This weekend I finished my 2nd long run of marathon training - 9 miles. Well, it ended up being 8.86 miles... close enough. I met up again with Alma bright and early at Seward Park and I'm kicking myself not taking any pictures because it was a great morning. Rain was expected, but we both were pleasantly surprised when it was dry, yet cool for our entire run. We really lucked out because the rest of the day here in Seattle was a wet one.
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| Me in the pretty fall colors. Thanks for the pic, Alma! |
We headed north along Lake Washington Blvd for 4.5 miles then headed back. About 3.75 miles into it I was struggling. My legs felt like lead and my motivation was low. I got frustrated....how the heck can I run a marathon if I can't run 4 flippin' miles?! Alma quickly suggested that we run/walk, so we ran 5 minutes, walked 1 minute for the remainder of the miles, which felt just fine. Our average pace ended up being 10:20, which is actually really close to what I was supposed to run at today (Marathon pace 9:25 + 45 seconds = 10:10), so maybe I just need to slow down more to feel better.
After some thought about the RLRF plan and some consultation with
Sarah and
Allison, I've decided to scrap the RLRF program and make my own. The plan was stressing me out and causing anxiety in my running, which is stupid. I run because it's fun. Anxiety is NOT allowed! So I looked at a couple more plans and took some advice from my friends and made a plan that I'm happy with. It has me running 4 day a week with obviously one long run, 2 easy days and one speed/tempo run. If I feel like it, I can turn one of my easy days into another speed workout, but the keyword here is
IF I feel like it.
Since this is my first marathon, I don't have a time goal, so speed workouts aren't my number one priority. I know they will make me stronger, so I haven't scraped them altogether, but I really want to focus on just upping my mileage and doing the long runs.
AH! I feel SO much better and more excited about marathon training! RUN ON!
Excellent change in plans! Look forward to another long run...in December?
ReplyDeleteGreat plan. Sometimes it is so much better to go on your own - for all of my marathons I have morphed plans together.
ReplyDeleteI think the change is a great idea
ReplyDeleteLooks like a gorgeous place to run!!
ReplyDeleteGood call on changing the plans -- running/training should relieve stress, not cause it :)
What an awesome pic! Sounds good it will still work. The walk/run method got me through my first marathon for sure.
ReplyDeleteYou're going to do great! I had a plan for my first marathon back in June, and it freaked me out to no avail. I got rid of it and made my own using a few different sources. The biggest help I have ever found was doing my long runs "Badger Mile"-style, meaning by time. ie, 11 minutes= 1 mile or whatever suits you. It was way easier on my brain and pride to assign myself a 2 or 3 hour run than to assign a 20 miler and be acutely aware of my pace. It may not be for everyone, but it seriously made a huge difference in my marathon anxiety level.
ReplyDeleteSounds like the perfect plan. The training, especially the first time, is so hard with the increased mileage, you have to do what your body responds best to. So excited for you!
ReplyDeleteSounds perfect! Running should be a release, not a stressor haha. I'm training for my first marathon too!
ReplyDelete