Daily total: 6 miles; Weekly total: 30 miles; Current Per Mile Pace: 9:12.
Once again, I've been horrible about maintaining my blog. There were two days last week that I ran - Thursday and Friday - but was too preoccupied to remember blogging.
There are a few other areas that I haven't been completely faithful to my training regimen. It was my boyfriend's birthday this past weekend and a few birthday drinks were in order. I also drank coffee. I could probably run on with a confession, but I'll just end it here. Needless to say, marathon training is impossibly rigid at times and one needs to break the rules. Unfortunately, debauchery manifests pain in the muscles.
I'm back on track this week ;)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Day 9 - Best Pacing Device
Day's Total: 4 miles; Weekly Total: 25 miles; Current pace: ~ 9 minutes per mile.
A reliable tracking device is particularly crucial to training correctly. Yet in the several marathons I've trained for and completed, I cannot seem to locate anything all that reliable and affordable for recording distance and pace. I have used the Nike + Ipod which definitely carries some disadvantages, including inaccurate calibration due to a cheaply manufactured sensor and the quirky malfunctions demonstrated by the Ipod. I have researched other options, such as watches that provide heart rate monitoring, but anything with GPS capabilities is extremely expensive. The Garmin Forerunner not only is very pricey but also feels like a ball and chain from its enormous size and weight. For $30, the Nike + Ipod is not ideal, but it seems to be the best deal, especially if you already own an Ipod.
Monday, August 23, 2010
Day 8 - Getting Used to This Blogging Thing
Day 8 (Today's Total: 6 miles; Weekly Total: 25 miles): 75 days to go until race day and I have already fallen behind on my log. Three days ago I completed my long run last week and the day after (Saturday) I logged 2 miles of sprints at the local high school track. I rewarded myself yesterday with a Kundalini yoga session and now I'm already into the second week of training. I'm realizing it isn't easy to remember to blog along with all the other distractions of life nor does my mind cease to draw a blank when it comes to blog topics beyond the details of my training schedule. I guess it being my seventh time marathon training a lot of what occurs during the course of the training itself seems like second nature and unworthy of discussion.
A few days ago I lamented the necessity for new running shoes, mainly because I find it to be really unsustainable. I should mention that my boyfriend and I strive to live a "green" lifestyle, consuming as few as many resources as possible and reusing/repurposing old items, transporting ourselves by bike, eating foods with only the most local and ecological ingredients, composting and recycling all that we are allowed to, and encouraging the rest of society to also jump on the bandwagon through our advocacy and volunteer efforts. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this lifestyle for the sake of endurance sport training.
I incorporate riding my bike to and from work as part of my cross-training. I find that foods available at the farmer's market are always fresh and usually in season, meaning that these are the best for my body. However, burning as many calories as one does in the course of marathon training requires constant replenishment of the body and in more abundance and regularity than usual. Adhering to my food morals while also compensating for this caloric deficit can be trying on the wallet. In addition to shoes (which can be recycled), I usually need to purchase new running socks and sports bras because these wear down and chafe in the process of training. And as much as I am intrigued by the "barefoot running" craze, it seems that a purchase is still required. With the exception of the Santa Barbara Marathon taking place in my city of residence, most races are a decent drive away, requiring that we burn more fossil fuels to transport ourselves to the start line. I suppose we could encourage that more races organize carpools for people traveling from afar.
If I discover more ways to avoid some of the unsustainable drawbacks of marathon training I will share them as I go...
A few days ago I lamented the necessity for new running shoes, mainly because I find it to be really unsustainable. I should mention that my boyfriend and I strive to live a "green" lifestyle, consuming as few as many resources as possible and reusing/repurposing old items, transporting ourselves by bike, eating foods with only the most local and ecological ingredients, composting and recycling all that we are allowed to, and encouraging the rest of society to also jump on the bandwagon through our advocacy and volunteer efforts. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this lifestyle for the sake of endurance sport training.
I incorporate riding my bike to and from work as part of my cross-training. I find that foods available at the farmer's market are always fresh and usually in season, meaning that these are the best for my body. However, burning as many calories as one does in the course of marathon training requires constant replenishment of the body and in more abundance and regularity than usual. Adhering to my food morals while also compensating for this caloric deficit can be trying on the wallet. In addition to shoes (which can be recycled), I usually need to purchase new running socks and sports bras because these wear down and chafe in the process of training. And as much as I am intrigued by the "barefoot running" craze, it seems that a purchase is still required. With the exception of the Santa Barbara Marathon taking place in my city of residence, most races are a decent drive away, requiring that we burn more fossil fuels to transport ourselves to the start line. I suppose we could encourage that more races organize carpools for people traveling from afar.
If I discover more ways to avoid some of the unsustainable drawbacks of marathon training I will share them as I go...
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Day 4 - Meg needs a new pair of shoes
Day 4 (Today's Total: 6 miles; Week Total: 20 miles) - There is one expense about running a marathon that strikes me as really unsustainable, but as far as I'm aware, completely unavoidable. Running shoes wear down about every 200-300 miles. Easily two pairs of shoes become expired in the duration of marathon training and it is really important to replace them or else you end up with lower back pain and slight shin splints like I'm feeling at the moment. Luckily, many athletic stores participate in shoe recyling programs. Donating shoes is always an option, but why transfer your aches and pains to someone else?
