This time last year, I was getting ready to run my first-ever marathon.
Halfway through the Blue Nose marathon in 2013!
Next week I will run my second.
The second time around has been interesting. One on hand, it’s been easier. I’m a better runner and I knew what to expect out of training.
But, in many ways, it was a bigger struggle than last year. The weather was terrible. My work schedule was different. I got really sick right after Around the Bay and missed an entire week of training. For the past few weeks, I’ve been dealing with a nagging right quad. And I’ve lost a lot of my motivation, for both running and blogging, which you may have noticed thanks to the radio silence here. My long runs the past few weeks were killer. I had to frequently stop and gather myself or buy Gatorade or just sit down for five minutes. I’m getting it done, but I feel exhausted, not excited. And so I didn’t blog. It’s hard to write about things you aren’t excited about — especially when I don’t want to look like I’m complaining.
I’m hoping running the Ottawa Marathon next week will change that.
(PS. I’ve also decided that for the New York Marathon, I want a training plan that has running 3 days per week and high-intensity cross-training two days per week. Does anyone have suggestions? I’m hoping cutting down on the running will help mitigate this “over it” feeling I’ve had this training cycle.)
Maybe see you at Ottawa!
I know that Run Less, Run Faster is 3 runs a week. Some of Jeff Galloway’s plans are 3 or 4 and I think Rock n Roll Marathon’s book might be 3 or 4 days a week. I followed a Hal HIgdon plan from his book (Marathon) that was 4 days a week, but I dropped one of the runs. 3 days was much more manageable for me and allowed me to also fit in things like Shaun T’s T25 or weight lifting or yoga.
Good suggestions, I will look into them!
I just find doing 4 per week makes it too hard to do anything else, especially once the long runs get above 20k. And since I really want to not have a goal in mind for NYC other than have fun (which will probably change, hahaha) I think doing something that allows for a more comprehensive fitness plan is the way to go!
What run are you doing in Ottawa?! Good luck!!!
Good luck! I did the Blue Nose 10k today and did a lot of reminiscing about the full last year. Hopefully the marathon atmosphere will give you back some motivation for your New York Marathon.
I mostly did 3 days a week when training for the Blue Nose, but it was more because I missed a day in my 4 day/week Hal Higdon Novice plan.
Good to know it worked! How was the 10k? I saw pics on Twitter, I really like the shirts this year!
Not bad! I liked the route (over the bridge and back) and I liked the shirts too!
I would recommend you get YOU (Only Faster) by Greg McMillan. While there are many books out there with training plans, and more online, Greg’s focus is that YOU should build a training plan for YOU. He gives basic outlines for plans for 5K, 10K, Half and Full Marathons based on how many days you want run each week: 2-3, 4-5 or 6-7. From there you move things around based on how you train and what type of runner you are.
We are all different and no one plan works best for everyone.
I will add that if you want to be a “Fit Girl”, cross training is great. However, if you want to be a better runner, ya gotta run. More technically, sport-specific training is best.
Good luck.
Thanks for the reco, John! I’ll look into it.
You’re totally right about running. I just want to figure out a balance that works for me: running enough that I am happy with my results, but that doesn’t burn me out and gives me time to do other stuff. Which I haven’t found yet. But I will.