Dad. I am sure I will him/you there for support!

As a last Hurrah, I am running a 10K race on June 12th in Trenton, MI called the Refuge River Run. I ran this race last year but it was an 8K. They have made some changes to this race and it will now be a 5K & 10K race. I am hoping to PR. My current 10K PR is 48:59, 7:53 pace. I think a PR is doable. It will be a great way to kick off my training!