Hey friends!
It’s RACE WEEK! Like whoa. Also, I just realized that I forgot to actually post my training log here last week. Today will be a two-for-one and I must admit, it might be the two most boring weeks of running that I’ve done in quite some time.
In an attempt to make a long story short, I came down with the flu, bronchitis and laryngitis the week of Christmas. I missed my last three key workouts over the course of about 10 days. Really, if I look at the bigger picture, my training really hasn’t gone *as I expected it to* since the Mississippi Gulf Coast Marathon in early December. At this point, we’re just gonna go with the idea that I got a head start on my taper.
Since getting sick clearly wasn’t planned (it was just an unexpected thing that popped up that I couldn’t control), it disrupted my typical routine and shook my confidence a bit. Deep down, I know that it didn’t actually negatively impact my fitness as much as I am inclined think it did. Even though the last month hasn’t gone as planned, I still put in a lot of work over the course of the training cycle and I know that I am still strong and fit.
I went back and forth and back and forth some more as to whether or not I wanted to even do the marathon. If I still felt sick that would’ve been one thing, but at this point I feel confident that I am healthy. My reason for not wanting to run was that I don’t feel confident that I will hit my A goal (of < 3:00). What I really don’t want to do is give up and not go for something due to fear of “failure,” and let’s be real, not meeting my A goal does not mean automatic failure. I can’t predict how I will do on Sunday, but one thing is for sure, I will do my very best that day and that alone will be a success.
Here is what my training looked like the week of 12.25.17 – 12.31.17:
Monday – Easy: 6.25 miles (8:54 pace)
Tuesday – Off
Wednesday – Easy: 8 miles (9:03 pace)
Thursday – Easy: 8 miles (8:45 pace)
Friday – Easy: 7.5 miles (8:15 pace)
Saturday – Off
Sunday – Off
Here is what my training looked like the week of 01.01.18 – 01.07.18:
Monday – Easy: 6 miles (9:14 pace)
Tuesday – Easy: 8 miles (8:01 pace)
Wednesday – Off
Thursday – 10 miles (8:27 pace)
Friday – Tempo: 11 miles (7:16 pace)
Saturday – Easy: 6 miles (8:07 pace)
Sunday – Easy: 5 miles (8:38 pace)
Basically the last two weeks were filled with lots of treadmill miles (except for two runs) and purely easy miles (except for one tempo). I haven’t done a workout on the treadmill in ages and I actually really enjoyed it. I busted out my trusty old iPod and had a good ‘lil time. I did a 2 mile warm up, 8 tempo miles (6:56, 6:49, 6:43, 6:43, 6:43, 6:42, 6:42, 6:34) and a 1 mile cool down. I was thrilled with how that went, although my legs have been incredibly sore ever since. I registered for the marathon before I did my workout Friday morning and nailing that run was a HUGE boost for my confidence going into the race.
All that is left to do now is take it easy and relax! I am embracing the taper MUCH more this time around than I typically have in the past.
I so needed this post today.! Thank you!!! I had a major surgery in August and all of the sudden am dealingswith back issues again a week before the FLM half. I am super discouraged but am trying my hardest to stay positive. You are such an inspiration to me along with every runner in the area.! Stay strong!!💪🏻 I can’t wait to see your results as I have no doubt your are going to KILL it!! Good luck!!!
I so needed this post today.! Thank you!!! I had a major surgery in August and all of the sudden am dealingswith back issues again a week before the FLM half. I am super discouraged but am trying my hardest to stay positive. You are such an inspiration to me along with every runner in the area.! Stay strong!!💪🏻 I can’t wait to see your results as I have no doubt your are going to KILL it!! Good luck!!!
So glad to hear you are on the mend! Hope these next few days of rest and relaxing will help you KILL the marathon on Sunday!
So glad to hear you are on the mend! Hope these next few days of rest and relaxing will help you KILL the marathon on Sunday!
It must have been tough getting so sick over the holidays. It seems like your training was really strong up until that point, even though you said it didn’t go exactly as you had hoped. It’s great that you did what you could given how sick you got!
It must have been tough getting so sick over the holidays. It seems like your training was really strong up until that point, even though you said it didn’t go exactly as you had hoped. It’s great that you did what you could given how sick you got!