Officially we got 8 inches of snow yesterday but I snow blowed at least 12-14 off my driveway given the winds. No chance to run outside this week with the snow and now it's absolutely freezing here too. Looking a little better for my Saturday long run outside though, which is nice.
Did my 3 miles today on Hal Higdon's schedule. So far it seems to be working out pretty well. Of course, it is only the second week in the schedule. LOL. It seems like I am more than ready for a rest day on Friday's each week. I'm not sure if that is a good sign or a bad sign. A good sign because that means I am working my muscles hard enough. A bad sign maybe because I'm working my muscles too hard? Who knows?
I think it's the long runs that are going to be the killer for me. While I'm doing the intermediate plan, my thought is as I start to get to the end of the training programs, if I feel like I can't do 2 20-milers, I'll skip one and still be happy with how I trained for it. In looking at the novice plan, it seems that Higdon is just trying to get you over the finish line so that is why I moved up on the scale. Now, I know you're not supposed to have any time goal for your first marathon. And I don't, sort of. But the one thing I do want to do is end feeling good so I am putting a little extra effort into the training for all the benefits later. We will see how it does for me.
Have a great day everyone and......Keep Running!
Don't look that far into your schedule, you have plenty of time. Your body will adapt to the schedule.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. I just want to be able to finish my firt Marathon with a smile on my face and not have to crawl across the finish line :) You are doing great so far...trust the training!
ReplyDeleteYou are going to do just fine! :)
ReplyDeleteYou'll do great, Jeff!! By the way I took your advice yesterday from your rant about taking off the word verification on my comment section. :)
ReplyDeleteKeep up the great work and like everyone else said, "Don't look so far into your schedule!"
ReplyDeleteYour goal for your first marathon should be to finish because that's what will impress people, not your time. Afterward, then tackle the time head on if you like. No need to put extra pressure on yourself.
ReplyDeleteBy the time those 20 mile runs come, you'll be surprised at how ready you'll be for them.
ReplyDeletethat sounds exactly like my marathon training plan. The novice didn't seem like I'd be pushing myself enough during training, even though I have no real time goal!
ReplyDeleteI've done Hal's Novice 1 and Advanced 1, and he is right by suggesting that you shouldn't have a time goal in mind for marathon #1. Of course, you need to have some idea of your capability so you can pick the right training paces, but the marathon is a whole different animal, and finishing feeling good is a major accomplishment in its own right.
ReplyDeleteSince you're not completely new to running, Intermediate 1 can be a good choice. This isn't saying that the Novice plans are too simple (one could run a sub-3 hour marathon on Novice 1). If you think you fit into where Inter. 1 starts, then go for it. And if you can handle all the 20 mile runs, do them--the benefits from multiple 20 milers is huge.
Good for you Jeff! Hope you get a nice day for you long run on Sat.
ReplyDeleteI'm (sort of) following the same plan, but I've been out for the week because of ice. I don't have a treadmill, so I've been doing the elliptical instead, so I'm hoping that won't mess me up too much!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I agree with not trying to look too far ahead in the schedule. Right now the 20 miler is terrifying me. I just did 14, and the thought of doing more is pretty scary. But I figure, just take it day by day, and your body will (hopefully!) adjust!
You have so much running behind you, that I have every confidence that you'll do great! Try not to let the numbers freak you out - that's purely mental. By the time you get there in your training, you'll be scared, but ready!
ReplyDeleteI haven't done Hal but the one advice I can give you is WARM baths with Epsom salt...I took an ice bath once and have never been so sore in my life...epsom salt baths after 18, 20 and 22 mile runs made me feel like I went for a walk with my dog the next day...but definitely figure out a recovery plan EARLY ON in the game so that when you do get to those heavy weeks with your long runs, you can properly recover in time to do it again next week! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteRe: long runs. Remember to slow down. Do the first ones 90s/mile slower than your normal pace.
ReplyDeleteAs you get used to them you can speed up some..do a fast last 6 miles, etc.
20 miles seems scary long when you are starting but trust me (and zillions of other folks). It works...your body will adapt. It's amazing and wonderful to feel it happen!
My brother in law just worked his way to the 18 mile point in his HH training sched..he was euphoric.
But keep the speed down and enjoy. You only go through your first marathon training once.
Theres some good advice in these comments!
ReplyDeleteI second those who say enjoy the ride. It's your first marathon - you only get one first marathon! I know you will be fine!
ReplyDeleteMallory - yeah, much easier then to post!
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone else for the great suggestions and comments. I'm going to just look week to week and go from there.