Wednesday, August 12, 2015

My Training Plan & Exciting News!

This week, I tinkered with SmartCoach and came up with a plan I'm really happy with. Originally, the plan called for four 20-milers, and two of those were on back-to-back weekends, so that was one change I made. I also built up my mileage more slowly in the early weeks, and added a couple races.
I love working backwards so I can see how my paces will slowly get faster throughout training.
I'll be running the 10k Race for FISH again...this will be my fourth year running it! I couldn't say no.
I also added a half marathon in November. It's the Fort Myers Marathon, which I ran a couple years ago while sick...that was really rough. It was also the race that was supposed to be my first full, but luckily wasn't.
A bunch of my friends saw I had signed up for this and thought I was running the full. Nooo...one full in December is enough for me!
I think it will be nice to have a half marathon a month out from the full; it will really help me get an idea of how my paces are going.

There's also a 15k I ran two years ago, but I can't find any information on it...If they decide to have the race again, I'll definitely sign up.

I love that the paces on my plan look really doable. I know I can meet them if I'm diligent. I just hope when race day comes, I can keep the pace I need for my goal. (I'll share more about my A, B, and C goals when I'm further into training.) This is my second marathon, but it's the first I'm planning to really race. The first one was all about finishing! I'd like to really train with a race-plan in mind this time.

(Even as I'm looking at my plan now, I feel really confident, but I seem to be forgetting that even four miles is awful right now because of the humidity. But I know I'll get on track!)
We were dripping after this, and a little slap-happy. Matt's plan for Chattajack called for 60 minutes in HR zone 1, so we kept it really easy, which was totally fine by me!
I took my new shoes out for a run yesterday. I do like them; I could tell from the get-go that they're lighter than the Kayano. That was the main reason I switched; they're lighter and cost a bit less. The GT 2000s are basically the same shoe as the Kayano except that the heel drop is slightly lower (21mm vs. 24mm). I'm hoping the cushioning proves to be enough for marathon training. If not, I'll use them for shorter runs and switch back to the Kayano for long runs.
Nice and grassy after our first run together.
Finally, my exciting news...Meg messaged me the other day regarding BDR. When she was thinking about what race to run this fall/winter, Kristina suggested BDR because she's running the half and I'm, obviously, running the full. At first it seemed like a pipe dream, but Meg couldn't shake the thought of it! So yes, she's decided to run the half! I'm so excited to have another blogger friend at the race and to enjoy the whole weekend, especially a seasoned marathoner!
The medal design was released this week...I haven't earned a medal in months! I'm looking forward to adding this one to my wall.
It turns out quite a few of my friends will be at BDR, so I'm hoping to see a lot of familiar faces along the course!

I officially start training next week. I can't wait!

What does your fall race schedule look like?
Do you like running tune-up races before your goal race?
 Is there a race you try to run every year?

ABK

7 comments:

  1. That is so exciting! You, Meg and Kristina will have to do a group meetup!! I really wish I was there. :(

    Your new shoes are very beautiful! I used the 1000s that one time I won a marathon. They started hurting my feet and that's when I switched to Kayanos. Then they started hurting my IT band so now I'm in the Nimbus...lol. Quite the journey!

    I'm glad you made some changes you feel good about for your plan. It's much less daunting going into a plan with doable paces and distances spaced appropriately apart. :)

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  2. I am so excited for you to run the full, Ali, and I am glad you have a training plan you really like! I can't wait to cheer you on and geek out on marathon stuff with you that weekend. I am excited to hear your A, B, and C goals... I make tiered goals like that as well. I think my main goal for the 1/2 is to not have it be my slowest one yet. I am not sure I will be in the shape to PR... also I don't want to be stressed out and PR'ing stesses me out. I will be stressed enough with flying and not used to FL weather. So yeah I think I just talked myself out of a PR haha! I just requested my personal day for 12/14. IT'S REAL!

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  3. Yay how exciting! I can't wait to hear about your goals!

    Honestly - that fear that you won't be able to hold your goal pace never really goes away. It's natural to worry, because 26.2 miles is a long freakin' time to hold a pace, especially one that is slightly outside of the easy zone. But the more you practice, the better you'll feel and as the weeks go by you will get more confident about it. There was an article on competitor running about goal marathon pace, that basically says your goal MP *shouldn't* feel like something you can hold for 26.2 miles in training; if it does, your goal is probably too easy! It's a wild ride but you just have to try your best and have faith in the process. It also helped me to remember that I don't have to run the whole race at that pace - I can start slower with plenty of time to make it up. Which is exactly what I did in my marathon and ended up averaging at exactly my goal pace :0)

    I am a big advocate of doing tune up races during the training cycle. What better way to practice racing then being in, well, a race environment?

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  4. I was scared to run any races before my half last year because I didn't want to injure myself right before my first. This year is kind of the same...I'm doing smaller races...and not really 'racing' but rather enjoying the experience. I forgot how hard it is mentally to increase mileage! So glad you found a plan that gives you confidence...that will be a big help to reaching your goal I am sure!

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  5. Sanibel Island?!?! I love it there. I used to vacation there as a kid every year. I am so jealous you live close enough to go run a race there! So awesome. Sounds like you have a solid plan and you are ready to go! Can't wait to read all about your progress.

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  6. My parents just bought a house in Fort Myers so I definitely want to get down there to run the full or half! Maybe next year... I think Ft. Myers would be an awesome choice for my second full marathon. I'm glad you have a training plan you are comfortable with. I can't imagine doing 4, 20-milers in one plan! It would really get you ready for the race though. You, Meg, and Kristina are going to have so much fun!!!

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  7. I am so excited for you and can't wait to follow your training! I wish I could do BDR with you ladies!

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