OK so it has been a VERY long time since I posted. I finished my first marathon! YAY! Then I started working full time and had a hard time with running. I did run a half marathon last spring and a 10k this fall but have been struggling with consistency. I signed up for the HBBC this year to help me get back into training again. I am currently running 9-15 miles a week and would like to run around 25 miles/week.

Hopefully the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge will help me get back on track. Thanks Amanda at RunToTheFinish.com for the challenge!

How many 20 milers?

I didn't run this weekend so I had to make up my tempo run on Monday. My plan called for 2 miles at goal pace, 2 miles tempo, and 3 miles goal pace. I ran at the indoor track and was able to stay under 9 minute miles for goal pace and 8:00 and 8:05 for tempo. Yesterday I had a 80 minute run with hills. I ran on the treadmill and realized that I did not want to run that long so I split the workout up. I did the first 40 easy and did another 40 minutes last night. I did a Nike hill workout and my legs felt it, I was very tired and sore afterwards. Today was an easy 3 then I lifted. I was tired when I started but am feeling better now.

My training plan has me running only one 20 miler so I have been thinking about fitting in another. If I do I will have to run 18 this week and 20 next week, otherwise my plan calls for 16 miles this week and next. Does anybody know if I need two 20 milers or is one enough? Thank you for any information you can give me!

Long Run

Training has been going well, I had my first 15 miler yesterday. It was my first long run in a long time that I had to do alone so I was nervous. Running with someone really helps the miles fly by. I woke up to a blizzard, with a couple inches of new snow. I was not looking forward to running outside but I did not want to run 15 on the treadmill so I bundled up and took off. The first 2 miles were horrible, my achilles were so tight and the road was uneven with the snow. I ran around my house and was ok when I was running with the wind but 5 miles in I had to run against the wind and my cheeks were freezing so I decided to finish on the treadmill. I came in at 6 miles and my cheeks were white, I changed into some dry clothes and jumped on the treadmill. I managed 9 more miles, very boring on a treadmill! Afterwards I took an ice bath and felt good the rest of the day. Today I ran 5 easy miles and my legs are tired, thankfully tomorrow is a rest day.

High Mileage Week

It's been awhile since I last posted and I have been busy. Training is going well, I have never ran so much before! Last week was 36 miles and this week will be 38. Last week's long run of 12 miles felt great, however afterwards I was tired all day. Tomorrow I have 14 miles and I am planning on taking a nap when I finish!

Last week I did strength training 3 times, this week I have only managed 1 session and yoga for 20 minutes. Yoga felt great, I am hoping to start doing yoga once a week because it really helped my legs and hips.

I am also thinking of nutrition for the race. I have used gu and sports beans in the past and want to try something else. The consistency of gu makes me gag and sports beans are hard to eat as I get tired. I think I am going to try gu chomps. Anyone have any ideas?

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!