I feel like I say this in every post, but life has been insanely crazy these past few months. Now generally I am a pretty good juggler of tasks and usually find/make the time to "choose me", which means I make time for running.
But because work has been crazy (with lots of fun and exciting projects that I am really looking forward to working on), and I have been spending more time at the YMCA making other people workout, my running has taken a back seat (more like it is stuffed in the very back, deepest part of the trunk) to everything else. Clearly, I had some unrealistic expectations at the beginning of the year.
The thing is, I really need to re-prioritize and make time for running. Especially since I have the Stockholm Marathon coming up on June 2nd, and would really like to run another one in May.
So the question is - do you think I can train for a marathon in 9 weeks? I don't just want to run to finish it, I want to run it. You know, and maybe BQ.
And it is not that I haven't been running lately, I just haven't been running as much as I would like. Typically I've been getting in 3 solid-ish runs per week, intermixed with anywhere from 3-5 sessions of weights/cross-training.
Advice is welcome and if you want to be my coach, that is even better. Clearly I need someone to be accountable to...
Showing posts with label marathon training. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marathon training. Show all posts
Monday, February 27, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
marathon training - week 2 review
I still haven't decided what Spring marathon I am going to run, but I continue to plug away at a somewhat organized training plan.
Here is what I accomplished during week number two:
(click for a larger image)
Once I get a minute of spare time, I plan on typing up all of the workouts that I am doing for my Absolute Body Conditioning and Boot Camp classes. Typically I am able to do most of the workouts in those classes, so I would like to be able to reference them.
Who knows - maybe I'll even update my "workouts" page so others can give them a try.
So back to the marathon debate.
Since I haven't decided yet, maybe I should open it up to a vote.
Here are the three marathons I am looking at:
1) Wisconsin Marathon
So back to the marathon debate.
Since I haven't decided yet, maybe I should open it up to a vote.
Here are the three marathons I am looking at:
1) Wisconsin Marathon
Date: May 5th
Registration Fee: $72.99
Hours from Home: 5 hours
Why I like it: Fairly flat with a few rolling hills, smaller race, a lot of people seem to PR on the course, great views (course is along the lake), close to Milwaukee and Chicago
Why I hesitate: Out and back, along the lake - could be windy
Why I hesitate: Out and back, along the lake - could be windy
Date: May 6th
Registration Fee: $90 if I register by 1/30, $105 by 4/20
Hours from Home: 8 hours
Why I like it: 4 runners from town are going, I would potentially have my own personal pacer
Why I hesitate: I've heard the hills are pretty, well - hilly
Date: May 12
Registration Fee: $45 by 3/31
Hours from Home: 6.5 hours
Why I like it: Pancake flat, on a trail similar to the Kewash Trail which I run on quite often, smaller race, very affordable, great reviews, and close to my Mom's (thus eliminating hotel expense)
Why I like it: Pancake flat, on a trail similar to the Kewash Trail which I run on quite often, smaller race, very affordable, great reviews, and close to my Mom's (thus eliminating hotel expense)
Why I hesitate: Few spectators
Remember, I am trying to qualify for Boston early so I can, as I said to another runner the other day, just get the BQ out of the way (like it is that easy), and then run some fun runs later this summer.
I know I've asked before, but which would you choose?
Truth be told, as much as I want to join the others for Cincinnati, I am really leaning towards the other two.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
marathon training
Already a week into the New Year - hard to believe, eh?
It's high time that I start cranking out some serious miles in my 2012 attempt to qualify for Boston. With a busy schedule that includes a full time job, a part time job, teaching classes at the Y, and taking a class for the first time in 5+ years - marathon training must be super efficient.
I have been looking at the FIRST method of training, and its three runs a week + two days of cross training really appeal to me.
Basically it entails one speed session, one tempo run, and one long run each week, with an added two sessions of cross training.
Because of the few runs each week, the paces are pretty quick to ensure you are working your tail off.
With my schedule of teaching classes at the Y (which will cover my cross training sessions), I think my weekly workouts will look something like this:
A little crazy, yes. Doable - I certainly hope so since I've committed to teaching classes through June. One of the classes (Women's Lift) I don't actually lift besides showing the participants proper form, etc.
