2 days in a raw without running and other issues with the FIRST running program

As I mentioned earlier the FIRST marathon training program emphasizes 3 key runs: speed, tempo and long, as well as strenuous crosstraining 2-3 times a week. For me, this meant decreasing my mileage and giving up my easy 3-4 mile running day. This was the first day when I swam instead of ran, and I am suffering from withdrawal. Seriously. It is beautiful outside -not too cold, snowing -and I would have loved to go for a run. I was close to giving in, but then reminded myself that I have to stick with the program. I chose it bc of its low injury risk - 2009 is going to be a no injury year. So I swam. It was OK, it was fun at times, but did not come close to running. This 3 runs a week is going to take some getting used to.

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On Saturday I am supposed to do the first long run, 13 miles at 9:05. Now 9:05 is sooo slow, and while I understand the logic for these slowness (the first 20 miler is going to be at 9:35 min miles, OMG), it is going to be tough to go this slow. Last night the Sue-s came over and we plotted a bit about the marathon training (since we all are running Boston). We all agreed there is no way we are going to be able to run this slow. We figured we'd have to pick some hilly routes to slow us down, and perhaps run the last few miles at marathon pace (OK, I am going to say it, 8:35 for a 3:45 which is qualifying time for our age....oh, confessions feel better).

So, not sure if anyone (OK, one of the 3 people that read this blog) has used the FIRST program before. I'd be curious to see how they managed the slow long runs.

Boy, I am FAST again!

Today I had my first key workout in preparation for the Boston Marathon. I am following the FIRST training program and have only 3 runs a week.
Today it was speed. I was to warm up for 10-20min, do 3 mile repeats at 7:11, with 1-2 min rest in between, and cool down for 10 minutes.

We had wonderful weather today. I finished work at 3pm, and was all ready to go by 4pm. I felt a bit intimidated by the pace. I know I used to be fast prior to my stress fracture, but can I be fast again?

I decided not to go to the track, and do the mile repeats on the bikepath. A friend of mine swears she injured her ankle because of the turns on the track. I may do the shorter repeats there, but today I settled on the path. The plan was to have a bite or two of the vanilla GU before each repeat. I am trying to get my stomach used to the GUs for longer runs, and also figured that the GU would be a nice treat after each repeat (Love the Vanilla Bean). The bike path goes slightly downhill one way, so I decided to do the first repeat on the downhill, the second on the uphill and the third on the downhill. Then, back home 1.5 miles.

Here are the stats:

1.5 miles warm up
1 mile @ 6:51, 30 secs rest
1 mile @ 7:02, 30 secs rest (this was the uphill)
1 mile @ 6:49
1.5 miles cool down.

Yeah, I am super excited about these stats. I ran 1/4 mile during the first repeat @ 5:40, and had to slow myself down to make sure I don't get injured or push too hard. I did not feel winded at all. I think I am in the best shape ever. I believe swimming help develop my anaerobic capacity - I suck at swimming so I am always out of breath after a 1/4 mile in the water.

I feel awsome. I think this marathon training is going to be great! Whoo-hoo! I feel so fast and happy!

Bring it on....the marathon!

Tomorrow I am starting my training for the Boston Marathon. I confess, yet again, that this was a bit of an impulsive decision. Last year I considered running a marathon, but then I developed a stress fracture, and told myself that perhaps marathons are not for me. In order to avoid feeling bad about this, I kept telling myself bad things about "the marathon" and in the process discovered trail running - still my biggest love. Boston came about because of my friend Sue, who wanted to do something for Mass General, because they saved her life 3 times in the past year. So when she mentioned that she signed up, and signed up to. Yes, peer pressure never fails to work for me. For the past month I have been agonizing about whether my body is made for marathons. I mean, I know I have the mind for the marathon, no doubt about it, I can easily push through pain, I have a bull's stubbornness and I never give up. But my body? My biomechanics? My on and off unpredictable knee pain (I can run 3 miles slow and be in agonizing pain, and run 11 miles the next day and have no pain at all)? I am the type of person that does not set goals that I can't achieve. I set gradual goals, when I know that, with hard hard work and determination, I can achieve them. The marathon is a tricky goal, because it does not take only hard work - in fact, I think I need to work less hard for it - or perseverance, it takes uncertainty, it makes you rely on your body, which, albeit is connected to the mind that is supposed the dictate what it does, can and may fail you. So this will be taking a chance for a woman who sets goals that she knows she can achieve.

