Thursday, January 7, 2010

Sorta Training

Full on marathon training starts the first week of February. I'm getting in the groove and warming up to it by doing "mini" workouts. For example, Mondays will be hills (interspersed with some speed work). So Monday night after work I did three miles on the hilliest route I could find. Wednesdays will be tempo runs. Last night after work, I set out for my baby tempo. Let me just say it is hard to get the legs moving quickly when it is so freaking cold. After two warm-up miles I decided to do one tempo mile. Wimpy? NO. It is supposed to be a baby tempo run. I pushed myself for that one mile and hit my pace goal, but it was tough. I then had two cool down miles, which were more like two freeze down miles. My legs feel like cement running in this cold weather - the muscles just never really feel like they are warmed up.

Monday was the first time I've worn my Garmin since my last 5K race in November. That's more than a month of runs with no real purpose! No wonder that little tiny tempo run felt so hard. I'll keep up with the mimic workouts and by February I'm sure I will be more than ready to jump into the plan.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

Speed work on a hill - sweet! What do you mean that's not what you meant...

Mike Russell said...

Every workout is important and come the time when your "real" workouts begin, you will be glad you were maintaining your fitness. Great job!

X-Country2 said...

You sound more than ready. Good luck!

Julie said...

I agree with Mike...every workout is worth something! I totally get the "cool" down "freeze" down thing..I am feeling it too. Keep pluggin away Heather:)

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you are ready to kick it in gear for marathon training!

Tricia said...

I have to admit I've been whining a bit about running in the 40s and 50s. THAT feels cold to me. :) I can only imagine what youre doing.

Erika said...

Good job on hitting the hills and at least trying a tempo. I've just been lazy lately about anything but just getting the miles in.

MCM mama

Jill said...

I'm not sure where you live exactly but I'm in Denver and I can tell you that my little temperature widget says it's zero degrees. And I'm SICK of it! I, Jill, swear I will never complain about how hot it is in the summer again! Okay, maybe not but I'm with you, this cold needs to go! Nice run there, girlie, you are going to be all ready for official marathon training :)!!

M2Marathon said...

That's a great way to prepare for the training to begin. Get you mind around runs with a purpose again. It is so cold here I have taken my rear indoors to the treadmill twice this week...you know it's cold!

Carly said...

Nice job! I need to start up running again but I am so wimpy about the weather.

Running Through Life said...

Great start. Only 20 weeks until Madison.

Jeri said...

The fact that you're running outside gives you 27 extra credit running points, apply them as you wish. It takes me a mile to get my legs to warm up in the GYM after driving there in my car in the cold. What marathon are you doing? I'm starting my training that same week!! Virtual training buddies, heck ya!! (you should probably just do GB again to make me happy, k? great! ha)

Julie said...

Hi Heather,
I was just checking out my favorite blogs and noticed that I have another blogger friend who is an attorney! Her name is Katie and her blog is called Fit to be Wed. She is very nice and has a cool blog. Check her out and tell her I sent you:)

Julie said...

Correction...Fit to Wed! Oops:)

Laurel said...

It's been cold out there lately. Good job getting out there. You're going to do great.

Beth said...

Sounds like a great way to get ready for your training plan. This morning in the cold my legs felt like lead. It's times like that that I just can't think about pace and I just try to keep going. You are going to be ready when training starts and that will feel great.

Ali said...

I hate hills, they are my toughest workout. I hear ya on the cold and muscles. I think my legs are literally going to snap.