- Share This Post
- Pin It
- 0
- 0
-
Sparkle (0)
I'm following the Hal Higdon Novice 2 Marathon Training Plan on my way to my first marathon 1 year after I started running consistenly; and I just finished up week 2.
Lesson #1 Learned: Doing the long run at the beginning of the week is extremely motivating.
The long run of week 2 called for 9 miles. This is a distance I've gone a few times in the past - and even completed a 10 mile race earlier this year where I came 3rd in my age group, so I was realtively confident I would be able to run it ... and that I did at the beginning of the week on Tuesday (on the treadmill because it rained all week).
I don't know why I don't do my long runs at the beginning of the week more often - I always feel motivated to get through the shorter runs throughout the rest of the week AND more importantly to me, if I just can't finish the distance, I have a few more days to try again - that's something I always worry about.
The Plan: Runs of 3 miles, 5 miles, 3 miles & 9 miles + cross-training 1 day.
Reality: Runs of 9 miles, 4 miles and 11.5 miles + cross-training 1x (raquetball).
Even with the motivation of the long run, I slacked a little this week, but when Saturday rolled around, I decided to check out a rail trail close to my house that had a 6 mile section open up recently - the trail (really a paved road closed to traffic), is now 7.7 miles long. I ended up running 6 miles out and 5.5 miles back with 2 walking/ re-fueling breaks. The scenery was gorgeous and I was just so happy that this running escape is just a 15 - 20 minute drive from my house - and that I was able to run for that distance - I think it's because there was no pressure to run a certain number of miles since the long run was already done with - and also I didn't have a watch or pacing device, there was no worry that I was going too slow or too fast.
Lesson #2 Learned: Sometimes it's better to be run naked, I mean without all the gadgets!
I tried to get in the last run of the week the next day - but my legs were having none of it! After 5 minutes, I called it quits - no reason to push it - and raquetball seemed like more fun anyway.
Week 3 Plan: Runs of 3 miles, 5 miles, 3 miles and 6 miles + cross-training 1x.
Tanya Patrices productes Workout Music Playlists for IntheGym.net and Diet Food Product Reviews at i{ate}A{pie}.net.
