Marathon Training Plan

Hi hi hi! Look at me…two posts in one week! I hoping that by posting about my marathon training, some of you readers out there can help me be accountable and stick with it!

When I ran my first marathon back in 2013 I had no idea what I was getting myself into. At all. No amount of research can really prepare you for your first marathon. I don’t think I really understood the dedication and discipline it took to not just run a marathon, but to also train for it. The training was brutal– it started in the dead of summer, any plans I had for the weekends were planned around my long runs and how I would feel after them (like I died), I had to run on vacations (sacrilege!), my appetite was out of control…I could go on and on. But that is not the point of this post! The point is that I know what to expect this go round, I have a better idea of what my body can handle, and I’m actually getting excited to focus on this training. I say that now, but ask me how I feel come July.

For those of you wondering, I’m following the same program I did two years ago. Hal Higdon has a number of training programs for different races and experience levels. I’m following the 18 week Novice 1 plan. When I did this program before, I slacked off big time the last six weeks of my training. You know, pretty much the time in training when you SHOULD NOT BE SLACKING OFF.  I would get my long runs in on the weekends, but I would maybe only run a couple miles here and there during the week, on top of my CrossFit schedule. So while I was still being active, I wasn’t getting the miles in that I needed and I think I really suffered during the marathon because of this. Noted. I will not make that same mistake this year.

Unfortunately, CrossFit will have to be my secondary workout during my training. I’ve made up my mind that running will be my priority. I am hoping to get 2-3 days a week of CrossFit in on top of my runs, but we’ll see how that works out. All training plans will tell you that strength training is just as important as running so I don’t want to cut it out completely, I just don’t want it to be my primary focus. I’m ready to tackle this training! (Again, ask me how I’m feeling come July.)

I did some purging this weekend and found my marathon bib from 2013.  I pinned it up over my desk in my bedroom along with the training plan I followed in 2013 and the training plan I plan to follow this year. I think having them side by side like that will help me to track my progress and compare it to how I was doing 2 years ago. I’ve also got a copy printed out on my desk at work, too– I’m a visual person! I like to write things down and then scratch them off once they are completed.

I’m determined to do better this year!

I start training on June 14th. Smack dab in the middle of my busiest month at work…I always say I love a good challenge, don’t I? I’m going to have to switch a few things up during my training. I’m starting a few weeks earlier than I have to in order to give myself some grace in case of injuries, or if I get sick, or if I’m particularly lazy one week. According to this plan, I’m also supposed to run my 20 miler the weekend that my brother is getting married. LOLz. I will most definitely be switching that up with another weekend because I don’t see 20 miles happening on top of wedding festivities.

Call to Action: I need your help! I need new songs to run to! Would love to hear some of your suggestions. I love country music, but hate running to it. Other than that, I listen to anything so please send me your suggestions– I will be forever grateful!

HAPPY TRAINING/RUNNING Y’ALL!