Monday, January 26, 2009

This Time Around

** the title and concept for this post have been borrowed from Aron :) **

I successfully completed my first day of training for the Green Bay Marathon - a speed workout, 3 x 1600. In the weeks leading up to the start of this training (and really, since I decided to run this marathon), I've been thinking a lot about how I trained for and ran my last two marathons and how I want this time to be different.

I ran my first marathon, Twin Cities, in October 2006. While I was training, I also happened to be working full time and studying for the bar exam. My training nutrition? Twizzlers, cake, and Diet Mountain. My main training goal was to run as many miles as possible while still fitting in the working and the studying. All of my miles were just slow, regular old miles. No speed work, no tempo runs, no training plan. The method was in part successful - I had a great experience running the mararthon and, more importantly, made it through training and the race completely injury free.

After Twin Cities, I took a couple weeks completely off running, and then had a difficult time getting back into the groove. And then in January 2007, I got pregnant. I kept running, but didn't have any marathon plans.

After Sophie was born, I made it my goal to run a marathon within a year of her birth. At the coaxing of a friend, I registered for Grandma's. So in June 2008 (when Sophie was eight months old), I ran my second marathon. Again, no training plan. And really, not much training. I ran three miles per day most days of the week, and did a frighteningly small number of long runs. And I really mean frightening -- in April, two months before the marathon, I ran a half marathon. Before that, I had only run a couple of 8 milers. Most of my long runs were done pushing Sophie in a jogging stroller. On my sixteen miler, I got bit by a dog with six miles left to go. That pretty much sums up my training for Grandma's. The race, as to be expected, was torture from the starting line to the finish.

In the minutes it took me to get from the finish line of Grandma's to the icy waters of Lake Superior, I declared that I would never do another marathon. Ha. We all know how that goes. After a week or so off, I began to feel the old flame for running reignite - a flame I hadn't really felt since before I had Sophie. I knew I wanted to run another marathon and really wanted to put my heart and head into it.

I decided on Green Bay for several reasons. First, it's in May, with average lows around 45 degrees and average highs around 68 degrees. Heat was a factor for me in both Twin Cities and Grandma's, so I am eager to run a cooler weather race. Second, I am a Green Bay Packer fan, and running a lap around Lambeau Field will be an awesome experience.

Going into this training, I knew I wanted a plan that would push me, help me get faster and stronger. I chose FIRST because it combines speed work and tempo runs, and timed long runs. I know from Twin Cities that I need more than just miles, and I know from Grandma's that I actually need to DO the training. So I'm ready, knowing the work I have ahead of me. I want to do my best to train as hard as I can, so I can start the race with confidence and finish the race with joy. And hopefully experience a little (or a lot) of both in between.

13 comments:

Run Mommy said...

That was a great post! I couldn't help but think of all my different training approaches. I am in week 2 of Marathon #2 training and have already missed 2 runs. I can't wait to see how your training goes!

Aron said...

yay!!! :)

sounds like you have a great plan and a great attitude to attack that plan! cant wait to follow along to see you progress!

Mel-2nd Chances said...

Awesome! Good luck with your training, looking forward to seeing your progress and finish your marathon! :)

MCM Mama said...

Good luck! I definitely trained to "finish" my first marathon. If I ever do another, I'd like to train to run the marathon. I'm definitely training harder for my half that's coming up than I ever have before.

Laurel said...

You got bit by a dog on your long run!?!?!? I would have quit running right then and there, haha!

This sounds like a really solid plan. I can't wait to see how it pans out. I'm rooting for you!

I Run for Fun said...

Wow! All the best, girl! Go for it. You'll be great, I can tell.

Anonymous said...

I think you have a greatplan going. We really do learn something about ourselves and about running with each marathon we complete.

Marcy said...

"Quality over quantity" is what they say, eh? I can't wait to see how this works out for you ;D

Marlene said...

Sounds like you have a great plan going into your third marathon. It's all about learning from our experiences, right? Good luck with your training!

BeachRunner said...

Great plan. Good luck with training.

Carly said...

I think I had the same training approach you had for your first marathon.

I was supposed to run TC marathon in 06 but my knee was giving me grief so I bailed.....volunteered instead.

I hope you get in for Grandma's this year!!!

The Journey said...

Hello! So glad you commented, looks like you've had lots going on lately! Congrats on the running and family and everything, 16 months is a wild time :)

Ali said...

You have a great plan and awesome attitude ... I need both!

Good luck ... you don't even need that, you'll do fantastic!