A note to novice runners: I aim for running two marathons each year. I train for three months leading up to race day, then relax for three months. I still run during lulls in between training intervals but not nearly as much. If you are a first-time marathoner and irregular runner I would not suggest adhering to the same training schedule as I log here. While I am only running a total of 20 miles this week, I will be doubling this total two weeks from now - a fairly steep training curve.
How do I increase my per mile pace? Today I ran at a 9:30 mile pace; marathon pace is 8:20. I've found that my per mile pace improves as I increase my weekly totals and incorporate sprint training into my running schedule. Sprints seem to really release all sections of the body to empower you to reach a fuller and more efficient stride.
A note to novice runners: I aim for running two marathons each year. I train for three months leading up to race day, then relax for three months. I still run during lulls in between training intervals but not nearly as much. If you are a first-time marathoner and irregular runner I would not suggest adhering to the same training schedule as I log here. While I am only running a total of 20 miles this week, I will be doubling this total two weeks from now - a fairly steep training curve.
How do I increase my per mile pace? Today I ran at a 9:30 mile pace; marathon pace is 8:20. I've found that my per mile pace improves as I increase my weekly totals and incorporate sprint training into my running schedule. Sprints seem to really release all sections of the body to empower you to reach a fuller and more efficient stride.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Day 2 - Cross Training
The morning began with restorative yoga and now I'm about to embark on 25 miles of road biking. I lift weights tomorrow. The day after tomorrow is another running day and then Friday is the long run day for the week.
A word on diet: While I've imposed certain dietary restrictions on myself in the past, I have never been extremely diligent about adhering to a regimen for the entire duration of training. Since I'm trying to shave 3 minutes off my best marathon time (3:43 in 2009), which means I need to decrease my per mile pace by about 10-20 seconds, I am being much more strict about these sorts of things. For the next 81 days I will:
-not be drinking nor partaking in any abusive substance (avoiding coffee at all costs);
-consuming mostly vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains and proteins;
-taking multivitamins, and a glucosamine supplement is usually a good idea for achy joints.
By the way, thanks to my ingenious boyfriend for providing the idea to keep a running log :)
A word on diet: While I've imposed certain dietary restrictions on myself in the past, I have never been extremely diligent about adhering to a regimen for the entire duration of training. Since I'm trying to shave 3 minutes off my best marathon time (3:43 in 2009), which means I need to decrease my per mile pace by about 10-20 seconds, I am being much more strict about these sorts of things. For the next 81 days I will:
-not be drinking nor partaking in any abusive substance (avoiding coffee at all costs);
-consuming mostly vegetables, fruits, legumes, whole grains and proteins;
-taking multivitamins, and a glucosamine supplement is usually a good idea for achy joints.
By the way, thanks to my ingenious boyfriend for providing the idea to keep a running log :)
Monday, August 16, 2010
Training Begins
Day 1 (day's total: 6 miles; projected week total: 20 miles) - As I approach my 27th year of living on this planet, I am training for marathon lucky number 7. Today I begin the climb to making a qualifying time (under 3:40 for my age group) for the Boston marathon, which is often considered the apogee of a runner's career. While I've self-trained for six marathons in the past three years (San Francisco, Los Angeles, Long Beach, Palos Verdes, Santa Barbara, and Orange County, in chronological order), I've yet to document my training experience and reflect on the wild ride with others.
I'm writing in this virtual space to share my own trials and tribulations of training for the upcoming Santa Barbara Marathon (82 days away) with friends and strangers also interested in perhaps taking the plunge someday.
Anyone can run a marathon. I've seen all ages and sizes passing me on the road to the 26-mile finish. And it doesn't matter how busy you are or perceive yourself to be - I'm a PhD student, working part-time, just adopted a puppy, and I travel regularly. I hope that this space will inspire you to take a physical challenge, in whatever mode it might be, beyond your status quo. Admittedly, it is also my hope that readers may lend me some words of encouragement and motivation.
I will record the number of miles that I run everyday and weekly, for anyone that wishes to follow a training schedule. I will also probably provide details on diet and cross-training and any mishaps along the way. This is my first time keeping a runner's log, the "leg log," and I will probably make some changes as I go the 1000 pre-marathon miles...
I'm writing in this virtual space to share my own trials and tribulations of training for the upcoming Santa Barbara Marathon (82 days away) with friends and strangers also interested in perhaps taking the plunge someday.
Anyone can run a marathon. I've seen all ages and sizes passing me on the road to the 26-mile finish. And it doesn't matter how busy you are or perceive yourself to be - I'm a PhD student, working part-time, just adopted a puppy, and I travel regularly. I hope that this space will inspire you to take a physical challenge, in whatever mode it might be, beyond your status quo. Admittedly, it is also my hope that readers may lend me some words of encouragement and motivation.
I will record the number of miles that I run everyday and weekly, for anyone that wishes to follow a training schedule. I will also probably provide details on diet and cross-training and any mishaps along the way. This is my first time keeping a runner's log, the "leg log," and I will probably make some changes as I go the 1000 pre-marathon miles...
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