Hour Long Run

The first week of marathon training is going well. I am running the same mileage as I have the last few weeks just different miles each day. Yesterday I had a hour long run with 4-5 minutes uphill. I usually always run a specific distance so I found it hard to run for time. I was fortunate enough to be able to run outside and ended up running 6.7 miles. The last 20 minutes I kept looking at my watch, I never do that when I am outside. I have a time run every week so by the marathon I should be used to it!

The marathon is June 14 in Provo Utah. It starts at around 6000 ft and drops to around 4500 ft, so it should be a fast course. I'm happy for all the downhill, I will take all the help I can get!

Training Begins

Today was my first day of marathon training. I had a 6 mile run with 2 at goal pace, 2 tempo, and 2 at goal pace. I am not sure what my goal pace is so I thought I would try a 9:00 pace and tempo around 8:30. We had a few inches of snow last night so I strapped on my yak trax and took off. The first half mile was hard because the road was bumpy and not plowed, but after that it was fine. I ended up running faster then planned and was tired in the end. I think the pace would have been fine if the roads were better and it wasn't so cold out, I thought my face was going to freeze the first mile. My splits are

mile 1: 8:41
mile 2: 8:47
mile 3: 8:23
mile 4: 8:14
mile 5: 8:51
mile 6: 8:35

Intervals

I officially signed up for the Utah Valley Marathon today, there is no backing out now! My stomach was doing a few flips but I am excited and ready to start training. I found out there will be some more people running the marathon as well, those ladies are trying to BQ and I have no doubt they can do it. My running pals are going to run the half marathon and we are trying to convince a few more to join us.

This week I ran 5 on Monday and 7 yesterday at the track. Today I planned on intervals on the treadmill. I was not sure how that would go since I could not fall asleep last night and only slept 6 hours. I love my sleep and usually average 7.5-8 hours. I started out with a mile warmup and it took the first half mile to calm my breathing. I was feeling a little anxious but decided to try see how many 800s I could do. I ended up with 3 at a 7:54 pace, finishing with a mile cooldown. I felt good afterwards, but I don't think I could have done another 800.

I also received some sunshine from MCM Mama, thank you! I am always ready for sunshine!

Variety Run

Since I still have 2 more weeks before I start my training plan I am trying to up my miles and stay entertained. Today I ran on the treadmill and I have found the best way to run more than 3 miles on it is to vary the speed or incline. I didn't have a plan so I started with a half mile warmup then jumped into intervals. I managed 4x400s in a 7:30 pace before I thought I was going to lose my lunch. Next I decided to run at a 8:35 pace for 10 minutes, then to a 9 minute pace to cool down. I ended up running 4 miles in 33:38, which was great but I didn't make 5 miles like I wanted. After the kids went to bed I decided to run 2 more slow miles. I am feeling good and with a 4.5 mile run tomorrow and 10 miles on Friday I will have a 30 mile week.

Decision

I ran a great 4.5 miles on the treadmill today. My legs were tired when I started out (due to 5.5 miles last night) so I ran slower than planned for the first 2 miles. I upped the speed every half mile or so and finished at a 8:34 pace which felt great. Tomorrow I have a long run, hopefully 10 miles which will put me in at 28 miles for the week. I haven't ran that much since early December, it feels good to put in the miles.

I have also decided to run the marathon. I must admit that the long runs scare me! I have never ran more then 13.1 miles before and am very nervous. I am looking forward to the challenge and for the training plan. I have been floating around long enough and am ready for a schedule.

Sugar Overload

The kiddos and I went to my sister's this weekend for my niece's birthday party. We had a great time and my sis and I had a lot of time to catch up which was nice. Sometimes it seems all we do is run around when we see each other and don't really have a lot of time to talk. The party was on Saturday so we made cakes on Friday night. I baked them and Brandi decorated, she made butterfly cakes that were so cute. I couldn't resist and had the cut out pieces that night, yum! The next day we cooked and cleaned until the party. The party was a lot of fun, then we went out for drinks while the kids stayed with Uncle Mike. After 2 margaritas and more cake and ice cream when we came home I had a major sugar hangover on Sunday. Now I am trying to get my eating back on track!

As for the marathon, I am almost ready to commit. I think if I am going to run one this year now is the time to do it. I have about 5 more days before I have to decide and I'm sure I'll change my mind many times before then!