Training Recap 18 weeks + 864.15 miles

I've trained for 18 weeks through 4:15 wake-ups, single-digit temperatures, hundreds of miles, 50+ hour work-weeks, snow, sleet, and freezing rain. While it wasn't the perfect training cycle, I persevered through many difficult situations.

I added in a ton of elevation gain in preparation for my MS Run The US relay segment and also several new trail running routes. I tried to push myself with paces that I previously never held and overall, had really strong tempo (marathon-paced) training runs compared to my build-up to the Rock 'n Roll Las Vegas Marathon in November 2017.  

One of my most defining moments through this training cycle was my last strength training workout where I did 6 x 1 mile repeats and finished my last mile repeat in 7:58 and felt strong the entire time (not exhausted or out of breath). 

I also dealt with a few minor injuries that either forced me to take a day or two off or cut-back on mileage/ pace or rearrange my schedule until it felt better. I never once had to take a week off, but also focused A LOT on the recovery extras. Tart cherry extract, epsom salt bathes, ice, foam rolling, and icy hot ALL became my best friends. I added in foam rolling twice a day (morning & evening), as well as really focused on strength training (especially as my mileage got into high 50/ low 60 each week). I fit in strength work three times a week and while yoga wasn't as prevalent as I would have liked it, I still consider everything else I managed to accomplish a win. 

I had two headcolds (one turned into a sinus infection) and cut-back on mileage a bit during times when I wasn't feeling 100%. I think these small changes made a big difference in me still showing up at the start line feeling strong. A day or two off doesn't make-or-break a training cycle, but it can shake your mentality if you let it. 

Overall, I'm feeling excited and ready to be running another 26.2 in a NEW state on Saturday and will be posting my goals for the race on Friday (so make sure you check back then)! We will be leaving Steamboat around noon on Friday and I'm planning to hit up the expo as soon as we arrive in SLC and get to bed at a reasonable time before the 7am race start on Saturday!

Training Recap- 872.05 miles later

I (or will run including this week) ran 872.05 this training and consistently hit my highest mileage weeks EVER! I began this training cycle shortly after returning from our vacation after the 4th of July and can't believe how quickly this time went by. 

I did so many firsts in this cycle and really started to prove to myself that maybe I am actually a better a runner than I thought I was. It truly is amazing what your body can achieve when you fully commit to something and open your mind to the possibility. I did almost every track session outside on the track (I used to do them on the treadmill or in an indoor treadmill class), added in goal-marathon paced runs and did the majority outside (I had previously done a few mile repeats in the past, but would walk in between 2 or 3 sets), and did my long runs at a faster pace than my normal 'super easy, slow, slow jog'. 

I also originally had planned to get a shiny new 1/2 marathon PR, but when I got pretty sick with a nasty cold the week of my race I shifted my goals to just having FUN. I enjoyed the Jackson Hole Half SO much and had a blast running 13.1 miles. I never really pushed myself and just enjoyed the race and ended up getting 4th in my AG! This race really opened up a whole new perspective to me for running and racing. 

I only missed ONE training run this entire cycle (the week of my half marathon race) and maybe altered my weekly goal mileage twice (once during the week of my sickness/race and one during the first week of my taper, when I just ran for feel rather than goal mileage). 

I consistently worked on my strength training, altered the time of runs (to get used to the later start of the race), and managed to work in some Barre/Pilates/Yoga into my training. I also kept up with icing/ epsom salt baths/ heat/ icy hot when I felt anything nagging/ mitigated the pain with keeping up on the recovery! 

I have never felt so strong and will do another post at the end of the week recapping my overall thoughts of the Hanson's Marathon Method training program. Regardless of the results, I know that I gave every run/recovery/strength session 100% and that whether I meet my goals that it was worth it!

Check back on Friday with my goals for the race on Sunday and a special letter that I've written to anyone racing this weekend on Saturday!

Recapping my Revel Rockies Marathon Training Cycle

And just like that it's time to recap my 4th marathon training cycle! I seriously cannot believe that this will be my 4th marathon AND my 2nd marathon OF 2017! I've only ever done one marathon during a year, so this was the first time where I went from finishing one marathon, took 2 weeks off of running, a few weeks of building my mileage back up, then started another training plan. I went with the Runner's World Advanced Training Plan to Break 4:00s and we will see if it pays off! I'm feeling pretty confident going into the race (especially with the downhills) and having done the course last year, I think I have a pretty good shot of meeting my goal!

So, let's start at the beginning of the training cycle with some HIGH points:

• This was the first training cycle where I actually logged my mileage! I know, I know, I was a crazy runner before...but now I'm converted! I love keeping track of my mileage each week and recapping the good, the bad, and the...well...unglamorous side of marathon training (i.e. chafing, lack of sleep, sweaty-smellyness, hair always wet when heading to work, etc.)

I logged 416.14 miles during this training cycle

• Tempo Runs. This was another first for me! I did some tempo runs (at marathon goal pace) and they were tough. I got through them and I think that was a HUGE confidence booster.
• Pilates every week. I think I may have only missed 3 Jumpboard Reformer Pilates Classes the entire training cycle. I was able to stay strong and keep the injuries at bay thanks to these classes (I believe..). 
• I set a new PR in the Half AND crossed off my goal of breaking 2:00 hours. This race was a huge confidence booster for me because it was a few weeks after my kidney infection and I was tired/ in the middle of this training cycle/ didn't completely push myself and still was able to break 2 hours. It was amazing. 
• I meal prepped every week during this training cycle. I normally have a few weeks where it's hard to meal prep and I get lazy, but I really stuck to this every week. 
• I took rest days when I needed and stopped going to the gym every Monday-Friday. This was a really big difference between my previous marathon training cycles and this one. I had ALWAYS thought that I needed to work out 6 days a week and never rested. Even my "rest days" typically included some strength training (which is still WORK/STRESS on your body). 
• I slowed down on my easy runs. My previous training cycles, I never really focused on keeping my easy runs slow. This was the first time where I really stepped-back and slowed down and listened to my body when it needed it. I feel like this was a HUGE reason why I was able to nail almost every interval workout I had.

The Lows:

• I got a kidney infection and found out I was Anemic half-way through my training cycle. This was definitely a big blow to my running and training. I ended up taking 7 days off of any activity and then took another week of blended easy running before tackling any sort of hard work-out (including long runs or tempos). Although, in the end it was needed for me to take some rest days and the anemia really helped me become stronger and healthier. I looked back on the weeks prior to my infection and I noted several times a week how tired I was, allergies were terrible, my runs were not going well, and my strength overall was just not there. Afterwards, almost every single one of my runs were happy (some were still hard) and I haven't dealt with any sickness/allergies/ rundown energy since! It really was a blessing in disguise. 
• It snowed. A LOT. I think the beginning months of any late-Spring race will always have weather as a negative. It caused me to run on the treadmill during the first few weeks of my training cycle, but it could be worse I suppose?
• I worked over 40 hours a week most weeks. It wasn't until about 3 weeks ago where I finally was able to only work 40 hours, but the majority of my training cycle I worked upwards of 48-50+ hours a week. This really isn't a change from other training cycles, but still can be a low.

Overall, this was a strong marathon training cycle towards the end. The first 8 weeks of training were rough, but the last 6 weeks finished out really strong. I feel like I'm trained and prepared. If my sub 4 doesn't happen this race, that's OK. I know that I've already become a stronger runner and want to go out and have fun and enjoy one of my favorite races of the year. I know my sub 4 will come either this year or some other year and that the steps leading to it will make me a better runner in the end!