My workouts this week looked like this:
I am going to have one hot strong little runner's body by June (that's my hope at least!).
I've seen FIRST plans that are 16-18 weeks in length, which would put me at running my first BQ attempt the first or second weekend of May.
I've been looking at the Wisconsin Marathon (May 5) and Lake Woebegone Marathon (May 12) and both of these appeal to me because of their flat courses, but I am also being corerced to run the Cinncinati Flying Pig (May 6) marathon with some truely amazing runners from town. This is a hillier route, but a larger race and I would have my own pacer making sure I don't slack off during the race.
Decisions decisions.
One marathon is set in stone though, and I have been looking forward to it for a while. I ran my first marathon way back in 2009 with Ike and Maddie. Well, three years later, we are all planning on running together again (or at least the same race)...
That's right. My first international marathon.
My original plan was to try to BQ in Stockholm, but with the travel, time change, jet lag, etc, I don't want to put all of my BQ eggs in one basket, hence trying to pick a marathon the previous month.
However, if I can BQ in Stockholm, that would be pretty sweet.
Off to enjoy some unseasonably warm temps with a 10 mile run.
Let the marathon training begin!
It's high time that I start cranking out some serious miles in my 2012 attempt to qualify for Boston. With a busy schedule that includes a full time job, a part time job, teaching classes at the Y, and taking a class for the first time in 5+ years - marathon training must be super efficient.
I have been looking at the FIRST method of training, and its three runs a week + two days of cross training really appeal to me.
Basically it entails one speed session, one tempo run, and one long run each week, with an added two sessions of cross training.
Because of the few runs each week, the paces are pretty quick to ensure you are working your tail off.
With my schedule of teaching classes at the Y (which will cover my cross training sessions), I think my weekly workouts will look something like this:
A little crazy, yes. Doable - I certainly hope so since I've committed to teaching classes through June. One of the classes (Women's Lift) I don't actually lift besides showing the participants proper form, etc.
My workouts this week looked like this:
I am going to have one hot strong little runner's body by June (that's my hope at least!).
I've seen FIRST plans that are 16-18 weeks in length, which would put me at running my first BQ attempt the first or second weekend of May.
I've been looking at the Wisconsin Marathon (May 5) and Lake Woebegone Marathon (May 12) and both of these appeal to me because of their flat courses, but I am also being corerced to run the Cinncinati Flying Pig (May 6) marathon with some truely amazing runners from town. This is a hillier route, but a larger race and I would have my own pacer making sure I don't slack off during the race.
Decisions decisions.
One marathon is set in stone though, and I have been looking forward to it for a while. I ran my first marathon way back in 2009 with Ike and Maddie. Well, three years later, we are all planning on running together again (or at least the same race)...
That's right. My first international marathon.
My original plan was to try to BQ in Stockholm, but with the travel, time change, jet lag, etc, I don't want to put all of my BQ eggs in one basket, hence trying to pick a marathon the previous month.
However, if I can BQ in Stockholm, that would be pretty sweet.
Off to enjoy some unseasonably warm temps with a 10 mile run.
Let the marathon training begin!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
good timing
Today is my first official day of training for the Twin Cities Marathon.
Of course I don't have a plan put together yet, that would be just too smart.
But there are only 11 weeks to go, so I figured I'd better get my rear in gear.
On tap for today, a nice and easy long run of 13-15 miles.
I am dreading it just a little.
Why?
Because at 7:00AM it is already 82 degrees, but feels like 89 degrees.
And the week is only going to get worse.
Cheers! To marathon training...
Of course I don't have a plan put together yet, that would be just too smart.
But there are only 11 weeks to go, so I figured I'd better get my rear in gear.
On tap for today, a nice and easy long run of 13-15 miles.
I am dreading it just a little.
Why?
Because at 7:00AM it is already 82 degrees, but feels like 89 degrees.
And the week is only going to get worse.
Cheers! To marathon training...
Saturday, May 7, 2011
fargo marathon training upadate
T minus two weeks!
