more on this, soon!
Two days after my marathon, I felt completely fine. Yes, this could be a sign of good training. It could've also had something to do with the fact that I didn't actually run it at my "race pace". I am so happy with everything about that race, so I'm not regretting my pace. My current mentality, however, is along the lines of : Now we know we can successfully run for 26.2 miles. Let's do it faster!
Mr Higdon actually has training plans for
real snail. Not actually a picture of me...just what I felt like
I launched into some obsessive research and came up with a newer and decidedly tougher plan. Again, I'm not exactly Type A about running...or anything for that matter. However, I am definitely not experienced enough to try to improve my Marathon time "on the fly".
Plans are good.
Plans are our friends!
I'll end up with a lot of miles by the end of this first, full week. They'll include 7xHill Repeats, a 10 mile, goal marathon-paced run AND a long run. For some reason the daunting aspect of these workouts is making me ridiculously happy! I'm being rigid about my stretching, foam rolling, yoga, Epsom baths, compression and rest, too. Extra and/or difficult miles are only a teensy part of training.
really it's all an excuse to get to dress like this
My new schedule is making me optimistic and deliciously spent at the end of each day. Had the ol' injury not joined the previous Prepping For a Marathon Party, I undoubtedly would have been able to train harder, then, too. All of my workouts, post-stress fracture, though, were forced to be altered. The fact that I was still able to succesfully complete a marathon, after all that, reinforces my belief that I went about things the right and patient way.
Granted, during my disgusting run, Sunday, I had to repeatedly remind myself : "This is what YOU wanted!". While the affirmation did nothing to stop my audible? mental whining, it did keep me going. (that, and the thought of the pizza I was going to devour upon finishing)
While I'd love to ramble more, here, I just realized the awful scent I keep catching a whiff of is actually me. Turns out I wasn't actually able to fit in a shower after running ten miles, this morning...
If you think that's nasty, you should check out my Marathon Souvenir:
Runners can be pretty gross, eh?
Want to share something icky? Now's your chance!
You sound hooked on this marathon-ing thing :D
ReplyDeleteThat's an intense first week on the plan :O
Hills are not my friend!
Ah the runner's toenails. I was SHOCKED the first time it happened to me, hahahah. I didn't know what to do or if it was just me it happened to!
I'm completely hooked. It's odd, tho, I've never really liked the 1/2 marathon distance.
DeleteAnd you have to *make* hills your friend!! Force them into submission! Something like that...yeah. They suck.
I just looked at that course! Our friends live in Jacksonville, so I might add this one to my to-run list for next year. It has the flattest course I have ever seen. Not even a slight bump in there. I'm interested to see how the weather pans out. Last year, I ran Ocala in January (which you should definitely run BTW), and it felt hot at the end!
ReplyDeleteAnd if you know anyone else who wants to run Jacksonville with you, I just saw that a girl in my running group is selling her bib for $65.
ReplyDeleteI believe it's on the top ten list for the fastest courses, in the world! You should buy the bib and join me!!
DeleteI totally would but I think it's a week after Rocket City marathon. Although I like doing dumb stuff like that normally. I have to add it for next year because my friend just moved to Jacksonville. I'm all about races with a free hotel (aka my friend's house).
DeleteSounds like you were ready for a more challenging plan... :-) I used Hal's plans for my first marathon I trained for (and for a few Half's). They were good but and I would definitely recommend them to a new runner but I am with you on needing something more.
ReplyDeleteDid you just say that Jacksonville is listed as being in the top ten of the fastest courses?? Hello! I LOVE those kind of courses!!
It's not a downhill course, but it's "pancake flat". I ran the 1/2, last year and decided I'd def. be back. It's been listed in Runner's World (and marathon guide, I think) as "fastest marathons" for the past couple years.
DeleteYou should do it!!
You're a beast! I finished my first and thought, "Oh I never want to do that again...wait, just Boston then no more...."
ReplyDeletethat was how I felt after my 1st 1/2 marathon & fully expected to have similar feelings after the full. Turned out to be the exact opposite.
DeleteMan you're a running machine! I'm slightly jealous as my longest post-marathon run was like 4 miles I think...the rest of me is just too tired (pregnancy:-). I'll live vicariously through you this next year, so keep signing up for marathon's:-) I have no doubt you'll just continue to get speedier...don't re-injure yourself though:-) Go get 'em!
ReplyDelete