Marathon Training: Running Buddy

Over the weekend, I finally had the chance to run with my motivation for doing this marathon in the first place -- my step dad Brad.

Brad has run a few marathons in his day and has been talking about doing the Chicago Marathon since I started going to school here back in 2008. With one bonus year left, I decided to do something I never thought I would do...told him I would do it with him. 

Of course, when I made this statement, there was still snow on the ground and October seemed like a long, long ways away. I also thought I would be living in Minnesota this summer so I would have a constant companion to push me through those excruciatingly long runs and all the aches and moans in between. 

Turns out, I landed the RedEye job and was forced to self-discipline myself all summer. Not exactly my strong suit. 

But all the while, Brad was still there to talk me through an injury or make me feel less guilty for only running 4 miles when I was meant to do 8. Even from 2 states away, I still feel like I've had a good coach walking (or running?) me through the process and encouraging me to keep my eye on the end goal.

We completed my longest run to date on Sunday -- 15 miles. Again, another thing I never thought I would say, but it was actually fun. Running 15 miles in the smoldering September sun was actually fun. So much better than the 12 miler I did by myself a few weeks back! It allowed us to catch up on everything and we helped each other maintain a good pace control so we were able to finish out strong with a sprint at the end. 

And having this cutie bike along with us the entire way certainly helped to!

With only 3 weeks left until the race, I've got one long run left (20 miles...wah, wah, wah) and all I can say is I wish Brad would be here to make the time pass just a little bit faster.

At least we're in this together and I know I've got the best running buddy I could ask for in doing Marathon #1!

Marathon Training: Expected Time

-->I set out to write this update on how my training is going earlier this week and had little notes like "Kind of overwhelmed" and "Mind over matter" written out next to the looming 5 hours and 30 minutes that Brad and I decided to enter as our expected finish time.

But that was all before I ran my first actual long run. I say actual because my longest to date before yesterday was a 10 miler with a lot of stops/errands along the way.

After finally committing to a long run with no stops, I was shocked to see that I could actually pull off 12 miles in under 2 hours with an average pace of 9:36/per mile.

At this rate, I definitely think that doing the marathon in 5:30 is possible and despite wanting to chop off all my body parts from the waist down due to soreness, I can tell that my body is starting to get physically prepared for this absolutely crazy thing that I decided to do to it.

I'm not going to say it was easy. Around mile 10.5, I half expected to look down and see that my legs had turned green Gumby style since they felt so jello-y, but never one to give up easily, I pushed through and even sprinted out the last block.

With only a little over a month left, I've felt a need to really kick it in to gear and have been putting in two-a-days with yoga + runs combined to ensure I'm getting stretched out while also gaining strength and getting my body in peak physical condition -- whatever that means -- but I am enjoying some muscles in places I've never seen them before!

Looking forward to getting a 16 miler and 20 miler in while I'm traveling as a cool and different way to take in the sights in Boston and New York!

Images via 1, 2, 3, 4

Marathon Training

Well so far, so good. I haven't keeled over and died or completely thrown in the towel yet, so I'd say I'm doing alright.

Not gonna lie though, training for a marathon during the peak of summer in 90+ degree  Chicago heat is not exactly a walk in the park.

So far training has gone a little something like this... 

During the week I'm raring and ready to go:

but by the weekend, I'm just like:

I am happy to say that I haven't skipped any runs due to being lazy or hungover, but my inability to say no to anything fun will definitely be a hurdle throughout this process. I've already blown off my weekend long runs the past 2 weeks thanks to Spring Awakening and the Pride Parade.

Rather than letting my guilt get the best of me, I've decided that my long runs will be done on Fridays when I don't have work and then I can engage in all the pleasures of the weekend without the big, long run looming over me.

And actually, according to the 2012 Nike Marathon Training Program, I'm ahead of the game despite taking a running hiatus the past 2 Saturdays & Sundays. At first I was following the 2011 program because the 2012 program hadn't been released, but after not following that the way I should have, I was relieved to see the program for this year starts 15 weeks before the marathon and allows Rest Saturdays & Sundays for the first 4 weeks!

 

I like the looks of that!

The other thing I'm trying to keep in mind is that I don't have to follow an exact, precise schedule. I don't want to stray too far away from these plans, but I do need to keep in mind that I have a life outside of training for marathons and the only way to stay motivated is to make sure it fits my lifestyle and happiness. 

For stretching and strength training, I use my workout days to do yoga. It's a lot better than forcing myself to go lift free weights or taking a cardio class at the gym and reaps all of the same benefits! And it's just nice to be back at The Chicago School of Yoga again since I took a break from going through the Winter months. 

Check out the story I did for The Red Line Project about this studio that I absolutely fell in love with in the Fall: 

Fullerton: Lincoln Park Yoga Studio Taking New Approach

Running and doing yoga together have proved to be a great combination so far, especially since a lot of the people around the studio are runners. It's been a lot of fun learning tips & tricks and making buddies to run those double digit runs with. 

Hm, I'm actually starting to sound like a runner...

 Images via 1, 2, 3