In fact, in precisely two weeks from today, if all goes according to plan, I should be done with the 2011 Fargo Marathon, wondering through the Fargo Dome in search of the husband.
Sub 4 people, sub 4.
My training has been going just swimingly since I've recovered from my weight-lifting induced knee injury (yes, 99% sure it was the heavy weights I was lifting). I've been keeping it relaxed and have been trying hard not to freak out if I miss runs.
I am certain I overtrained for the Route 66 Marathon and I am also certain I have not been over training for Fargo.
The weather here in Iowa has been fairly nice the last few days (although still a bit too windy for my liking), and my high school cross country coach would remind me, rain, snow shine - perfect running conditions.
Clearly he forgot wind. Wind does not make perfect running conditions, but is has been some good training for a potentially windy Fargo marathon.
Check out Wednesday and Thursday's run! I felt amazing and just let my body determine my pace. Too bad I can't keep that up for 26.2 miles!
I can't believe I am already beginning to taper. Tapering scares me as I always feel I lose just a little bit of my endurance that I have built up over the past weeks, and I feel the negative thoughts creeping into the back of my mind. Sub 4, really Kier? You are not that awesome. You will probably lose everything by mile 8 just like Tulsa. You suck.
Oh yeah - some days it is really bad. Luckily, I will have an awesome running buddy for at least the first few miles of the race (hopefully the entire 26.2 miles!) who will push me to keep those negative thoughts at bay and encourage me on to finish my third marathon in under 4 hours.
3:59:59? A huge happy dance will ensue, copious mugs of beer will be drank with a few very very cool running people (including three others from here!), and the celebrating will continue through Monday with our good friends + pups.
4:00:01? I will be a depressed runner and will give up running for life. Ahh, okay, maybe not. But I really really really want to see my finish time start with a three. Like really.
How hard can it be to maintain a 9:06 pace for 26.2 miles? It practically hurts to run at a 9:06 pace (please don't get mad, I am talking about my running ability here and not making generalizations! 9:06 might be the fastest you have ever run and that is AWESOME!). My goal is to maintain a 9:00 pace, giving me a good four minute cushion to hit a sub 4.
It is still a little far out to be looking at the weather forecasts as seen from these two dramatically different outlooks:
I can deal with the rain, but please please don't let it be near 80* while I am still running!
Less than two weeks to go. 336 hours. 20,160 minutes. 1,209,600 seconds.
Sub 4 people, sub 4.
(and now I must finally get my booty out the door for my 12 miler!)
In fact, in precisely two weeks from today, if all goes according to plan, I should be done with the 2011 Fargo Marathon, wondering through the Fargo Dome in search of the husband.
Sub 4 people, sub 4.
My training has been going just swimingly since I've recovered from my weight-lifting induced knee injury (yes, 99% sure it was the heavy weights I was lifting). I've been keeping it relaxed and have been trying hard not to freak out if I miss runs.
I am certain I overtrained for the Route 66 Marathon and I am also certain I have not been over training for Fargo.
The weather here in Iowa has been fairly nice the last few days (although still a bit too windy for my liking), and my high school cross country coach would remind me, rain, snow shine - perfect running conditions.
Clearly he forgot wind. Wind does not make perfect running conditions, but is has been some good training for a potentially windy Fargo marathon.
Check out Wednesday and Thursday's run! I felt amazing and just let my body determine my pace. Too bad I can't keep that up for 26.2 miles!
I can't believe I am already beginning to taper. Tapering scares me as I always feel I lose just a little bit of my endurance that I have built up over the past weeks, and I feel the negative thoughts creeping into the back of my mind. Sub 4, really Kier? You are not that awesome. You will probably lose everything by mile 8 just like Tulsa. You suck.
Oh yeah - some days it is really bad. Luckily, I will have an awesome running buddy for at least the first few miles of the race (hopefully the entire 26.2 miles!) who will push me to keep those negative thoughts at bay and encourage me on to finish my third marathon in under 4 hours.
