Today I completed my 13 mile run to finish my 1st week of official training. For those of you who were wondering, I am following a Pete Pfitzinger training plan with some modifications to prepare for the Little Rock Marathon on March 15th. Week one called for 35 miles, and I completed it, and I feel quite good about week 1.
Even though I ended up not running the 10 mile boxing day race, I finally feel somewhat like I am getting back into the groove and that I can run now without coughing up a lung or feeling really tired. My pace is slowly returning, and my legs have that sore yet soothing beat up feeling after the first week. This training program is already kicking my butt and I love it!!
A few points about week 1:
- I decided that in order for my recovery runs to be truly recovery-driven, I am running them without a watch, that way I won't obsess about pace. I did this this week and really enjoyed my 5 mile recovery run.
- I drank 2L of water each day. Yup. No lie.
-I need to charge my Garmin (duh). I didn't discover that my Garmin was KAPUT until I was about to head out the door today for my 13 mile run that my watch was dead. I couldn't procrastinate any more, so I went without a watch, and ran for a little over 2 hours 10 minutes, just to be sure that I covered the distance. Hopefully I ran extra!
-I gained 35 HBB challenge points. My total is now 91. Wow marathon training kicks in nicely to the cause, because before I was sucking in a big way.
-the weeks ahead in the training program both scare and excite me. The idea of running 12 and 11 mile runs mid week is going to eat some major time, so I am thankful I am adjusting for the first two weeks while on holidays. We'll see if I am as chipper in a few weeks...
- Eating has gone well. I am eating leftovers from Christmas dinner, but its all 100% homemade. I love my bread maker, I made the most amazing molasses whole wheat bread. Pair it with turkey breast and you have the yummiest healthiest sandwich.
That's it for now. Hope you all have a Happy New Year! I plan on posting a reflection of 2008 in a few days. Thanks for reading!
Hi Marci, this is my first visit to your blog (I found it from Lindsay at Chasing the Kenyans).
ReplyDeleteJust wanted to wish you good luck with the Pfitz plan! I used his 12/55 plan for a few marathons and found it helped a LOT!
Also, 'm curious about why your Garmin is in KMs, and you're celebrating Boxing Day - are you Canadian? I was raised in Canada although I have been in the US for 8 years now.
Anyway, just wanted to say hello :)
Good luck with the Pfitz plan! Sounds like you're well on your way. I drink (well, try to for the most part) about 2L a day, too. Now I'm addicted. Wow, 91 pts?? I was all excited about breaking 70 pts this weekend!! Good luck. :-)
ReplyDeleteI am anxious to hear more! That is a lot of Km's for the week. I hope it ends in great results! I didn't get to do my long run yesterday as it takes a really long time and we had so many obligations yesterday that timing was off. I am heading to the dome this morning after I can drop off my kids with the neighbour. This week I have had some sore feet with my one foot feeling the pain (the same foot with the old injury). I may scale back the runs this week just to be safe. I;ll call you this week sometime.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on week 1 & the HBBC. I'm waaayy too wimpy for Pfitz. You go!
ReplyDeletePS - you're totally making Glaven'sweek by converting to miles.
I have yet to follow a Pfitz plan but I have a copy of Advanced Marathoning on my nightstand.
ReplyDeleteThe one thing I have been doing differently regarding recovery/GA runs is watching the heart rate to make sure I am not going to hard.
Congrats on week one ... sounds like a success. Funny about converting to miles, when I am training for a marathon I do it in miles, but anything less it's in kms. Maybe 18 sounds easier than 30!
ReplyDeleteWay to go on Week 1, I took a peek at the Pfitz plan and it looks tough!
ReplyDeletegreat job on week one and racking up all those HBBC points! I'm glad that your coughing is gone too. I love your idea of meeting up someday soon too! It would be great to finally meet you! Happy New Year if i don't chat with you before then! :)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on a successful first week. Awesome job!
ReplyDeleteGood idea ditching the Garmin for recovery runs. I'm sure your legs will thank you for that.
Good luck with week two!
Wow 11 and 12 mile mid-week runs? Congrats on feeling so great your first week!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are off to a great start. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a good first week on the plan. Glad you are getting into it. My marathon training starts on the 26th of Jan, and I am anxious to get started!
ReplyDeleteI have heard lots of good things about the Pfitz. I think I am going to follow it for my next one. The high mileage during the week is a tough one. You are going to do great. You are already on your way to an awesome start.
ReplyDeleteThat is such an aggressive plan; nice job on the first week! I like your idea of not taking a watch for recovery runs. I'm interested to see how the training goes!
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to check out that training plan. I always do my own thing and do ok, if I am strict with it. I did qualify and run Boston this year, but I would like to try something new and challenge myself by stepping out of my comfort zone.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on week 1!! I know what you mean about the weeks to come. That's how I felt. But each week you'll surprise yourself and really enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI like to do my recovery runs without a watch too! I have found that it really forces me to not worry about my pace and just enjoy the run! I am glad that it works for you too! Keep up the great work! You are doing great!
ReplyDeleteI just reserved that book at my library and hope to be able to check it out soon.
ReplyDeleteNice job on week 1!
I am hoping to one day do a Pfitz plan, too. I've got the book but am going to hold off for a race course I think I can PR on. I'll follow along your training and see how you like it.
ReplyDeleteI've heard really great things about this training plan.. so maybe I could actually give this one a go..seriously I need to pick one!
ReplyDeleteI love running without a watch...it's just peaceful.
wow, i think i fall way short of the 2L--maybe i'll keep track to see how much i actually drink. i guess alcohol doesn't count. good luck with the marathon plan!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on finishing week 1 and getting runs in over the holiday!
ReplyDeletewow week 1 and already a 13 mile run! you are going to be so ready for little rock. i'm glad you had a great week running and are feeling better. those mid-week long runs definitely sound intimidating, especially when you already feel pressed for time so much during the week. i'm sure you'll find a way to squeeze those runs in. good luck with this training plan, i'm looking forward to reading about all your progress :)
ReplyDeleteI've never tried the Pfitz plan. I will be reading about how it works for ya.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a challenging plan! I can't imagine finding time for a midweek 12 mile run!
ReplyDeleteThat bread sounds amazing. Care to share the recipe?
YAY glad you are liking the plan so far :) around week 5 you might start to hate me hehe... those 12 mile mid week runs are tough but it feels sooo awesome to get them done. you are really going to do great this marathon!! you are making me get excited for training!!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on completing week 1 so successfully! Can't wait to hear your 2008 relfections!
ReplyDeleteOh... St George marathon is my favorite. It is a fast one.... more down hill, and you feel it the next day. Gorgeous, fun, and worth it. I have run it three times. I ran it to qualify for Boston, twice. Yes it is a lottery, but if you can register as a group it is almost a gurantee to get in. I think it is getting harder now. I think they only take 6700 runners. about 6200 will actually show on race day. Let me know if you decide to register.. I think you have the entire month of April to register and then you find out the first week in May if you get in. Good luck
ReplyDeleteNice job on the week 1. It think that is a really good idea about ditching g-man for recovery runs. I for one get a little to addicted to it.
ReplyDeleteYour leftovers sound divine..*drool*