Life is all about uncertainty and adjustments. This is what I preach about all day long. The marathon will be a great exercise for me. Working hard but maybe not too hard (to avoid injury), backing out for a few days at times, when life gets in the way (and being OK with that). It is also a great opportunity to do something for others. Although I would love to BQ someday (and I know that I can), I may never run for a charity again. I have never raised money, so this will be a nice opportunity to learn about that, and raise money for a good cause. In the process, I will also strengthened my friendship with the Sue(s). Oh, yes, I did coerced Sue M into the marathon. As she put it "I need to make sure when I open my mouth around it...you make it happen".

So, tomorrow I start the training. I will post my training schedule as well. I have a hefty goal for the marathon, but I don't think I'll share it as of now. It's to intimidating for a first marathon, yet I know I am capable of it unless I get injured.

Goals for training:
1. Stick to schedule, don't go faster than you are supposed to.
2. Take the rest day weekly, complete rest.
3. Continue strengthening the core.
4. Start experimenting with gels during runs.
5. Sleep, sleep, sleep - in the train, naps during weekends.
6. Eat for performance.
7. Don't get to serious about this. Life is a marathon, Boston is only a small part of it.

So now I am truly excited. I can't wait for the long runs. I feel ready. I got fitted for new shoes at Marathon Sports yesterday, got myself some gels, and am ready to go. I am also planning on taking lots of pictures during the marathon training journey, since I got a nice small camera for Christmas (thank you Margaret). Oh, and I did not mention that Bill Rogers is coaching the Mass General Team, so I plan to pester him with lots of questions about my running biomechanics and such.

Let the journey begin...

training log 12/22-12/28

Monday - 6.5m@ 8:20
Tuesday - 1/25m swim (.25kicks)
Wednesday - 7m@8:00
Thursday - 3m slow
Friday - 1.25m swim (.25 kicks)
Saturday - 11m run @ 8:25, 1m swim
Sunday - 1.5m swim (.5 kicks)

T: 28.5m run, 5 m swim

training log 12/15-12/21

Monday - 7 m @ 7:45 - 200 abs, weights arms
Tuesday - 1.25 m swim - 200abs, roller massage, leg lifts
Wednesday - 7m @ 8:20 (?)
Thursday - 3m slow - 200 abs, 30 push ups
Friday - 1.25 m swim
Saturday - 9.5 m @ 8:50 (including quite a few hills)
Sunday - 1.5 m swim - roller massage, 200abs, leg lifts

T: 26.5m run; 4m swim

I made it out - and it was beautiful!

For the past 2 years I have been running with the "Runaway Moms" of Arlington every Saturday morning. Although lately I have been going on my own with a couple of friends and running on trails, the snow and the need to train for the marathon have brought me back the the group. It is really nice to see a group of 5-20 fit moms meeting early in the morning in front of Panera, not for a yummy breakfast and coffee (we sometimes get coffee afterwards), but for a short, slow, long, fast run - whatever the individual need and desire that specific morning.

But Friday afternoon everyone chickened out, because of the big storm. They decided to run Sunday. I was in a desperate need of a long run. Plus, I live near the Arlington Minute Man bike path, which is plowed regularly during the winter. Plus, why should I let the weather tell me what I can or can't do? So I recruited my friend Sue and we both decided to run on Saturday am. Sue and I are much alike - can't resist to any type of peer pressure.

We made it out after several early morning emails, where both of us "opened the door" for the other person to back out, in hopes of not going for the run. But we are both tough and stubborn runners, and neither of us backed out. During the run we talked about it and had a good laugh. It's so nice to have someone else to help you get out of the house during cold and snowy days. Once out there, we really enjoyed the run. We ended up running 9.5 miles @ 8:50, mostly on the bike path, along with a couple of crosscountry skiers. We had a ball catching up - though my speech always becomes slurred in the cold; enjoyed comments such as "You are really showing off today" (darn, we are!), and "You have it tough today" (actually, it seems like it, but really you don't know what you are missing). I have to confess, I feel like such a badass running in the snow and cold! Bring it on! I have a scheduled 7 miler on Monday, and with the upcoming storm, it shall be another good one!

My mantra for the season: Don't let the weather tell you what you can or can't do!
Disclaimer: within reason, that is:)

Running in 2008 - 52 words or less

This post is part of Take It and Run Thursday (TIART)

January - running slow after an injury
February - 1/2 marathon PR
March - 5 K PR, 5K PR
April - 1/2 marathon PR
May - injured
June - running slow, boot camp
July - trail running rocks
August - Wapack trail race rocks!
September - i love speed work
October - i love swimming
November - feels good to win a race
December - dreaming of Boston