3:59:59? A huge happy dance will ensue, copious mugs of beer will be drank with a few very very cool running people (including three others from here!), and the celebrating will continue through Monday with our good friends + pups.
4:00:01? I will be a depressed runner and will give up running for life. Ahh, okay, maybe not. But I really really really want to see my finish time start with a three. Like really.
How hard can it be to maintain a 9:06 pace for 26.2 miles? It practically hurts to run at a 9:06 pace (please don't get mad, I am talking about my running ability here and not making generalizations! 9:06 might be the fastest you have ever run and that is AWESOME!). My goal is to maintain a 9:00 pace, giving me a good four minute cushion to hit a sub 4.
It is still a little far out to be looking at the weather forecasts as seen from these two dramatically different outlooks:
I can deal with the rain, but please please don't let it be near 80* while I am still running!
Less than two weeks to go. 336 hours. 20,160 minutes. 1,209,600 seconds.
Sub 4 people, sub 4.
(and now I must finally get my booty out the door for my 12 miler!)
Friday, December 17, 2010
the tale of two great runs
Since I have officially decided to run the Fargo Marathon in May, I have been doing a lot of searching/researching online for the perfect training schedule. I knew right away that this schedule has to be different from my Route 66 plan, which was overloaded with runs. Well duh Kier, you are training for a marathon - you should be doing a lot of running! Yes, but I seriously neglected strength training which is also important when training for a marathon, and it is quite possible that I over trained and am looking at cutting out at least one run per week during Fargo training (which would take my from 6 runs to 5 runs each week).
While doing some research, I decided to reach out to my old boss from my college work-study job, who has run a handful of marathons. Most recently she ran the Twin Cities Marathon and finished with an impressive time of 3:44:03. I asked her to share her training plan with me and luckily for me, she did.
When looking over her training plan (which I most likely will be stealing - thanks Angie!) I figured out something about my running. I have one pace and one pace only. Whether I am running a tempo, a moderate distance run or a long run, my pace during Route 66 training ranged from about 7:40ish - 8:40ish, but normally clocked in right around 8:15 pace. I never really worried about it since I was pretty much always clocking in well below "race pace" which was 8:24.
So for Fargo Marathon training, I will be pushing myself much harder during my weekday runs (tempos, mid distance and speed work). My goal for all runs under 6-8 miles will be to clock in under 8 minute pace for sure, and hopefully right around 7:30ish.
I decided to test the waters the other day to see what pace I was capable of right now. Considering the two runs below were in the snow on pretty crappy roads, I am quite impressed and am way excited to get this training underway!
Mile Run 1 Run 2
1 7:35 7:50
2 7:49 7:37
3 7:55 7:49
4 8:01 7:53
5 8:04 8:16
Icing (.07) 7:43 8:00
Total Distance 5.07 miles 5.07 miles
Average Pace 7:53 7:53
During Run 1, I just pushed as hard as I could the entire run. For Run 2, I decided to treat mile one as a warm-up and then tried to run a faster pace for miles 2-4, and cool-down for mile 5.
I also credit these fast miles to some new music on my iPod. A huge thanks for Bree for posting the link to a few download of the GirlTalk album!
Fargo or Bust....(right after Paris and Spain of course!)
While doing some research, I decided to reach out to my old boss from my college work-study job, who has run a handful of marathons. Most recently she ran the Twin Cities Marathon and finished with an impressive time of 3:44:03. I asked her to share her training plan with me and luckily for me, she did.
When looking over her training plan (which I most likely will be stealing - thanks Angie!) I figured out something about my running. I have one pace and one pace only. Whether I am running a tempo, a moderate distance run or a long run, my pace during Route 66 training ranged from about 7:40ish - 8:40ish, but normally clocked in right around 8:15 pace. I never really worried about it since I was pretty much always clocking in well below "race pace" which was 8:24.
So for Fargo Marathon training, I will be pushing myself much harder during my weekday runs (tempos, mid distance and speed work). My goal for all runs under 6-8 miles will be to clock in under 8 minute pace for sure, and hopefully right around 7:30ish.
I decided to test the waters the other day to see what pace I was capable of right now. Considering the two runs below were in the snow on pretty crappy roads, I am quite impressed and am way excited to get this training underway!
