Week 8 started out great but came crashing down on my long run on Saturday. I am sitting here on Sunday night with a runny nose and sore throat which I atttribute to a weakened immune system after a terrible run yesterday. It did not take long to feel aweful yesterday. We started earlier which made for a very dark start. Our first water stop was after 4.2 miles which was good, but I never really could get into a groove after that break. I had bouts of dehydration, dizziness, naesua, and mental and physical fatigue. Towards the end I ran into Nancy and after getting some advice decided that I need to change the plan a little bit. I still have 19 weeks to go and may be pushing too far right now. I did over 30 miles this week (that is so crazy to me and even though it was a bad long run, that number is so exciting) with my highest being 13. Monday was 6 great miles without any stopping on the treadmill. Finishing that was a great feeling. Wednesday was about 3.5 including 400 and 800 repeats. Thursday was 8 miles and Saturday was 13. I think the combo of doing speed work on Wednesday and then 8 on Thursday left my body tired. I also think that I need to drink tons more water on Fridays to hydrate for the next day.
So, I think I will be switching to Hal Higdon's plan which actually will not start til next week and will give me 18 weeks to train. The difference in the plan is that it gives you a mileage to run instead of minutes. While on the other plan I was having a hard time knowing how fast or far I should run with each day of training which I think pushed me too hard this past week and lead to exhaustion.
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Week 7
So because the weeks are starting to run together, I thought that I should keep better track of what I have been doing and that means to update more often before this mind of mine forgets what has been going on.
Sunday: rest, Monday: 4 uniterrupted miles on the treadmill along with warm-up and cool-down time, Tuesday: took an attempt at Military Madness. I survived the class, but was feeling the affects days later. Wednesday: 3+ miles with 4 1/4 mile repeats and some drills, Thursday: 6 miles on the treadmill though I did get interrupted by the nursery and had to change Makayla right in the middle, Friday: rest, Saturday: just under 12 miles in 2:27 and really enjoyed it. My legs were very tired by the end, but I felt better than the last time I ran 12 miles so I was happy. I did not get enough sleep the night before either because of a youth activity that we went to. For breakfast I had cereal which is different than my normal waffle but I don't think that made a difference at all. Along the way I finished one bottle with electrolytes in it and had one gu packet. I meant to have two but forgot to take the second one. I am still struggling with my diet during the week and keep telling myself that I need to get back on track so let's see how I can do this week.
Sunday: rest, Monday: 4 uniterrupted miles on the treadmill along with warm-up and cool-down time, Tuesday: took an attempt at Military Madness. I survived the class, but was feeling the affects days later. Wednesday: 3+ miles with 4 1/4 mile repeats and some drills, Thursday: 6 miles on the treadmill though I did get interrupted by the nursery and had to change Makayla right in the middle, Friday: rest, Saturday: just under 12 miles in 2:27 and really enjoyed it. My legs were very tired by the end, but I felt better than the last time I ran 12 miles so I was happy. I did not get enough sleep the night before either because of a youth activity that we went to. For breakfast I had cereal which is different than my normal waffle but I don't think that made a difference at all. Along the way I finished one bottle with electrolytes in it and had one gu packet. I meant to have two but forgot to take the second one. I am still struggling with my diet during the week and keep telling myself that I need to get back on track so let's see how I can do this week.
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Weeks 5 and 6
Weeks 5 and 6 have come and gone and here's how they went: Sunday: rest, Monday: 4+ miles, Tuesday: swimming, Wednesday: 4+ miles including speed work, Thursday: 4 1/2 + miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: between 12 and 13 grueling miles in which my gps stopped tracking me. I tried creatine again and felt like my stomach was upset again. Total mileage: 24 1/2+ miles
Week 6 was somewhat better. I always feel great at the beginning of the week and can push myself while on the treadmill and even outside. I have made myself go longer and longer before stopping for water and try to make it through many of my workouts without stopping at all. That is a major mental accomplishment for me for I feel that stopping is not always my body telling me to, but my mind thinking that I MUST take a break.
