Pre-Season Marathon Training: Week 1

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Well, you guys know that I decided to go with good ‘ol Hanson’s this time around for NYC Marathon and once I took a good look at the plan, I realized that was a whole lotta miles. I figured it would do me good to get going on getting used to running a lot. Like, a lot a lot.

Having taken a week off to recover from the Canyon, I went for my first official run last Sunday–exactly a week after my second day crossing.

Sunday, 5/29–3 miles easy, 9:27 avg

We were in my hometown visiting for the Memorial Day Weekend and I took advantage of being home by running the course for the yearly Turkey Trot. I hate this course. It’s my Eleanor, I guess you could say (who knows where’s that from??) For some reason, I can never do well at this race. Maybe it’s home court jitters, I don’t know, but I always struggle bus it. Anyway, whenever we’re home, I try and run this 5k so that I can somehow train my brain to beat it. It’s not even that hard. Ugh.

The mountain on top of my left shoulder is in Mexico and the mountain to the right of me is in Arizona :)

The mountain on top of my left shoulder is in Mexico and the mountain to the right of me is in Arizona 🙂

Monday, 5/30–4 miles easy, 9:45 avg

I finally was able to meet up with a sub group of a running group I’m in. They always meet on Mondays at 5 but I somehow can never make it. Since it was Memorial Day, my husband had the day off and I was able to go out for another easy run.

Tuesday, 5/31–4 miles tempo, 8:38 avg

I felt ready for a good run on Tuesday, just in time for our 100 degree weather. Yep, 100+ degrees out to say good-bye to May.

Ice pop at the end--necessary.

Ice pop at the end–necessary.

Splits–8:27, 8:42, 8:44, 8:43

I started out a bit too fast but I was please at the consistency for the remainder miles. It’s something I’ve been working on all year and I’m happy I’m getting better at it.

Wednesday, 6/1–Global Running Day 5k, 8:23 avg

Our run club had an informal 5k to celebrate this special day and oh my goodness gracious, was it effing hot out there. Another over 100 degree day.

Splits were awful–8:07, 8:22, 8:33

Last I checked, a 5k is 3.1 miles!! Bleh...lol

Last I checked, a 5k is 3.1 miles!! Bleh…lol

Thursday, 6/2–Rest Day

You should notice (and I’m making you if you hadn’t 😉 ), that I had done 4 days of straight running. This was done purposely as again, I’m training to get myself used to Hanson’s insanity of 6 days of running with no rest. I figured I’d start slow with 4 days straight, lol.

Friday, 6/3–4.23 easy miles, 9:14 avg

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You know you guys wanna move here….

This was tough because I started off easy, saw the first mile split and was pleased, and then continued running easy, saw the second mile a little faster….then continued running easy and saw the third mile faster, and then figured what the heck, I’ve already made this into a mini progression run–might as well make the last mile a little faster.

Splits–9:41, 9:24, 9:12, 8:43

I think Hanson’s easy runs will be tough for me. A lot of the miles are supposed to be done easy and my prescribed easy pace is 9:40-10:20. It’s crazy to even say this, but my easy comfort zone right now is around the 9 minute mark. I’m going to have work a little to get to Hanson’s easy. But, I’m pretty positive that once I get going with the plan, the accumulated exhaustion will settle and then Hanson’s easy probably won’t feel so easy anymore, lol!

Saturday, 6/4–Rest Day

I thought I’d be able to squeeze a run in, but I had an 8 o’clock hair appointment and didn’t want to rush to it. So, I slept in 😀

Sunday, 6/5–Long Run 6 miles, 9:19 avg

My Moms Run This Town Chapter meets on Sundays, so I ran my long run with them. We had a new mom join and I ran my first two miles with her to keep her company–10:14, 9:59. She turned around then as she was only doing 4.

I continued on with another mom to finish my six–9:05, 8:51, 8:55, 8:48. This was a good run as it had been a while since I’d done any road run over a 5 miler (since April 23rd!!).

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From Sunday to Sunday, I had a 24.6 mile week. Pretty good 🙂

–How was your running week? Do you “train for training”?

–How do you get yourself to run easy?

–What’s the temperature like where you’re at? Do you wanna move to Arizona?

 

Another Boston Blog Post–Happy Patriot’s Day!!

I’m sure Boston will be the theme in many blogs today ❤

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Like many, I too, dream of Boston. I need over an hour marathon PR to qualify but a girl can dream, lol!

I’ve actually come across quite a few Instagrammers who’ve posted their transformation/journeys to Boston and there have been a few who said that for them, getting a 1:45 half marathon time allowed for thoughts of trying to qualify become more of a reality. I’m at 1:48:04 which is not horribly off 1:45 and I still think Boston is still in the dream category for me. I know everyone says to “Dream Big!!” and “If your dreams don’t care you, they’re not big enough!!” but maybe I’m too much of a realist. Or a pessimist. Or something. Lol! Either way, right now, all I want is to run a marathon feeling like I ran it they way I know I can. I know I have a marathon in me better than a 4:44 (my current PR). I think that’s why I’m so antsy to start New York City Marathon training. Let’s get this show on the road!! Lol!!

Speaking of New York, this weekend I had my second fundraiser–the burrito sale I mentioned last week–and it was a huge success!!

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It was a burrito party in the parking lot!

It was a burrito party in the parking lot!

So lucky to have an amazing running family <3 (the duck is an inside club joke, lol!)

So lucky to have an amazing running family

With the money made from burritos, and with additional donations after posting pictures reminding people 😀 , I’m happy to report that I’M HALFWAY THERE!! This is so exciting for me because the charity amount is so daunting and to be halfway, it’s definitely making me feel less anxious about fundraising. (I super stress out about it, ja!)

In running news, last week I was tired. Just flat out tired. I didn’t get in a whole lot–

Tuesday : I got in a double run, first in the early morning with my MRTT co-leader brf. It was a great negative split 4 mile run and the miles flew

 

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My second run was another 4 miler in the evening with my husband and it was our run club’s run for Boston.

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I ran this one with a little more consistent pacing–8:35, 8:43, 8:38, 8:47.

Friday : I didn’t run again til two days later and it was a slower trail run with my Moms Run This Town family. It was 4.5 miles of awesomeness.

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Saturday : This was burrito day and it was an early wake-up to get them cookin’. I left the running to my daughter and son.

 

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Sunday : I was supposed to hit the trails again for more Grand Canyon R2R2R training but after Friday’s early morning run and Saturday’s early morning burrito sale (and kids’ race immediately after), I couldn’t do another 4 a.m. wake up call. My body just flat out said no.

So instead, I met up with my MRTT crew at 6:30 for a flat 10 miler. I ran the first 2 miles with friends doing shorter runs and then I did the last 8 on my own. This was an amazing run for me as I’ve never run a training run in these paces. I’ve only seen a double digit run at this pace during a race!

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I felt good the entire way and it really added to my excitement for marathon training. I only hope I can continue this momentum and stay injury free.

And that was my week!! 22.5 miles of running fun 🙂

–How was your running week? Do you like burritos? What’s your favorite kind? (I sold chorizo burritos) 😀

–Do you have Boston Marathon dreams?

If you’d like to contribute to my NYC Marathon Fundraising (and help me sleep at night), you can do so here.