Mile Run 1 Run 2
1 7:35 7:50
2 7:49 7:37
3 7:55 7:49
4 8:01 7:53
5 8:04 8:16
Icing (.07) 7:43 8:00
Total Distance 5.07 miles 5.07 miles
Average Pace 7:53 7:53
During Run 1, I just pushed as hard as I could the entire run. For Run 2, I decided to treat mile one as a warm-up and then tried to run a faster pace for miles 2-4, and cool-down for mile 5.
I also credit these fast miles to some new music on my iPod. A huge thanks for Bree for posting the link to a few download of the GirlTalk album!
Fargo or Bust....(right after Paris and Spain of course!)
Sunday, August 1, 2010
opposites
Last night Nic and I headed to the bustling town of Ainsworth for the the annual Brinton Film Festival. Frank and Indiana Brinton managed the Graham Opera House in Washington (now the State Theater) in late 1800's to early 1900's. They were thought of as a very odd couple to many, but some argue that they were simple ahead of their time. The loved to travel and entertain, and often did so with some of the short movies and slides that we were able to view last night.
It was very fun, and fun that you can only have in the area - the films we saw last night are only available here and in the National Archives in D.C.
This morning, we were up at 5:15 getting ready for an 11 mile run (me) and 15 mile bike ride (Nic). We drove out to the next town to meet up with another rider and to hit up another part of the trail that we normally use.
What a beautiful morning!
My run was pretty darn amazing, as you can see from my splits below. The only time I felt sluggish was during the last 3 miles. At that point, I knew Nic would already be back at the car and was praying that he would loop back to ride the last few miles of my run. Nope! But boy, did I ever need some fuel for those last miles! Might have to carry some with me next time instead of totally relaying on my "pack mule!"
Stats::
mile 1 - 8:12
mile 2 - 8:07
mile 3 - 8:03
mile 4 - 8:01
mile 5 - 8:05
mile 6 - 8:03
mile 7 - 8:14 (walking break)
mile 8 - 8:40 (2 walking breaks)
mile 9 - 8:23 (walking break)
mile 10 - 9:02 (where the F is Nic????)
mile 11 - 8:50 (almost done, but dying!)
cool down (.11 miles) - 16:41
total distance: 11.11 miles
average pace: 8:25
I think I am way more of a distance runner (which is really good considering I am training for a marathon), because on the days where I have 3-5 mile runs on the schedule, it seems really hard to hit splits like those above... Anyone else have that happen to them?
See the "honey" sign? That is were we get our honey from! Love me some local honey! :)
Post run we hit up Hy-Vee for some breakfast supplies and $55 later were out the door and headed home! (You know they tell you never to shop on an empty stomach, I am going to add never to shop after a long run!)
Sunday mornings, to me, are supposed to be relaxing, lazy and slow. You are supposed to make breakfast and then sit at the table for hours with the paper and a mug of coffee enjoying the morning. Sunday mornings, to Nic, are meant for eating breakfast really quick and then cleaning, cleaning, cleaning. We are such opposites!
This was totally the case this morning, but it works. I sit enjoying my never ending mug of coffee while Nic cleans...it is quite lovely. :)
The rest of the day involves a bit more cleaning, walking the pup and a trip to Knoxville for a company BBQ with Nic's co-workers. Hopefully it is a very relaxing day as tomorrow marks day 1 of my three + weeks from hell! Not really, but I have a lot to do! A Relay in the very most SE tip of Iowa on Friday, followed by my cousins wedding - 10 hours away and somewhere in there, finding some time to fit in a 6 and 12 mile run! Oh joy...
Monday, July 26, 2010
what makes kier happy
training for a marathon = more running
more running = more eating
more eating = happy kier
oh - did I forget to mention that I am training for my 2nd marathon?!
(ps...every time I type "marathon" I first type "marathong"...weird)
more running = more eating
more eating = happy kier
oh - did I forget to mention that I am training for my 2nd marathon?!
(ps...every time I type "marathon" I first type "marathong"...weird)
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