Sunday: rest, Monday: 4+ miles, Tuesday: Pilates, Wednesday: 4+ miles with speedwork (pyrmaid on the treadmill), Thursday: 4+ miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: 8+ miles (yeah for a shorter, long run!!). I skipped the creatine, and used GU with caffine in it. It was a great run and I had enough energy left at the end to sprint at the end! Days like these get me excited again. Also, by the end of the day Saturday I am ready to crash but I am finally surviving without a nap during the day. Seems silly, but I feel good about that too. I am working hard but my body seems to be adjusting to the extra time spent out on the trail and on the treadmill. Total weekly mileage: 20+ (an easier week that will only lead to a harder one!!)
Week 6 was somewhat better. I always feel great at the beginning of the week and can push myself while on the treadmill and even outside. I have made myself go longer and longer before stopping for water and try to make it through many of my workouts without stopping at all. That is a major mental accomplishment for me for I feel that stopping is not always my body telling me to, but my mind thinking that I MUST take a break.
Sunday: rest, Monday: 4+ miles, Tuesday: Pilates, Wednesday: 4+ miles with speedwork (pyrmaid on the treadmill), Thursday: 4+ miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: 8+ miles (yeah for a shorter, long run!!). I skipped the creatine, and used GU with caffine in it. It was a great run and I had enough energy left at the end to sprint at the end! Days like these get me excited again. Also, by the end of the day Saturday I am ready to crash but I am finally surviving without a nap during the day. Seems silly, but I feel good about that too. I am working hard but my body seems to be adjusting to the extra time spent out on the trail and on the treadmill. Total weekly mileage: 20+ (an easier week that will only lead to a harder one!!)
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Weeks 3 and 4
The weeks are going by and getting a little easier as well as longer. Week 3 went like this: Sunday: rest (of course), Monday: 3+ miles Tuesday: 30 minutes of elliptical, Wenesday: 4 + miles of speed work, Thursday: 4+ miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: 10 miles for a total of 21 miles for the week. It was a good week all in all with a great long run on Saturday. I tried Creatine before my long run and it kept me full and think it may have helped my energy levels but I will still be testing it to see if it has a good effect on my body. During my long run I did not ever feel like I needed a Gu so water was it for me.
Week 4 was good but not as good as far as how I felt. I put a lot of mileage in but my long run was a little different. Monday: 4+ miles, Tuesday: swimming, Wednesday: 4+ miles with speed work, Thursday: 4+ miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: 11 miles. This run felt good at the beginning but towards the end (maybe mile 9 or so) I felt like I was getting dehydrated. Goosebumps on my arms and a tad bit of a headache were clues towards that but I also took a different brand of Creatine and wonder if that had any negative affects. By the time I got back to the gym I had walked a bit and had a stomach ache but felt better a little while later. I had one Gu along the way, but my plan for this week is to remove the Creatine and have more electrolytes and see what happens. Total mileage for the week was 23 miles and climbing!!
At the end of the first month I am happy with my training so far. I feel stronger already but know that I have a long way to go. Only 5 months left to go til the big day!
Week 4 was good but not as good as far as how I felt. I put a lot of mileage in but my long run was a little different. Monday: 4+ miles, Tuesday: swimming, Wednesday: 4+ miles with speed work, Thursday: 4+ miles, Friday: rest, Saturday: 11 miles. This run felt good at the beginning but towards the end (maybe mile 9 or so) I felt like I was getting dehydrated. Goosebumps on my arms and a tad bit of a headache were clues towards that but I also took a different brand of Creatine and wonder if that had any negative affects. By the time I got back to the gym I had walked a bit and had a stomach ache but felt better a little while later. I had one Gu along the way, but my plan for this week is to remove the Creatine and have more electrolytes and see what happens. Total mileage for the week was 23 miles and climbing!!
At the end of the first month I am happy with my training so far. I feel stronger already but know that I have a long way to go. Only 5 months left to go til the big day!
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