I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for their Weekly Wrap.
Hoping everyone had a good week!
Chicago Marathon training is here! I am excited (and nervous) to be training using the Hansons Marathon Method. In a nutshell, this training is based on the concept of cumulative fatigue. You train your body to run often so that you are frequently running on tired legs. The idea is to run this way so that during the last miles of a race you are prepared to push through the final miles. These plans are 18 weeks and have you running 6 days (easy, speed/strength, tempo, and long runs) a week with one rest day.
Week #11, August 15-21
Monday:
- PLAN – 8 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
- ACTUAL – Total 8 miles @11:31 average pace
I did this run on the treadmill and alternated a different song with paces of 12:00, 11:32, and 11:07.
That evening I went to an event sponsored by Fleet Feet Chicago and Generation UCAN to meet Dathan Ritzenhein. We got to hear a bit about the product he uses to fuel his runs, how he become a runner, and his accomplishments. There was a fun run prior to the Q&A session (I did not run) so I got a chance to talk to him and ask him specifically how he fuels. Also, there were samples of their new snack bars (Peach Passion and Coffee Bean) and they were both delicious! I ended up buying a box of the Peach Passion bars and the Berry UCAN Hydrate. Overall, it was worth the trip to the store.
Tuesday:
- PLAN – 6×1600 @10:08 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d and 400 recovery)
- ACTUAL – Total 9.50 @10:48 average pace
W/up and c/d @11:07. Recovery @13.02. I was not looking forward to this run. It is a very intimidating run. Surprisingly I felt great and it was a confidence booster. I did get a little tired at the last mile but managed to power through. The first 3 repeats were done at 10:10 and the last 3 I alternated a different song with paces of 10:10 and 10:00.
Prior to my run I ate a UCAN snack bar and drank coffee. Maybe that’s why I felt great?
Wednesday:
- PLAN – OFF
- ACTUAL – OFF
I finally got a haircut! It has been two years since I’ve had one. I cut off 8 inches and will be donating it to Pantene Beautiful Lengths.
Short but not too short to put it up in a ponytail for when I run.
Thursday:
- PLAN – 8 tempo @10:18 pace (with 1 mile w/up and c/d)
- ACTUAL – 10 miles @10:10 average pace
I had a doctor appointment in the morning for a yearly physical. Then I hung out at Panera for coffee and a bagel before heading to the gym. W/up and c/d @11:07. Alternated a different song with paces of 10:21, 10:10, 10:00, and 9:50. Yikes, this was a little bit faster than I was supposed to run but I felt great so I just kept running. Prior to my run I had a Generation UCAN snack bar and coffee.
Friday:
- PLAN – 7 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
- ACTUAL – 7 miles @11:34 average pace
In the morning I got a massage which felt great. Then went to Target and also had lunch with a friend. I did not want to go right away to the gym so I waited a bit and hung out with Lola.
I alternated a different song with paces of 12:00, 11:32, and 11:07. I was on a roll and was surprised when the treadmill stopped. Bummer. I did not know that was going to happen. Oh well. I started the machine again and finished my run. I was tired. TIRED. Sigh, I think I need to do these a bit slower.
Saturday:
- PLAN – 16 long @10:29-11:05 pace
- ACTUAL – 13.02 miles @12:27 average pace
I was looking forward to this run. I checked the weather and it was ideal (or so I thought) and that is always something to look forward to in a long run. Well, about 6 miles into the run it began to POUR. Literally it rained cats and dogs. Then it cleared up for a little bit. However, I was not feeling it. I was tired. I could not get my legs to run fast enough. For the rest of the way I ran and walked. And it rained again TWICE. I was over the rain and just wanted to be done. I also chafed in my arms and near my lady parts. Not fun.
I will admit that this run left me questioning why I was even training for the marathon. I think that if it wasn’t for the fact that it has a sentimental meaning, I would have stopped my training on Saturday. Yes, that is how much it affected me. But I also know there will always be bad runs during marathon training and it is part of the experience.
Sunday:
- PLAN – 8 easy @10:52-12:16 pace
- ACTUAL – Did not run.
Just one of those days. No energy and no desire.
Week 11 went well. I was very tired and missed one run. I am very pleased with my strength and tempo runs and how they went better than I expected. Next week I have 4×1.5 mile repeats and a 9 tempo run.
Summer break is over and I go back to work tomorrow. I am excited and looking forward to the new school year.
Total mileage for the week: 47.52 miles
Total mileage for this training cycle: 434.34 miles
Total mileage for the year: 917.40 miles <<Yikes!!
Here’s how training has gone so far: