Last year, I decided to take the plunge and sign up for, train, and run a marathon, but that didn't go as planned when I developed a bad tibial stress fracture. That really threw my confidence out the window and made me extremely upset. I know I am ready to run the mighty 26.2, but after last year, I am so nervous to train again for fear of re-injuring myself.
I lost a lot of speed with the injury and I know I won't be breaking any records, but I have goals in mind that I really want to shoot for! I am really leaning toward signing up for a marathon in October, and I will be SO much more smarter training this time around. No overtraining, no running 60-70 mile weeks, no overdoing it with the lifting, and only running 5 days a week instead of 6. My body does well at 5 days a week, with one cross training and lifting day, and one complete rest day. I will find a training plan that suits me well and will alter it so it fits me perfectly.
I tried Hanson's Marathon Method last year and it was hard, tiring, and really made running miserable for me. I dreaded waking up and running. There were 2 days of speed work, one tempo run, and one with track repeats. There was a long run that maxed out at 16 miles, and there were some easy runs. I just felt overworked and it ruined running for me for a while (not that I could run anyway with the stress fracture). I would become irritated and upset when I couldn't hit a certain pace. I was definitely training for a faster pace than I was capable of, and that put a damper on training as well.
I lost a lot of speed with the injury and I know I won't be breaking any records, but I have goals in mind that I really want to shoot for! I am really leaning toward signing up for a marathon in October, and I will be SO much more smarter training this time around. No overtraining, no running 60-70 mile weeks, no overdoing it with the lifting, and only running 5 days a week instead of 6. My body does well at 5 days a week, with one cross training and lifting day, and one complete rest day. I will find a training plan that suits me well and will alter it so it fits me perfectly.
I tried Hanson's Marathon Method last year and it was hard, tiring, and really made running miserable for me. I dreaded waking up and running. There were 2 days of speed work, one tempo run, and one with track repeats. There was a long run that maxed out at 16 miles, and there were some easy runs. I just felt overworked and it ruined running for me for a while (not that I could run anyway with the stress fracture). I would become irritated and upset when I couldn't hit a certain pace. I was definitely training for a faster pace than I was capable of, and that put a damper on training as well.
When and if I start training for a marathon, I will be much smarter. This is how I will go about my training.
1. Don't overdo it. If I am tired or don't feel like running, don't!
2. Run only 5 days and really rest on my rest day.
3. Take care of myself. Stretch and foam roll as much as necessary.
4. Fuel properly on runs, before runs, and after runs.
5. Eat properly. Eat lots of greens, fruits, and foods packed with nutrients! (with some yummy treats)
6. Strength train once a week but don't overdo it either!
7. Make sure my shoes aren't dead and replace them as often as I need to.
8. Get monthly massages to massage out any kinks!
9. Race some shorter distances during training practicing my goal marathon pace!
10. Drinks LOTS of water!
1. Don't overdo it. If I am tired or don't feel like running, don't!
2. Run only 5 days and really rest on my rest day.
3. Take care of myself. Stretch and foam roll as much as necessary.
4. Fuel properly on runs, before runs, and after runs.
5. Eat properly. Eat lots of greens, fruits, and foods packed with nutrients! (with some yummy treats)
6. Strength train once a week but don't overdo it either!
7. Make sure my shoes aren't dead and replace them as often as I need to.
8. Get monthly massages to massage out any kinks!
9. Race some shorter distances during training practicing my goal marathon pace!
10. Drinks LOTS of water!
This list could go on and on and on and on and on.....but I'll stop there. I am going to make sure I really take care of myself if I decide to train for a marathon. It is a tough decision but I know I really want and it is a HUGE goal of mine! We will see what the future brings, and I will update you if and when I decide on running the mighty 26.2!
Happy Monday, make it a great week !!
Happy Monday, make it a great week !!