So marathon number 2 training is in full force. This week has been a lil m’eh. I only ran Tuesday, swam Wednesday and then didn’t run yesterday because i was freaking exhausted from the long walk we took down on the mall Wednesday late night to see the monuments. Not to mention the mile and a half we walked yesterday in old town checking out bridal salons.
Starting next week, I’ll be back on track but at least one of my week day runs is going to be hills. You see, I was checking out the Hartford route on their website and well….it looks rather hilly.
I don’t think any runner is a HUGE, GUNG-HO fan of Hills. I used to enjoy hill workouts during track and field, however after running x number of miles the last thing you want to think about is hills. So next week, my route will be changing for my weekday runs – I’ll be doing some hill workouts running up and down Capitol Hill. Last year during my training, I avoided the hill at all costs. I’d run to Smithsonian metro station after my 10 – 15 mile runs…just so i could avoid running up the damn hill. But now? With this elevation looming ahead of me on race day…I simply can’t avoid hills any longer.
Hi2u hills…nice to meet you. Pls don’t hurt me. k thx.
Tomorrow I run 9 miles. Making my mileage count this week about 12 miles. I needed to do 15. However, i swam 1/2 mile the other day. I was supposed to swim today but i worked through lunch to make up for the time i took off yesterday. M’eh.
Next week, hills Tuesday, intervals on Thursday, swim, monday, wednesday, and long run Saturday – next week i hit 10 miles. Though I might make it 11. I kind of want to peak a little bit earlier than I am – i’m scheduled to peak the weekend my mother and fiancé’s parents are here and that’s just…not going to work for me. I’d rather peak the week before but that might be pushing it. I’m planning to peak at 18 miles, unlike the 15.5 that i peaked at last summer…which just wasn’t good enough. I slacked a lot before MCM. This year? Since i’m trying to burn an hour and a half off my time, and I’m getting a bit of a late start? I’ll be running that 18 miles. Possibly in three weeks. Which might be doable…i ran 7 last weekend….planning on doing 9 this weekend. It’s doable…i just need to not miss any more week day runs. But the hills should help and if i stick to my swimming…I should be in decent shape. Not gonna lie, I’m a bit nervous but I think it’s entirely manageable. There’s a little over a month till the race…October 11th is coming up faster than I’d like it to.
Also, my pal who was supposed to be running it with me…backed out. The other day, I got a facebook message. Essentially telling me what I had wanted to tell her back in July but didn’t. That it’s too late, she hasn’t started training, she’d die to start training now. Thankfully, I’m two weeks in, granted I know, you’re supposed to train for 12-16 weeks, I started at 10 weeks…but had been swimming regularly for a month prior to me really beginning to run.
I’ll live. I’m not surprised. i just wish I had told her back in July but I saw a countdown on her profile so I assumed that she was committed. Unfortunately, I was wrong. Making assumptions makes an ass of u and me. C’est la vie. I’m excited to race it, she’ll be there, along with fiancé’s family and this will put me in a good spot to run a half next year, and hopefully qualify for Boston and run the VT City Marathon in May. Thus putting me in pretty. decent. shape for my wedding gown 
It’s win win really.
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh, how hills suck. I’m in the middle of training for NYC and luckily live next to the most difficult hill of the course so guess who gets to train on that EVERY. TIME. I. RUN.
Good luck with your traning! I hope I can be inspired to get back in the habit again…
Girl, this all sounds like a great plan! The hill training will definitely help with both the hills and your overall strength for enduring the length of the marathon. And you’re right – even with your friend backing out, you’ve still got a lot of reasons to run and feel good about it! It always rocks to be in killer shape.
wow, i mean really i’m impressed with your workout dedication. i could never train for a marathon or anything, i get bored.
i hope i’ll be as dedicated when i have a deadline. good for you!