I will say August officially began my training for a full
marathon! What the what!! I’ve been running in preparation for quite some time
with my lovely coach, Laura Norris from thisrunnersreceipes.com, but Saturday
was my first distance-based run! My other runs have all been time-based, so I’m
going to say August really kicked off marathon training.
I’m going to try to do a recap of each week, to keep you
(and me) in the loop with how it’s all going.
Monday, August 1:
The first day of the month & a Monday to boot – AKA no
excuses land! I was set to try a new run/walk interval of run 3 minutes/walk 45
seconds (shortening my walking time). I really liked it and didn’t feel like
the walk was too short, except one time. I think with a run/walk plan, it’s
nice because I just fall into a routine really early into the run; when the
going gets tough I just think, “you can do anything for ___ minutes.”
I was really dreading this run, actually. I set an alarm for
the morning and I chose not to wake up for it, so that meant I had to go in the
evening. Even though I’ve run immediately after work a few times this summer,
it’s just too dang hot! I started at 8:30pm, and it was a great run. While I
was out there, I couldn’t hear my Garmin watch beeping at me because the
cicadas were humming so loudly. I also broke off my normal course (because it
was too dark) and ran on the streets for a bit, and I loved the flat and
fastness.
Tuesday, August 2:
Dinner out for our friend's going away was delish! Macaroni Cheeseburger! |
It was the first time I’ve ever been conscious of the fact
that sweat dripped off my body. So you know it was a good work out. But I was
so self-conscious of seeing it drop their on the floor in between my feet…
Wednesday, August 3:
I was supposed to run. I didn’t. I have excuses, of course.
But the fact of the matter is, I felt really guilty not getting it done when I’d
just had a week or two of not perfect runs the weeks before. The real issue is:
don’t eat crap that gives you stomach aches – it ruins your running schedule!
Thursday, August 4:
I met the husband at our local running store for their
weekly run (the Pack Pint Run – you get a free beer for going!). It starts at
6, and it is seriously brutal at 6:00pm. While I still have run/walk intervals
to help, I decided to really make an effort to keep my perceived effort super
low. Sometimes when I see all the other people sprinting off, I want to do the
same, but it wouldn’t have ended well.
Knowing I went in thinking “easy” thoughts, I was surprised
with some of my running interval splits. I know I’m run/walking the whole
marathon, that’s great. But it makes me wonder what running a half in the
Spring might look like after this training cycle. :)
Friday, August 5:
#SportsBraSquad Ahhh!!! |
Saturday, August 6:
6 miles!! Considering my runs have all been about 2.5-4 miles
during the week, I was really excited for a real distance instead of a time. I
woke up early to get ready and meet my training group (Runhers). I let Brodie
outside and realized there was lightening. NOOOO! I messaged the group leader
to find out if we were still on, and the storm had already passed the area of
the city we were running in. Whew! (Side note: while I waited for a response, I
reset my alarm ready to sleep in and run later… what a trend!).
My 6 miles felt good. We were out by Lake Hefner, so it was
a really flat run. Half way through, I took a quick stretching break. 4 miles
in I hit out water cooler (it was at 2 miles, so I could get it at 2 and 4), I
took a break because our OKC Director and another runner were there. It was so
humid from the storm system that I’d seriously soaked through my shirt. Because
I love Instagram (especially @kellykkroberts, @carleemcdot, and @sarahhbrenner)
and this new #SportBraSquad movement, I took my shirt off for a little while. I
was really self-conscious, but realized later after my selfie that I should be
more self-conscious about the paleness of my stomach compared to my sweet
racerback tan line.
Literally nothing. I was so lazy! |
Sunday, August 7:
Rest Day – Success! I did NOTHING and it was great.
Week 1 of “Real” Marathon training in the books. I still
question what the heck I was thinking some of the time, but Monday’s and
Saturday’s runs really got me in the right mood to conquer this challenge!
On Saturday, I also went to a self-defense class organized
by Runhers, and it was great! We learned a lot about the predatory cycle and
nature of people looking to do us harm. We also go to beat on some dummies and
practice swearing at some friends. I’m an expert level swearer, so that was
easy. I’m definitely not out to look for a fight, but I do feel a bit more
confident that I could actually handle a challenge. And, at the same time, the
creepy guy who literally hit women with his car while they were running got
caught! He was the spark for putting the class together, so I feel safer
knowing he’s currently behind bars!
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