Today, February 7th, marks the beginning of my 16 week training plan for the Madison Marathon (on May 30th). I LOVE being on a plan. I have my printout with all my chicken scratches on it tacked on the fridge with my favorite turtle magnet. Nothing beats coming home from a run, knowing I nailed it, and grabbing a Sharpie and crossing that beast off the plan.
I'm using a FIRST-ish plan. I used FIRST for the first time last year for Green Bay and really liked it. I like the workouts and I loved the results (25 minute PR!). I changed it just a teensy bit for this round. For those of you who are not familiar with FIRST, one workout per week is a speed workout. I replaced many of the earlier (first 6 weeks of so) of speed workouts with 6-8 mile hilly runs. I've heard that Madison is a hillier race, so I think the hill prep will do me some good. Also I really only like doing speed workouts at the track. And that won't be possible around here for a little while, so I'll bide my time on the hills.
I've also worked a few races into the plan. Next weekend will be a little odd - a 5K on Saturday and then a 35K cross country ski race on Sunday. You might be thinking WTF? Yeah, me too. I need to do the ski race to clinch my Mora Classic medal, but I'm a little worried. Did you know 35K is approxmately 22 miles? I'm not sure I can ski that far. Anyhow . . . 35K on skis will equal the 13 mile long run that is on the schedule.
As for the cross training that is called for by the FIRST plan -- I think I'm going to be way better about that this time around. I didn't really do any cross training last year, aside from weekly yoga. This time I'm going to keep up kettlebells at least once per week and try to make sure I get on my bike at least once per week. Bring on the training!
23 comments:
Sounds like you have a great plan! I love crossing things off lists too...such a sense of accomplishment! :)
Yay! Good luck with the training. Look forward to following your training. I am glad you liked FIRST...I would like to try it for a race soon.
Sounds like a great plan. Madison does have some wicked hills near the campus. I wish I could run that one, but of course, my family is here that weekend. Someday we'll run the same race LOL.
MCM Mama
Sounds like you have a great plan worked out. That's a great idea to do hills, especially since the course will be hilly. Good luck at your ski race! Just take your time and you will do great! I bet the kettleball training will really pay off since your upper body is strong.
I've never run with a plan before, just started this week also. I'm totally enjoying knowing exactly what I'm supposed to be doing and how :) Good luck with your training!
I'm a big fan of FIRST also! Great idea to customize the plan for the hills - I should've done that with Richmond, but oh well :)
best of luck with the training! So exciting! I love FIRST! and kettle bells too!
I think FIRST sounds like a great plan and a way to hopefully stay injury free. I am doing a version of it, but have to be careful about the speed work b/c it's made me prone to ijury before. Good luck...
Congrats on kicking off your official training!
Wow, a 35K (yay metric!) cross-country ski race? That is certainly something different. Good luck!
I look forward to hearing what you think about the FIRST plan!! I've been skimping on my cross-training too
I love having a plan/schedule as well. Crossing off the days is exciting!!!
I'm also running Madison...good luck with training! The hills can be tough but it seems like there's enough of a break between them that they're manageable.
Madison does have some hills - especially in the beginning. You also need some mad brat eating skills as well.
Yay! 16 weeks! Looks like a great plan - and hills always make you feel like a rockstar!
Good luck on that 35K ski race - that is hardcore but shouldn't be too bad with all those kttlebells you've been doing! :)
Hi Heather,
It sounds like you have it all figured out!! You will be so ready for your marathon, hills and everything:) Good luck with your ski race coming up!! Does Madison have a half marathon? Have a great week Heather!!
Good luck with the plan -- and the skiing race! That sounds fun.
Woo! Good luck on the new training. How exciting! I love starting new marathon training program. (I am a huge fan of scratching off the runs too) :)
So even though you're not doing GB again this year (sniffle) I am taking consolation that we are embarking on training together. Last night after my run, I freaked out b/c I couldn't find my blue marker that I've used to cross off my training for the past year or so. Luckily it was resurrected. I've heard of the FIRST program, but haven't looked into it too much. Excited to see how it goes. :)
Congrats on kicking of the plan. I am excited for this one to come.
Good luck training!
Wow good luck with the training plan and the LONG ski!!
I've heard nothing but great things about the First plan. I always think training for a marathon makes you so complete and whole - nothing feels better! Can't wait to read your journey to Madison!!
Sounds like you're ready to hit that plan hard. Good luck!
YAYYYYY training! Your plan sounds eerily similar to mine. Here's to a great, fast race time!!
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